Chapter 174: Chapter 173: Ice and Snow Contract
As the [Ice Skin] was tempered by the Water of Origin, it transformed into [Ice Armor]. The moment the Witch Fragrance finished burning, the pressure in Jiang Qiu’s mind vanished, and his consciousness instantly sank into a sea of cotton.
[Ice Armor]
[Description: To adapt to the harsh, cold lands, the ancestors perceived the talent of the Ice Armor Bear Clan and made it their own. They learned to condense ice and snow into armor, protecting their limbs, bones, and extraordinary meridians. While in the Ice Armor state, one’s defensive capabilities and cold resistance are exceptionally enhanced.]
CRACK.
With a thought from Jiang Qiu, the frost clinging to his cheeks like iron filings to a magnet shattered like shards of ice, turning into specks of snow that drifted away.
His cheeks were as smooth as a shelled egg, revealing a newfound, youthful tenderness.
By consuming the Luminous Blood within his body, he could draw the ice and snow from the world toward him, condensing it into ice armor. This was the power of the Bloodline Talent, [Ice Armor].
Even when not actively forming the ice armor, the toughness of his skin was incomparable to that of his peers.
And along with it came a second Bloodline Talent: [Snow Heart].
[Snow Heart]
[Description: By surviving in the bitter cold, one gradually transcends the limits of their will and comprehends the ability to command ice and snow as they please. When your willpower surpasses the threat of death, your heart can scatter like snow and re-form at will.]
In a way, this talent was far more valuable than [Ice Armor]. When one’s heart suffered a fatal blow, it would transform into white snow and temporarily disperse, only to reform at will.
It was equivalent to nullifying one fatal attack to the heart!
In this world of savage customs and formidable physiques, everyone knew that as long as a person’s heart or brain wasn’t obliterated, they had a chance to eventually recover.
And since the brain was protected by the skull, landing a crippling blow in a single strike was a true test of combat ability. Thus, most tribes and clans used stabbing the heart as their primary method of execution.
At a critical moment, [Snow Heart] could be a lifesaver.
"[Hill], you have successfully passed the bloodline test."
The Elder Witch Priest beckoned from the Altar, motioning for him to ascend the steps.
Of the two hundred children who had undergone the test, he was the only one left standing, the center of all eyes.
Jiang Qiu took a deep breath, puffing out a chest that had gone hollow from exhaustion. His trembling right foot landed firmly on the first step with a soft THUD.
"The Chosen One, [Hill]..."
A little girl’s innocent voice rang out from the crowd just as he placed his second foot on the next step.
"May the heavens bless North Snow!"
A limping old man shouted.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Jiang Qiu ascended toward the Altar one step at a time, the surrounding shouts like a gale fanning a wildfire, like a great hammer striking a bronze bell!
"Chosen One [Hill], may the heavens bless North Snow!"
"Chosen One [Hill], may the heavens bless North Snow!"
"Chosen One [Hill], may the heavens bless North Snow!"
The tribe’s women, children, strong-bodied men, and hunched-over elders all raised their fists in unison, pumping them skyward with each earth-shattering cry.
Next to the Elder Witch Priest, Jiang Qiu barely reached the man’s waist. Yet, standing upon the Altar, he towered over everyone below, like a lone star hanging high in the heavens.
"[Hill], the Water of Origin has awakened your potential. Through your actions, you have embodied the will of the Chosen One. The North Snow Tribe will do everything in its power to help you grow. We pray you will one day reach the Jade Sinew Realm and ascend to the Northern Boundary Peak.
Should our tribe face danger, may your will stand with ours. Should our people fall into peril, may you be their shield.
We take the ice and snow as our witness. As long as the snows of the Northern Boundary never cease, this contract shall be unbreakable."
The Elder Witch Priest bowed slightly and took Jiang Qiu’s right hand. His expression was as benevolent as always, the deep wrinkles on his face seeming to hold the hopes of the tribe from across tens of thousands of years. "Are you willing?"
