FROST - Chapter 21: The Crimson Verdict

I am but a traveler in a foreign land, with no desire to become an immortal.After cultivating Daoism in the deep mountains for twenty years, Master sent Song You down the mountain to witness the demons, ghosts, spirits, monsters and myriad aspects of life, to explore the famed mountains and rivers, and seek the legendary immortals. She said that was the true path of cultivation. Who would have thought, after traversing every corner of the land, the immortal I sought turned out to be myself.Original Blurb:In the remote wilderness, amidst the whispering winds and ancient trees, Song You, a wanderer from a foreign land, treads a path of solitude with no intention of becoming a celestial being.For two decades, Song has immersed himself in the rigorous discipline of mountain cultivation under the guidance of his master. Unexpectedly, his master instructs him to descend from the secluded mountains and explore the world of demons, monsters, and the myriad facets of human existence. Song embarks on a journey to witness the diverse landscapes and encounter the supernatural, seeking out renowned mountains and mighty rivers rumored to be the abodes of true immortals – the epitome of authentic spiritual cultivation.Little does Song realize that his quest will lead him far and wide, traversing the vast expanse of the land. In a surprising turn of events, he discovers that the celestial being he seeks is none other than himself.As Song journeys through the bustling regions of the north and the serene landscapes of the south, he unravels the mysteries of his own existence. The people he meets, the challenges he faces, and the secrets he uncovers become integral parts of his transformative journey. The pursuit of enlightenment becomes an odyssey of self-discovery, and the boundaries between mortal and immortal blur.

Empires rise and fall on the Yulan Continent. Saints, immortal beings of unimaginable power, battle using spells and swords, leaving swathes of destruction in their wake. Magical beasts rule the mountains, where the brave – or the foolish – go to test their strength. Even the mighty can fall, feasted on by those stronger. The strong live like royalty; the weak strive to survive another day.

In a romance novel called “The Secret Lovers of the Academy” the male lead would often torment his fiancée–but wait, why did she cross into this world to become his fiancée, the villainess, instead of the heroine?

The call of the nightmare realm cannot be denied, the woven fate is inevitable.

His ability to travel to the nightmare realm granted him immortality but also pit him with an unfamiliar world, curses and magics unseen before in the real world.

Monsters of unknown origin, macabre beasts and horrors beyond the ken of man have taken the place of old inhabitants of a once glorious civilization.

Now under the light of the Clairvoyant Moon the nightmare realm is on the verge of destruction. Here you will find dishonorable knights, mad sorcerers, twisted alchemist, the malformed Lost Ones and the vestiges of old gods all converging in a dead world.

But there are also those who seek to undo the curse, to restore the world. There are scavengers that only want to survive, the seekers of truth that seek the secrets of old.

And then there’s Aldrich who plans to exploit the resources and powers of the nightmare realm to achieve his own goals.

The epic tale of struggle against impossible odds and enemies bigger than life.

What Aldrich will find outside his little village will not just test the limits of his will, but also his sanity.

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Aldrich, is a fifteen year old boy, living in a small village called Wakefield, he dreams of being a Crestmaster.

On the day Aldrich awakens his Crest, Wakefield is attacked and burned.

He is the only survivor, barely making it out with a mysterious gift, a heavy mission and dire warnings to never turn back.

He is then told to forget about what he saw and the innocent villagers that died, to never ask questions. All things Aldrich could never do.

One day he will uncover the forces behind the massacre and take his revenge. But for now he will lower his head and pretend that nothing has happened.

For now.