Inanis could feel a sudden cold slowly but surely accumulating inside him. The “Heart of Ice” which it was called was slowly but steadily taking form inside his Dantian. It was white and condense as an egg, but it sparkled with a light and lively feeling, the cold was terrifying but he did not feel himself in any kind of danger. His murky blue almost black Ki was slowly turning brighter and brighter as a small line of pure white was slithering in the middle of it, like a cluster of stars in complete darkness. The stars were not hot as those in the night sky, but instead colder than the coldest of winters.  

As the transformation had finally completed a delightful smile plastered across Inanis face as he opened his eyes, what met his view was the stone cold face of the one and only Old Hai.

“I went from the first level of the foundation realm, straight up to the third!” Inanis said with a beaming smile lingering on his face. This was not what he expect, a delightful surprise to say the least.

“How do you feel?” Old Hai said.

“I feel cold, yet no cold. It’s hard to explain” Inanis said truthfully as he was pondering regarding his current condition. He definitely felt cold, but for some reason it didn’t appear unpleasant or displeasing in any of the usual ways one might expect. Inanis took a quick look towards his hand, as expect he didn’t shiver one bit, a humans normal response to such low degree’s would definitely make one shiver., but he did shiver one bit, he felt as comfortable as he usually was. 

“My hands are so pale!” Inanis almost shouted out has caught a glance of his skin tone. A deep frown plastered itself on his delicate face.

“You should consider yourself lucky” Old Hai thought internally before he decided to open his mouth.

“Your body cannot completely handle the cold”

“Is this normal?!” Inanis said as he quickly lifted his and met Old Hai’s eyes, his eyes wide and shaken.

“Yes. No need for concern.”

“How long do I have?” Inanis kept Old Hai’s gaze as he spoke seriously.

“Two years at least!” Old Hai declared with confidence as he put both his hands behind his back.

“That’s good.” Inanis said as his smile crept back on his face. He couldn’t help but laugh happily, as he thought about his miserable third cousin who he now had surpassed by quite a bit. The mere thought of informing him of his sudden rise to prominence was enough to calm his nervousness.

“Did you speak with father?” Inanis said as he thought back towards his conversation with Old Hai before. He had taken a decision quite rashly something he had not done in a very long time.

“Yes, he is fine with it!” Old Hai said as nodded with reassurance.

“But the condition is that we will leave towards the main land.”

“What? Why? The resources here should be better, I mean this is our clan” Inanis said with a frown on his face.

“What you need now is not resources for cultivation, but experience.”

“Otherwise how are you to understand a frost concept?”

“Experience huh..” Inanis said as pondered quietly. He couldn’t help but tilt his head towards those dragons swimming across a vast black sky.

“Old Hai, what is the main land like?” Inanis knew only what he had read. The books told of a vast continent filled with hundred thousands of sects and clans, massive empires and eternal struggles for supremacy. Only entities such as the Azure Serpent clan were left untouched by constant struggles of mortality, the constant struggle for power.

“The heavenly continent, it’s vast, spawning five hundred “domains”.”

“It’s lithered with war and struggles, but there is also much to be seen, much to be experienced.”

“When I was just a youngster I wandered there for a hundred years fighting and improving, it wasn’t until I met a certain person in your clan that I finally settled down on this tiny island.” Old Hai said as his eyes were a bit unfocused.

A couple of seconds passed before Old Hai once again turned back towards the present.

“I have packed you things, we are leaving today. Follow me”  Said with a stern voice as he turned around walking towards the exit.

“What? Right now?”

“Shouldn’t I talk to father first?” Inanis said as he rose to his feet hurriedly catching up to Old Hai.

“I told your father I would take you first thing!” Old Hai said as he turned around and stared into the young master’s eyes.

Inanis couldn’t help but frown in response.

“Aren’t you my servant? Why are you suddenly ordering me around?”

“I was ordered to keep an eye on you, now I have been tasked with taking care of you. There is big difference.” Old Hai simply said as he turned a corner and walked into the room hosting the strange teleportation array.

