CHAPTER 433: 433. MYSTIC ICE ARTS

After observing them for another week, Tyler slowly began to understand many things about his parents – things he never imagined he would uncover in a dream realm like this.

The little boy he had been following was the five-year-old with white hair and a spirited gaze was himself— Bai Xiaochen, the young master of the Bai Family.

His father was Long Tianzhi, a man known as the "Cursed Abyssal Dragon," and his mother, Bai Ying’er, the proud princess of the Bai Clan. It was now clear why his name was Bai Xiaochen instead of Long Xiaochen.

The Long Clan, once an ancient, feared Dragon-blooded lineage, had declined, and their prestige faded into myths. In contrast, the Bai Family stood tall as one of the two supreme powerhouses within the entire Feng Grotto Heaven, rivaled only by the Feng Family.

Back then, the Bai Clan disapproved of the union between Bai Ying’er and Long Tianzhi. They agreed only under one strict condition —their child must carry the Bai surname.

Long Tianzhi had agreed without a second thought.

"True Dragon Descendant or not... he really loved her," Tyler muttered as he stood like a shadow in the courtyard, watching a younger version of himself practice his techniques.

Tyler’s attention shifted from his family matters to something that made his heart race— the Bai Family’s Inheritance Hall. Massive stone steles floated in midair, glowing with spiritual light. Each stele pulsed with ancient wisdom, containing cultivation arts, alchemy formulas, formation blueprints, and battle techniques. It was a place of heritage, of legacy— where only direct descendants of the Bai Family were allowed entry.

And here he stood, a ghostly observer, unseen by all. Yet, he could read the characters carved into the air, for the language bore a resemblance to the language in the Zi World.

Among the dozens of steles, one in particular drew his attention.

Mystic Ice Arts. The same one which Piqued his interest more.

As Tyler reached toward the floating stele, the ancient words flowed into his mind like water into a jar.

"Mystic Ice... It’s similar to my Ice Escape Technique, but instead of creating a decoy of myself from ice, it crafts actual weapons... blades, whips, even barriers." His eyes sparkled. "So this technique is not just limited to that..."

He stood silently, memorizing the intricate patterns and incantations. The technique wasn’t just about making cold weapons— it was the manifestation of one’s will into tangible forms of frozen destruction and defense. Tyler practiced the visualizations mentally, refining his understanding by watching the little Bai Xiaochen train every day under the supervision of multiple tutors.

It wasn’t long before Tyler confirmed that Mystic Ice Arts had multiple forms— blades, shields, spears, even illusions— all built from condensed ice imbued with one’s spirit energy.

Days passed, and Tyler continued observing his younger self and the world he had lost. He watched his mother laugh gently as she braided Little Tyler’s hair, and his father, Long Tianzhi, laugh boisterously before turning serious during training sessions. They were a strange pair, but clearly in love. And Tyler could feel it... even if he had no memories of it.

"Someone from the Feng Family has arrived," a servant suddenly announced one day.

Long Tianzhi, who had just finished trimming spirit herbs in the courtyard, furrowed his brow. "Now what do they want?" he grumbled under his breath. His mouth twitched, but by the time he walked to the reception hall, his expression was calm, composed, and polite.

The visitor, draped in elegant green robes and holding a pristine white flute, bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Dragon Master Long. It is an honor to visit the Bai estate," the guest said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Tyler, standing in the corner, narrowed his eyes. "Feng Feiyan... That bastard again."

Yes, the same Feng Feiyan who was currently trying to kill Tyler in the present timeline had just appeared in this dream —bowing and smiling like a fox in sheep’s clothing.

"Rise, Daoist Feiyan. What brings you here?" Long Tianzhi asked, leaning back into his chair, gaze sharp but composed.

"I come with a message from the Feng Family Matriarch herself," Feng Feiyan replied smoothly.

"Oh? And what message might that be?" Tianzhi asked, only half-interested.

"It is regarding your esteemed son, Young Master Bai Xiaochen."

At this, Long Tianzhi’s brows lifted slightly.

"What about my son?"

Feng Feiyan continued with practiced grace. "The entire Feng Grotto Heaven knows of Young Master Bai’s talents. Born from the line of dragons descendant – Long Clan and gods descendant – Bai Family, he is a one-in-a-billion genius. Even the heavens shined when he first cried. But to protect him from early harm, a seal was placed to limit his cultivation to the Qi Refining Realm."

