A thunderous pounding reverberated through the earth, as if an invisible hammer relentlessly hammered the icy surface.
With a resounding crack, the once rigid and frozen ground trembled, causing tiny fractures to form on the surface above where Tian Wei Xuan YI had been cocooned.
The relentless power pulsated, causing the cracks to spread further. The ground, which had just begun to heal from its previous wounds, was now back to square one, under a relentless assault.
Suddenly, the thick layer of solid ice gave way, shattering into pieces. Like a fault line, a massive fissure extended for miles across the icy terrain.
An explosion followed, propelling snow and blood-stained ice into the sky, while a figure emanating shockwaves of energy and crackling charges ascended high above.
Eyes still closed, he hovered effortlessly above the ground, circulating the energy around him to maintain his levitation. Gravity held no sway over him; he felt weightless, light as a feather caught in a breeze.
With a deliberate motion, he opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings.
He drew a deep breath, allowing the air to fill his rejuvenated lungs.
Like a lotus flower emerging from the mud, like a snake shedding its skin, Xuani had been reborn and reshaped from his battered and wounded form.
He had pulled a feat, entering the Tempered Veins Phase. The surge of destructive power coursed through him, enticing him and fueling his belief that he could conquer the world.
As he reveled in the glory of his newfound power, the ground trembled once again.
The faultline that had formed earlier now expanded, seemingly stretching across the entire expanse of the frozen terrain. And in a display of equal magnificence, Tian Wei emerged, radiating an ethereal glow, sparkling with an occasional burst of flammable golden mist of chi.
"Couldn't you have let me bask in the glory of being the strongest person for just a little longer before stealing my thunder?" Xuan Yi quipped, immediately realizing that Tian Wei had withdrawn to cultivate and heal while he was unconscious.
He concluded that Tian Wei had been the one to save his life in that critical moment when the sword had detonated.
The memories after the explosion of the chi sword remained a blur but he remembered a dense golden shield. He survived thanks to Tian Wei.
A surge of gratitude overwhelmed Xuan Yi, prompting him to pull Tian Wei into a swift and tight embrace.
Tian Wei was taken aback by Xuan Yi's embrace. In fact, no one had ever touched him, let alone twice, besides Xuan Yi. During their first meeting and now, the sensation of touch and warmth felt special. It was as if he had finally found a kin.
Now, Xuan Yi had transcended his role as a mere guard or a simple acquaintance; he had become more akin to family. Despite the hardships fate had dealt them, there were some unexpected perks that came along with it.
"Thank you," he whispered hoarsely, struggling to contain the sudden rush of emotions that surged within him.
As Xuan Yi scanned the surroundings, he failed to find the face he had been desperately seeking. Was Qing Fu also trapped beneath the ice? He wondered, his mind filled with worry.
"Where's Qing Fu?" he finally voiced his concern. He hadn't witnessed her taking the fatal blow.
"She's gone," Tian Wei replied, devoid of any emotion.
"Cold as ice, rigid as a twig, as if speaking a few more words would cause him to die," Xuan Yi thought silently, noting Tian Wei's impassive demeanor.
"Gone where...? That woman didn't take her, did she?" he pressed.
Tian Wei hovered closer to the surface, a hint of regret crossing his face. He felt burden by the grief that he couldn't protect her. He understood the lengths to which Xuan Yi would go to protect Qing Fu, as he had insisted on guarding her every step of the way.
"Surely, we must pursue her!" Xuan Yi exclaimed, his realization dawning that Qing Fu must have been captured by the mysterious woman.
"And do you think you can storm their nest with your current feeble strength? You are but an ant within their fortress. I am not sure if Miss Qing Fu is still alive.
She looked quite dead after the woman's palm strike," Tian Wei spoke, stringing together his longest sentence ever, emphasizing the magnitude of their predicament.
Xuan Yi's heart sank at the news. He will seek to learn the details when they return to safety. It seemed that the confrontation they had faced was far more severe than he had imagined.
Qing Fu had become a dear friend to him, and despite their brief acquaintance, he felt a good connection with her—a soulmate of sorts, someone with whom his heart resonated well.
He could only cling to the hope that Qing Fu had managed to survive long enough for a potential rescue. However, they had no choice but to leave the current location.
Xuan Yi understood that the woman, after realizing he was unable to defeat Tian Wei, must have departed, but he also knew that the Yang clan would not relent in their pursuit. They were as relentless as a swarm of murder hornets, ceaselessly hunting down their enemies until they met their death.
"We must go. The Yang clan hasn't completely given up the chase, and we cannot be certain of the strength they will send after us," Xuan Yi declared, his feet firmly planted on the ground.
They needed to traverse the icy terrain and seek refuge in the villages beyond, finding a way to blend in and remain hidden.
Tian Wei refrained from inquiring about the mysterious power that had enveloped Xuan Yi for now. He assumed that Xuan Yi himself was unaware of its nature and persistence. He decided to investigate and question him about it later, once they were out of immediate danger.
**
[Hello Reader,
Thank for sticking around with me in exploring the adventure of Tian Wei. I promise the story will get better.
Let me know you thoughts. Leave a vote.
And I love you.
Author
Btw I found this song called
Love again by Audrey Assad.
It gave me nice chill vibes - had the words "winter" and "friend"
]