Snowy Mountain Region – Blue Wind Empire (Currently away from Yun Che and the others)
A lone female figure wandered across a boundless expanse of white. The frigid wind howled like a chorus of spirits, yet to her, it was nothing more than a passing breeze. Snow spiraled around her like dancing petals, parting softly as she walked — as though the storm itself revered her presence.
This was the Snow Region of Extreme Ice, the northernmost domain of the Blue Wind Empire — an endless land of frozen peaks and eternal frost, where even time seemed to slumber beneath the snow.
The figure's steps were light, graceful — each imprint fading almost as soon as it was made. Her long silver-blue hair fluttered behind her, and her robes, white as the snow itself, swayed like mist in motion. Her beauty was cold yet divine, untouched by mortal dust. She was Chu Yuechan, the Little Fairy of Frozen Cloud Asgard.
She had only recently returned from her journey… and from him.
Her heart stirred as the memory of that final encounter surfaced — the way his words lingered, his eyes meeting hers without hesitation. The moment she realized she had already crossed the line she once vowed never to approach.
A faint blush colored her pale cheeks, delicate and fleeting like the first dawn on a frozen horizon.
"Is it wrong… to love someone younger?" she whispered into the wind. "But he didn't seem to mind. And this warmth in my heart… how could I deny it?"
For someone born and raised in ice, the warmth of affection was terrifyingly intoxicating. Yet, as she walked, a small, gentle smile curved her lips — one that melted even the frost in the air around her.
The blizzard thickened, but it could not hinder her steps. Before long, the vast silhouette of a fortress emerged from the snow — Frozen Cloud Asgard, her home.
The sect stood proudly amid the white wilderness, surrounded by towering walls of eternal ice that gleamed faintly in the pale light. A single monumental gate barred entry, its surface carved with sigils of frost and snowflakes that shimmered like stars. A shimmering formation surrounded it — an invisible barrier of cold energy, warding off intruders but allowing those with the Frozen Cloud mark to pass unharmed.
She paused briefly before the gate, gazing up at the place that had forged her — and once restrained her. The memory of the Hollow assault flickered briefly in her mind: the ice walls blazing with light, the disciples fighting beside her, and the chilling roar that once shattered the silence of this realm. But now, all was calm once more.
As if recognizing her aura, the enormous gate groaned and began to open on its own, light spilling out between its seams. The pathway beyond shimmered in faint blue, leading into the heart of the sect she had sworn to protect — and the world she was no longer sure she truly belonged to.
The two female disciples standing guard at the main gate jolted as the massive ice doors began to creak open on their own. The sudden movement broke the stillness of the snowstorm.
"Someone's entering the sect?" one of them whispered, instantly stepping forward, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
The other disciple mirrored her tense stance, eyes narrowing at the shifting gate.
"Impossible. The Sect Master gave strict orders—no one leaves or enters Frozen Cloud Asgard until after the Blue Wind Tournament."
Their breaths turned to mist as they watched the faint silhouette walking through the snow. The figure was graceful, serene, almost otherworldly.
"Then who… who could it be?"
The two stood ready, wary of any intrusion. But as the figure drew closer, their expressions changed from alertness to shock.
That long silvery hair. Those calm, celestial eyes. The faint shimmer of frost clinging to her robes.
"S–Senior Chu Yuechan?!?"
Both disciples immediately lowered their weapons and bowed deeply, their voices trembling.
"Greetings, Senior! Please forgive us—we did not recognize you!"
They kept their heads bowed, recalling the icy temperament their senior was once known for—distant, cold, untouchable.
But instead of the cold reprimand they feared, Chu Yuechan merely stepped forward, stopping before them. Her gaze was gentle, her lips forming the faintest of smiles.
She placed a soft hand on each of their shoulders.
"It's all right."
Then, without another word, she continued past them, her figure gliding gracefully through the snowfall.
The two disciples stood frozen in place, staring after her until she disappeared from sight.
Finally, one of them broke the silence, her cheeks tinged pink.
"Wh–what just happened?"
"Last time she went out, she dismissed us like we were invisible…"
The other disciple nodded slowly, still staring at the trail Chu Yuechan left behind.
"But she… smiled. Did you see it? She smiled."
"I did. It didn't feel cold at all. She looked… peaceful. Almost radiant. Like all those rumors about her heart being frozen were just lies."
Their words faded into the wind, carried away by the falling snow.
Unaware of the stir she had caused, Chu Yuechan walked deeper into the heart of the sect.
From where she stood now, the scale of Frozen Cloud Asgard stretched far beyond what outsiders could imagine. The front gate was merely a prelude. Beyond it lay rows of crystalline dwellings, towering halls, and bridges of sculpted ice connecting buildings that glowed faintly under the pale sun.
Each structure was a masterpiece of frost — ancient, silent, and pure. It was a world made entirely of ice and serenity… yet for the first time, the woman walking through it felt a quiet warmth within her heart.
