It made her unimaginably enchanting, but also unimaginably pitiful. Stuck in that layer of ice, she was unable to move. Her breaths condensed in front of her, and even with her control over Water Qi, she was unable to do a single thing to free herself.

The layer of mist masking her face started to slowly fade away, as if being peeled off. Anna hurriedly revolved the Qi in her dantian, trying to remake the mask. Even if she couldn't control the surrounding Qi, she could still use her own.

She was under the influence of the Black Sovereign's Domain. All of the Qi in a radius of miles were under the Black Sovereign's direct control, unreachable for anyone weaker than it. A pair of majestic eyes slowly descended as the beast lowered its head, slowly approaching Anna.

Even if the gaze gave one chills, there was a single spark of interest in those frosty eyes. Amidst the cold, however, that spark might as well have been nothing. Anna moved her gaze upwards, pa.s.sing through that strange pitch-black head that seemed to be covered in both thick scales and wrinkled leather, and looking through the mist, faintly discerning the shape of a carapace covered in spikes that seemed more like mountains to her.

As Anna looked at the form of the gargantuan turtle in front of her, light footsteps started echoing from her side, slowly approaching her direction. The mist on her side started spiraling and billowing as a middle-aged woman appeared, walking with firm steps, but a respectful expression as she stood in front of the Black Sovereign.

Her black hair was tied in a neat bundle in the back of her head, and her ocean blue clothes were a perfect match for her sparkling blue eyes. Her pale face was starting to show signs of aging, as a few wrinkles could be seen in the corner of her vivid eyes. She could be called a beautiful woman, even if not breathtaking.

She gave a deep bow to the t.i.tanic G.o.dbeast in front of her, not daring to say a word until she received permission.

"Speak, Mara." The Black Sovereign voice echoed in Anna's and Mara's mind, in a tone so grave and serene that its words were almost indistinguishable.

"Firstly, I would like to apologize for my daughter's behavior." Mara Hale, the Sect Master of the Noan River Sect said while bowing deeply again, giving Anna a reproachful glance for the corner of her eyes.

Anna had rushed into the Black Sovereign's lair ahead of her mother, not caring about etiquette at all. The fact that she had been frozen in place was proof of the slight annoyance the Black Sovereign felt.

"Young ones like their freedom." It said while giving Anna an unblinking gaze, lowering its head even further and making the mist surrounding it billow away in thick wisps.

"Nevertheless, it doesn't mean they should abuse it." It spoke again in a powerful voice, making Anna's mind quake and forcing her to tightly close her eyes to try to endure the headache that a.s.saulted her. "But this is not important. What do you need, Mara?"

"I've come in search of your permission for a marriage." Mara bent a knee and respectfully lowered herself in front of the Black Sovereign.

"Oh? What do you have in mind?" The Black Sovereign asked, the spark of interest in its cold eyes growing brighter as it directed those enormous eyes to Mara.

"We have received news that the Abyss Sect just lost its Fifth Protector." Mara said with a alarmed expression, not hiding her concern. "The circ.u.mstances are unknown, but it seems to have been a betrayal."

Anna looked at the scene with mixed feelings. The first time she witnessed it, she was just a twelve-year-old girl. She had no real awareness of the situation of the Five Sacred Sects nor of the subtleties in the conversation between her mother and the Black Sovereign.

Now however, she could see the hidden nuances. As she grew, her mother taught her more, had let her know of more matters concerning their sect as well as the other four Sacred Sects. With this information, Anna could more or less guess the thoughts of the Black Sovereign and her mother.

As Mara finished her words, she knew she didn't need to explain the situation. The Black Sovereign knew very well that something strange was happening. Throughout the last few decades, the forces of the Five Sacred Sects started declining. Powerful Elders started being killed on simple missions or disappearing without a trace. Treasures and artifacts were vanis.h.i.+ng from the vaults and external resources were slowly dwindling due to a myriad of reasons that involved from bankruptcy to the retirement or death of the providers.

