The Invincible Sect Leader

The Frozen Monarch's glowing eyes fixed on Lan Xue, her ethereal presence radiating power that made even Chan Li raise an eyebrow. The tension in the chamber thickened as ice crept along the walls, responding to the ancient cultivator's awakening.

Yan Ling nudged Chan Li. "So, uh… what's the plan here, fearless leader? Run? Beg for mercy? Pretend we're lost tourists?"

Chan Li smirked. "Why not all three?"

Before they could act, the Monarch's voice boomed through the chamber. "You have awakened me from my slumber. Speak, or be turned into ice sculptures for my collection."

Yan Ling paled. "I knew it! We're going to be decoration!"

Lan Xue, however, stepped forward. "We seek knowledge, not trouble. And… I believe you know something about my bloodline."

The Monarch studied her for a moment, then snorted. "Hmph. Phoenix blood, yet you shiver in my presence. Pathetic. In my time, we faced frost giants with nothing but silk robes and a cup of warm tea."

Chan Li's smirk widened. "Sounds like my kind of morning routine."

The Monarch's icy gaze snapped to him. "And you… you are different. There's something… odd about you."

Yan Ling whispered, "She's got a good eye."

The Trial of the Frozen Monarch

"Enough chatter!" the Monarch declared. "If you wish to prove yourselves, you must pass the Trial of Eternal Frost!"

Liu Feng groaned. "It's always a trial. Why can't it ever be 'Here, take this ancient knowledge and go enjoy some hotpot'?"

With a wave of her hand, the chamber trembled, and the floor beneath them vanished, dropping the group into an icy abyss. As they fell, Yan Ling screamed, "I REGRET EVERYTHING!"

They landed rather ungracefully on an endless plain of snow. The air stung with cold, and in the distance, something massive moved beneath the ice.

Chan Li sighed, dusting off his robes. "Alright, new rule no more waking up ancient beings."

Liu Feng shivered. "Agreed."

A deafening roar echoed across the icy wasteland. From the ground, an enormous frost beast emerged, its jagged fangs gleaming in the pale light.

Yan Ling groaned. "Why is it always a giant monster?!"

Chan Li cracked his knuckles. "Because the heavens love me. Now, let's show this overgrown ice cube why we're not just lost tourists."