Chapter 08

A new Dawn has risen over the territories of the north. The sun shone behind the snowy mountain peaks surrounding Frozen Cloud Asgard and cast long shadows on the land. 

Radhan opened his eyes as the sun's warmth touched his skin, heralding the beginning of a new day in his new home. He stopped meditating and followed with his gaze the sun rays as they fell over the sect, the snow that fell overnight was shimmering, and the sect's crystal-like stones reflected an aurora of lights, it was the time when Frozen Cloud Asgard showed its true beauty.

He was mesmerized by the scene, The primordial nature of the region and the sect's architecture blended seamlessly into an unforgettable scene. Reminding him of the time when he explored the mountaintops of the giants.

He stretched his body as he stood up and exited his sleeping chamber, he went to the living room and sat at a small table eating smoked profound beast rations prepared before they journeyed north, simultaneously observing the space surrounding him. The quarter he was assigned to was on the east side of the palace, next to him was his sister's quarter and the other fairy's residence.

The arrangement was simple, following an open plan organization, a living room connected to the main entrance, bilateral adjacent rooms such as the training room, his sleeping chamber, pill room, and other spaces that facilitate the life of a cultivator.

After finishing two pounds of meat, followed by a big jug of water Radhan felt satisfied and departed to meet his sister at the Palace front square, when he arrived there he found his sister already waiting for him beside a bed of snowflake grass and flowers, the cold air trapped the flower's fragrance, reminding him once again that this place isn't just a ice wasteland but a land brimming with its kind of life. 

'' Good morning Brother '' Qingyue greeted her brother with a smile as the morning winds whipped her hair strands around.

Radhan came to stand beside his sister and said 

'' Good morning Yue'er, Glad to see you bright and early today '' 

'' I had a good rest the night before '' Qingyue replied 

Radhan hummed in response and inquired.

'' What do you think about this place? Do you like it? ''

'' Yes… I think this place has grown on me… Such tranquility, such pureness… it can't be found apart from here ''

Qingyue's soft voice was barely heard as she turned around and looked with her bright eyes at the scenery around her, subsequently noticing the Palace Mistress walking toward them.

'' Good morning to you both… I'm glad that you like it, Qingyue. I'm sure that in the future you'll be proud to call this place your second home '' Gong Yuxian enthusiastically announced her presence.

'' Looking at my sister, it seems to me that it was the best choice to bring her here," Radhan replied to her in a measured voice.

Gong Yuxian went silent for a moment then said '' When I said to treat this place as your new home, I don't want you to exclude yourself from this Yuanba. I know it can be difficult for you to adjust here at first, but I hope that one-day Frozen Cloud Asgard will have a place in your heart '' 

Qingyue also nodded in agreement and hoped for her brother to feel the same.

Seeing no response from him, Gong Yuxian could only helplessly move on. 

'' Today we'll be imparting to you our profound arts. The previous Palace Mistress wished to see you two, and she'll be the one examining your constitution and passing our arts, let's proceed and meet her. ''

With those words, she headed directly to the palace, once she entered she went past the main hall toward a door on the left side end, and past that she traversed a corridor that led into a big inner atrium, the space was surrounded by a cloister and different chamber along its path.

The light shone from above on the atrium where a large wooden deck sat in the middle, covered by pieces of animal fur and meditating mats, an old woman with long graying hair sat cross-legged, although time had left its mark on her, her posture echoed of elegance and her visage still maintained an aura of charm.

Once they were close to the furs spreading over the edge of the deck, the old woman opened her eyes and said with a tranquil voice 

''Come closer children and sit in front of me '' 

Radhan felt the once familiar aura of a being who had lived through centuries, which made him look at the old woman in a new light, no matter the power, it didn't matter if the person was a wanderer, a scholar, or a warrior. Long years bore knowledge and wisdom, and wisdom demanded respect.