The Frozen Cloud Asgard was vast — a kingdom of ice divided into six grand sectors. The frontal area guarded the entrance like a silent sentinel, while the southern and central sectors formed the heart of the sect, filled with training halls, assembly courts, and facilities where disciples gathered for lessons and duties.
The eastern and western sectors were devoted entirely to cultivation — endless fields of frozen mist and crystalline platforms where countless female disciples practiced the Frozen Cloud Arts, their silhouettes drifting like snow spirits in meditation.
Farther north stood the most sacred ground — the northern sector, where the sect's treasure hall and the private residences of the Seven Fairies and the Asgard Mistress lay hidden behind powerful formations. Only the chosen of the Asgard Mistress could set foot there.
From the sky, the entire Asgard shimmered beneath a perpetual storm barrier, its walls glimmering like a mirror of heaven itself. It was both sanctuary and fortress — a paradise sculpted from eternal frost.
Chu Yuechan walked quietly through the snow-laden paths connecting the southern and central zones, her steps barely leaving traces. The disciples she passed stopped whatever they were doing, bowing respectfully as her figure drifted past like a divine apparition.
"Senior Chu Yuechan!"
"Greetings, Senior!"
Each voice carried reverence — and confusion. For the first time in memory, she smiled at them.
The gentle curve of her lips, faint as the moon behind clouds, left many stunned. The once cold, untouchable fairy — now nodding kindly at the younger disciples — felt like an illusion.
"Did… she just smile?" one whispered after she passed.
"Impossible. Senior Chu's heart is colder than the snow itself."
"Then why did her eyes seem so… warm?"
Their whispers followed her like the flurry of snow behind her steps, but she paid them no mind. Instead, she simply exhaled softly — a visible wisp of breath disappearing into the air.
"To think I've been raised in such a grand place…" she murmured to herself. "Why did I never notice its beauty before?"
Perhaps it was never the sect that was cold, but her own heart that had been frozen.
Her destination lay ahead — the Central Palace.
It towered like a mountain of sculpted ice, its walls glittering with frost runes that pulsed faintly with spiritual energy. The air itself seemed to hum with reverence and power.
This was where the Sect Master presided — where all matters of Frozen Cloud Asgard were handled alongside its seven greatest disciples, the Seven Fairies of Asgard.
The guards stationed before the massive doors immediately bowed their heads low.
"Welcome back, Senior Chu Yuechan!"
Even among the Seven Fairies, she stood at the peak — one of the Asgard Mistress's two personal disciples alongside her younger sister, Chu Yueli. Her presence carried authority that needed no words.
As she stepped through the grand hallway, the icy floor reflected her every movement like a mirror. The palace interior was breathtaking — every column, every wall, every archway was sculpted entirely from ice and snow. There was no wood, no silk, no warmth — only frozen artistry refined through centuries.
And yet, as she walked, for the first time, she felt the faint warmth of life stirring within her chest — a warmth she had taken with her from a certain man who had dared melt her frozen heart.
"Rascal…"
Her whisper vanished into the crystalline halls, unheard by anyone, but it lingered like a secret that only the palace itself could remember.
"Chan'er, you're finally back. I was worried."
The gentle yet commanding voice echoed from the crystalline throne at the end of the great hall. Seated upon it was the Asgard Mistress, Gong Yuxian, the ruler of Frozen Cloud Asgard — a woman of unearthly grace whose every gesture carried the weight of both authority and compassion.
At the sound of her voice, Chu Yuechan lowered her head respectfully and stepped forward, her every movement reflecting the poise and discipline she had been raised with.
"I have returned, Mother. Please forgive this unfilial daughter for returning late."
Her tone was soft yet firm — a reflection of both guilt and humility.
Moments later, six ethereal figures entered the icy hall, their footsteps silent on the frost-laden floor. Their appearances radiated beauty that seemed sculpted from the very essence of snow itself. They were the Seven Fairies of Asgard, and together, they formed the living embodiment of the sect's glory.
Among them stood her younger sister, Chu Yueli, her violet eyes widening the moment she saw her.
"Elder Sister?! We were so worried! You didn't return three months ago after leaving to pursue your breakthrough!"
Before Yuechan could respond, she found herself gently embraced by her sister — something rare, even among them. But her serene gaze remained calm as she replied,
"Hmm? Then, how come none of you tried to find me?"
The question carried neither blame nor reproach — merely quiet curiosity.
It was Murong Qianxue, eldest among the others, who spoke next, her tone composed yet respectful.
"Your life force remained steady throughout your absence, and the Asgard Mistress instructed us not to disturb you. She believed you had encountered a fortuitous opportunity for cultivation."
Gong Yuxian's calm yet penetrating gaze softened as she looked upon Yuechan — the disciple she had raised as a daughter.
"Chan'er," she said softly, "I assume you truly did encounter such an opportunity… did you not?"
For a brief moment, silence filled the hall.
Chu Yuechan's hands folded gracefully within her sleeves, but deep inside, a quiet unease stirred. How could she tell them? About the mysterious techniques she had learned — about the man who shattered the ice around her heart — about the divine and spiritual forces that had forever altered her path.