“hmph” Inanis frowned slightly. Old Hai had suddenly begun acting extensively more active, he had usually only spoken when spoken too and always in a respectable manner. Now he suddenly commanded him and ordered him around, obviously it was slightly uncomfortable. But Old Hai’s cultivation was unfathomable and even his father valued this figure highly so he couldn’t gain the courage to object further.

“Young master!” The servant in the room shouted in unison, before bowing deeply in respect.

Old Hai turned and faced Inanis

“Before heading over to the main continent we have to do a quick stop.” Old Hai said

“Where?” Inanis asked.

“There is a young genius rarely seen in a thousand years at Azure Sanctuary”

Inanis frowned. Azure Sanctuary was one of the azure Clans many branch sects, Azure Sanctuary was the most well-known. They had created multiple talented members that had gained access to the main sects resources, some of them had even gained proper acceptance into the Azure Palace, which was exceptionally rare.

“Why do we need to visit this genius?” Inanis said as he continued to have a slight frown plastered across his face.

“Azure Sanctuary pleads absolute fealty to our Azure Palace, the purpose is pick up a follower.” Old Hai said.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“And the Azure Sanctuary usually send their youngster to train in the continent”

“Why would I need a follower when I have Old Hai by my side?”  Inanis said as he tilted his head in confusion.

“You won’t gain any real experience by holding your hand the whole time, experience can only be gained by tempering yourself.”

“If I am there, it would be much different from taking a walk in the gardens near your One Profound Hall” Old Hai said sneering.

Inanis sighted out loud as he shacked his head.

“As you wish old servant.”

Old Hai not catching or ignoring the sarcastic remarks spitted his way turned towards the bowing servant and speaking loudly

“Azure Sanctuary!”

In palace not much different from the one Inanis and Old Hai had previously wandered in a young man currently sprinted in direction towards one of larger halls this establishment had. On his way he met with different people of all ages starring at him in confusion, still no guard which was lithered everywhere stopped him or even called out to him. The reason was that he was waving a small letter and shouting

“Patriarch!”

“Patriarch!”

“Patriarch!”

When he finally arrived before the biggest hall in the entire hall he was met by a vast sea of people, some wore the iconic guard outfit, a heavy mail chest, and purple in color with a slithering serpent on its chest. Others wore simple robes, the ages were varied from young to old, in middle of this gathering an old man wrinkled with signs of time and scars of old, and he appeared refined and calm. The entire gathering was keeping a close eye on this figure; a hint of awe was caught in their lingering gazes.

 As words Patriarch was heard across a far distant the old man had already readied himself to receive this young man.

“Word from the main branch I assume?” The Patriarch of Azure Sanctuary said lightly.

“Yes!” The young man said.

“And something as old fashion as a letter. It must be from that old monster Hai!” The Patriarch declared in a loud voice.

“Everyone get in position!” The old Patriarch spoke out loud.

A sense of unurgency and reluctance reigned supreme across many of the people in this hall. Whispers of different kind lithered the room

“We the mighty Azure Sanctuary have to bow our head; it’s simply outrageous even if it is the main clan”

“I can’t help but agree” Another youth said. Their robe depictured a meditating student cascading before the mighty ancestor. Obviously these youngsters belonged to the younger generation of the Azure Sanctuary. The room lithered with them, there was at least two hundred youngsters present and most of them belonged to the sect, these usually arrogant and contempt disciples couldn’t help but voice out their dissatisfaction.

“I heard the main clan is bringing a young master!” A small girl with freckles lithering her face said with a coy smile on her face.

“Why bring a member from the younger generation?” Another disciple said quietly.

“With elder brother Yang here they wouldn’t dare to act arrogant!” A disciple said with a cold smile.

“Any disciple present here aren’t to be trifled with” The same discipline said.

As the whispers continued to flood through the giant hall the Patriarch frowned as he suddenly spoked up loudly

“Quiet they are here!”

