Chapter 140 - The Frozen Clouds Invitation (1/2)

Flying over the skies of the Blue Wind Empire, pretty soon, Mesa was in the northern most region of the Blue Wind Empire. And it is here where the Frozen Cloud Asgard is located. Flying for a while longer, he came across the Frozen Cloud Asgard and the barrier that was strewn across a vast open area.

'So, this is the Grand Asgard Defending Formation. So this means that Gong Yuxian had decided to have the entire sect go into seclusion.' Muttered Mesa to himself, with the barrier in front of him and knocking on it.

Knocking his fist back, he punched the barrier with a mighty force, causing great ripples to go across it, like ripples on the surface of a pond. And with that, it was certain that he attracted their attention and all he had to do was wait for them. And at this time, the gate that had been shut tightly suddenly opened, together with a woman's cold and angry voice bellowing out: ”Who goes there, to actually dare to barge into my Frozen Cloud Asgard!”

”It's me! Mesa Uchiha! Open up!” Bellowed out Mesa as well.

For a long time, the only sound was the sound of the wind blowing across the frozen landscape, until that same voice sounded out again. But this time, less cold and angry, and more in a call center like voice: ”Please hold.”

And with that, the gate closed again.

Of all the ways he thought Gong Yuxian's would respond with, this one was not even on the list. And so a thoroughly flabbergasted Mesa just stood there, tongue-tied, not knowing what to say. Eventually the only thing he managed to stammer out was a weak willed 'Ok'. And so, he touched down and did as Gong Yuxian said, patiently waiting there, until the barrier was taken down. And once it was taken down, the gate opened up again and out of it came a woman. On closer inspection, Mesa saw that it was Xia Qingyue that opened the gate. With a courtesy bow, she bid him inside: ”Please, follow me Mesa.”

Following her, Mesa went inside and was led all the way to the innermost chambers of the Frozen Cloud Asgard. Along the way, he saw some Frozen Cloud Asgard disciples that were busy with their cultivation exercises and some of them would cast a curious gaze in their direction. Which was obvious, since men weren't allowed into the Frozen Cloud Asgard.

Whilst they were walking towards the inner chamber, both he and Xia Qingyue were silent. But occasionally, would cast a look back at him for a split second before looking back in front.

”So, Qingyue. First off, it's so good to see you again. And second, I can't help but notice that you are looking back at me a few times. Is something the matter?”

Looking back at him again, Qingyue answered with the typical Frozen Cloud indifferent tone of voice: ”No. I am just a bit curious. Normally you wouldn't be this quiet.”

”That obvious?” Said Mesa, laughing a bit awkwardly and scratching the back of his head, with Xia Qingyue nodding.

”Well. It's just that I am a bit taken back by Palace Mistress Gong Yuxian willingness to let me in without any protest. I had honestly expected her to fight me tooth and nail to keep me out. But instead, she lets me in without any protest and even instructed you to led me to her herself.” Said Mesa.

Hearing this, a small but nigh unnoticeable smile appeared on Xia Qingyue's face. And with a barely noticeable smug tone, she explains: ”Yes. Well after you left, Palace Mistress Gong Yuxian announced that the entire Frozen Cloud Asgard would be closed off and all disciples were called back. After that, she locked herself up in her room and refused to come out for months. It has only been two months since she has left her room. After that, I have been appointed as one of the Seven Fairies and Palace Mistress has said that should you come here, that I should lead you to her directly. Apparently, she wants to speak to you about something.”

”Huh… is that so.” Said Mesa with a contemplative look on his face. Before long he addressed Xia Qingyue once again: ”But that aside. How are you doing? It has been 14 months since we last saw each other. Have you managed to learn the name of your zanpakuto?”

Instead of responding, Xia Qinyue takes the katana Mesa gave her. Whispering in a low voice: ”Dance. Sode no Shirayuki.” She holds it out in front of her and turns it in a counter-clockwise circle. While she is turning it, the blade, hilt, and tsuba turn completely white. The tsuba becomes a hollow snowflake-like circle, and a long white ribbon forms from the pommel.

Whistling, genuinely impressed with her progress, Mesa said: ”Good work, Qingyue! Very good work! I see that you have already unlocked the Shikai state. Keep up the good work and you'll unlock Bankai in no time at all.”

On their way to Palace Mistress Gong Yuxian, Xia Qingyue told Mesa what had been happening during the last 14 months. Chu Yuechan, who had not been expelled, had been summoned by the Grand Palace Mistress Feng Qianhui, to explain herself for breaking one of the sect's most fundamental rule. But after she told her about the things that happened with her and Mesa and how the quality of her Profound Energy had skyrocketed and how all of the adverse effects that cultivating the Frozen Cloud Arts no longer apply to her. Feng Qianhui at first was angry with Chu Yuechan, but after seeing the True Ice Arts and being told what it can do, she instantly saw the potential of it. But since Chu Yuechan had violated the rules, she still punished her by removing her from the position as the leader of the Seven Fairies and making Chu Yueli the leader.

As for Xia Qingyue herself, it took her nearly a year of continuous work to finally learn name of the zanpakuto spirit inside the sword. And with the 'Jinzen' method of communicating with her zanpakuto spirit, she entered the inner world. And there, she learned from her zanpakuto sprit, Sode no Shirayuki, that she had her own inner world all along. And that her presence has not been to create an inner world, so much as being born into Xia Qingyue's inner world. This inner world of Xia Qingyue gave her the advantage that she had unlocked her Shikai much earlier than expected and that she can unleash powerful attacks of such great magnitude that her body would burst under normal circ.u.mstances. In fact, her inner world could hold so much power, that if Xia Qingyue reaches an incredibly advanced stage, meaning many years with Bankai and knowing her zanpakuto inside and out, that she could manifest Sode no Shirayuki in the real world, if provided with the necessary amount of Profound Energy. But this process would take many years of dedicated training and gathering Profound Energy that she would have to store in a special place inside her own inner world.

”[whistle]... Goddam! That is far, FAR better than I had ever expected! I had expected you to achieve Shikai, but to learn that you can manifest your zanpakuto into the real world. That is far beyond anything I expected you, or anyone else for that matter, to achieve. I am genuinely impressed. Excellent work Qingyue! Absolutely amazing!” Said Mesa, greatly impressed. And all this praise managed to break Xia Qingyue's cold exterior a little, judging by the confident smile on her face.

While they were engaged in their conversation, they had reached Gong Yuxian's personal chambers, with Chu Yuechan standing in front of it, waiting for them.

”Chu Yuechan. It's so good to see you again.” Said Mesa.

And with a courteous bow, Chu Yuechan answered him: ”Same here. But Palace Mistress wishes to speak to you. So please, go on ahead.”

Opening the door to Gong Yuxian's chambers, Mesa, Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan enter. With everyone giving Gong Yuxian the customary greeting, she skipped straight to the point: ”Mesa Uchiha, my Asgard's Grand Asgard Mistress wants to see you. Follow me. Qingyue, Yuechan, you two should also come along with us.”

Following Gong Yuxian all the way to the innermost chambers of the Frozen Cloud Asgard, they arrived in front of a room of ice. The chambers of Feng Qianhui, the Grand Asgard Mistress.