Chapter 12
Training and the Arrival of the Three Clan Daughters
Cold winds drifted endlessly through the mountains surrounding the Ashvaris Clan.
Several days had quietly passed since Azrath revealed the existence of the Mortal Strength technique and accepted the engagement proposals sent by the three great clans.
The vast clan territory remained covered beneath pale morning mist while enormous waterfalls continued crashing endlessly from the black mountain cliffs above. Countless streams of freezing water flowed throughout the ancient stone pathways crossing the clan grounds while spirit lanterns gradually faded beneath the rising sunlight.
The early morning sky carried soft shades of gray and blue.
Cold air filled the mountains.
The entire Ashvaris Clan remained unusually calm.
However—
Inside one of the distant waterfall training grounds—
The sound of rapid footsteps repeatedly echoed across the narrow mountain trails.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
A small figure quickly ran across the wet stone pathways surrounding the waterfall cliffs.
Cold mountain winds brushed heavily against Eryx's face while his dark hair moved wildly behind him beneath the pale morning light.
Heavy breaths escaped from his lips.
The rough mountain trail beneath his feet remained dangerously slippery from the drifting waterfall mist while freezing streams flowed quietly beside the narrow cliffside paths.
Yet—
Eryx never slowed down.
For the past several days—
Azrath had personally begun overseeing his physical training.
Not reckless training meant to damage the body—
But foundational training.
Strengthening muscles.
Improving breathing rhythm.
Building stamina.
Sharpening balance.
Preparing the body for the future burden of Mortal Strength.
The distant waterfalls roared endlessly throughout the mountains while cold mist drifted through the surrounding forests.
Eryx's footsteps echoed repeatedly through the silent morning atmosphere.
His breathing gradually became heavier.
Cold air lightly burned within his lungs while soreness spread throughout his legs from repeatedly climbing the steep mountain paths every morning.
Even so—
He continued forward.
Far ahead—
The enormous waterfall training grounds slowly emerged once again beneath the drifting mist.
After some time—
Eryx finally returned toward the center of the training area.
The wet stone ground reflected the pale sunlight while freezing water droplets floated through the cold air.
Without resting—
Eryx immediately lowered himself toward the ground.
One push-up.
Two.
Three.
The freezing stone beneath his palms carried biting coldness while water droplets slid across the dark ground beneath him.
Eryx quietly counted inside his mind.
Ten.
Twenty.
Thirty.
His breathing gradually became rougher.
Sweat slowly formed across his forehead before mixing together with the drifting waterfall mist.
By the fortieth push-up—
His small arms had already begun trembling uncontrollably.
A burning ache spread heavily through his muscles while even his palms slowly became numb from the freezing stone beneath him.
Yet—
Eryx still lowered himself once again.
Forty-one.
Forty-two.
Cold winds swept continuously across the training grounds while the waterfall roared endlessly nearby.
Finally—
After finishing the final push-up—
Eryx slowly sat down against the wet stone ground while breathing heavily.
His arms already carried visible exhaustion.
However—
After only several moments—
He stood up once more.
Not far away—
Several stone weights rested quietly beside the cliffs.
Most only weighed several kilograms.
Nothing excessive for a growing child within a cultivation world—
But still heavy enough to gradually strengthen the body over time.
Eryx quietly grabbed two stone weights before beginning another exercise routine beneath the cold waterfall mist.
The surrounding mountains remained silent except for the endless sounds of crashing water and freezing winds.
Time quietly passed.
The bright morning gradually rose higher into the sky.
After finishing his physical exercises—
Eryx slowly picked up the wooden sword resting nearby.
The surrounding air became quieter.
Cold winds drifted softly through the waterfall mist while water continuously flowed across the dark stone ground beneath his feet.
Then—
Eryx slowly closed his eyes.
Inside his mind—
Two completely different sword styles continuously appeared before him.
One flowed gracefully like calm water beneath moonlight.
Elegant.
Sharp.
Beautiful.
His mother's sword art.
Every movement carried flowing precision capable of naturally redirecting force like water flowing around stone.
The second style—
Was completely different.
Explosive.
Direct.
Overwhelming.
Every movement carried terrifying pressure capable of violently destroying balance itself.
Mortal Strength.
Azrath's self-created sword technique.
The two styles completely opposed one another.
One relied upon flow.
The other relied upon force.
Yet—
Eryx still continued attempting to understand both.
Slowly—
His body moved once more.
The wooden sword sliced gently through the drifting mist.
At first—
His movements remained calm and flowing.
