"Alright," Bhoumik finally said, his voice filled with a mix of astonishment and resignation. "I suppose having you with me could be useful." He glanced down at Maya, now curled comfortably around his arm, her purple eyes glowing faintly. It still felt surreal to him—a giant serpent capable of shrinking to a small size, offering to accompany him on this journey. But, given everything he'd experienced so far, perhaps this was the least strange thing to happen.
Maya let out a satisfied hiss, her voice echoing in his mind once again. "Good decision, human. Now, let us waste no time. If you truly wish to survive and grow stronger in this world, you'll need my knowledge and protection. I have seen many fall prey to the dangers of the frozen plains."
Bhoumik nodded, stepping out of the cave and back into the biting cold. The frozen winds assaulted him immediately, but this time, he had a sense of direction and purpose. He wasn't just wandering aimlessly anymore—there was a destination, a place that could hold the key to his survival and growth.
As he moved southward, the landscape became harsher. The jagged mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist. The snow beneath his feet crunched with every step, and the chill in the air seemed to seep into his bones. But Bhoumik pressed forward, determined to reach the ruins Maya had spoken of.
After several hours of walking, he finally broke the silence. "Maya," he asked, glancing down at the small serpent wrapped around his arm, "you mentioned that the sect is filled with relics and techniques. But if it's been abandoned for so long, why haven't others already taken everything of value?"
Maya's voice echoed in his mind, calm and measured. "Because the sect is protected by ancient formations. It's not a place anyone can simply walk into. Only those with the right skills or luck can survive its trials. Many have tried, but few have succeeded."
Bhoumik frowned, considering her words. "Formations? What kind of formations?"
"Powerful ones," Maya replied. "They are designed to test the strength, will, and intelligence of those who enter. And if you fail... you die."
A shiver ran down Bhoumik's spine, though whether it was from the cold or Maya's words, he couldn't tell. "So... no pressure," he muttered under his breath, his determination wavering for just a moment.
Maya let out an amused hiss. "You'll be fine. I'll guide you through it."
Bhoumik didn't respond, his mind already filled with questions. What kind of trials awaited him? And could he even survive in a place so dangerous? But there was no turning back now. He'd come too far, and if he wanted to find his path in this world, he had no choice but to press on.
As the hours passed and the sun dipped lower on the horizon, the ancient ruins finally came into view. Bhoumik stood at the edge of a vast, snow-covered expanse, his breath visible in the freezing air. The remnants of stone structures jutted out from the ground like skeletal remains, weathered and crumbling, but still imposing in their size. Towering pillars stood at odd angles, half-buried in the snow, while the entrance to what looked like an underground temple lay partially collapsed in the center.
"This is it?" Bhoumik asked, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. "The abandoned sect?"
Maya's voice echoed softly in his mind. "Yes. The Frozen Sun Sect, once a powerful force on this continent. But it fell into ruin long ago, its secrets buried with it."
Bhoumik took a deep breath, feeling a sense of awe and trepidation wash over him. There was something eerie about the place, as if the ruins themselves were alive with the memories of the past. He could almost feel the weight of time pressing down on him.
"Are you ready?" Maya asked, her voice calm but laced with anticipation.
Bhoumik hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
He took a step forward, his boots sinking into the snow. The moment he crossed into the ruins, he felt a strange energy pulse through the air—a faint hum that sent shivers down his spine. The ancient formations that Maya had warned him about were already at work, their presence subtle but unmistakable.
Bhoumik carefully approached the entrance to the underground temple. The large stone doors were cracked and worn, but they were still intact. Symbols and runes that he couldn't understand were etched into the surface of the stone, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.
"These symbols... are they part of the formation?" Bhoumik asked, running his fingers over the carvings.
"Yes," Maya confirmed. "They're ancient runes, designed to activate the protective spells that guard this place. Be cautious."
Bhoumik nodded, taking a step back as he examined the doors. There didn't appear to be any immediate danger, but he wasn't about to take any chances. He pushed against the doors, and with a low rumble, they slowly creaked open, revealing a dark passageway beyond.
