CHAPTER 299: I’M HUNGRY

As the others watched, the Ice Belle fluttered down from Lucas’s shoulder and landed lightly before him. The faint mist that lingered around her body shimmered with a crystalline glow, and for the first time, they noticed she no longer looked like the tiny, delicate spirit she once was. Her form had matured...still ethereal and graceful, but now standing taller.

She was around eighty-six centimeters tall, her once childlike frame now slim and elegant, like a figure sculpted from the purest ice. Every movement she made released a faint chime, as if her very presence resonated with the frost that filled the air. Her hair, once shoulder-length and faintly blue, now cascaded down her back in soft waves that sparkled like frozen moonlight. Her eyes, bright and crystalline, carried the calm of deep winter lakes, and her pale skin glowed faintly under the soft light that filtered through the melted frost.

Selene blinked in disbelief. "Is it just me," she muttered, "or did she... grow?"

Nyx nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. "She didn’t just grow," she said. "She’s evolved."

The little spirit twirled gracefully, her translucent dress swirling like misty snowflakes. When she stopped, she placed her hands on her hips and gave a triumphant grin, as though proud of her transformation.

Lucas watched her quietly, a faint smile touching his lips. There was something different about her now...something regal in her posture and presence, as though she had shed her fragile nature and stepped into a new realm of being. "You’ve changed," he said softly. "You look... beautiful."

The Ice Belle’s cheeks shimmered faintly with a blush that looked like a delicate frost bloom. She fluttered her wings once and then crossed her arms, pretending to act indifferent, though her faint smile betrayed her pride.

Lira couldn’t help but smile at the sight. "She’s adorable."

The Ice Belle’s eyes softened as she stepped closer and placed a tiny, cool hand against Lira’s cheek. Frost bloomed briefly where her fingers touched, but it didn’t hurt...it felt gentle, like snow melting on warm skin.

Then the Ice Belle yawned sleepily, rubbing her tiny eyes like she was trying to wake herself fully. Lucas smiled faintly at the sight, running a gentle hand over her icy hair.

Henrietta took a step forward, her voice calm but full of relief. "You scared all of us, you know. The entire room was sealed off by your cultivation. We couldn’t even feel your presence properly.

Lucas turned to her and gave a tired but reassuring smile. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry." He took another deep breath, exhaling a thin mist that glowed faintly in the air. "I didn’t even realize how long I’d been in seclusion. I was... lost in the flow of energy. Everything around me felt frozen, like time had stopped moving."

Nyx stepped closer now, studying him closely. "That’s because your Ice Affinity has completely merged with the Ice Belle’s divine essence," she explained, her tone a mix of fascination and awe. "Your Qi no longer carries just your signature. It’s become intertwined with hers. You’ve evolved, Xavier... you’re not the same Grandmaster you were before."

Lucas met her gaze, sensing the truth in her words. The energy inside him felt different...calm yet impossibly vast, as if an ocean of frost lay beneath his every heartbeat. He flexed his fingers, and faint trails of icy Qi followed their motion before dissolving softly into the air.

Selene folded her arms, smirking faintly. "So that’s what happens when someone forgets to eat for five months," she said, her tone light, though her eyes softened as she looked at him. "You come out half human, half winter spirit."

Lira shot her a mild glare. "Selene."

Lucas gave a faint chuckle, shaking his head. "She’s not entirely wrong," he said quietly. "I feel different. The Ice Belle’s energy... it’s inside me now. I can sense it, deep within my Dantian. It’s pure, powerful, and cold... but not unpleasant. Like it belongs there."

The Ice Belle tilted her head proudly, crossing her tiny arms with a self-satisfied look, as though declaring that she had done an excellent job.

Nyx smiled faintly at the sight. "She must have transferred a part of her essence to stabilize you. Without that, the sheer cold of your cultivation would have frozen your own Qi pathways. You’re lucky she’s bound to you, Lucas."

Lucas nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at the tiny creature perched on his shoulder. "I owe her more than I can ever repay."

Lucas had only just finished his words, when the Ice Belle tilted her head slightly and looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her crystalline eyes. "Then," she said sweetly, her voice clear and melodic like the ringing of distant chimes, "you can repay me with food."

For a long heartbeat, silence filled the room.

Selene froze mid-breath, Lira’s jaw dropped, and even Nyx blinked in disbelief. Lira let out a startled laugh, covering her mouth with one hand. "Did she just... talk?"

Lucas blinked, certain he had misheard. He looked at the Ice Belle, who only smiled wider, her wings fluttering in satisfaction. "You can talk now?" he asked softly, his voice filled with wonder.

The little spirit nodded proudly, as if she had been waiting for this exact moment to surprise him. "I could always understand you," she said, her tone innocent but playful. "But now... I can finally speak too."

Nyx stepped closer, still astonished. "That’s incredible," she murmured. "For a spirit to develop speech means her soul essence has matured beyond its bound stage. It’s not something that happens easily, even for elemental creatures."

The Ice Belle puffed up her small chest, clearly pleased by the attention. "Now give me food." She said.

Selene couldn’t help it...she burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.

The Ice Belle crossed her arms and turned her head away with exaggerated haughtiness. "Food is important," she said primly. "Especially meat. Juicy, warm, delicious meat."

Lucas laughed softly, shaking his head as warmth spread through his chest. "You haven’t changed at all, have you?" he said fondly. "Even after growing stronger, all you can think about is food."

The Ice Belle looked up at him and grinned, her eyes sparkling like frozen gems. "You promised to take care of me," she reminded him, her voice soft yet teasing. "And now that I can talk, I’ll make sure you don’t forget."

Lira giggled quietly, leaning toward Selene. "She’s got him wrapped around her little finger already."

Henrietta smiled faintly as she watched the playful exchange. "It seems she’s grown in more ways than one," she said gently. "Not just in strength, but in spirit."

Lucas nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on the Ice Belle who now hovered before him, her wings scattering faint trails of shimmering frost. "Then I suppose I really do owe you," he said softly, a faint smile curving his lips. "And I’ll make sure to repay you properly... with all the food you want."

The Ice Belle’s face lit up with delight. She clapped her tiny hands together, her laughter ringing like crystal bells. "Then hurry!" she chirped brightly. "I’m hungry!"