The early morning air was crisp and cold, carrying a faint scent of pine and frost. Alina walked alongside the Frostblade Sect envoys, the village slowly disappearing behind them. She felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness twisting in her chest. This was the first time she had left Frostridge Village—and the first time she was stepping into a world that would define her future.
Her heart kept thumping. Am I ready? she thought. Can I really live up to the system's awakening?
The envoys moved silently, their white-and-blue robes fluttering with each step. Their presence alone made Alina feel small. Some glanced at her occasionally, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. She had heard the villagers whisper about talent, curses, and prodigies, but now she was in front of the people who truly understood the weight of strength.
Elder Mira walked beside her, her expression calm yet protective. She leaned on her cane, occasionally glancing at Alina.
"Stay composed," Mira said quietly. "These are highly skilled cultivators. They will test your limits, but you must remain focused. Fear can destroy even the strongest potential."
Alina nodded, gripping the token that signified her acceptance into the sect. The Frostblade Sect was one of the most respected ice-affinity sects in the region. She had never imagined she could enter a sect of this caliber—let alone as someone completely unknown.
The Sect's Outer Gate
After a long walk through a winding forest path, they arrived at the outer gate of the Frostblade Sect. Towering spires of ice glistened in the sunlight, and frost-covered walls shimmered like glass. Snowflake patterns were carved into the gates, and cold mist drifted from the top of the towers, giving the entire place a surreal, almost otherworldly aura.
Alina froze for a moment. This… is real. I'm really here.
The sect envoys guided her toward a wide courtyard where several other newcomers were waiting. Some were young cultivators with sharp eyes and confident postures, while others looked just as nervous as she felt. The energy in the air was thick—tightly wound with anticipation, power, and a hint of fear.
Instructor Mei stood at the front of the courtyard. Her pale-blue robes glinted under the sun, and her silver hair was tied neatly behind her back. Her eyes, sharp and cold like frost, scanned each newcomer carefully. When they landed on Alina, they lingered longer than expected.
"You are Alina Frost?" she asked, her voice calm but commanding.
Alina bowed respectfully. "Yes, Instructor Mei."
Mei's gaze didn't soften. Instead, she stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she could see inside Alina's body, into the very Qi flowing through her veins.
"…Interesting," Mei murmured. "Your presence alone is unusual."
The First Test — Spiritual Bone Resonance
Mei motioned toward a glowing crystal orb resting on a pedestal. Swirling frost energy danced inside it.
"This is your first test," Mei announced. "The Spiritual Bone Resonance Test. Place your hand on the orb. It will measure the depth and stability of your ice affinity."
Alina approached cautiously. Her heart pounded so loudly it almost drowned out the cold wind. She placed her hand on the orb.
Nothing happened.
The villagers who had followed her mentally—Elder Mira included—held their breath.
Then… a thin line of frost crept across the orb. Slowly, it glowed brighter, forming intricate ice patterns that swirled like tiny snowstorms.
Crack!
The orb shattered into thousands of sparkling ice fragments, scattering across the courtyard. Everyone gasped.
Instructor Mei's eyes widened, though she quickly masked it with composure."Impossible," she whispered. "This crystal measures average talent at best. To shatter it… your resonance exceeds its limits."
Some envoys whispered among themselves."She's… rare talent.""No, beyond rare. This is legendary."
Alina felt a strange mixture of fear and pride. The system's words echoed in her mind:
[Frostflow Veins Activated. Early cultivation speed unusually high.]
Yes… she could feel it. Her body was responding to her breakthrough more naturally than anyone could imagine.
The Second Test — Qi Control
Mei raised her hand. A small ice needle floated in the air between them, spinning gently.
"Next, you must demonstrate Qi control. Move the needle without touching it. Focus your energy and guide it."
Alina exhaled, focusing on the Qi flowing through her body. She imagined the energy as a gentle stream of frost flowing from her dantian into her hand.
The needle trembled. Then rose slightly. It spun, faster, steadier.
The envoys leaned in, murmuring."Her control is… precise.""She's stabilizing Qi on the first attempt."
Instructor Mei nodded."Balanced. Stable. Not bad for your first day."
Alina let out a small sigh of relief.
The Third Test — Combat Instinct
Finally, a male disciple stepped forward, drawing a long, thin blade.
"You've never fought before?" he asked cautiously.
Mei's eyes didn't leave Alina. "That is exactly why this test is necessary. Only instinct can reveal a true cultivator's potential."
Alina swallowed hard. Her palms grew clammy.
"Just dodge," Mei instructed. "Do not attack. Only survive."
The disciple charged. His blade sliced through the air with deadly speed. Alina's body reacted instinctively, stepping aside just in time. The blade grazed her shoulder, tearing her cloak, but leaving no serious injury.
Pain flared, but so did something else—a sharp clarity, a surge of instinct.
She dodged again.And again.Her movements became smoother, more natural. Every step was precise, as if her body knew the pattern before her mind did. Frost formed faintly around her feet with each movement, responding to her awakened root.
Instructor Mei finally raised a hand."Enough."
The disciple sheathed his blade, panting."She's… instinctive," he muttered.
Alina's chest heaved as she steadied her breathing. The frost circulating faintly around her mark pulsed with cold energy.
Mei walked closer, her eyes scanning her."You have raw talent… and instincts beyond normal comprehension."
Acceptance into the Sect
Mei pulled out a pale-blue token, engraved with the Frostblade snowflake mark.
"Kneel," she instructed.
Alina obeyed. Her hands trembled as she lowered herself.
"From this moment, you are an Outer Disciple of the Frostblade Sect. Your journey begins here. Train diligently, or your potential will remain unfulfilled."
Alina took the token, her fingers brushing the cold metal. She felt a surge of responsibility—and determination.
She had left her village, left her old life, and stepped into a world that demanded power. But the system's voice reminded her quietly in her mind:
[Warning: The Frostblade Sect is not as simple as it appears. Stay alert.]
Alina clenched her fists. She wasn't afraid.This was the path she had chosen.
And nothing would stop her from rising.
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