A peal of thunder split the sky above Frostveil Peak, shaking the stone spires and scattering the snowflakes into spiraling tornadoes.
The snowfall thickened, flakes hanging midair, yet no one noticed. Every eye was locked on the azure lightning bolt that had just struck the stone platform—where a lone boy stood unmoving.
Not burning.
Not injured.
Not even blinking.
Tiān Lán opened his eyes slowly. Frost-tinged blue glimmered faintly within them, calm as a frozen lake. Lightning wasn't an enemy—it was an old friend.
> "D-Did he just absorb that lightning?" a young disciple stammered, stepping back.
"That… that was real heavenly lightning!" another whispered.
On the judging platform, the elders exchanged sharp glances. Elder Mù Qingxue, icy-eyed and severe, narrowed her gaze.
> "Azure lightning in snowfall… and it chose him," she murmured, drawing a floating jade tablet.
The screen displayed Tiān Lán's profile:
> Name: Tiān Lán
Origin: Frostglow City — Lóng Family
Cultivation: None detected
Candidate #172
> "'None detected'?" Mù Qingxue's brow furrowed. "Yet I feel… something ancient, watching us."
Below, Tiān Lán breathed slowly. Frost qi flowed beneath his skin in gentle currents, carrying the lightning's energy through his veins. The Skyfrost Vein Severing Art hummed quietly in his dantian, purifying meridians, awakening hidden veins.
He ignored the whispers and the fear. He had no need to prove anything.
> He was here to rise.
---
The Frostveil Entrance Trials Begin
A booming voice echoed across the snow-covered plaza.
> "All candidates, step forward!"
Dozens of disciples rushed toward the first test platform. Tiān Lán walked deliberately, silent as snowfall. Candidates instinctively avoided him, whispers trailing in his wake:
> "He's the one struck by lightning, right?"
"Pretty boy… probably just lucky."
"Does he even have any spiritual roots?"
---
Trial One: Spirit Vein Revelation
Elder Mù Qingxue stood atop an icy jade platform. Beside her floated a glowing obelisk, etched with intricate runes—the Spirit Mirror Obelisk.
> "Step forward," she commanded.
One by one, disciples placed palms on the stone. Brilliant lights flared, revealing spiritual roots.
> "Water Root — Average Grade"
"Fire Root — Medium Grade"
"Wood & Earth Dual — Decent Harmony"
Applause for those with high potential. A rare Ice Root candidate drew admiration.
Then the call:
> "Candidate #172. Tiān Lán."
Silence followed. No cheer. No hope. Just cold expectation.
Tiān Lán stepped up. Palm on the obelisk.
Nothing at first. Then—WHOOM!
A vortex of qi erupted. Snow twisted into a vertical spiral. The Spirit Mirror's light pulsed from pale blue to dazzling azure, then deep silver.
Elders stood, jaws tight. Mù Qingxue's eyes widened.
> "This…"
The stone flared:
>Ice Root — Supreme Grade
Lightning Affinity — Hidden Lineage Awakened
A hush fell. Never before had such dual revelation appeared, especially on one labeled as "no cultivation."
> "Impossible!" a boy shouted. "Trickery!"
Tiān Lán stepped back, calm as frost.
---
Trial Two: Willpower Challenge — Ice Mirror Realm
The next trial was a test of the mind. The Ice Mirror Crystal conjured illusions from the deepest fears and regrets of the disciples.
One by one, they faltered. A tall girl emerged weeping. A boy ran screaming, haunted by visions of dead family.
> "Candidate #172."
Tiān Lán entered.
Inside, absolute cold. Sky above black, thunder rumbling. Then—faces.
Past betrayers, assassins from a life long buried. Moonlight Pagoda. Broken vows. Mockery frozen in icy smiles.
> "You were always the strongest, Tiānshuāng. That's why we had to break you."
"Do you remember your final scream?"
The illusion pressed down—but Tiān Lán did not flinch.
> "You died in my memory long ago. And this time… I won't spare any of you."
The mirror shattered, illusions exploding like splintered ice.
Outside, elders gasped.
> "He broke the illusion matrix in under five breaths!"
"Not just broke—he dominated it," muttered another.
Quiet applause followed.
---
From the shadows under a pavilion, soft eyes watched him.
The girl in blue, hair ink-dark, parasol frosted. She smiled faintly.
> "He hasn't changed. Even death couldn't freeze that soul."
A silver bird perched nearby, blinking. She disappeared silently.
---
Nightfall Over Frostveil
First day of trials ended. Most candidates escorted to outer dorms. Tiān Lán stood alone at the cliff's edge. Below, the frozen lake reflected moonlight like a silver path stretching upward.
Inside his dantian, Skyfrost Vein Severing Art circulated quietly, purifying and awakening. Lightning had left a latent core—an energy reservoir, a spark waiting to ignite.
> Soon, he thought. I'll be ready.
A voice:
> "Tiān Lán."
He turned. A girl—not the blue-robed one—stood before him, dark green robes, sword candidate Lu Qingmei.
> "You… were amazing today. Tomorrow's combat trial—they'll target you. Be careful."
Tiān Lán nodded faintly.
> "Thank you."
She left. The wind rose, snow dancing in arcs. Tiān Lán gazed at the stars.
Tomorrow, he would step onto the battlefield of Frostveil. No backing, no status, no favors—just him, his cultivation, and the unfrozen storm of his soul.