Indrali sat down by the fire, gesturing for him to join her. "Tomorrow, we'll focus on your cultivation. You haven't even reached the first level of the Master Realm yet, so it's time to make serious progress in that area. From now on, your focus should be on building your cultivation base and refining your control over the elemental energies. You have a unique advantage, Bhoumik, but it means nothing if you don't put in the effort."
Bhoumik sat down beside her, the warmth of the fire soothing his tired body. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to get stronger."
Indrali's expression softened for a moment. "Good. But remember, strength isn't just about power—it's about control and understanding. You have great potential, but if you rush, you'll make mistakes."
As they sat in silence for a while, Bhoumik's eyes drifted toward the night sky. The frozen landscape, while harsh and unforgiving, was also strangely beautiful. The stars above twinkled brightly, their light reflecting off the snow-covered ground, giving the entire area an ethereal glow.
Eventually, Bhoumik's exhaustion began to take over, and his eyelids grew heavy. He stretched out, resting his head on a makeshift pillow made of his cloak. "I think I'll get some rest now."
Indrali nodded, watching him as he closed his eyes. "Rest well, Bhoumik. Tomorrow will be a long day."
As Bhoumik drifted into sleep, the warmth of the fire and the day's exhaustion pulling him into a deep slumber, Indrali sat silently, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames. Maya, coiled comfortably near Bhoumik, studied Indrali's expression carefully. There was something more to her motives, and Maya could sense it.
Breaking the silence, Maya spoke, her voice low, "You're helping him a lot… but it's not just for the sect, is it? What are you really after?"
Indrali's silver eyes shifted slightly, her lips curling into a faint smile. "You're perceptive, Maya. Yes, you're right. It's not just for the sect." She leaned back, her voice carrying the weight of centuries. "My cultivation… it's been sealed, suppressed for far too long. This frozen continent, once a flourishing land, was reduced to this desolation after a great calamity. I was imprisoned here, not by chains or locks, but by a curse that binds my power."
Maya's serpentine eyes narrowed, intrigued. "A curse? What kind of curse could bind someone as powerful as you?"
Indrali's gaze darkened as memories resurfaced. "I was once a ruler of this land, a protector of the ancient sect that thrived here. My power rivaled even the greatest cultivators of that era. But power invites envy, and betrayal is never far behind. One of my most trusted allies conspired against me, laying a curse upon me during a crucial battle. It drained my strength and sealed my cultivation, trapping me in this place, unable to leave, unable to regain what I had lost."
Maya remained silent, absorbing her words. The weight of Indrali's situation was palpable. To be imprisoned in such a way, her abilities locked away for centuries, would drive anyone mad. Yet, here she was, calm and composed, waiting for something—no, someone.
"And Bhoumik… he is the key?" Maya asked, her voice a whisper.
Indrali nodded slowly. "He is. When he opened the door to the sect's inheritance, it wasn't just a matter of fate. He carries something… ancient, powerful. I sensed it the moment I laid eyes on him. That boy is not ordinary. His body, his spirit, they're unlike anything I've seen in the past thousand years. The heavens themselves seem to have an interest in him. I believe that through him, I can regain my cultivation and more."
Maya's gaze flickered back to Bhoumik, who was still sleeping soundly. "And when he regains his strength? What then? Will you simply take his power?"
Indrali laughed softly, her voice tinged with amusement. "No, no. It's not that simple. I don't need to take anything from him. I just need him to grow, to rise through the cultivation ranks, and when the time comes, my seal will naturally weaken, and my powers will return. But," she paused, her expression serious, "I must ensure that he stays on the right path. If he loses his way, if he grows reckless or arrogant, it could spell disaster—not just for him, but for me as well."
Maya hummed in understanding. "So, you're tied to his fate now."
"In a sense, yes," Indrali said, her voice softer now. "I didn't choose this, but it's the only way. The bond between a sect's inheritance and its inheritor is not just one of guidance. It's deeper. The more Bhoumik progresses, the more I will regain what I have lost. But that also means I am responsible for him, and if he fails… so do I."
There was a moment of silence as Maya processed the gravity of Indrali's words. The stakes were high, far higher than either of them had initially realized. Bhoumik, unaware of the intricate web of fate that had entangled him, was now the centerpiece of Indrali's restoration.
Maya finally spoke, her tone thoughtful. "He's strong-willed. He might surprise you."
Indrali smiled again, but this time it was warmer, more genuine. "I hope so. I've waited centuries for this chance. He is my last hope. I will guide him, protect him, and ensure he becomes the cultivator he is destined to be."
As the fire crackled between them, Maya shifted her gaze back to Indrali. "And what if he fails? What if he can't rise to the challenge?"
Indrali's expression turned cold, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Then the curse will consume me, and I will be trapped here for eternity."
The next morning, Bhoumik stirred from his sleep, the cold air of the cave making him instinctively pull his blanket closer. As he opened his eyes groggily, he found Maya coiled and sitting comfortably on his chest, her black scales gleaming in the dim light. Startled, he immediately jerked upright, throwing Maya off him with a yelp.
"What were you doing, Maya?! You scared me!" Bhoumik exclaimed, his heart still pounding from the sudden shock.
Maya slithered back onto the ground, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. "I was waking you up, fool. How else was I supposed to do it? You humans are so fragile."
Bhoumik, still catching his breath, rubbed his chest. "Well, you could've done it more... normally! That was dangerous, especially when I'm not expecting it."
From the corner of the cave, Indrali watched the exchange with amusement, her lips curling into a faint smile. "So, you're finally awake. After you've had something to eat, we can begin your cultivation training in earnest," she said, walking over with a calm, composed aura.
Still slightly embarrassed by the earlier incident, Bhoumik gave a short nod. "Alright. Let's get to it."
After a quick meal—though Bhoumik still wasn't entirely used to the tough texture of the wild boar meat—they moved to the training area outside the cave. The sunlight was harsh, reflecting off the icy landscape and casting everything in a brilliant white glow. The air was frigid, but Bhoumik felt a slight warmth within, a testament to his growing adaptation to the environment.
Indrali stood before him, her demeanor more serious than usual. "Before we begin, let me explain in detail what you'll be doing," she said. "Now that you've reached this stage, your focus will be on absorbing the spiritual energy around you and drawing it into your body. As you cultivate, you'll feel this energy flowing through your veins, strengthening you from within. Here, in this frozen region, you have a unique advantage—you can absorb ice element energy at an optimal rate, which will increase your control and power over it."
Bhoumik nodded attentively. He remembered her previous explanations about the ice element, but this time, he could feel its presence more clearly than ever before. It was as if the very air around him was imbued with a cold, yet potent, energy.
"Sit in the lotus position and focus your mind," Indrali instructed, her tone steady. "Feel the spiritual energy around you. Let it flow into you like a river, and as you absorb it, allow the ice element to merge with your cultivation. It will take time, but remain focused."