Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Adjusting her glasses slightly Gao Suyin narrowed her eyes as she made her way through the heavy New York traffic. 'I knew I should have left earlier, I'm gonna be late to the rink!' With a scowl on her face, she made a turn a bit too sharp. But that was all it took.

'Shi-' BANG!

A truck slammed into her car head-on, and with a sickening crunch, everything went black. The world went silent. She had no vision, no sight, no smell. All she had, was an ever-growing chill. It started from her feet and began to slowly go upwards. It spread to her legs, then her stomach, her chest, and then finally her arms. But, out of nowhere, it stopped spreading.

"How did you get here?" Out of near-total sensory deprivation came a feminine voice. Then - Gao Suyin saw her. The woman had a confused look on her face, causing the whisker marks on her cheeks to stretch. It was only a moment later that the woman gained an understanding look in her blue eyes. "Hmm... I suppose this is what that old man meant about Karma." Gao Suyin tried to talk, yet, her mouth did not move.

The blue-eyed whiskered woman didn't seem to notice this as she looked around. "Now where do I send you? You seem like a cultivation type to me. So let's see..." The woman began to root around in a pouch on her leg, and as she did so the coldness slowly began to once more spread across Gao Suyin's 'body'. "I can't hold that off much longer, guess I should hurry this up, y'know?" 

Pulling her hand out of the pouch, a glowing orb could be seen. "Right, gotta pay everything back and all that. This should help you out! It's not finished yet, but it should work. Now let's cure your cold, and then I'll send you off on your way!"

The woman raised her hand, and it glowed a vibrant yellow. As that happened, a black ball appeared out of nowhere, before transforming into a saber. "Don't scream!" 'What do you mea-'

The black saber chopped Gao Suyin in half. 'AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!' "Whoops, hold on this will be real quick!" Reaching inside Gao Suyin's body, the whiskered woman shoved the glowing ball into the center of it, and as she did so the coldness began to sink into it. Yet - Gao Suyin didn't notice. 'AAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!'

"Ooh shoot, you're about to explode! Off you go!" With her still glowing yellow hand, the whiskered woman punched Gao Suyin directly in her tiny little soul face, and she went careening off into the distance. With every moment her two disconnected halves began to fuse together, as her chest softly glowed. Yet, to Gao Suyin herself that was all irrelevant. 'AAAAAAAAA-' "AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!" Even when she began screaming out loud, she didn't know, too trapped in her physical and spiritual suffering.

"Well, that's my good deed for the day done." 

"You're still the stupidest human I've ever met."

"Maah! Don't be so rude Kura-chan!" 

-??????-

Within the vast void, she slowly approached a titanic spherical Chaosverse, before silently sinking into it. She passed by millions of Realmverses, and quadrillions of Chaos Worlds. Titanic beasts, monstrosities, divine entities, and so much more flashed by her. Yet her tiny mortal mind didn't comprehend it. Instead, her only thoughts were. 'It hurts! Oh lord, it hurts!' 

Until, finally, as the pain was beginning to ebb away... VROOM! her soul sunk into an insignificant little Chaosworld, before seemingly disappearing.

-Thirty Years Later-

Blue eyes snapped open, a hint of wonder in them. "So I died, and then I lived...?" Looking back at both of her lives there was curiosity, sadness, joy, and so much more. Before after a few moments - her eyes went blank. "But it appears I still can't feel much." Placing a long, yet dainty hand over her chest, she'd very slightly frown before it faded away, leaving behind a beautiful, yet cold face. 'So that's why feeling emotions is so hard. I was split in two, and it wasn't perfectly fixed.'

[DING! Chaosverse Ascension syst- ERROR, not in control of Chaosverse! DING! Realmverse Ascension syst- ERROR! Not in control of Realmverse! DING! Chaos World Ascension syst- ERROR! Not in control of Chaos World! DING! Planetary Ascension syst- ERROR! Not in control of Planet. REBOOTING.]

Her thoughts froze. 'Did... my Goldfinger just break? Well, at least I'm alive still.' Getting up off her hammock, she began to get dressed for the day while nibbling on some fruit, only for once more her thoughts to stall as she looked out the window. "Why is it snowing? It's summertime!" In response to her shouted-out words, her chest briefly grew cold.

[DING! System rebooted. Detected that the host is the only candidate for the next Village Elder! DING! Congratulations, the Town Ascension system has been activated! DING! Open up your one and only gift pack! DING! Look at your status! DING! Look at your village's status! DING! Look at your Mission Board!] 

Staring at the snow that was falling down, and her head pounding from the cascade of messages, she slowly let out a sigh before shoveling a bunch of grapes into her mouth. 'Alright, open up my gift pack.'

[DING! Giftpack opened.

Obtained: Body Refining Technique - Body of Frost. [Teachable]
Obtained: Ki Refinement & Dao Study: First 3 layers of the Blue Luan Abstract Phantom Code [Not Teachable] - Unusable until you reach Pulse Condensation!
Obtained: Fiendgod Body Refining Technique - Chaotic Ice Body [Not Teachable] - Unusable until you reach Houtian!] 

Holding her head slightly, for a brief moment a flash of pain would cross her face as all the knowledge for the Body of Frost technique was forcibly downloaded into her head. Letting out a deep breath, she started to shovel more grapes into her mouth as thoughts slowly poured in. 'Blue Luan Abstract Phantom... That niggles at something, but I don't remember. But Fiendgods, aren't they from Desolate Era? Isn't Pulse Condensation from Martial World? Or maybe a different novel that I don't know about. Strange...' eyebrows furrowed as she stared at her dining mat that spread across the center of the room. 'Well, let's see what my status is. System open my status.' 

[Start of Status
Name: Axilya
Age: 30 / 500 (Maximum)
Bloodline: Ice Phoenix (Tier ???, Quantity ???)
Race: Icathian Elf (Mortal Race) - ERROR, Half-Elf Ice Phoenix race locked until ????
Cultivation: Mortal
Cultivation Methods:
Body Refining: Body of Frost - [Limited to Pulse Condensation]
Fiendgod Body Refining: Chaotic Ice Body 
Ki Refining: Blue Luan Abstract Phantom Code (First Three Layers out of Nine) - Reach Pulse Condensation To start.
Insights: None
Dao: None
End of Status] 

Going over the information in her mind, Axilya would nod her head. 'That all makes sense. But where is this Ice Phoenix coming from?' Seemingly in response to that question, her chest would once more radiate a wave of cold, before going back to normal. 'I see. So whoever that was turned that cold into this?' With that realization, she'd take a moment to let her head and mind rest, and would instead finish getting ready for the day. Combing her hair into place, and brushing her teeth with a twig that had a frayed end, she'd look outside the window again, before shrugging. 'The weather has never made me feel cold in this life, I don't need a coat. Alright system, show the village's status!' 

[Village of Lysl:

Inhabitants: 87 (3 Pregnancies)
Cultivation: 87 Mortals
Cultivation Methods: None
Bloodline: Icathian Elf
Fortune Tier: Egg

End of Village Status]

'That was a lot more simplified than expected.' Nodding her head at it, for a brief moment her lips twitched upwards at the note of their being more than one pregnancy. 'Multiple pregnancies! That's rare. Considering the expected life span is 200, to have multiple at once is truly a blessing! But what's this Fortune Level?'

[DING! Egg-tier Fortune is the lowest level of Fortune an organization can have while still having fortune! It represents having nearly no fortune - but also infinite potential in the pathways the fortune can take! Fortune can increase cultivation speed, talent, and opportunities obtained overall for your village!] 

Nodding her head at the answer, Axilya would sigh slightly. 'That makes sense then. After all, we're a village that's under the domain of White Forest Town, which is subordinate to Ironbirch City - which is subordinate to the Holy Forest Nation. But it's still sad to hear we're teetering on the edge of having no fortune at all.' 

Bang! Bang! Bang! The sound of a fist knocking on her door could be heard, before the masculine voice of her neighbor sounded out, "Axilya! I'm heading down to the fields to check out if any of the crops died off. Hurry down when you can!"

"Alright, Beldroth! I'll be down in a few minutes!" There were the sounds of footsteps walking away, and she'd shake her head. 'Foolish man. Still looking after me, even two decades after my parents died.' Her lips twitched upwards briefly before she focused on the last part. 'System, open up the mission board!' 

[Mission Board

Become the Official Leader of Lysl! (The Village of Lysl must have more than 80 people within it for this to count.)
The Village of Lysl Cultivates! (Have at least 5 strength training cultivators and 1 flesh training.) 
Become the Ruler of a Town. (Must have at least 1,000 inhabitants.)
Practice! Reach the Basic level with Footwork and A weapon before ????
Meat. How can someone forging their body not eat meat? Hunt, butcher, and eat 1 large animal.

End of Mission Board]

Twitching slightly at the first mission Axilya would grumble slightly. 'What, do you expect me to just kill off the current leader? Even on average he still has another 50 years left in him, and he could go all the way to another 350 years! Also 5 strength training cultivators and 1 flesh training? White Forest Town has dozens of villages underneath it, and even then it only has a dozen flesh-training cultivators and a few viscera-training level cultivators, and it's existed for nearly a thousand years!' 

She narrowed her eyes. 'But, from what I know body forging methods are mere legends, even inside of towns. Only cities have them, and even then they're rare, and I suspect - quite poor in quality. If I can learn the Body of Frost, and then teach it - we could rise up and never go hungry again.' Nodding her head in determination, Axilya would open up her door, and step out into the snow. 'Then when work is over I'll start training.' 

