The cabin's icy walls seemed to close in as Kai processed So Yun's words. The eternal ice of the Frost Ridge, a resource so abundant it was tasked to novices, could fuel the portal. Hope flared in his chest, but it was tempered by caution. The Shen Clan's shadow loomed large, and Master Lu's name hung like a storm cloud. Kai's mind flashed to a moment in the Shen Clan—a blade grazing his side, the searing pain of betrayal. He had survived, but the scars, both physical and mental, remained. Could he trust So Yun's plan, or was he stepping into another trap?
So Yun's voice broke through his thoughts. "The ice is your key, Kai. But we must be discreet. If anyone suspects you're gathering that much Qi, questions will arise."
Kai nodded, his jaw tight. "I understand, Sister So. I'll handle it alone."
She raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Alone? You're stubborn, but don't be foolish. I'll cover for you, ensure no one looks too closely. You saved my life once, Kai. Heaven has given me a chance to repay that debt."
Kai shook his head, his voice firm. "You owe me nothing, Sister So. The Kai Shen who saved you is gone. I'm not him."
So Yun's smile was sad but resolute. "Foolish boy. You are you, no matter what you've lost. And if I help you, it's not just for you. The Shen Clan won't stop. Three years, six, or ten—it's nothing to immortals. They'll kill you unless you escape."
Her words struck deep, and Kai's heart clenched. He thought of Princess Lin, sent to "closed meditation." Was she safe, or had the clan's cruelty claimed her too? He pushed the thought aside, focusing on So Yun's plan.
"If I escape through the portal," he said, "won't they come after you?"
So Yun laughed softly, her eyes glinting with defiance. "Let them try. I'm not the weak girl I once was. We'll make this look like your doing alone. No one will suspect me."
Kai exhaled, a mix of gratitude and resolve settling in his chest. "Thank you, Sister So."
She waved off his gratitude, her tone brisk. "Enough of that. Let's discuss the details."
For hours, they plotted in the sealed cabin, the icy runes glowing brighter as the conversation deepened. Kai would gather the eternal ice discreetly, posing as a novice taking low-paying tasks. So Yun would divert attention, ensuring no one questioned his actions. The plan was fragile, hinging on secrecy and Kai's ability to amass enough Qi. Doubt gnawed at him—what if the portal led to a worse fate? But the alternative was staying, a sitting duck for Master Lu and the Shen Clan.
So Yun shifted topics, her voice taking on a lecturing tone. "To calm your nerves, let's talk about something else. The elements."
She waved her hand, and five stones appeared, each radiating a distinct Qi. "The righteous Dao recognizes five elements. Earth and Water align with Yin, the feminine essence. Fire and Air align with Yang, the masculine. Fire cultivators, like you, are impulsive, driven by passion. Water cultivators are softer, more sentimental. Ice, as you might guess, derives from Water."
Kai leaned forward, intrigued. "And the fifth element?"
"Pure Qi," So Yun said, her voice reverent. "The source of all elements, unified and boundless. Study the Fort's library, Kai. I'll give you a reading list."
He focused his spiritual sense on the stones, memorizing their signatures. Understanding the elements could give him an edge, especially against fire cultivators like Master Lu. The lesson ended, and So Yun dismissed him with a nod.
As Kai turned to leave, she called out. "Kai, what about the technique I asked you to record? Have you started?"
Heat crept up his cheeks. The notebook and writing tools lay untouched in his spatial ring. "I'll start now," he admitted. "There's nothing else to do here."
So Yun gestured to a desk in the corner. "Write here. It's the only decent desk on this ship."
Kai settled at the desk, opening the blank notebook. The white pages stared back, mocking his hesitation. The technique—Black Blizzard—swirled in his mind, its patterns clear yet elusive. What if he wrote it wrong? What if So Yun misunderstood it? Her encouraging gaze met his, and he pushed aside his doubts. He would write it as he understood it, raw and unadorned.
Days blurred as Kai wrote, pausing only for sleep and meals. The other disciples shot him curious glances, but he ignored them, lost in the process. Each word deepened his understanding of the technique, as if the act of writing unraveled its secrets. When he penned the final character, exhaustion weighed on him, but a system message flashed before his eyes: Black Blizzard has reached Level 2! All effects enhanced!
Kai froze, his heart racing. A breakthrough without Qi? Was this enlightenment? He handed the notebook to So Yun with a bow. "A gift from this humble disciple. Please accept it."
She took it, her eyes narrowing. "Kai, are you alright?"
"I'm just glad to help, Sister So," he said, shrugging.
So Yun flipped through the pages, her expression shifting from curiosity to shock. Halfway through, she slammed the notebook shut, staring at him. "This is impossible!"
Kai's heart sank. "Is it that bad?"
"Bad?" she exclaimed. "No! Your handwriting is atrocious, and the errors make me want to cry. We'll work on your calligraphy. But the content… it's a true technique. Thank you, Kai."
Relief washed over him, followed by exhaustion. He stumbled to his bunk, collapsing into sleep. The notebook was a success, but the system's message lingered in his mind. What power did Black Blizzard hold, and what would it mean for his future?