My Arts Evolve When Perfected

The first step of the coming-of-age ceremony was to bow before the Altar and honor the ancestors. All the young men and women participating were expected to attend; even the envoys from other tribes would nod their heads as a sign of respect.

Jiang Qiu’s gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on the group of girls arriving with their mothers. "There are fewer and fewer girls coming of age in the tribe."

Because the relationship between the North Snow and Xibing tribes was growing increasingly tense, fewer smaller tribes sought marriage alliances with the North Snow Tribe. As a result, the birth rate had been steadily declining for the past twelve years.

With the birth rate down, the number of girls naturally decreased as well.

However, this year was different from the past few. Rumor had it that the Young Master of the South Mountain Tribe, who had also recently come of age, was planning to choose a marriage partner from the North Snow Tribe.

It was unclear whether this was his tribe’s Leader’s idea or his own, but ultimately, it was beneficial for the North Snow Tribe.

Moreover, the Young Master’s Talent was exceptional. Not only did he possess a superior bloodline, but he was also set to inherit the position of Leader in the future. It seemed that whoever caught his eye would be incredibly fortunate.

"Brother Hill, are you thinking about getting married, too?"

Suddenly, a deep voice came from beside him. Turning his head, he saw a powerfully built young man strolling over. A smile stretched his lips, his face honest and steady, with a sharp intensity suppressed in his brow.

This was Pile, the one who had lasted almost until the Witch Fragrance burned out during the bloodline test twelve years ago. If Jiang Qiu wasn’t counted, he was the most talented young man in the tribe.

As one of the ten who had endured the longest in that bloodline test, he also trained alongside Jiang Qiu with the main Hunting Team. They usually hunted Ice-toothed Rats or Snow Patterned Deer together and were on good terms.

’Perhaps the children of this world just grow up too fast.’ Jiang Qiu found Pile to be quite mature. He wasn’t boisterous like others his age and never wasted time carving bones or ice sculptures for fun. He was utterly dedicated during hunts and training, having frozen to the point of losing consciousness several times.

And even though he was three years older than Jiang Qiu, he had been the first to call him Brother Hill.

"I don’t want to get married."

Jiang Qiu replied casually, just as he did whenever the Elder Witch Priest asked him the same question.

’Perhaps it’s because my status as the Chosen One is too prominent. I possess an incomparably outstanding bloodline, and the purity of my Luminous Blood is improving quickly. The Elder Witch Priest is very hopeful that I’ll leave behind descendants.’

’In the first few years, I was too young and hadn’t developed yet, but this question has been raised by different people quite a few times in recent years.’

’Uncle Xiong has brought it up, the Elder Witch Priest has brought it up, Captain Tiger has brought it up, and even Flower next door has mentioned it. The Leader even sent someone to ask for my opinion.’

’Of course, any marriage would have to be with someone inside the tribe. They wouldn’t let such a superior bloodline pass to another tribe and give them an advantage.’

’But I’ve refused every single time.’

’After all, I’ll be in the North Snow Tribe for twenty years at most. Once that time is up, I’ll head to Northern Boundary Mountain for the War of the Chosen, and then I’ll have to leave this Secret Realm.’

’Even if I fail to obtain the Enlightenment Fruit, I still have to leave. Gao Yuan City, in the Northwest of Xia Country, is my true home. If I do get the Enlightenment Fruit, all the better. I can return to North Border City in the Northern Wilderness and report back to Grandmaster Zhu Weiyi.’

’My only mission in this Secret Realm is to obtain the Enlightenment Fruit. It would be great to help the North Snow Tribe, who have been so kind to me, along the way, but I absolutely cannot leave behind any attachments.’

’Besides, I’m not the kind of guy who can just knock someone up and then leave. My conscience wouldn’t allow it.’

"Alright then," Pile laughed dryly. "I was actually thinking of introducing my sister to you..."

Who wouldn’t want to have a good relationship with Jiang Qiu?

Setting aside the title of Chosen One, which symbolized limitless potential, his superior bloodline alone could bring endless benefits to future generations.

Historically, there had indeed been cases of a Chosen One leaving behind descendants, and one such case had occurred right here in the North Snow Tribe. It had even influenced the entire structure of the tribe.

The current Leader was a descendant of the first Chosen One, Zhuang. This was the sole main lineage, which had remained unchanged for tens of thousands of years, commanding heartfelt respect and admiration.

Jiang Qiu’s lips, however, twitched slightly. "Pile, I seem to recall your sister is only five, isn’t she?"

"She is." Pile nodded, a gleam in his eyes. "Are you finally interested in my sister? She really likes you too!"

"No... not at all." Jiang Qiu gave an embarrassed smile and waved his hands. "I just meant she’s too young."

"Not at all, not at all! By the time you head to Northern Boundary Peak, Brother Hill, my sister will be about ready for her own coming-of-age ceremony," Pile said frankly. "Or we can wait a few more years for her to develop a bit more, then she can marry you..."

"That won’t be necessary." Jiang Qiu’s expression turned serious. "I will not be getting married."

’Even if the children of this world really do grow up fast—most girls are already five-foot-three to five-foot-seven a year or two after turning ten—I just can’t accept it.’

’I’ve known so many of these kids since they were babies, just like me. We saw each other when we were little, which makes the whole idea feel... weird.’

’And that’s not even mentioning a girl who hasn’t reached this world’s age of maturity. Even if her body is developed and her thoughts are no longer naive, to me, she’s no different from a little kid.’

’It’s just a shame this world is perpetually covered in ice and snow. The constant hunting leads to heavy casualties, and it’s rare for anyone to live to be fifty or sixty. They have to reproduce as early as possible.’

’Someone like Flower, who has already blossomed, will probably become the most sought-after partner...’

"Sigh..." Pile let out a silent sigh, regret flashing in his eyes as he muttered to himself, ’Sis, I couldn’t win him over for you...’

TAP TAP TAP.

Suddenly, the sound of agitated footsteps echoed from the outer edge of the Altar, followed by a rising wave of murmurs. "My, whose girl is that? She’s gorgeous!"

"The North Snow Tribe has such a fair-skinned and beautiful girl?"

Jiang Qiu subconsciously turned his head. His expression slowly froze, his dark, clear eyes like a pool of autumn water reflecting the silhouette of the approaching girl.

Down the crowded aisle, a young woman in a red fox robe entered with her group. Her crimson lips were like fire, her clear eyes shimmered, and a red plum blossom was marked on her forehead. The three symmetrical red marks on each cheek were not as coarse as those of the other girls, yet they retained a touch of primal, dashing spirit.

The tribespeople on both sides were astonished. Envoys from other tribes followed her with their eyes, unaware that snow had begun to cover their hair.

Even the Northern Boundary Human Clan, who leaned towards a barbaric lifestyle, had their own sense of aesthetics. Constantly fighting Demon Beasts was not by their choice; in their hearts, they yearned for the softness of beautiful jade.

As the saying goes, you crave what you lack. After being exposed to harsh things for so long, they subconsciously wanted to experience softness. Only a few individuals born for battle would unreservedly appreciate a "wild boar" physique.

Of course, the most important thing was whether her milk supply was ample enough to feed several future children.

And as for the girl who had captured everyone’s attention, her chest was indeed proud and prominent...