But prosperity, however small, invites envy.
News spread to a nearby settlement, Stonefang Village, larger and stronger than Coldwater. They had long pressed tribute from Coldwater's hunters, belittling their weakness.
Now, word of a youth teaching techniques, children producing frost, reached their ears.
One evening, foreign hunters strode into Coldwater — spears glinting, eyes sharp. Their leader sneered, looking over the small group of Tian's students.
"So this is the 'Frost Teacher'?" His gaze landed on Tian with disdain. "A cripple teaching cripples? What use can your petty frost be?"
Villagers tensed. Fear whispered — Stonefang had more fighters, more spirit masters. Open defiance meant death.
Yet Tian stepped forward, standing between his children and the intruders. His face pale, his body weak — but his voice was steady.
"My frost," Tian said quietly, "does not boast. But if you threaten my family, you will learn the bite of snow."
Laughter erupted from the men. "Snow? Against wolves like us? Try, boy. Show me this frost."
The Frost's Bite
Cold silence filled the square. Tian raised his hand. Soul ring flickered faint — his Frost Veil spread quietly.
Instantly, air chilled, the ground glazed faintly underfoot. The intruders sneered, unmoved—until one stepped forward, spear raised, and his foot slipped against invisible ice. He stumbled, falling hard.
A second later, the others slipped as well — footing unstable, attacks mistimed. In the chaos, Tian's disciples, timid but united, raised hands, releasing meager blasts of frost shards. Ineffective alone, but in number, they struck hunters' arms, chilling grips.
Stonefang men cursed, staggering, embarrassed before villagers' eyes. Their leader's face reddened.
"You—! This is not finished!" He spat, dragging men away.
They left threats to return. But Coldwater's villagers finally looked at Tian differently: not weak, not useless, but protector.
🔥 End of Chapter 20