Chapter Sixty-Four: Frost

It was her. Yes, it was undoubtedly her. That day, Mo Bai had only heard that cold voice, and his heart was already unsettled. He hadn't expected to see her in person so soon.

Her face couldn't be called supremely beautiful, yet it was pure and elegant. The shape of her face was slightly rounded—not the countenance of a peerless beauty, and yet, once you looked upon her, you could never forget her. Her complexion, however, was deathly pale, so white it was almost frightening, as if encased in frost, making her seem unapproachable.

Nalan Xin’er was known for her fiery temper, infamous as the little devil of the Cloudsky Sect, and even more so outside its walls. She straightened her back and snorted, “What, is she supposed to be that important?”

In an instant, a cold and merciless gaze swept across Nalan Xin’er. She felt a chill pierce her heart, forcing her to stumble back several steps. Clutching her chest in pain, she muttered, “So cold.” Suddenly, she felt a warm current surge from behind, and her complexion gradually improved. “Thank you, Brother Mo.”

Mo Bai infused another surge of spiritual energy into Nalan Xin’er’s back before withdrawing his hand. He gazed at the ice-cold woman, who sat unmoving as if nothing had happened. Just then, a young woman in yellow beside her remarked, “I didn’t expect this little girl to have some ability. She actually withstood Seventh Senior Sister’s glance.”

Suddenly, a burst of crimson light descended from the second floor—it was the woman in red who had earlier played the bamboo flute. With a tinkling laugh, she said, “So here you are, Seventh Junior Sister.”

The woman in white rose slightly and offered a formal salute to the lady in red. “Senior Sister.” So, they belonged to the same sect. At this moment, the woman in blue, no longer entangled with the Four-Fingered Harp Emperor, glided down to stand between the two parties. She glared coldly at Nalan Xin’er. “Who were you talking about just now?”

Upstairs, the maids had already set a table with fruits and pastries. The Four-Fingered Harp Emperor sat there, watching the unfolding drama below. Though he hadn’t had the chance to appreciate the flute’s melody, he was delighted to discover that the woman in white was even more captivating, her gentle demeanor surpassing the allure of the woman in red. Yet, as they had not revealed their spiritual arts, he could not discern their sect.

With the cold within her dispelled by Mo Bai, Nalan Xin’er heard the rebuke from the woman in blue and was instantly ablaze with anger. The little devil had always been the pride of the Nalan family, personally taught by the current master of Cloudsky Sect, Grandmaster Yun Jin, and had received the true spiritual transmission from Master Yun Zui. Though her strength was ordinary, she had not expected the woman in white’s gaze to be so powerful. Now, having readied herself, she was determined to reclaim her dignity. “Hmph, yes, I said it. I was talking about you, little girl. What, you don’t agree?”

The girl in yellow laughed. “You silly thing. You just suffered a loss, and yet you still have the nerve to talk tough. You really don’t know the limits of the world.”

Nalan Xin’er raised her chin. “Hmph, I may not know how high the heavens are, but I certainly understand the depth of the earth. In the Linglong Continent, there are countless cultivators—but how many can rival the Cloudsky Sect?” At this, the little devil couldn’t help but feel proud. The Cloudsky Sect led the five great cultivation sects of the land, and she was justly proud.

“Oh? So you’re a disciple of Cloudsky Sect. No wonder you’re so arrogant. But the Linglong Continent is no longer dominated by your sect alone; the five great sects each have their strengths. Your Cloudsky Sect isn’t necessarily the place all cultivators yearn for,” replied the girl in yellow, clearly unimpressed.

This remark enraged Nalan Xin’er. She snorted, “Fine, fine, let your grandmother here teach you, you disrespectful little demon!” As she spoke, Nalan Xin’er formed a seal with her hands, and a stream of violet spiritual energy burst forth.

The girl in yellow was just as unyielding. In a flash, she leapt forward, drawing a short sword that gleamed coldly. “Others may fear your Cloudsky Sect, but my Yihua Sect does not. Let me, Huang Wan’er, see just how formidable a Cloudsky disciple truly is!” As she spoke, a golden hue began to shimmer at her sword’s tip.

This frightened the innkeeper, who was drenched in sweat. But he was a clever man; he hurried over to the Four-Fingered Harp Emperor, only to be blocked by the maids. “Harp Emperor, save me! If they start fighting, my inn will be ruined!”

