The cool morning air greeted the trio as they emerged from the Star Dou Forest. They now stood in a vast, open grassland, far from any settlement. The peaceful expanse of green seemed oblivious to their presence. Jingliu stood silently, her black blindfold doing nothing to hinder her sensitivity to the gentle breeze. At her side, Lingsha observed their surroundings with a curious eye, analyzing the local flora.
Lian Yang stepped forward. He raised a hand, his palm facing the empty space before him. There were no incantations, no fluctuations of spirit energy—only a quiet focus. The air in front of him shimmered. A thin, silver tear appeared, then widened smoothly into a softly glowing vertical portal, revealing the interior of the garage in Sweet Home.
From within the portal, a vehicle glided out. The "Regalia Type-F" from FFVX, a masterpiece born from the collaboration between Frederika Tesla and Lizelle Einstein at Lian Yang's special request. Its long, sleek body was painted a glossy, obsidian black that seemed to absorb the light. Sharp silver lines accentuated its aerodynamic design. Its engine, a prototype miniature spirit energy reactor, emitted only a low hum, a testament to its efficiency. The vehicle came to a perfect stop on the grass.
Its scissor doors opened upwards, revealing a luxurious cabin. The interior was lined with pale white leather, a stark contrast to its dark exterior, with carbon fiber accents and silver trim. The dashboard was a single pane of black glass, waiting to be activated.
"Wow..." Lingsha breathed, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she stepped closer. Her fingers gently traced the car's cool curves. "I knew the R&D girls were geniuses, but this... this is a work of art."
Lian Yang smiled, a look of satisfaction on his face as he turned to Lingsha with a playful gaze. "Like it? The front passenger seat was designed for maximum comfort."
Lingsha was amused, but she returned his gaze with a warmer, professional smile. "I'm sure it was." If only Lian Yang were a little older, her cheeks might have flushed.
Jingliu merely snorted softly. She was the first to enter, choosing a back seat with a casual movement. Lingsha sat in the front, while Lian Yang took the driver's seat. The doors closed with a soft hiss, sealing them in silent luxury. The portal behind them vanished.
Inside, Lian Yang touched the dashboard panel. It came to life, displaying holographic data: maps, telemetry, and system statuses glowed in a soft blue. Without a sound, the Regalia gave a light roar. The exhaust flared with a burst of pale blue energy. With a smooth push, the vehicle moved forward, then switched to flight mode. The Regalia lifted into the air and sped towards the northern horizon at incredible speed.
The silence inside the cabin was comfortable. The barely audible hum of the engine became their background music as they soared through the clouds. Below, the world blurred into a swift stroke of green and brown.
Lingsha let out a contented sigh from the passenger seat. She turned to Lian Yang, a playful smile on her lips. "I have to admit, this car is very... you, Young Master."
Lian Yang raised an eyebrow, his eyes remaining fixed on the path ahead. "Oh? And what do you mean by that? Sophisticated, efficient, and handsome?"
Lingsha chuckled, her melodious voice filling the cabin. "I was thinking more along the lines of 'expensive,' 'flashy,' and maybe a little 'over-the-top'," she retorted wittily. "But I'm not complaining. The view is spectacular. And this seat is far more comfortable than a horse's saddle."
"Only the best for you." Lian Yang patted the steering wheel gently, his gaze softening for a moment. This light-hearted banter felt surprisingly more pleasant than he had expected; perhaps he had been training and planning for too long.
In the back seat, Jingliu remained silent, her calm presence a balancing force. Perhaps there was a slight tremor at the corner of her lips, or perhaps it was just their imagination.
---
In the heart of Sweet Home, the atmosphere was different.
In the Command Center, Bronya Rand stood before a holographic strategy table. The light from the map of the Douluo Continent cast a cold gleam in her eyes. The air was tense, filled with the hum of computer systems.
The call from Lian Yang had just ended.
Bronya wasted no time. Her fingers danced across the console, issuing commands as data flowed at the speed of light.
"Activate Operation 'Cleansing'," her voice was calm yet firm, echoing clearly in the silence of the command center. The order was instantly sent to Schicksal's sleeper cells stationed near the key assets of the Star Luo Empire.
The screen in front of her flickered. Icons moved, marking enemy assets in a blazing red.
"Send acquisition offers to the Defense Clan and the Speed Clan," she continued, her eyes never leaving the map. "Emphasize the long-term benefits of cooperation, and hint at the significant losses they would incur if they refuse."
Encrypted messages crossed the continent in seconds.
