Morning arrived quietly. Sunlight filtered through the lattice window, pale and gentle, carrying with it the faint scent of dew-soaked leaves. The academy was unusually calm at this hour, no clashing weapons, no hurried footsteps, only the distant cry of birds and the slow rhythm of wind brushing past tiled roofs.
Mike sat by a low wooden table near the window, relaxed for once. A porcelain cup rested between his fingers, steam curling upward as he sipped the tea slowly, savoring its bitterness. His posture was loose, unguarded, rare for him. Before him lay several ancient volumes, their pages yellowed with age, edges worn smooth by countless hands. Some spoke of forgotten cultivation grounds, others of sealed regions and natural formations long erased from maps.
He turned a page, eyes focused but thoughtful.
The knock came suddenly.
Mike looked up. Come in.
The door opened, and Jian Dao stepped inside.
Mike rose immediately. Master.
Jian Dao waved a hand dismissively. Sit. No need for ceremony.
They settled opposite each other. Mike poured another cup and slid it forward with both hands.
How are you, Master? Mike asked. Is your breakthrough near?
Jian Dao took a sip, then shook his head lightly. No. I won't enter seclusion until the core selection ends. That chaos isn't something I can ignore.
He looked at Mike over the rim of his cup. Enough about me. How are you holding up?
Mike hesitated briefly, then spoke honestly. I've been preparing. I plan to enter seclusion for two months with Jian Wu.
Jian Dao raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
I've been searching for a suitable place within the academy, Mike continued. I went through these records all night. I didn't even sleep. He smiled faintly. But nothing feels… right. Not for her.
Jian Dao studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
I like that, he said. You're thinking ahead. But have you truly found nowhere suitable?
Mike shook his head. The places described here are either too crowded, too shallow, or too dangerous in the wrong way. He paused, then added quietly, I wanted it to be a surprise.
Jian Dao laughed, a deep, unrestrained sound.
Hah. You brat, he said, shaking his head. You really have grown.
He leaned back, exhaled slowly, and his expression shifted less amused, more reflective.
If that is your intention, he said, then there is a place.
Mike straightened slightly.
It is called the Heart-Chilling Cave of the Ice Lake.
Mike's eyes lit up.
Despite the name, Jian Dao continued, it is not truly a cave. It is an open space surrounded by mountains, sealed on all sides except for two entrances. One lies between the mountain gaps narrow and treacherous. The other requires flight, descending directly into the basin.
He took another sip of tea.
That isolation is why it earned its name.
Mike listened intently.
It is one of the most beautiful places in the Azure Sky Academy, Jian Dao said calmly. And also one of the most dangerous. The cold there does not merely freeze the body, it tests the heart.
Mike let out a breath. That sounds… perfect.
Jian Dao chuckled. I expected that reaction.
Mike stood and bowed slightly. Thank you, Master.
He turned to leave.
Wait.
Jian Dao stood as well, his tone shifting.
Listen carefully, Mike. Jian Wu's strength is not as simple as others believe. What she displays openly is only one half. Her true affinity lies with ice and water.
Mike turned back.
That place, Jian Dao continued, will awaken that side of her. And it will not hinder you either.
With a flick of his wrist, Jian Dao retrieved a jade slip from his storage ring and placed it on the table.
This is the Ice Tribulation Technique.
Mike's breath hitched.
It has only one stage, Jian Dao said evenly. But its power grows directly with cultivation. The stronger you become, the harsher the tribulation it invokes.
Mike hesitated. Master… this technique feels dangerous.
It is, Jian Dao replied without hesitation. I did not plan to give it to you yet. But two months of seclusion changes things.
Mike accepted the jade slip carefully.
Thank you, he said sincerely. I'll keep it hidden. It will be my trump card.
He paused, then frowned. But Master… it's ice-based. Doesn't that violate Ice Valley's restrictions?
Jian Dao smiled faintly. They are powerful but not omnipotent. They do not own the origin of ice.
Mike frowned deeper. What do you mean?
Jian Dao answered calmly. This technique was not created by Ice Valley. It originates from the immortal Ice Palace.
Mike's eyes widened. Master, then I can't learn this. If they find out.
Jian Dao laughed softly.
Mike, he said, if you don't learn it, they will still kill you.
Mike froze.
You and immortal ice palace are already enemies, Jian Dao continued, his voice steady and unyielding. Violating their rules should become habit.
But,mike said.
Jian Dao's expression hardened.
You are soft-hearted, he said. This world is not.
Silence filled the room.
Go, Jian Dao said finally. Master it first. When the time comes, I will tell you what you need to know.
Mike bowed deeply and go.
Then, flying boat cut through the morning sky like a silent blade.
Below them, the Azure Sky Academy stretched endlessly layer upon layer of land unfolding beneath drifting clouds. Distant peaks pierced the mist like ancient sentinels, forests spread in dark waves, and winding paths disappeared into shadows where sunlight barely reached.
Jian Wu stood near the edge of the deck, her sleeves fluttering softly in the wind. She glanced sideways at Mike, who leaned lazily against the railing, eyes wandering across the vast terrain below.