He complied and the three of them sat facing the woman

'' Yuxian had told me about the two new faces that graced our sect, and I can't help but marvel when seeing you in person '' Feng Qianhui smiled gently as she looked at them, her heart felt expectant at their talent, and enforced the conviction she protected her home with throughout the years… and what's coming.

'' You can both call me Grandma Feng or Grand Mistress like everyone calls me '' She continued 

Radhan had his ever-present stoic expression on his face as he bowed his head a little in respect and said '' Greeting Grand Mistress, my name is Xia Yuanba and this is my sister Xia Qingyue '' 

'' It's a pleasure meeting you Grandma Feng '' Qingyue couldn't help but be infected by the woman's tranquil and gentle nature as she smiled at her 

Feng Qianui hummed to herself in satisfaction and began once again 

'' Before we move on to the purpose of your visit today, I want you both to understand that our sect has stood for a thousand years… We've never accepted a male disciple before, it's unprecedented and you might wonder why we accepted you, Xia Yuanba, into our fold '' 

She paused, took a deep breath then continued '' The first reason is simple, you are both talented and years beyond your peers, I can't help but want you to stay in our sect. But, that's not the main reason that pushed me to make such a choice in the end… ''

She looked at her disciple Gong Yuxian and saw the nervousness on her face and she gave her a slight comforting smile. 

'' One thousand years ago our Frozen Cloud Asgard was founded by a woman named Mu Bingyun, her origins are a mystery to many but we know that she came from stars… from The realm of the gods… she took ill-fated girls and created Frozen Cloud Asgard, then we rose to prominence… as for our decline that's a long subject… now, before she left for the stars our sect founder left a prophecy… that stated one thousand years later our sect will face a calamity that could destroy it… ''

Qingyue's mind stuck at the mention of the realm of gods she looked at the sky with an absent look.

Radhan frowned and said slowly '' And that Thousand-year prophecy is approaching ''

The Grand Mistress nodded and replied '' Although the timing is near, we don't know in what shape or form this calamity will come… and I'm ashamed to say that this is the main reason for accepting you in our sect... We need a chance to fight, and if that chance can come with breaking our sect rules.. we won't hesitate to do so ''

'' I'm ashamed to admit it, but I feel that you both can aid us in overcoming the prophecy… this is the main reason… I don't want to hide anything from you… for a place that will become your home, you either become willing to join us knowing what we will face, or you can simply leave for another sect, we won't obstruct you in any way. ''

After finishing her part she closed her eyes waiting for their answer.

Radhan looked pensive as he digested what the woman had said ' A thousand-year calamity… it looks like wherever I go some misfortune is bound to follow… fate you've played your hand well in this matter, but it doesn't matter, I'm not the old me… the path before me will lead me beyond where I stood in the past… whatever Frozen Cloud Asgard will face won't stop me and my sister… For her to stay here and have peace of mind, I must protect it. WITH MY BARE HANDS!! '

Qingyue looked at her brother in worry as he went silent for seconds and suddenly his soul aura flared shaking the whole place.

She worriedly called to him '' Yuanba, are you alright?" 

He held back his power and looked at his sister with fiercely flashing eyes '' Qingyue, it all depends on you. Do you want to stay here? ''

His sister looked at him and thought for a moment, then said, "Although I love this place… I don't want to burden you with something you don't have to do…''

Radhan smiled at her and patted her head '' it doesn't matter, nothing can stop me ''

He turned to face the old woman and stated '' For my sister, and since we already became a member of this sect, we won't back out, I promise you that I'll protect this place or at least give you the means to protect the sect ''

Feng Qianhui and Gong Yuxian had been holding their breath all this time and finally, they breathed a sigh of relief.

The Grand Mistress smiled in relief and said '' and I promise that we'll protect you as our disciples and nurture you to the best of our abilities… I'll start by examining your Constitution first to get a general idea. Qingyue, my child, come and sit with your back facing me ''

Qingyue assented and got up to sit with her back facing the old woman.

