Chapter 23: The Frozen Path

The air grew colder as Lin Yun and Yu Xian made their way through the desolate plains towards the north. The map the mysterious informant had given them was their only guide, and it led to a region that few dared to travel—an area notorious for its treacherous terrain and frigid winds.

Yu Xian had warned him that the path ahead would be harsh, but Lin Yun hadn't fully grasped the severity of her words until they crossed into the land of ice and snow. The ground was frozen solid, covered in a blanket of snow that stretched as far as the eye could see. The temperature dropped with every passing step, and the howling wind cut through their clothing like sharp blades.

"You weren't kidding when you said it was cold," Lin Yun remarked, pulling his cloak tighter around his shoulders.

Yu Xian gave a small, rueful smile. "This is just the beginning. We've got a long way to go."

They walked in silence for a while, their boots crunching in the snow with each step. Lin Yun couldn't help but notice how resilient Yu Xian was. Despite the harsh conditions, she moved with ease, her gaze ever watchful, her posture never faltering. It was as if the cold didn't touch her at all.

"You've been through a lot, haven't you?" Lin Yun asked, breaking the silence.

Yu Xian glanced at him, her eyes softening for just a moment. "More than I care to admit."

"What brought you here?" Lin Yun pressed. "Why the Obsidian Claw Alliance? Why do you care so much about stopping them?"

Yu Xian's expression darkened. She didn't answer immediately, her focus shifting to the path ahead. After a moment, she spoke, her voice low. "Because they're the reason my family was destroyed."

Lin Yun felt a pang of sympathy. "I'm sorry."

Yu Xian gave a slight shake of her head. "Don't apologize. It's in the past now. I've learned to move forward. The only thing that matters now is stopping them. If the Alliance gets their hands on the Seven Shards of Heaven…" She trailed off, her eyes hardening. "They'll be unstoppable."

---

Three days later, the pair arrived at their destination—a secluded village nestled in the heart of a frozen valley. The buildings were made of stone and wood, weathered by years of exposure to the harsh winds, and the people here were few and far between. But it was the marketplace that caught Lin Yun's attention.

A bustling market stood at the center of the village, and despite the cold, it was alive with activity. Merchants haggled over wares, while buyers scurried about, eager to find what they needed. But there was something different about this market.

"The merchant faction," Yu Xian murmured. "They're not just selling ordinary goods here."

Lin Yun scanned the area. It wasn't hard to spot the more secretive stalls tucked away in corners or concealed behind curtains. The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and rare herbs, but underneath it all, Lin Yun could feel the presence of something more—something ancient, hidden beneath the surface.

"This is where they're keeping the shard," Yu Xian said, her voice steady. "We just have to figure out which one."

As they made their way through the market, Lin Yun's attention was drawn to a stall at the far end, surrounded by a group of rough-looking individuals. A grizzled merchant stood behind the counter, his face half-hidden by a hood. But Lin Yun didn't need to see the man's face to recognize the faint aura of power surrounding him.

"That's the one," Lin Yun said. "Let's move."

---

They approached the stall carefully, trying not to draw attention. But as they got closer, the group of individuals surrounding the merchant turned their eyes on them, their gazes cold and calculating.

The merchant himself didn't seem surprised by their presence. He merely glanced at them, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Looking for something, travelers?"

Lin Yun kept his voice steady. "We're here to buy."

The merchant raised an eyebrow. "Buy? What is it that you seek, then?"

"A relic," Yu Xian interjected, her tone sharp. "One that you've been trading in the shadows."

The merchant's expression didn't change, but the air around him seemed to grow heavier, charged with tension. "You're mistaken," he said softly. "I deal in many things, but not relics."

Lin Yun took a step forward. "You don't need to lie. We know about the Seven Shards of Heaven. We know you're in possession of one of them."

The smile on the merchant's face vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. "You think you know everything, don't you?" he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Well, it's not that simple. The Obsidian Claw Alliance isn't the only group seeking these relics."

Lin Yun's heart skipped a beat.

Before he could react, the group of individuals around the merchant shifted, revealing themselves to be well-trained fighters. The atmosphere grew tense as the air seemed to vibrate with energy.

"We don't take kindly to strangers asking too many questions," one of the men growled, his hand resting on the hilt of a sword.

Yu Xian's eyes narrowed. "We didn't come here to make enemies, but we won't back down."

The merchant chuckled darkly. "I'm afraid you've already made your choice."

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows—a tall man dressed in dark robes, his face hidden behind a mask. His presence was overwhelming, and Lin Yun could feel the power radiating off him.

"The Seven Shards of Heaven are not for the likes of you," the masked man said in a deep, resonant voice. "Leave now, and we may let you walk away."

Lin Yun's heart raced. The situation had escalated far beyond what he had expected.

"We're not here to walk away," Lin Yun said, his voice steady. "We're here for the shard."

The masked man's lips twisted into a sinister smile. "Very well."

---

In an instant, the masked man launched himself at Lin Yun, his movements swift and precise. The others followed suit, drawing their weapons and surrounding him and Yu Xian.

Lin Yun barely had time to react. He drew his sword, his mind racing to formulate a strategy. He knew he couldn't face them all head-on—not without risking everything. Instead, he focused on using his speed and agility, slipping between his opponents with a fluidity he hadn't yet fully mastered.

Yu Xian, on the other hand, moved like a shadow, her blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. She was a whirlwind of motion, her strikes fluid and unrelenting. Lin Yun couldn't help but marvel at her skill. She was a master in her own right, and her speed and power were a testament to her years of experience.

But even with their combined efforts, they were outnumbered and outclassed. The masked man was unlike any opponent Lin Yun had faced before. His movements were calculated, his strikes lethal. Each time Lin Yun attempted to land a blow, the man effortlessly dodged, his aura suffocating.

This wasn't just a fight for a relic—it was a fight for their lives.