In a space that felt detached from time and place, only darkness ruled. No stars, no shadows—just an endless void.
Yet amidst that void, a single crystal shone with the brilliance of the sun.
Still, its light could not push away the darkness.
Then, a majestic voice echoed from the void, deep and commanding:
> "I want you to do something."
A moment later, a female voice resonated softly from within the crystal, steady yet proud:
> "Why should I do anything for you?"
The darkness stirred, and the voice replied with unshakable certainty:
> "Because I can help her inherit your legacy without resistance. I can grant her a Special Physique—one that surpasses even your original Ice Body."
There was silence. Then, a whisper.
> "What do I have to do...?"
---
Back Inside the Cave
Su Yang stood facing the veiled woman, Lu Ying, her long black hair slightly damp, her expression filled with cautious curiosity.
She asked gently, "How were you able to get up? I remember… you had so many injuries. You weren't even breathing properly."
Su Yang blinked, unsure how to answer.
He himself didn't fully understand what had just happened. That Lotus… the golden figure... the green energy...
He quickly pieced together a believable excuse.
> "I'm an alchemist. I had a healing pill in my ring. It was strong… rare," he said, keeping his voice calm.
Lu Ying gave a slight nod, accepting his answer.
> "I see… that explains it. Still, I should thank you for earlier. Thanks to your directions, I was able to get the Python Spirit Grass in time."
Su Yang smiled lightly and waved it off.
> "No need to thank me. You saved me from drowning, so I'd say we're even."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her. Something still felt off.
Curious, he silently activated his Appraisal Skill.
---
[Name]: Lu Ying
[Age]: 18
[Race]: Human
[Main Class]: Cultivator
[Cultivation]: Bone Tempering (Low)
[Special Physique]: Extreme Ice Body (Not Awakened)
[Martial Arts]: Ice Jade Art, Freeze Terror
---
> "So she does have a special body… and it's not awakened yet," Su Yang thought, his expression unreadable. "No wonder she was drawn here. Is this her fate… or something more?"
He spoke again, pushing his curiosity aside.
> "Do you know how to leave this place?"
Lu Ying shook her head, brushing strands of hair from her face.
> "No. I was just collecting herbs. My foot slipped on the cliff and… here I am. I think our only option is to go deeper."
Su Yang nodded thoughtfully.
> "Agreed. Maybe the cave holds the exit—or something else entirely."
As they walked deeper together, their footsteps echoed in the dim corridor, eventually leading to a massive, dome-shaped chamber bathed in icy-blue light.
At the center, an ancient inscription gleamed on a stone wall.
Su Yang stepped forward and read aloud:
> "Welcome to the Legacy Chamber. This domain holds the power and teachings of the Ice Master, Lu Wei. To inherit her legacy, you must pass her trials. To leave this place, you must pass her trials."
Behind him, Lu Ying gasped.
Her cold composure cracked into a warm, radiant smile—like a girl reunited with a long-lost dream.
Su Yang glanced at her.
> "You look... happy."
She turned, her voice soft, filled with wonder.
> "This… this might be my fate. The Extreme Ice Body… I was born with it, but no one in my sect could help me awaken it. I always dreamed there was something waiting for me…"
> "And now it's here."
Su Yang gave her a small, genuine smile.
> "Then this might be your chance."
He looked toward the glowing symbols again.
> "What should we do now? If the only way out is t
hrough this test, I guess we don't have much choice."
Lu Ying nodded firmly, her earlier hesitation gone.
> "We go forward. Together."