Even though Gong Yuxian was like a mother to her, there were truths that simply could not be spoken. Not yet.
Finally, she bowed her head slightly and replied, her voice calm and measured.
"Yes, Asgard Mistress. I did experience something… but it was not enough to trigger a true breakthrough. However, I did make some improvements."
Her answer was half-truth, half-shield — spoken with the gentle poise of someone who knew what must be concealed.
Gong Yuxian studied her quietly for a long moment, her eyes reflecting the depth of snow and time itself. There was no accusation — only quiet curiosity and an intuition that something within her disciple had changed.
"I see… You've grown more composed than before," she said softly, her expression unreadable. "There's a certain warmth in your eyes I have not seen in years."
Chu Yuechan froze slightly, but only for an instant.
"Perhaps the solitude did me good, Mother."
The Asgard Mistress's lips curved in a faint, knowing smile.
"Perhaps so. Then, all is well." Gong Yuxian's expression softened as she leaned back slightly on her icy throne. "Tell me then, Chan'er — did you discover anything about those energy spikes?"
Yuechan blinked softly. "Energy spikes?"
The Sect Mistress nodded. "Yes. The ones that appeared several months ago. One of them released such immense killing intent that it shrouded the entire continent. The elders feared a calamity was brewing beneath the heavens."
Her calm voice carried a quiet weight, one that made even the air inside the hall turn still.
Yuechan lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry, Mother. I didn't find anything concrete."
Of course, that wasn't entirely true. She had felt those overwhelming energies before — once when all seven fairies gathered to investigate the phenomenon, and again when she went alone. The second time, the energy had brushed against her senses so vividly that it nearly stole her breath away.
It was that same sensation — that same spiritual pressure — that she had once felt near Yun Che's Tensa Zangetsu and Retsu's Minazuki.
Her heart trembled. Those two… don't tell me…
"Chan'er?" Gong Yuxian's gentle voice drew her back to reality. "What is the matter?"
Yuechan quickly composed herself, hiding the fleeting shock in her eyes. "It's nothing, Mother. Merely… a hunch."
Gong Yuxian studied her a moment longer, then nodded with quiet understanding.
"Very well. You must be exhausted. Rest well — three months of cultivation in the wild would drain anyone."
"Yes, Mother. Please excuse this daughter of yours."
Yuechan bowed gracefully, cupping her hands in the traditional salute before turning toward the door. Her footsteps echoed lightly across the crystalline floor, fading as she exited the grand hall.
As the door closed behind her, the remaining six fairies exchanged quiet glances.
Murong Qianxue broke the silence first. "Her aura… it feels different."
Jun Lianqie nodded softly. "Not only different — purer. Almost as if her body and spirit were completely cleansed."
Chu Yueli's eyes lingered on the doorway where her sister had stood moments ago, a faint smile forming at her lips. "No… not just purer. She's warmer too. It's as if she finally found the peace she was searching for."
Gong Yuxian's gaze drifted toward the window, where endless snow danced across the sky. Her tone was faint, almost inaudible.
"Perhaps peace… or perhaps something that changed her heart."
The Asgard Mistress's soft murmur lingered in the icy air like drifting snow.
Jun Lianqie nodded thoughtfully. "Before she left, she carried the chill of the Frozen Cloud itself. Her aura was cold, sharp, and unapproachable. But now…" She paused, searching for the right word. "Now it feels… warm. Pure. Like winter sunlight after a storm."
Murong Qianxue folded her arms, her tone low and uncertain. "She may still be at the peak of the Sky Profound Realm, but her presence feels far beyond that. Almost divine."
The twin sisters, Feng Hanxue and Feng Hanyue, exchanged startled looks. "C-could she have broken through to the Throne Realm?"
Murong Qianxue shook her head. "No… even a Throne's aura wouldn't change so drastically. Coldness remains cold, no matter how strong. Yet hers…" She frowned slightly. "Hers feels alive. Gentle."
Chu Yueli's brows furrowed, concern mixing with curiosity. "Elder sister, what kind of fortuitous encounter did you have out there?"
Their questions hung unanswered in the silent hall, the only sound the whispering wind that seeped through the crystalline walls. Gong Yuxian herself said nothing, but her calm gaze followed the direction where Chu Yuechan had departed, her heart heavy with both pride and unease.
Outside, Little Fairy walked quietly through the snow-lined corridors of Frozen Cloud Asgard. She was unaware of the murmurs behind her or the curiosity she had stirred among her sisters. The faint warmth in her aura — the subtle glow that softened the cold around her — wasn't something she could sense herself.
Her transformation was not born from cultivation or divine inheritance.
It came from emotion — the gentle, unguarded warmth of love she had long denied herself.
And though she didn't realize it, that change in her heart had already begun to alter her very essence.
When she lost her Ice Heart before, Little Fairy's willpower began to reshape her very cultivation.
For ordinary cultivators, emotions were a dangerous distraction — a path to chaos and deviation. But if one could embrace those emotions calmly, channeling them instead of resisting them, they could become an endless source of strength.
