Weeks passed peacefully, but peace never lasts long in a world of survival.
On a bleak morning, runners arrived at Coldwater, faces pale. "Stonefang men—armed, dozens. They march this way."
Fear rippled. Coldwater had always been weaker. Now, with Stonefang humiliated before by Tian's small frost tricks, revenge was inevitable.
Hunters sharpened spears, mothers hid children. The elder's face was grim, muttering, "We cannot withstand them long."
Yet Tian stood, pale but steady. His Frost Crystal flickered faintly at his side. "We will not run," he said.
Men looked at him incredulously. "Our strength is too low!"
But Tian's eyes were different. He had died once before, he had been mocked as useless all his life. If he submitted now, everything—from Yuexin's smile to the disciples' hope—would crumble.
"This is not about strength," he whispered. "This is about roots. If we bow, our roots rot. If we defy, even if broken, our roots may regrow stronger."
The elder studied him long… and finally nodded. "Then lead us, boy."
The Battle
Stonefang arrived at dusk, torches blazing like fiery teeth in the snow. Their leader stepped forth, sneering: "So, cripple child, you dare shame us? Tonight we erase Coldwater!"
Behind him, than a dozen spirit fighters surged forward. The villagers paled—most were ordinary hunters, hardly soul masters.
Tian stepped front, face lit by flicker of flame. His single spirit ring glowed faint yellow. Weak compared to foes—but he had never relied on raw power.
"Now," Tian murmured. Disciples moved, scattering into positions they'd trained secretly: rope traps buried in snow, buckets of water frozen to sheets overnight, torches set for smoke cover.
When Stonefang men charged, suddenly feet slipped on glassy frost laid carefully by Tian's Frost Veil. Traps caught ankles, releasing showers of powdery ice. In smoke and chaos, even weak children managed to blind and stagger foes.
While his frost could not kill, it turned the battlefield from rampage into chaos. Coldwater's hunters struck sharper, timing blows to slowed foes. Shouts and curses filled the night, but slowly Stonefang's momentum waned.
Bleeding from ribs, body screaming, Tian roared hoarsely:
"This is our root! You will never tear us from this snow!"
The words echoed like thunder across villagers' hearts.
At last, when their leader realized humiliation returned, he spat bloody snow and dragged men away, snarling, "This is not over!"
But Coldwater stood. Because one "useless child" refused to bend.
🔥 End of Chapter 23