Heart of Ice Seal

Dawn came later than usual in the Sacred Source Land. Ning Xiaochuan stood atop the hastily erected city wall, staring at the hair-thin rift in the northern sky. Three days had passed. The rift had neither widened nor vanished, hanging in the heavens like an ugly scar.

"Your Highness." Star Radiance's voice came from behind him. "Miss Su has returned."

Ning Xiaochuan turned and saw Su Linger walking over from the direction of the Teleportation Array with the Sacred Spirit Dragon. She had changed into plain white martial attire, her silver hair tied high, making her look capable and valiant. The Sacred Spirit Dragon had shrunk down and perched on her shoulder. The moment he saw Ning Xiaochuan, he let out a "Goo Chu" and flew over.

"How are Senior Brother Lei and Senior Sister Mu?" Ning Xiaochuan caught Little One and gently stroked his scales.

"They're out of danger." Su Linger walked to his side and looked toward the rift as well. "The Tianyuan Sect is rebuilding. Master Xuanyu has sent elite disciples to monitor every movement in Qingyun City."

She paused. "The phenomenon of Three Moons Shining Together is becoming more obvious. The people of the Open Source Continent are starting to panic."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded and briefly told her the legend of the Primal Dragon that Star Radiance had shared. Su Linger frowned tightly after hearing it. "So we need to find the Five Inverse Scales and the Five Primal Fragments?"

"Yes, but we only know the whereabouts of two." Ning Xiaochuan took out the Dragon Soul Jade. "One has already fused with it. The other..."

"It's in the Ice Soul Sect." Su Linger suddenly said. "The inherited memories of the Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul contain related records—within the extreme cold lands of the Northern Territory, a dragon scale sleeps beneath an ice layer ten thousand feet thick."

Ning Xiaochuan's eyes lit up. "The Primal Ice Core of the Ice Soul Sect! That crystal might be the container for an Inverse Scale!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also chirped excitedly, his tiny claws pointing north.

"No time to waste. We leave immediately." Ning Xiaochuan made his decision. "Star Radiance will continue monitoring the rift and rebuilding the Sacred Source Tower."

But Su Linger grabbed him. "Wait. Your injuries..."

Only then did Ning Xiaochuan notice the worry in her eyes. Ever since returning from the Well of Origin, he had been occupied with countless matters and had barely rested. Sacred Source Power was powerful, but recovering from excessive expenditure took time.

"I'm fine." He comforted her softly. "Time waits for no one."

Su Linger stubbornly shook her head. "At least wait until tomorrow. Yun Yi found some clues in an Ancient Tome about how to safely extract an Inverse Scale."

Knowing he could not persuade her otherwise, Ning Xiaochuan had no choice but to agree. The two of them and the dragon went to the temporary library—a large round tent filled with Ancient Tomes salvaged from the ruins.

Yun Yi was organizing an ancient beast-hide scroll. When she saw them enter, she immediately bowed. "Your Highness, Miss Su. I found records concerning the Inverse Scales."

She pointed to an illustration on the scroll. Five scales of different shapes surrounded a crown, each giving off light of a different color.

"According to the description, each Inverse Scale has a unique attribute," Yun Yi explained. "The first is the 'Scale of Life,' which Your Highness obtained at the Well of Origin. The second, the 'Heart of Ice Seal,' should be the one in the Ice Soul Sect."

She turned to the next page, which depicted a container resembling an ice-crystal coffin. "To extract the Inverse Scale, pure Profound Ice Power and Sacred Source Bloodline must act upon it at the same time."

Su Linger looked thoughtful. "So I need to go?"

"Exactly." Yun Yi nodded. "And..." She hesitated. "The process may be dangerous. The Ancient Tome says, 'Only a heart free of distraction can endure to the end.'"

Ning Xiaochuan's heart tightened. "What does that mean?"

"When extracting the Inverse Scale, its bearer must maintain an absolutely pure state of mind." Yun Yi pointed to the tiny text at the bottom of the scroll. "Any negative emotion may cause the Inverse Scale to run wild."

Su Linger smiled. "Then there's no problem. The Ice Heart Art I cultivate pursues clarity of mind."

Ning Xiaochuan was still uneasy. "I'm going with you."

"Of course." Su Linger naturally took his hand. "We're in this together."

That simple gesture warmed Ning Xiaochuan's heart. Since their reunion in the Sacred Source Land, their understanding and closeness had deepened day by day, yet neither had pierced that final veil between them.

Yun Yi tactfully withdrew, leaving the two to continue studying the scroll. Uninterested in Ancient Tomes, the Sacred Spirit Dragon flew to a nearby shelf and took a nap.

"Look here." Su Linger suddenly pointed to a blurry line of text. "'The Inverse Scale recognizes its master only after a trial.'"