Chapter Text

Stepping out of her house Axilya stared at the sky for a moment. 'This is coming down heavier than I thought.' Putting a kick into her steps, she'd go around to the backside of the house and take a moment to stare in awe, letting out a small whistle. 'That's a lot of snow already on the fields.' Looking down the hill toward the field below, she clearly saw that already a decent few inches had coated the field.

Yet - luckily whether through divine intervention or something else, the grapes, apples, and oranges seemed fine and perfectly uncrushed. 'What about the peanuts and rice? How long will this storm last, and will it eventually affect our fruits?' Numerous concerns had grown from surveying from a distance, with quick steps she began to rush down the hill.

Not once did she trip or slow down because of the slick wet snow, instead it appeared as if she was perfectly in her element as she gracefully, yet swiftly descended the hills. Spotting figures off in the distance, she'd agilely move through the apple and orange trees, and come upon four figures huddled around some rice that had a pile of snow next to it. "Beldroth, Kaylessa, Eilauver, and oh! Elder Elroun. What's the damage?"

Kaylessa, as beautiful as any Elf had a small frown on her face as she looked up brushing her blonde hair out of the way, "It looks bad dear. It seems that if this continues the rice will end up being heavily reduced this season." A voice that usually could be described to be as smooth as honey was sadly marred with disappointment and worry.

Eilauver, the son of Kaylessa and Beldroth sighed heavily while staring at the rice. Beldroth, trying to see the best of it said, "At least the Oranges, Apples, and Grapes are fine! Besides, who knows? The peanuts could be okay too."

Elder Elroun with a stern harsh-looking face would stand up straight. "That is the best we can hope for." With his black hair still perfectly in place, he walked towards where they grew the peanuts. "I'll have to check the other household farms, but it appears that a few tough seasons are coming if a few more inches of snow fall."

Catching up to Elder Elroun Axilya would raise a question, "Do we have enough coin to hire hunters?"

His face softened slightly as he glanced towards her, and he nodded slightly. "As long as it's only a few months we'll be fine. But if the other farms are worse than this..." A sigh escaped from him as the lines on his face and wrinkles seemed to deepen. "I've only seen something strange like this happen once before, and that was the harshest time our village has experienced in my entire life."

'This is my fault... I'll have to do something about this. But what? Who knows how long it'll take me to step into Strength Training? From what I know, in every village that has hunters, and the towns as well all Hunters are either Strength Training or Flesh Training at the minimum. If I can't step into Flesh Training quickly then I'll just risk it anyway! I won't let my village starve because of my existence.' An ice-cold determination imprinted itself into Axilya's mind as she silently walked along with her adopted family and Elder.  'Then when work is over I'll start training.'

As they arrived at the peanut part of the farm, silence overtook them all. The worst possible scenario had come - already the peanuts were dying. Her fists tightly clenched Axilya stared heavily at the dying, sad little peanuts. 'I know what I have to do.' With a deep breath, her fists unclenched, and all the deep emotions faded away, leaving only the embers of determination and guilt.

As she regained clarity of mind, she spotted from the corner of her eye Eilauver with gritted teeth, eyes slightly watering. 'Although he's beginning to look like a man... Emotionally he's still too young. Elves physically mature fast, but emotionally are slow.' Approaching him, she'd look him into the eyes, before pulling him into a hug. "It'll be alright, we'll get through this." Although her voice was cold and lacking in emotion - Eilauver crumbled into her hug, his brown hair brushing against her shoulders. "It'll be alright. We can figure this out, the village always has."

Spotting the raised eyebrow of Elder Elroun she shrugged slightly, and he chuckled. "Yes, our new Elder in training is quite right. We've gone long periods without food before. If the worst comes, we can become indebted for a while to White Forest."

Large arms joined into the hug, as the muffled voice of Beldroth was heard. "The Elder and Axilya are right son. Now come on! We've got some shoveling to do."

-That Night-

After a long day of shoveling snow and tending to the crops as best as she could, by now usually Axilya would have already been preparing for bed. Tonight was not like usual, however. To the side of her house, in the snow that had only continued to fall, Axilya was doing push-ups with her eyes closed. Yet, every time she went down to the ground, chest barely grazing the ground, she would do something strange - swallow.

In fact - if one knew the Body of Frost technique, they would be amazed at the perfect conditions! She was training at night time when the 'Frosty Gaze' of the Moon was at its peak. It was snowing, it was cold out, and most of all - she was supremely talented! She had the Ice Phoenix bloodline, and was, in fact, Half Ice Phoenix herself - except that part was sealed. With the snow entering her throat, going down it, and resting inside of her belly - it seemed like every pushup caused her body to become more powerful. 

When her arms were shaking, and her breath came out in heavy pants, she slowly got into a meditative position, before piling some snow onto her legs, taking some into her mouth, and only then closing her eyes to begin meditation.

Time passed, and as snow fell, it soon seemed as if she was made out of snow, her hair and shoulders were completely covered by it. Then...

WOOSH! The snow exploded off of her as she moved out of nowhere! Standing up in seemingly the blink of an eye, there would be a small smile on her face. Ice-blue eyes shot open showing a hint of joy, and as her fists clenched one could hear a popping sound. 'I did it! In just a few hours I stepped into Strength Training.' As she slowly relaxed, the chill in her chest slowly faded away. 'Amazing! I suppose the Ice Phoenix bloodline truly lives up to its name. But this strength... doesn't it seem a bit much?'

Reaching down to the dirt, a simple light pat compressed it to the ground, leaving the visible sign of a handprint. Walking over to a tree, she reached her hand out and lightly pushed. The next moment the tree cracked slightly. 'When in Rome... I guess I'll use cultivation terms. So how many Jin of strength is this? Is this 1000 Jin like the average, or is it even more?' 

Axilya took another deep breath to calm herself. 'Alright. The best thing to do right now is to eat and sleep. Let my body recover from the changes. I can slowly figure this out - after all, I have weeks until I should start trying to hunt. That'll be more than enough...' 

Chapter Text

Gently nibbling on a bunch of fruits while kneeling in front of the dining mat, Axilya would have a blank look, yet internally it was far different. 'I've truly gained immense strength. Just in one day as well! But...' her brows furrowed as she slowly waved her arm around in the air. 'Why do I feel a strange presence? Why do I feel as if a heavy weight has been placed on me?' 

[DING! 
The host has detected the chains that bind all cultivating Icathian Elves! To remove these chains reach Houtian!
DING!
Until you reach Houtian every breakthrough will take longer and longer! The host is advised to follow the missions!]

Blinking slightly Axilya nodded confused, 'Thanks? I wasn't really expecting an answer.' 
[No problem! *Chirp*]

'What was that?' The system didn't reply. 'Well then.' Lips quirking upwards for a second, she'd shake her head. "Let's get on with the day then!" Standing up she walked on over to the door, only to freeze as she ripped the door off its hinges. "Shit!"

Hearing her shout a voice would come from the house near hers, "Axilya what's wro- oh!" Staring at Beldroth with her door still hanging from her hand she stared at the door, then at Beldroth, then at the door.

"It's a dream?" A brown eyebrow was raised as a disbelieving look spread across Beldroths face before it turned serious.

"Did you reach this point on accident or on purpose?" Staring at him for a moment, Axilya would slowly put the door back into its frame as her response.

His face dropped slightly, but he nodded slightly. "One moment, I'll get the hammer and nails." 'Shoot.. I can't believe I forgot. Of course, if people see my cultivation they'll think I'm lucky! But if I continue to break through, who knows who would come after me just to see what kind of cultivation method I have? It won't be that big of a deal, but... what about the villagers who don't have my strength? Besides, I have no weapon training! I should keep it a secret for at least a few more weeks!' 

Of course, like every villager she had learned the very basics of hand-to-hand combat and using bows, but that was it! Certainly not enough to reach the 'Basic' level described by the system. 'If I remember correctly, based on the 'fiendgod' cultivation mentioned, that should definitely be a Desolate Era thing. But it was never super big on bloodlines... on top of the realms for body forging which are clearly from Martial World. With my Ice Phoenix bloodli- no! Not just bloodline. I'm Half Ice Phoenix, but that's sealed.' Her eyes widened slightly. 'My mom or dad was a phoenix?' 

Her eyes went blank as an aching pain rose up, and all of her rising emotions were swept away, leaving only the slightest bit of confusion, panic, and the horrifying realization that she was in fact, part bird. 'No wonder I thought that my strength was too much and that I cultivated so quickly before these 'chains' were applied to me.' Her thoughts have turned clear, she'd take a deep breath and return to being calm. 'So that means when my parents died in that 'blizzard'... Was it one of them undergoing nirvana?' 

With that disturbing, hopeful, but sad thought she instantly shut down her mind. 'Enough! No more.' Tracking movement as Beldroth came back around with a hammer and nails, Axilya would put on a blank smile. "Thank you for your help Beldroth."

He gave her a reassuring look that couldn't hide his worry, or his excitement. "No problem. But if this storm is starting to take down people's doors, maybe you should warn the Elder?"

There was a moment where their eyes locked before she slowly nodded. "I agree, he should know about this. But I should help work the fields first. After all, he's going to have a busy day. Besides, the snow is quite comforting to work with, don't you think? Almost a perfect way to cool down one's flesh."

