The Northern Sea Ice Palace stood silent under the weight of an unrelenting snowfall, its crystalline spires glistening like shards of moonlight. The air was sharp and still, carrying with it the faint scent of frost and the distant echo of crashing waves against the frozen shore. Within the palace’s inner courtyard, a young woman moved with practiced grace, her movements precise and deliberate as she practiced the Glacial Palm technique. Her breath formed tiny clouds in the air, and the ground beneath her feet crackled with a thin layer of ice.

From the shadows of the courtyard’s archway, Li Xue watched her disciple with an unreadable expression. Her silver hair, tied back in a loose braid, caught the faint light of the aurora above, and her piercing blue eyes followed every motion with a master’s scrutiny. She noted the improvements—the sharper control of qi, the cleaner execution of the technique—but also the subtle signs of strain. Her disciple’s brows were furrowed in concentration, and her movements, while precise, lacked the effortless flow that came with true mastery.

Li Xue’s thoughts were a quiet storm. She felt pride in her disciple’s progress, a warmth that she quickly suppressed, burying it beneath layers of icy discipline. Yet, there was also a flicker of concern. The path of the Ice Palace was one of solitude and emotional restraint, and she could see the toll it was taking. Her disciple’s determination was admirable, but Li Xue wondered if she was pushing her too hard. The bond between them, though unspoken, was undeniable, and it was this bond that made her hesitate.

Stepping into the courtyard, Li Xue’s presence was as calm and commanding as the falling snow. Her voice, when she spoke, was cool and measured, carrying the weight of authority but also a hint of something softer. “Your form has improved,” she said, her tone neither praising nor critical. “But you are forcing the flow of qi. The Glacial Palm is not about strength—it is about stillness. Let the cold within you guide your movements, not your will.”

She paused, her gaze lingering on her disciple’s face. For a brief moment, her icy facade wavered, and her voice softened almost imperceptibly. “You have come far, but do not forget why you walk this path. The Ice Palace demands much, but it also gives much in return. Remember that.”

Li Xue turned slightly, her robes whispering against the snow-covered ground. “Again,” she said, her tone firm once more. “And this time, do not think. Feel.”