The Patriarch had heard the teleportation array activating from the other side of the mansion, and spoken out quiet the crowd. By his side stood the clans seventeen elders, and the room was filled with the sect’s most promising disciples and senior cultivators. This was the least of preparation he could tolerate when welcome something as prestige full as Senior Hai, he who had reputation and strength no less than many of main branch’s Grand Elders. Welcoming him was the same as welcoming the main branch’s patriarch; therefore he wouldn’t dare making fewer preparations. He couldn’t help but quietly ponder the purpose of Senior Hai’s visit; all he had heard was that he had an interest in their most talented disciple, Yang. Would he gain acceptance into main branch? That was the question that kept haunting his mind. The azure palace had never accepted any junior disciple into their ranks, it was there for unlikely, but a strand of hope still lingered in the back of his mind.

As the crowd caught sight of the two people slowly strolling into the hall, nobody said a word as they were slowly observing them. One of them was Old Hai, middle aged, and cold distant and by all appearances completely mortal, not a hint of any aura or Ki was leaking from his body. This either meant he had superb control of his Ki or that he was truly and by all means mortal. But the crowd new better, this remark couldn’t help but terrifying them slightly. The other one was Inanis, he appeared calm, comfortable and carefree like he was taking a stroll in his own garden. Yet when everyone laid their eyes of him a certain amount of weight laid itself on everyone that did not have sufficient cultivation. Like they had suddenly been submerged in deep water, even worse was the piercing cold his body radiated, the temperature in the room had visibly sunken.  It wasn’t powerful enough to have any real effect on their bodies; the terrifying part was that this was aura he radiated without actually circulating his Ki!

“So this is the main branch” A disciple quietly whispered as he had a serious expression on his face.

Almost every disciple subconsciously turned their heads towards the three disciples closest to the patriarch. One had a slight smile on his face as his red hair hung chaotically in every direction; he was small height, still his face showed sign of maturity. The second person had deep frown on her face as her almost golden hair hung neatly parted in a side cut; her face was angelic and mesmerizing , her body delicate and enticing. A hint of hatred and shock still lingered on her face as she stared intensely towards Inanis. The third and last person was a blank state, as cold and distant as Old Hai, his face would be considered handsome but combined with such a cold and distant expression he would appear unreachable. His eyes were arrogant, and conceited, like an emperor overlooking all being from a higher plane.

These three were the Azure Sanctuaries absolute peak disciples. The last person mention was Yang, a person far above the other two, a genius not seen in a thousand years. 

Inanis didn’t care about the intense stares he got glued on his body, since he was born the son of a grand elder such occurrences were rather commonplace. The main branch had over fifty thousand servants; many of them would stare at him with these kinds of gazes.

A kind smile lingered on the Patriarch face as came face to face with Old Hai

“Patriarch Sun greets Senior Hai!” The Patriarch said while bowing slightly.

Those of the crowd that didn’t know why they had gathered such a large crowd suddenly understood, as a hint of awe spread across the crowd. Monster Hai was a terrifying existence that had been on good terms with their first generation patriarch. What did this mean? He had prolonged his life for over twenty thousand years… That said enough about this man’s cultivation realm.

Old Hai made a slight bow in return, a sign of respect for their first patriarch and the clan he had fostered.

“Who is this young master?” The patriarch said with respect as he gazed towards the young man standing beside Old Hai. He knew instantly that a person that walked casually around with Old Hai would be someone and high statues, that coupled with his impressive cultivation was all he needed to get conformation.

“This is the young master, I have in my care” Old Hai stated as he nodded in approval.

“That explains why this young man such an outstanding cultivation.”  The Patriarch nodded in approval.

“Bring out your disciple, Yang Su!” Old Hai said loudly not waiting a second to get to the heart of the matter.

Many in the crowd had slight frowns on their face when they heard this remark. Still this was Senior Hai a monster that had lived for over twenty thousand years; they could on gulp down their complaints and keep quiet.

“Disciple Yang Su, come forth!” The Patriarch said as he turned and faced the cold and arrogant black haired young man standing not far from him.

