Half a day had passed and Shu Han gradually grew accustomed to the bone-chilling cold brought about by the ten-thousand-year profound ice, no longer burdened by the initial discomfort. Shangguan Ruolin, having reverted to her childlike form after returning to her cultivation, now slumbered upon Shu Han's shoulder, exhausted. The process of harnessing her spell to refine the ice must have consumed a great deal of her energy.
As Shu Han held her, flying back to Zhang Village on his flying sword, a thought occurred to him. With this piece of ice in his possession, he could replicate it using the black jar and create a bed of ten-thousand-year-old ice. Though feasible, the practicality of such an endeavor remained uncertain. Given his current level of cultivation, he would likely freeze into dust upon lying on it. Perhaps it would be best to abandon such an idea until he reached the Core Formation stage.
After half a day of flight, Shu Han, carrying Shangguan Ruolin, returned to Zhang Village. Inside his storage bag lay the bodies of the missing snow lotus diggers from the village. As he pondered how best to return the bodies, a sight from the sky made his heart sink. Half of Zhang Village was engulfed in roaring flames.
In a moment of panic, Shu Han's finger instantly touched the profound ice on his chest, releasing a surge of extreme cold. Under the influence of his wind incantation, this cold energy quickly expanded. The free-floating moisture in the air met this frigid current and coalesced into ice beads, plummeting downwards along with the cold stream.
As the cold stream swept over Zhang Village, the intense flames were instantly extinguished.
Feeling the shift in Shu Han's aura, Shangguan Ruolin stirred from her sleep, rubbing her groggy eyes as she asked, "What's happening?" Following his gaze, she saw half of Zhang Village reduced to ruins, her eyes filling instantly with a frosty resolve.
The two of them descended from the sky, rushing into the village. At this moment, Madam Song was kneeling in front of a burnt house, wailing.
Shangguan Ruolin dashed over. Seeing her, Madam Song hastily took her hand, examining her from head to toe.
"Linlin! You're back! Those damnable people didn't capture you! This is good... but they took Gua..."
Gently wiping the tear streaks from Madam Song's face, Shangguan Ruolin asked in a quiet voice, "Madam Song, what happened to the village?" Shu Han also chimed in, "Yes, Madam Song, what happened to the village? And Gua?"
Sobbing uncontrollably, Madam Song clung to Shangguan Ruolin. The village chief, leaning on his cane, approached Shu Han. "Ah, it's all the doing of the Whirlwind Gang! Our village didn't gather enough snow lotus, so those damned people took away the children and set a huge fire!"
A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Shu Han's eyes, but he remained calm as he asked, "Is this Whirlwind Gang part of the Jianghu forces? What do they need so much snow lotus for?"
The village chief said, "Ah, it's all because of the immortal master from the Purple Sun Sect who came from afar. The Whirlwind Gang then began to collect snow lotus from every household."
Purple Sun Sect!
The village chief, looking at the charred ruins of Zhang Village, let out a sigh of despair, "Little Han, you should take Linlin and leave as soon as possible. Staying in Zhang Village will only draw the attention of the Whirlwind Gang. Linlin, being as adorable as she is, would undoubtedly be a target." Upon finishing, he shouted to the villagers, "Those who still have their houses intact, bring out what you can to support Little Han and Linlin on their journey!"
Before long, the villagers all brought something to give. Bits of silver, dry food, and more, all piled in front of Shu Han.
"Go west. Those villains came from the East! You must avoid them at all costs!"
With tears in her eyes, Madam Song straightened Shangguan Ruolin's clothes, clutching her little hand and advising, "Linlin, you must listen to your brother when you're outside. If you come across anyone riding a horse, steer clear. Don't let them take you away like Gua..."
Fire brewed in Shangguan Ruolin's eyes, just about to burst into a tirade, but Shu Han stopped her. He shook his head gently at her, picked up the provisions generously assembled by the villagers, thanked them, and then, hand in hand with Shangguan Ruolin, left Zhang Village.
