The sun rose weak in the northern sky, casting pale light across Coldwater Village. While most hunters prepared for the day, a small group of youths stood in a glade beyond the huts. Frost mist curled faintly from their breaths as they breathed in unison, guided by the slow gestures of Leng Tian.
"Steady," he said quietly. His voice wasn't loud or commanding, but calm, carrying weight. "Frost builds slowly. Do not force. Let it settle, layer by layer."
The boys and girls exhaled, releasing faint threads of icy mist into the crisp air. Strained faces, trembling shoulders — yet for the first time, even the weakest showed progress.
Days became weeks. By the time summer neared, the dozen children could faintly coat their hands with frost. Though thin and brittle, it was frost nonetheless — theirs, drawn from within.
Hunters who had once laughed now stared in mild unease. "Those kids… are really changing."
"It can't just be luck. That boy's got something."
Leng Tian did not boast. He only corrected patiently, encouraged consistently, teaching the way he wished someone had taught him.
To him, this was not about prestige. It was the first proof: The Frost Manual worked.
And someday… his bloodline would extend this method far.
🔥 End of Chapter 19