His eyes widened in shock, after all, the past her had an interesting relationship with the cold and snow, before realization dawned on his face. "Of course. Now let's get this door up!"

-??????-

In her sleep, for a brief moment, she twitched slightly. The entire territory she was resting in was instantly plunged into a snowstorm the likes of which it had never seen before. One titanic eye opened, "Strange..." Her eye closed, and she settled down. 

-Axilya, that night-

Sitting down in Elder Elrouns house she silently stared as he went through a wide range of emotions. Wonder, fear, greed, hope, and so many more. They flashed by on his face in such quantity, with length, and so much freedom, that she almost envied him. She even did - for a brief moment. Finally, he let out a huge sigh. "That's not what I expected you to say at all Axilya. Be honest with me - how long did it take you to breakthrough into Strength Training?"

There was no hesitation as she completely and utterly lied for his own sake, "Five days." A sharp gasp escaped from Elder Elroun as his eyes widened. 

"Five days?!? Even the greatest of geniuses in the town take months!" 'Probably because Martial World would describe them as Grade 2 or 3 on top of the restrictions placed on us... Our entire Kingdom probably doesn't even have a singular Grade 6 Genius - otherwise known as Heaven Grade. Considering our lifespan... the greatest genius we have if we're lucky might be at the lowest level of Earth Grade - Grade 5.' Thinking about that, she'd visibly shake her head. "I'm sure it's only a bit better than average in the cities." 'That's a lie, but still... It's probably possible for someone to have matched 5 days before with sufficient preparation and cultivation resources.' 

"You're maybe right, but still!" He stared for a while at her, as if he was looking at the greatest treasure alive. "I've decided! When you break through to Flesh Training I'll step down as the elder." 'That was... easy?'

She blinked slightly confused. "Are you sure Elder? After all, I'm only thirty years old. What will the others think?"

He waved his hand, "Baah! You already act as if you're a hundred or more! Besides they've already joked about when I would step down for you. Besides, it's a matter of importance! It's a law you know? If a cultivator is in a village, assuming they meet the requirement to be the village elder, they have to be!"

An eyebrow raised as she questioned, "Is that... true?"

The Elder nodded. "Yes, it's what every village has to agree to before going under the domain and protection of a Town, just like how a Town Leader must step down if a Bone Forging cultivator rises up in their domain and they meet the requirements." A hesitant look passed by on his face, "Of course - if you want to move to the town, or even try to move to a city I can't stop you. From what I've heard and seen that's what usually happens unless someone breaks through to Strength Training at the end of their life. After all, I heard the 'Ki' in towns and cities are much denser than here, as well as 'training materials'."

It was clear to her that although he was saying that, he was hoping with all his heart she'd stay. A small slightly forced, yet still amused smile appeared on Axilya's face, "Don't worry Elder. Even if I break through to the famed 'Houtian' realm I'll stay! Besides, who says that we'll always be a village? Once I become strong enough, everyone will start flocking towards us!" 

A wide smile spread across his face, "You're right! Of course! Who says you can't make your own Town or even your own City!"

[DING!
Mission Obtained: Make your own city! (One million population, breakthrough to Houtian, have at least 5 Pulse Condensation Elders, 50 Bone Forging Seniors, and 500 Altering Muscle disciples)
]

Ignoring the message for now, Axilya would nod with determination steeling her face and flaring in her eyes. "Of course I can! Now, perhaps we should plan how we'll prepare for me becoming the Elder, and eventually us becoming a Town..."

Chapter Text

The night after speaking with the Elder, Axilya stood deep in the woods outside of the village, standing in front of the largest tree she could find. 'Truly monstrous in size.' A hand reached out with a light slap, and a thrummm shook her body as the tree didn't even sway slightly. "This'll work." 

Taking a deep breath, her eyes would instinctively close as she dived into her memories. 'If I remember correctly, if I want to learn how to use a melee weapon, I first have to master my body and mind. First step of mastering the body - Fists! Learning how to fight without a weapon so you can later learn that weapon! The second step isn't just being able to perfectly control your body, but also the weapon!

Then there's the mind. Your mind has to be in the perfect state. I don't have any cultivation techniques for weapons, and all I have are very rudimentary fist techniques everyone is taught... But I'll have to make do! I'll work on my fighting on this tree, and I'll run through the branches and foliage for my footwork. Ji Ning might have had a Zifu-palace mentor who had reached The Dao - but wouldn't I be letting down my bloodline if I couldn't do this by myself?!?' 

Her hands wrapped in some of her old clothes she had torn apart, she raised them up as if there was someone in front of her she had to guard against. 'Right! Keep the wrists locked! Wrists and back of the hand in a straight line with the elbow. Lead with the index and middle finger knuckles! Each simple motion, every single thing I know has to be done millions of times until it's engraved into my bones and very essence! Jabs, Crosses, Hooks, Knife Hand, Uppercuts and Hammer Fists! That's all the different types of punches I was taught, so that's what I'll master! Then my stance! My guard! Once I get used to throwing the punches, I'll draw out a range for different elven body parts on the tree.

Even when Ji Ning had obtained Immortality, in order to become the greatest Sword Master in his Chaos World - he returned to simplicity. To the basics, and from there once more worked his way up, yet he kept those basics and used them for the rest of his life. It's this way in every cultivation novel! Simplicity, Complex, and then Simplicity once again! The cycle always continues, but it always ends in one thing - simplicity.' 

Determination blazing in her eyes, the first punch was thrown out towards the tree.

-???-

"Monster, what a fucking monster! Fuck! What bullshit luck. Damn Lady of the Void! Fuck. If she wasn't born in this barren place..." Their pupils dilated. "Each punch is better than the last! Even without any techniques, she'd reach this Chaos Worlds Dao in a century, and that's in this place where Heaven and Earth are sealed!" With gritted teeth, they'd come to a decision. "Fine Void Lord! Fine. Damn crazy maniac, why does she always have to be right? Tch." Reaching up they'd pluck a singular strand of light blue hair, before breathing on it. A moment later it silently sunk into an invisible and unsensable egg. 

-Three days later, the fields-

Her voice was quiet as she worked the fields shoveling snow, yet each of the three people near her could hear every single word. "We Elves are not meant for cultivation, as such the best way to begin our journey is using cultivation aids. We don't have that - but what we do have is snow and the cold. The cold assaults the outside of our body, and the snow assaults the inside! The cold carries the harsh Ki of the world, whereas the snow holds more moderate Ki. With the combined effort, your muscles and Dantian which rests slightly above your stomach will be affected.

We exercise - or work our fields with the harsh temperature barraging us, with the softer snow to offset. Then - you meditate more sedately, relaxing yourself and letting the snow slowly calm down your overworked muscles, body, and mind. Eventually, your Dantian will open up - and a burst of Ki will surge into your muscles where it'll be stored. The opening of your Dantian, and Ki being stored in your muscles will cause you to be stronger, faster, and the like. But note - you can't yet store Ki inside your Dantian. You can only do that at 'Pulse Condensation'."

Taking a few minutes break from talking to let her listeners take that all in, she'd chew on some snow before picking back up her lecture. "It's important to note that when you step into flesh training, that Ki WILL go into your Dantian. Your job as a cultivator is to move the Ki into the muscles. Note - you aren't refining or tempering your muscles, you're merely storing Ki inside of them. This is why if a cultivator in the Strength Stage runs out of Ki, they'll be drastically weaker compared to a cultivator at any of the other stages. Now let's talk about the specific ways one can speed up the opening of their Dantian. More specifically - breathing exercises."

She continued on like this for the entire day of work - just as she had done the other three days after talking with the Elder. Merely five days into her 'awakened life', she was a Teacher to 3 students - of which of course all 3 were her adopted family, stepped into Strength Training, and had begun the sacred art of learning how to beat people up. 'Rather productive. Once I step into the 'Basic Level' I'll be able to be more open and start trying to teach everyone. After all, technically speaking the Basic Level is a Houtian-level skill. Although I'd expect most Pulse Condensation and at least a few Bone Forging to be at that level, after all, who knows how old they are? Unlike a human, they could be 300 years old, or even 400, and still have combat power!' 

Having finished work for the day, instead of going to begin training, Axilya walked toward the house of a friend - well, everyone was 'friends' inside the village! There were only 87 of them after all. But what was special about this friend was his hobby! He was great at carving wood, whittling, and things of that nature. Most Elves naturally picked up quite a few hobbies, but he was truly talented in this area. 'Of course, his other hobbies include gambling with any merchants that come by, drinking them under the table, and hookah, but who's counting those?' 

Knocking on the door of his house a tired and slightly slurring voice shouted out, "Who is it?"

"It's Axilya. Open up Haryk!" Her voice rang out louder than usual, but still just as clear - and just as frosty and monotone.

"Agh! Come on in." Opening the door Axilya stepped in, immediately being blasted by a wave of heat, and the aroma of fruit wine. Eyes darting about she'd spot him laying down in his hammock, left pant leg rolled up showing off his stump for a leg, and a cup of wine in hand. Fiery red hair rolled down his scarred face as Haryk blurrily stared at her. "What d'ya want Axilya?"

Walking a bit closer, her nose would wrinkle as the stench of alcohol increased. "I'd like for you to make me a wooden saber, slightly curved upwards near the tip."

He confusedly blinked at her for a moment before asking, "Why do ya want that?" Having said that he took a sip of his wine.

