The Frost Moon Sect bustled with activity as Lin Xue made her way to the central training grounds. The crisp morning air clung to her skin, a sharp contrast to the usual warmth she was accustomed to in her world. The sect disciples were already gathered in small groups, practicing their techniques or exchanging strategies, but the moment Lin Xue stepped into view, all eyes turned to her.
Whispers followed her as she walked, her head held high and her steps confident. She could hear fragments of their conversation—speculation about her sudden appearance, her connection to the Grandmaster, and, more recently, her rejection of Xu Tian.
"She's the Grandmaster's only disciple…"
"I heard her spiritual roots are stronger than Xu Tian's!"
"Xu Tian's interested in her, but she refuses to acknowledge him..."
Lin Xue ignored the chatter. She had no time for idle gossip. Her goal was clear: cultivate and surpass everyone else, and leave the distractions behind. However, she couldn't deny the subtle tension in the air. The sect had become a cauldron of intrigue, and her presence had stoked the flames.
She approached the edge of the training field where Han Mei waited for her, standing dutifully with a small bundle of scrolls. The younger girl bowed as Lin Xue drew near.
"Mistress, I've brought the cultivation techniques you requested." Han Mei's voice was soft, but her eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Thank you," Lin Xue said, taking the scrolls and nodding slightly. "We'll start with the Void Ice Steps technique."
The Void Ice Steps was a movement technique that would allow Lin Xue to traverse space through icy voids, enhancing both her speed and unpredictability in battle. It was a difficult technique to master, but its power was undeniable once perfected.
As Lin Xue opened the scroll and began to read, a familiar, suffocating presence descended upon the training grounds. She didn't need to look up to know who it was.
Xu Tian.
He strode onto the grounds with his usual air of dominance, his fiery red robes catching the light as he walked. His spiritual energy radiated power, and the disciples around him fell silent, stepping aside to make way. His golden eyes locked onto Lin Xue as he approached, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Lin Xue," Xu Tian's voice rang out, clear and confident. "I see you've been keeping to yourself. Not a single word since our last conversation?"
Lin Xue continued to study the scroll, refusing to acknowledge him. Her indifference seemed to irk him, though he kept his tone light.
"Many would kill for the opportunity to have a conversation with me," Xu Tian said, his voice laced with amusement. "Yet here you are, acting as if I don't exist."
Lin Xue finally looked up, her eyes cold and unyielding. "I have no interest in idle chatter, especially with someone like you."
The surrounding disciples gasped, some exchanging nervous glances. No one had ever spoken to Xu Tian like that—not without consequence. His reputation as a prodigy wasn't just built on his strength, but also his ruthlessness. Those who challenged him rarely fared well.
Xu Tian's smile faltered for a moment, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. "You should be careful with your words, Lin Xue. The world of cultivation is a harsh one, and alliances are not so easily dismissed."
"I'm not here to make alliances," Lin Xue said coolly, standing to her full height. "I'm here to cultivate and reach the pinnacle, and I won't waste my time with meaningless distractions."
Xu Tian's eyes narrowed, his amusement fading. For the first time, his mask of charm cracked, revealing the fierce ambition beneath. "Do you think you can reach the pinnacle alone? Without support? Without power?"
Lin Xue met his gaze, her voice calm but firm. "I don't need anyone to reach the pinnacle. I have my own path to walk."
The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with spiritual energy as their auras clashed. For a brief moment, it felt as if the entire training ground had frozen in time, the other disciples too afraid to move or speak.
Xu Tian took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing tone. "You're making a mistake, Lin Xue. I could give you everything—power, protection, influence. But if you continue down this path of defiance, you'll find nothing but enemies."
Lin Xue's eyes darkened, her icy spiritual energy surging around her like a cold wind. "I'm not afraid of enemies. And I certainly don't need anything from you."
Xu Tian's expression hardened, his fiery aura flaring in response. But before he could say anything further, another voice cut through the tension.
"Xu Tian!" A tall figure, clad in deep blue robes, stepped forward. His eyes were sharp and calculating, and his spiritual energy crackled with electricity. It was Lei Chen, another senior disciple and a rival of Xu Tian's.
"You should watch yourself," Lei Chen said, his voice calm but with a clear edge. "Not everyone is as eager to fall into your schemes."
Xu Tian's eyes flickered with annoyance. "Lei Chen. I didn't realize you were so interested in other people's affairs."
Lei Chen's lips curled into a smirk. "I'm interested in maintaining balance. And it seems to me that Lin Xue has no interest in your… offers."
The two locked eyes, and for a moment, it seemed as if the entire sect might erupt into chaos. But after a tense silence, Xu Tian chuckled, the danger in his expression masked once again by his usual charm.
"We'll see," he said, casting one last glance at Lin Xue. "We'll see who reaches the pinnacle first."
With that, he turned and strode away, his presence lingering like smoke even after he had left the grounds.
Lin Xue exhaled slowly, her focus returning to the task at hand. She had no time for the petty games of ambitious men. Her path was clear, and Xu Tian—along with Lei Chen—was nothing more than another obstacle.
"Mistress," Han Mei said quietly, stepping closer. "Lei Chen… he's also one of the sect's most powerful disciples. He and Xu Tian have clashed before, though he's not as openly aggressive."
Lin Xue nodded, her gaze still on the scroll before her. "It doesn't matter. No matter how many of them there are, I will continue cultivating. That is the only thing that matters."
She sat down once more, her heart steady. Xu Tian and Lei Chen, no matter how powerful, were distractions. She wouldn't allow herself to be pulled into their games.
Void Ice Steps, Frozen Abyss Technique, Spatial Rift. The techniques whispered in her mind, urging her forward.
There was no turning back now. The storm was brewing, and Lin Xue would stand at the eye of it, unmoved, unbroken.