Icebound Forest

It has been two grueling weeks traveling from the Heart of Heaven Dou Empire to our destination—the legendary Icebound Forest. The journey itself proved to be a trial of endurance, especially for my young disciple who struggled with the weight training I imposed on her. The roads were often treacherous, winding through mountains and across vast plains where bandits frequently preyed on unwary travelers. Fortunately, a mere glimpse of my released soul rings was enough to send most would-be attackers fleeing.

I will not lie that I even lost our way many times, which was embarrassing considering my capabilities. It wasn't until the third such occurrence that I finally remembered I am a fucking living navigator—my martial soul grants me perception for a whole large area. Using the Herrscher's Eye of Truth, I was easily able to discern our correct path through the ever-changing landscape.

The weather grew progressively colder as we journeyed northward, the temperate climate of the empire's heartland giving way to biting winds and occasional flurries of snow. Baixue seemed to thrive in the cooling temperatures, her Heavenly Ice Fox martial soul resonating with the environment. I noticed she required less rest and moved with greater ease the closer we came to the frozen lands.

During our seventh day on the road, while resting beside a small stream to refill our water skins, Baixue finally voiced a question that had clearly been weighing on her mind for some time.

"Master," she began hesitantly, her breath forming small clouds in the increasingly cold air, "why do we have to exercise this much to build our body? Can't we just absorb soul rings to make ourselves stronger?"

I looked up from the map I had been studying, considering how best to explain this fundamental concept. The girl had been diligent in her training, never complaining despite the obvious difficulty of maintaining her regimen while traveling. She deserved a proper answer.

"Let me pose a scenario," I replied, setting aside the map and giving her my full attention. "Let's say I always give you 10 gold coins every day without fail. And if you help me with additional work, I might lend you one more gold coin. So, would you help me or not?"

She blinked, clearly trying to understand the connection between my hypothetical scenario and her question about physical training.

"Of course I would help you," she replied after a moment, her tone suggesting this was the obvious choice.

I nodded, pleased with her response. "Just as you answered, if you can gain even a little bit of additional strength, there's no loss in doing so." I picked up a stone from beside the stream, turning it over in my hand. "Our physical bodies are the foundation upon which all soul power is built. With a stronger physique, you can absorb spirit rings of greater age and quality."

I tossed the stone across the stream, watching it skip five times before sinking. "According to the average spirit ring limit that most soul masters believe constrains the body, with proper physical training, you could easily exceed those limits and develop an even stronger spirit configuration."

Rising to my feet, I gestured for her to continue walking as I posed a question to test her understanding. "Now tell me, which spirit beast would be better for your first spirit ring?"

Baixue fell into step beside me, her brow furrowed in concentration as she considered the question. The weight vest and bracelets caused her to move more deliberately than normal, but I noted with approval that she had grown accustomed to their burden.

"Well," she began thoughtfully, "as my martial soul is the Heavenly Ice Fox, it would be suitable to absorb either an ice-type spirit beast." She paused, organizing her thoughts before continuing with growing confidence. "For non-attribute options, agility would be a good choice, as my martial soul falls under the Strong Attack-Agility classification."

Her expression became more animated as she warmed to the topic. "Since I don't necessarily need attack skills at an earlier stage—because in later stages I could get the advantage of acquiring stronger attack-type rings—I believe I should focus on either a speed amplification soul ring or an ice attribute amplification soul ring for my first."

I couldn't help but smile at her analytical approach. "Heavenly Ice Fox... that's a good name you've given your martial soul. And I'm impressed by your reasoning," I replied, genuinely pleased with her logical thought process. "Well, I'm sure you've only read about foxes in the Spirit Beast Illustration book, which is how you determined your martial soul's classification. Still, I would advise you to read everything completely, as thorough knowledge helps in determining any spirit beast's advantages and disadvantages."

The path narrowed as we entered a dense forest, the canopy overhead blocking much of the daylight. The temperature dropped further, and our breath created increasingly larger clouds in the air. Small woodland creatures scurried away at our approach, sensing perhaps the potential danger of a soul master's presence.

As we continued through the increasingly dense forest, I felt a subtle change in the atmosphere—a crystalline quality to the air that signaled we were approaching our destination. Just as we crested a small hill, we caught our first glimpse of white snow in the distance—a vast expanse of pristine whiteness stretching to the horizon, broken only by the dark silhouettes of ancient pines.

"The Icebound Forest," I announced, pointing toward the distant tree line where normal forest gave way to a winter wonderland that existed regardless of season. "We've finally reached our destination."

Baixue's eyes widened with wonder, her martial soul clearly resonating with the distant ice and snow. Her breath quickened slightly, and I could sense her soul power responding to the proximity of its elemental affinity.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, the childlike awe in her voice reminding me of her youth despite her increasingly mature demeanor.

"Beauty often conceals danger," I cautioned. "The Icebound Forest is home to numerous powerful ice-attribute spirit beasts. We'll need to be properly prepared before venturing into its depths."

