The Forsaken Heir's Ascension-Chapter 165: The Eternal Frost Flame’s Trial: Lovers or Death

Alex’s eyes widened in shock at the elder’s sudden outburst.

Before he could speak, Selene stepped forward, her glare sharp as ice.

A wave of frost burst from her, covering the throne hall in a chilling veil.

The air grew dense—cold and heavy—like a blizzard had awakened inside the very walls.

Everyone in the hall felt it: the suffocating pressure, the weight of a slumbering force roused from deep within.

Selene’s eyes glowed with an ethereal frost-blue light.Her fists clenched at her sides, teeth gritted.

Even Sara’s eyes widened at the release of such aura. She raised her hand calmly.With a mere wave, her own overwhelming presence surged out.In an instant, the frost aura vanished like mist before the sun.

Her voice thundered through the hall, clear and unyielding."Grand Elder, you are excused from the conference. Leave."

The elder’s eyes bulged in disbelief. He tried to protest, "But, Matriarch—"

Sara silenced him with a graceful but firm gesture."I said—leave."

The Grand Elder’s jaw clenched as rage flashed through his eyes.He threw one last glare at Alex before turning on his heel, white robes billowing as he stormed out of the hall.

Silence followed his departure.Then the Matriarch’s expression softened. She looked down at Selene and Alex with warmth that contrasted the earlier storm."You two—come closer," she said gently. Then, glancing at the wolf, added, "The wolf shall remain there."

Hati gave a low, obedient woof and sat down calmly.

Selene and Alex stepped forward together, the echo of their footsteps swallowed by the vastness of the crystal hall.

As they approached the steps of the throne, Sara raised her hand, and they stopped.Her piercing gaze swept across the hall before settling on her own mother—the former Matriarch. With a slight nod, she acknowledged her.

Then Sara’s voice rang out, thunderous and absolute, echoing across the crystal hall:"We are gathered here today because my daughter, Selene Frostreign, has awakened the Eternal Frost Flame."

A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. Eyes widened in disbelief. Murmurs spread like wildfire.

"This," Sara continued, "is the first awakening of the Frost Flame in over two hundred years."

The nobles nodded slowly, their expressions shifting to solemn reverence.

Sara’s tone hardened, her fists clenched."To fully inherit the Eternal Frost Flame, Selene must journey to Phoenix Mountain."

Several nobles exchanged glances, and more than a few looked at Selene with barely concealed pity.

But then came the true shock.Sara’s voice rang again, firm and decisive:"The only person who will accompany her... is Alexander."

An uproar of murmurs erupted across the throne hall, outrage and confusion brimming in hushed voices. But none dared speak openly.

Sara remained composed, unmoved by their silent protests.

Then, the former Matriarch—the elderly woman with white hair who had earlier reacted to Alex—stepped forward. Her eyes were grave, her presence commanding."You two," she said in a heavy voice that carried to every corner of the chamber, "follow me."

Sara didn’t stop her. She only looked down at Selene and Alex and gave a single, approving nod.

Without a word, Selene and Alex turned and followed the old Matriarch, Hati quietly watching from the back of the hall as the heavy crystal doors slowly closed behind them.

In a small room of the Ice Castle, Alex and Selene stood respectfully across from an old woman.

Her white hair flowed like snow, and her wrinkled face bore the quiet dignity of age.

Pale blue eyes—resembling the eternal frost—peered at them with unreadable depth.She sat on a carved chair, her outstretched hand resting on a smooth, weathered wooden staff.The Old Matriarch scanned the young couple before her. Her eyes trembled slightly, and with a soft sigh, she spoke,"You two... have you kissed already?"

Selene’s eyes widened. A flush spread across her cheeks as her hands fidgeted, her feet shifting nervously.

Alex instinctively stepped back, glancing at Selene with a puzzled expression.

"Grandma!" Selene cried, her voice a mix of embarrassment and protest.

The Old Matriarch let out a dry chuckle."Oh... so you haven’t yet."

Selene huffed, crossed her arms, and glared at her grandmother with a pout.

Alex scratched his head, giving an awkward smile.

Then the Matriarch leaned back, her tone shifting to a calm, serious cadence."Selene... do you know what it means to awaken the Eternal Frost Flame?"

Selene looked back at her grandmother and nodded."Yes. It means I’ll get strong really fast... and then I can go meet Father."

The Old Matriarch smiled faintly at her response, but her smile faded just as quickly."You really don’t know anything, do you?"

After a long pause, she leaned forward, her pale blue eyes fixed on both Selene and Alex. Her voice, cracked and aged, echoed against the crystalline ice walls."The Eternal Frost Flame... is the core of the Ice Phoenix. If it has chosen you, you must inherit it completely—or you will die."

Both Selene and Alex’s eyes widened.

Alex stepped forward, alarmed."What do you mean, die?"

The Matriarch turned to him, face flat and expression unreadable."Boy, ’die’ means death. The Eternal Frost Flame will consume her. She’s already had one episode."

Alex’s fists clenched as he looked at Selene in shock.

Selene stood still, frozen in a daze.

The Old Matriarch cleared her throat and raised her voice."If she fails to fully inherit the Eternal Frost Flame, she will perish. But if she succeeds—she will live for many years... far longer than this old woman."

Their tense expressions softened just a bit.

Alex spoke with urgency,"Then what’s stopping us? Let’s do it now!"

A tired sigh escaped the old woman’s lips."It’s not that simple. The flame isn’t here. You must journey to the heart of the Frozen Hell... and enter the Ice Phoenix’s cave atop Phoenix Mountain."

She paused, then turned her gaze to Selene."You have only one month left."

Selene nodded solemnly."Then we must leave immediately. We’ll need guards... and at least one Saint-level to accompany us."

Alex nodded along with Selene and looked at the Old Matriarch.

The Old Matriarch, however, shook her head."You cannot go with any guards."Selene’s eyes widened."What?! Why not?"

The Old Matriarch raised a hand calmly."Calm down."

As Selene and Alex composed themselves, she continued with a weary sigh."You must go with your lover... or you will fail to inherit the Eternal Frost Flame."

Selene’s face turned bright red as she stole nervous glances at Alex.

Alex, on the other hand, looked thoroughly confused, his eyes darting between Selene and the Matriarch.

The old woman stood up and slowly walked to the door. As she stepped outside, she turned back and said in a firm voice,"You should leave as soon as possible. It’s a long journey."

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