Paying no heed to the Shardturtle, the spiritual stag paced toward Matthias until it stood before him. It then turned, regarded him with eyes of pale blue, and shook its head as if beckoning him to follow.

Astonishment and suspicion flashed through his eyes as he murmured, "Is this spiritual stag… actually trying to save me?"

The thought seemed absurd, but with the Shardturtle eyeing them like a predator, Matthias had no choice. He could only lead the group toward the stag's direction.

The Shardturtle watched their retreating figures. After a brief hesitation, it finally turned and sank into the murky water, disappearing from sight.

The spiritual stag led Matthias, Neville, and the others on a halting trek across the vast snowy plain until they finally arrived at the entrance of a hidden cave.

The opening was sealed by a thick layer of ice. The stag exhaled a breath of white mist onto the ice, which instantly melted away, revealing the cave's mouth.

Inside, the air was warm lik