---
After a few hours, the green landscape below them changed. The forests thinned, giving way to rocky terrain and the first patches of snow. The air grew colder, the horizon dominated by snow-capped mountain peaks. They had arrived at the northern frontier, a harsh and unforgiving region.
The Regalia Type-F descended, gliding silently into a secluded valley outside a border town. Its landing was smooth, its wheels touching the frozen ground gently. The doors opened, releasing the cabin's warmth into the biting air.
The team stepped out. Lian Yang adjusted the collar of his jacket, while Lingsha took a deep breath, feeling the sharp, cold air. Jingliu, as always, was unaffected by the temperature. She stood tall, her presence as cold as the surrounding environment.
Lian Yang turned to face the car. With a casual gesture, he raised his hand. The silver portal opened once more. The vehicle glided smoothly inside and disappeared. The portal closed, leaving only the three of them in the frozen silence.
They walked towards the border town, Frostwind City. The settlement looked rugged, built from dark wood and gray stone to withstand the extreme weather. Smoke billowed from chimneys, promising warmth to travelers and mercenaries.
As they walked along the frozen path, they passed another, larger and rowdier group. A dozen young people in light blue uniforms, clearly academy students on a quest for Spirit Rings. Their chatter about Ice Silkworms and Frost Bears echoed in the air.
At their head, a middle-aged female teacher walked with a stern expression. Her eyes met Lian Yang's group. She noted their small number, their weather-inappropriate clothing, and the cold aura of the blindfolded woman. Her gaze lingered on Jingliu for a moment with caution before dismissing them, assuming they were ill-prepared nobles from the south. She quickly herded her students into the safety of the city.
"Skywater Academy, judging by the uniforms." Lingsha narrowed her eyes slightly, observing the group with a trained gaze. "Quite ambitious to bring students this far north."
Lian Yang only glanced at them briefly, a faint smile playing on his lips. He wondered if Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er were among them. However, it would be too strange for him to approach them now.
Jingliu didn't even spare them a glance. In her perception, they were just background noise. Irrelevant.
As the trio approached the city gates, they immediately became the center of attention. Not because of their behavior, but because their very existence was an anomaly. In this harsh world, their clothes seemed to be from another realm. Lian Yang's jacket was custom-made, Lingsha's dress exuded a subtle luxury, and Jingliu's black armor and blindfold radiated an aura of danger.
It wasn't just their clothes, but their aura as well. They walked with confidence, their backs straight, their steps steady. They walked as if they owned the place. The guards at the gate, tough-looking men, could only stare in silence. They felt an unseen pressure that made them reluctant to ask questions.
As they stepped onto the main street, activity slowed. Merchants fell silent, mercenaries paused their conversations. Faces in tavern windows were filled with curiosity, caution, and a hint of fear—they always knew when to be wary of powerful Spirit Masters. Their presence was a puzzle, and in Frostwind, puzzles often meant danger.
---
The tavern they chose was the liveliest one, "The Yeti's Breath." The air inside was thick with the smell of alcohol, sweat, and roasted meat. Rough laughter and boisterous conversations bounced off the wooden walls. The place was filled with mercenary Spirit Masters and hunters.
As they entered, a brief silence fell over the room before the noise returned, now at a lower, more watchful tone. They ignored the stares and chose a table in the corner. Lian Yang seemed a little restless, his fingers tapping on the table. It had been a while since he was in a crowded place; the last time he had met someone not from Schicksal was during his visit to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The place looked like something out of a classic RPG. I hope the cliché I'm thinking of doesn't happen.
As if hearing his thoughts, a group of five men, looking like thugs, walked towards them. Their leader, a large man with a crooked nose, smiled mockingly. Their eyes were fixed on Jingliu and Lingsha, ignoring Lian Yang.
The leader grinned, revealing uneven teeth. "Well, well, look what we have here," his voice was as gravelly as pebbles. "Two pretty flowers in a snowfield. Are you lost, ladies?"
Lingsha merely raised an eyebrow in boredom. Jingliu remained silent, her presence growing colder. The temperature around their table seemed to drop. She was just about to teach them a lesson when a hand stopped her.
A hand gently held Jingliu's wrist. "No." Lian Yang rose from his seat, a faint smile, a mix of amusement and boredom, on his lips. "Let me. It's been a while since I stretched my muscles."
The thugs burst out laughing. "Hear that? The kid wants to stretch his muscles!" one of them mocked, pointing with a dirty finger.
The first thug lunged, swinging a large fist in a slow, predictable motion. Lian Yang moved forward, leaning slightly to the side. The fist missed. Without pausing, Lian Yang spun, his palm striking the thug's elbow from below with precision on a nerve point. The man's arm went limp instantly. Before he could scream, Lian Yang's low kick swept his ankle, sending him sprawling.
