Chapter: The Frozen Hunt and First Lessons
Bhoumik woke up feeling a strange sense of clarity after his intense cultivation session. The swirling elements in his body had settled into a calm, harmonious state, and for the first time since arriving at the frozen land, he felt his energy flow in tune with the nature around him. But there was something else he couldn't ignore—his stomach growled in protest, reminding him that, while he had been focusing on cultivation, he hadn't eaten in a long time.
Indrali had been watching him, sensing the change in his aura. She stepped closer as Bhoumik stretched out, still trying to come to terms with his newfound control over elemental energy.
"You've done well, Bhoumik," she said, her voice firm but with a hint of approval. "From now on, you'll continue your cultivation as normal. Your body will automatically absorb elemental energy from the surroundings as you cultivate, and with time, your control over those elements will increase. However, due to the nature of this place—the Frozen Continent—you will naturally absorb ice energy in greater amounts. This region is covered in snow and ice, amplifying your connection to the ice element."
Bhoumik nodded thoughtfully, his mind racing as he processed her words. He could already feel the sharp coldness of the ice element swirling around him, ready to be absorbed into his core. The thought of gaining such power excited him, but his stomach growled louder, interrupting his thoughts. He glanced awkwardly at Indrali.
"Uh... that sounds great and all," he began, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I haven't eaten anything since I got here. I can't focus on cultivation with an empty stomach."
Indrali stared at him quietly for a moment, her icy blue eyes reflecting the frost around them. Then, a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
"You're right," she said with a sigh. "You are still mortal, so you need food to survive… for now."
"For now?" Bhoumik asked, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
Indrali shook her head, dismissing the question for the time being. "We'll discuss that later. For now, let's focus on finding you something to eat. There are no vegetables or fruits growing in this frozen wasteland, so we'll have to hunt."
Bhoumik's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Hunt? You mean… beasts?"
Indrali's gaze hardened slightly, though not unkindly. "This continent is isolated and harsh. Almost no humans live here, except for a few wandering cultivators or hermits. That means no farms, no markets—just the beasts that roam these lands. If you want to survive here, you must learn to hunt and eat what the land provides."
Bhoumik grimaced. "But I've never eaten a beast before… or anything like that."
Indrali's expression softened slightly, though she maintained her firm tone. "You'll have to adapt, Bhoumik. Survival requires more than just cultivation—it means learning to live off the land, especially in an environment like this."
He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Alright… let's go hunt."
Indrali turned and led the way, with Maya, the serpent, coiled around Bhoumik's left arm as usual. They stepped out of the Frozen Sun Sect ruins, the cold air biting at Bhoumik's skin despite the layers of protection he wore. Snow crunched beneath their feet as they trekked through the icy wilderness.
Bhoumik glanced at the towering glaciers and frozen lakes around them. The desolate beauty of the Frozen Continent was mesmerizing, but it also carried an ominous weight—a reminder of the unforgiving conditions they faced.
"Where are we going to find beasts in a place like this?" Bhoumik asked, his breath fogging in the freezing air.
"Leave that to me," Indrali replied, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon.
After some time roaming through the snow-covered landscape, Indrali stopped and raised a hand, signaling for Bhoumik to halt. She closed her eyes, her senses extending far beyond the physical. Bhoumik could feel a shift in the energy around them as Indrali's presence reached out into the wilderness, seeking the life forces of nearby creatures.
A few minutes passed before she opened her eyes, her expression unreadable. "There," she said, pointing to the distance. "A wild snow boar is nearby. Follow me."
Bhoumik followed her lead, his heart racing slightly. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he trusted Indrali's judgment. Soon, they spotted the creature—a massive snow boar, its white fur blending almost seamlessly with the snow. It foraged through the ice, unaware of the predators approaching.
Indrali moved swiftly, her movements graceful yet deadly. With a single, fluid motion, she drew a blade and hurled it with precision. The boar didn't even have time to react before it fell to the ground, lifeless. Bhoumik stared at the scene, a mixture of awe and unease settling over him.