Yun Che had sensed this change in her before — the faint warmth hidden beneath her cold composure — but he had chosen to say nothing. He wanted her to discover it for herself.
The moment Chu Yuechan allowed herself to feel — truly feel — those emotions around Yun Che and Retsu, something within her quietly awakened. Her aura, once sharp and frigid, began to transform. The cold clarity of the Frozen Cloud Asgard's signature energy softened, becoming purer, warmer, almost luminous.
It was true that every disciple of Frozen Cloud Asgard needed an Ice Heart to cultivate their Frozen Cloud Arts. Yet none among them knew the hidden truth — that when an Ice Heart shattered and the cultivator's will endured, their arts did not weaken… they evolved. Their frost no longer numbed; it breathed. Their cold no longer repelled; it refined.
And this was exactly what Chu Yuechan was experiencing now, though she had yet to realize it.
Unaware of the transformation quietly reshaping her essence, Little Fairy dismissed the fleeting warmth in her aura as mere imagination and continued her walk toward the arena zone.
The Frozen Cloud Arena spread before her — vast and pristine, its floor of polished ice gleaming like a mirror. Countless memories lingered here; this was the sacred ground where she once earned her title, her fame, and her isolation.
A soft, familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Elder sister?"
She turned. Standing at the entrance was a gentle figure clad in icy blue robes — Chu Yueli, her beloved younger sister.
"Li'er?" Chu Yuechan's tone softened instinctively. "What are you doing here?"
Yueli smiled faintly, her eyes bright with relief. "Nothing in particular. I just… missed you. It's been three long months since we last saw each other."
Little Fairy's expression melted into a small, tender smile — one that reached her eyes. She stepped closer, gently patting her sister's head.
"I missed you too. It's… good to be back."
Chu Yueli blinked, stunned for a moment. Her elder sister — the once icy, untouchable fairy who rarely spared anyone a word — was smiling at her, radiating warmth instead of frost.
Had her heart truly changed so much?
"Actually, Li'er… since you're here, I want to ask you for a favor." Little Fairy spoke softly, her calm eyes reflecting the light of the arena.
Chu Yueli tilted her head. "A favor? If it's within my ability, I'll do it wholeheartedly."
Little Fairy smiled faintly. "Can you spar with me? It's been a while since we last crossed blades."
"Eh? Oh—sure." Yueli blinked in surprise. Her elder sister rarely initiated anything that wasn't training or duty. For her to ask for a spar so casually… it was almost unthinkable.
Across the arena, several of the high fairies who had been watching from afar exchanged glances. Chu Yuechan wants to spar? Some even thought their ears deceived them. But curiosity won over hesitation — they stayed to watch.
"Then come," Chu Yuechan said gently, taking her place at the center of the ice-lit arena. She did not draw her sword. She simply stood there, hands relaxed at her sides, her expression calm and unreadable.
Chu Yueli unsheathed her blade, a flicker of mist swirling around her. She expected her sister to do the same, but Little Fairy merely waited, unmoving.
Yueli frowned slightly, but decided not to hesitate. "Frozen Snow Dance Steps!"
Her figure blurred, the sharp air freezing into spirals as she dashed forward. In an instant, she appeared right in front of her sister, her sword gleaming with icy light.
But just as her strike was about to land, Little Fairy's body tilted slightly—nothing more than a whisper of motion—and the sword sliced through empty air.
"Eh?" Yueli's eyes widened. That movement was so subtle it shouldn't have been possible to dodge. She had attacked at point-blank range with no delay between steps.
Yet her sister had moved as if she had seen it coming long before.
"Li'er," Little Fairy said softly, her tone unhurried. "You need to be faster than that."
Biting her lip, Chu Yueli tightened her grip and launched forward again. Her attacks multiplied like falling snow, each thrust faster and sharper than before. But no matter how quick or clever her strikes became, Little Fairy seemed to flow around them—calm, effortless, as though she were part of the wind itself.
From the stands, the watching disciples could only stare, mouths slightly open. They had seen Little Fairy fight before—but never like this.
Her movements were no longer purely cold and precise—they carried grace, warmth, and serenity. Every motion was perfection, not because of power, but because it was alive.
And for the first time, Chu Yueli felt what her elder sister had truly become.
"Are my eyes playing tricks on me?!" Murong Qianxue exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly as she and the others watched the scene unfold.
"Sister Yuechan… was always strong," one of the twin sisters murmured, her eyes wide. "But this? Chu Yueli is one of the strongest among us—one of the Seven Fairies! Yet she looks like a child before her…"
"And Sister Yuechan isn't even using any of her arts!" the other twin added, disbelief coloring her tone.
Down in the arena, Chu Yueli's blade danced in a blur of silver and frost, her Frozen Cloud Arts manifesting in waves of biting cold. Each strike was sharp, measured, and infused with power—but every single one was effortlessly avoided.
Little Fairy did not parry, block, or counter. She merely stepped aside, tilted her body, or leaned just enough to let the strikes pass by as if they never mattered. Her breathing remained calm, her expression serene.
