Chapter 3: My door?!?
Gently nibbling on a bunch of fruits while kneeling in front of the dining mat, Axilya would have a blank look, yet internally it was far different. 'I've truly gained immense strength. Just in one day as well! But...' her brows furrowed as she slowly waved her arm around in the air. 'Why do I feel a strange presence? Why do I feel as if a heavy weight has been placed on me?'
[DING!
The host has detected the chains that bind all cultivating Icathian Elves! To remove these chains reach Houtian!
DING!
Until you reach Houtian every breakthrough will take longer and longer! The host is advised to follow the missions!]
Blinking slightly Axilya nodded confused, 'Thanks? I wasn't really expecting an answer.'
[No problem! *Chirp*]
'What was that?' The system didn't reply. 'Well then.' Lips quirking upwards for a second, she'd shake her head. "Let's get on with the day then!" Standing up she walked on over to the door, only to freeze as she ripped the door off its hinges. "Shit!"
Hearing her shout a voice would come from the house near hers, "Axilya what's wro- oh!" Staring at Beldroth with her door still hanging from her hand she stared at the door, then at Beldroth, then at the door.
"It's a dream?" A brown eyebrow was raised as a disbelieving look spread across Beldroths face before it turned serious.
"Did you reach this point on accident or on purpose?" Staring at him for a moment, Axilya would slowly put the door back into its frame as her response.
His face dropped slightly, but he nodded slightly. "One moment, I'll get the hammer and nails." 'Shoot.. I can't believe I forgot. Of course, if people see my cultivation they'll think I'm lucky! But if I continue to break through, who knows who would come after me just to see what kind of cultivation method I have? It won't be that big of a deal, but... what about the villagers who don't have my strength? Besides, I have no weapon training! I should keep it a secret for at least a few more weeks!'
Of course, like every villager she had learned the very basics of hand-to-hand combat and using bows, but that was it! Certainly not enough to reach the 'Basic' level described by the system. 'If I remember correctly, based on the 'fiendgod' cultivation mentioned, that should definitely be a Desolate Era thing. But it was never super big on bloodlines... on top of the realms for body forging which are clearly from Martial World. With my Ice Phoenix bloodli- no! Not just bloodline. I'm Half Ice Phoenix, but that's sealed.' Her eyes widened slightly. 'My mom or dad was a phoenix?'
Her eyes went blank as an aching pain rose up, and all of her rising emotions were swept away, leaving only the slightest bit of confusion, panic, and the horrifying realization that she was in fact, part bird. 'No wonder I thought that my strength was too much and that I cultivated so quickly before these 'chains' were applied to me.' Her thoughts have turned clear, she'd take a deep breath and return to being calm. 'So that means when my parents died in that 'blizzard'... Was it one of them undergoing nirvana?'
With that disturbing, hopeful, but sad thought she instantly shut down her mind. 'Enough! No more.' Tracking movement as Beldroth came back around with a hammer and nails, Axilya would put on a blank smile. "Thank you for your help Beldroth."
He gave her a reassuring look that couldn't hide his worry, or his excitement. "No problem. But if this storm is starting to take down people's doors, maybe you should warn the Elder?"
There was a moment where their eyes locked before she slowly nodded. "I agree, he should know about this. But I should help work the fields first. After all, he's going to have a busy day. Besides, the snow is quite comforting to work with, don't you think? Almost a perfect way to cool down one's flesh."
His eyes widened in shock, after all, the past her had an interesting relationship with the cold and snow, before realization dawned on his face. "Of course. Now let's get this door up!"
-??????-
In her sleep, for a brief moment, she twitched slightly. The entire territory she was resting in was instantly plunged into a snowstorm the likes of which it had never seen before. One titanic eye opened, "Strange..." Her eye closed, and she settled down.
-Axilya, that night-
Sitting down in Elder Elrouns house she silently stared as he went through a wide range of emotions. Wonder, fear, greed, hope, and so many more. They flashed by on his face in such quantity, with length, and so much freedom, that she almost envied him. She even did - for a brief moment. Finally, he let out a huge sigh. "That's not what I expected you to say at all Axilya. Be honest with me - how long did it take you to breakthrough into Strength Training?"
There was no hesitation as she completely and utterly lied for his own sake, "Five days." A sharp gasp escaped from Elder Elroun as his eyes widened.
"Five days?!? Even the greatest of geniuses in the town take months!" 'Probably because Martial World would describe them as Grade 2 or 3 on top of the restrictions placed on us... Our entire Kingdom probably doesn't even have a singular Grade 6 Genius - otherwise known as Heaven Grade. Considering our lifespan... the greatest genius we have if we're lucky might be at the lowest level of Earth Grade - Grade 5.' Thinking about that, she'd visibly shake her head. "I'm sure it's only a bit better than average in the cities." 'That's a lie, but still... It's probably possible for someone to have matched 5 days before with sufficient preparation and cultivation resources.'
"You're maybe right, but still!" He stared for a while at her, as if he was looking at the greatest treasure alive. "I've decided! When you break through to Flesh Training I'll step down as the elder." 'That was... easy?'
She blinked slightly confused. "Are you sure Elder? After all, I'm only thirty years old. What will the others think?"
He waved his hand, "Baah! You already act as if you're a hundred or more! Besides they've already joked about when I would step down for you. Besides, it's a matter of importance! It's a law you know? If a cultivator is in a village, assuming they meet the requirement to be the village elder, they have to be!"
An eyebrow raised as she questioned, "Is that... true?"
The Elder nodded. "Yes, it's what every village has to agree to before going under the domain and protection of a Town, just like how a Town Leader must step down if a Bone Forging cultivator rises up in their domain and they meet the requirements." A hesitant look passed by on his face, "Of course - if you want to move to the town, or even try to move to a city I can't stop you. From what I've heard and seen that's what usually happens unless someone breaks through to Strength Training at the end of their life. After all, I heard the 'Ki' in towns and cities are much denser than here, as well as 'training materials'."
It was clear to her that although he was saying that, he was hoping with all his heart she'd stay. A small slightly forced, yet still amused smile appeared on Axilya's face, "Don't worry Elder. Even if I break through to the famed 'Houtian' realm I'll stay! Besides, who says that we'll always be a village? Once I become strong enough, everyone will start flocking towards us!"
A wide smile spread across his face, "You're right! Of course! Who says you can't make your own Town or even your own City!"
[DING!
Mission Obtained: Make your own city! (One million population, breakthrough to Houtian, have at least 5 Pulse Condensation Elders, 50 Bone Forging Seniors, and 500 Altering Muscle disciples)
]
Ignoring the message for now, Axilya would nod with determination steeling her face and flaring in her eyes. "Of course I can! Now, perhaps we should plan how we'll prepare for me becoming the Elder, and eventually us becoming a Town..."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
BalancedSelfInsert
BalancedSelfInsert If you check the status auxiliary chapter, you'll notice I replaced the original "City" mission with Town, because holy fuck are cities not only 1,000 people minimum LOL.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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