By the time spring thaw touched the north, Tian's body had toughened fractionally. His cultivation dragged him to **Rank 10** — a realm where he could finally attempt his **first soul ring.**
The hunters scoffed. "With his martial spirit? Waste."
But Tian pressed forward.
Venturing with elder hunters, he sought weak beasts. Days of searching brought them to a field where **Frost Rabbits** foraged — fragile spirit beasts of barely 10 years.
The men mocked, saying even children absorbed stronger beasts. But Tian ignored their words. Stability mattered more than glory.
He sat cross-legged, guided by elder instructions, and slew a rabbit with arrow before channeling his faint Frost Crystal into it.
Purple light bled across snow, and the **first soul ring** emerged: pale yellow, thin, fragile.
Tian's body screamed as he drew ring into himself; every vein chilled, every muscle shivered dangerously close to rupture.
But through grit, through nights of frozen breath, through endurance taught by elder, he persisted.
Hours later, when dawn broke, the ring settled faintly upon him.
His Frost Crystal spirit pulsed stronger, clarity refined. His first skill awakened: **"Frost Veil"** — a mere chilling aura, barely slowing foes.
The hunters jeered.
"Such a weak ability."
"What use slowing enemies a step when they'll kill you anyway?"
But Tian's eyes gleamed faintly. He knew. Slow steps could save lives if used wisely.
No, it wasn't grand. Not powerful. But it was his.
The first step.
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🔥 End of Chapter 6
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