"I broke through to Strength Training."

His eyes went wide at the simple, cold, and to-the-point words and he choked on the wine he just had taken a sip of. Letting out a wheeze he slammed on his chest, before taking a gasping breath of fresh air. A moment later he let out one last cough and sat up straight. "For real? Well, shit! Of course, I'll make one. It's gonna cost ya though, it'll take me quite a bit to make a properly balanced one."

Nodding her head to his words, and not even blinking at his choking fit Axilya would say in response, "I'll teach you how to cultivate as payment?"

He blinked, "Sure. Who doesn't want to cultivate? Be a bit stronger, a bit faster. Drink more wine. But it's not like it's going to do me much good." At that last part, he'd wave a hand towards his leg.

For a brief moment, a smile spread across her face before it went back to neutrality just as usual. "If you reach the stage beyond Houtian it's said that you could regrow lost limbs. Isn't it worth it to try?" 'I don't actually know that - it could be different. But Xiantian Fiendgods could indeed regrow their limbs, even some Houtian can if they have a top-tier technique!' 

For a brief moment, Haryk's eyes lit up, before they returned to being hazy and dull. "Like I could ever reach that."

"You don't know if you don't try, what, you aren't willing to take a gamble with no stakes to lose?"

At her words, he took a swig from his cup of wine before he nodded. "Alright! You have a deal."

So, from that day forward - she gained another thing on her schedule, an hour a day teaching Haryk. 

Chapter Text

-7 days after meeting the elder, 2 days since the last chapter-

Axilya had been taking slow deep breaths for about an hour now with her eyes closed, the snow piled up high around her. The forest was calm and peaceful. The birds quietly chirped, the wind rustled, and the snow continued a slow, but steady downfall.

Then all of a sudden, her mouth opened, and she harshly inhaled. In the second she inhaled, the snow a few inches around her rapidly melted. Once, twice, thrice. As the third time happened, all of the coldness that had been leeched from the snow sunk into her Dantian. There was a moment of stillness before BOOM! All of that gathered Ki rushed throughout her body, strengthening it as it passed by each of the cells, before sinking into her skin. Her entire body shook, and her eyes snapped open, a smile appearing on her face before it faded away as she stood up. 

Looking down, she clenched her fists, awe filling her. 'So much more Ki. The second stage - Flesh Training. Is truly impressive. This strength gain...' Rearing back she punched a relatively large and sturdy tree, only to let out a gasp of awe as with a crack it began to fall over on its side. "Woah there!" As she rushed forward, a gust of wind whipped around the area from her movements, and just before the falling tree would fall on another, with gritted teeth she caught it.

Her muscles flexed as her feet dug into the ground, her hands like claws dug into the tree, and with a "RAGH!" she heaved the tree up. Lumbering a few steps forward, with another grunt of exertion she let it fall where it wouldn't land on another tree. BANG!

GASP panting heavily Axilya slowly walked around in circles trying to recover her breath. 'That... that was really heavy. That tree had to be almost 4 to 5,000 Jin, didn't it?' Having taken in deep breaths of air, she slowly calmed down. 'How much has my strength improved? 1,000 Jin? 2,000?' A thought struck her, and Axilya's lips quirked up. 'I wonder, can I use it yet?' Her eyes closed, and she focused inside, trying to reach her blood. 'Burn!' With that thought... nothing happened.

Her face twitched. Letting out a sigh, her eyes opened up. "Still nothing... do Ice Phoenixes really not get it?"

[DING!
Congratulations to the host for reaching the 2nd Stage of Body Transformation! The host should wait till Houtian for them to use their bloodline's active abilities. The system would like to warn the host that the time for the mission named 'Practice!' is still approaching!
]

Staring off into the distance, Axilya would eventually just nod. 'I can wait. I'm patient. I just wanted to see...' Shaking her head she started to walk back home. 'That's enough training for today.' 

-The next day- 

While her lecture to her adopted family continued, and she talked without any active thought, internally she was focused on a different topic. 'I've noticed that while my cultivation speed and efficiency has slowed it doesn't seem to have slowed that much. Strange, I thought it would be more noticeable' 

[DING! 
The host should be aware that their bloodline is offsetting the effects, and it's affecting you far more than you're aware! If it wasn't for the effects on you, you would have broken through to Pulse Condensation in one day.
]

An eyebrow instinctively rose as she froze momentarily, before continuing with her shoveling and lecture. 'I stand corrected... 1 day for Strength Training, 7 days for Flesh Training, will it be 13 days for Viscera Training? Or 49? That is indeed quite different from just one day!' 

Perhaps the equivalents of an 'Emperor' or 'Saint' Grade talent would wail at the thought of taking 49 days to do Viscera Training, but for her, it didn't matter. She was an Elf! She naturally had 5x the lifespan of humans. Besides, that was with her Ice Phoenix half sealed away! Who knows how long her lifespan would shoot up then? 49 days? Baah! Who didn't see Ji Ning going into seclusion for hundreds of chaos cycles before his Daomerge or when he fought to create his resurrection technique? 

Haste makes waste, but grasping the time you have has always been one of the key parts of cultivation! 'Eh. At least in novels. But no offense - but those people are kind of stupid. How many times in novels do you get an entire arc dedicated to them realizing that they aren't human anymore? That they don't know shit about the common people, and get their powers sealed to live like that? Nearly every cultivation novel!' 

Eyes flashing with unwillingly suppressed emotions Axilya shoveled the snow a bit more harshly. 'Foolish. Leaving your family behind? The people you've known your entire life? Removing yourself from all bonds, simply so you can become an 'ascended one', and then spitting in the face of all that suffering you caused, by just joining back in with them? How many novels just ignore the friendships broken? Bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood? At least Desolate Era is a bit better in that regard.' Heart beating hard, a wave of frost would emanate from her chest, and all of those bubbling-up emotions slowly faded away. As those thoughts and emotions disappeared...

[DING! ERROR! DING! ERROR! DING!
Dao of ka3f4 unable to be learned! The system urges the host to reach One with the World, and Houtian!
You have found your truth! But have not met the other four requirements! The host is encouraged to explore this path.
Congratulations! Your soul has slightly healed. ]

Axlyia's eyes blanked. 'That has to be a record, right? A flesh training cultivator reaching the Dao, and 'Truth' what is that? A martial intent? Besides, how did this help heal my soul?!?' 

 -????-

They stared in horrified awe. A whole body twitch racked them as their mouth hung open. "That- that's. That's bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit! Damn Void Lord! What are you planning trapping me with this monster? What are you doing sealing a Half-Phoenixes race like this? Forcing them into this hellhole that shouldn't exist? Fuck! What kind of monster are you trying to create?" Their heart shuddered at that. "Don't tell me... No! Impossible! The court wouldn't allow it!"

-Axilya that night-

Resting on her knees with a cup of wine in her hand she slowly started her 2nd lecture of the day. "Others would take your disability to mean you're hampered in cultivation. But I disagree! It's my opinion that up until Pulse Condensation, you will naturally cultivate quicker than others around your same talent level. Can you tell me why?"

Taking a sip of his wine Haryk would dryly look at her a hint of anger in his tone, "Please do tell me why missing a leg would let me cultivate faster."

The response was blunt, cold, and cruel, but also the truth. "You have less skin to temper, less muscles to temper, and again - less bones to temper. Your one leg is forced to put in much more effort, same with your two arms. The cold winds can impact closer to your vital organs from a different area than usual, and bones that are usually harder to temper will be easier for you, same with muscles. Of course - your combat power will be poor, but that doesn't matter."

Haryk's eyes flashed with rage at the start, before he calmed himself and listened to Axilya's words. Taking a heavy swig, he let out a sigh and nodded. "I see how that could help. You've been mentioning how people with your method should usually cultivate, but how should I train? It's not like I can do the things they can and exercise how they can."

There was an unnerving intensity to Axilya's eyes as she stared directly into Haryk. "Who says you have to physically train outside of the basics? The body is connected to the mind, which is connected to the spirit. Train your mind, train your soul. You can endure the harsh winds and cold temperatures, swallow snow, and even smear the snow against your leg.

But what you need to focus on is your mind and spirit. Deep meditations to comb through your emotions, your history, and the path you've taken in life. Understand, comprehend, and then, in the end, accept what has happened. Accept the past, understand the present, and strive for the future. Your body is weaker than a typical Elf's because you can not work the fields, and run through the forests like we can. But because of that, you can hone your mind. Use your gifts. Practice your woodwork and whittling. Pour your heart and soul into that. The heavens leave a path for everyone - no matter how different, strange, slow, dangerous, or cruel. There is always a chance."

The fires of determination blazed within Haryk's eyes as he chugged the entire bowl of wine. "You're right! Damnit you're right! Hah!" Slamming the bowl onto the mat he'd heave himself up, hand resting on the wall, and with a few hops would go to a shelf and begin rooting around. "You're not leaving here until you're piss drunk with me Axilya! Damn that was a good speech, no wonder you're our future Elder!"

Pale red lips twitched upward for a moment before her face turned back to ice, and Axilya nodded. "Alright, just this once we can get drunk together."

Chapter Text

-Next morning, nine days after meeting the Elder, the tenth day since awakening- 

Down on her knees Axilya slowly and carefully inspected the rice stalk in front of her, only to eventually sigh. "Dead. What about yours Eilauver?" 

