ATG : NCF Chapter 10 : Frozen Cloud Asgard (Patreon)

The carriage rocked gently as we traversed the winding mountain path leading northward. Outside, the landscape had transformed—lush forests giving way to rocky terrain dusted with the first hints of snow. The temperature dropped noticeably with each passing hour.

I suppressed a sigh, glancing at the position of the sun. This would normally be my morning meditation time. The disruption to my structured routine was irritating, but necessary. Soul power cultivation could wait; securing protection for our business empire could not.

"Young Master, would you like to stop for a brief rest?" Bai Ning Ning called from her position at the front of the carriage. She handled the reins with ease, guiding the two bulls steadily along the ascending path.

"No need," I replied. "Let's maintain our pace."

The scenery captivated me despite my preoccupation with our mission. Towering mountains pierced clouds that seemed close enough to touch. Crystalline waterfalls cascaded down sheer cliff faces, catching sunlight and creating rainbows that arched over ancient pine forests. The pristine beauty stretched endlessly in every direction.

Could any place on Earth compare to this? The Swiss Alps? The Himalayas?

Perhaps, but they lacked the profound energy that permeated this world, creating phenomena that defied conventional physics. Trees that grew impossibly tall, animals with quasi-magical abilities, and weather patterns influenced by natural energy currents.

The journey had begun three days ago with an unexpectedly emotional farewell. Convincing my mother to allow this trip had been an exercise in patience and strategic reassurance.

"Absolutely not!" she had declared when I first mentioned traveling to nearby cities. "You're barely eleven! What business could you possibly have that requires personal attention?"

"Medical research, Mother," I had replied calmly. "There are herb varieties in the northern regions that I've only read about."

Her eyes had narrowed suspiciously. "Then send someone to collect samples. There's no need for you to travel personally."

"Some properties can only be properly assessed in their natural environment," I countered. "Besides, Bai Ning Ning will accompany me for protection."

The mention of my former guard had softened her resistance somewhat. Despite Bai Ning Ning's official departure from our household years ago, she maintained a cordial relationship with my mother, occasionally sending specially prepared Golden Pavilion dishes that had become my mother's favorites.

"Bai Ning Ning?" Mother had repeated, her tone shifting from refusal to consideration. "She has other responsibilities now. Why would she agree?"

"I've already spoken with her. She's willing to escort me personally."

This wasn't entirely a lie. Bai Ning Ning and I had indeed discussed potential scenarios requiring travel, including this one, though the timing had been accelerated by recent events.

It had taken two more days of gentle persuasion, culminating in a tearful interrogation of Bai Ning Ning herself.

"You'll guard him with your life?" Mother had demanded, clutching Bai Ning Ning's hands with desperate intensity. "You won't let him out of your sight for even a moment?"

"I swear it, Lady Lin," Bai Ning Ning had replied with perfect sincerity. "Young Master Lin will be under my constant protection."

Only then had my mother reluctantly consented, embracing me with such force that breathing became difficult. Her eyes had welled with tears as we departed, and she stood watching until our carriage disappeared from view.

The memory brought an unexpected smile to my face. For all her dramatic tendencies and status-consciousness, my mother's affection was genuine. In this cold, power-driven world, such unguarded emotion was surprisingly precious.

"We should reach the base of Frozen Cloud Mountain by nightfall," Bai Ning Ning reported, interrupting my reflections. "From there, it's approximately a half-day's climb tomorrow."

I nodded, then closed my eyes to resume my soul power cultivation. The swaying carriage made focus more challenging, but adaptability was essential for a cultivator. If I couldn't maintain concentration under these mild conditions, how would I fare in truly adverse circumstances?

The remaining hours of daylight passed in meditative focus, the occasional jolt of the carriage serving as an exercise in concentration recovery. By sunset, the temperature had plummeted further, and the ground was covered in a continuous blanket of snow.

We spent the night at a small inn at the mountain's base—the last outpost of civilization before the isolated domain of Frozen Cloud Asgard. The innkeeper raised his eyebrows at our stated destination but offered no comment beyond advice about the path ahead.

The next morning, we abandoned the carriage and bulls, continuing on foot. The climb was arduous, the air growing thinner as we ascended. Snow crunched beneath our boots, and our breath formed thick clouds in the frigid air.

Bai Ning Ning showed no sign of fatigue despite carrying our substantial packs. Years of rigorous physical training had granted her remarkable endurance, though she lacked profound cultivation. I found the journey more challenging, but refused to slow our pace or complain.

By midday, we had covered approximately ten kilometers of steep terrain. The path narrowed, skirting precarious drops and crossing ice-covered stone bridges. Finally, rounding a particularly treacherous bend, we caught our first glimpse of Frozen Cloud Asgard's entrance—an enormous gate fashioned from pale blue ice that somehow never melted, flanked by towering statues of robed women with expressions of serene detachment.

We both exhaled in relief at the sight, our destination finally within reach.

The relief was short-lived. Between one heartbeat and the next, a woman appeared before us.

I barely suppressed a startled gasp at the display of speed. One moment, the path had been empty; the next, a slender figure in flowing white robes stood blocking our way. 

Her face was youthful, perhaps in her early twenties, with delicate features and skin pale as the surrounding snow. Most striking were her eyes—a crystalline blue that seemed to contain actual snowflakes swirling in their depths.

"What are you two mortals doing here?" she demanded, her voice as cold as the mountain air. Her gaze swept over us dismissively before settling on me, her expression softening marginally upon noting my age.

Bai Ning Ning stepped forward smoothly and cupped her hands, "Greetings, honored cultivator. We've come to commission the Frozen Cloud Asgard for a service."

The woman's perfect brows drew together in a slight frown. "I know our sect accepts commissions, but you do realize they're not something mortals can typically afford, correct?"

"We are well aware of the standard rates," Bai Ning Ning replied with poised confidence, giving no indication that we represented one of the wealthiest business enterprises on the continent.

The woman studied us for a long moment, her gaze lingering on my face as if searching for something. 

Finally, she gave a curt nod.

"Very well. You may proceed to the reception area. The disciple stationed there will explain the process and requirements." Without another word, she vanished—not walking away, but simply disappearing, leaving only a few swirling snowflakes in her wake.

Bai Ning Ning and I exchanged glances.

That brief encounter had confirmed what we already knew: Frozen Cloud Asgard's members possessed cultivation levels far beyond the average practitioner in the Blue Wind Empire.

Her casual display of movement technique would be considered extraordinary even among senior disciples of most sects.

We continued toward the massive ice gates. As we approached, they swung open silently despite their apparent weight, revealing a pathway lined with ice sculptures of breathtaking detail.

Two junior female disciples in pale blue robes stood at attention inside. They nodded slightly as we entered, offering no greeting but gesturing for us to follow.

I took a deep breath of the icy mountain air.

Securing Frozen Cloud Asgard's protection would be costly, but nothing I can't afford.

The game of power in this world required more than wealth. It required connections, influence, and ultimately, strength.

Today, we will secure the first piece of that puzzle.