Chapter Thirty-Five: The Ice Serpent Beast

Lin Feng lifted his head, gazing up at the enormous cavern overhead. Two figures, one in white and the other in blue, shot down toward him like lightning, both uttering a surprised exclamation.

The young man, whose eyes were stung by the radiance beneath their feet, hastily shielded his face. Forcing his eyes open, he saw that the newcomers were none other than Feng Yiyuan and the white-clad maiden who had pursued Yin Chaozong just days prior.

Feng Yiyuan descended from his flying sword with a genial laugh, approaching Lin Feng. “Well, well, we meet again. Your name is Lin Feng, isn’t it? To have escaped from Yin Chaozong’s clutches—truly, congratulations are in order.”

Lin Feng managed a strained smile, at a loss for how to address this man. The youthful cultivator looked no more than twenty-five or six, yet had once shaken the assembly at Phoenix Ridge with a single stroke, and at the entrance to the Pavilion of Hidden Treasures, had commanded all the disciples within and without. Clearly, he was far from ordinary.

“Ha, just call me Senior Brother Feng,” Feng Yiyuan said kindly, his eyes bright and friendly. “And this is Junior Sister Chen. You should address her as Senior Sister.”

“Ah...” Lin Feng had not expected Feng Yiyuan to put it so. In the sect, hierarchy was of utmost importance—addressing him as Senior Brother made him a generation above even the Sect Leader!

The white-clad maiden stepped forward, casting Feng Yiyuan a sidelong glance, as though she too found his remark surprising.

Sensing her gaze, Feng Yiyuan offered a mysterious smile. “Junior Brother Lin, to have survived such peril unharmed, you must indeed be blessed with great fortune. Many in the sect are keeping a close eye on you.”

Lin Feng, moved by these words, hurriedly replied, “Thank you, Senior Brother Feng—and you as well, Senior Sister Chen.”

The two nodded lightly. Feng Yiyuan glanced around, his gaze resting on Lin Feng. “Why are you lingering here, Junior Brother Lin? Where is that fiend Yin now? Just now, a surge of cold swept through this place. Did you see what caused it?”

Lin Feng took a deep breath and answered slowly, “A few days ago, I took advantage of his severe injuries to sneak away. By chance, I met Senior Brother Mingxin from Futuo Temple in Willow Town, and we joined forces to eradicate evil here.” Turning, he pointed toward the abyss. “As for the chill, we saw nothing unusual. When we arrived, a group was battling the Ice Chilong Beast. Outmatched, the creature leapt into the abyss, and Senior Brother Mingxin pursued it.”

“The Ice Chilong Beast?” the white-clad maiden exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes, Senior Sister,” Lin Feng stammered, not daring to meet her eyes. “It can spew icy mist, but even so, it couldn’t withstand their combined assault.”

Feng Yiyuan pondered for a moment, exchanging a glance with the maiden, then said, “If that’s the case, let’s investigate. Junior Brother Lin, come with us.”

“Ah? Thank you, Senior Brother Feng.” Lin Feng looked at him gratefully, thinking that these inner-sect seniors were not as cold and aloof as rumor made them out to be, but rather approachable.

The white-clad maiden watched on impassively, her expression unchanged.

Feng Yiyuan extended a hand, helping Lin Feng onto his Ziyang Sword. “Hold on tight!”

Lin Feng tensed and quickly wrapped his arms around Feng Yiyuan’s waist. As the sword beneath them quivered, it soared forward like an arrow loosed from the string. A wave of nausea and dizziness engulfed Lin Feng—an unpleasantness from the rapid descent. Before he could adjust, Feng Yiyuan had already brought the sword to a steady halt. The air was now frigid, and the sounds of fierce battle echoed nearby.

“We’re here, Junior Brother Lin,” Feng Yiyuan said with a gentle smile.

Lin Feng, mortified to find his hands still gripping Senior Brother Feng’s waist, blushed and released him, leaping to the ground.

“Hiss...” The ground was so cold it pierced his bones, many times chillier than above. Lin Feng quickly channeled some spiritual power to resist the cold, his breath freezing into white frost.

Once he had regained his composure, Lin Feng saw that the four figures were still locked in a desperate struggle with the Ice Chilong Beast on a distant platform, while Mingxin the monk watched anxiously from the side.