Brother Mike, she said at last, breaking the silence. Where exactly are we going?
Mike smiled faintly, eyes still fixed on the horizon. Don't rush. You'll know when the time is right.
She snorted softly. You and your childish mysteries. Then she looked down again, her tone turning serious. Do you even know how vast the Azure Sky Academy truly is?
Mike blinked. Umm… very big but not accurately?
She turned fully toward him. Outer regions make up barely ten percent. The inner academy occupies forty. The remaining fifty percent? She gestured downward. Untamed lands. Mountains, ravines, ancient caves, forests where powerful beasts roam freely. Even elders avoid some of those places.
Mike raised an eyebrow, then casually flicked his finger as if tossing the thought aside. Then this journey might actually be interesting.
Jian Wu stared at him for a moment. You really think like that?
She turned away, falling silent. The wind brushed past her face as her gaze softened, distant and thoughtful.
Perhaps what Father said… really is true.
Mike noticed her quiet. You said something?
She shook her head lightly. No. Nothing.
But her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere back to a conversation that had ended only hours earlier.
Jian Dao's residence was still heavy with lingering spiritual pressure.
I think the Immortal Ice Palace hasn't given up on taking me back, Jian Wu had said quietly.
Jian Dao's fingers clenched, the wooden armrest beneath them cracking slightly. Those bastards, he growled. Did they do anything to you?
No, she replied. But you remember Han Yueran, right?
Jian Dao's eyes narrowed. How could I forget? No background, no lineage, yet surrounded by four ruthless companions. Cunning, ambitious… What did he do?
He sent me a letter while you were away, Jian Wu said. He asked why I wouldn't return to my 'real home' with him. He swore no one would dare touch me there.
Her voice lowered. Last night, we met again. Mike was with me. Han Yueran… didn't hide his hostility.
The air in the room trembled.
Jian Dao stood abruptly, spiritual energy surging violently, cracks spiderwebbing across the floor. I'll kill that rogue, he said coldly. How dare he threaten my child on my own ground.
A gentle hand rested on his shoulder.
The pressure vanished instantly.
Jing Xu stood beside him, calm as still water. Not like this, Jian Dao, she said evenly. If this matter is resolved, it will be resolved in the competition by mike.
Jian Wu looked up sharply. But Dean Xu… Mike doesn't have enough strength to face him.
Jian Dao let out a slow breath, his anger settling. You underestimate him, he said. If he still possessed the strength he once had at his peak… even I would find him troublesome.
Jian Wu froze. Dad… what did you just say?
Jing Xu smiled faintly. Don't worry about him. Focus on your cultivation.
Jian Wu nodded slowly. I will. I'm going with him somewhere soon… though he refuses to tell me where.
Jian Dao remained standing, thoughtful.
Jian wu bowed and left with saying I'm going now.
They're going into seclusion, Jian dao muttered. And that brat didn't even tell me.
Jing Xu laughed softly. Then go see him. Help him choose the place.
Jian Dao snorted. Of course I will.
And after this jian dao's residence became silent and thoughts disappeared.
Back on the flying boat, the wind howled softly as clouds parted ahead.
Jian Wu came back from thoughts and looked forward again, her grip tightening slightly on the railing. Whatever lay ahead, she could feel it.
Her gaze, which had been resting on the distant horizon, shifted back to Mike. The sky above had begun to change arm colors fading as the sun descended, shadows stretching longer across the land below.
The day is starting to end, she said softly.
Mike followed her eyes toward the sky, then nodded. Then we should eat something. He turned to her with a casual smile. Do you want something to eat?
She looked around the flying boat, then back at him with a faintly amused expression. Yes… but where exactly is the food?
Don't worry. Mike scanned the area below, his eyes stopping at a relatively open stretch of land between clusters of tall trees. There's a clear area ahead. We'll land there, find something to eat, and continue tomorrow. Night is almost here.
Jian Wu nodded. Alright.
Moments later, the flying boat descended smoothly and landed. As soon as they stepped down, Mike waved his hand, storing the boat into his storage ring. He glanced around, measuring the terrain, the trees, the shadows between them.
Let's stay near the trees tonight, he said. What do you think?
Jian Wu agreed and walked toward a large tree. Leaning lightly against it, she looked at him with curiosity. Brother Mike… is this what you call an adventure?
Mike turned to her and smiled faintly. You could say that. But it's also survival.
Before she could respond, something moved behind them.
A faint rustling sound brushed across the ground.
Both of them tensed instantly.
Mike's expression sharpened. Be careful.
The sound came again quick, light, darting between grass and roots.
Mike's eyes followed the movement, and then he relaxed slightly. Looks like tonight's meal is here.
Jian Wu nodded calmly. Then I'll prepare the fire. You catch it.
Wait for me, Mike said.
He moved immediately, his figure slipping between the trees. The rabbit bolted, weaving through bushes, rocks, and uneven ground. Mike chased it steadily, his breathing controlled, his movements precise. He leapt over roots, slid past stones, disappeared behind shrubs and after a while, returned with two rabbits.