My Arts Evolve When Perfected

As the young men of the North Snow Tribe began their spear-throwing competition, the envoys from the other tribes sat to the side, either watching the spectacle or inquiring about the newly eligible young women.

However, compared to their interest in the women, the envoys from the smaller tribes were far more concerned with the strength of the North Snow Tribe. Most of their attention was focused on the young men.

"Uncle Python, which one is North Snow’s Chosen One?"

Ice leaned back in his large chair, sitting casually among the many warriors of the South Mountain Tribe. His gaze nonchalantly swept over the handful of sturdy young men from the North Snow Tribe.

He had long heard that the North Snow Tribe also had a Chosen One, one with supposedly great Talent. His awakened Bloodline Talent was said to be physical, perhaps allowing him to coat his skin in ice and snow for added defense.

’A Chosen One’s Talent is usually top-tier, and they can only truly be compared to other Chosen Ones. The question is, just how does North Snow’s Chosen One stack up against the rest...’

"Young Master, the one dressed most lightly is their Chosen One. His name is Hill," Python said, having already gathered information from the North Snow Tribe’s warriors. He pointed from a distance, his eyes narrowing. "He doesn’t look the strongest, but he has an aura that sets him apart from the others."

This trip to North Snow was not just for the Young Master’s marriage alliance; more importantly, it was to gauge the North Snow Tribe’s potential.

The West Ice Tribe’s intentions were now obvious; they were poised to annex North Snow. They frequently flexed their muscles, even occupying the Ice and Snow Ridge hunting grounds. With the East Shore Tribe also siding with them, South Mountain was being forced to pick a side.

This was the nature of the struggle between Chosen Ones. Every time a Chosen One was born, the political landscape of the Northern Boundary would be thrown into turmoil. The tribes would gather and pick sides, all in search of some measure of stability.

The Chosen One with the greatest potential would rally the most tribes, secure the most resources, and ultimately vie for victory in the great struggle.

As it stood, the West Ice Tribe’s momentum was immense. They had the best chance of leading the Human Race of the Northern Boundary to victory. But if South Mountain were to support Xibing, they would become overwhelmingly powerful—not an ideal outcome either.

Now, it was time to see what kind of potential North Snow really had.

"Hill..." Ice murmured, raising a thick brow. His gaze landed on Jiang Qiu, his expression meaningful. "He doesn’t look all that strong. He’s a lot scrawnier than our tribe’s Chosen One."

Though he was also thirteen, Jiang Qiu indeed didn’t look very sturdy. While he grew faster than an ordinary person, his build couldn’t necessarily compete with a Chosen One who had a Bloodline Talent specifically for physique.

The South Mountain Tribe’s Chosen One, Wall, was just such a person. He had the air of one who could uproot mountains, with a physique so massive he dwarfed even the two-meter-tall tribal warriors.

If Wall were here, next to Jiang Qiu, he’d look like an actual wall.

’The North Snow Tribe’s Chosen One... he’s probably not up to much. He can’t compare to the one from the West Ice Tribe...’

Ice recalled what he had seen during a visit to the West Ice Tribe, shaking his head slightly as a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.

To be honest, South Mountain didn’t have much hope for the North Snow Tribe to begin with. The once-great tribe was already in decline.

Any sensible person would choose to ally with the West Ice Tribe to ensure their own security.

However, the ties between their two tribes had always been close, and their relations through marriage were well-maintained. Even if they didn’t really want to support North Snow, it meant they wouldn’t help Xibing, either.

"Young Master, not necessarily."

Python spoke in a deep voice, which brought a flicker of surprise to Ice’s eyes.

He glanced at Python, slightly surprised, but the warrior’s expression was grave, his hawk-like gaze fixed on the boy in the distance.

’Python’s power has already reached the Iron Flesh Realm, giving him a defense as tough as iron. He ranks among the tribe’s top warriors. His judgment is also notoriously sharp; aside from myself and the Chosen One, Wall, he rarely praises anyone.’

’And by the looks of it, this Chosen One, Hill, might be worth a second look...’

SWOOSH—

Suddenly, a piercing whistle shattered his thoughts. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the row of ice blocks, where a black shadow—a spear—tore through the air like a dragon.

CRASH—

In an instant, the first block of ice shattered!

CRASH—

Its momentum undiminished, the second block of ice exploded into fragments!

CRASH—

CRASH—

CRASH—

Ice’s heart skipped a beat. He jolted upright in his chair, his once-arrogant eyes widening in shock. ’Can this destructive power compare to Wall’s?’

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

A rapid-fire barrage of five more crashes answered his silent question. Then, the spear, a flickering black shadow, slammed diagonally into the empty clearing behind the ice, burying itself halfway deep in the ground!

It shattered ten blocks!

All the envoys from the other tribes were dumbstruck. The eyes of the tribe’s own young women sparkled. Even the pupils of the Elder Witch Priest presiding over the ceremony widened. ’Such power?’

There was a reason ten blocks of ice were set up, and not seven, eight, or nine.

Because piercing ten blocks of ice from a hundred meters out was practically a sign that one’s personal power had reached the Copper Skin Realm. It also required masterful skill to keep the spear from veering off course.

Each block of ice the spear broke through would drastically affect its trajectory. After three or four, the spear would either lose its momentum or be thrown off course, so even if it struck the next block, it wouldn’t have the force to pierce it.

Even among Warriors, few could break ten blocks in a row.

"Amazing..."

Pile froze for a moment, spear in hand. Staring at the shattered ice a hundred meters away, his eyes filled with admiration. When he turned back, Jiang Qiu was already strolling back to the waiting area, the focus of all eyes.

The boy, clad in a single deerskin tunic, was one of the Chosen Ones who appear once in a millennium, possessing an utterly exceptional Talent.

’The Bloodline test twelve years ago had already carved an impassable chasm between us. Looking at him is like gazing up at the moon.’

’Many Chosen Ones have shattered ten blocks of ice at their own coming-of-age ceremonies, but Hill is only thirteen, and his Bloodline Talent isn’t even strength-based.’

’Logically, with Hill’s physique, it should be impossible to unleash such explosive power. And yet, the spear he threw was unstoppable, as if possessed by some irreversible force. Once thrown, it was destined to shatter every block of ice!’

’It’s just like that unique spear technique he shows while hunting. What looks like a flashy flourish can effortlessly wipe out a whole nest of Ice-toothed Rats. This Chosen One is different...’

Pile took a deep breath. Walking against the current of cheers rising for Jiang Qiu, he twirled his spear and strode toward the throwing line. He looked out at the blocks of ice arranged a hundred meters away, his own challenge.

’No one would be foolish enough to compare themselves to a Chosen One, unless they were many years older and in a much higher Realm, while the Chosen One was still young.’ 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

But...

Pile’s right hand clenched into a fist with a crackle. A sharp glint flashed in his iron-hard eyes. ’I’ll give it a try.’