The cold winds of Frost Land howled across the white mountains, carrying the echo of horns that announced the second day of the great tournament. Snowflakes scattered like sparks in the air, dancing around the sleeping Tang Xan, who was deep in cultivation dreams. His breathing was calm, his aura faintly glowing beneath his skin, a soft light pulsing with hidden power.
Inside his soul dimension, Leo — the ancient lion spirit — paced back and forth impatiently."Wake up, Tang Xan! The bell has already rung!" Leo roared.
Tang Xan stirred, confused. "Ah—what time is it?"Leo grinned slyly. "Time to move, boy! You'll be late again!"
Without questioning, Tang Xan jumped from his bed, washed his face in freezing water, and rushed to put on his combat robes. The white frost brushed against his sleeves as he sprinted through the narrow streets toward the tournament grounds.
But as he arrived, something felt strange. The bell had not yet rung. Leo chuckled inside his mind."I may have... acted early," Leo admitted, his voice filled with humor.Tang Xan stopped, panting. "You tricked me again! Why?""Because last time, you came at number five hundred sixty-eight," Leo said with a proud smirk. "Now, you're number ninety-five. Early birds fly higher, boy."Tang Xan sighed but smiled faintly. "Fine, old lion. You win."
He stepped into the massive arena where hundreds of cultivators had gathered — warriors, mages, and beast tamers from every region. The frosty ground beneath shimmered with icy blue runes. The energy of Frost Land was alive, whispering danger and destiny.
The crowd buzzed with excitement. Snowy winds whipped across the colossal gates as the banners of the Frost Kingdom flapped in the air. Just as Tang Xan took a deep breath, ready for another long day of testing, a sudden tremor rippled through the ground.
A low growl echoed. Then another.
Leo's eyes widened inside Tang Xan's consciousness."Something's coming…"
From the horizon, a chilling mist rolled in — but it wasn't fog. It was frost energy, thick, malicious, and filled with killing intent. Out of the mist came monstrous shapes — fangs, claws, wings of ice. A beast army, hundreds strong, descending upon Frost Land.
"Beasts! Frost creatures!" shouted one of the guards. "Defensive formation! Protect the civilians!"
The entire tournament grounds erupted into chaos. Warriors unsheathed their swords, spellcasters ignited their runes, and archers took aim from the walls. Tang Xan's heart pounded. He could feel the power radiating from the leader of the horde — a massive white-furred beast with crystal horns and eyes burning like blue fire.
"That's no ordinary beast," Leo said grimly. "That's a Frost Emperor-class creature… how did it cross the barrier?"
Tang Xan clenched his fists. "Then let's fight."
He dashed into the battlefield, wind swirling around him. His aura burst out in a white flash as he cut through minor beasts with his claws, each movement swift and fluid. Around him, screams and roars mixed with the sound of steel on bone.
But then — a cry.
"Tang Xan! Help!"
Tang Xan turned. His heart froze. Not far away, little Luo Wang, the 12-year-old boy he had met during registration, was surrounded by beasts. A giant owl-beast hovered above him, its wings spreading frost across the ground. Luo tried to fight, but the creature slammed its talons into him, sending him crashing against the wall. Blood splattered in the snow.
"Luo Wang!" Tang Xan shouted, sprinting toward him.
He leapt high, landing between Luo and the beast. "Stay back, kid!" he yelled, his eyes blazing.
The owl roared, frost gathering in its beak. Tang Xan dodged one icy blast, but the leader of the beast army suddenly appeared — the Frost Emperor himself — massive and terrifying. The air grew heavy as his claws dripped with energy that could freeze even souls.
The beast leader's voice thundered through the air. "You… are the vessel of the lion spirit."
Leo growled inside Tang Xan. "He can sense me."
The beast lunged. Tang Xan blocked with his claws, sparks of frost and light scattering, but the sheer power of the Emperor slammed him back. The ground beneath cracked open. Blood dripped from Tang Xan's lip.
"You're not strong enough yet," Leo warned.
"I don't care!" Tang Xan roared, standing again. "I won't let anyone die here!"
He charged again, trading blow after blow with the Emperor. Every strike sent shockwaves through the battlefield. Snow turned to mist, the air trembling. Tang Xan unleashed wind and light, but the beast was relentless.
The Emperor's claw slashed across Tang Xan's chest — deep and brutal. He fell to one knee, gasping.
"Tang Xan, stop!" Leo shouted. "You're pushing too far!"
But Tang Xan's eyes… had changed.
Suddenly, a strange surge began inside him. His veins glowed white, and his aura began to spiral out of control. Leo's eyes widened in shock."This… this isn't my power—what's happening to you?"
Tang Xan clenched his fists as energy exploded around him, a storm of light and wind that tore apart the ice beneath his feet. His hair rose in the wild wind, his eyes pure golden.
The Emperor roared and charged again — but this time, Tang Xan vanished.
He reappeared instantly, in front of the beast's massive face. His voice echoed, low and powerful."You touched my friend…"
A single punch.The impact shook the sky. The Emperor staggered, its jaw cracked, blood spraying across the snow.
"Tang Xan… your aura is overflowing!" Leo cried inside him.
But Tang Xan didn't stop. He raised his right hand — and the heavens trembled. Light gathered around his arm, forming massive glowing rings, each pulsing with celestial energy.
"This power…" Leo whispered, realizing in horror. "It's not mine. It's—divine."
Tang Xan's voice deepened. "GOD STRIKE ATTACK!"
The world itself froze for a moment — then erupted.
A beam of pure, blinding energy shot from Tang Xan's fist into the sky, then crashed down like the wrath of the heavens. Every beast on the battlefield screamed as the light consumed them. Mountains cracked, rivers boiled, and the Frost Land shook as if struck by gods.
The light spread wider and wider — too wide.
"Xan, stop! You'll destroy everything!" Leo shouted, trying to regain control of his host's body. But Tang Xan couldn't hear. His power had gone beyond mortal limits — his body was breaking apart, yet he kept fighting, his soul radiating unstoppable rage.
The enormous blast swallowed everything in its path. The ground split open, revealing glowing magma beneath the frozen earth. Entire armies of frost beasts turned to dust. Even the Emperor — the mighty Frost creature — roared once before disintegrating into light.
And then… silence.
Only a crater remained — an enormous, endless hole where Frost City had stood moments ago.
Tang Xan fell to his knees, barely conscious. The light faded from his eyes. His breathing was heavy, his heart unsteady. Inside his soul space, Leo's aura flickered weakly."You… you used god energy. Impossible… how can a mortal—"
Tang Xan could barely speak. "I… didn't mean to… I couldn't stop it…"
The snow began to fall again, softly covering the ruins.
People from far away cities would later call it the Frost Catastrophe — the day a single cultivator's awakening wiped out an entire land.
And as Tang Xan's body fell, his consciousness drifted away into darkness.
Far above, the clouds twisted open, and a deep, divine voice echoed faintly through the air:
"The balance has been broken… The light has awakened."
The world had changed forever.
End Of Chapter 13