The cold still lingered in the air, but Li Xuan no longer felt it.

  After his first sign-in reward, the warmth of the Heaven-Tier Physique surged through his veins like molten gold. His skin glowed faintly, his senses sharpened, and even the dull ache in his bones vanished.

  He opened his eyes slowly. The temple doors before him remained closed, ancient and unyielding, yet something was different now.

  The snow no longer mocked him.

  He stood tall.

  “I won’t beg anymore,” he muttered.

  The system’s calm voice echoed once again in his mind.

  [New mission: Survive the Trial of Ice and Flame]

  [Location: Northern Ridge]

  [Time Limit: 24 hours]

  [Reward: Unknown]

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  Li Xuan’s expression didn’t change. Trial? Good.

  He wanted power. He needed power.

  And if the heavens were offering him another chance to earn it—he would take it without hesitation.

  The Northern Ridge was a desolate stretch of jagged peaks and freezing winds. Few dared to venture there without cultivation.

  But now, Li Xuan ran across the snow-covered cliffs with the lightness of a feather. His body moved like a beast awakened. He could feel the world differently—every gust of wind, every ripple of spiritual energy in the air.

  He reached the trial grounds before dusk.

  A large stone gate stood embedded into the mountain wall, runes etched across its surface flickering with blue and red light—ice and flame.

  As he approached, the runes glowed brighter.

  [Trial Initiating…]

  [First Phase: Ice Domain - Survive 3 hours]

  A howl of freezing wind erupted. In an instant, Li Xuan was engulfed in a blizzard. His skin cracked from the cold. His breath turned to frost.

  He gritted his teeth.

  He wasn’t going to die here.

  He began channeling the spiritual energy from the Spirit Cleansing Pill he had consumed earlier. The energy coursed through his meridians, warming him from within.

  His Qi circulated faster, forming a protective layer against the freezing wind. His steps slowed but never stopped.

  He pressed forward into the storm.

  By the second hour, ice had formed on his eyebrows and lashes. His limbs screamed in protest. His spirit wavered.

  But just as he faltered—

  A spark lit within his dantian.

  A flame.

  [Hidden Trait Activated: Ice-Fire Resonance Constitution]

  His body ignited with an inner heat that didn’t burn, but balanced. Ice and flame met within his core, harmonizing. His body adapted, no longer resisting the cold, but absorbing it.

  He roared into the wind.

  He walked as if reborn.

  When the third hour ended, the blizzard stopped.

  [Phase One Complete]

  [Initiating Phase Two: Flame Abyss - Endure the Heat for 3 hours]

  Without warning, the ground beneath him cracked, and flames surged upward.

  He dropped into the abyss.

  But this time, he didn’t fear the burn.

  The fire welcomed him.