Ning Xiaochuan leaned closer to inspect it, his nose almost brushing her hair. A faint fragrance reached him, distracting him for a moment.

"What trial?" He forced himself to focus.

"I don't know." Su Linger shook her head. "But it certainly won't be simple. At the Well of Origin, you heard the voice of the Primal Dragon, didn't you?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "It gave me guidance."

"This time, we may need to face it together." Su Linger's voice was gentle but firm. "Whatever the trial is, we'll face it together."

Her profile looked especially soft beneath the lamplight, and Ning Xiaochuan stared at her for a moment. Su Linger noticed his gaze. The tips of her ears reddened slightly, but she did not look away.

"Ling'er..." Ning Xiaochuan gathered his courage, wanting to say something.

Just then, the Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly woke with a sharp "Goo Chu," his scales standing on end as he looked outside the tent. Almost at the same moment, an alarm rang out!

"Enemy attack! The Northern Rift has widened!"

Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger rushed out of the tent. Sure enough, the rift in the northern sky had expanded to the width of a finger. More black mist seeped from it, forming an ominous cloudbank.

"A probing attack by the World Devourers." Star Radiance hurried over. "The Guards have held them off for now, but..."

"We need to speed things up." Ning Xiaochuan said grimly. "We leave for the Ice Soul Sect at dawn tomorrow."

That night, defenses across the Sacred Source Land were reinforced. After inspecting every watchpost, Ning Xiaochuan returned to his tent and found Su Linger waiting for him.

"Can't sleep?" She handed him a cup of hot tea.

Ning Xiaochuan accepted it. Their fingertips brushed accidentally, and both trembled faintly. "No. I'm worried about the situation in the north."

Su Linger sat down beside him. "Star Radiance said the rift has been brought under control for now."

"For now." Ning Xiaochuan sighed. "Every time we drive back the World Devourers, they grow stronger. I'm worried..."

"What are you worried about?"

"I'm worried that we won't be able to stop the Void Master in the end." Ning Xiaochuan rarely showed such vulnerability. "Even if we gather the Five Inverse Scales, the price of reforging the Primal Crown..."

Su Linger suddenly pressed a hand over his lips. "Don't say it."

Her palm was cool yet soft. Ning Xiaochuan could smell the faint scent of medicinal herbs—the blend she had used to soak her hands after years of sword practice.

"Do you remember when we first met?" Su Linger withdrew her hand, nostalgia in her eyes. "You couldn't even awaken your Source Soul, yet you dared to stand before me and fight Han Li."

Ning Xiaochuan smiled. "Back then, you were as cold as ice. You looked at me like I was trash."

"That was because you were too weak." Su Linger smiled as well, her silver-gray eyes like melting ice and snow beneath the lamplight. "But now..."

She did not finish, but Ning Xiaochuan understood what she meant. The silence between them was no longer awkward. Instead, it was filled with unspoken understanding.

At some point, the Sacred Spirit Dragon had awakened. He watched the two curiously and let out a soft "Goo Chu," as though urging them on.

Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath and suddenly grasped Su Linger's hand. "When all this is over..."

"Yes?"

"I want to take you to see where I lived as a child." Ning Xiaochuan spoke softly. "Not the Ning Clan in Qingyun City, but the Green Pine Forest outside the city. In spring, it's covered in wildflowers. It's beautiful."

Surprise flashed through Su Linger's eyes before they dimmed again. "That is, if we live until then."

"We will." Ning Xiaochuan tightened his grip on her hand. "I promise."

Su Linger suddenly leaned forward and lightly kissed his cheek. "Remember that promise."

With that, she rose and left. Her silver hair traced a graceful arc as she turned. Ning Xiaochuan stood frozen in place, his fingers unconsciously touching where she had kissed him. Her warmth seemed to linger there.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon tilted his head at him, his eyes full of teasing.

"What are you looking at?" Ning Xiaochuan flicked Little One's dragon horn, though the corners of his lips could not help lifting.

At dawn the next day, the three were ready. Yun Yi had prepared the fastest Cloud Wing Beasts and ample supplies for them.

"It will take two days to reach the Ice Soul Sect from here." She pointed at the map. "There are our outposts along the way, where you can rest and resupply."

Star Radiance handed Ning Xiaochuan a crystal. "A communication stone. Contact us immediately if you encounter danger."

After bidding everyone farewell, the three rode the Cloud Wing Beasts into the sky. The Sacred Spirit Dragon returned to his Combat Form, his west wing spread wide as he led the way ahead.

Flying was tedious, especially while crossing the desert region in the northern Sacred Source Land. The blazing sun hung overhead, and heat waves distorted their vision. At noon, they stopped briefly at an oasis outpost.