The sword danced lightly through the cold air while his feet shifted smoothly across the wet stone ground.
The surrounding waterfall mist almost seemed to move alongside the sword itself.
However—
The very next moment—
His stance suddenly changed.
One explosive step shattered the previous rhythm completely.
BOOM—
The wet ground beneath his feet cracked lightly.
The flowing sword style instantly transformed into violent acceleration.
But—
The sudden burst of force completely disrupted his breathing rhythm.
The balance within his movements instantly collapsed.
The wooden sword violently trembled midway through the transition before Eryx quickly lost balance and stumbled several steps forward.
A faint frustrated expression appeared within his crimson-black eyes.
"...Again."
The waterfall roared endlessly behind him while freezing winds swept across the training grounds.
Eryx quietly adjusted his breathing once more.
Then—
He repeated the movements again.
And again.
And again.
The morning slowly passed beneath the endless sounds of crashing waterfalls and mountain winds.
Far above the mountains—
The bright sky gradually shifted toward evening.
Orange sunlight slowly descended across the enormous cliffs surrounding the Ashvaris Clan while spirit lanterns began lighting throughout the distant clan territory one by one.
Soon—
Night quietly arrived.
The mountains became calmer beneath the moonlit sky while freezing winds drifted endlessly through the ancient stone pathways crossing the clan grounds.
Inside Eryx's room—
Soft lantern light flickered quietly.
Ancient books rested scattered across the wooden table while several opened scrolls contained records regarding cultivation paths, spiritual energy control, and the histories of powerful clans throughout the world.
Eryx sat silently beside the window while holding one of the old clan records within his hands.
Cold night air entered quietly through the slightly opened window while moonlight reflected faintly across his face.
For the past several nights—
He had spent most of his time reading.
The Veyrath Clan.
The Dhairvans Clan.
The Jyorath Clan.
Eryx had quietly searched through countless books attempting to learn more about the three clans connected to the engagement proposals.
Yet—
The more he learned—
The stranger everything began feeling.
Three powerful clans.
Three alliance proposals.
And all directed toward him.
Eryx slowly lowered the book within his hand.
His crimson-black eyes drifted toward the moonlit mountains visible beyond the window.
For several moments—
Silence completely filled the room.
Then—
A faint complicated expression slowly appeared within his eyes.
"...Three engagements."
Even now—
The situation still felt strangely unreal to him.
In his previous life—
Marriage had always been something distant.
Something ordinary people thought about much later in life.
Yet now—
Before even properly stepping onto the path of cultivation—
His future had already become tied to three unknown girls from powerful clans.
Eryx quietly leaned back against the wooden chair while staring toward the distant night sky.
Countless thoughts slowly filled his mind.
What kind of people were they?
Did they even agree willingly to the engagements?
Or were they simply following the decisions of their clans…
Just like him?
The cold night winds drifted throughout the room while spirit lanterns flickered softly outside beneath the moonlit mountains.
And for the first time—
Eryx quietly realized that his future was becoming far more complicated than he had ever expected.
Several more days quietly passed beneath the endless mountain winds surrounding the Ashvaris Clan.
From sunrise until deep into the night—
Eryx continuously pushed himself through Azrath's physical training.
Running across the steep mountain cliffs.
Practicing balance upon the slippery mountain paths.
Repeating sword movements endlessly beneath freezing winds.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The training remained exhausting for his young body.
Yet—
Eryx never stopped.
Slowly—
Small changes had already begun appearing.
His breathing became steadier during long runs.
His balance improved noticeably upon the slippery mountain paths.
Even the trembling within his arms during training had gradually decreased compared to before.
Although still far from true strength—
The foundation of his body was slowly beginning to change.
Meanwhile—
As the promised seventh day gradually approached—
The atmosphere throughout the Ashvaris Clan also began shifting.
Clan servants moved more frequently throughout the territory.
Important elders continuously traveled between different halls.
Even the guards stationed across the mountain gates had become noticeably stricter.
Everyone within the clan clearly understood one thing.
The representatives of the three great clans would soon arrive.
Far beyond the outer mountain gates of the Ashvaris Clan—
Three spirit carriages slowly traveled across the ancient stone pathways winding through the black mountain ranges.
Cold winds swept endlessly across the towering cliffs while pale mist drifted throughout the surrounding forests beneath the gray morning sky.
Each carriage carried the emblem of one of the three great clans.
The Veyrath Clan.
The Dhairvans Clan.
The Jyorath Clan.
No military escort followed behind them.
Only a single messenger accompanied each carriage quietly through the mountain roads.
