Runeterra: I actually know a little bit about everything

Is it the Void? Are there Void creatures still existing in northern Freljord?

Seemingly oblivious to Zuo Chi's suspicions, Anivia continued, "I remember Ryze took this rune to the interior of Freljord, but I never expected it would end up in your hands."

At this point, Zuo Chi was able to piece together the events.

Ryze discovered the World Rune – Red – in the far north of Freljord. He then took the World Rune to the interior of Freljord, where he took Brand as his disciple. However, Brand could not resist the temptation of the World Rune and was completely swallowed by it.

Ryze was temporarily repelled by Brand, who wielded the World Rune, while Brand wandered the Runeground with it.

Until recently, Zuo Chi happened to stumble upon the battle between Brand and Syndra.

Thinking about it this way, the process by which Zuo Chi obtained the World Rune was indeed somewhat coincidental.

Seemingly unconcerned about the World Runes, Anivia gazed at the snow-covered sky, her wings spread wide.

"Avoid using its power unless absolutely necessary."

"We'll see each other again, human."

After saying this last sentence, Anivia's towering figure soared into the sky, flying towards the direction of the icy sacred mountain.

Her purpose in coming here was simply to stop Volibear from indiscriminately killing innocent people. Now that she has achieved her goal, it is time for her to leave.

Anivia will stop other Old Gods from attacking humanity, but she will not concern herself with internal human affairs.

Under the watchful eyes of Zuo Chi and his group, Anivia's figure quickly disappeared into the western sky.

At this point, everything finally settled down.

The ruins were eerily quiet; apart from the occasional low howl of a frost wolf, no one spoke.

All eyes were on Zuo Chi.

Finally, Sejuani spoke first: "Zuo Chi, you saved me again."

Zuo Chi turned to look at Sejuani and gently shook his head: "Ashe and I just came to check on things and will help if we can."

Upon hearing Zuo Chi's words, Sejuani couldn't help but look at Ashe beside him.

At this moment, Aisha was standing next to Zuo Chi, holding Zuo Chi's hands, which were covered with burn marks, in her palms, and looking at him with a pained expression.

Upon hearing Zuo Chi and Sejuani mention her, Ashe looked away from Zuo Chi's hand and met Sejuani's gaze.

"."

The two looked at each other, but neither of them said a word.

However, the meanings conveyed in their eyes at this moment were completely different.

Sejuani: So this is what you meant by "I'll keep it for you"?! You haven't seen me for two days and you've already made it a done deal? Fine, fine, you're doing this, huh? I'll go to the kitchen and get you some money!

Aisha: I don't know what you're talking about. Zuo Chi and I are in love with each other. Don't try to steal him away!

It was clear that Ashe was somewhat guilty, after all, she was indeed in the wrong. However, looking at Zuo Chi in front of her, she still met Sejuani's gaze without backing down.

Seemingly sensing the awkward atmosphere between the two, Zuo Chi quickly changed the subject.

"Sejuani, with this operation, you should have enough supplies, right?"

This is very important because it concerns whether Zuo Chi has fulfilled Sejuani's wish.

Upon hearing Zuo Chi's words, Sejuani's eyes suddenly dimmed. She looked at the bag on Steelmane's back and didn't know how to speak for a moment.

Finally, it was Udyr, standing beside Sejuani, who said, "For some reason, there aren't many guards left in this city, and supplies are scarce. Although we've gathered everything, it's still a drop in the ocean for Winter's Claw."

Zuo Chi was somewhat surprised and helpless by the result Udyr mentioned. He never expected that the road to helping Sejuani realize her dream would be so difficult.

They've already dragged two ancient gods into this, and it's still not finished.

However, Zuo Chi didn't complain. He just nodded and said, "We'll figure out a solution later. Let's use these supplies for a while."

“We’ll head back now,” Sejuani said softly. “The women and children of the tribe are waiting for us.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Sejuani was the first to mount Steelmane's back and gave Winter's Claw the order to retreat.

She didn't want to stay any longer, because the longer she stayed, the heavier her regret would become.

Furthermore, even after taking the last route, she still couldn't find enough supplies, and the pressure in her heart was as heavy as a mountain.

Sejuani now only wants to return to her tribe and find a way to keep Winter's Claw alive.

Zuo Chi waved to Sejuani: "Sejuani, I'll visit Winter's Claw after I come up with a plan."

Sejuani paused for a moment, but did not stop, leading the Winter's Claws westward.