"North of here, the temperature will drop sharply," the outpost leader warned. "An Extreme Cold Storm has formed around the Ice Soul Sect's perimeter. They say it was created to protect the Primal Ice Core."

Sure enough, as they continued north, the chill in the air grew heavier and heavier. A thin frost formed over the Cloud Wing Beasts' feathers, while the white vapor from their breath froze into ice crystals instantly. Ning Xiaochuan had to raise a Sacred Source Shield against the cold, but Su Linger was like a fish in water. In the freezing environment, her Profound Ice Power became even more active.

"Look over there!" The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly warned with a "Goo Chu."

On the distant horizon stood a blue-white wall of storms stretching between heaven and earth. Lightning-like auroras raced through it. Even from so far away, they could sense the terrifying energy within.

"The Ice Soul Sect's defensive formation." Su Linger recognized it. "It's running at full power."

Ning Xiaochuan activated Sacred Source Vision and found a narrow safe passage through the storm. "We'll enter from there."

As they approached the storm wall, the cold had become severe enough to freeze an ordinary person's blood instantly. The Cloud Wing Beasts could endure no longer, so Ning Xiaochuan had them return to the outpost. The three continued on foot, while the Sacred Spirit Dragon shrank down and burrowed into Ning Xiaochuan's collar for warmth.

"Follow me." Su Linger walked in front, guiding them with Profound Ice Power. "The cold here has a pattern. Following the airflow is safest."

The passage twisted and turned, surrounded by rapidly spinning storms of ice blades. One misstep would have cut them to pieces. Two hours later, they finally passed through the storm wall, and the sight before them was breathtaking—

A city made entirely of ice crystals stood within the eye of the storm, tranquil and beautiful. At its center stood a pyramid-shaped main hall, with the Primal Ice Core floating above its peak and radiating a gentle blue light.

"The Ice Soul Sect..." Ning Xiaochuan's exhaled breath instantly became ice grains. "It's even more magnificent than I imagined."

But Su Linger frowned. "Something's wrong. It's too quiet."

Indeed, not a single person could be seen anywhere in the city, as though it had been abandoned. Thick snow covered the streets, without a single footprint.

"Be careful." Ning Xiaochuan became alert. "There may be an ambush."

The three cautiously moved toward the main hall. As they drew closer, the Dragon Soul Jade inside Ning Xiaochuan began to heat up, resonating with the Primal Ice Core.

The main hall's doors stood wide open, its interior pitch-black like the mouth of a giant beast. Ning Xiaochuan gathered Sacred Source Light in his palm to illuminate the way. The hall was empty, with only the ice core hovering above the Central Altar and giving off a faint glow.

"Welcome, Son of Sacred Source." An aged voice suddenly rang out.

The Ice Soul Sect's Grand Elder stepped from the shadows. He had silver hair, a white beard, and an ice-crystal staff in hand. But unlike their last meeting, he looked far more haggard, his eyes bloodshot.

"Grand Elder." Ning Xiaochuan bowed. "Forgive our intrusion. We have come for the Primal Ice Core."

"I know." The Grand Elder smiled bitterly. "The prophecy has come true, hasn't it?"

He pointed toward the ice core. "Three days ago, it suddenly became unstable. The cold it released forced us to evacuate. Only I remained to guard it."

Su Linger stepped forward. "We need to extract the Inverse Scale within it to fight the Void Master."

"The Inverse Scale?" The Grand Elder froze for a moment, then understanding dawned on him. "So that's it... I always believed it was merely an ordinary Primal Fragment."

He led the three to the altar. "Take it, if you can. Over the past few days, I tried every method I knew, but I could not approach it."

Sure enough, an Extreme Cold Domain surrounded the ice core. Even an ice-element expert like the Grand Elder could not break through it.

"I'll try." Su Linger extended her hand, Profound Ice Power flowing through it.

When her fingertips neared the edge of the domain, the ice core suddenly flashed. The domain rippled slightly, but did not allow her through.

"It needs Sacred Source Bloodline." Ning Xiaochuan reached out as well, touching the domain together with Su Linger.

This time, the domain parted like flowing water and allowed them through. The Sacred Spirit Dragon tried to follow, but an Invisible Barrier blocked him, making him cry out anxiously.

"Wait for us outside." Ning Xiaochuan reassured him.

He and Su Linger walked to the ice core. From up close, the crystal was even more beautiful than he remembered. A starry sky seemed sealed within it, countless light spots slowly revolving.

"Touch it at the same time," Ning Xiaochuan said in a low voice. "I'll guide the Sacred Source Power. You handle the Profound Ice Power."

They placed their hands on the ice core at the same time. In an instant, a frigid energy surged into their bodies through their arms! Ning Xiaochuan felt as though his blood was about to freeze, but he gritted his teeth and endured. The ice core began to shake violently. Layers of ice crystals peeled away from its surface, revealing its core—

A diamond-shaped blue scale, crystal-clear and radiating a dreamlike halo.