Chu Yueli, on the other hand, was already panting. Her breath condensed into mist, her body trembling slightly from exertion. She hasn't even fought back once!
In that moment, a memory resurfaced in Little Fairy's mind.
Yun Che's voice echoed softly—"If an attack can be avoided, then why bother taking it on? Let them exhaust themselves. Read their intent, and strike when the heart wavers."
Observation Haki sharpened her senses beyond mortal comprehension. Each of Yueli's movements—each flicker of muscle, each shift of intent—appeared to her like ripples in still water. She could see the flow of combat, the path of every strike before it even began.
"Pant… pant… Are you really my elder sister?" Chu Yueli gasped, supporting herself with her sword. Her once-graceful attacks now looked clumsy in comparison. "When did you become this fast?"
Little Fairy's steps came to a halt. The arena grew silent except for Yueli's ragged breathing.
"Li'er," she said softly, her tone neither condescending nor proud—only calm and sincere. "You need more training after that. Your attacks are still too slow… in my eyes."
She spoke gently, but her words struck harder than any blow. The gap between them had grown vast—so vast that it no longer felt like a difference in strength, but a difference in realm.
High above, the fairies exchanged uneasy glances.
"She… she wasn't like this before."
"That serenity… that speed…""It's as if she's transcended the Frozen Cloud Arts entirely."
And though Little Fairy herself did not realize it, her gentle warmth radiated through the cold arena—an aura that was neither frost nor flame, but something that surpassed both.
"Elder sister, you're stronger than me… How am I supposed to defeat you?" Chu Yueli said between heavy breaths, her body trembling slightly from fatigue.
Little Fairy smiled softly and shook her head. "Well, you might be right about that. Sorry, Li'er—get some rest."
She stepped forward and gently supported her sister, helping her toward the edge of the arena. Chu Yueli blinked in quiet astonishment. Her sister—who once treated training like an icy storm—was now carefully guiding her, almost tenderly.
When did she become this kind… this warm? Yueli wondered silently, feeling her heart ease.
Once she made sure her sister was seated comfortably, Little Fairy turned to the others who were watching from the sidelines. Her calm yet radiant presence drew every eye.
"All right," she said, her voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "The five of you over there—care to take her place and spar with me?"
The five fairies exchanged uncertain glances before stepping forward hesitantly.
"Sister Yuechan," Murong Qianxue spoke first, "after you easily defeated Yueli, there's no way the five of us could stand a chance against you."
"Really?" Little Fairy tilted her head slightly, her tone light and teasing. "Then this time, I only want to test something. Don't worry—I'll play nice."
That teasing warmth in her tone made them blink in surprise.
"Sister Yuechan, what happened to you?" Jun Lianqie asked cautiously. "You usually cultivate alone and never bother with spars. But now… you're asking us to spar?"
Little Fairy froze slightly, blinking as if realizing something. Was I really that cold before?
"Really? That's too bad then…" she said with a soft sigh, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Maybe we can spar later, then."
"No—no, that's not what we mean!" Murong Qianxue quickly replied, waving her hands. "Of course we'll spar with you! Just… please don't go too hard on us."
Little Fairy's smile returned—gentle and serene. "Hai… come at me when you're ready."
"...Hai?" The five froze.
For a brief moment, confusion rippled through them.
"I mean—sure," Little Fairy quickly corrected herself, chuckling lightly.
The others exchanged incredulous glances. That small slip, that casual warmth—it was so uncharacteristic of the once ice-hearted fairy that they could hardly believe what they were seeing.
Has she always been like this? Or did something… someone… change her?
Furthermore, they had never heard her speak more than a few curt words before. Now, her tone carried a soft lilt—soothing, almost melodic. Even Chu Yueli was taken aback. When did her voice become this gentle?
All five fairies drew their swords, forming a wide semicircle around her. Their blades gleamed under the frost-light, each breathing cold mist into the air.
"But, Sister Yuechan," Murong Qianxue said cautiously, "isn't this unfair? The five of us against you?"
Little Fairy simply smiled, the faint curve of her lips enough to melt the tension in the air. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
Before they could question her further, all five moved in unison. Their coordinated strike was fast and precise—ice petals scattering through the air as their swords converged upon her.
A rush of power flared—
Clash!
A metallic ring echoed across the arena.
"What—?!" Murong Qianxue's eyes widened.
"Impossible!" The others gasped.
Every single strike had been stopped. Not deflected—not dodged—but blocked.
And she hadn't even drawn her weapon.
"She blocked it… using her arms?!" The twin sisters cried out in disbelief.
The sight left them frozen in place. Her slender hands—bare and unarmored—had caught the edges of their swords mid-swing, her palms shimmering faintly with pale light.
But Little Fairy herself wasn't thinking of her audience. Her mind had drifted elsewhere, to a quiet memory beneath the moonlight.
She remembered the warmth of his words, the calm in his gaze.
=========================
Three Days Ago
(Just after Little Fairy mastered the intermediate form of Armament Haki.)
