Lin Xue sat in the center of her personal cultivation chamber, legs crossed, her hands resting on her knees as she closed her eyes. The energy in the room hummed quietly, drawing her into a deep state of meditation. This chamber had been specially crafted by the Grandmaster, a place where spiritual energy was more concentrated, perfect for her to cultivate.
But the events of the day lingered in her mind. Xu Tian's arrogant smirk, the possessiveness in his gaze—his presence was suffocating, like a dark cloud looming over her. She knew what he wanted, what he thought he was entitled to. The rumors about him were true; he was relentless in his pursuit of women and power, building a harem of those who either feared or admired him. But Lin Xue wasn't like the others, and he would soon learn that.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed all thoughts of him away. He was nothing but a distraction. Her path was clear—she would rise above all of them, untethered by the desires and schemes of those around her.
Ice. Darkness. Space. The elements whispered in her mind, waiting for her command.
The Frozen Abyss Technique had captivated her. It was unlike any cultivation technique she had seen before, merging the ruthless cold of ice with the void of darkness. She had chosen it instinctively, feeling a deep resonance with its power, and now it was time to unlock its full potential.
As she focused, the room's temperature began to drop. Frost crept along the walls, delicate and crystalline. Her spiritual energy flowed through her veins like liquid ice, cold but powerful, spreading outward until it filled the chamber. She opened herself to the flow, feeling the icy energy coil around her soul, feeding her strength.
Suddenly, she felt a shift—a darkness unfurling within her core. The shadows in the room deepened, and Lin Xue allowed the darkness to merge with the ice, her body trembling slightly as the two energies intertwined. This was the essence of the Frozen Abyss Technique: to control not just the frost, but the consuming void it brought with it.
The sensation was intense, overwhelming. She could feel the pull of the abyss calling to her, urging her to let go, to become one with the freezing darkness. But Lin Xue held firm, her will unshaken. She wouldn't lose herself to the void. She would control it.
Moments passed, and then, with a sharp exhale, Lin Xue opened her eyes. The room was bathed in cold shadows, the frost thick on the floor, the air still and frozen. But within her, the power simmered, waiting to be unleashed.
A soft knock at the door broke the silence. It was Han Mei, her ever-loyal handmaiden, carrying a tray of food. She stepped inside cautiously, her breath misting in the chilled air.
"Mistress," Han Mei said, bowing low. "You've been cultivating for hours. I've brought something to help replenish your energy."
Lin Xue nodded, slowly releasing the residual energy from her cultivation. The frost around the room began to recede as warmth returned.
"Thank you, Han Mei," Lin Xue said, her voice calm. She reached for the cup of tea on the tray, feeling the heat from the cup chase away the last vestiges of cold that clung to her skin.
As she sipped the tea, Han Mei's hesitant voice broke the silence. "Mistress… word has already spread throughout the sect about you. Many of the senior disciples are curious, and some… well, some are worried."
Lin Xue raised an eyebrow. "Worried?"
Han Mei nodded, her expression serious. "You're the first disciple the Grandmaster has ever taken under his wing personally. That alone has stirred unrest. But more than that, there are rumors about your potential. They say your spiritual roots are unmatched, even surpassing Xu Tian's."
Lin Xue set the cup down, her expression unreadable. She had no interest in sect politics, but she knew power always invited jealousy and conflict. Her presence was already a disruption, and she hadn't even begun to fully display her strength.
"Let them talk," Lin Xue said softly. "I won't concern myself with what others think. My focus is cultivation, nothing more."
Han Mei smiled faintly, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "Even so, you should be cautious, Mistress. The Frost Moon Sect is full of ambitious disciples. And Xu Tian…"
At the mention of his name, Lin Xue's expression darkened.
"He will not leave you alone," Han Mei finished. "He's never been one to take rejection well."
Lin Xue's gaze hardened. She had already sensed Xu Tian's obsession, the way he looked at her like she was another conquest to be claimed. But he had no idea what he was dealing with.
"Xu Tian can do as he pleases," Lin Xue said, her voice cold as ice. "It won't change anything. I will continue to cultivate, and I won't allow anyone to stand in my way."
As she spoke, a sudden surge of energy pulsed through the sect, rattling the very walls of the cultivation chamber. Lin Xue's eyes narrowed. She recognized the source of that energy—it was Xu Tian, his fiery spiritual energy blazing in the distance.
Han Mei flinched, sensing the disturbance. "It's him… his presence is overwhelming."
Lin Xue stood, her resolve firm. Xu Tian was flaunting his power, no doubt trying to draw her attention. But if he thought this would intimidate her, he was sorely mistaken.
"I'll deal with him when the time comes," Lin Xue said, turning her attention back to her cultivation. "For now, I'll focus on growing stronger."
As she sat back down, she closed her eyes and returned to her meditation. The path ahead would not be easy, but she had no intention of letting Xu Tian—or anyone else—distract her from her goal. She would cultivate to the pinnacle, and nothing, not even the so-called prodigy of the sect, would stand in her way.