"Heart of Ice Seal..." Ning Xiaochuan murmured.

Just as he was about to remove the Inverse Scale, the entire hall suddenly shook violently! The ice core erupted with blinding blue light and swallowed them both!

When the light faded, Ning Xiaochuan found himself standing upon an ice plain. Boundless whiteness stretched in every direction. Su Linger was nowhere to be seen. Only howling winds swept past like blades.

"Ling'er!" he shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the snowstorm.

A blurry figure appeared in the distance and slowly approached. When Ning Xiaochuan saw who it was, he felt as though struck by lightning—

It was Su Linger, but not entirely. Her silver hair was like frost, her eyes had turned completely icy blue, and suffocating cold radiated from her entire body.

"Who are you?" Ning Xiaochuan asked warily.

"I am her, yet I am not her." Ice Linger's voice sounded like a howling blizzard. "This is the Inverse Scale's trial—face the deepest fear in your heart."

She waved a hand, and countless ice sculptures suddenly rose from the plain. Every one depicted someone Ning Xiaochuan knew: Ning Zhantian, Ning Yuan, Lei Lie, Mu Qing, Star Radiance... They were frozen forever with expressions of agony.

"You fear losing them." Ice Linger said coldly. "Especially... her."

The final ice sculpture rose. It was Su Linger as she normally was, smiling as ice crept up from her feet.

"Stop!" Ning Xiaochuan roared. Sacred Source Power erupted and shattered the sculpture.

But the fragments quickly reassembled, and the freezing spread even faster.

"Anger will only hasten the outcome." Ice Linger stepped closer, the cold nearly freezing Ning Xiaochuan's breath. "Accept reality. You can save no one."

Ning Xiaochuan forced himself to calm down. This was a trial; there had to be a way to overcome it. He recalled Yun Yi's warning—"Only a heart free of distraction can endure to the end."

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and stopped looking at those dreadful ice sculptures. Sacred Source Power flowed calmly through him. Rather than resisting the cold, it merged with it.

"I am afraid of losing them," he said calmly. "But because I cherish them, I understand even more deeply the meaning of protection."

Ice Linger stopped walking.

"Fear will not make me retreat. It will only make me more resolute." Ning Xiaochuan opened his eyes and looked directly into those icy-blue eyes. "This is the true meaning of Sacred Source Power—it comes from the Heart of Protection."

The ice plain began to collapse, and the sculptures melted one by one. Ice Linger's figure gradually blurred as well, returning to the normal Su Linger.

"Ning Xiaochuan?" She looked around in confusion. "Where are we?"

"An illusion created by the Inverse Scale." Ning Xiaochuan took her hand. "We passed the trial."

The Heart of Ice Seal floated before them, no longer resisting. Ning Xiaochuan carefully removed it. The scale automatically flew toward the Dragon Soul Jade and perfectly settled into an empty space.

The two energies merged, and new patterns emerged upon the jade's surface—a snowflake-shaped mark.

"We succeeded." Su Linger let out a breath of relief.

The illusion completely dissipated, and the two returned to the main hall. The Sacred Spirit Dragon immediately flew over, circling them anxiously. The Grand Elder stared at the ice core in shock—it remained intact, but the Inverse Scale at its core had vanished.

"Unbelievable..." the old man murmured. "A thousand years of guardianship, resolved today."

Just as Ning Xiaochuan was about to explain, the Dragon Soul Jade suddenly began to shake violently! The energies of the two Inverse Scales merged within it, projecting a blurry map—the location of the third Inverse Scale!

"The Molten Mountain Range..." He recognized the terrain. "Deep within Fire Tribe territory!"

Su Linger saw it too. "Our next destination is decided."

After learning of the Void Master's threat, the Grand Elder immediately declared that the Ice Soul Sect would offer its full support. He personally escorted the three to the edge of the storm wall and sent two disciples familiar with the terrain to accompany them.

"May the ice bless you." The old man bid them a solemn farewell.

The three set out once more. This time, their destination was the Molten Mountain Range—the heartland of the Fire Tribe and one of the most dangerous places on the Open Source Continent.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon seemed excited for the coming adventure, constantly flying back and forth between them. Watching Little One's lively antics, Su Linger's lips unconsciously curved upward.

"What are you smiling about?" Ning Xiaochuan asked.

"I was thinking about how you couldn't even control him properly back then." Su Linger's eyes were gentle. "Now you two are inseparable."

Ning Xiaochuan smiled too. "Who would have thought we'd come this far?"

He naturally took Su Linger's hand, their fingers intertwining. The Dragon Soul Jade against his chest gave off a faint warmth, as though it too rejoiced in that warmth.