Snow drifted gently across the mountain clearing, the air still humming with residual energy from their earlier training. Little Fairy raised her hand, her fingers gleaming faintly as a thin layer of Armament Haki coated her skin like obsidian glass.
"How do you manipulate your energy to do such things?" she asked, her voice soft but edged with curiosity.
Yun Che was standing nearby, having just bonked Cang Yue on the head with a folded paper fan for slacking off during practice. "Focus, Cang Yue. Your Haki is as stable as wet paper," he muttered before turning toward Little Fairy—without even looking directly at her.
"Using your profound energy and aura, of course," he said casually, twirling the fan in his hand. "You think that aura of yours is just for intimidation? It's far more versatile than that. Armament Haki isn't only for hardening your body or weapons—it's also a catalyst. It solidifies aura and strengthens your energy flow."
Little Fairy blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "…Solidify… aura?"
"Yes," Yun Che replied, as though explaining something obvious.
"…And how does one solidify aura exactly?" she pressed, genuinely puzzled.
"Using your imagination, of course," he said matter-of-factly, snapping his fan open dramatically.
"…And imagination is…?"
That stopped him cold.
Yun Che slowly lowered his fan, staring at her as though she had just spoken in an ancient, forgotten tongue. "You—wait. You seriously don't know what imagination is? You don't have even a shred of it?"
Little Fairy quietly shook her head.
He groaned, dragging his hand down his face. "Sigh… How do you people even cultivate?"
She tilted her head innocently, "We… meditate and absorb profound energy?"
"That's not cultivating, that's just breathing with extra steps!" Yun Che snapped in disbelief, his voice echoing through the clearing.
Little Fairy just stared at him blankly, unsure if he was joking or genuinely outraged.
Finally, Yun Che sighed again, folding his fan and tucking it behind his back. His tone softened. "You still have a lot to learn, Little Fairy."
She lowered her gaze slightly, lips forming a faint pout. "…" She wanted to retort—but when it came to profound knowledge, comparing herself to him felt like comparing a droplet of water to the ocean.
In the end, she simply nodded, accepting it quietly. "Then… please teach me, you rascal."
Yun Che smirked faintly. "Good answer."
"Sigh… let's start from the basics." Yun Che said, flicking his wrist as a faint current of energy pulsed from his palm. "Profound strength is your energy source. When you imbue it with Haki, you can solidify it — shape it according to your imagination."
He raised his hand, profound energy surging into his palm. "Like this."
A sphere of condensed energy flared into existence — swirling, unstable, and glowing faintly with a destructive light. Yun Che casually flicked his wrist, sending the energy ball hurtling toward a nearby boulder.
BOOM!
The rock exploded into fragments, dust scattering across the frozen ground.
Little Fairy's eyes widened, her lips parting in awe. "That… was formed entirely from your imagination?"
Yun Che nodded. "Exactly. That's the foundation of aura solidification."
He turned his hand upward, focusing his energy again. "Now—watch closely."
"The concept is simple. You use your aura to manifest a weapon through imagination. Say you want to create a leaf-shaped blade in your palm — visualize it. The Haki will channel your aura and solidify it into that form."
As he spoke, he coated his arm in sleek, dark Armament Haki. The black sheen pulsed faintly as he gathered his aura into his palm.
Little Fairy leaned closer, her icy blue eyes reflecting the glow. She could see the energy swirling around his hand — sluggish at first, shimmering like liquid light.
"Now," Yun Che said calmly, "imagine the leaf's edge sharpening. The moment you lose focus, it'll dull and vanish."
He closed his eyes briefly. The sluggish glow around his palm suddenly refined — the leaf's edges grew razor-sharp, glowing with the faint azure tint of his aura.
Then, with a smooth motion, he picked up a small rock, tossed it into the air, and swung his arm.
Shing!
The rock split cleanly in two before landing silently on the snow.
Little Fairy gasped softly. "Such precision… It's just like sword intent—only purer."
Yun Che grinned. "If you master your imagination, Haki, and profound energy control, you can conjure anything from it. Remember how I created weapons out of energy before?"
She nodded slowly, absorbing every word.
He continued, "This technique's not just for fancy displays. Imagine one day your sword shatters in battle—you can turn your own hand into a blade. When mastered, your body becomes the weapon."
He lowered his arm, the energy dispersing like mist. "Pretty useful in a pinch, don't you think?"
Little Fairy's gaze softened, admiration glinting in her eyes. "I see… So imagination isn't just illusion—it's willpower given form."
Yun Che smiled faintly. "Exactly. That's the difference between a cultivator who uses power… and one who commands it."
"How does one imagine such methods?"
"It's like visualizing," Yun Che said, his tone taking on that sharp, teacher-like firmness she was already growing familiar with. "You picture the weapon you wish to create — its weight, its shape, its aura — and then shape your energy according to that image."
"….."
Little Fairy stared at him blankly, as if he had just started speaking in an ancient, forgotten tongue.
