Cavern and Test

Han Yue was lounging on her bed, the black book in her lap, totally absorbed in learning the Phantom Veil Technique. It was a tricky method that needed careful control over spiritual energy to disguise her cultivation level. Unlike regular concealment techniques, this one didn't just dampen her aura; it changed how others saw her strength, making it nearly impossible to figure out her real level.

As she concentrated, time flew by. When she finally opened her eyes, five hours had vanished. Her body was a bit sore from the earlier battle, but she had gotten the hang of the basics. She knew she'd need to practise to nail it, but for now, that was good enough.

Feeling pleased, Han Yue lay back and shut her eyes. Sleep came quickly, with the day's exhaustion wrapping around her like a heavy blanket.

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The next morning, the city buzzed with energy. Cultivators from different sects had gathered in the main plaza, their robes fluttering in the fresh morning air. The opening of the secret realm was a big deal, and as per tradition, they had invited an elder from another sect to speak before revealing the entrance.

Han Yue stood among the Ice Garden Valley disciples, her face calm as she took in the scene. The elder—a tall woman with silver streaks in her black hair—stepped up, her sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd as she began to address them.

"The secret realm is full of chances, but it's also dangerous," she said, her voice booming over the crowd. "Don't think of it as just a training ground. Many who enter don't make it back. Choose your battles wisely, don't trust anyone blindly, and remember—power isn't always the answer."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, some disciples nodding while others exchanged excited glances. Han Yue stayed quiet, storing the elder's words in her mind.

Just then, a deep rumble echoed through the plaza. Ahead, the space shimmered, and with a burst of spiritual energy, a massive gate appeared—a swirling vortex of light and shadow. The entrance to the secret realm was open.

Without a second thought, Han Yue stepped forward, disappearing into the portal.

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When she came out on the other side, a vast wilderness lay before her—towering mountains, thick forests, and rivers shimmering with a strange glow. The air buzzed with spiritual energy, heavy with an eerie stillness that hinted at hidden dangers.

Han Yue didn't waste any time. She had to find a quiet spot before running into any other cultivators. Moving quickly, she made her way through the thick undergrowth, her senses on high alert. After a few minutes of searching carefully, she stumbled upon a small cave tucked between two jagged cliffs.

It was out of sight enough to work for her purpose. She stepped inside, taking a deep breath as she geared up to change her appearance.

Han Yue stood in the shadowy cave, her fingers weaving intricate hand signs as she activated her Veil of a Thousand Faces. A faint wave of energy rippled through her, and her appearance started to change.

Her once striking sky-blue hair darkened, becoming a deep black that blended perfectly with the shadows. Her eyes, which had always shone like a frozen sky, dulled to a plain shade. Even her sharp features softened, making her beauty less noticeable. She even shrunk a bit, making her presence less obvious.

She checked her reflection in a small polished mirror from her bag. The transformation was perfect – she looked like a completely different person.

Now, all she needed was a new name.

After a moment of silence, she whispered, "Lin Yue."

Then, she used the Phantom Veil Technique to change her cultivation level to the 7th Qi Gathering Realm. Happy with her new identity, Han Yue – or rather, Lin Yue – stepped out of the cave, ready to explore the secret realm without attracting unwanted attention.

Lin Yue, formerly known as Han Yue, emerged from the cave, her altered appearance rendering her presence less imposing. The expansive secret realm lay before her, a realm teeming with both potential and peril.

Her hand instinctively reached for her waist, where Glacial Rain resided in its scabbard. Unlike her previous encounter with the dark cultivator, where she had employed a different sword, she would now wield her favoured weapon. The sword's hilt, crafted from exquisite ice-blue jade, felt cool to the touch, adorned with delicate silver engravings that shimmered subtly in the light. When drawn, the blade emitted a faint frost, its surface so pristine that it reflected light like a frozen lake bathed in moonlight.

Moving with caution, Lin Yue activated Glacial Phantom Steps, her body gliding across the terrain with a smooth, almost ethereal motion. Her steps left faint traces of frost on the grass, quickly dissipating.

As she ventured deeper into the forest, she remained vigilant. Other cultivators would undoubtedly be exploring, seeking treasures and eliminating threats. Her objective was to remain undetected—at least until she encountered something worthy of her efforts.

Han Yue moved through the thick forest, silent as a shadow. This secret realm was unlike anything she'd seen before – ancient trees shrouded in swirling mist, their bark glowing with spiritual energy. The air had a strange chill, almost unnatural, like the realm itself was watching her every move.

She stopped by a clear, still pond, its surface reflecting the sky with an eerie calmness. The water looked untouched, but something felt off. Was it safe?

Instead of stepping closer, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small rock. With a flick of her wrist, she sent it skipping across the water.

Silence.

Then, a sudden ripple. A dark shape shot up from the depths, its jaws snapping where her hand would have been if she'd stepped forward. Han Yue's face didn't change as the creature – a spirit-eating serpent – disappeared back into the pond.

She turned away. Fighting unnecessary battles was a waste of time.

Moving on, she activated the Phantom Veil Technique, hiding her presence as much as possible. This technique can also hide her presence with shadows. She wasn't the only one hunting in this realm – other cultivators were scattered around, all looking for something valuable. If she wanted to find something good, she needed to be careful, not reckless.

With that in mind, she continued deeper into the mist, disappearing into the swirling fog.

Han Yue moved deeper into the forest, each step light and deliberate. The Phantom Veil Technique kept her presence concealed, allowing her to pass unnoticed by both cultivators and lurking beasts. The air was thick with spiritual energy, but there was something strange about it—as if it had been gathering in one place for centuries.

