Chapter 12: Ice Beneath the Blood - LOST CULTIVATION METHODS

[Name: Jin

Title: None

Level: 7

EXP: 50 / 800

Magic Power: 212.5 (Base: 150 +15%)

Magic Power Level: 2 (Next Threshold: 250)

Stamina: 20

Strength: 16 (+2)

Vitality: 6

Agility: 7 (+2)

Speed: 7 (+3)

Dexterity: 5

Available Attribute Points: 0

Bloodline:

• Ancient Azure Dragon (Not Activated)

• Blood Demon Bloodline (3% Awakened)

↳ Boosts qi aggression, berserk strength, and blood affinity

Cultivation Stage: Body Refinement Stage 3

• Progress to Stage 4: 1 / 15 Spirit Beast Cores

• Combat Power Equivalent: Body Refinement Stage 8

Cultivation Manuals:

• Paragon Heaven Manual – Wind Attribute Progress: 9%

• Nine Heavens Storm Scripture (Sealed – Lost Heavenly Art)

Techniques:

• Tyrant Body – Bronze Form (26% Mastery)

• Wind Surge – Compressed wind burst for high-speed movement

• Lotus Pulse (Passive) – Heals minor wounds over time, resists backlash, improves qi flow

Bloodline Skills:

• Fury – Temporarily doubles cultivation level (Cooldown: 24 hours)

System Features:

• Daily Quests

• Inventory

• Equipment Tab

• Bonded Companions (Unlocked)

Bonded Companions:

• Arielle – Dual-Yin Ice Lotus Constitution

↳ Affection Level: 40%

↳ Effects: Suppresses Blood Demon backlash, improves qi merging

↳ Status: Spiritual trust formed

Inventory:

• Spirit Beast Cores ×5 (Level 2)

• Assassin's Storage Ring (Contains unknown items)

• Hidden Dagger (Spirit Grade)

• Silver Cloak – Level 1 (30-minute invisibility | Essence repayment pending)

• Nine Heavens Storm Scripture – Sealed

• Wind Element Fragment ×6

The morning sun poured gently through the windows of Arielle's estate. Jin stood in the hallway, facing his mother.

Her arms were folded, her gaze sharp. There were no words only expectation.

"You disappeared. You left me alone in a stranger's home. And you came back at midnight, barely walking," Lana said, voice taut.

Jin didn't flinch. He bowed slightly.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I didn't want to involve you in what happened… but I survived. I always will."

"That's not what I asked." Her voice softened, just a touch. "I'm your mother. You don't need to protect me from the truth."

A long silence passed.

Then they both sighed—almost at the same time. Something unspoken passed between them.

They descended to the kitchen together.

That Morning – Breakfast and Bittersweet Calm

Arielle had made something warm—sweet broth, fresh bread, lotus soup—and despite the awkward energy, there was peace in the simple moment.

Her smile was small but sincere.

"My parents left early for the capital. I thought we'd all eat together."

Jin nodded, finishing his soup quickly. His eyes remained distant, already calculating his next move.

He stood.

"I need to go. One last round of training before we leave the kingdom."

Lana started to speak, but he gave her a small smile.

"I'll be careful."

Later – Mountain Path, Near the Wolf Cavern

The trail winded upward, familiar and quiet. Jin passed the now-empty wolf den where he'd first battled after awakening his system. Memories pressed into him like the weight of wind against skin.

He exhaled and pressed forward.

The inner cave was darker, colder. His system detected stronger beasts—but nothing that could pose a real threat. He battled them all. A small pack of spirit wolves challenged him. They were agile, but his strength had advanced far beyond them.

[EXP Gained: +100]

[New Title Acquired: Wolf King – Low Grade]

Effect: Deterrence to lower wolf-type beasts.

They were barely a warm-up.

The Heart of the Cave – The Yin Pool

Eventually, he found it: a vast clearing, strangely luminous.

At the center was a pool of glowing water, cold as moonlight, releasing pure Yin energy in elegant spirals. The air shimmered with frost, and even the rocks were dusted in ice crystals.

But Jin didn't shiver.

Instead, something inside him stirred.

"…This place…" he whispered.

