Shiv sat cross-legged in his hut, his breathing steady as he absorbed the essence of the Demon God Skeleton. His cultivation was progressing steadily, and he could feel the weight of the black book in his consciousness, its potential still largely untapped. The skeleton had increased his strength significantly, giving him an edge over those in the **Body Tempering Realm**, but Shiv knew that the path ahead would be long and dangerous.
A soft knock interrupted his meditation. Shiv opened his eyes, his keen senses recognizing the aura immediately—it was Xia Ning Chang.
"Come in," Shiv said, his voice calm yet firm.
The door creaked open, revealing Xia Ning Chang's petite form. Her shy gaze flickered between the ground and Shiv as she stepped inside. The gentle glow of herbs from her pouch filled the small space with a faint, soothing scent. She handed Shiv a small bottle of elixir, her soft voice barely above a whisper.
"Senior Brother Shiv, I made this for your recovery… I thought it might help with your cultivation."
Shiv smiled warmly. "Thank you, Xia Ning Chang. Your skills in alchemy are as incredible as always." He took the elixir, his fingers brushing lightly against hers. She blushed, her heartbeat quickening under his touch.
Though he felt an attraction toward her, Shiv restrained his emotions. There was no rush. He knew how to play the long game—he had to be both patient and assertive in these relationships.
As Xia Ning Chang excused herself and left the hut, Shiv's mind wandered to another woman who had been occupying his thoughts: **Su Yan**.
She was different from Xia Ning Chang—cold, distant, but powerful. Su Yan had recently ascended to the **Qi Refining Realm**, her ice-based cultivation techniques feared by many. She was known as the "Ice Queen" among the disciples, and for good reason.
A part of Shiv was intrigued by her aloofness. He knew that Su Yan wasn't the type to be easily swayed, but that only made her more of a challenge. And Shiv loved a good challenge.
---
### A Fateful Encounter
The following day, Shiv made his way to the training grounds, his mind set on pushing his limits. As he practiced his martial techniques, a sudden chill filled the air. He felt the temperature drop around him, the air itself freezing in place. Shiv stopped mid-motion and looked up.
Su Yan.
She stood at the edge of the training ground, her robes flowing like a cascade of ice. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto him, cold and unwavering.
"Shiv," her voice was like ice—calm but with a sharp edge. "I've been hearing about your recent progress. You've improved, but strength without control is useless. Care to spar?"
Shiv smirked inwardly. He knew this was Su Yan's way of testing him, perhaps even a way of establishing her dominance. But Shiv was not one to back down. He stepped forward, meeting her gaze with equal intensity.
"Of course, Senior Sister," he replied, his voice steady. "I'd be honored to spar with you."
The other disciples nearby watched in awe as the two prepared to face off. Su Yan was one of the strongest in the sect, her **Qi Refining Realm** cultivation far above Shiv's current level. But Shiv had more than just cultivation on his side—he had knowledge, strategy, and the power of the black book.
---
### Ice and Fire
The moment the spar began, Su Yan wasted no time. Her movements were fluid yet sharp, her ice-based attacks precise and deadly. Shiv dodged her initial strikes, feeling the cold bite into his skin. She was fast—faster than he had anticipated—but Shiv had seen her fight before. He knew her patterns, her strengths, and her weaknesses.
Summoning the power of the Demon God Skeleton, Shiv felt his body strengthen, his movements becoming more agile. He countered her ice attacks with swift strikes, dodging and weaving through her offensive.
Su Yan's expression remained neutral, but Shiv could sense her frustration growing. She was used to overpowering her opponents with sheer strength and cold indifference, but Shiv was different. He wasn't just fighting her physically—he was reading her every move, using his knowledge of her future to predict her attacks.
As their sparring intensified, Shiv felt a surge of power from the black book. It was subtle, but enough to give him an extra boost. He channeled it into his next attack, sending a shockwave through the air that disrupted Su Yan's ice barrier.
For a brief moment, their eyes met again. Su Yan's gaze, usually cold and detached, flickered with something else—acknowledgment, perhaps even respect.
But before Shiv could press his advantage, Su Yan stepped back, ending the spar.
"That's enough," she said, her voice calm but with a hint of something softer. "You've improved more than I expected."
Shiv nodded, not pushing for more. He knew when to let things rest. "Thank you, Senior Sister."
Su Yan turned to leave, but just before she disappeared from view, she glanced back at him. There was no smile, but the look in her eyes told Shiv all he needed to know. The Ice Queen had taken notice of him—and that was just the beginning.
---
### Cultivation Levels just a reminder
- **Shiv (Yang Kai):** Body Tempering Realm (close to breaking through to Qi Refining Realm).
- **Su Yan:** Qi Refining Realm (expert in ice-based cultivation techniques).
- **Xia Ning Chang:** Body Tempering Realm (specializes in alchemy and healing).
---
This encounter with Su Yan marks a pivotal moment in Shiv's journey. He's starting to make a name for himself within the High Heaven Pavilion, not just as a reborn soul with future knowledge, but as a capable fighter who can hold his own against even the most powerful disciples. His relationship with Su Yan has also begun to shift, laying the groundwork for future developments between them.