Chapter 198: Chapter 197: Attacking the North Snow Tribe
The Square Stele by the pool of the Water of Origin recorded the progress of each prodigy’s inheritance. They first had to endure the trial of the Water of Origin, and only then, based on their progress, could they receive their ancestral inheritance—though whether they could even reach that final step was another matter entirely.
Most prodigies could only achieve one or two marks of progress, falling far behind the Chosen Ones, who had at least four. It was practically impossible for them to receive any further ancestral inheritance.
The Warriors from the various tribes gathered outside the main hall of the North Sea Palace, their eyes fixed on the ranking from the Square Stele projected into the air. It displayed the names of all thirty-six prodigies.
"[Hill], [Gold], [Wall], and [Fan]—the four Chosen Ones—already have two marks. The others are mostly at one mark, except for [Eight] at the bottom, who’s a bit slower and doesn’t even have one yet."
[Hunt] murmured, the glint in his eyes growing sharper.
Based on experience, the names on the Square Stele were ranked according to the concentration of their Luminous Blood. Those at the top had the highest concentration, while those at the bottom had the lowest.
The rankings weren’t set in stone, but for the natives of the Northern Boundary, the initial order was almost always the final one.
For the Chosen Ones, however, there was significant room for movement. It all depended on their individual compatibility with the ancestral inheritance.
To be precise, the rankings were actually related to one’s compatibility with the ancestral inheritance; it was just that there was little difference in this regard among the natives of the Northern Boundary.
For now, [Hill] was still in first place.
This thought brought [Hunt] no relief; instead, he grew even more tense.
The current situation of the Northern Boundary Human Clan was already dire, and the North Snow Tribe also faced the threat of the Demon Race from Cold Heaven Cliff. Their circumstances were precarious.
If [Hill] failed to secure the status of the foremost inheritor from the Ancestral Ruins, it would prove his potential wasn’t the greatest, and he would be surpassed by [Gold].
If [Gold] claimed the title of foremost inheritor, the West Ice Tribe would undoubtedly become the most powerful faction among the Human Race. North Snow would be at a disadvantage in every respect.
It would be uncertain if they could even make it back to the North Snow Tribe safely.
One could say that once the inheritance from the Ancestral Ruins concluded, conflict here would be inevitable...
Realizing this, [Hunt] turned his head to glance at the Leader of the West Ice Tribe, who happened to be looking his way as well. An unseen intent for battle brewed in the air between them.
...
At Cold Heaven Cliff, heavy snow continued to fall. Within a ruined palace in the abyss, the sound of a flashing blade echoed again and again. It was as if countless lights and shadows were interweaving, the wind itself seeming to chase the blade’s gleam.
The human-shaped [Feng] practiced with an ancient long saber. Its sharp edge sliced through the candlelight illuminating the grand hall, his figure swaying along with the flickering flames.
From the moment he set foot in the Northern Boundary, he had been coveting the inheritance of the Human Race.
Or rather, it wasn’t that Cold Heaven Cliff had sought him out; he had intentionally waited for the demons of Cold Heaven Cliff to find him.
Here stood the ruins of a Human Race palace. Though dilapidated, it still contained some invaluable texts and even weapons.
This very saber, for instance, had been taken from the palace’s Treasure Vault. Paired with an incredibly powerful Saber Technique he had practiced for nearly sixteen years, the results were impressive.
His realm in the Saber Technique alone was a level beyond Mastery.
FLAP, FLAP—
Suddenly, the sound of wings beating against the air came from outside the hall. With a SWISH, [Feng] retracted his long saber, and a candle ten meters away flickered in response.
"Lord [Feng], the tribes of the Human Race have journeyed to the North Sea. Their ’favored children’ have now entered the so-called Ancestral Ruins to undergo the trial of inheritance."
[Black Eagle]’s voice drifted in from outside. Unhurriedly, [Feng] picked up a black Sword Scabbard resting by a cracked wooden pillar and slid his long saber into it with a CLANG.
"With most of the North Snow Tribe’s Warriors led away by their Leader, [Hunt], and the West Ice Tribe seemingly ready to make a move, now is the perfect time for us to fan the flames of conflict between them..."
Hearing this, [Feng] gripped his Sword Scabbard and strode out of the hall. A cold light glinted in his eyes, and his voice thundered through the hall, echoing throughout the abyss. "Inform the Great Witch Priestess. Order all Demon Race Warriors of Cold Heaven Cliff to assemble. Our target is the North Snow Tribe!"
This plan had been three years in the making. Everything was in place. They were just waiting for the right moment, to strike while the North Snow Tribe was vulnerable and eradicate them completely.
’As for the protection of the Human Race’s ancestors?’
’Does the Demon Race not have ancestors of its own?’
’Everyone will assemble, including the Great Witch Priestess.’
...
The North Snow Tribe carried on as usual. The Warriors of the Hunting Team were out on the hunt, while the young women, children, and elderly remained in the tribe, tending to their duties.
[Flower] sat in her room, hand-stitching with Ice Silkworm Silk. Light from the window bathed her face. Her flushed cheeks would occasionally cause her to purse her cherry-red lips, from which she’d exhale a soft puff of white breath.
Her slender, pale fingers worked the Ice Silkworm Silk, trembling from time to time.
The weather in the Northern Boundary was as cold as ever. Even after adapting, one was merely kept from freezing to death; the cold was still the cold.
But the hope that [Hill] from next door would return always kept her heart warm.
’A trip to the Ancestral Ruins is a half-month journey, and they say the trial itself takes another half-month. After that, there’s still the time needed to absorb the ancestral inheritance. With [Hill]’s talent, he’ll receive so much, won’t he? It will take at least a year...’
[Flower] murmured, silently calculating when [Hill] would return.
A month-long round trip, plus the unpredictable time it took to receive the inheritance in the Ancestral Ruins... it would be at least a year.
’A year isn’t so long, really. If I just open the window every day and weave a little more Ice Silkworm Silk, I’ll see him return eventually.’
’Every day is the same, so what’s the difference between a year and a day? Waiting for a year is just like waiting for a day.’
’Besides, if I think of him every day, it’s like I’ve thought of him for a whole year. Every day is filled with anticipation. The later he comes back, the more days I have to look forward to it...’
Lost in these thoughts, [Flower] unconsciously curled her lips into a happy little smile and blinked. Her eyes seemed to shine brighter than usual.
THUD THUD THUD...
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard, as if several patrolling Warriors on the street had received an order to assemble. [Flower]’s fingers paused over her needlework, and she lifted her head to look out the window.
Besides the vast expanse of snow drifting down from the sky and landing on the walls and roof tiles, she couldn’t see anyone outside the courtyard. She didn’t know why they were running.
Then, with a CRASH, the courtyard gate was thrown open by her father. He was wearing pieces of Armor and carried a Cold Iron Spear. His face was grim, his brow deeply furrowed.
"[Flower], you and your mother stay hidden in the house. Don’t go outside."
A jolt went through [Flower]’s heart. She lowered her gaze slightly. "What is it, Father?"
"The Demon Race from Cold Heaven Cliff is ambushing our tribe!"
The words had barely left his mouth before he ran off to join the other Warriors.
[Flower] stood frozen in the room, her pupils dilating. Reflected in her eyes was a black tide cresting on the horizon, a tide that not even the heavy snowfall could hide.
CLINK.
The needle fell to the desk.