Once she was in position Feng Qianhui put her hands on her back and explained '' I'm going to send a wisp of my profound energy to circle around your body and see how many Profound Entrances are open in your body."

At the mention of profound entrances, Qingyue panicked slightly and looked at her brother, he showed her a mysterious smile and nodded slightly.

Qingyue relaxed her body as The Grand Mistress closed her eyes and sent her energy searching for the girl's profound entrances

' The Heart gate, the Earth gate, and the Heaven gate are opened, that makes them three... Let's continue Four entrances opened.. Six.. Ten.. Fifteen …Twenty-one this already makes her extremely gifted... Thirty Entrances Good heavens !!.. Thirty-four… Forty of them already opened… what kind of monster is sitting in front of me?!!… Fif. Fifty-four…. '

Feng Qianhui opened her eyes and looked at the girls back in a daze as she stammered '' How? Why do you have all of your profound gates opened? This is unprecedented… it's supposed to be only a theory ''

Radhan took his time listening to her dealing with her shock and replied '' Naturally she didn't have all of her profound entrances opened, at first she had twenty-one open profound entrances, and I had twenty. As I began to cultivate I noticed the shortcomings of closed entrances, then I started to experiment with methods to open them ''

'' Don't you know how dangerous it's to mess with your profound entrances?! You could have cripled yourself '' Gong Yuxian almost screamed when she heard what he did.

Radhan, unperturbed by her shout continued '' After countless trials, I found a solution, using my soul power. I first tried it on my body and when I managed to open all of them, I did the same to Qingyue '' 

After finishing his words, he looked at Feng Qianhui and said '' Since I promised to protect this place, I'll begin by opening all of your profound entrances, I'll select a few of the disciples as well, now I'll proceed with the method, please come and sit with your back facing me''

Feng Qianhui swallowed the words she was about to say as she remembered the hundreds of years she had lived and the approaching end of her lifespan.

Her disciple, her sect… and her cultivation base that was stuck at the peak of The Emperor realm for many years. 

Her eyes reddened as she lost her composure for the first time in hundreds of years 

'' Thank you, I don't how to repay you, nor can I express my gratitude, but know that our sect will rise and fall with you two. ''

Radhan gave a slight smile to the old woman and replied '' No need, This place has become our sibling's home. I'm sure there'll be more surprises in the future, now please let's begin ''

The Grand mistress under Her disciple's excited eyes did as he said, Radhan closed his eyes, put his hands on her back, brought forth the power hidden deep within his Demigod soul, and sent it inside her profound veins. He flawlessly controlled every strand of power to not hurt the women.

Once he started sending his soul power inside, Feng Qianhui shuddered as she felt the amount of power contained within every strand could end her life, she felt that he wasn't on the same level of existence as her, and had transcended boundaries she couldn't fathom… She understood why everyone lost to him… her whole sect wasn't his match from the beginning..

Lost in her thoughts she began feeling an itchy feeling where her Cyan Sun entrance was located. She focused on her senses and felt his power purifying the closed entrance, after a minute she let out a deep breath. And felt profound energy entering through that entrance… 

 ' HE SUCCEDED!!! ' catching her breaths, she closed her eyes and let him continue.

After thirty minutes Radhan took off his hands off her back and said '' I've finished, all of your profound entrances are open, Palace Master Gong you're next '' 

The old woman got up immediately with shaky legs and sat to the side cross-legged meditating to stabilize the influx of energy through her profound veins.

Gong Yuxian sat next and the same process happened, when she finished she got up and the old woman stood up as well and came to stand next to her disciple.

They bowed deeply to him for a few seconds, and once they stood up, Feng Qianhui wavered as she said '' Perhaps you don't know that you've granted me and my disciple a new life… I'll forever remember this favor till the day I die…'' 

She got down from the wooden deck and turned to them '' And now there's nothing to hide from you. Come with me, I'll show you the origin of our sect '' 

'' Let's go to where our ancestor used to live ''