Within the room, its doors and windows tightly shut, Lin Xiu wore only a shirt, with wisps of cold air swirling around him. This chill emanated from Zhao Lingyin, causing the room's temperature to plummet, bringing Lin Xiu a sense of comfort. Initially, he had suspected that Zhao Lingyin harbored ill intentions, but now he understood she was creating an environment conducive to his cultivation.

　　To achieve the second awakening of the ice ability, one must immerse oneself in extreme cold for extended periods, thereby stimulating the body's latent potential. However, it was the height of summer, and Lin Xiu could not find such a frigid environment. Unless, of course, someone with the same ability could artificially create one for him.

　　His future sister-in-law had indeed made great sacrifices for him.

　　Lin Xiu ceased his idle thoughts and focused intently on the changes within his body. He had no choice but to concentrate, as the room's temperature had dropped to an almost unbearable level. He had to fully harness the power within him to withstand the harsh cold.

　　During this process, Lin Xiu could feel the force within him slowly increasing. Though the growth was nearly imperceptible, it was undeniably present.

　　This force, known as "primordial energy," is the foundation for all extraordinary abilities. Any such ability requires primordial energy to be activated. As this energy increases, it eventually triggers a qualitative change, leading to another awakening.

　　After an hour, two figures emerged from the room. Zhao Lingyin's face was pale, having expended a significant amount of primordial energy. Lin Xiu, meanwhile, felt weak and drained, as the cold had sapped his strength. Zhao Lingyin had continuously lowered the temperature, leaving Lin Xiu utterly exhausted.

　　However, the benefits were evident. With her assistance, Lin Xiu's primordial energy had grown noticeably. He tested his ability and found he could now form a thin layer of ice on his hand. Although this was currently the limit of his ability, it was far from the full potential of the ice power.

　　Historical records state that when the ice ability is mastered, one can freeze mountains and lakes, even entire cities. It was rumored that in the Great Xia army, there was a powerful individual who had awakened this ability six times.

　　In the northern Dalo Dynasty, there was a legendary figure who had awakened the ice ability seven times, achieving the rank of Heavenly Tier.

　　The climate in the Dalo Dynasty differs significantly from that of the Great Xia, with long, harsh winters in many regions, and some areas covered in snow year-round, making it ideal for those like Lin Xiu and Zhao Lingyin to cultivate their abilities.

　　Based on the number of awakenings, people classify the strength of ability users into nine tiers, from the lower Yellow Tier to the upper Heavenly Tier, and the mythical Supreme Tier, corresponding to one to nine awakenings.

　　Zhao Lingyin had already awakened four times, reaching the upper Mystic Tier, a prodigy among prodigies. Her elder sister, the pride of the Zhao family, had reportedly awakened five times, at less than twenty years of age. Lin Xiu felt unworthy of her.

　　Curious about his betrothed, Lin Xiu asked, "Lingyin, what ability has your sister awakened?"

　　Zhao Lingyin replied curtly, "You will know in due time."

　　Lin Xiu, determined to annul the engagement, dismissed the matter, though his curiosity lingered. Twenty years ago, both the Zhao and Lin families were on the brink of decline. But after Zhao Lingyin's father, Lin Xiu's nominal father-in-law, sired a daughter with extraordinary abilities, he rose from a third-rank baron to a first-rank marquis. What made this Zhao daughter so special?

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　　Though curious, Lin Xiu knew these matters were ultimately irrelevant to him. Once the engagement was dissolved, they would have no further ties.

　　In the courtyard, Sun Dalì watched as Lin Xiu and Zhao Lingyin emerged from the room, both looking exhausted. His eyes widened, but he quickly feigned nonchalance and fled.

　　With Sun Dalì gone, Zhao Lingyin also departed. Lin Xiu walked to the corner of the yard where Sun Dalì usually trained, easily lifting a small stone lock. It seemed that as his primordial energy increased, so did his strength.

　　This suggested that regardless of the method, the essence of primordial energy remained the same. As it grew, all abilities would improve in tandem. Thus, Lin Xiu had discovered a new path of cultivation, one that did not require Zhao Lingyin's help or waiting for winter. If he could acquire other abilities, his path would broaden even more.