Eilauver sighed. "Mine's dead as well. More and more are dying. With only a small section of the peanuts being left..." Although Eilauver trailed off, Axilya understood. 'We'll only be left with a small section of peanuts, a bit more rice, a decent amount of grapes, and all of our oranges and apples. Rice is our biggest stable on this farm with everything else supporting it. To help round out our 'diet'. Besides the fact that the rest of the village's farms are struggling just as much, which will make the entire village's diet even worse compared to if it was only one farm. Our food stores won't last more than a few weeks at this rate. I have to start trying to hunt soon but the problem i-'

"Axilya! Axilya! You have to come to the village! Hurry!" Being knocked out of her thoughts Axilya looked up towards the voice and saw a younger Elf with dirty blonde hair whipping behind her as she came rushing through the fields. "Axilya! It's! It's!" Letting out a gasp for air the young woman took in a deep breath, gasping slightly.

"Calm down Valindra. Take deep breaths and only then try to tell me what's wrong."

Valindra nodded and took deep breaths, getting her breath under control. "Axilya it's Shalendra and Tarron their baby is being born right now!" There were practically stars in Valindra's eyes. "Come on! You're needed there." 'Aah right. Part of being the 'Young Elder'.' 

"Alright, I'm coming, hold on a minute Valindra." Looking towards Eilauver she held out her shovel. "Would you take care of this for me?"

Blinking he nodded. "Sure! Be careful alright? I heard that people get a bit crazy wh-" She tuned him out with a blank look on her face. 'What the hell are the other young Elves telling him now?' Seeing the mischievous look on Valindra's face as she rapidly took in what Eilhauver was saying, Axilya barely held back a sigh.

"Alright, lead the way Valindra."

-A long walk later- 

"Have a good day Axilya! You're so lucky..." Having said that, Valindra would happily continue skipping down the dirt road, presumably back to her family's farm. 'That girl... has way too much energy.'  Her lips twitched lightly watching Valindra leave, before she shook her head and walked forward towards the purple-haired man pacing back and forth in front of the door. "Calm down Tarron." Axilya placed her hand on his shoulder, causing him to jerk.

"Huh? Oh, Axilya! Thanks for coming. It's just..." Tarron's hands clenched and unclenched, before they came together to squeeze each other, trying to ease his nervousness.

"I understand. I do - but having to replace your shoes because you wore a hole in them won't help, you know? Come on, sit down. Tell me about your past week." As she guided him to a deck swing she talked slowly and comfortingly, doing her best to soothe his nerves and help, at least momentarily, calm him down. 'Now if only I didn't sound like an icy robot with no emotions. That would be great.' 

An hour later an ear-blastingly loud, "WAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Rattled the windows, and Tarron instantly stood up. Axilya stood up herself, a small smile playing on her lips. A minute and a half after the baby screamed, the door opened up showing the Elder with an exhausted look on his face. "Tarron, aah Axilya! Come on in. Meet the babe, she's a healthy young lass."

Stepping into the house behind Tarron, Axilya would be greeted by the sight of an exhausted brown-haired woman gently cradling a red-faced baby. 'There's something wrong with me if my first thought is that's looks like just a flesh puppet...' Axilya's chest flared, ice spreading throughout her body before fading away. 'Damn... I can't even be that happy at a new babe being born.'  

The next couple of hours were spent watching a whole host of rituals and rites she had already learned, yet could not partake in as she was not the Elder, as well as sneakily checking the 'pulse' of the babe. 'I wonder what that is I sensed. She's a healthy babe no doubt, but what was that? It felt strange like a... well, I don't know how to describe it.' 

[Ding! Congratulations to the host's village for gaining a blessed child! (The child will have increased talent towards the Greater Dao of Ice and all its Lesser and related Dao!)
]

'So that's what I was feeling. I thought I felt a strange connection.' Axilya's eyes darted toward the window where she could see the snow still falling. 'So the snow is because of me, and the young one got blessed from the snow, which means we have some mystical connection.'

"Now comes the time to bless the child with her name. Parents?" As the Elder spoke up, both Tarron and Shalendra looked at each other before Tarron nodded.

"Her name will be Tsumuji."

The elder held his hands together and bowed slightly. "Then by the blessings of the Ancestral Tree, let Tsumuji, daughter of Tarron and Shalendra be born into this world, and our village!"

Unseen by the rest of those in the room, Axilya's eyes widened as a wave of immense energy seeped into the baby. 

[Ding! Baby has been blessed by the World Tree! Ability to cultivate granted. Talent Increased by ????, Cultivation Seals placed! (Baby must breakthrough to Houtian too unseal! Alternatively, the host can break through to ??? to break the seal!)
]

'The fuck?!?' 

-Late at night, middle of the forest-

Flitting through the forest jumping, leaping, and even throwing herself off branches onto the next one. Axilya worked on her footwork and movement. Although she had no manual or guide, she had a goal set in place! Be able to jump, leap, or do anything on the branches without causing a single flake of snow to fall from them!

She was naturally quite far from her goal. But it was a work in progress! But today, she was quite distracted. 'So the world tree blesses the Elves - no. Maybe it doesn't. In fact, maybe it's because she was a 'blessed child' influenced by the snow that the World Tree blessed her. Maybe, what it does is 'grant' the ability to cultivate, but imprint into each baby those seals that make it harder and harder to cultivate before Houtian. But why? Why can't Elves naturally cultivate, and if the World Tree grants us the ability to cultivate, why make it harder?' 

[DING!
Mission gained! Find out the Secrets of the World. (Breakthrough to Houtian, Breakthrough to ????. Find the World Tree.)
] 
Staring off into the distance as the mission seared itself into her mind, Axilya eventually sighed and dropped to the ground. 'So, I need to go beyond Houtian. Presumably, that would be Xiantian. But I doubt you're going to tell me unless I actually confirm it somehow. The question is though, do I need to go beyond Xiantian as well? Based on the setting that would either be Zifu Palace or Revolving Core. If it's Zifu Palace, that's not a big deal. But Revolving Core... that would be a bit harder. Although they're the same cultivation realm, their meaning in the settings of Desolate Era and Martial World are drastically different.'

Having gotten no response to her thoughts Axilya began to build her small snow mound for meditation purposes, her mind focusing on a new topic. 'Hunting. In a few weeks, we'll start to run out of food, and then we'll have to go into debt with the Town. While that's not the worst of things, I have a mission to complete - besides it's my fault the village is dealing with this. We're lucky that it hasn't gotten worse, and instead has maintained a gentle, but steady snowfall. But what if a blizzard does happen? We need food. We need to store food as well, not just maintain our current stores.' 

She'd switch to building another mound after having built up a mound of snow on one side. 'But the issue is the Village chose this location because there aren't many animals - no animals means no monsters. Which while making my hunting easier and safer... also makes it exponentially harder. The worst part would be if I didn't run into an animal, but somehow a monster. The tales say that every single monster is in the Houtian realm! That they're born in it, never having to go through Body Forging.' 

Was there a hint of jealousy in that thought? Yes, but only a smidge! 'Each of them is apocalyptically strong, and it's only because of the formations that surround towns and the permanent promise of protection that we can exist outside of cities. Even dozens of pulse condensation cultivators are said to be helpless in front of a singular monster, and legends even say it would take a hundred to kill one!'

Her heart beat faster at the prospect of such strength, of fighting such strength. But, as usual, once more a wave of cold settled it down. 'Mhm... right, what matters is that I have to hurry to find food, but at the same time have to be lucky enough to not run into a monster. While finding an animal is important to the mission, what I really need to find is some fruits, vegetables, or nuts that will survive in this weather.' 

With a shake of her head, Axilya settled down in the middle of the two snow mounds she had made. 'What will come will come. But I'm still not trained enough to try to go hunting anyway. Hopefully, I only need a few more days...' 

With that thought, she closed her eyes and began to absorb the Ki she had gathered through training, the harsh Ki in the cold, the mellow Ki of the snow, and the ever-present Ki of the world. 'One step at a time I have to refine my skin and flesh so that Ki will fill it all up, pouring into every single cell, and only then naturally seep into the Viscera. A natural breakthrough, not a forced one like many would do, trying to grow stronger faster.' 

Although, considering her speed of absorbing Ki, and how fast she refined her body, perhaps many Elven cultivators would spew thousands upon thousands of profanities at her for daring to say they were the ones rushing. 'I believe the only appropriate response to that would be - skill issue.'

Chapter Text

-Next evening, 11th day since awakening-

At the end of her lesson with Haryk, he was sporting a grin as out of nowhere he reached down and pulled out a case before offering it to her. "Guess what I finished today?" 

With widened eyes Axilya reached out, grasping the case in both hands. "Is this what I think it is?"

Haryk nodded, pride obvious on his face. "Indeed! I have to thank you for getting me some of this harder-to-get wood. Without the strength of a cultivator, I wouldn't have been able to make this. What I have left will definitely be useful in quite a few of my projects! Think of the bragging I can do when I show those merchants my new wine bowls!"

Axilya idly nodded at his comment, before opening up the box, only to stare at it in awe, a grin forming on her face. A moment later her face was once more blank, but the satisfaction in her eyes was plain to see. "Thank you Haryk. Truly. I'll see you tomorrow."

Haryk chuckled at her before beginning to pour himself a bowl of wine. "Of course. Have a good night Axilya."

