Child of Ice

Night fell, and ice lanterns lit up along the streets of Ice Seal City, casting a soft glow. At Elder Li's invitation, Ye Lingyun stepped into the Ice Crystal Palace, a luxurious hotel owned by the Ice Merchant Guild.

The Ice Crystal Palace was carved from thousand-year-old ice. Every wall and pillar shimmered with a faint blue light, as though countless sapphires had been embedded within them. Ye Lingyun slowly swept his gaze across the lobby, taking in its luxury and grandeur.

"Ye Lingyun, welcome to the Ice Crystal Palace." A hint of pride colored Elder Li's voice. "This is one of the Ice Merchant Guild's properties, and one of the most luxurious hotels in Ice Seal City."

Ye Lingyun nodded, a flicker of admiration crossing his eyes. "It really is beautiful here."

Elder Li smiled and nodded. "Please follow me. I've prepared the best room for you."

Ye Lingyun followed Elder Li through a series of exquisitely decorated corridors, finally arriving at a spacious room. Delicate ice sculptures hung on the walls, and soft Ice Bear hide rugs covered the floor. A huge ice bed stood in the center of the room, draped with a thick quilt of ice silkworm silk.

"This is a VIP room at the Ice Crystal Palace. I hope you like it," Elder Li said, his voice carrying a touch of warmth.

A satisfied smile appeared on Ye Lingyun's face. "Thank you very much, Elder Li."

Elder Li nodded and looked Ye Lingyun over. "Ye Lingyun, your strength and talent are both exceptional. I'm certain you'll perform brilliantly in the Icewave Academy selection."

A glimmer of determination flashed in Ye Lingyun's eyes. "I'll do my best."

Elder Li smiled and nodded. "Get some good rest tonight. Tomorrow, I'll have someone show you around Ice Seal City so you can get to know this place better."

Ye Lingyun nodded, his heart brimming with curiosity about this new world.

After Elder Li left, Ye Lingyun began exploring the room. He walked to the window and opened it, and a rush of icy air struck his face, carrying the faint freshness of snow. He gazed through the window toward the distant streets, where ice lanterns shone like stars, illuminating the entire city.

Ye Lingyun drew a deep breath. He could sense the rich ice attribute energy in the air here, which would be an enormous help to his cultivation.

System, scan the ice attribute energy here, Ye Lingyun silently instructed.

"Task: take a deep breath. Reward: increased ice attribute energy absorption efficiency." The system's notification sounded in his mind.

Ye Lingyun drew a deep breath, and his body began absorbing the surrounding ice attribute energy. He could feel it circulating within him before slowly merging into his star power.

As he absorbed the energy, Ye Lingyun's aura grew stronger. His star power flowed slowly through his body, forming rivers of stars.

The next day, with arrangements made by the guild, Ye Lingyun began touring Ice Seal City. His footsteps left deep impressions in the city's streets, and his eyes shone with curiosity and a desire to explore this world.

He visited the city's market, where all kinds of ice-attribute treasures and materials were on display; he visited the city's library, which housed countless ancient texts about the Star Great Plane; he visited the city's cultivation grounds, where cultivators were working hard to improve their strength.

Ye Lingyun's heart filled with longing for this new world.

In Ice Seal City's central square, cold mist swirled over a vast ice crystal stage as frost and snow danced through the air. Today was the day of Icewave Academy's selection, and cultivators from across the city had gathered here, their eyes filled with anticipation and anxiety.

Ye Lingyun stood among the crowd, his gaze calm and deep. He could sense the ice elements in the surrounding air leaping joyfully, as though welcoming his arrival.

"Everyone, welcome to the Icewave Academy selection." A resonant voice rang out. It belonged to a middle-aged man who radiated a powerful aura, clearly an expert at the Star Venerable level.

"I am Icewave Academy's vice dean, Venerable Han Xing." The vice dean swept his gaze across the crowd, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. "The selection will consist of three trials. The first is an ice element affinity test."

As the vice dean finished speaking, a massive Ice Crystal Orb was placed in the center of the stage. This Ice Crystal Orb was an instrument for testing ice element affinity, able to reveal how closely a participant resonated with the ice elements.

"Begin the test!" The vice dean's voice carried an unquestionable authority.

One after another, cultivators stepped onto the stage and placed their hands on the Ice Crystal Orb. The orb emitted a faint glow, its brightness representing their ice element affinity.

"Twenty percent. Pass."

"Thirty-five percent. Excellent."

"Fifty percent. Outstanding."

As the test progressed, waves of astonished exclamations rose from the crowd. A satisfied smile also appeared on the vice dean's face. He knew these cultivators were Icewave Academy's future hope.

At last, it was Ye Lingyun's turn. He walked slowly onto the stage, his gaze settling on the Ice Crystal Orb. He could feel the ice elements within it calling to him, as though recounting ancient stories.

Ye Lingyun reached out and gently rested his hand on the Ice Crystal Orb. In an instant, the orb erupted with dazzling light, so pure and brilliant that it seemed as though stars had fallen into the mortal world.

"One hundred percent!" Shock colored the vice dean's voice, and his eyes filled with disbelief. "One hundred percent ice element affinity-he's a Child of Ice!"

The crowd erupted in astonished cries, every gaze fixed on Ye Lingyun. They knew that a Child of Ice possessed the finest talent among ice cultivators. With such a gift, Ye Lingyun's future knew no bounds.

As Ye Lingyun's result was announced, the cultivators of Ice Seal City began buzzing with discussion. They all knew that Icewave Academy had welcomed a new genius.

"Ye Lingyun, your result is exceptional." The vice dean walked up to Ye Lingyun, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

Ye Lingyun nodded, his heart filled with anticipation for the future.