We descended the hill and made our way to a small settlement that had grown up around the forest's edge—a trading post where hunters and adventurers gathered before entering the treacherous frozen wilderness. The village consisted primarily of sturdy wooden buildings with steep roofs designed to shed heavy snow, smoke rising from almost every chimney to combat the perpetual chill.

We took a rest in a nearby hotel just outside the forest proper—a two-story structure built from massive pine logs, its interior warmed by a central hearth that never seemed to die down. The proprietor, a burly man with a thick beard streaked with gray, seemed accustomed to soul masters passing through.

"Hunting for rings, are ya?" he asked as he handed over the keys to our room. "Been seein' more of your kind lately. Something stirring in the deep forest, they say. Beasts actin' strange."

"Strange how?" I inquired, my interest piqued.

"Moving in packs when they normally hunt alone. Territory changing. Some been coming closer to the village than ever before." He shrugged his massive shoulders. "Just passing along what the trappers tell me. Be careful in there, especially with the little one."

I nodded my thanks for the information, filing it away for later consideration. Unusual spirit beast behavior could indicate many things—including the presence of a particularly powerful creature establishing dominance in the area.

After settling into our room, we ventured into the village market. The main street was lined with shops selling various goods tailored to the harsh environment—most notably thick clothes made from animal fur. From large jackets crafted from bear pelts to small shoes lined with rabbit fur, the displays showcased the hunters' skill in harvesting and preserving the natural resources of the region.

I could clearly feel Xiao Wu's displeasure radiating in my mind as we passed the rabbit fur shoes. Well, I couldn't blame her for her reaction. Anyone would find it disgusting if their own race was killed and used by other species. Her discomfort manifested as a sort of pressure behind my eyes—a silent protest that I acknowledged but could do little about. This was simply the reality of our world.

I selected and purchased two lightweight fur coats—designed to resist the bitter cold without restricting movement—from a wizened old woman whose fingers showed the telltale calluses of a lifetime spent working with leather and fur. Her eyes, sharp despite her advanced age, assessed Baixue carefully.

The price she named was steep but fair given the quality. I handed over the gold without haggling, recognizing expertise when I encountered it. Baixue accepted the coat with appropriate reverence, her fingers gently stroking the silvery fur with an almost instinctive recognition.

After completing our preparations, we found a small tavern serving hearty fare designed to fortify travelers against the cold. We enjoyed a dinner of roasted boar meat seasoned with local herbs, accompanied by root vegetables and thick bread. The portions were generous, and I was pleased to see Baixue eat heartily—building her strength for the challenges ahead.

The tavern was filled with local hunters and trappers, their conversations providing valuable intelligence about current conditions in the forest. I listened attentively while maintaining an unobtrusive presence, gathering information about recent spirit beast sightings and dangerous areas to avoid.

One conversation in particular caught my attention—two grizzled hunters discussing an unusual soul beast they'd glimpsed near the "Frozen Heart," apparently a lake at the forest's center that remained perpetually frozen regardless of season.

"I didn't get glimpse of its shape but its eye," one insisted, his voice lowered as if sharing a secret. "Too ferocious. And those eyes—glowing like blue stars."

His companion nodded gravely. "Thousand-year beast at least. Maybe older. Best give that area wide berth for now."

I committed this information to memory. A thousand-year soul beast would be an exceptional first ring for Baixue—perhaps too powerful for most beginners, but with her enhanced physique and my guidance, possibly attainable.

After dinner, we retired to our room at the inn. Despite the two beds provided, I wasn't surprised when, in the middle of the night, Baixue silently moved from her bed to mine, curling against me for warmth and comfort. I allowed this, recognizing the child's need for security on the eve of such an important day.

The morning dawned clear and cold, the sky a pristine blue that promised good visibility. I woke to find Baixue still clinging to me tightly, her small form generating surprising warmth. I gently roused her, and we both freshened up for the day ahead—the most important day in her development as a soul master.

As we prepared to leave the village and enter the Icebound Forest proper, I made a decision that brought immediate relief to my disciple's face.

"You are done with your training," I declared, unlocking the weight bracelets and vest that she had worn faithfully throughout our journey. "I don't want to take unnecessary risks. Your full speed and agility may be needed today."

Her expression brightened instantly. "Thank you, Master! Now I can feel that my body is lighter and stronger than before."

I smirked at her obvious delight. "More like you're happy to be freed from training. Anyway its temporary."

She quickly ducked her head, trying to hide her embarrassment at being so transparent about her thoughts. The morning light caught her white hair, making it shimmer with an almost ethereal quality—a visual reminder of her ice-attribute martial soul.

"Leaving that aside, be alert," I cautioned as we approached the forest's edge. "It is your first time hunting for a spirit ring, and awareness of your surroundings is paramount. That's why soul masters typically form teams when hunting soul rings—but with me here, I can notice any danger and warn you." I placed a hand on her shoulder, ensuring she understood the gravity of what was to come. "Of course, you will be tackling all soul beasts yourself, and I will merely assist if absolutely necessary."

Her back straightened with determination. "I understand, Master. I believe in your guidance."