　　This was an uncharted path, Lin Xiu's only chance to surpass the geniuses. Exhausted by Zhao Lingyin's training, he leaned against a stone bench to recover.

　　Soon, Sun Dalì returned, peeking around and asking, "Where is the second miss?"

　　Lin Xiu, still weary, replied, "She went home."

　　Sun Dalì approached, grinning, and asked, "Master, do you intend to have both sisters?"

　　"Shut up!" Lin Xiu stood, indignant. "You think I am that kind of person?"

　　Realizing Sun Dalì had misunderstood, Lin Xiu explained, "Lingyin was helping me cultivate."

　　Sun Dalì nodded, winking, "I understand, I understand..."

　　Then he asked, "Do you like the second miss, Master?"

　　Lin Xiu did like Zhao Lingyin, but not in the way Sun Dalì implied. No one had ever been as kind to him, helping him enter the Academy of Extraordinary Arts and assisting in his cultivation, all because of the engagement to her sister.

　　Such a girl, who wouldn't like her? Especially given her beauty and grace...

　　Seeing Lin Xiu's reluctance to admit it, Sun Dalì assumed he was tacitly agreeing. He suggested, "If you really like the second miss, it's not impossible. The engagement didn't specify which sister, and they are both Zhao daughters. It makes no difference..."

　　"Get out!"

　　Lin Xiu waved him away, not intending to marry anyone. Yet, the thought of marrying Zhao Lingyin brought a strange sense of contentment, despite the low status it would entail. The idea of having a family, however, was alien to him.

　　Shaking off these thoughts, Lin Xiu headed back to his room. Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and two figures rushed in.

　　A beautiful woman, followed by a middle-aged man, entered. The woman, visibly worried, grasped Lin Xiu's hand, examining him. "Xiu, are you hurt?"

　　The man, seeing Lin Xiu unharmed, relaxed slightly. Lin Xiu, confused, asked, "Who are you...?"

　　The man's expression changed, and the woman looked at Lin Xiu in disbelief. Sun Dalì, suddenly kneeling, said, "Forgive me, Lord and Lady, I failed to protect the young master!"

　　...

　　At the Peaceful Marquis' residence, the couple, shocked, questioned Sun Dalì.

　　"You say our son lost his memory after being struck by a meteorite and awakened an extraordinary ability? A Heavenly Tier ice ability?"

　　They had rushed back to the capital upon hearing the news, only to find their son had undergone such a transformation. First, he nearly died from a meteor strike, then lost his memory, and now, after eighteen years without any sign of extraordinary talent, he had awakened the ice ability. The couple was torn between joy and concern.

　　Finally, the woman, tears in her eyes, held Lin Xiu's hand, saying, "It doesn't matter if he awakened an ability; we're just glad he's safe..."

　　Lin Xiu felt awkward. These were the parents of the other Lin Xiu, not his. Though he felt a strange kinship, he could not call them mother and father. He excused himself, claiming he had matters to attend to, and left.

　　On the streets, Sun Dalì, following, asked, "Master, you rarely go to the office. Why today?"

　　Lin Xiu replied, "Precisely because I don't go often, I must. This position was hard-earned, and I cannot afford to lose it."

　　Sun Dalì nodded, "True..."

　　He observed Lin Xiu, noticing a newfound maturity since his memory loss.

　　The position of scribe in the Clear Official Bureau was secured through the efforts and considerable expense of the Marquis. The Marquis, a third-rank baron, could not protect his son forever. To ensure Lin Xiu's future, he had arranged this position, which, though mundane, provided a stable income. Lin Xiu, however, had neglected it, finding it boring.

　　Fortunately, the bureau's director, a friend of the Marquis, had turned a blind eye. Lin Xiu, using his amnesia as an excuse, had learned much about his life from Sun Dalì, including his relationships, habits, and the fact that the scribe position was a safety net, providing a steady income even if the Lin family fell. The Marquis and his wife had invested much in their son, something Lin Xiu had never experienced.