The Founder of Qi Cultivation, Reincarnates?

"Look...*clack clack*… I see… *clack clack*… something… *clack clack*… ugh, f-forget it… too cold."

One disciple was trying to point out the outlines of a city through the heavy blizzard, but his teeth were trembling so much he couldn't bother continuing to speak. He was close to biting his tongue off. And not only that his body was shivering harder than a leaf in the wind.

But he wasn't the only one suffering from the cold nor was he the only one who saw the city, everyone did.

But as the city got closer, these disciples didn't know whether to feel joy or sorrow. The further they got the colder it would become, by the time they reach the city and have to get off, wouldn't they freeze to death?

Thousands of cultivators freezing to death because of bad weather, just how absurd would that sound to the people back home on the Maple Continent?

However, as much as they were people complaining about freezing to death, there were people relishing the absurd boost in cultivation speed. It really wasn't fair, how would they compete in the Chosen Tournament when the weather causes this much of a disadvantage for those without a Yin base or Ice base cultivation method?

As for Yang Su and the others, something strange had happened over on their side.

Yang Su was able to cultivate and even control the snow somewhat. While he sat cross-legged he cultivated, but surrounding him was a crowd of disciples huddling up for warmth.

When Yang Su cultivated the cold temperature around him would be a bit more tolerable than anywhere else on the ship.

Those who were gathered around him were Yuwei, Fuangu, and Mao Wen's groups.

The Celestial Academy disciples that hadn't stuck up for them all looked at this scene and wanted to go over, but they were too ashamed to ask if they could.

Even though elder Hu was helping them resist the cold, he had the notion that if he helped them too much then it would be detrimental to them when they have to leave the ship and face the full brunt of the cold for the first time.

Yang Su did the same actually, his domain was only slightly less colder than Shi Lei Hu's domain.

"Alright, we've reached our destination."

Shi Lei Hu was heard saying.

But suddenly, Yang Su's eyes flew open before he started looking around in confusion.

"Elder brother, what is it?"

Jun seeing Yang Su's reaction asked.

Yang Su opened his mouth to respond, but Shi Lei Hu suddenly said.

"I'm sure you all felt the sudden change, right?"

Everyone who was shivering felt the cold lessen considerably, and the disciples with Yin base and Ice Element cultivation methods felt a significant reduction in cultivation speed, though it was still quite fast compared to when they cultivated on the Maple Continent.

"It's still cold, but my Internal Qi can block it somewhat."

"Yeah, for a second there I thought I was going to freeze to death, what happened?"

All the disciples wondered what was going on and turned to Shi Lei Hu for explanations.

"The area we just past through is known as the Absolute Zero Domain on the Star Bound Continent. It's a frozen wasteland that surrounds the outer regions of the Continent and contains dangerous amounts of Yin Energy."

"If the ship was in perfect condition it would have been a smoother journey since our Mercenary Association had accounted for this, but the ship was damaged too much previously."

Elder Hong chimed in and explained.

Shi Lei Hu nodded then continue.

"However, after passing the Absolute Zero Domain we enter the Star Bound Continent's Central Domain where there are Safe Bubbles. A Safe Bubble is where the balance of the Yin and Yang energy between heaven and earth is restored somewhat. Cities like this are created inside those Safe Bubbles as a result."

Shi Lei Hu said motioning to the approaching city in front of the ship.

The disciples marveled and what they saw.

The sun that was being hidden by the blizzards was shining its brilliant rays onto the city, causing everything to glow with golden radiance.

The city itself was quite big, so much so they couldn't see the end even from this high up. There was an ice wall surrounding the city, but compared to one they saw at the border this was quite small.

"Everyone!"

Shi Lei Hu said drawing back everyone's attention.

"This is where we part. Elder Hong will discuss further details so I will take my leave. But before I go, I wanted to encourage those participating in the Chosen Tournament to do their best. Your performance here will reflect on our Maple Continent, which includes your failure as well as your victory."

Hearing this, the disciples among the crowd that was going to participate in the Chosen Tournament gulp down a lump of saliva' completely filled with nervousness. It was only now they were feeling the pressure to perform well.