Once they reached the woods in Willow Mountain, Shangguan Ruolin jerked her hand free, her voice trembling with anger. "You're just going to leave? You go ahead, I'm staying! Those child-trafficking scum, I will tear them to shreds!"
Shu Han, setting down their packages, replied, "I only wished to avoid arousing the suspicion of our fellow villagers. The immortal from the Purple Sect, Linlin, this is an opportunity for us!"
Shangguan Ruolin inquired, "What kind of opportunity?"
"Do you remember the External Incarnation Technique I mentioned to you?"
Shangguan Ruolin nodded, "You said about cultivating an external incarnation to infiltrate a sect and secure a quota."
Shu Han responded, "Exactly, but creating an external incarnation takes half a year. If we join a sect after that time, we may not receive due attention as newcomers and fail to secure a quota. It would be better to target the cultivators from Purple Sun Sect and directly replace him with the external incarnation!"
"I don't care about your plan," Shangguan Ruolin interrupted, "first lend me your cultivation!"
"Lend my cultivation again? You just borrowed it not too long ago, it will consume your vitality!"
Fire flashed in Shangguan Ruolin's eyes, "I am going to kill!"
"I will handle it. There's no need to dirty your hands on these lowlife scoundrels who prey on our neighbors. I can take care of them all by myself."
Shangguan Ruolin still shook her head and gritted her teeth, "Anyone who dares harm my people, I will personally deal with them! Besides, didn't you mention earlier that you want to improve your strength by refining your own magic treasure? There's no need to refine a magic treasure, I will grant you one!"
After saying this, she grabbed Shu Han's hand without any further discussion. Left with no choice, Shu Han once again channeled his magic power into her.
Instantly, the murderous Shangguan Ruolin returned, her demeanor as imposing as when Shu Han first encountered her in the mines.
"Let's go!"
She grabbed Shu Han's hand, following the direction pointed out by the village chief, tracking the trail of the cart. Before long, they arrived at a mountain stronghold with a burning bonfire.
"First, we need to capture one alive and find out where the children are being held."
Shu Han nodded, transforming into a shadowy figure and swiftly traversing the forest. He quickly enveloped a sentry, bringing him to Shangguan Ruolin. The man, only seeing darkness before his eyes, suddenly found himself high above the ground, immediately trembling with fear.
Shangguan Ruolin coldly glanced at the man, asking, "Where are the children taken from Zhang Village being kept?"
The man looked at the stunningly beautiful Shangguan Ruolin, subdued by her captivating eyes, and dumbly responded, "They are locked in the cellar. The boss plans to sell them tomorrow to recoup the loss of the Snow Lotus."
"Where is this cellar?"
The man dumbly pointed in a direction.
Instantly, Shangguan Ruolin pointed at the man's forehead. He was launched like a cannonball, causing a massive explosion within the stronghold. In an instant, the over nine hundred members of the Whirlwind Gang came out, weapons in hand, searching for the intruders.
At this time, a man emerged from the main stronghold. Surrounded by a crowd, he stood proudly, clad in a purple robe. Shu Han recognized him as a cultivator at the eleventh layer of Qi Refining.
"Linlin, leave that man to me."
Shangguan Ruolin nodded, and at that moment, a brilliant golden thin sword emerged from her Golden Core. As soon as the sword appeared, Shu Han immediately felt the surrounding air being sliced apart, the sword light purging with a blinding sharpness. It was as though a small sun had ignited above the Whirlwind stronghold.
Wielding her long sword, Shangguan Ruolin gathered all the dispersed sword light behind her, forming two large wings made of sword feathers. Countless sword rays flickered behind her, shining brilliantly.
"This is the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, a top magic treasure of the late Foundation Establishment stage. It was the magic treasure I used most frequently during my Foundation Establishment period. Watch closely, Shu Han. I only have enough magic power for one strike!"
