The very first level of the Ninefold Genesis Ascension Art focused on the cultivation of Water and Wind elements. Usually it would require him at least a drop of external essence to kickstart his cultivation, but the cultivation manual he had automatically solved the problem for him.
Basically, the Primal Genesis Energy had the potential to become any energy in nature. It just needed the right method for adaptation. The cultivation art focused on that very aspect of the energy.
As Su Yan thought about the features of his cultivation art, his feet never stopped trudging through the forest. Rising Wind domain fell under the jurisdiction of the Yang clan, but their young master had taken them to a place close to the borders. Every step put him that much closer to the land under the purview of the Yu Clan.
Verdant East Plains had a total of three clans and two sects. The Yang clan wasn't particularly powerful, but they ranked higher than the Yu Clan. Even then, hiding in that particular domain would at least make it a little harder for the Yang Clan to find him.
Su Yan had no hopes of disappearing, and neither did he wish to; his only goal was to stall for as long as possible. The more time he had, the stronger he would become. It was simple logic but effective one nonetheless.
It was during the midnight hour that he felt the hunger take hold. Usually cultivators at the peak of Body Transformation were capable of sustaining themselves for a week with a single course of meal. He had been nowhere near the peak, and he was worse now. The previous plan had been to return to the village before nightfall and rest. But he had nowhere to go now.
The forest that he was walking through was a shallow one, safe for mortals to pass through. Even after walking for hours he had not sighted a single animal. Feeling disappointed, he sighed and continued to push ahead.
In the destitute black night with a single celestial body to shine light on the continent, a lonely figure cut across the forest wearing long black robes. His hair was a shade lighter than black, but at this hour of the night, the difference was hardly noticeable. On his back hung a long sword, sheathed and tied to his back.
For hours Su Yan walked. The worry of getting caught started lessening over the course, and he found himself in search of sustenance. The easiest course of action was no doubt finding a natural source like water, which attracted all manner of creatures.
It was fortunate that no beasts existed in these parts, as he was a mere mortal with barely a hint of cultivation to his name, yet also unfortunate since he was growing hungrier by the minute.
The path he took had trees 80 feet tall and as thick as 30 feet, the same as two people hugging their arms around them at the same time. The leaves were vivid green but under the moonlight seemed to glow a shade grayer. Chirps of the crickets filled the otherwise gloomy forest, and Su Yan looked up to see the moon hanging overhead.
By now his body was showing signs of fatigue, and he realized the need for nourishment as his stomach let out another growl. Thankfully he soon came upon a shallow creek with rushing water.
"Thank the heavens..." Su Yan sighed in relief at the sight of the water and hurried to kneel next to the brook. Dipping a finger in to test the water, he was left speechless by the temperature of the water. "It's freezing cold."
Winter was months away, and yet the water was burning cold. No, it wouldn't be wrong to say that even during winter the water didn't grow as cold. "Am I looking at an extension of Icy River from the Yu Clan domain?"
There was no other explanation otherwise. Instead of feeling apprehensive, Su Yan started rejoicing. Finding a stream connected to the Icy River meant he was getting closer to the Yu Clan domain. Meaning he was on his path to the civilization.
"Still, for the water to be this cold despite being so far away from the source..." It was a strange phenomenon, and Su Yan couldn't help recalling the history he had read about in the clan.
According to the historians, the Meteorite City where the Yu Clan was situated formed hundreds of thousands of years ago. A piece of celestial body fell on this continent and upturned the very earth. It resulted in a crater so large that it bordered on hundreds upon thousands of miles. The resultant crash also created a mountain range that was covered in snow so thick that even a cultivator risked death wandering deep.
Over the course of years the ice had melted to form ravines in the mountains from which water flowed into the canals. A number of these channels ran along the entire Yu Clan domain, and most stayed frozen for long periods of the year.
Of course there was also the exaggerated version, which stated that it was an Immortal's Heart instead of a meteorite that fell upon this continent. Said Immortal was a cold and ruthless being who, after provoking the emperor of the heavens, was met with due retribution. In the end, his evil and cold soul fell upon this continent, never to be revived again.
Su Yan much believed the historic version but wasn't vehemently denying the fable also. After all, in this world nothing was truly impossible.
"This water is harmful to me as a mortal. What now?" Feeling troubled, he rubbed his chin in thought. Without his tempered body to ward off any illness, he would no doubt be inviting a disaster upon drinking this. "Or should I trust my new cultivation method to save me?"
Su Yan shook his head, not intent on taking any risks. Instead he looked around himself to find anything helpful. In the end he found nothing.
Sighing, he pushed himself off the ground and started walking adjacent to the creek. Hopefully he would find something useful along the way.