"You too!" She practically raced towards her training spot in the forest with the box tucked underneath an arm. As she got there with her one free hand she began to wave away the snow clearing out a small person-sized area to place the box in. 'I'm a living snow blower, aren't I? Probably by the time I reach Houtian, and definitely at Xiantian I could just blow away all the snow in the village's farms and fields, couldn't I?' Shaking that thought out of her head, Axilya gently placed the wooden box on the ground, and carefully opened it up placing the lid to the side. 'It's truly beautiful.' 

Resting her eyes on the wooden saber the remnant Human in her was awed at the Elven craftmanship, whereas the Elf part simply felt pride. As her heart began to radiate cold sucking away her emotions, her hand reached out and grasped the wooden saber.

The cold pouring from her heart retreated, and as Axilya lifted up the saber and reverently put her second hand onto the hilt, her vision went black. Her vision shifted and changed. Once more, she was back in the void, but this time she was there in her new Elven body, and that woman wasn't there. Instead, there was just her, and an object gently floating in front of her.

A pitch-black saber radiated immeasurable might and pressure as out of nowhere it chopped downward. Again, and again. Yet she felt no pain as it cut her in half, then she was healed and got cut in half again and again and again. The cycle continued seemingly forever. But, there was no fear. No pain, no horror. Instead, the only thing she felt was awe. Awe at the beauty, awe at the perfection, awe at the might of each blow. Cut! Chop! Pierce! Each one was the simplest of blows, yet each one contained an unfathomable number of permutations and variations from each other.

After each blow, her heart attempted to radiate that ice-cold that sucked away her emotions, but the next blow would always chase it away. It was perfect, it was divine. Even without someone guiding it, the saber just acting by itself was beyond the pinnacle of what anyone could hope to achieve in a million lifetimes.

Axilya's eyes snapped open into the real world and her hands holding the wooden saber snapped down. In a singular blow, a tree was cleaved in half. There was no excitement, but only disappointment. "Too far from the saber! There were 37 errors I could spot in that one blow. Again!"

[DIN-

Axilya ignored the message and swung out her saber again, and again, and again.

[DIN-

She ignored it and continued to practice. "53 errors." Swing! "49 errors." Swing! "68 errors." She didn't realize with each blow her heart beat faster, or her voice got more and more excited. All she was focused on - all she was enthralled with, was the saber, and each blow. "97 Errors." Swing! "132 Errors." Swing! "123 Errors." Swing! "101 Errors." Swing! "152 Errors." Swing!

Over time the number of errors Axilya shouted out seemed to increase, and yet, if anyone were watching - they would realize that each blow got more precise, swifter, and deadly! 

-????-

They stared. "The first time - the first fucking time?!? She learned the visualization technique the void lord imprinted onto her the FIRST TIME she picked up a Saber." Their teeth ground together as their eyes reddened. "Bullshit! Fuck you void lord. Fuck you! 'Just one!' Just one?!? I'LL BE STUCK HERE FOREVER WITH THIS JUST ONE!" 

As they raged, the area around them began to crack and shatter. Within the shattered bits of space unspeakable horrors beyond the mind of mankind could be seen, and yet, as these unspeakable horrors began to reach their tentacles through the shattered space, a mere gentle gust of wind filled the area and fixed it, mending the cracks in space and time. The gentle wind gusted by the being, and they stopped, freezing as their face paled. "O-of course I'll abide by our deal! You know I would never go back on it!"

The only response was mischievous laughter, and as that laughter echoed out the sky in the dimension the being was in turned bright neon orange, with cute little tentacle clouds with each cloud having thousands of eyes that stared directly at the being, seemingly watching them and their every move.

-Axilya-

Wiping the sweat away from her brow, she gently placed the saber back in its box, and as that happened a wave of cold rocketed from her heart, and her emotions faded. Yet, as they faded there was still a faint smile on Axilya's lips, and her eyes weren't perfectly blank holding a subtle, yet there glee. However, Axilya herself didn't realize this as she focused on something else after closing the saber box. 'System, I had some notifications?' 

[DING!

Host has learned the Visualization Technique of the Outer Lord of the Void - Seeking the Truth: Saber
Host's soul has healed to the level of Photographic Memory - ???? Level Soul
Host's soul has healed to the level of One Mind, Two Thoughts - ???? Level Soul
]
"Oh." Her mind, funnily enough, although immensely strengthened, came to a halt at this point. "That's - I didn't expect that." Her brows furrowed as she read the message again and again. "One Mind, Two Thoughts. That's splitting the mind, right? Something that's meant to represent a Zifu Disciple-level soul. Although in Desolate Era Ji Ning could do it at four."

With that in place, her shock and surprise faded away. "I suppose if a four-year-old could reach that level with a beginner World God's visualization technique, it's not that surprising whatever level that magical girl cosplayer is on could simply heal my soul to this level. Especially when you consider that 'four' in this case, actually means closer to something like two and a half. But when did my soul reach the Zifu Disciple level? Besides... I still feel that cold. I still feel it slowly sucking away at my emotions, so then - is my soul not healed completely yet?"

With numerous thoughts and questions eating away at her, Axilya slowly cleaned her training ground of the numerous wood chips, chunks, and blown away snow, before heading back to her house wooden box gently carried under her arm. 

As she opened her door and stepped inside her house a thought struck her, 'Will I be able to visualize that saber every time I train?' With that question, she almost wanted to pull out her wooden saber again and try it, but the pain building in her head and chest dissuaded her from that notion. 'I'll try it out tomorrow!' 

Chapter Text

-Next day, 12th day-

As Axilya was working, throughout the day her eyes occasionally would rest on Eilhauver with a contemplative gleam. 'I can feel a subtle shift happening. Is his Dantian loosening slightly?' It was a curious feeling she got as he observed him, sometimes he would be just a bit stronger than was natural, his stamina was a bit higher, and numerous other small things. Now - this could be seen as just having gotten a cultivation method and slowly practicing it - but he was clearly a step ahead of his parents.

'Curious. Is he faster because he's more talented, or because he's younger?' It was an interesting question - after all Beldroth and Kaylessa were one hundred and eighty-five years old respectively, compared to Eilhauver's 25. 'If we were to stupidly divide their ages by five, Eilhauver would be 5, Beldroth would be 20, and Kaylessa would be 17. In martial world cultivation, and in general mortal cultivation for any novel - that's a huge difference! But it could also just be a gap in talent, after all, Beldroth's 'flames of life' or whatever cultivation term you want to use will still be quite bright for another 340 or so years!' 

Her contemplative thoughts turned towards the obvious next place - Haryk. 'It's hard to tell where he stands in this formula because I don't work with him for hours upon hours every day. But, he's certainly at least more motivated than Eilhauver, Beldroth, and Kaylessa - at least for now. How curious! It'll certainly be interesting to see as I teach more and more people.' 

-That night, the forest-

Taking a deep breath, her second hand slowly wrapped around the hilt of her saber, and instantly once more her vision changed. Standing in the void, with only that magnificent saber in front of her - she was again enthralled by its beauty, power, craftsmanship, and sheer skill. 

The saber once more began to chop away at her. Each of its blows landed on Axilya's body, branding her flesh and soul with its expertise. There was no pain - only joy. 'I see! I see!' A wide smile spread across her face. 'Truly unfathomable. Oh? That's how you do it! Tsk, no wonder my blows weren't so fast! Oh? Interesting, you're meant to flex just like that for that blow?' 

Question after question was answered, most of which she didn't even know she had questions for. Idea after idea popped inside of her mind, before immediately being discarded as they grew in size and scope. Each thought was swiftly being replaced by something better as if the saber was responding to her, and her ideas. Time passed, before eventually - the void faded away. The saber faded away, and she once more woke up in the forest.

Slash! Stab! Chop! Stab while stepping forward! Slash from one side! Slash to the other side! Chop to make someone get off-balanced! Chop to cut off an arm! Chop to disarm! Numerous different ideas and micro adjustments of the various most basic of moves were done as her mind churned faster and faster. "37 errors! 43 errors! 8 errors! 18 errors! 3 errors! 57 errors! 92 errors! 1 error!"

Each error was categorized, and thought about, before slowly over time being fixed blow after blow - only for it to be replaced by another or even multiple! 

However, eventually, no more slashes came, no more chops, no more stabs. Instead, a slightly dazed look appeared on Axilya's face.

[DING!
Congratulations to the host for reaching the 'Basic' level of Saber! Please reach the basic level with Footwork to complete the mission named "Practice!"
]
"Huh? Already? But it's only been two sessions of training! I don't even feel that different... it still feels like I can barely even hold this saber." Yet, the system did not respond, and all she could do was feel confused. "I guess so?" She slowly nodded. "Alright, I guess. I suppose I should practice with my fists now..." Axilya was completely befuddled as she put the saber back into its box and started to punch at the tree. "Eh? So many errors? I swear there wasn't this many last time. It must be because I focused too hard on the saber these last two days."

One blow after another reigned down on a tree, and as time passed, it came to the point that Axilya had to begin to head home...

[DING!
Congratulations to the host for reaching the 'Basic' level with Fistwork!
]
"What?"

-13th Day-

Staring with deadeyes at Eilhauver, she slowly said, as if she couldn't quite believe it, "You broke through?"

"Yup! It happened all of a sudden this morning. I was just doing some stretches, eating breakfast, and then it happened." Axilya's face spasmed for one moment before it went blank.