Half a day had passed and Shu Han gradually grew accustomed to the bone-chilling cold brought about by the ten-thousand-year profound ice, no longer burdened by the initial discomfort. Shangguan Ruolin, having reverted to her childlike form after returning to her cultivation, now slumbered upon Shu Han's shoulder, exhausted. The process of harnessing her spell to refine the ice must have consumed a great deal of her energy.
As Shu Han held her, flying back to Zhang Village on his flying sword, a thought occurred to him. With this piece of ice in his possession, he could replicate it using the black jar and create a bed of ten-thousand-year-old ice. Though feasible, the practicality of such an endeavor remained uncertain. Given his current level of cultivation, he would likely freeze into dust upon lying on it. Perhaps it would be best to abandon such an idea until he reached the Core Formation stage.
After half a day of flight, Shu Han, carrying Shangguan Ruolin, returned to Zhang Village. Inside his storage bag lay the bodies of the missing snow lotus diggers from the village. As he pondered how best to return the bodies, a sight from the sky made his heart sink. Half of Zhang Village was engulfed in roaring flames.
In a moment of panic, Shu Han's finger instantly touched the profound ice on his chest, releasing a surge of extreme cold. Under the influence of his wind incantation, this cold energy quickly expanded. The free-floating moisture in the air met this frigid current and coalesced into ice beads, plummeting downwards along with the cold stream.
As the cold stream swept over Zhang Village, the intense flames were instantly extinguished.
Feeling the shift in Shu Han's aura, Shangguan Ruolin stirred from her sleep, rubbing her groggy eyes as she asked, "What's happening?" Following his gaze, she saw half of Zhang Village reduced to ruins, her eyes filling instantly with a frosty resolve.
The two of them descended from the sky, rushing into the village. At this moment, Madam Song was kneeling in front of a burnt house, wailing.
Shangguan Ruolin dashed over. Seeing her, Madam Song hastily took her hand, examining her from head to toe.
"Linlin! You're back! Those damnable people didn't capture you! This is good... but they took Gua..."
Gently wiping the tear streaks from Madam Song's face, Shangguan Ruolin asked in a quiet voice, "Madam Song, what happened to the village?" Shu Han also chimed in, "Yes, Madam Song, what happened to the village? And Gua?"
Sobbing uncontrollably, Madam Song clung to Shangguan Ruolin. The village chief, leaning on his cane, approached Shu Han. "Ah, it's all the doing of the Whirlwind Gang! Our village didn't gather enough snow lotus, so those damned people took away the children and set a huge fire!"
A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Shu Han's eyes, but he remained calm as he asked, "Is this Whirlwind Gang part of the Jianghu forces? What do they need so much snow lotus for?"
The village chief said, "Ah, it's all because of the immortal master from the Purple Sun Sect who came from afar. The Whirlwind Gang then began to collect snow lotus from every household."
Purple Sun Sect!
The village chief, looking at the charred ruins of Zhang Village, let out a sigh of despair, "Little Han, you should take Linlin and leave as soon as possible. Staying in Zhang Village will only draw the attention of the Whirlwind Gang. Linlin, being as adorable as she is, would undoubtedly be a target." Upon finishing, he shouted to the villagers, "Those who still have their houses intact, bring out what you can to support Little Han and Linlin on their journey!"
Before long, the villagers all brought something to give. Bits of silver, dry food, and more, all piled in front of Shu Han.
"Go west. Those villains came from the East! You must avoid them at all costs!"
With tears in her eyes, Madam Song straightened Shangguan Ruolin's clothes, clutching her little hand and advising, "Linlin, you must listen to your brother when you're outside. If you come across anyone riding a horse, steer clear. Don't let them take you away like Gua..."
Fire brewed in Shangguan Ruolin's eyes, just about to burst into a tirade, but Shu Han stopped her. He shook his head gently at her, picked up the provisions generously assembled by the villagers, thanked them, and then, hand in hand with Shangguan Ruolin, left Zhang Village.
