Three days later, the Crimson Sect expedition stood before a frozen cliff, harsh wind howling through narrow mountain passes. The entrance to the ruin—an arched gateway of glacial stone—was half-buried beneath ice and ancient frost sigils.
Jin Zhen wore a dark red cloak lined with spirit beast fur. Beside him, Lan Yuer chanted a warmth barrier incantation, her breath misting. Fang Mu was adjusting a pair of goggles he insisted were "artifact-tier."
"Ready?" Jin Zhen asked.
"No," Fang replied. "But that's never stopped us before."
[System Notification][Dungeon Entered: Frozen Ruins of the First Ember][Challenge Mode Activated – Time-Limited Objectives Enabled][Optional Goals: (1) Locate Ember Seal (2) Defeat Frozen Warden in under 10 minutes]
Inside the ruin, cold permeated even the air Jin Zhen breathed. Frosted halls glowed faintly with blue runes, and the floor cracked beneath their boots. Snow-draped statues of warriors lined the corridor, their eyes blank and judging.
"It's too quiet," Lan Yuer murmured.
As if on cue, shadows twisted. Ice wraiths emerged from the walls—humanoid forms cloaked in freezing mist.
[System Alert][Enemy Identified: Ice Wraith – Rank: Spirit-Level Guardian][Weakness: Fire-Based Attacks]
"Perfect," Jin Zhen smirked. "Let's melt them."
He flared his palm, summoning five flame puppets from his upgraded skill. The constructs surged forward, their burning forms illuminating the dark corridor.
Lan Yuer unleashed talismans. Fang Mu threw a talisman scroll labeled "Definitely Not a Bomb."
It exploded.
"Oops."
After a fierce battle, the group stood amidst puddles and steam. Jin Zhen approached an ancient stone pedestal. Upon it lay a broken sigil, shaped like a flame encased in crystal.
[Item Acquired: Ember Seal Fragment – 1/3][Description: Key to awakening a dormant fire inheritance hidden deeper within the ruin.]
"Looks like we're on the right path," he said.
They moved deeper into the ruin. As they descended a spiral stairway of ice, the temperature dropped further. At the base stood a towering chamber with a frozen throne.
A knight of ice sat upon it—taller than any man, wielding a massive sword made of pure glacier.
[System Alert][BOSS ENCOUNTER: Frozen Warden – Core Formation Beast-Construct][Initiating Combat Timer – 10:00 Minutes Remaining]
The Warden stood.
"Outsiders… shall not… pass."
Jin Zhen grinned. "We'll see about that."
Combat erupted. Flame constructs flanked the boss while Lan Yuer coordinated defensive formations. Jin Zhen summoned twin crimson spears, spinning with fire-infused fury.
Fang Mu distracted the Warden by yelling, "Hey! Your throne looks cheap!"
It turned.
"Not helpful!" Lan Yuer snapped.
"Bought us two seconds!"
Time ticked down. At the 1-minute mark, Jin Zhen activated his body technique.
[Crimson Soul Vessel – Partial Awakening][Flame Veins Ignited. Strength +45%, Reaction Time +30%, Fire Affinity Amplified.]
He soared through the air, piercing the Warden's chest with a flaming spear, then spun midair and struck its core.
Cracks spread.
With a deafening roar, the Frozen Warden shattered into shards of glittering ice.
[Boss Defeated: Frozen Warden][Time Remaining: 00:41][Rewards Granted: +1 SP | +200 Fame | Artifact Unlocked: Frozen Ember Core]
"Victory," Jin Zhen said, panting. "And we didn't even lose a chicken."
"You owe me goggles," Fang Mu muttered, brushing ice off his cloak.
As the chamber warmed slightly, a hidden door rumbled open. Inside was a sealed altar with an ancient scroll resting on molten stone.
[Item Obtained: Inheritance Scroll – Crimson Ember Monarch Technique]
Jin Zhen reached out. The scroll vibrated and glowed, binding to his presence.
[Technique Registered][Crimson Ember Monarch – Tier: Heaven | Progress: Locked – Requires Full Ember Seal][Effect Upon Completion: Unknown. Estimated Power Increase: Extreme.]
He smiled, eyes alight.
"This is only the beginning."