Yang Su, dusted off his robe slightly before appearing beside the patriarch directly facing Inanis and Old Hai. His eyes still carried the same arrogance as before as he stood and stared towards Inanis slightly intrigued. This was a disciple of the main branch, obviously he was slightly interested, he often taught that if he had been born in the main branch his future would be immeasurable; therefore he couldn’t help but hold Inanis in conceit.

“Disciple greets Senior Hai” Yang Su said as he bowed respectfully towards him.

“Yang Su, I need to you to follow this young man when he is wandering continent” Old Hai said cutting straight to the point.

A deep frown of disapproval plastered across Yang Su’s face as he starred towards this so called young master. He then turned his head towards his patriarch; he stared back and only nodded in response to his questioning gaze.

“Can disciple disagree?” Yang Su said as he stared respectfully towards Old Hai.

A grimace of anger flared up on the old patriarch aged face as he was about to refute his disciple

But before he could speak up Old Hai spoke up

“Why?” He simply said as he stared towards the young man.

“Are concern about serving someone weaker.”

“The younger generations are always arrogant; it’s part of being a youth.” Old Hai nodded in understanding.

Inanis could instantly see through this Yang Su’s cultivation and what he saw pitiful in comparison to his own, so he did not actually take anything said to heart.

“Inanis circulate your Ki through the Heart of Ice.” Old Hai said he faced towards Inanis.

“Are you sure?” Inanis said with uncertainty. This was something he had never tried before, he could only speculate about the effects. The Heart of Ice was like a catalyst if Ki was channeled through it, it would gain a terrifying degree of cold.

“Yes!” Old Hai said as clasped his hands behind his back.

Inanis only nodded in response. As soon as the nod was completed a visible sign frost and ice crept itself up on the floor, the center was where Inanis was standing. In mere thirty meter all around Inanis a layer of thick frost had laid itself, and the temperature kept dropping and dropping. A second later it was at least as cold as standing alone in heavy blizzard, visible lines of ice was materializing on every person clothing that was standing inside his radius. Worst off were those that stood directly next to Inanis himself and among them was the previous arrogant Yang Su who was visibly shaking from the cold. Hastily circulating his Ki he wasn’t actually harmed, but clear signs of shock were present on his face.

His eyes were wide and his mouth slightly a gape, as he gained his posture he hastily left the radius by jumping backwards. Everyone that was not of the senior generation did exactly the same.

The beautiful girl disciple consider to the entire sect a peerless genius, only overshadowed by the terrifying Yang Su couldn’t help but exclaim out loud while she was outside Inanis “area” 

“Monster!”  She said as she frowned. She couldn’t help but a have sour expression on her face as she crossed her arms. This person was the same age as her, yet he was so terrifying.

A disciple situated in the middle of the area suddenly spoke out in terror

“Not only is it tyrannically cold to the extent of slowing down the circulation of Ki, but the pressure is so heavy.” He said has kept rubbing his hands to warm them up.

“Enough” Old Hai simply said as stood in coldest of zones, not affected at all.

The frost slowly melted as the cold atmosphere quietly grew calm.

“Haha” The old patriarch couldn’t help but laugh. He was by no means affected by the sudden drop temperature.

“Foundation Realm and can have already completely grasped a concept!”  As those words echoed across the hall, some had a sour expression, had wide eyes staring into space while others laughed awkwardly.

“Foundation Realm I expected but understanding a concept as such a young age, is simply unconceivable.”  The old Patriarch laughed again.

A quiet whisper suddenly entered Inanis ear

“Don’t correct them” It was old Hai’s voice.

“Now would you become a follower? You’re seventh level of spirit realm is indeed impressive though” Old Hai said laughing while turning to the shock stricken Yang Su.

“Obviously, the main branch wont treat it’s followers unkindly”

Yang Su frowned in response before getting his bearing back and responding in a respectful manner.

“I wouldn’t dare refute Senior again.” He said bowing.