The temperature around them abruptly returned to normal as Han Xiao felt a frigid aura gathering in his stomach. The sudden warmth starkly contrasted with the icy chill that had permeated the alley moments ago. The cold, however, didn’t dissipate entirely; instead, it began to seep from Han Xiao's body, slowly radiating outwards. The oppressive chill that had once emanated from the old man was now coursing through Han Xiao, a clear sign that the Frigid Law Root had transferred to him.
The old man, visibly relieved to be rid of the volatile power, staggered back, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "There," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else, "the deal is done."
Han Xiao, though feeling the chill within him, remained outwardly calm. The cold was intense, but he could manage it. He glanced at his sister and Ji Ying, giving them a reassuring nod before turning his attention back to the old man. The air between them was thick with the remnants of their strange and dangerous transaction.
"No! The deal isn’t done until you pass me the other two Law Roots you promised," Han Xiao demanded, his voice shuddering as he glared at the old man.
Ji Ying noticed his skin turning pale white, like a corpse, and the white chilly steam rising from him. Concerned, she asked, "Are you alright?" Han Xue also looked at him warily.
The old man, grinning as if taunting him, responded, "Boy, I’m doing you a favor. I’ll pass the two skills I promised after you digest the Frigid Law Root."
"Hmph!" Han Xiao snorted, "Just give it, or our deal isn't met… And I don’t care for favors from a loser who can’t handle this meager Frigidness." His words were also a signal to the women that he was holding up fine.
“Fine! I’ll pass you Wind Scythe Blade and Wood Elemental Fire!”
Han Xiao felt the two additional roots settle beside the Frigid Law Root. System! Now or never! Do it.
Ding!
[+100 Curse Points used to erase Reverse Summoning Seal on you!]
[+100 Curse Points used to erase Reverse Summoning Seal on Han Xue!]
[+100 Curse Points used to erase Reverse Summoning Seal on Ji Ying!]
Total Curse Points: 12,269!
[Frigid Law Root Digested! +3000 Curse Points Used!]
[Wind Scythe Blade Digested! +250 Curse Points Used!]
[Wood Elemental Fire Digested! +250 Curse Points Used!]
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
Total Curse Points: 8,269!
As soon as the system finished its task, the frigid aura around Han Xiao was absorbed into his body, and the surrounding temperature quickly warmed. Unfortunately, the beggars who had been encased in ice were beyond saving.
The old man watched in disbelief, unable to comprehend how Han Xiao had managed to control the Frigid Root Law. His eyes conveyed shock as he realized the boy had succeeded where he had failed.
"How did you do it?" the old man asked, frustration evident in his voice.
"That's my secret, and I'm not sharing it. We're leaving," Han Xiao replied with a smirk. He quickly grabbed Han Xue and Ji Ying's hands, and the three of them dashed away.
The old man felt a strong urge to stop them, but he was bound by the deal. His unique skill had unbreakable rules, and despite his frustration, he could only watch them leave.
Looking at their retreating figures, he muttered to himself, "That boy managed to digest something I couldn’t even handle. Just a brat with foundational cultivation… What a humiliation. Did I just make a fool of myself in front of them?" He glanced toward the approaching group, sensing the strength of the cultivators among them. "Not that I can’t handle. But there are some strong cultivators among them. I should get out of here."
With that, he quickly began weaving a series of hand seals, muttering the incantation. “Earth Style Skill—Becoming One with Mud, activate!” As he finished, a circular sigil with intricate symbols appeared on the ground, and the hard concrete beneath him turned to mud. His body was swiftly swallowed up by the earth, disappearing without a trace as the pavement returned to its original state.
Not long after, a group appeared at the scene. The group consisted of five striking individuals, each exuding an aura of power and authority, all floating effortlessly in the air—a clear indication of their high cultivation levels.
Leading the group was an old man with a long, flowing white beard, his eyes sharp and filled with wisdom. He wore traditional robes that billowed around him, giving him an air of dignified experience.
Beside him floated a middle-aged man with the appearance of a scholar, though his physique was surprisingly muscular. His attire blended the elegance of a learned man with the ruggedness of a warrior, and his penetrating gaze suggested a mind as strong as his body.
Next to them was a breathtakingly beautiful woman, her presence captivating yet dangerous. She was dressed in scant clothing, revealing smooth, toned skin that gleamed in the light. Despite her alluring appearance, her eyes held a fierce, predatory look that warned of her deadly nature.
Finally, two youthful-looking men completed the group. They appeared to be in their early twenties, but their demeanor was anything but youthful. Both had a cold, calculated air about them, their expressions serious and unyielding. They wore matching outfits, sleek and dark, which emphasized their lean, agile builds, ready for combat at a moment's notice.
All of them scrutinized the scene, their eyes quickly catching sight of the beggars' corpses encased in ice.
“An extreme Ice Style user!” the old man muttered, his eyes narrowing. “I can sense several presences here too, faint but still breathing.” He sniffed the air, then added, “Three weak cultivators and one strong, familiar scent. I know who it is.”
The middle-aged man with a scholarly yet muscular build glanced at the old man with a respectful smile. “Butler Jang, did you find anything? We came because of a dangerous aura detected here.”
“Indeed, the dangerous aura must be from this ice. But the person I’m sensing never used an ice-based skill of this level before. Considering his unique abilities, it’s likely his doing,” Butler Jang responded, his voice thoughtful. “As for those three foundational cultivators, they must have been involved in some kind of transaction with him.”
“Who are you talking about, Old Jang?” asked Jia Huan, one of the youthful-looking men.
“Wang Zhenwu!” Butler Jang responded, his tone grim.
“Monster Zhenwu?!” the others echoed in unison, their expressions darkening at the mention of the name. Wang Zhenwu was an S-level troublemaker, infamous and listed on the Nation’s most wanted list. Unbeknownst to the others, the City Lord let out a melancholic sigh, a fleeting emotion hidden deep within him.
Butler Jang turned to the middle-aged man and asked, “What do you think we should do, City Lord?”
“We’ll follow city protocol,” the City Lord replied, his voice firm. “In the meantime, I suggest you all search for his whereabouts within the city.”
Suddenly, the City Lord’s eyes sharpened as he sensed something, and he shouted, looking in a particular direction, “Who’s there? Show yourself!”
With that, an aura of pressure surged from him, unraveling a camouflaging skill and revealing Elder Bo, who was pressed into the ground with a crestfallen expression.
Seeing the embroidery of the Outer Court of the Tianfu Sword Palace on Elder Bo’s robes, the City Lord eased the pressure and spoke in a friendlier tone, “Pardon my rudeness.”
Elder Bo, though at the late stage of the Houtian Realm, was outmatched by the five individuals before him. He knew they were far above his level. "No, it’s my fault for eavesdropping on seniors,” he replied humbly.
“Forget it,” the City Lord said dismissively.
Elder Bo clasped his palms together in greeting. “I am Wu Bo, an elder of the Outer Court of the Tianfu Sword Palace.”