"I see. In that case, congratulations! You've embarked on a long road, but one that if you tread carefully, and don't lose sight of yourself, will be a glorious one. It doesn't stop us from having to work the fields though!" 'Bu- I wa- huh? I was serious when I said it was only theoretically POSSIBLE for some talented people in the capital with resources to enter Strength Training in ten days. What's happening here?' 

-Haryk's house-

Axilya was dead inside. Her eyes were dull, as she stared at the man in front of her. A few minutes passed as Haryk twitched and ever-so-slowly began to shift away from Axilya when she finally spoke. "You broke through. Not only that - you broke through in a week?" 

"Yes?" Haryk more obviously shifted away from her.

"A week. A week. You broke through in a week, and Eilhauver broke through in ten days. With no resources. No prior knowledge of cultivation. Nothing. This cultivation method isn't even specifically designed to play to either of your talents, and you broke through - in a week."

Her face spasmed. "You know what, I'm just going to start my lecture and ignore the absolute statistical anomaly that two people in a tiny village of 88 did that."

-That night in the forest- 

"At this point might as well try to hunt. Who knows, maybe a golden goose that lays the Dao will fall on my head." 

With those words, she glided into the forest saber in hand. Hours passed. She didn't even see a bird. Standing in the middle of the forest, staring at the moon, Axilya's face was perfectly blank as she began to speak, "I have a system. I have the Ice Phoenix bloodline and am in fact Half Phoenix. Why does it feel like I'm not the protagonist here? Why does it feel like I'm being set up to be the big bad evil and one of my fellow villagers will slay me when I'm not strong yet?"

[DING! 
The system can't help but feel like the host is forget-
"You be quiet. I know you're somehow at fault for this. I'm going back to training, we can try hunting tomorrow."

[DING!
The system has not yet touched the residents of this village!
]
Axilya didn't respond and instead started to trudge back to her training grounds. Yet, merely halfway through her walk to the training ground, her emotions had already faded away, leaving only cold logical thinking. 'Is the snowfall increasing the talent? Or, perhaps should I ask the question, is the cultivation method increasing talent? Is that why this technique was meant to be teachable? If that's the case then why? What's so needed that a technique that could elevate the talents of the entire world was given to me? Or perhaps a different line of thought - whether it's my mom or dad that's my Phoenix parent, they probably rested here in their last days before nirvana. So in that case - why here? Why in this tiny irrelevant kingdom? In this tiny cursed species? In this small and insignificant village?' 

Chapter Text

-Day 13-

Working in the fields while lecturing like usual, Axilya's face subtly shifted a hint of surprise shining through. 'I'm getting that same feeling I got from Eilhauver from Kaylessa and Beldroth. Are they going to break through soon too?' The thought was a bit horrifying. Was everyone in her village just as, if not more talented than all of the supreme talents in her Kingdom? Surely not! Maybe it was just that the supreme talents were all in some kind of hidden realm or sent to a far-off place, and she had never heard about them, even in fairytales and legends told by merchants.

'Oh, what am I kidding! Even the realm beyond Houtian is whispered as if a fairytale and even Houtian is whispered about as if it might not even exist, at least in these parts. The merchants would always say something like, but surely it did exist because a friend of a friend of a friend once saw one.' Shaking her head, Axilya focused back in on her work and lecture, trying her best not to wonder about the absolute head-scratcher that was the first four people she had decided to teach where apparently supreme talents, at least for her Kingdom. 'You know what, let's just assume it's the cultivation technique!' 

With that, she went about her day, finishing off work, lecturing Haryk, and finally getting to her training grounds. 'Alright. Thirty minutes of footwork. Thirty minutes of training my punching, and then try to do only thirty minutes of saber practice. It'll leave two hours for me to try to hunt again.' 

As usual, her footwork practice was all about jumping through the branches and doing various increasingly stupid acrobatic stunts, all while trying not to disturb even a single snowflake. It was perhaps not the best method, but Axilya was trying! 'I really wish I had a manual for this, it's the one thing I don't really have a frame of reference for.' 

Snowflakes fell from the branches and leaves with every step she took, yet still! She tried, and tried, and tried. Just like she groped around trying to spot the errors when she practiced her punches. 'If only everything was as easy as practicing with the Saber...' 

Time passed, and eventually, Axilya's training for the day was finished. "My saber and thus my hand-to-hand combat skills are rapidly increasing. But my footwork. How long will it be until it reaches the basic level?" The words echoed slightly in the empty forest as she walked deeper into it. "Now, let's see if we can find a beast today. Who knows! Maybe I'll be lucky."

A few hours later, Axilya was trudging back to her house soaking wet, and a blank look on her face. 'I didn't find any animals, but I certainly found a lake that only *barely* froze over. Again, why does it feel like I'm not the protagonist? At this point, I feel like I should just point a random villager in a direction and see if they find an entire ranch full of cattle.' 

-Day 14-

Working the fields once more, Axilya all of a sudden froze, staring at Kaylessa and Beldroth. The two of them had all of a sudden closed their eyes, and began to breathe deeply, a small amount of snow melting around them. 'I don't even know anymore. What is this, 12 days this time? 7, 10, and 12! Not only that, but technically speaking Eilhauver only came in halfway through my lecture, so everyone I'm teaching is actually getting faster, technically. I shouldn't be complaining, but it's just mind-boggling!' 

Her eyes tracked their breaths, and her senses tingled very slightly from the Ki flowing through the air to them. As her instinctive thoughts of awe and shock faded, a small happy smile eventually made its way across Axilya's face. 'They broke through! There was no problem as well. Great! I'm still confused though. Why exactly is everyone so talented?' "Congratulations you two! You've made your first step onto a long journey." 

As the two's eyes opened, the married couple would smile at each other. They shared a few whispered congratulations with each other before turning and thanking her. 'Cute, they knew they were breaking through together. Aah, Elven society is quite behind the doors for couples, yet not friends and family. Truly interesting. In my human society, I'd suspect at least a hug or a kiss. Truly curious!' Shaking her head to get away from those absurd thoughts, the smile maintained on Axilya's face. "Now what you two have to do... is relax for the rest of the day! Eilhauver and I have the fields. You should get used to your breakthrough and have some fun! It's not every day you step onto the long journey of cultivation."

The day passed, and the cycle continued. Axilya lectured, trained, and failed to hunt. Yet, as the cycle continued, the looming threat of a lack of food slowly began to creep up. How many more weeks could they continue without support? How long could they continue? Even if this snow eventually faded, where would they be with all these dead crops? It was a question and sentiment that was slowly spreading throughout the village...

-18th day-

Her feet touched the branch, and as they did so only a few snowflakes fell off. With each step or leap, the difference between just a few days ago was noticeable. Axilya leapt off the branch backflipping through the air, only to perfectly and silently land on another! As she landed only two snowflakes gently drifted off before touching the ground. 'Perfect! I'm getting better, and better! I wonder how far away from the Basic level I a-' 

[DING! 
Congratulations to the host for reaching the 'Basic' level of Footwork!
Congratulations to the host, you have completed the mission named "Practice"! Your reward is the ability to save your village!
DING!
Emergency Mission: "Murderous Bandits" has been activated. (Save your village, let no more than 8 villagers die, kill the Bandit Leader, do not die. Timer: 5 days until activation.)
]
For a brief moment, a mixture of fear and rage overtook Axilya's mind, before it was washed away with ice-cold determination. Why would bandits attack her village? Didn't matter! Perhaps they were starving. Perhaps they thought robbing them when they couldn't flee because of the snow and ice was a good choice. Perhaps they were doing it just for fun!

It didn't matter. Leaping off the branches and landing in front of her saber box, she flipped open the lid and gripped the wooden blade. 'This village is my responsibility! Their troubles are my fault! Perhaps in your next life, you'll be able to go onto the righteous path, but in this life... Your only fate is to die!'

It was with this thought that Axilya dashed deeper into the forest, unblooded Saber in hand. On this night she WOULD catch an animal! Her saber and she would finally see blood on this night, no matter how deep into the forest Axilya had to go! 'Have to be stronger. Faster. Better. In the face of blood, I can't flinch! Not if bandits are coming, who knows how high their cultivation is, or how many of them there are!' 

Chapter Text

Axilya stalked through the forest doing her best to be quieter than a church mouse. Although she occasionally cracked branches or stepped on leaves, she did her best, and it was a vast improvement compared to her first day of hunting! However, it wasn't experience that made such a vast difference - instead, it was the fundamental difference between before and now.

The first thing was that she had reached the basic level of Footwork. On a fundamental level, she instinctively had better control of her body. But - there was another part. Determination. It was no longer a case of having to go into debt or feeling like it was her fault. This was a test of her determination and will. It was the only chance Axilya had to bloody herself and her saber before the inevitable battle against a group of bandits!

It could very well be life and death. As such, it was only now that she was truly focused and willing to go deeper and deeper into the forest's depths than she ever dared before. Every moment was now one in which she could run into a dangerous creature at the Houtian level, and as such every extra noise could very well end her life. For Axilya, even before she had begun her hunt, it was a matter of life and death! Her breaths were strong, slow, and quiet as she smoothly glided along the snow. Her eyes darted about to and fro - and yet, the consistent snow made it difficult to find any of the tracks - if there were any in the first place.