The Four-Fingered Harp Emperor smiled faintly. “No need to fear. I’ll have the maids set up a Spirit-Locking Formation to contain the energies. If any damage is done, I’ll compensate you. Bring the wine and set the formation!” At his command, six maids leapt into position, each at a cardinal point, forming a subtle spiritual barrier.

Mo Bai frowned slightly but had no mind to interfere. Seeing that these women were from the Yihua Sect, he felt uneasy, for their purpose here was to seek the Sect Master of Yihua, Master Gu Meng, to help Xiao Hua break through her spiritual barrier. Now, a conflict had erupted—who knew how things would develop?

He glanced at Wu Luohua, who understood Mo Bai’s concern. In a low voice, she said, “We can’t let Xin’er suffer. Even if it means making enemies, I’m not afraid.”

Mo Bai’s heart warmed at her words. He nodded quietly. By now, Huang Wan’er and Nalan Xin’er had already clashed. The little devil thrust out her hand, her Violet Blossom Acupoint Strike sweeping toward Huang Wan’er, who countered with her sword, golden light flashing as the two exchanged blows in a lively duel.

Nalan Xin’er’s fingers danced, sending out purple blossoms one after another. Huang Wan’er’s yellow sword energy blocked and parried, but she soon found herself on the defensive, her lovely face turning grim. Seizing the advantage, Nalan Xin’er flicked her wrist, sending three Violet Condensing Needles shooting toward Huang Wan’er. Alarmed, Huang Wan’er spun away, barely avoiding the needles, but one struck her hair ornament, sending her hair tumbling loose.

Now truly enraged, Huang Wan’er’s sword suddenly tripled in size, surging forward like a tidal wave. “Wretch, you’re courting death! Let me show you the power of the Three-Flower Sword!” The Violet Blossom Acupoint Strike was instantly shattered by the force.

Gritting her teeth, the little devil swept her hands and, for the first time, summoned a massive spiritual sword from the heavens. Unlike Huang Wan’er’s sword energy, this sword was a direct manifestation of spiritual power—this was the Heavenly Dao True Sword.

“Not good, it’s the Heavenly Dao True Sword!” the woman in red shouted.

Even the Four-Fingered Harp Emperor upstairs slowly rose, marveling, “How can one so young wield the Heavenly Dao True Sword? This is simply astonishing.”

The Heavenly Dao True Sword descended like the wrath of the gods, smashing toward Huang Wan’er. The overwhelming force was far beyond that of the Three-Flower Sword. With a crack, the golden sword energy was obliterated, and Huang Wan’er’s face turned ashen.

Suddenly, the woman in white, who had been sitting quietly, sprang into action. In a flash, she stood before Huang Wan’er, her palm swirling, condensing a mist of icy energy that crackled as it clashed with the descending sword. The sound of shattering ice filled the air—the power of the Heavenly Dao True Sword was immense. The woman in white frowned, and with another surge of ice energy, she finally managed to halt the sword’s advance. Huang Wan’er stood drenched in cold sweat, gazing in awe at her seventh senior sister’s ice hand, finally able to breathe again.

Nalan Xin’er’s expression grew grave as she channeled more spiritual energy into the sword, yet it only pressed down a little further before halting, unable to break through the woman’s icy mist. “Demoness! You seek death!” Nalan Xin’er shouted, her violet eyes spinning wildly. A surge of purple spiritual light flooded into the sword, which suddenly erupted with newfound power. Even the Spirit-Locking Formation set by the six maids was shattered, sending them tumbling to the ground.

But Nalan Xin’er cared little for that. Her violet pupils shone brighter than ever—perhaps, in this instant, Nalan Xin’er, having received the true spiritual transmission from Master Wu Zui, had once again absorbed the vast power of spiritual energy. The Heavenly Dao True Sword swept all before it, breaking through ice and mist, crashing toward the woman in white.

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “So, it’s the Nalan Violet Eyes, a bloodline of spiritual cultivation. No wonder this girl is a descendant of Master Yun Jin—her arrogance is explained.” With a cold snort, she unleashed a frigid light from her own eyes. With a surge, a massive sword of blue-white ice formed and clashed directly with the Heavenly Dao True Sword.

Mo Bai touched the scar at the end of his left eyebrow and murmured, “So, there really is an old friend in the Cold Rain Pool.”