Yun Che blinked at her, then sighed, rubbing his temples. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
She shook her head ever so slightly.
"Aiyaaa…" he groaned, dropping down into a seated position before her. "This is going to take a while."
Settling himself cross-legged on the ground, Yun Che began to explain — slowly and patiently this time — the concept of imagination: how to see what does not yet exist, to feel the shape before it takes form, and to believe in the illusion until it becomes reality.
That day marked the beginning of her true understanding.
It took her a long while — days of silent meditation and countless failed attempts — before Little Fairy finally managed to fuse her imagination with her aura. But once she did, her first creation was the ice rope — a construct of energy and will, woven together from her aura and imagination.
Her progress, however, came with a hint of frustration. Cang Yue had grasped the concept of imagination far more quickly, though her control over energy was still unstable. Retsu, on the other hand, surpassed them both with effortless grace. She had long mastered the principle of manifesting her spirit energy — reiryoku — into solid form, which was why she could so naturally forge weapons from her aura and reiatsu.
Even Kon showed a crude but effective understanding of the concept. While he couldn't shape his energy into weapons, he could manifest it into volatile orbs that detonated with frightening destructive force.
In the end, Yun Che's lesson became the foundation of each of their styles — imagination given form, discipline given edge.
==================
As the memory of Yun Che's lesson resurfaced, Little Fairy's aura began to respond instinctively. The profound energy around her palm shimmered — faint at first, then dense — as it solidified on its own without her conscious will.
Then—
CLANG!!!
A blinding flash of blue flared between them. Murong Qianxue froze mid-swing, eyes widening as her sword split cleanly in two. The broken blade clattered onto the floor.
The five fairies immediately retreated a few steps, hearts pounding as they watched in disbelief. Little Fairy stood still, her arms untouched, flawless — as if carved from translucent jade. But what truly shook them was the leaf-shaped blade of glowing blue energy extending from her palm, sharp and alive, humming with profound power.
The aura around her danced with an ethereal rhythm, like ripples over still water.
Little Fairy blinked, finally realizing what had happened. She quickly released her energy and the luminous blade dissolved into fading motes of light, leaving behind only silence and stunned faces.
All six women stood frozen — their minds struggling to piece together what they had just witnessed. A moment ago, she had evaded Chu Yueli's attacks with impossible grace. Then she had blocked five swords barehanded. And now... she had conjured a weapon from pure energy.
"E–Elder sister," Chu Yueli stammered, trembling slightly, her voice a mixture of awe and fear. "What... what are you?"
Little Fairy looked down at her hand, still faintly pulsing with residual energy. Her expression softened into mild confusion.
"This is…" she murmured quietly, almost to herself. "I wasn't even trying to form it."
She exhaled slowly. "Looks like... the cat's out of the bag."
Without warning, all six of them rushed toward her like a group of curious cats, their earlier shock replaced by wide-eyed wonder.
"Sister Yuechan, how did you do that?"
"That blade just now — it was beautiful!"
"Can you teach us too?"
Their voices overlapped, full of admiration rather than fear. Especially the twins- Feng Hanxue and Feng Hanyue. Little Fairy blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden attention.
"Eh… but I broke your sword," she replied awkwardly, glancing at the two halves of Murong Qianxue's blade on the ground. She had expected scolding — or at least wary glances — but instead she was met with eager smiles and sparkling eyes.
"Never mind that!" Murong Qianxue waved her hand dismissively. "Swords can be replaced. But this… this technique of yours, what kind of cultivation art is it?"
"Is this what you've been training these past three months?" another asked, her tone both curious and reverent.
"Hnn…" Little Fairy found herself cornered, surrounded by six expectant faces. Her mind raced — Yun Che's words echoing faintly in her head. 'If they ask, use the story. You'll be fine.'
She drew in a quiet breath, steadying her heart before answering.
"I almost died three months ago."
The words left her lips softly, but the effect was immediate. The fairies froze. Their excitement vanished, replaced by wide eyes and a tense, aching silence. The breeze brushing through the courtyard suddenly felt colder.
"Wh–what…?" Chu Yueli whispered, her expression paling.
Little Fairy lowered her gaze slightly, her tone calm but distant — the warmth in her aura dimming just a little. "I encountered a crisis during cultivation. My body was broken, my energy was scattered… but I was saved."
She looked at her palm, as if the faint memory of that glowing blade lingered there. "After that, something changed within me."
With a stunned expression, Chu Yueli's eyes widened. "Almost died?"
"Hnn," Little Fairy nodded softly. "I was poisoned by a profound beast during one of my journeys. But… a senior found me. He saved my life and nursed me back to health."
"Senior?" Chu Yueli echoed, her voice trembling slightly.
"I don't know much about him," Little Fairy continued, keeping her tone calm and composed, just as Yun Che had advised. "But that senior also gave me this."
She raised her right arm, allowing her sister to touch it. The moment Chu Yueli's fingers brushed against her skin, her expression froze—then turned to sheer disbelief.
"Goodness… Heavenly God Spiritual Veins?!?!"
