"Love… is truly a strange thing," Su Yang murmured, his voice low as he sat cross-legged in his spirit land, watching the purple glow from the half-buried egg flicker gently.
The quiet warmth from Max's sleeping body on his lap contrasted deeply with the storm of thoughts swirling in his heart.
> "Lu Ying and I barely spent time together, and yet her feelings for me run so deep."
> "And Su Yan…"
His chest tightened slightly at the name.
> "I loved her for years. Gave her everything—time, effort, heart. And when she gained power, she didn't even look back. She cast Su Yang aside like he meant nothing."
He exhaled slowly.
> "Some people need just a moment to fall in love."
> "And some… are loved for a lifetime, only to return nothing."
His gaze lowered as the pain of Su Yan's betrayal flickered in his chest—not raw, but quietly bitter.
> "It's not wrong to fall in love with someone. But expecting them to love you back? That's where the pain begins."
Shaking his head, Su Yang murmured, "That chapter is closed. Su Yan belonged to the old Su Yang. I am no longer him. I must focus on my future."
As if sensing his emotion, Max stirred in his lap. The little wolf lifted his head and let out a soft "Woof," his eyes filled with quiet empathy.
Su Yang looked down and saw the concern in Max's gaze. The little wolf gently licked Su Yang's hand, trying to soothe him.
A smile touched Su Yang's lips.
> "You don't need to worry, Max," he said softly, patting his head. "It's all in the past. I'm fine now. Go ahead and sleep."
Satisfied, Max nuzzled against him once more and closed his eyes.
With Max resting peacefully, Su Yang turned his attention inward. A thought struck him.
> "I've changed a lot since I first arrived in this world. Maybe… it's time to see what I've become."
He called forth his status window, and the familiar glowing panel opened before him.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Su Yang
Age: 14
Race: Human
Class: Cultivator
Cultivation: Bone Tempering (High)
Body Type: Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation Body (Unawakened)+
(Note: Host's Heavenly True Fire Art is linked to the Karma Fire Body. As the Karma Fire Body evolves, the True Fire Art will evolve alongside it.)
---
Su Yang's eyes widened slightly.
> "Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation Body…?" he murmured. "What is this new body? And how did I obtain it?"
He had sensed his power growing—especially after helping Lu Ying. But he hadn't expected a transformation of this level. Still, despite the changes, he hadn't felt any major difference in his physical form.
> "I have the power… but not the control. And that's dangerous."
Even though the Karma Fire Body and Heavenly True Fire Art had become stronger, he couldn't wield them at will. There was power in his blood, but it was like holding a blade with no training.
> "I need control. Without it, this power is meaningless."
If he could fully master this, he could revolutionize his alchemy—crafting pills far more potent than anyone else. His blacksmithing, too, would reach unimaginable heights.
He made a decision on the spot.
> "Once I return to Lu City… I need to find a body cultivation technique. Something that will help me control this power—Karma Fire and all."
But he already knew such techniques were rare. Ordinary cities wouldn't have them. If he wanted a true path forward, he'd have to join a sect. A place where the deepest knowledge was guarded, where secrets of cultivation were passed only to those worthy.
> "I've already reached the Bone Tempering Realm, but this body… this Frozen Heart Soul Incarnation… what is it really?"
As his gaze fell back on his status, he noticed a faint [ + ] icon next to the name of the new body.
> "Like a game," Su Yang thought, lips quirking with curiosity. "Information panel. Let's see what you're hiding."
He tapped the [
+].
And the screen shimmered—unfolding into lines of glowing text that began to reveal the mysteries of his new power.