The atmosphere throughout the mountains remained calm—
Yet carried invisible pressure.
The distant roar of enormous waterfalls echoed continuously throughout the cliffs while freezing rivers flowed beneath ancient stone bridges crossing the Ashvaris territory.
Birds occasionally scattered through the mist while faint sounds of training weapons echoed from distant mountain platforms hidden among the cliffs.
The closer the three carriages approached—
The quieter the atmosphere became.
Inside the first carriage—
Soft spirit lanterns flickered gently against the wooden walls while freezing winds entered through the slightly opened window.
A young girl calmly sat beside the window while silently observing the mountain territory outside.
She wore elegant robes carrying soft white and pale golden colors that moved lightly beneath the drifting winds entering the carriage.
Her long black hair flowed gently across her shoulders while several loose strands danced softly through the cold air.
Her beautiful eyes carried a unique mixture of black and faint golden colors.
Calm.
Gentle.
Quietly observant.
A faint peaceful smile rested upon her face while her slender fingers lightly touched the wooden window frame beside her.
The Ashvaris Clan territory reflected within her eyes.
Ancient black mountains.
Cold rivers.
Suspension bridges hidden beneath drifting mist.
Silent disciples training beneath freezing winds.
The entire territory lacked unnecessary luxury.
Yet—
Everything carried disciplined order.
Strength hidden beneath silence.
"The atmosphere here feels strangely peaceful…"
Her soft voice quietly echoed inside the carriage.
Outside—
The messenger walking beside the carriage smiled faintly.
"The Ashvaris Clan has always lived alongside the mountains, Young Miss."
The girl quietly continued observing the scenery while cold winds brushed gently against her face.
Meanwhile—
Inside the second carriage farther behind—
Another young girl quietly sat near the open window while holding a thick book within her hands.
She wore flowing green robes decorated with delicate silver patterns while pale morning light reflected faintly across the fabric.
Her long hair carried mixed shades of black and dark brown that rested neatly behind her shoulders.
Her calm greenish eyes remained filled with quiet curiosity.
Although the book remained open within her hands—
Her attention had clearly drifted toward the scenery outside long ago.
One of her fingers rested absentmindedly between the pages without turning them.
Cold mist flowed continuously past the carriage while distant waterfalls reflected faintly within her eyes.
The mountains surrounding the Ashvaris Clan appeared ancient and untouched.
Wild.
Cold.
Beautiful.
"The mountains are beautiful…"
Her gentle voice quietly echoed.
Outside—
The messenger accompanying the carriage chuckled lightly.
"Young Miss seems more interested in the scenery than the engagement."
The girl blinked softly before lowering her gaze toward the book once more.
"I just like quiet places."
Yet—
A faint trace of curiosity still lingered within her expression.
The Ashvaris Clan.
The clan connected to the child whose talent had already begun spreading throughout several great clans.
Even the elders within her clan had repeatedly discussed his existence before this journey began.
Meanwhile—
Inside the third carriage—
The atmosphere felt completely different.
Silence filled the interior.
Cold.
Sharp.
Heavy.
A young girl calmly sat beside the open window while quietly staring toward the mountain territory outside.
She wore deep red robes decorated with dark ancient patterns flowing across the fabric like flames beneath moonlight.
Her long hair carried mixed shades of black and dark crimson that moved lightly beneath the freezing winds entering through the carriage window.
Sharp eyes quietly reflected the surrounding mountains.
Black mixed with faint crimson colors.
Cold.
Observant.
Dangerous.
Unlike the other two girls—
No curiosity appeared upon her expression.
No nervousness.
No excitement.
Only calm observation.
One of her hands rested quietly against the armrest while her gaze narrowed slightly toward the distant mountain gates ahead.
The enormous waterfalls reflected faintly within her sharp eyes while cold winds brushed softly against her face.
For several moments—
Complete silence filled the carriage.
Then—
Her calm voice quietly echoed.
"So this is the Ashvaris Clan."
Outside—
The enormous mountain gates of the Ashvaris Clan slowly became visible through the drifting mist ahead.
Ancient black stone walls rose high between the cliffs while spirit lanterns flickered beneath the pale morning sky.
Rows of Ashvaris guards already stood waiting near the entrance.
Cold winds swept endlessly throughout the mountains.
And for the very first time—
The daughters of the three great clans officially arrived within Ashvaris territory.
None of them realized—
Their arrival would quietly begin changing the future of the Ashvaris Clan itself.
Beneath the endless mountain winds—
Fate had already begun moving forward.
End of Chapter 12
To be continued...