“Amitabha. Junior Brother Lin, who are these two?” The monk was surprised to see three new arrivals in the chasm. Recognizing Lin Feng among them, he recited a Buddhist chant and came forward.

Lin Feng straightened, hastening to introduce them. “This is Senior Brother Feng, this is Senior Sister Chen, both from my sect. Senior Brother Mingxin, how fares the situation?”

A look of delight spread across Mingxin’s face. “So, fellow cultivators! I am Mingxin of Futuo Temple—greetings to you both.”

Feng Yiyuan gave a modest laugh. “The pleasure is ours. I am Feng Yiyuan of the Hundred Flowers Sect, and this is my junior sister, Chen Yuxi. I have long heard of Futuo Temple’s eminent monks, whose power and compassion are renowned. It is an honor to meet you, Master Mingxin.”

Lin Feng stole a glance at Senior Sister Chen, quietly committing her name to memory.

Mingxin smiled gently. “There’s no need for such formality, Senior Brother Feng. Compared to those fighting ahead, my abilities are far inferior. I dare not accept such a title.”

Feng Yiyuan waved a hand dismissively. “You are too modest, Senior Brother. Futuo Temple is revered by all. My own master often speaks highly of your order, though he has not left the mountain in decades, so fate has not allowed a meeting until now. To meet you here is indeed a stroke of fortune.”

As the two exchanged pleasantries, Lin Feng’s attention had already wandered to the distant battle. There, the black-clad figures were shrouded in icy mist. The Ice Chilong Beast was now even more formidable than before, unleashing not only frigid air but massive ice spears. Of the four opponents, only the stunning young woman who had appeared last seemed less impaired; the rest moved sluggishly, their bodies encased in ever-thickening layers of frost, like snowmen.

“Senior Brother Feng, enough pleasantries! Investigate those people’s identities,” Chen Yuxi chided softly.

“Oh—Senior Brother Mingxin, you arrived early. Have you discerned anything?” Feng Yiyuan asked, peering at the melee with a slight frown.

“Not much. Three of the four are on par with me, but that lady is far beyond my abilities. What do you think, Senior Brother Feng—” Mingxin’s words were cut short by a thunderous roar.

All eyes turned. The Ice Chilong Beast was now wreathed in blue frost, its eyes blazing with a spectral light. With a roar, a wave of destructive energy burst forth, countless icy rays shooting out, crossing dozens of yards in a flash.

“Look out!” Feng Yiyuan shouted, and his Ziyang Sword suddenly expanded to many times its size, standing before the four like a wall of purple light that seemed to stretch without end.

A sharp, resonant clang reverberated, the sword trembling as a buzzing sound filled their ears. For that instant, Lin Feng could see nothing but the celestial sword before him.

“The Grand Sword Formula!” Chen Yuxi cried, her eyes filled with complex emotion.

Mingxin intoned a solemn chant, his face growing grave.

“Heh, that’s only the first stance,” Feng Yiyuan remarked calmly, sheathing his sword. “They seem injured. Let’s go take a look.”

Shaken, Lin Feng raised his head to see that only three people now lay groaning on the ground; both the Ice Chilong Beast and the black-robed woman had vanished.

“Which sect do you belong to?” As they approached, Feng Yiyuan exchanged a look with Mingxin, his expression turning stern.

“What business is it of yours?” The burly man leading the trio was covered in blood, his face crusted with ice as though only just thawed.

The Hundred Flowers Sect was a great and respected order; none present, save for Lin Feng, had ever lacked for admiration or deference from their peers, and all carried a trace of pride. Before Feng Yiyuan could be angered by the man’s insolence, Chen Yuxi formed a sword with her fingers and snapped, “Mind your tongue! Taste my sword!”

A dazzling arc of sword light shot from her fingertips, brilliant yet deliberately aimed wide.

“Amitabha!” Mingxin pressed his palms together. Buddhist light flared from his robe, absorbing the sword energy in mid-air.

“Monk, who are you to interfere?” Chen Yuxi took a step forward, fixing him with a cold glare.

Mingxin only smiled in response, offering no justification. The young woman snorted and stepped back behind Feng Yiyuan. Seeing Lin Feng staring at her, she snorted again with disdain.