Her startled cry drew the others closer. One by one, the fairies reached out, curiosity overcoming hesitation. As they lightly touched her arm, they could all feel it—her profound energy flowed like pristine water, untainted and perfectly balanced.
"All of her profound entrances are opened…" Murong Qianxue murmured, eyes wide with awe. "There's not a single impurity within her veins. This really is the Heavenly God Spiritual Veins!"
Their voices blended with shock and reverence. Even among the Frozen Cloud Asgard, such a phenomenon was legendary—spoken of only in ancient records.
Little Fairy blinked, taken aback by their reactions. "You… know about it?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.
Chu Yueli nodded slowly, her astonishment barely contained. "My disciple… she possesses it as well. To think our sect would have two cultivators blessed with Heavenly God Spiritual Veins…"
The courtyard fell silent. The thought alone sent shivers down their spines. What kind of "senior" could bestow such a divine gift? To heal shattered meridians, purify the veins, and awaken something believed to exist only in myth?
Murong Qianxue whispered in disbelief, "To have the power to create this… that senior must be beyond the level of any Throne… perhaps even higher."
Little Fairy lowered her gaze quietly. Yun Che's face briefly flashed in her mind, and her lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
"Beyond the level of a Throne, huh? If only you knew…"
"Disciple?" Little Fairy blinked, surprised. She never heard of anyone in the sect possessing such veins before.
"Yes," Chu Yueli replied softly, pride flickering in her tone. "My disciple, Xia Qingyue. She was also blessed with the Heavenly God Spiritual Veins. It was the Asgard Mistress's order to keep her gift a secret. So…" Her gaze lifted toward Little Fairy, curiosity gleaming.
Instantly, the other fairies surrounded her with sparkling eyes full of admiration and envy.
"How fortunate…" one murmured.
"It must have been an incredible encounter," another sighed.
"We truly envy you, Sister Yuechan."
Little Fairy didn't know how to respond. The story Yun Che had prepared for her fit the situation perfectly. She hadn't lied… but neither had she told the full truth. A convenient middle ground, she thought to herself.
Still, one name lingered in her mind — Xia Qingyue.
So, she also bears the Heavenly God Spiritual Veins… Did Yun Che grant it to her as well? What made her so special to him? The thought sparked a faint curiosity she couldn't easily dismiss.
"So that senior taught you these methods?" Murong Qianxue finally asked, her tone filled with reverent curiosity. "What did he look like? Perhaps we could meet him one day."
"I don't know," Little Fairy replied, shaking her head slightly. "That senior was cloaked the entire time. I was… nearly crippled by the poison, and he modified my spiritual veins while healing me. The energy method he taught me—" she raised her hand slightly, letting a faint shimmer of aura flicker around her fingers, "—only works with my current spiritual veins. It's something he said could not be passed down easily."
The fairies all exchanged wistful glances, their admiration growing even stronger.
"To have such a senior appear when you were at your weakest… That's fate itself," Jun Lianqie whispered.
Little Fairy merely smiled faintly, lowering her gaze to hide the trace of warmth in her eyes.
Fate, huh? she thought quietly. If only you knew how chaotic that 'fate' truly was.
"Even if I want to teach you, I actually can't. Please forgive me."
Her calm tone carried a trace of regret. The others immediately showed disappointment on their faces, yet none dared to press further. That mysterious energy cultivation method was undoubtedly powerful—but if even Little Fairy said it was impossible to pass down, then so be it.
Still, after a few moments, the disappointment faded, replaced by admiration.
"To think our Asgard was blessed with another expert chosen by the heavens," Murong Qianxue murmured.
"Yes, Sister Yuechan has returned even stronger than before," one of the twins added softly.
Their respect was genuine. Even if they could not learn the technique, having her among them strengthened their faith in the sect's destiny.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of watchful eyes observed from afar.
Hidden just beyond Little Fairy's haki range, Gong Yuxian stood silently among the frozen pillars of the courtyard. Her gaze lingered on her beloved disciple, a faint glimmer of surprise and contemplation dancing in her eyes.
She had seen everything—the flawless dodges, the effortless defense, and now… the mention of that senior.
So it's the same one, she thought, her expression unreadable. The same mysterious expert who transformed Qingyue into our most dazzling disciple.
The implications ran deep. This "senior" not only granted Xia Qingyue the Heavenly God Spiritual Veins but now bestowed the same divine gift upon her own daughter.
Yuxian's heart trembled faintly. What kind of being possesses such power—to alter the spiritual veins of mortals as easily as breathing?
If this energy cultivation method could truly be taught… Frozen Cloud Asgard would stand unrivaled in the continent.
But alas, it seemed the method was sealed, bound to the individual alone. Even so, the Asgard Mistress could not suppress the rising desire in her heart.
Her gaze softened, watching Little Fairy's gentle smile as she conversed with her peers. Perhaps one day, she mused silently, I, too, may meet this senior who changed my daughters' fates.
The wind howled softly over the icy courtyard, carrying with it a whisper of fate and unseen destiny.