’Only ice can be made into a shield. Why not frost?’

’My Jade Dragon Gift can blast out a massive amount of frost. Why can’t I condense and compress it into a defensive tool, like the Iron Snow Forearm?’

’Are we not truly developing these on our own? Are we just discovering Soul Skills that have already been predefined?’

’That’s a pretty depressing thought...’

CRACK. The Ice Glass in his hand shattered, turning into a pile of fine ice fragments.

Rong Taotao stood up, grabbed a broom and dustpan, and swept the ice fragments into it.

’Wait a second...’

’Setting aside whether we’re just discovering pre-existing Soul Skills for a moment, what are the "rules"?’

’What are the rules governing frost?’

Rong Taotao paused, opened his left palm, and blew a gentle breath.

Specks of frost settled onto his palm, and Rong Taotao carefully examined the snowflakes there.

These tiny crystals, called "snowflakes," each had its own unique shape.

Most were hexagonal, and the ones from his Frost Breath were primarily thin flakes. Though incredibly small, they were exceptionally exquisite.

Si Huan Nian watched the enigmatic Rong Taotao with an odd expression. She wanted to say she was hungry, but she held it in. However, for a foodie like her, there was a limit to her patience.

The next moment, Rong Taotao suddenly raised his arm, his palm held up and aimed toward the door.

"Everything in the world has its own shape. That’s the rule of this world," Rong Taotao murmured, pursing his lips. "If I’m not to use ice, but frost for a shield... then is *this* the shape you want?"

In the next instant, a patch of frost suddenly spread out from Rong Taotao’s palm.

Si Huan Nian jumped, sitting up straight. She stared at Rong Taotao, completely bewildered.

She watched as layer after layer of frost erupted from his palm, gathering and piecing itself together.

In the blink of an eye, a hexagonal snowflake solidified, compressed, and spread out, layer by layer. Ultimately, countless tiny hexagonal snowflakes combined to form a single, frisbee-sized hexagonal snowflake!

It was about the size of a small frisbee you’d use to play with a dog, a couple of sizes larger than Rong Taotao’s palm.

The latticework structure of the hexagonal snowflake was exceptionally exquisite, and it glittered dazzlingly in the sunlight from the window.

This hexagonal slice was incredibly light and thin, but the individual snowflakes within it were compressed with incredible tightness.

"Developed! Snow Realm Soul Skill: Frost Flower Snowcake!

Frost Flower Snowcake: Activate snowflakes with Soul Power and deftly connect with frost, guiding the flakes to compress and solidify, layer by layer. Driven by the Caster’s Empathy and desire for protection, it spreads into a perfectly regular shape. (Elite-tier, Potential Value: 4 Stars)."

"Developed Snow Realm Soul Skill (Wrist-type), Potential Value +1."

Si Huan Nian shot to her feet with a start, her face a mask of astonishment. She stared dumbly at the exquisite, latticed Snowflake Thin Slice in Rong Taotao’s palm, then lifted her gaze to meet his bright eyes.

’Wh... what is this?’

’I just finished saying that researching Soul Skills takes *years*!’

"Everything in the world has its own shape," Rong Taotao mused, taking the Frost Flower Snowcake from his palm and tossing it lightly. "So, this is *your* shape."

Rong Taotao looked up at the stunned Si Huan Nian. He couldn’t help but take a couple of steps forward and offer the exquisite Snowflake Thin Slice to her:

"Here, a flower for you. From now on, don’t fight me for the Crispy Pork anymore, okay?"

...