Northern Sea.
On a frost-white glacier stretching for miles, the cold wind cut like knives, and heaven and earth were white. A man and a woman stood quietly on an ice terrace, one in splendid robes, the other in a plain dress. Not a trace of wind or snow touched them.
Xu Xuan and Luo An both watched the glacier ahead, where a white-robed Dragon Prince danced with a sword amid the swirling snow. His sword momentum swept past, leaving him untouched by a single flake.
After settling everything with White Silk, the Dragon King had needed to return to the Ice Cavern to recuperate. Xu Xuan had therefore left the ice palace and joined Luo An to watch Dragon Prince Jingxu's swordsmanship.
The snowstorm gradually subsided. Jingxu twisted his blade, tracing streaks of frost-white light, but no supernatural power emerged from its edge. It remained no more than a weapon for mortal combat.
He felt somewhat frustrated. He had demonstrated every sword move he had learned, yet the lord still said nothing. Those dark eyes watching him exerted a faint but heavy pressure.
Jingxu practiced the "Cold Snow Sword Manual." Though only fourth grade, Luo An had specifically sought it out for him in the Liao Lands. It perfectly suited the cold yin lineage, using the sword's edge to strengthen cold energy and command wind and snow.
Its highest teachings reached the realm of sword essence, yet understanding continued to elude him. He had mastered only a few moves that relied on sword momentum.
In the past, Jingxu had felt rather pleased with himself. Now, however, he felt he was displaying his axe before a master carpenter, and shame welled up within him.
Luo An's gaze grew slightly intent. Looking at Xu Xuan, she asked softly:
"What do you