The subst.i.tutes would always ask for a somewhat higher price than before, and so, the reserves of the Five Sacred Sects were slowly being chipped away as time pa.s.sed. They were paying more and receiving less. In a few years it might not make a difference, but in decades, or even centuries, the effects would be devastating.

The Abyss Sect had it worse. Its sphere of influence had been restrained to a fraction of what it once was, and the sect had lost innumerable Elders and promising youths in recent times. Even the smaller sects of the Central Continent were starting to close the gap between them.

Something was happening behind the scenes. Someone was moving. The problem was that the Black Sovereign didn't seem to know who or why. The communication between the sects had also been reduced, and so did the communication between the Four Guardian Clans. It was a process so slow, so subtle that it felt only natural.

The long-term peace that Arthur Royce had achieved would naturally bring changes to the discipline and proximity of the sects after the conflict had been resolved. Still…

"Continue." The Black Sovereign demanded, its cold gaze turned incomparably serious as he gazed at Mara.

"The Roaring Mountain Sect has shown interest in a marriage between both inheriting disciples." Mara spoke with a voice as cold as the surroundings, not showing a trace of emotion as she spoke of this. She had come to the Frozen Ravines as the Sect Master of the Noan River Sect, not Anna Hale's mother.

"What of the White Emperor?" The Black Sovereign asked, showing a hint of impatience in its grave voice.

"It is a recent matter. The other side is most likely also seeking permission as we speak." Mara said, lowering her head and her posture even further.

It was true that this matter had not been defined, but it was necessary to speak with the Black Sovereign nonetheless. It was a show of respect and obedience. The final answer on their side would come from it.

That gigantic head moved again, returning its gaze to Anna. All traces of emotion had disappeared completely. In its frosty eyes, there was only a chilling void. A complete indifference.

"You will come to understand that your position is much more taxing than rewarding." It said as it looked at Anna with a gaze that seemed to pierce straight into her soul. "It is the price you pay to rule over others. Freedom is but a fleeting dream in front of the responsibilities you must bear, little girl."

"This fire you have burning inside you… If you are to inherit the Noan River Sect, you better put it out. Otherwise it will either consume you or consume the sect under your guidance." Its gaze softened somewhat as it blew lightly in Anna's direction. That light blowing turned into a gale that shattered the ice covering Anna, freeing her.

"I have no problems with it. The Five Sacred Sects must tighten their bonds again if we are to revert the situation." The Black Sovereign spoke in an unhurried tone as it gave Mara its answer.

"Do you have a problem with it?" It looked at Anna and asked, raising its head slightly.

Mara too, turned her head to glare at her daughter. She had been explaining about this matter to her for months. It was a price she had to pay in order to do what was best for the sect that would one day be hers.

Six years ago, Anna had a pitiful expression on her face as she looked at that terrifying G.o.dbeast staring at her, as well as her mother. She had grasped the ring hanging from her neck tightly, obviously torn by the decision. In the end, however, she spoke nothing.

The Anna of six years ago had simply shaken her head, silently accepting the burden she would have to bear, even if she did not truly want it.

That had been the greatest mistake she had made in her life and, if she saw it through the end, it would be a mistake she would have to deal with for centuries. It would be the same as shackling herself to misery in the name of the Noan River Sect.

Anna decided she would have none of that. The flames inside her stopped flickering, and started burning even brighter, expelling the cold invading her.

The present Anna also stood in silence as she was faced with the Black Sovereign's question. She looked as torn as the little girl of six years ago, but the reasons were entirely different. She too, tightly held the ring hanging from her neck.

"You were right. This place is indeed too cold." Anna spoke softly in a sorrowful voice, her expression full of reminiscence as she spoke with a person that was not there.

She turned her gaze to the Black Sovereign. She now knew why it had posed this question. Why it had spoken to her about such things as responsibilities and putting the sect at risk. At that moment, Anna had been presented with a choice that she couldn't recognize, one that was not about the marriage.

The Black Sovereign had seen through her, even if at the time she had never managed to look at herself.

"I refuse such responsibilities." She spoke with a genuine smile on her face.