Chapter 8: Blood on the Snow, Wings in the Sky
After shaking off my gloom as I soared through the sky, I quickly returned to Aislin. Within thirty seconds, I had already reached the lakeshore, where she was lazily sprawled across a large rock, leaving me utterly helpless.
"Aislin, how many times have I told you not to leave the cave without permission, or at least waiting? Even in our own land, danger could be lurking at any corner," I said, my voice heavy with frustration, since this had already happened more than a hundred times.
Of course, Martial Spirit Masters were rare here—according to my memory, no more than six existed—but Aislin was still far too weak. Even the feeblest spirit beast from the northern central regions could pose a deadly threat to her.
Aislin answered carelessly, "Brother, but the cave is just so boring."
She loved to run around the frozen lakes, and at times, she even enjoyed provoking me on purpose. Despite being weaker than me in cultivation, her mastery of ice techniques was unbelievably refined.
Sometimes I couldn't help but feel jealous, as she tried to show off at every chance she got.
"Aislin, you must learn to behave. Mother is preparing for something important, and every time, you distract her."
"Besides… who will protect you when I depart for the lands of the Ice Scorpions?"
I spoke with utmost seriousness, having gone through great effort to obtain permission to enter the Ice Scorpion Territory together with my mother.
Recently, my growth had slowed, and so had the development of my core traits—strength, defense, and control over ice. Because of this, I began asking Mother for permission to train alongside the Ice Scorpions. Though less refined than us, they were among the fiercest offensive spirit beasts, formidable in both attack and defense.
Aislin spoke with a faint trace of sorrow in her tone: "But, Aison, you haven't even left yet. Besides, it's only a few days away from our land, so you can still come play with me often."
Enough with this early sadness. I won't be leaving until Mother achieves her goal. So, we still have plenty of time.
Perhaps, during this time, I can convince Mother to let me take you along.
In truth, I had already discussed this matter with her, hoping Aislin could accompany me. But I must first reach the Ten-Thousand-Year stage before Mother achieves her breakthrough; only then will Aislin be allowed to join me.
Even so, I don't want Aislin's progress to fall behind, especially since she could find excellent training partners there.
As for me… I was still unable to extend my claws toward her. Mother guarded her fiercely, often killing any dangerous spirit beast that dared approach her.
As I returned home with Aislin, my mind began to wander toward my next path of growth.
Even so, I couldn't train properly with Mother—not only because I could never strike her with lethal intent, but also due to the vast difference in size and strength.
Even if she didn't use her power to guard her scales, at my current level I wouldn't be able to leave so much as a scratch on her.
Within the Scorpion Clan, there must be individuals who had lived for ten thousand years or more—they would make excellent sparring partners.
Considering that their Emerald Ice Calamity was already three hundred thousand years old, and was also known as the Ice Scorpion Empress, finding a true training partner could at least be postponed until I reached the hundred-thousand-year level.
By that time, I would be able to roam safely through the Extreme North, for the only true mortal danger awaiting me there would be the Heavenly Snow Calamity, also known as the Heavenly Snow Empress. But spirit beasts rarely fought to the death unless bound by a blood feud between clans, and most of the time, they would retreat peacefully.
Beyond that, I hoped that during this period, I could leave an unforgettable impression on the Emerald Ice Scorpion Empress. In her human form, she was one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen. I had never laid eyes on a human girl in this world before—not even Mother's human form—but I had glimpsed the Scorpion Empress's from afar, and she was the most breathtaking woman I had ever seen in my life.
I was not prepared to let her belong to anyone else.
In truth, I would kill anyone who tried to get close to her.
Anyway, rumors had circulated over the years about a rare treasure hidden in the Forest of the Nine Beasts. The forest was named for the nine ferocious beasts that guarded it.
It also had another name — the Fallen Star Forest.
Well, that name was new to me; I'd heard it five hundred years ago when a twin red-and-white star fell there. On that day the world was lit by the star's light, and since then the forest had been called the Fallen Star Forest instead of the Forest of the Nine Beasts.
So, it would be far more beneficial for my family if I could retrieve that treasure from the forest.
Then I recalled my greatest weakness: a simple lack of information.
Although Mother had taught me the basics about the Extreme North, I had no source of information about the other regions.
Therefore, after traveling to the far reaches of the North, it would at least be necessary to extract the nearest human archives from the North.
By that time, no one below the rank of a Titled Martial Spirit Master would be able to fight me.
When I spotted a massive iceberg in the distance, I stopped overthinking and quickened my pace.
My appetite matched my size, and I couldn't hunt on my own without disturbing the clans of the Giant Ice Demons or the Ice Scorpions surrounding us.
Up until now, only Mother was capable of hunting.
When Aislin and I reached the far end of the cave, I saw Mother dragging in the corpse of a ten-thousand-year-old Ice Demon Bear, its body stretching ten meters long.
"Well then, we have a fine meal today."
"I'm back!" Aislin called out.
As always, Mother welcomed us. She had long grown accustomed to Aislin's adventures; though at first she would fly out herself to search for her—causing her no small amount of stress—she eventually began sending me instead.
"I'm hungry!" Aislin cried.
Her shout was aimed at M