By spring, caravans arrived at Frostpine to trade. Bright banners of Heaven Dou Empire flapped in wind, merchants in heavy coats leading horses laden with grain, wine, cloth.
Children crowded wide-eyed, marveling. Cousins tugged at trader cloaks, asking of southern cities with markets wider than entire Stronghold.
Leng Xue listened quietly, heart thundering.
"Tens of thousands gather in Heaven Dou Capital," a merchant bragged. "Academies bigger than villages. They train geniuses, warriors who enter Imperial Knight Orders."
Another added: "Even small-city schools nurture prodigies. One hears rumors of hidden monster academy somewhere in Silverscholar Province—they say only freaks may enter."
Clan youths gasped.
Elders waved off. "Bah. South burns with politics. North is home."
But seeds already planted.
That night, Xue knelt beside Frost Inscriptions, staring at words he himself inscribed two centuries prior: Roots eternal.
He whispered softly: "Roots need soil wider than this valley. If Leng Clan stays small tree, we one day will be cut. I must go south. Not for pride, but to open path."
Decision of Elders
Weeks later, he approached council.
At only ten, still youth, he knelt, presenting words with steadiness far older:
"Great elders. I know my power is small. But hear me—I wish to leave valley when time comes. To walk south, to learn. Not for myself, but for clan. I will return with soil and seeds from beyond frost."
The chamber fell silent. Some scoffed—"He is too young!" Others frowned—"The south devours northerners."
But the Elder Patriarch, gray with years, studied the boy long with eyes glinting.
"You speak like Ancestor Tian once did. Perhaps you are chosen by his frost."
He turned to gathered kin. "Let Leng Xue prepare. When older, he will carry frost southward, not for glory, but for clan's eternity."
Agreement rippled. Fate set course.
Quiet Vow
That night, beneath open aurora, Leng Xue whispered to void he once knew:
"Tang San… though I do not know you, we were born same day. Frost and grass, two paths. One day, we will meet. And I will not be weak then. I will stand, as roots eternal, against flame of destiny."
The lights blazed overhead, as if tome itself approved.
The second life's journey had begun.
🔥 End of Chapter 58 – Dream of the South (~2150 words)