It all happened in two seconds.
Silence enveloped the tavern before one of the thugs roared in anger, "Brat!"
It instantly became a solo performance. Lian Yang moved among the remaining four thugs. He didn't attack aggressively, but rather used them as training posts, applying Jingliu's lessons with cold efficiency. He dodged punches, parried attacks, and countered with targeted strikes to joints and pressure points. Every move was economical and effective, making the thugs look like clumsy amateurs before his calm demeanor.
Finally, only the leader of the thugs remained, staring at his groaning men on the floor. His face was red with anger and shame. "Damn brat!" he snarled, spit flying from his mouth. "You'll pay for this!"
With a roar, he released his Martial Soul. A dense yellow light erupted, his arms transforming, covered in rock-like scales and sharp claws—then two spirit rings, one white and one yellow, appeared. He was a Spirit Grandmaster.
However, before he could attack, Lian Yang was already in front of him. He didn't summon his Martial Soul, only raised a single finger. From its tip, a burst of pure, concentrated spirit energy—a raw energy control technique—shot out and struck the man's chest.
It wasn't a destructive attack, but a suppressive shockwave. The man's Martial Soul flickered and then vanished. His eyes widened in disbelief. The power he had just summoned was gone. His legs gave out, and he fell to his knees before Lian Yang, gasping for breath.
The entire tavern was completely silent. All eyes were on the young man who stood calmly in the middle of the chaos. His clothes weren't even wrinkled. He glanced at Jingliu, his gaze seeming to say, See? I'm fine. Jingliu just gave a small nod, a rare sign of approval.
Lian Yang took out a bag of gold coins and tossed it onto the table with a loud clink. "For the drinks," his voice was calm, a stark contrast to his actions. "And for the disturbance."
Without another word, he turned. Jingliu and Lingsha rose and followed him. They walked out, leaving behind a stunned crowd and a group of battered thugs.
In another corner of the tavern, the group from Skywater Academy they had met earlier sat frozen. Their steaming bowls of soup were now forgotten.
The middle-aged female teacher stared blankly at the door that had just closed. Her earlier dismissive judgment now felt like a hard slap in the face. That young man... he didn't even use a Spirit Ring.
Among the students, two girls stood out. Shui Bing'er, with her distinctive ice-blue hair, watched with a complex expression. It was no longer annoyance from a difficult journey, but a cold, analytical admiration. Next to her, her sister, Shui Yue'er, was more open. Her eyes sparkled with unconcealed curiosity, her lips slightly parted in amazement. They had come north seeking challenges and experience, but they never expected to witness something like this.
---
They walked down the main street of Frostwind City in silence. Truly, Lian Yang had just wanted to enjoy the city a little, but now he no longer felt like it, especially with all the stares. The crowd parted for them, their gazes now filled with a mixture of respect and fear. On this frontier, strength was the only language understood.
Once outside the city gates, Lian Yang stopped. He raised his hand once more. The same silver portal materialized out of thin air.
A few brave onlookers from behind the city walls gasped. They saw the sleek black vehicle glide out of the portal. The team got in, the doors closed. A few seconds later, the car rose into the air, shot into the sky, and disappeared into a pinpoint of light among the stars.
Inside the Regalia, the warmth of the cabin was a sharp contrast to what they had just left behind. The vehicle flew further north, entering the heart of the Extremes North. The landscape below them transformed into an endless world of white, shimmering under the moonlight.
The Regalia finally slowed, descending gently onto a vast ice plain. The place felt ancient, silent, and filled with a pure, elemental ice energy.
The three of them stepped out. The air was so cold it burned the lungs, their breaths instantly crystallizing. Lingsha, though warmly dressed, shivered slightly, her eyes wide with wonder. "Incredible," she whispered. "The energy density here... it's unbelievable."
Jingliu stood still, her face lifted to the sky. Her blindfold fluttered in the icy wind. She could feel the power sleeping beneath the ice, as if the land itself were alive, strangely much clearer than in the Star Dou Forest.
Lian Yang stored the Regalia, then gazed at the white horizon. White mist plumed from his nose, his body shivering slightly from the cold. If he hadn't purchased the Sacred Spring Physique and condensed the Physique Law into his body, he might have frozen to death, especially since he didn't have any spirit rings at all.
"The Snow Empress," he murmured. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the distance. "She should be in the core area. Let's greet her and get this mission over with as quickly as possible."