21: Frost Whisper

Under the watchful gaze of the crescent moon, Eric rose from his bed, determination etched on his face. Cloaked in the stillness of the night, he moved like a shadow, swiftly making his way towards the female disciple shelter houses within the sect grounds.

Navigating through the night, Eric expertly bypassed the protective barriers that guarded the path to the core disciple shelters. Each core disciple, bestowed with a room rich in Qi, resided in these secluded quarters. Using his keen senses and familiarity with the sect, Eric located Ria's room among the cluster of shelters.

As he approached, contemplating whether to knock or silently enter, the door swung open. Ria stood there, a mix of confusion and shyness on her face.

"Sorry to disturb. Can I come in?" Eric asked, his tone awkward under the circumstances.

"Do you need to ask?" Ria responded, her voice a soft mutter as she tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

Eric stepped in quickly, closing the door behind him. The room was sparsely furnished, with a single bed being its only occupant. He took a seat on it, his posture tense.

"I came to ask you a favor," Eric began, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

Ria, unsure of what to expect, waited silently for him to continue. "Did you see the Royal Arena competition notice?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her.

With that question, Ria realized the seriousness of his visit. "Yes," she replied, sitting opposite him.

"I want you to participate in it," Eric declared, his voice firm.

"Why? Is there something interesting in it?" Ria inquired, her curiosity piqued by his unusual request.

"Yes. The top two winners of the competition will be sent to participate in the Rainbow Ceremony," Eric explained, his tone serious.

"Is that an important event?" Ria asked, her expression one of confusion.

"Yes... It's definitely important this time. Do you see the name of the Rainbow Ceremony host on the announcement page?" Eric prodded, his intensity growing.

"Who?" Ria responded, trying to recall the details.

"It's the Shaw family," Eric revealed, a hint of anger surfacing in his voice.

"What?!" Ria exclaimed, taken aback by the revelation.

"Yes, it's the Shaw family. Those bastards who shattered my Lionheart family," Eric said, his fists clenching in barely contained rage.

"Eric, I know what you doing. Please, stop. We should not think of revenge for now. You said we would wait until you reach the Immortal Sovereign," Ria urged, her voice laced with concern.

"I'm not going for revenge," Eric clarified, his eyes locked on hers.

Then what? Do you want me to believe that you are just witness the shaw family event? Ria questioned in an impatient tone.

"Believe me. I'm not going for revenge. The Shaw family has a backer from seventh realm cultivator abode. A bastard from seventh realm abode helped the Shaw family patriarch to reach the Immortal sovereign realm. That fellow will definitely come to this Rainbow ceremony as a representative." Eric explained while holding Ria's slender hands.

"So, you want to see that person." Ria asked thinking of Eric's plan.

"Yes, If I know who is he, we can prepare for our enemies. More than that I want you to participate in rainbow ceremony which will be a great help to your cultivation. Eric declared trying to convince her.

Ria looked at Eric, her mind racing with the implications of his words. The stakes were high, and the involvement of the Shaw family added a layer of complexity to the decision.

"Eric, this could be dangerous," she whispered, the weight of the situation pressing down on her.

"I know," Eric replied, his voice steady. "But sometimes, to forge a new path, we must take risks. Will you stand with me in this?"

Ria gazed into Eric's eyes, seeing the resolve and the unwavering determination that defined him. A sense of resolve settled within her.

"Yes, Eric. I will do anything for you. Its just that I'm concerned about safety." she said, her voice firm with decision.

In the quiet of the room, under the cover of night, a pact was made. A pact that would lead them into the heart of the Royal Arena, towards the Rainbow Ceremony, and possibly, towards a confrontation with a past that had haunted them both.

After brief silence, their conversation turned towards the competition at hand.

Ria's expression turned doubtful as she contemplated the challenges of the Royal Arena.

"Eric, even if I want to participate, there are only two spots for the Clark clan, and one is already reserved for the crown prince," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Eric, however, was unfazed. "Don't worry, they will select another core disciple for the remaining spot. You could be that one," he assured her, his voice steady with conviction.

"But my cultivation level is only at the Core Formation Stage 1st level, while the others are likely to be at the 9th stage," Ria countered, her worry evident. "How can I possibly compete against them?"

Eric reached out, his hand gently touching her cheek, a gesture filled with affection and confidence. "Wifey, you don't need to worry about that. Your husband will help you train in these two months. We can make it happen."

Ria's cheeks flushed red under his touch, her heart fluttering at their closeness. She averted her gaze, trying to hide the smile that crept onto her lips.

Seeing her reaction, Eric smiled and produced a slender, sharp, Snow White sword from his spirit pearl. "This is my gift for you," he said, placing the sword in her hands.

Ria's eyes widened in awe as she took in the beauty of the sword. She stood up, swinging it gracefully, her movements fluid and natural. The sword seemed to be an extension of her, its elegance matching her own.

"Do you like it?" Eric asked, watching her with a fond look.

"Yes, it's so pretty," Ria exclaimed, her grin wide. "What's its name?"

"Give it a name," Eric suggested. "The sword spirit belongs to the Snow family. There's also the spirit ring of the Snow family attached to the handle. From today onwards, along with your family magic arts, practice the Snow family's sword skills. There are skill books in that spirit ring. Choose whatever you like. But remember, if we ever encounter any heirs of the Snow family, we should return the sword."

Ria nodded, her eyes still fixed on the sword. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of it," she promised, her voice filled with determination and gratitude.

After a moment of thought, she declared, "I'll name it 'Frost Whisper.' It's as elegant and deadly as a whisper in the frost."

Eric's eyes sparkled with approval. "Frost Whisper. A fitting name for a beautiful blade," he agreed.

With a sense of accomplishment and newfound resolve, Eric made his way to the door. "I'll leave you to your training then. Remember, we have two months. Make every day count."

Ria nodded, her grip on Frost Whisper tightening. "Thank you, Eric." she muttered.

"For what?" Eric asked with a warm smile.

"For being my Husband." she said with shy smile and ran away from him.

As Eric stepped out of the room, the door closing softly behind him, Ria turned her attention back to the sword in her hands. 'Frost Whisper,' she thought, a sense of pride and anticipation filling her.

The night outside was still and quiet, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions and plans brewing within Ria. In her room, under the light of the crescent moon, a new chapter in her journey had begun, marked by the gift of Frost Whisper and the promise of a future filled with possibilities.

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Your's lovingly,

PETERPAN