However, luck shined upon Axilya, and she finally found them! Hoof prints barely visible were embedded into the snow. Immediately she began to follow them, mind sharpening even further, any feasible thought suddenly being shoved out of her mind as only one thing mattered - the target. Following the trail was difficult. Whatever animal it was seemingly liked to meander, and sometimes walked over itself. On top of the snow constantly falling, numerous times she nearly lost the tracks.

Yet, eventually, Axilya halted. Her eyes trained on an animal that came up to her chest in height, gently meandering around. The beast had dark brown fur that was quite obviously slowly beginning to turn white. It had small horns that curled back over its ears, of which the ears were sharp, pointy, and seemingly slightly barbed. Its eyes were a deep vibrant green, and as it bent down to take a bit of snow Axilya's eyes narrowed, and her breath slowed. A hand ever so slowly gripped onto the wooden saber. A beat passed.

SCHLING! 

Axilya's eyes closed, and whispered prayers could be heard as she wished for the soul of the departed animal to be granted life anew in the World Tree's embrace. A minute later blue eyes snapped open and Axilya leaned over and grabbed hold of the animal. With a heave, she lifted it up and hung it around her shoulders. "Alright there, let's get you back to the village." Her eyes were placid, not showing any of her possible emotions or thoughts about killing for the first time. 'Is it... bad I feel nothing? Is it because it's just an animal?' It was only as a few minutes of walking passed that she finally thought about the question that was haunting her. Indeed! She felt nothing. No sorrow, no dread, no fear. No ponderings on the morality of meat eating, there wasn't even a hint of pride. It was as if she had just gone about her day, just an ordinary aspect of life that wasn't worth looking at.

'Is that good or bad? I don't know. Some would say in a cultivation world it's good. But, is that the truth? What happens if the ones I care for die? What happens when I kill a living breathing person?' These thoughts and more spread throughout Axilya's mind as she made the long slow trudge back to the village.

-Edge of the forest- 

The beast gently laid out on the ground, Axilya carefully sliced through its stomach with her wooden saber, the blade was unnaturally sharp as she pumped her Ki through it, and with a single slice the entire belly and chest were cut open, and with some slight coaxing organs and other unmentionables began to be removed. Yet, as she went about to continue the butchering process her brows furrowed. 'What's this?' something glinted off of the slowly rising sun, and she leaned over to stare at it, she was only more confused. 'It's some kind of... shard?' 

[DING!
Congratulations to the host, you have completed the mission named "Meat"! Your reward is a broken National Armament. Bind?
]
Staring at the bloody and rusty metal shard now in her hand, Axilya would blink rapidly at it, completely befuddled. 'A National Armament? That could mean a lot of things! It could be a fallen nation's crystalized collective faith, it could be a weapon meant to store the fate of a nation, or it could be a 'destiny suppressing' artifact... It's hard to say. But either way, yes! Bind the National Armament!'

[DING!
National Armament being bound, congratulations host! Remember to set up your natio- ERROR. Host does not have a nation. Remember host, make a nation as soon as possible!
]

As the message rang out, a royal purple light seeped from the shard and it floated out of her hand and began to rapidly rotate before whoosh! It flew straight into her wooden saber. Instantly, her saber began to swiftly change. The wooden blade began to turn into a dark metal with a purple sheen, and yet the handle remained the same. The blade grew a single inch, and the sharp edge got more pronounced from the curve at the back of the saber slightly enlarging. A moment passed before all the flaring lights and changes settled down, and she was left with a now metal blade that glinted purple in the light. '... How am I supposed to explain this to Haryk?' 

[DING! 
Congratulations host on gaining Broken National Armament - Saber. It is suggested that the host does the following.
1. Infuse all Daos learned into the National Armament
2. Seep the Faith of the people in the National Armament
3. Create a Totem for the National Armament.
4. Grow so that the host is actually able to do any of the following three. The system is very disappointed host! The host should be at least a World God by no- *̴̙̀E̸̤͋̄R̵̢̀R̸̗̙͘Ȯ̷̘̳͆R̸̥̯̕*̸͎͓̿̈́
I̵̱̲̬̣͕̤͖̻̼̹͎͇͔͉̫͐͌͛͌̀̈́͋́̂̉͐̈́̐̚͝͝ͅg̸̡̡͇͉̬̥̝̦̟͎̦̦̜̱̻͙͛͊̍̉̋ņ̵̨͕̖̗͕̭͓͙͙̫̱̯̜̦͉́͛͂̊͛͘͜͝o̸͇̣̗̺̠̬̅͒͊̂͑͋̒͗̀̓̍͘r̴̢̭̭̻̞̻͖̩̫̲̻̥̤͕̉ẽ̸̢̞̼̮̥͚̩̭̾͗͒͝ ̶̘̱͇̥͔̒̽̓͒͐͑͌͊̂̀̕t̶̝͉͙̖͕͚̞̲̱͑̇̌̏h̸̢̢̹̬͇͈̝͔̞̘̟̼̗̰̿̈́͗͊̓̓̕a̸̛̞͚̞̓̆̏́͂̋́͛̈́͘t̴̛̮̀ ̶͍͚̲̼̻̗̖̀̽̀͂ͅC̶̢̢̖̻͇̹̭̯̩̯̥̰̗̖̈́̍̋̆̊́͆̃̕͝h̷̜̪̙͍͔̟̤̳͙̯̟̠͛̀͐o̶͓̮̞͇͙͎̐͋̓͘ͅṡ̸̤͗́ę̶̡̢̙̘͕̜̗̾̆͂̃̓̒͒̄̒̂n̸̨̛̘̣̱͙͓̝͚̖͍͇̜̱̹̻̤̉.̴̤̰̜̖̬͉̖͔͕̝̥͍̰̖̄̃̃͐͐̓̏́̈̅̎́̑͝͝
]
Reality itself seemed to break for a moment as the presence of something other corrupted not only the system message at the end but reality itself. Strange mind-shattering script appeared in her eyesight across the trees, on the grass, in the moon, and the cloud. For a brief moment the feeling of runrunrunrun caused Axilya's body to lock up, the gaze of a predator so far beyond her in the foodchain the only thing her body could do was simply freeze - before the moment passed. Reality turned bac to normal, and she found her body shaking with sweat seeping from seemingly every single inch of her skin as her teeth chattered and her body shook.

"What... The... Fuck." The words were panted out in between rapid and shallow breaths as Axilya stood there shaking, covered in sweat, and pupils massively dilated. 'What just happened?' 

Chapter Text

-Small Chapter, Start!- 

Looking at the rising sun, and the largest pot she had, Axilya frowned. "I'm gonna need a bigger pot, or..." Her eyes glinted. She WAS superhuman after all. With superhuman speed. With her speed and basic-level skills giving her nearly superhuman control of her body, surely she could handle multiple fires at once?!?

It was time to make some stew! After all, just eating the animal she had hunted as it was would be too wasteful. An animal this size weighed about 500 Jin! 'Darn cultivation worlds really rock for meat once you can actually get a hold of it! Although these 'horns' of it are quite hefty. In hindsight, this animal is actually far thicker and wider than I originally thought. I'm glad I sliced it as hard as I did. Actually, it looks kind of comical how wide it is.' With that thought she set about setting up the multiple pots. 'Let's see, 500 Jin - originally I thought I'd only get 200 Jin of meat if lucky, but I could probably get 250 or 275 with how wide this thing is! In a stew, this thing could feed the village for a good amount of time! Especially when we can use the bones and cut-offs for bone broth, not to mention being able to trade what I didn't fuck up of the fur. Maybe we could use the tendons for bows for our future cultivators?' 

There was relief in Axilya's eyes as she started to begin to cut up the animal. 'Mhm... I probably should make sure I don't fuck up the stew-making part when I get there.' Looking at the rising sun again, about ten minutes after she started getting the meat off the carcass Axilya shouted out, "Eilhauver! Get out here!"

A minute passed before Eilhauver came stumbling out of his house, "What's so urgent Axil- oh shit!"

Axilya nodded. "I know. Now, why don't you get Grandma Ithronel. I want to make sure I don't mess up this stew! This could feed the village for days after all."

A look of relief appeared in Eilhauver's eyes at that last part and he hurriedly nodded. "Alright, I'll head on over now!" 

As Eilhauver went off to get Grandma Ithronel, Axilya hurriedly set up multiple fires, doing her best to coax the 'wet Ki' out of the wood to absorb into her body. 'Not really how the cultivation method works, but got to do my best here!' As the wood was dried and fires slowly started to blaze, she made quick work of shoveling some snow into the pots so they would begin to melt. 'No need to optimize taste by searing the meats or anything. Besides, who knows how Maillard reaction works in a cultivation world? Certainly not me.' Today wasn't the day of experimenting, it was the day of making as much stew as physically possible for her village that was as hearty as possible.

As her preparations finished, Eilhauver came back with Grandma Ithronel, just as aged as Elder Elroun - meaning she barely looked middle-aged, and her vibrant orange hair had only recently begun to dull into darker shades, as was common among those close to reaching the 300-year mark.

"Grandma Ithronel! Thanks for coming." As Eilhauver ran off to the fields after escorting Grandma Ithronel, the two of them set about making preparations - because apparently, she had forgotten some steps! 'I'm sorry Grandma! I don't cook! I just eat things raw. How was I supposed to remember stews had veggies as well?!?' For the first time in nearly two weeks, Axilya didn't spend the day lecturing, working the fields, and cultivating - but instead worked to feed her village directly!

It was a good day.