Kalen spent the following days in relentless preparation. The knowledge of the Higher Realms was not just a new chapter in his journey but an entirely different world—a world that required more than just strength and cunning. If he was to survive, he needed to master the depths of his Frozen Flame and Void power while simultaneously preparing his body and mind for the next stage of cultivation.
He secluded himself in the heart of the Crimson Conclave’s ancient archives, poring over every scroll, tome, and artifact he could find related to the Higher Realms. As the days passed, Kalen began to piece together fragments of a cultivation method specifically designed for ascension. It was an evolution of everything he had learned, drawing from the frozen flame, void energy, and the secrets of the Black Sect and Stormviel Clan.
**"The first step,"** Kalen thought as he read, **"is not in power but in balance."**
The Higher Realms were not accessible to just anyone. The mortal body and mind were not equipped to withstand the spiritual pressure, the overwhelming energy, and the changes in reality itself that one would encounter there. Ascending required perfect harmony between the body, soul, and the unique cultivation paths one had chosen.
Kalen’s path had already diverged from the traditional methods of cultivation. The fusion of Frozen Flame and Void energy made him a being of both creation and destruction, of heat and cold, light and darkness. But even that would not be enough.
He needed to refine this balance even further. As he studied, he discovered a technique that could help: **The Trinity of Self.** This was a cultivation method that allowed a cultivator to unify the three aspects of their existence—the body, the mind, and the soul—into one seamless entity. Only by mastering this technique could one hope to ascend to the Higher Realms without being torn apart by the conflicting energies.
---
Meanwhile, Sorin was training in his own way, sparring against the advanced training dummies in the Conclave’s courtyard. His strikes were brutal, each one fueled by the Blood Forge techniques he had honed to perfection. The immortal path he had chosen was one of combat, and each day he grew closer to the peak of his fighting prowess.
But now, with Kalen’s discovery of the Higher Realms, Sorin felt the pull of something more. Combat alone would not get him there. He needed to take his Blood Forge to a new level, evolving it into something that could rival the immortal techniques he had yet to encounter.
One evening, as they both sat by the flickering fire in the mountainside sanctuary of the Conclave, Sorin broke the silence.
**"You’ve been buried in those scrolls for days, Kalen,"** Sorin said, looking over at his friend. **"What’s the plan? You think we’re ready for this ascension?"**
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Kalen glanced up from the scroll he was reading, the flickering flames casting shadows over his face. **"No,"** he said honestly. **"We’re not ready. But we’re getting there."**
Sorin raised an eyebrow, leaning back against a rock. **"What’s it going to take?"**
Kalen hesitated for a moment, then set the scroll aside. **"More than just power. The Higher Realms aren’t like anything we’ve faced before. From what I’ve gathered, it’s not enough to just be strong. You need to be balanced, whole. Your body, mind, and spirit—they have to be in perfect sync. That’s the only way to survive the journey through the Ascendant Gate."**
**"The Ascendant Gate?"** Sorin asked, intrigued.
**"It’s the key to reaching the Higher Realms,"** Kalen explained. **"Every realm has one, and it only opens to those who have reached the peak of their cultivation. But passing through it requires more than strength—it requires perfect harmony. If any part of you is out of balance, the Gate will tear you apart."**
Sorin frowned, crossing his arms. **"So, what’s the plan? We meditate and chant until we’re all balanced and zen?"**
Kalen chuckled softly. **"Not quite. But we do need to train differently. It’s not just about pushing our limits anymore. It’s about refining what we’ve already built. For me, that means mastering the Trinity of Self—bringing my body, mind, and soul into perfect alignment with the Frozen Flame and Void."**
Sorin grunted. **"Sounds complicated."**
**"It is,"** Kalen admitted. **"But if I can’t do it, I won’t survive in the Higher Realms."**
Sorin was quiet for a moment, then nodded. **"Alright. What about me? How do I get ‘balanced’ without losing my edge?"**
Kalen thought for a moment, then stood up. **"Your path is different from mine, but the principle is the same. The Blood Forge is tied to your emotions, your willpower. You’ve always relied on your rage, your drive to win at any cost. But if you want to ascend, you’ll need to control that fury. Instead of letting it control you, you have to master it—make it a part of you, but not the whole of you."**
Sorin clenched his fists, a slight growl escaping his lips. **"Easier said than done. But if that’s what it takes, I’ll figure it out."**
Kalen smiled faintly. **"I know you will. We both will."**
---
Over the next few weeks, both Kalen and Sorin trained tirelessly, but with a newfound focus on refinement. Kalen spent hours each day practicing the Trinity of Self, meditating in the frozen caverns of the Conclave, where the cold air helped him focus on the balance between his flame and frost.
The technique was grueling, forcing him to confront the deepest parts of his mind and soul. Every flaw, every fear, every doubt was laid bare as he sought to unify the three aspects of his existence. It was not just about controlling the Frozen Flame anymore—it was about becoming the embodiment of it.
Sorin’s training was no less intense. He spent his days sparring against both physical opponents and illusions conjured by the Conclave’s ancient formations. But his focus was not on winning the fights—it was on controlling his emotions. He had to learn to harness his fury without being consumed by it. Each strike, each movement, had to be deliberate and measured, fueled by his will, not his rage.
As the weeks passed, both Kalen and Sorin began to feel the change within them. Their cultivation advanced, but more importantly, their understanding of themselves deepened. They were no longer just warriors or cultivators—they were becoming something more. Something that could withstand the trials of the Higher Realms.
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Finally, the day came when Kalen knew they were ready.
Standing atop the highest peak of the mountain range that housed the Crimson Conclave, Kalen and Sorin looked out over the horizon. The wind howled around them, carrying with it the whispers of the ancient cultivators who had come before them.
**"This is it,"** Kalen said quietly, his eyes fixed on the distant stars.
Sorin cracked his knuckles, a confident grin on his face. **"About time. Let’s see what these Higher Realms have in store for us."**
Kalen smiled, his Frozen Flame flickering to life in his hand. **"We’ve come too far to turn back now."**
With a nod, they both turned their attention to the sky above, where the Ascendant Gate waited. Their journey to immortality was just beginning.