Tianzhi smirked. "Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard the praise before. Almost everyone in the world knows how talented my son is. What’s the real reason you’re here?"

Feng Feiyan chuckled. "Straight to the point, I see. Very well. Our Feng Family also has a peerless genius— Princess Feng. A phoenix descendant unmatched in talent. The Matriarch believes that a union between your son and our princess would forge a fate shared by heaven and earth. A marriage between dragon and phoenix."

Tyler, watching in stunned silence, could only mutter, "Wait... That annoying princess is my fiancée?"

"I see." Tianzhi’s face didn’t change. "So it’s a political match."

"Not just political, of course," Feng Feiyan added. "It is fate. Don’t you think this would elevate your child’s future?"

"Sounds more like you’re trying to tie down a dragon with flowery chains," Tianzhi said casually.

Feng Feiyan’s smile faltered. "This is not a request. This is an invitation from the Feng Matriarch. Surely, you wouldn’t refuse her, right? After all... you’re merely a son-in-law to the Bai Family."

He had barely finished his words when a thunderous crack echoed in the room.

Feng Feiyan’s body was slammed to the ground, his limbs twitching as spiritual pressure crushed him.

From his seat, Long Tianzhi casually sipped tea.

"Oh... was that a curse? My apologies, Daoist Feiyan. I accidentally cursed you to kiss the floor."

Tyler burst out laughing. "No way. That’s amazing! A curse can be that powerful?"

Despite his dragon lineage, Long Tianzhi was infamous not for raw power but for his mastery of Curse Dao. Few dared provoke him unless they wanted to grow tails, lose their voices, or become floor-kissing fools.

Feiyan groaned, lifting his face. "Dragon Master Long... I mean no offense..."

"I’ll talk to my wife about this proposal," Tianzhi said coldly, "and we’ll get back to you. Until then, don’t overstep."

Tyler folded his arms, watching with pride. "Cool dad...."

As Feng Feiyan stumbled away, limping and flustered.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

At the same time, far away from the Bai Family estate, a silent guest arrived at the residence of the Feng Family Matriarch.

Deep within the secluded heart of the Feng Domain, atop a crimson palace adorned with phoenix motifs, sat a woman of unparalleled grace and might. A golden phoenix emblem shimmered faintly on her forehead as she rested on a throne sculpted from divine jade. Her eyes were closed, her posture composed, yet an aura of ancient majesty lingered around her. She appeared to be meditating— or perhaps brooding— over matters far beyond the comprehension of ordinary cultivators.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the hall shifted.

With a soundless ripple, a giant celestial chessboard appeared beneath her feet, extending outward and covering the entire palace ground. The black and white pieces glimmered with fate’s threads, moving ever so slightly as if manipulated by invisible hands.

"Hmph."

The Matriarch opened her eyes and let out a faint snort. Her gaze, sharp like a blade, swept over the board. Without lifting a finger, a wave of reddish flame erupted from beneath her, engulfing the chessboard in an instant. It burned into nothingness, leaving only a scent of scorched destiny behind.

"As expected of the ruler of this Grotto Heaven," a calm voice echoed from beyond the flames.

An elderly man with flowing white hair and kind eyes stepped forward from the shadows. His face bore no malice, no sharpness— only wisdom and age. Yet despite his harmless appearance, every step he took carried the weight of the stars.

"I was wondering who dared trespass into my palace without permission," the Matriarch said coldly. "So, it’s you... Heaven Fate Emperor."

She did not rise from her throne, nor did her expression soften.

The old man bowed slightly. "Myself apologizes for arriving uninvited. But Myself have a favor to ask of you."

"First of all," the Matriarch’s voice rang with regal frost, "this lady does not care for your arrival. Second— this lady does not care for your favor."

Her phoenix flame aura flared once more, warping the space around her. The very air trembled, and the courtyard’s divine array ignited into brilliant flame, threatening to consume everything.

But the Heaven Fate Emperor merely stood still, unflinching, unaffected.

"Myself ask only that you hear me out," he said calmly. "If you help me, Myself can help you realize your lifelong wish."

The Matriarch’s fiery gaze locked onto him. For a moment, silence reigned. Then, the flames receded slightly.

"What do you want?"

The Heaven Fate Emperor’s expression did not change. His words, however, were chilling.

"Myself want luck," he said simply. "Myself wish to harvest the fate and destiny— of Bai Xiaochen."