CHAPTER 230: THE MOUNTAIN 2

Mireille, standing beside Lira, looked pale. Her hands clutched the straps of her pack tightly, and her eyes darted between the Empress and Lucas. "My Lady," she said hesitantly, "how long will it take to reach the upper ridge?"

The old guide answered before the Empress could. "If the weather favors us, six days. If not..." His voice trailed off as he glanced toward the dark ridge hidden behind mist. "We’ll see how long the mountain allows us."

Lucas stepped forward slightly, his boots sinking deep into the snow. "Then we move fast," he said. "The longer we linger, the more dangerous it becomes."

The Empress turned her head slightly in his direction. "Impatience is not bravery, Xavier," she said, her tone edged but calm. "Do not mistake one for the other."

Lucas held her gaze through the haze of snow. "And hesitation is not wisdom either," he replied quietly.

Then the Empress’s lips curved faintly beneath the veil, not quite a smile but close enough. "Very well," she said finally. "We proceed."

She gestured lightly with her hand, and the group began to move into position. The guide took the lead, his staff glowing faintly with runic symbols as he began to trace their path forward. The Empress, her two Divas, and the girls formed a small, tight circle behind him. Lira and Selene flanked the center, their eyes sharp and alert. Nyx stood slightly apart, her icy aura blending with the frost itself. Mireille stayed close to the Empress, visibly trying to hide her nervousness but failing to mask the tremor in her hands.

Lucas brought up the rear, his eyes scanning the surroundings, alert to every shadow and sound. He could sense the strange Qi that lingered in the air....ancient, heavy, and unlike anything he’d felt before. It pulsed through the ground beneath them like the heartbeat of something vast and unseen.

When they were all in position, the Empress raised her hands slightly. The air around her began to shimmer, and a faint golden light expanded outward, wrapping around each member of the group. It felt warm against the cold, like sunlight breaking through a storm.

"Stay close," she commanded. "This will shield us from the chill and mask our presence from most beasts. It will not hold if you drift too far."

Mireille glanced down at her hands, watching the faint golden glow wrap around her fingers. "It feels... alive," she whispered in wonder.

The Empress looked at her without emotion. "That is the nature of true Qi. It is life itself when wielded properly."

Lira adjusted her gloves, feeling the hum of energy against her skin. "It’s strong. I’ve never seen Qi like this before."

Selene gave a small nod. "It’s not just strong," she murmured. "It’s terrifying."

Lucas watched as the shield of energy stabilized, feeling its faint pulse against his own aura. The Empress’s power was formidable...refined and absolute. It was no wonder she commanded such respect. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of dangers lay ahead that even she deemed worthy of using such protection.

When the barrier settled completely, the Empress lowered her hands. "We move," she said simply.

The wind howled through the narrow path, carrying with it flakes of snow that danced and vanished in the golden haze of her Qi.

As they began the long ascent into the heart of the mountain, the world around them shifted from merely cold to mercilessly frigid. The wind howled between the cliffs like a beast in agony, whipping snow in violent flurries that bit at their skin and stung their eyes. Occasionally, from within the swirling white, they caught sight of movement...wolves prowling along ridges, bears lumbering between icy rocks, and once, a horned creature whose glowing eyes watched them from afar before vanishing into the storm. These beasts were wary of the energy surrounding the group, especially that of the Empress, whose mere presence seemed to repel them.

Mirielle pressed closer to Lira, her breath coming out in quick puffs of mist as she whispered, "Even the beasts fear her. It feels as though the whole mountain does too." Lira nodded, her teeth chattering as she wrapped her cloak tighter around herself. "I’ve never felt anything like this," she murmured.

Lucas glanced over his shoulder, his gaze calm despite the relentless cold. "That’s the mountain’s will," he said softly. "It senses intruders." Then he turned to Nyx, who was walking quietly beside him, her hair fluttering in the wind. Her expression was composed, almost serene, her body seemingly untouched by the bitter frost. "Nyx," he said, "use this to your advantage. The cold here is pure...perfect for your cultivation. Draw from it while you walk. Let it strengthen your core."

She nodded wordlessly, closing her eyes for a moment. Her Qi began to flow subtly, a gentle ripple of frost that harmonized with the mountain’s chill rather than resisted it. A faint shimmer of icy mist surrounded her, and even the wind seemed to soften as it passed her by.

But not everyone shared her ease. The deeper they went, the more savage the cold became. Even with the Empress’s Qi barrier surrounding them, the frost began to bite through their defenses. Lira’s lips had turned pale, her hands trembling despite the layers of fur. Selene rubbed her arms vigorously, muttering, "This is unbearable...even the Empress’s protection feels thin now."

Mirielle’s voice cracked as she asked, "How... how can anyone survive up here?"

The Empress glanced back, her eyes unreadable beneath her hood. "Only those who are strong enough," she said, her tone calm, almost indifferent. "The mountain separates the weak from the worthy. It always has."

Lucas tried to maintain his composure, but even he felt the numbing ache creeping through his limbs. He clenched his fists, channeling Qi to warm his veins, though it barely helped. He looked at the three shivering girls and spoke quietly, "Hold on. Just a little longer. The Empress knows what she’s doing."

Nyx, still walking steadily, looked at them and smiled faintly. "The cold here isn’t your enemy," she said. "It only hurts because you’re fighting it. Let it flow through you instead."

Mirielle laughed weakly, "Easy for you to say... you were born with ice in your veins."

Nyx didn’t argue. She only smiled again, her eyes calm as snowflakes landed on her eyelashes and melted instantly.

Meanwhile, the Empress led the way without faltering. Even the two Divas behind her, both ascendant realm cultivators, seemed to labor under the pressure of the mountain...yet the Empress herself walked as though she were merely crossing her garden.

By the time it was getting dark, Lira and Mirielle could barely stand, their bodies trembling violently. Lucas felt the ache deep in his bones but said nothing. He glanced once more at Nyx, the only one whose breath didn’t shake in the cold, and realized just how much she was growing in strength under this merciless sky.