On the morning of the next day, Tulip, Zi, and I teleported back to the East, specifically to the land called Bing Zhi Di, otherwise known as the Land of Ice. I was surprised to know that two of the shards were located in cold areas. No matter how cold the areas were, the better it was for me and my cold body.
We prepared a humongous amount of food to be able to satisfy Zi's absurd appetite for just a while. But as the Winged Lion grows, the higher its needs, and he was growing fast.
Before we left, Farbauti gave me the piece that I was supposed to win in the tower on Isle of Prisons. According to him, I did technically defeat him back there. He also assured me that this will be the only time.
Everything was clad in white in Bing Zhi Di. But unlike Mount Evergreen, trees were scarce in this area, and the whole location was not as vast and endless. Moreover, it was mostly ice, not just snow.
Looking at the scenery and at how my body was reacting, I let out a chuckle of delight and exclaimed, "I can get used to this very easily!"
Tulip and Zi weren't feeling as great as I was. Both were about to freeze to death if Tulip didn't conjure a flame in front of her. Zi was still in a better condition than her, as his fur was long enough now to warm him. Despite that and the fire, they were still trembling.
This won't do. I waved my hand and used my powers as the Lord of Ice to slightly raise the temperature around us. This was a trivial thing to do, and the effects were immediate as they stopped trembling.
I looked at them and said, "I can lessen the wind's impact around us as well. However, it is not an ordinary wind, and I feel like it could temper one's body and improve its quality significantly, especially if you are someone who cultivates the laws of Fire. It is up to you both."
They shared a glance as Tulip replied, "Leave it as it is. We won't become more powerful unless we experience hardship."
I nodded and started running towards the Blade Tower that was clearly visible atop the mountain. After an hour, we encountered a horde of tiny, icy humanoid pixies that were traveling by teleporting around. However, they were blocking a narrow pathway, preventing us from going forward.
Suddenly, all at once, they turned their tiny blue heads towards us. Their dark blue eyes were eyeing me more than the others, especially looking at the middle of my chest, where the Rune of Ice was located beneath my clothes.
Then, they bowed and teleported out of the way to the sides, making way for a path. I lowered my head slightly in respect to them and passed with my companions. Just as I was about to leave the last pixie, I suddenly turned towards them and spoke in their language, "I, the Lord of Ice, humbly request your servitude. I do not require much, just your help whenever I request it, from one occasion to another. And with your ability to teleport, you can stay here until a call for help happens."
I waited for their decision. Some looked hesitant, while others looked eager. In the end, one of them, who seemed to be their leader, teleported to my front. It produced a small crystal and respectfully handed it to me.
I accepted the crystal and absorbed it into my body. I felt the connection between me and all of the pixies here deepen, and there was now a way for me to communicate with them. I bowed my head again, "May this pact benefit both sides. It is my honor to have you in my service, and I shall be in yours."
With that, I turned around and continued on with the others.
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Updated on 24/3/2026