Chapter 64: The Awakening of Ice

Witnessing the scene, Gu Chen was instantly gripped by panic. He set down his milk and rushed to his sister’s side.

The entire room was now encased in ice, yet the young woman remained undisturbed, lying peacefully with steady, even breaths.

Stirred by her brother’s urgent calls, Gu Xin groggily awoke, rubbing her eyes with a hint of confusion.

“Brother, what’s wrong?”

Seeing her awake, Gu Chen temporarily breathed a sigh of relief, quickly steadying her delicate shoulders.

“Xiao Xin, are you alright? Do you feel unwell at all?”

Gu Xin paused, bewildered by his concern, but her eyes widened in shock as she took in the frozen state of the room, stammering, “Brother, what—what happened here?”

Gu Chen was about to admit he didn’t know, but in the next moment, he suddenly realized something was amiss and immediately looked down.

To his astonishment, the very spot where he held her delicate shoulders had begun to freeze over!

Gu Chen released her, watching the scene unfold with profound shock.

Gu Xin, naturally, witnessed it too, becoming even more bewildered.

“Don’t panic, Xiao Xin. I’m messaging Brother Hao right now; he should know what’s going on.”

Bai Hao was the first person Gu Chen thought of, so he quickly sent him a message.

Meanwhile, Bai Hao was engaged in a very important activity with Aunt Xia in her room. He paused, taken aback by Gu Chen’s message, and after a moment’s thought, replied.

[Could your sister be awakening an ability?]

At that moment, Xia Zhiqu had also sobered up considerably, sitting up to ask him, “Husband, what’s wrong?”

Bai Hao handed her his phone. After reading the message, she, too, looked surprised.

‘So Gu Xin has also awakened an ability?’

Bai Hao shrugged.

“Not necessarily; perhaps a ‘gui’ has entangled her again?”

Xia Zhiqu nodded, a sigh escaping her lips.

“If it really is a ‘gui’ again, then Xiao Xin is truly unlucky.”

On the other side, upon seeing Bai Hao’s message, Gu Chen immediately considered that possibility, and a look of joy brightened his face as he turned to Gu Xin.

“Xiao Xin, all this ice is emanating from your body. Try to feel it, see if you can control it.”

Gu Xin’s eyes widened as a thought struck her, her small mouth slightly agape.

“Brother, you mean to say…”

Gu Chen nodded. “If you awaken an ability and become an ability user, it would naturally be a good thing for you, as it would give you the power to protect yourself. Although I can protect you, there are bound to be times of oversight, just like last time…”

Encouraged by her brother, Gu Xin hummed in affirmation and closed her eyes, beginning to concentrate.

Before long, an even greater surge of cold energy erupted from the young woman’s body, forcing even Gu Chen to retreat a little. However, his heart swelled with even more worry.

Fortunately, this chilling aura only lasted for a moment before vanishing without a trace. The young woman opened her eyes, revealing that they had turned a faint blue!

Gu Xin extended her hand, and in the next instant, a block of ice began to coalesce and expand within her palm…

Witnessing this, both she and Gu Chen were stunned, followed by an immense surge of delight.

“Brother, I really have an ability!”

Gu Chen stepped forward, overjoyed for his sister. Moreover, it was an ice element! This ability was far cooler than his own strength amplification.

Then, remembering something, he quickly sent this good news to Bai Hao.

[Brother Hao, my sister truly awakened an ability—an ice-type ability!]

Bai Hao wasn’t particularly surprised by the message; after all, he had already made a pretty good guess from Gu Chen’s earlier description.

However, logically speaking, one shouldn’t be able to awaken an ability out of thin air; there should always be some medium or catalyst.

Yet, when Bai Hao inquired, Gu Xin’s ability awakening truly seemed to have simply begun with her feeling unwell, and then it manifested? That seemed utterly absurd…

[Brother Hao, are you free soon? I have some questions I’d like to ask you.]

Bai Hao raised an eyebrow upon reading the message, then replied.

[Tomorrow, Aunt Xia, two others, and I will be heading to Qingshan Town to deal with the Ghost Granny. Why don’t you bring your sister along?]

Gu Chen paused, then, without much thought, agreed. After all, he had come to understand over this period that Bai Hao was an absolute pillar of support; following him was always the right choice.

Their conversation concluded, and Bai Hao then informed Xia Zhiqu about Gu Chen and Gu Xin’s impending arrival.

Xia Zhiqu was unconcerned; having learned of the little rascal’s true strength, she no longer worried about safety.

At that moment, Bai Hao still had his hand resting on Aunt Xia’s beautiful stocking-clad legs.

Feeling the young man’s ardour, Xia Zhiqu complained plaintively, “Can’t you ever rest?”

Bai Hao kissed the beauty’s red lips, his voice firm.

“I cannot.”

A night of passion unfolded, and by the time they awoke the next morning, glistening morning dew still clung to the treetops outside the window.

Xia Zhiqu and Bai Hao first met up with Gu Chen and Gu Xin, then proceeded to an outdoor gear store to purchase equipment.

Gu Chen and Gu Xin were still unaware of the true relationship between Bai Hao and Xia Zhiqu, so Gu Chen was quite curious as to why Brother Hao always appeared hand-in-hand with Aunt Xia.

However, this question was instantly resolved upon meeting the Old Charlatan. Being quite the gossiper, the Old Charlatan quickly blurted out that Bai Hao and Xia Zhiqu were a married couple, thoroughly shocking both Gu Chen and Gu Xin.

Bai Hao, seeing no point in pretending any longer, simply wrapped his arm around Aunt Xia’s slender waist and declared, “That’s right, this is my wife. Haven’t you two always wanted to meet her? Actually, you’ve met her before.”

It took Gu Chen a while to recover from the shock. He looked at Xia Zhiqu, then hesitantly said,

“Hello, Sister-in-law.”

Xia Zhiqu’s pretty face flushed, and she couldn’t help but roll her eyes, saying, “Don’t call me that. Just call me Aunt Xia.”

Otherwise, wouldn’t she be on the same generation as these recently-adult individuals? It would inexplicably lower her status, and the address felt rather awkward…

Gu Chen and Gu Xin exchanged a glance, then both turned their gaze to Bai Hao.

Bai Hao shrugged in response, saying, “Listen to Aunt Xia. Haven’t you noticed I call her Aunt Xia too? Aunt Xia just enjoys being the elder.”

Hearing the young man’s words, Xia Zhiqu’s expression faltered, and she couldn’t resist playfully hitting him, a clear sign of their affectionate banter.

It is said that a maiden’s shyness is a sight of unparalleled beauty, but a mature woman’s bashfulness is even more irresistible.

Once all preparations were complete, Xia Zhiqu and the others made their way to the station to travel to Qingshan Town.

Along the way, Xia Zhiqu expressed curiosity about Gu Xin’s ability. In truth, Hongniao was also quite curious, so Gu Xin demonstrated by manifesting an ice lotus in her hand.

At this, a flicker of envy flashed in Xia Zhiqu’s eyes, for she still didn’t know what her own ability was.