Shi Lei Hu smiled when he saw he had sufficiently made them nervous.

Nervousness was good, if they were to overcome this nervousness their determination to perform at their best would increase.

"This is my final words to you all, good luck."

After saying that, Shi Lei Hu flew up and out of the ship's barrier before disappearing in the distance. As he went, the yells of the disciples bidding farewell to him could be heard.

As the ship grew closer to the city entrance, elder Hong turned to everyone and said.

"This city is just one of many on the outskirts of the Central Domain, the Chosen Tournament will be held in another city solely created to hold the competition. Our Mercenary Association has set up a teleportation circle in this city that would you take you to that city."

BANG!

The ship landed in front of the city's rather large ice gate, causing the snow on the ground to blast in all directions.

The guards in their weird clothes were looking at this ship with stern expressions.

After the ship landed the disciples didn't leave immediately and instead stayed to listen to elder Hong as he explained more about the Chosen Tournament as well as the Star Bound Continent.

In truth, the elders that were accompanying them were supposed to tell them this information as the various power had chosen them because they had extensive knowledge about the Star Bound Continent. But this duty was now allocated to elder Hong after they died.

After around thirty minutes of talking, elder Hong was finally beginning to end his explanation.

"And finally, you all should be careful since your elders are not here, especially in this city. This city has been chosen as the designated drop-off area for all those participating in the Chosen Tournaments. As for the Chosen geniuses from the Star Bound Continent, they are probably here as well to observe you who are considered outsiders."

"Elder Hong, just let us go already! I'm going to die from anticipation!"

One youth who was too eager to see what the Star Bound Continent was like suddenly raised his head and shouted at the top of his lungs.

This started a chain reaction and a few more disciples all expressed their excitement.

​ Elder Hong seeing these youth's hot-bloodedness sighed, but he smiled, he was once like this. Such is youth.

"Hoho, but I was just about to tell you the most shocking news of all, do you all really want to leave before then?"

The excited disciples hearing that and seeing elder Hong's expression hesitated.

"Elder Hong, what news is that?!"

"Hm, I'll say it, but I'm sure some of you have already been told by your respected academies and clans. The reason for this Chosen Tournament is shrouded in a veil of misinformation and confusion, the main theory going around was that the Star Bound Continent and the Maple Continent decided to hold it, and even invite the Fire Bound and Water Bound Continent due to the missing Hidden Fragmented Realm. However, things have changed, this Chosen Tournament is actually being held to select a hundred disciples to enter the Hidden Fragmented Realm."

"W-What?! Is that true?!"

Immediately, the disciples who weren't in the know stared at elder Hong stupefied. They thought this was just a tournament to display the talents of the four continents with the winners getting some resources for their respective powers, but to think it was actually to choose disciples to enter the Hidden Fragmented Realm that was said to be missing.

Most of the disciples reacted with shock, but as elder Hong said, there were a few disciples who were important enough in their respective powers to be told this information, so they didn't react at all.

Yang Su and the others were among those that didn't react with shock. Given that they were secretly the up-and-coming intelligence-gathering power similar to the likes of the Dark Moon Assassins Guild, the Mercenary Association, and even the mysterious Hidden Puppet Master in the shadows, their spies would obviously come across this information.

Another person near them that didn't show shock was Yuwei.

However, what was quite unexpected was that Fuangu and Mao Wen hadn't shown a shocked reaction. This would cause one to question once again just how much influence they had.

"Alright, that is all for me to say, you can leave. Keep in my of what I said and remember to purchase the required clothes to be protected from Yin Qi. The Yin and Yang elements are restored in the Safe Bubbles but the Yin energy is still at a level where it overwhelms the other elements. The tournament will start in the next three days. Make the necessary preparations until the teleportation circle is ready to teleport you to the city, and-"

"Ugh! Elder we know! Just let us go already!"

As elder Hong continue to speak, the disciples couldn't handle the wait anymore and began pilling out of the ship. Elder Hong who was at the exit was almost trampled in the process.

Yang Su and the others didn't rush but followed the flow of disciples off the ship and headed for the giant ice gates.