“Enough. Since you have nothing to say, we’ll take our leave. Senior Brother Mingxin, shall we continue our investigation?” Feng Yiyuan was unwilling to waste words with them. He could see these three were most likely from the demonic path—no cause for further dealings. That he did not strike them down while they were weak was mercy enough.

“As you see fit, Senior Brother Feng,” Mingxin replied, falling in step.

Lin Feng gave the three on the ground a final glance before following the monk deeper into the cavern. This underworld was vaster than any of them had anticipated from above. The chasm was strewn with ice stalactites and stalagmites, the occasional karst tunnel branching off into darkness. As they walked, all four marveled at the strange and wondrous scenery.

Suddenly, a beast’s roar echoed ahead, and the Ice Chilong Beast’s crystalline blue eyes glimmered in the darkness.

“That creature still lives?” A chill ran through Lin Feng. A sixth-rank demon beast—surely it possessed intelligence akin to a human, and knew how to exploit the terrain to lure its enemies ever deeper.

“Junior Sister, watch over Junior Brother Lin!” Feng Yiyuan called out, his voice booming with excitement as he charged forward, sword in hand. The glory to be gained from slaying the beast was not insignificant.

The monk Mingxin also flew forward on his treasure. Chen Yuxi glanced at Lin Feng and suddenly smiled. “Stay here and don’t wander off, Junior Brother. I’ll go help them.”

“Er... why does that feel strange?” Lin Feng sighed deeply as he watched her white-clad figure recede. Yes, among such people, he was but a burden—it was better to stay clear.

Ahead, the mighty glow of Feng Yiyuan’s Ziyang Sword spun and danced with dazzling brilliance. The monk’s sandalwood alms bowl, larger than a water vat, glimmered with golden light and the sound of chanting. With a clear, ringing cry like a phoenix, Chen Yuxi’s Jingluan Sword manifested, multicolored sword energy flying in all directions—a spectacle both grand and breathtaking.

“When will I be able to wield a sword and slay my enemies?” Lin Feng propped his chin on one hand, gazing blankly at the magnificent scene.

Clang! Suddenly, a sharp sound came from his side. Startled, he leapt several feet away, then turned—nothing was there, only a narrow stalactite cave to the right.

“Hm? Could there be a demon beast inside?” He drew the spear from his back and crept inward.

After no more than ten yards, he saw a figure collapsed on the icy stone floor. Looking closer, he realized it was the black-clad woman! Her clothes were in tatters, her body frozen stiff from the beast’s icy breath, her hair and cheeks sheathed in thick frost, obscuring her beauty. But the few glimpses of smooth, pearly skin that showed through were all the more striking in the dim light.

“What now? Should I call Senior Sister Chen for help? No—if they saw this, they’d take me for a lecher, and I’d never clear my name. Better to leave her—one less demon cultivator is no loss.” Lin Feng instinctively retreated a step, ready to go, but then saw the woman’s fingers twitch. His heart trembled, and he turned back.

“Ah, saving a life is a boundless virtue. Let’s hope she doesn’t mistake me for a scoundrel when she wakes. So much for my luck.” In the end, he could not leave her to die. He knelt by the young woman, taking her wrist to check her pulse.

“What? So cold?” As he examined her, Lin Feng was shocked. The spiritual power in her body was colder than ice, enough to have killed anyone else—how did she still cling to life? And this energy was incomparably pure, flowing slowly through her meridians. No wonder she had lasted so long against the Ice Chilong Beast; her strange power was surely part of the reason.

After some thought, he propped her up, brushed the ice from her face, arranged her in a meditation posture, then deftly tapped several key points on her body before channeling his own spiritual power into her.

Suddenly, the woman coughed up blood and collapsed against him.

“What’s happening?” Lin Feng fumbled in panic, probing her spiritual energy once more—finding it in even greater disarray than before.

“Could she have some special constitution? Maybe I can’t just transfer my energy.” Cold sweat broke out on Lin Feng’s brow as he realized his rashness had nearly cost a life.

Now that he understood, his eyes drifted back to the girl—and he froze. In his flustered attempt to help, much of her frozen, tattered clothing had fallen away, leaving only a few scraps to cover her. Yet her youthful beauty was impossible to conceal; most of her exquisite form was now revealed before Lin Feng’s eyes.

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