The homing arrow chased, heat searing. I vaulted a beetle, carapace shielding, muscles screaming, snow crunching. The explosion split it, ichor spraying, heart racing.
"What did I do to them?" I muttered, betrayal cutting, voice raw.
The rod's whip carved beetles, power thrilling, reserves dwindling. Cultivators stopped, Qi spent, faces pale. Beetles swarmed. I stood alone, breath ragged, trembling. Whip died, sword gripped, steel steady.
A pressure crashed, ice Qi crushing Dance of Embers. Shivering, I braced, heart pounding, fingers tight on sword. Beetles fled, dragging corpses, limbs clicking. A figure approached, white-blue robes billowing, aura a blizzard.
"Where's Borai?" he demanded, voice a growl, hands clenched, frost creeping, eyes piercing.
"Dead," I said, gesturing wearily, voice sluggish, pointing to Borai's frozen corpse.
He stared, eyes narrowing, then unleashed energy, hands frosting. Ice split, crates flying. A jade ring surfaced. He snatched it, face tightening.
"Damn it!" he snapped, turning, voice urgent. "Where are the documents?"
I bowed, limbs numb, voice respectful.
"I'm Kai Shen, senior."
His tone softened, eyes curious.
"What's a Shen Clan Kai doing here? Killed someone too important, or family schemes go awry?"
I smiled bitterly, chest tight, voice defiant.
"More the latter. Maybe someone's plan. I'm new, no details."
His gaze softened, shoulders slumping, voice sorrowful.
"You're too young. Sixteen?"
"Don't know," I admitted, voice quiet, truth heavy.
He sighed, eyes distant.
"Another talent ground down. I'm Belozar Zeifert, Ice Fort master."
I blurted, voice curious.
"Pleased to meet you. Unusual name."
He waved, smiling faintly.
"Long story."
He scanned the wasteland, voice steady.
"What is this place?"
I grimaced, voice bitter.
"Roughly. No fire Qi."
He nodded, eyes firm.
"Hidden realm, opens every ten years. Exit's rare. Frost Ridge is deadly, Ice Fort the only haven. You might not survive. Held your own, though. Sloppy swordplay, trash fire technique—good only for beetles."
I looked away, shame burning, voice low.
"Sorry, library's open section. Barred from clan's."
His hand rested on my shoulder, voice warm.
"Not your fault, kid. You survived—Heavens favor you. Vessel's coming. Load crates, ten points."
"Points?" I asked, brow furrowing.
"They'll explain," he said, waving. "Not Phoenix Sect. Betray comrades, you're out. Got it?"
I nodded, resolute. He soared off. A boat landed, frost runes glowing. Ice Qi cultivators hopped off, moving to crates. I sheathed sword, ichor-soaked hanfu reeking.
"Hey, I'm Kai Shen," I said, weary but earnest. "Need help? Belozar said haul crates."
Eyes assessed, my stained hanfu stark, slime foul. I needed a bath.
A white-streaked girl called, voice sharp, eyes curious.
"Belozar said haul, so haul."
We loaded crates, boat's warmth a relief. I sank into a corner, exhaustion pulling. No one bothered me, ichor a warning. Sleep took me.
"Hey, kid," a voice nudged, gentle. "We're here."
I saw the white-streaked girl, smiling faintly.
"I'm Kai Shen," I said, groggy, body aching.
"I'm Aina, little guy," she teased, eyes sparkling. "Move, masters are waiting."
I stepped out, cold slicing. A crystal castle crowned the mountain, spires piercing clouds, ice Qi staggering—useless to me.
Through gates, a plaza's ice floor gleamed, reflecting radiance. Belozar approached with a white-haired woman, robes flowing, aura serene. She paused, eyes locking on mine, widening, voice trembling.
"Little Kai?" she whispered, hands reaching, eyes shimmering with tears. "My son… is it really you?"
Her words hit like a thunderbolt, stirring a memory—a woman's lullaby, a warmth long lost. Was she my mother, or was this another of the sect's cruel games?