Cold Energy

The snowstorm raged outside, its howling winds battering Yin Lian Pavilion. Inside, Mingyao's black hair had turned half silver, a compliment to her deathly pale skin. She shivered violently, her body struggling against the overwhelming cold energy consuming her.

Mo Yan paced anxiously, her mind racing for a solution. She had already layered Mingyao with every warm garment she could find, but nothing seemed to help. The thought of channeling Yang energy crossed her mind, but Mingyao warned that her body was no longer compatible with it. Not wanting to worsen her condition, Mo Yan clenched her fists, helplessness settling deep within her.

Suddenly, Yue Ying burst into the pavilion, her robes torn, her body worn from battle—but none of that mattered. The only thought in her mind was finding her pavilion master. Another figure arrived right behind her, equally desperate to reach Mingyao.

Without hesitation, both women rushed to her side. Yue Ying ignored the pain of her wounds, her exhaustion forgettable. In that moment, nothing was more important than Mingyao's survival. It was clear that she was deeply loved.

The three women stood in the freezing room, desperate yet uncertain of how to help the shivering figure before them. Without warning, Xiulan threw herself onto Mingyao, using her own body to provide warmth. The cold bit into her skin, but she didn't care—her only thought was to keep Mingyao from freezing.

Meanwhile, Yue Ying and Mo Yan wracked their brains for a solution. Mo Yan questioned Yue Ying about her past failures with the technique, hoping to gain some insight into Mingyao's condition, but Yue Ying had no answers.

After much deliberation, they arrived at one possible solution—using a hot spring to counteract the cold energy. However, they had no access to one. The only hot springs in the city were located at Chen's luxurious bathhouse, royal palace and the Su residence.

Their mission was clear: they had to take Mingyao to the Su residence. But with the raging storm outside, the journey would be treacherous. They needed a plan.

The wind howled beyond the pavilion, and the dim light filtering through the frost-covered windows began to fade. Night was quickly approaching, bringing with it an even sharper drop in temperature. Time was running out.

Mo Yan clenched her fists, her gaze shifting between the storm outside and Mingyao's fragile form. "We can't wait any longer. If we stay here, she won't make it through the night."

"What do you suggest we do?" Yue Ying asked, her expression as cold as ever.

"We can carry her across the rooftops and hope for the best," Mo Yan suggested.

"I won't allow that. She's already freezing—if we take her out into the storm, we might as well send her to the afterlife," Xiulan said firmly.

Mo Yan sighed before turning to Yue Ying. "Do you think you can shield her from the cold using your abilities?"

"I can absorb her excess Yin energy as we move. That might help reduce the cold consuming her."

"Will that really work?" Xiulan asked, skeptic.

"We won't know until we try," Mo Yan replied.

Yue Ying didn't hesitate. She knelt beside Mingyao and placed her hands gently over her pulse points, feeling the frigid energy seeping from her skin. Closing her eyes, she focused, drawing in the excess Yin energy to lessen the deadly chill engulfing Mingyao's body. A thin layer of frost began forming over Yue Ying's hands and forearms, but she ignored it.

Mo Yan and Xiulan watched intently, waiting for any sign of improvement. Mingyao's shivering slowed, but her breaths remained weak. It wasn't enough.

"We don't have time for slow methods," Mo Yan said, clenching her fists. "The Su residence is our only option. We leave now."

Xiulan tightened her grip on Mingyao, readying herself. "How do we move her safely?"

"You'll do nothing—you'll only be a liability," Mo Yan snapped before glancing at Yue Ying. "Master, you'll keep absorbing her Yin energy as we travel, holding her close to preserve what warmth she has left. I'll lead the way and clear any obstacles."

"I can still help! She is also my master."

"If you care about her in any way, leave her to us."

Xiulan felt defeated. Mo Yan noticed her expression, but she wasn't going to give in.

The storm outside howled louder, snowflakes slashing against the windowpanes.

Mo Yan moved first, pushing open the windows of the room. An icy gust rushed in, biting at their skin. Mo Yan looked back at Xiulan. "You see this weather? There is no room for errors." She then softened her voice slightly. "Look, I know you care for the grandmaster, but you offer nothing right now. Maybe at the Su residence, you will. So find your own way to get there. Master, let's go."

Mo Yan leapt out first, landing lightly on the snow-dusted tiles. Yue Ying, cradling Mingyao while simultaneously maintaining her absorption technique, followed. The rooftops were their fastest route, but with the heavy snowfall and strong winds, even the slightest misstep could send them plummeting into the streets below.

They pressed forward, leaping from roof to roof, their feet barely making a sound against the storm. Snow clung to their clothing, their faces, their hair—freezing them with each passing second.

Mingyao stirred weakly in Yue Ying's arms, her lips moving, though no words came. Yue Ying held her tighter, shielding her from the unforgiving cold.

As they neared the Su residence, Yue Ying suddenly tensed. "Something's wrong."

Mo Yan turned sharply. "What is it?"

Yue Ying's eyes narrowed. "We're being followed."

Mo Yan's grip on her weapons tightened. The storm was bad enough—now they had another enemy to deal with.

Then suddenly, the presence vanished. Yue Ying was intrigued, wondering if their master had returned for another confrontation, but she had to put her thoughts to rest. Mingyao's situation took precedence.

Finally, they reached the Su residence. Mo Yan assumed the form of Mingyao's male alter ego, Mingyu, and knocked on the main gate. When Su Mei arrived, she hesitated upon seeing the trio, but Mo Yan—still disguised—cut off her questions with urgent explanations.

Su Mei obliged, leading the trio to the hot springs area, where they placed the freezing Mingyao. The warmth from the spring was a stark contrast to the cold outside. Finally, they thought, they might be able to pacify the cold energy.

At first, it seemed to work, the rising steam wrapping around Mingyao's fragile form. But moments later, the Yin energy flared again, freezing the hot springs solid. Yue Ying, drained from absorbing too much energy, faltered. They were out of options.Just when all hope seemed lost, the strange object the blind man had given Mo Yan—a Yin-Yang jade pendant with two dragons representing the two natures—began to flicker violently, emitting an intense heat.

Mo Yan's face lit up. Maybe this weird item was the solution they needed.

She quickly placed the flickering pendant around Mingyao's neck, and slowly, the flickering subsided.

The cold air surrounding Mingyao dissipated. The violent storm outside calmed, and the heavy snowfall ceased. The hot spring water thawed, regaining its heat. Mingyao's color slowly returned, but she still did not wake.

Yue Ying checked her pulse. It was stable.

Then, without warning, Mingyao's body lifted from the water, floating into a meditative posture. The overwhelming energy radiating from her shook the very walls, a pressure so intense it drove them all to their knees.

Was this it? Was she regaining her true abilities as a grandmaster?