[Ice and Snow Contract]
[Description: The Elder Witch Priest of the North Snow Tribe has wagered the tribe’s faith and his own fortune in exchange for this pact with you.]
A contract from the Elder Witch Priest of the North Snow Tribe.
’Two choices appeared before me, subtle and unseen. I can accept, or I can refuse.’
Jiang Qiu hesitated for a moment. His calm gaze swept over the cheering crowd, finally landing on [Flower]’s innocent, flushed cheeks. He remembered the Demon Race bird egg from three days ago.
’Ever since I arrived in the North Snow Tribe, I haven’t run into any real trouble. On the contrary, they’ve taken exceptionally good care of me, this strange "outsider."’
’I live in the home of [Xiong], a Hunting Team Captain. The deer milk I drink is tribal property. [Flower] from next door has often looked after me. Even during this past year when my performance was mediocre, they might have had their doubts, but they never once mocked me.’
’Even the hunt for the Rare Snow Patterned Deer three days ago was for my sake. [Xiong] believed my mediocre performance was due to a lack of resources, that it was hindering the natural gifts of a Chosen One. That’s why he risked leading his team to find a Rare Snow Patterned Deer.’
’But after an exhausting hunt, the prize was snatched by a powerful hunting team from the West Ice Tribe. They barely managed to bring back a single bag of deer milk.’
’[Flower] told me all of this; she heard it from her father...’
As a mentally mature "outsider," Jiang Qiu found it difficult to truly integrate into the large North Snow Tribe settlement. He knew that, eventually, he would have to leave.
’When the Secret Realm ends, I will return to Xia Country.’
’But if it weren’t for the North Snow Tribe, if [Xiong] hadn’t found me back then, this body would have long since perished in this realm. What right would I have to even compete for the Enlightenment Fruit?’
’The debt of saving my life, of nurturing me, of raising me.’
’I can never forget!’
"I am willing!"
When Jiang Qiu shouted these three words with all his might, his still-youthful voice pierced through the falling snow, echoing among the wooden houses and the crowd.
...
Witnessed by the Altar and the snow, the bloodline test concluded. Jiang Qiu, the Chosen One, had accepted the contract. He would now have the right to temper himself by joining the main Hunting Team.
On the way home, [Flower] skipped and bounced around him, blinking her big, sparkling eyes. "[Hill], what does it feel like to awaken a Bloodline Talent?"
"Probably like soaking in a hot spring."
Jiang Qiu answered easily, the corners of his mouth tilting up.
The tribe controlled a cluster of hot springs, a territory won under the leadership of the previous Chosen One, [Food]. He’d heard that ice could form on the surface of the hot water, which sounded magical, but he had never gone for a soak himself.
It was just a metaphor.
[Flower] squinted in thought for a moment, then mumbled softly, "What does soaking in a hot spring feel like?"
"Uhm..." Jiang Qiu hesitated. "It’s like taking a hot bath in a very big tub."
"Oh, really? That must be very comfortable."
[Flower] grinned, remembering that when she was even younger than [Hill], she used to bathe in a tub. The water got cold fast, but it was still very comfortable.
What she didn’t know, however, was that the water in her tub had only ever been warm, not hot.
The two walked home together and parted ways at their doors. Jiang Qiu let out a soft puff of white vapor, raising his head to the clear sky. Through a break in the clouds, he could just barely make out the faint shape of a distant mountain peak.
’If the Elder Witch Priest’s stories are true, obtaining the Enlightenment Fruit from the Northern Boundary Peak can break the Northern Boundary’s seal. Spirit Charm will flow back into this abandoned world.’
’Maybe there’s something I can do for the North Snow Tribe...’
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Gradually, the sound of heavy footsteps approached, drawing Jiang Qiu’s gaze. His pupils trembled. "Uncle [Xiong]?!"
[Xiong]’s massive frame was drenched in blood. His left arm hung twisted at his side, his chest heaving violently with every breath. Supported by [Flower]’s father, he staggered forward, leaving a trail of blood that looked like a path of blooming red flowers.