The Ice Lotus Constitution resonated.

He sat by the edge, cross-legged, drawing in the icy qi. The Lotus Pulse technique flowed effortlessly now, calming his meridians, aligning his breath with the frigid currents.

[Yin Absorption Efficiency Boosted: +40%]

And then… something called to him from beneath the pool. Without hesitation, he dove in. The deeper he swam, the colder it became. But not painfully so. In fact, it was as though the ice accepted him.

Then—he saw it.

A colossal skeleton, curled like a slumbering god.

Its horns curved like ivory blades. Its spine coiled into the bedrock. And its heart cavity shimmered with untouched ice mana.

A dead Ice Dragon.

All around it, animals frozen in perfect form: deer, birds, even a snake mid-strike. Victims of the cold… yet Jin was untouched.

Then it struck.

His bloodline ignited.

[System Alert: Ancient Azure Dragon Bloodline Reacting to Ice Dragon Essence]

His veins surged. His back arched. Power, raw and frigid, raced through him.

[Bloodline Awakening – Ancient Azure Dragon: 0% → 35%]

The cave shook as his body absorbed the lingering essence, merging dragon and man.

The pool boiled with wind and frost.

Breakthrough – The Blood Refining Realm

Then came the final burst of energy.

Mana flooded his meridians. His dantian cracked—and rebuilt itself anew.

[Cultivation Breakthrough Achieved – Entering Blood Refining Realm]

Blood Refining Realm – Levels:

Crimson Flow – Initial fusion of blood and qi.

Vein Tempering – Hardening of blood vessels and energy flow.

Pulse Rebirth – Qi synchronization with heartbeat.

Blood Qi Manifestation – Formation of visible blood energy.

Scarlet Surge – Full control and redirection of blood qi outside the body.

Jin reached Level 2: Vein Tempering instantly.

The transformation ended as he floated upward, calm and renewed.

Return to Moon Lotus City – Sunset Turns to Rage

The sun was a golden crescent over the rooftops as Jin approached Arielle's estate again.

But the peace… was gone.

The gates were broken.

Furniture scattered across the courtyard.

And blood. Too much blood.

Arielle, wounded.

Lana, bleeding and shielding her.

Several armed men stood nearby, sneering—nobles, Jin realized.

Young Lord Han was among them.

He stepped through the broken gate, still glowing faintly from his breakthrough.

His breath was calm. But his eyes were burning.

"Big mistake," Jin said.

The air went still.

[Name: Jin]

Title: None

Level: 10

EXP: 300 / 1500

Magic Power: 512.5 (Base: 450 +15%)

Magic Power Level: 2 (Next Threshold: 750)

Stamina: 24

Strength: 28 (+2)

Vitality: 22

Agility: 21 (+2)

Speed: 21 (+3)

Dexterity: 10

Available Attribute Points: 0

Bloodline:

• Ancient Azure Dragon – 35% Awakened

↳ Ice Element Affinity Unlocked

• Blood Demon – 3% Awakened

Cultivation Stage: Blood Refining Realm – Level 2: Vein Tempering

• Combat Power Equivalent: Spirit Refinement Stage 1

• Progress to Level 3: 0 / ??? Yin-Essence or Breakthrough Conditions

Cultivation Manuals:

• Paragon Heaven Manual – Wind Progress: 9%

• Nine Heavens Storm Scripture (Sealed – Wind/Lightning)

• Frost Requiem of the Ice Dragon Clan (New – Partially Sealed)

↳ A divine dragon art combining ice and breath cultivation. Usable by dragon-blooded only.

Techniques:

• Tyrant Body – Bronze Form (26% Mastery)

• Wind Surge – Compressed wind burst for high-speed movement

• Lotus Pulse (Passive) – Yin-based healing + qi flow stability

Bloodline Skills:

• Fury – Doubles cultivation level for a short time (Cooldown: 24 hours)

System Features:

• Daily Quests

• Inventory

• Equipment Tab

• Bonded Companions

• Titles

Titles:

• Wolf King (Low Grade) – Passive intimidation to wolf-type beasts

• Slayer of Shadowblade – Status among assassins + fear aura vs weaker