Once they reached the woods in Willow Mountain, Shangguan Ruolin jerked her hand free, her voice trembling with anger. "You're just going to leave? You go ahead, I'm staying! Those child-trafficking scum, I will tear them to shreds!"
Shu Han, setting down their packages, replied, "I only wished to avoid arousing the suspicion of our fellow villagers. The immortal from the Purple Sect, Linlin, this is an opportunity for us!"
Shangguan Ruolin inquired, "What kind of opportunity?"
"Do you remember the External Incarnation Technique I mentioned to you?"
Shangguan Ruolin nodded, "You said about cultivating an external incarnation to infiltrate a sect and secure a quota."
Shu Han responded, "Exactly, but creating an external incarnation takes half a year. If we join a sect after that time, we may not receive due attention as newcomers and fail to secure a quota. It would be better to target the cultivators from Purple Sun Sect and directly replace him with the external incarnation!"
"I don't care about your plan," Shangguan Ruolin interrupted, "first lend me your cultivation!"
"Lend my cultivation again? You just borrowed it not too long ago, it will consume your vitality!"
Fire flashed in Shangguan Ruolin's eyes, "I am going to kill!"
"I will handle it. There's no need to dirty your hands on these lowlife scoundrels who prey on our neighbors. I can take care of them all by myself."
Shangguan Ruolin still shook her head and gritted her teeth, "Anyone who dares harm my people, I will personally deal with them! Besides, didn't you mention earlier that you want to improve your strength by refining your own magic treasure? There's no need to refine a magic treasure, I will grant you one!"
After saying this, she grabbed Shu Han's hand without any further discussion. Left with no choice, Shu Han once again channeled his magic power into her.
Instantly, the murderous Shangguan Ruolin returned, her demeanor as imposing as when Shu Han first encountered her in the mines.
"Let's go!"
She grabbed Shu Han's hand, following the direction pointed out by the village chief, tracking the trail of the cart. Before long, they arrived at a mountain stronghold with a burning bonfire.
"First, we need to capture one alive and find out where the children are being held."
Shu Han nodded, transforming into a shadowy figure and swiftly traversing the forest. He quickly enveloped a sentry, bringing him to Shangguan Ruolin. The man, only seeing darkness before his eyes, suddenly found himself high above the ground, immediately trembling with fear.
Shangguan Ruolin coldly glanced at the man, asking, "Where are the children taken from Zhang Village being kept?"
The man looked at the stunningly beautiful Shangguan Ruolin, subdued by her captivating eyes, and dumbly responded, "They are locked in the cellar. The boss plans to sell them tomorrow to recoup the loss of the Snow Lotus."
"Where is this cellar?"
The man dumbly pointed in a direction.
Instantly, Shangguan Ruolin pointed at the man's forehead. He was launched like a cannonball, causing a massive explosion within the stronghold. In an instant, the over nine hundred members of the Whirlwind Gang came out, weapons in hand, searching for the intruders.
At this time, a man emerged from the main stronghold. Surrounded by a crowd, he stood proudly, clad in a purple robe. Shu Han recognized him as a cultivator at the eleventh layer of Qi Refining.
"Linlin, leave that man to me."
Shangguan Ruolin nodded, and at that moment, a brilliant golden thin sword emerged from her Golden Core. As soon as the sword appeared, Shu Han immediately felt the surrounding air being sliced apart, the sword light purging with a blinding sharpness. It was as though a small sun had ignited above the Whirlwind stronghold.
Wielding her long sword, Shangguan Ruolin gathered all the dispersed sword light behind her, forming two large wings made of sword feathers. Countless sword rays flickered behind her, shining brilliantly.
"This is the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, a top magic treasure of the late Foundation Establishment stage. It was the magic treasure I used most frequently during my Foundation Establishment period. Watch closely, Shu Han. I only have enough magic power for one strike!"
