Map.
"Hmmm... well... I guess I'm strong, that's why. The blizzard will last for a while. This compass is a map that can guide us out of this forest. I'll create an energy shield to protect you, so stand behind me," Alex informed Ran Yunxia, making sure she understood.
"Alright... Alright, thank you. Let's go," Ran Yunxia agreed, rising and positioning herself behind Alex. She was still in awe of his strength. "(That power wasn't something a normal Soul Awakening Realm cultivator possesses... It's far beyond that level. Who is this guy, and why haven't I heard of him before?)" She pondered, her thoughts wandering.
BZZZZZZZZZZ!!!
A radiant light enveloped both of them, forming a protective forcefield.
BZZZZZZZZZZ!!!
They stepped out into the cold blizzard.
--
Not far from the forest.
An exquisite ice castle stood on a flat terrain, surrounded by towering mountains. Constructed entirely of glistening ice, it radiated a dazzling sheen even without sunlight. Upon entering, one would find eerie ice sculptures engaged in various activities—dancing, feasting, and moving.
The atmosphere here was weird as entire place was covered with ice, even flames on the big chandellier was covered in ice, you could even see little clothes moving and actually managing to bend... this created creepy atmosphere that you could feel from places like this...
An immense room, adorned with opulence, housed an enormous throne. Seated upon it was an ice sculpture resembling a woman in an elaborate lucious dress—a princess or perhaps a queen.
The entire room was decorated by ice drawings that you could even see details of the drswings for. everything was near perfectly covered in ice.
And among the ice sculptures, one cracked.
CRACK!!!
A fissure appeared on one of the servant ice sculptures.
CRACK!!! CRACK!!!
The tremors intensified, shaking the castle to its core.
And finally...
BSSSHHHHH!!!
The outer layer of ice shattered.
The servant opened his eyes and murmured, "H... How many years has it been?"
--
"Man, this forest is beyond strange," Alex muttered, his sanity being tested by the uncanny sameness of everything. The heavy snow only compounded the navigation difficulty. Even with a map, he found himself veering off track more than once. this place would be hell for the people that didn't have good sense of direction, even Alex a soldier could not even see if direction they went towards was the same or not, if you didn't have good sense of direction you were screwd.
"I feel like I'm in GTA, unlocking the story mode map," he continued, trudging towards the nearest human settlement. he thought about how hard it would be to get through here without any cultivation, he expected if his cultivation was at least 3 big realms lower he would freeze instantly here, and the snow would cover him.
"This snow is incredibly heavy. I wonder where we are," Ran Yunxia observed, her fear evident.
"I believe we're in the western continent. But then again, I'm not sure," Alex replied casually.
"Don't say things that scary," Ran Yunxia shivered at the idea of being in the western continent. She scanned the surroundings, wary of any monsters or threats.
"We're 3000 kilometers away from the nearest resting place, then another 2000 kilometers to the closest human settlement. Should we speed through the resting place or head straight to where the humans are?" Alex asked. He had noticed an undisclosed location on his map, likely hidden until he drew closer.
"We... this blizzard is too fierce. The snow is reaching my knees. If it weren't for your barrier, I'd probably be blown away by the wind. Let's rest at the closest place until the snow clears, and then we'll make our way to the nearest human settlement at top speed," Ran Yunxia proposed.
"Well, my energy reserves aren't exhausted, but you're right. The snow is affecting my sense of direction," Alex agreed. He approached Ran Yunxia and scooped her up as if she were a princess.
"What... what are you... doing?" Ran Yunxia turned crimson but maintained her composure. Despite her reddening face, she looked at Alex firmly.
"Relax, I'm the fastest here. We'll move much faster this way," Alex reassured her, grinning.
Ran Yunxia smirked. "No, why are you lowering your hand? Aren't you supposed to keep the barrier up?" She teased lightly.
"That was just to gauge the wind speed. I can estimate it by how quick wind is by calculating how fast snowflakes are hitting my hand. Right now, they're moving at around 300 meters per second," Alex noted, checking his compass.
"Wrap your arms around me and brace yourself. We're going to fly," Alex instructed, squatting down.
"Wait, you're going to fly us—AAAGHGHHHHG!" Ran Yunxia couldn't finish her sentence before they soared into the sky. Protected by Alex's barrier, they sped through the air.
--
30 minutes later.
"We've arrived at our desti—what in the world..." Alex's eyes widened.
Before them stood an ice castle, adorned with elegant sculptures.
"What's the issue her—oh my god." Ran Yunxia's eyes widened too.
The ice castle's diameter exceeded 10,000 meters.
Alex commented, "This is insane." He dropped Ran Yunxia onto the snowy ground.
"Hey, be gentle," Ran Yunxia pouted.
"Yeah, sorry. Now, let's explore this place." A spark lit up Alex's eyes. He was eager to encounter something different from the usual sights in this world. The castle's European architectural style contrasted with the predominantly Chinese influences he had encountered. He had grown weary of the familiarity.
"Alright," Ran Yunxia agreed, her gaze fixed on the grand castle before them.
"Yeah," Alex echoed. They entered the elaborately adorned gate, walking past ice-encased bushes.
They observed people using scissor-like tools to trim the bushes, most of them smiling.
Alex's frown deepened. This wasn't what he expected from a castle like this in this world.
As they continued along the path, they reached a circular space paved with bricks. At its center lay a grand fountain, a modern-looking, large, splashing fountain...
Yeah, this before them wasn't from this world.
End Of Chapter.