Behind Sejuani, Udyr's expression was equally somber.

He originally thought that after returning from his studies in Ionia, he would have the ability to protect Sejuani and the power to ensure that Winter's Claw would no longer suffer from hunger.

But just now, when facing Volibear, he felt nothing but the helplessness of an ant trying to move a mountain.

This is not what Udyr wants. As one of the few remaining spirit walkers in Freljord who have not been assimilated into bear-men by Volibear, Udyr knows that he needs even greater power.

He needs to make contact with stronger beast spirits, such as the other Old Gods besides Volibear!

Only in that way can he gain the power to rival Volibear.

The matter was finally over. Zuo Chi looked up at the sky and let the snowflakes hit his face.

How can we help Winter's Claw survive this winter?

"Zuo Chi," Aisha called softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Zuo Chi took Aisha's hand and walked towards the edge of the ruins, asking, "Aishi, does our tribe need to worry about supplies?"

Hearing Zuo Chi's words, Aisha nodded: "Although it's not as serious as the Winter's Claw, our supplies are indeed a bit tight. But if we use them sparingly, we should be able to get through this winter."

Zuo Chi asked curiously, "We're both in Freljord, so why do we have so much food?"

"Because our tribe is located in the southern part of Freljord, where the temperature is not too low except in winter, so we can cultivate the land. With enough food, we can naturally get through the winter."

As Ash spoke, a hint of pride flashed in her bright eyes: "These are all precious treasures left by our ancestors."

"What about the Winter's Claw?" Zuo Chi tilted his head to look at Ashe: "Don't they farm?"

"Their land is very barren, and most of it is rock beneath the snow, making it impossible to cultivate. It would take a lot of effort to peel away the rock layer."

Ashe patiently explained, "That's why the Winter's Claw gradually transformed into the Hunting Tribe."

However, it must be said that this local custom made the Winter's Claws extremely powerful; every member of the tribe was a formidable hunter. If it weren't for this winter, perhaps they would have only grown stronger.

Listening to Aisha's explanation, Zuo Chi gained a clear understanding of why Winter's Claw was facing such a crisis.

It wasn't just the cold; it turned out there was also the problem of their environment.

Besides snow, there were only rocks.

Suddenly, Zuo Chi's body trembled. He seemed to have thought of a way to make the Claw of Winter cultivate the land!

However, this method also seems to have many obstacles.

To allow crops to grow in extremely cold environments, it is simply a matter of providing them with a warm environment, fertile and moist soil, and sufficient sunlight.

Zuochi is confident that he can obtain the soil.

The only difficulties are a warm environment and enough sunlight.

In Freljord, the only way to keep warm is by using firewood and charcoal.

However, these two things, like food, are extremely precious resources for survival.

Providing crops with heat and light by burning dry wood or charcoal would be counterproductive.

Where can we find something that can generate heat, emit light, last for a long time, and is readily available?

After racking his brains to no avail, Zuo Chi pulled himself together and took Ai Xi's hand.

"Zuo Chi, what have you thought of?" Aisha asked curiously.

"I'll tell you when I get back."

Zuo Chi pinched Ai Xi's cheek, put his arm around her waist, and leaped into the air.

After that, Zuo Chi and Ai Xi flew towards the center of the Avarosa tribe.

With their doubts dispelled, Aisha and Zuochi were no longer in such a hurry on their return journey.

The couple strolled around, looking at things here and there. Aisha patiently explained the relevant matters of the Avarosa tribe to Zuochi, while Zuochi was a little hungry and ate tofu while listening to Aisha's explanation.

As they walked, Aisha's voice grew softer and softer as she explained things to Zuo Chi, while her face grew increasingly red.

Finally, just as steam was rising from Ashe's head, the two made it back to the tribe.

Back at the camp, Zuo Chi took Ai Xi's hand and said very seriously, "Ai Xi, please have the tribe members keep an eye out for the droppings of large wild animals when they go out, and then help me clear out a tent, preferably a large one, which doesn't need to be prepared inside."

"Hey?"

Upon hearing Zuo Chi's words, Ai Xi was completely bewildered.

"Zuo Chi, what do you need these for?"

"You'll find out when the time comes. There's no point in telling you now, because even I'm not sure if it will work."

"Hmm~"

Seeing Zuo Chi's serious expression, Ai Xi nodded: "I'll have someone prepare it right away."

After Ashe left, Zuochi stood in the camp in Avarosa, watching the tribe members running back and forth, still pondering the feasibility of that method.