The air inside was cold and musty, but it carried an unmistakable sense of power. Bhoumik hesitated at the entrance, but Maya's voice urged him forward. "Go on. There's no turning back now."
With a deep breath, Bhoumik stepped inside.
The tunnel was long and winding, the walls lined with more of the glowing runes. The deeper Bhoumik went, the stronger the sense of ancient power became. His footsteps echoed softly in the enclosed space, and every now and then, a distant sound—like the whisper of wind or the faint hum of energy—reached his ears.
After what felt like an eternity, the tunnel opened up into a large chamber. Bhoumik's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. The room was vast, with towering pillars supporting the high ceiling. In the center of the chamber stood a large stone altar, and atop it rested a single, glowing crystal.
The crystal pulsed with a soft, ethereal light, casting faint shadows across the walls. It seemed to radiate an immense amount of energy, its power palpable even from a distance.
"What is that?" Bhoumik whispered, his eyes fixed on the glowing crystal.
"That," Maya said, her voice tinged with reverence, "is the heart of the sect. A treasure left behind by the founders of this place. It contains the knowledge and power of the Frozen Sun Sect. But be warned—it's not unguarded."
As if in response to her words, the air in the chamber shifted. A low rumbling sound echoed through the room, and Bhoumik felt a sudden surge of energy. The runes on the walls began to glow brighter, and a series of ethereal figures appeared, surrounding the altar.
The figures were ghostly, their forms flickering in and out of existence like shadows. They were dressed in the robes of the ancient sect, their faces hidden beneath hoods. Bhoumik could feel the weight of their gaze on him, even though they had no visible eyes.
"What... what are they?" Bhoumik asked, his heart racing.
"The guardians of the sect," Maya said calmly. "They will not let you take the crystal easily. You must prove yourself worthy."
Bhoumik swallowed hard, his mind racing. He wasn't a cultivator—he had no idea how to prove himself to these ancient guardians. But there was no turning back now.
"What do I do?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Face them," Maya said. "Show them your resolve. The path to power is never easy, but if you truly wish to survive in this world, you must earn it."
Bhoumik took a deep breath, steeling himself. He stepped forward, his eyes locked on the glowing crystal. The ethereal figures shifted, their ghostly forms flickering as they turned to face him.
This was it. His first true test in this world.
And there was no going back.
Bhoumik stood in the center of the chamber, his heart pounding as he faced the ethereal figures. They surrounded the altar like silent sentinels, their ghostly forms flickering ominously in the dim light. For a moment, everything was still—the cold air, the faint hum of energy in the crystal, and the weight of the ancient sect pressing down on him.
He took another step forward, his breath visible in the frigid air. "I can do this," he whispered to himself, steeling his resolve.
Suddenly, the figures moved. One by one, they raised their arms, and the entire chamber began to tremble. The glowing runes on the walls flared to life, bathing the room in a blinding light. Bhoumik shielded his eyes, but he didn't back down. He could feel the power within the chamber, testing him, weighing his worth.
Maya's voice echoed in his mind, calm but commanding. "Do not hesitate, Bhoumik. This is your moment."
With renewed determination, Bhoumik clenched his fists. The guardians seemed to sense his resolve. One of them floated forward, reaching out a ghostly hand towards him. It didn't attack, but it felt as if the figure was assessing him—his strength, his will, his very essence.
And then, in the blink of an eye, the guardian withdrew, vanishing into the shadows.
Bhoumik blinked in surprise. The other figures followed suit, one by one, until the chamber was once again silent and empty, save for the glowing crystal.
"What... what just happened?" Bhoumik muttered, bewildered.
"You passed," Maya's voice came again, this time with a hint of approval. "They have acknowledged you. The power of the Frozen Sun Sect is now within your reach."
Bhoumik let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. His gaze shifted to the crystal, its soft glow pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. This was his moment—his chance to gain the knowledge and power he needed to survive in this world.
He stepped forward, his hand outstretched, ready to claim the treasure before him.
As his fingers brushed the crystal's surface, a surge of energy shot through his body, sending a shockwave of power coursing through his veins. His vision blurred for a moment, and his mind was flooded with ancient knowledge—techniques, cultivation methods, and secrets long forgotten by the world outside.