Ahead, the trees began to thin, revealing a narrow path lined with ancient stone lanterns. Their surfaces were covered in moss, but faint traces of formation lines glowed beneath the growth. This was no ordinary place.

A soft hum filled the air. Han Yue halted.

The sound came from beyond the path, a resonance of spiritual energy. It was neither aggressive nor hostile, yet it carried an undeniable pull, like a whisper in the wind urging her forward.

She hesitated. Was this a natural phenomenon, or a trap?

To test it, she retrieved a wind talisman from her storage bag, activating it with a flick of her fingers. A surge of energy blasted forward, sending a rush of air sweeping down the path.

Nothing.

No sudden collapse, no triggered formation. The path remained undisturbed.

Still, Han Yue didn't lower her guard. She took careful steps, moving along the lantern-lit trail, her eyes scanning every detail. The hum grew stronger, and soon she found herself standing before a set of weathered stone doors, half-buried in overgrown roots. Their surface was marked with ancient carvings—symbols of ice and wind, their meaning lost to time.

She reached out, brushing her fingers against the stone. Cold. Not just from the natural chill of the air, but something deeper—a coldness that seeped into her bones, recognizing something within her.

Her Ice Spirit Root.

Han Yue narrowed her eyes. This place... it was responding to her.

Han Yue hovered her fingers over the cold stone of the ancient doors, feeling the buzz of spiritual energy growing stronger by the second. Her mind was racing—what was this place? The symbols carved into the stone glowed softly in the dim light, almost as if they were responding to her presence, as though they had been waiting for her all along.

Taking a deep breath, Han Yue stepped a little closer to the door. She squinted as she surveyed the ancient carvings—there were hints of ice and wind, elements that really resonated with her Ice Spirit Root. Could this be some hidden ancient sect or a long-lost treasure?

Her fingers brushed the door again, and it creaked, shifting slightly, like it was acknowledging her touch. The energy in the air felt thicker, as if the whole world was holding its breath.

Without a second thought, she pressed her palm against the stone, letting her spiritual energy flow into it. There wasn't an immediate response—just a gentle hum connecting with her. She waited, her heart pounding and her senses on high alert.

Then, with a slow grinding noise, the stone door creaked open, revealing a huge, ice-cold cavern beyond. The temperature dropped sharply, and Han Yue instinctively pulled her cloak tighter around her. The air was thick with spiritual energy, but it felt different, nothing like what she had experienced before.

A faint blue light illuminated the cavern, casting strange shadows on the walls. Crystals of pure ice jutted out from the floor and ceiling, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. The scene in front of her looked like something out of an ancient dream, a place lost to time but now coming back to life.

Han Yue caught her breath. This place was far older than any sect or cultivation ground she'd come across.

Her heart was racing, but her instincts kept her cool. She wasn't here to rush into unknown dangers. Taking it slow, she stepped inside, leaving faint traces of frost on the ground with each step.

As she ventured deeper into the cavern, a strange presence became stronger. The air felt as if it was pulsing with energy. At the heart of the cavern stood a stone pedestal, topped with a small glowing orb, surrounded by delicate ice patterns. The orb emanated an unsettling warmth, despite being made of crystal.

Han Yue's eyes locked onto it, filled with questions. Was this the source of the energy she'd felt earlier? A relic from ages past? Or maybe something even more dangerous?

Her hand twitched towards one of her talismans, ready to defend herself if necessary. But she hesitated, keeping a close eye on the orb. It didn't feel hostile—not yet.

She moved closer, the air getting colder as she neared the pedestal. The ground vibrated beneath her feet, buzzing with the orb's energy. Could this be it? Was this the key to the strange connection she felt?

Slowly and carefully, Han Yue reached out towards the orb. As her fingers touched its surface, a flash of light exploded, blinding her for a second.

She stumbled back, her heart pounding. The light disappeared, leaving her standing in front of the pedestal, but the orb was still there.

Instead of feeling scared, Han Yue felt a strange surge of power – a rush of icy energy flowing through her. She could feel the connection to the orb getting stronger, as if it were recognising her spirit. It was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. The energy matched hers, flowing smoothly into her Ice Spirit Root.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in her head, old and deep.

"Who dares wake me?"

It wasn't a man's voice or a woman's – it just was, like the very spirit of the place. Han Yue froze, her fingers tightening around the handle of Glacial Rain.

This wasn't just any old artefact.

The presence grew stronger, making the cave feel heavy and oppressive. Han Yue could feel the temperature drop even further, the energy becoming suffocating. She instinctively put up her Ice Veil Barrier, a wall of frost forming around her, pushing back the overwhelming pressure.

"Tell me your name," the voice demanded, "and why you're here."

Han Yue stood her ground, taking a deep breath. She knew this wasn't just some old relic. Something had woken up, and she needed to be careful.

"My name is Han Yue," she said, her voice steady. "I want to understand this place, and what's inside it."

The silence stretched, then the voice answered, softer but still bossy.

"Then, you're worthy. The trials of the Frozen Rebirth begin."

With those words, the cave shook, the ice crystals around her vibrating like they were coming alive. The orb flared again, releasing a powerful blast of frost energy.

Han Yue barely managed to protect herself with her Ice Veil Barrier as the temperature plummeted even further. She could feel her power straining, but the ice energy was different from her own – it was ancient and wild, threatening to overpower her.

This wasn't a treasure hunt. This was a test.

Han Yue's heart pounded. She wasn't alone in this cave.

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