"There's your food," Indrali said, walking over to the carcass. She glanced at Bhoumik, noticing the discomfort on his face. "You'll get used to it. Survival demands tough choices."
They made their way to a nearby cave, where they quickly set up a campfire. Indrali took charge of preparing the boar, her hands working with practiced skill as she carved the meat and skewered it over the flames. The fire crackled, its warmth providing a welcome relief from the biting cold outside.
As the meat cooked, Indrali handed a piece to Bhoumik, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Here, eat this."
Bhoumik hesitated, staring at the charred meat. The idea of eating a beast he had seen alive moments before unsettled him, but he knew he didn't have a choice. His body was screaming for nourishment. Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly took a bite, his face scrunching up in distaste.
"How is it?" Indrali asked, her voice teasing as she watched his reaction.
Bhoumik chewed slowly, forcing himself to swallow. "It's... not as bad as I expected. But it's definitely not something I'd want to eat every day."
Indrali chuckled, her laughter echoing softly in the cave. "You'll have to get used to it. Out here, this is all you'll find."
They continued eating in silence, with Maya watching curiously from her coiled position on Bhoumik's arm. Once they finished, Bhoumik leaned back, feeling the warmth of the fire and the fullness of his stomach easing his exhaustion.
His gaze wandered to the weapons he had collected—both a sword and a spear lay beside him, their blades gleaming in the firelight. He turned to Indrali, curiosity burning in his eyes.
"Indrali," he began, his tone thoughtful, "can you teach me how to use these weapons? I've never really learned how to wield a sword or spear properly."
Indrali smiled, nodding. "Of course. That's why I'm here—to guide you in all aspects of cultivation. But first, do you know the basics of using these weapons?"
Bhoumik shook his head. "No, I don't."
Indrali stood, walking over to him and picking up the sword. "Watch closely," she said, her tone shifting to one of instruction.
She unsheathed the sword with a smooth motion, holding it with a perfect grip. Her stance was firm, balanced, and in one swift movement, she swung the blade through the air. The precision and grace with which she handled the weapon were mesmerizing. Bhoumik watched in awe as her movements flowed seamlessly, her mastery of the sword evident in every stroke.
"This," Indrali said, her voice steady as she swung the sword once more, "is the foundation of swordsmanship. Balance, control, and flow. Without these, you cannot hope to master any technique."
Bhoumik's eyes widened. "That's... incredible. I've never seen anyone use a sword like that before."
Indrali smiled softly at his awe but remained focused. She set the sword down and picked up the spear, twirling it expertly in her hands. "Now, watch the spear."
With the same elegance and precision, she demonstrated several spear techniques, each one sharp and deliberate. Her movements were fierce, yet there was a certain beauty in the way she handled the weapon, as if the spear was an extension of her own body.
Bhoumik's amazement grew as he watched her. "You look like a warrior from an ancient legend..."
Indrali chuckled. "I've had centuries to practice, Bhoumik. Now, it's your turn."
She handed the spear to him, stepping back to observe. Bhoumik took a deep breath and mimicked her earlier movements, though far less gracefully. His first few attempts were clumsy, his balance off, but with each swing, he began to feel the weapon more naturally in his hands.
As he continued practicing, he stumbled and fell, the spear slipping from his grasp. Indrali laughed lightly. "It's normal to fall, especially when you're just starting. Don't get discouraged."
Bhoumik grinned sheepishly, picking himself up and gripping the spear again. He resumed his practice, his movements gradually becoming more refined, though still far from Indrali's level of mastery.
After several hours, the sun had begun to set, casting long shadows over the frozen landscape outside. Indrali called for a halt. "That's enough for today. You've improved, but there's still a long way to go. Mastery of the sword and spear doesn't come overnight."
Bhoumik, panting slightly from the exertion, nodded. He could feel the weight of exhaustion settling into his muscles, but there was a sense of satisfaction as well. Even though his moves were still rough, he had made noticeable progress, and that gave him hope.