Chapter 21: The Art of Ice and Blood
The inn room was a modest sanctuary, moonlight streaming through a small window. Lin Xuan sat cross-legged, the silver-blue flame dancing as he refined the Spirit Essence Crystal. Its radiant energy pulsed, a cool tide that steadied his nerves. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back glowed faintly. He rose and knocked on Liu Yue's door.
She opened it, her sapphire robes shimmering. Her golden coin's Celestial Unity Crest pulsed in response. "Senior Brother, how fares your progress at the 6th Layer Qi Gathering?" she asked.
Liu Yue sighed. "My phoenix shield falters, and my qi feels unstable." Her vulnerability stirred a pang in Lin Xuan's chest. He taught her a breathing technique from the Human Emperor's Records, blending it with Muay Boran's rhythmic focus to stabilize her qi. He crafted a pill with his silver-blue flame and handed it to her. A surge of energy coursed through her, pushing her to the 7th Layer. "Thank you," she whispered.
Lin Xuan then presented a scroll. "This is Icy Skin, an ice-type art, suited to your ice spiritual root." As she unrolled it, frost crept along the floor, and a snowflake-shaped mark bloomed on her palm. He then handed her another scroll, its crimson hue ominous. "This is the Crimson Blood Crystallization Art," he said. "Forbidden, used by your father. It has three phases: Qi Saturation, Compression Ritual, and Crystal Blooming. It grants strength and durability but risks pain and blood burnout."
Liu Yue's moonlight eyes hardened. "I'll master it," she declared.
Lin Xuan left to gather materials for space rings. At the Wudu Clan apothecary, he sold pills and herbs for 2,000 spirit stones and bought five rings and materials. He used a red forging flame to smelt the rings, fusing them with a Lightning-Scaled Snake's core. The process yielded two rings, one enhanced with a protection array for Liu Yue.
The next morning, he presented her with the ring. "This enhances storage, connects to my ring via lightning, and bears a protection array," he explained. She accepted it with a bow.
Returning to his room, Lin Xuan practiced the Crimson Blood Crystallization Art. His blood unexpectedly turned silver, a shocking risk. He reversed it, crystallizing red blood, breaking through to the 2nd Layer of Qi Transformation. He estimated he could defeat 4th Layer foes easily, 5th Layer with struggle, and 7th-8th Layer with Severed Unity.