Before the sun could rise on the horizon, both Serena and Jessica had packed their belongings and readied themselves after a quick morning breakfast. The air was crisp and cool, the early morning mist still clinging to the ground as they set off on the path northward once more.
The forest around them gradually came to view, despite the cold the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves left the forest filled with life. The path was narrow, winding through dense thickets and over rocky outcrops, but Serena and Jessica moved with ease.
Getting on her nerves, Jessica, always one to fill the silence, began talking about their destination. "So, the alchemy peak requested a pretty specific set of herbs. We need to find frost lotus, Snowflake Lotus, and Starfall Blossom. They usually grow in the colder regions of Frostfall Forest, especially near water sources."
Serena nodded, her gaze scanning their surroundings. "We should reach the forest by midday if we keep up this pace. The herbs shouldn't be too hard to find once we're there." Well, that was the description of the mission stated in the scroll.
As they walked, Jessica's curiosity got the better of her. "Serena, I know you're not one to talk much, but how much did you learn from your master? I've heard he's... different from the other elders." Because the relationship between the two is now getting great, Jessica didn't dare to show her disdain towards her master.
"uhm, did he treat you bad?" added, if that were the case Jessica would curse her master and ask her Master Skyler to 'adopt' her poor friend here so they could study and learn under the same roof!
Serena glanced at Jessica, considering her question. "No, he did not," She shook her head as her eyes distanced as if the figure of her master was there, "Master Gabriel probably saw the potential in me when no one else did. I don't blame the other elders because they're probably right." she replied, her voice steady. She knows for the fact she probably has normal talent back them before her master had maximized her potential, as for how high her potential is, she doesn't know exactly but Gabriel told her that her talent is high.
"He's the nicest person I've met in my life, who took care of me and taught me a lot despite his situation, and he made me become a cultivator from a mortal. Master is misunderstood, he's not bad as people think." Serana said as her soft voice trailed.
Jessica nodded thoughtfully. "He must be quite something if he trained you so well. I've heard rumors, and I believed it back then. But now, seeing how strong you are and fine, I believe your version more." With that, Gabriel bad reputation on her head had vanished as she respected the 7th peak master for teaching his student well despite his reputation in the sect, it must've took a lot of effort and hard work.
Serena's eyes softened slightly at the mention of her master. "Despite being weak he's strong in his own right."
…
They continued on, the forest gradually giving way to rocky slopes and icy patches as they approached Frostfall Forest. The air grew colder, and the terrain more challenging, but neither of them faltered.
By midday, they reached the edge of the forest, a vast expanse of snow and ice stretching out before them. The landscape was dotted with jagged rocks and frozen streams, the perfect environment for the herbs they sought.
But before they could enter the Frostfall Forest, Serena and Jessica continued along the winding path, their spirits high from their earlier conversation. However, as they approached a narrow pass flanked by steep cliffs, their progress was abruptly halted by the sudden appearance of a group of rough-looking men.
"Stop!" a shout stopped the two on their track and looked over.
The bandits, five in total, emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent. They blocked the path, each armed with crude weapons and wearing sneers that made their intentions clear.
When the bandits noticed the two fully, their eyes lit up as the appearance of the two made them awaken something sinister inside their thoughts.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the leader of the bandits, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, leered at them. "Two lovely ladies traveling alone. Looks like we've hit the jackpot, boys."
Hearing their boss, they laughed and licked their lips as they looked at the two as if looking into a prey to devour.
Immediately sensing the danger from these freaks, Jessica's hand instinctively went to her sword, her expression turning fierce. "Get out of our way," she demanded, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.
The leader laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Feisty, aren't you? How about this, sweetheart. You hand over everything you have, and we might let you go unharmed. Or maybe you'd like to spend some quality time with us instead." The leader licked his lips, sending shivers to Jessica's back.
Her eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step forward, ready to draw her sword, however before she could, Serena, her expression icy, placed a hand on Jessica's arm, stopping her.
"Serana?"
"There's no need for that," Serena said coldly, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "We have no intention of giving you anything. Leave now, while you still can." She warned, the already cold air turning even more chilly.
The bandits laughed again, their leader shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Looks like we've got ourselves a couple of tough ones. Boys, show them what happens to those who don't cooperate."
Hearing their boss, the bandits advanced, their intentions clear. Serena, her expression unchanging, stepped forward. With a swift motion, she drew her Heaven Deceiver, its blade glinting in the morning light.
Seeing the situation not improving, Jessica followed suit, her own sword at the ready. Qi already circulating on her body as wind qi sharpened her blade further.
The leader sneered, clearly underestimating them. "Think you can take us on? Fine, let's see what you've got." He laughed, sending a signal to his henchmen.
The first bandit lunged at Serena, swinging a heavy club. Serena sidestepped effortlessly, her movements fluid and precise. With a quick flick of her wrist, she disarmed him, sending his club flying along with his hand. Her sword flashed and blood spluttered on the ground leaving no stain on her sword, the bandit fell to the ground, clutching his arm in pain.
"AHH!" he screamed, holding his severed arm as black ice covered the wound. The extra strong chill of her ice stopped the bleeding, but it damaged the nerves further, keeping the cells in his arm in a state of agonizing frostbite.
*Swish*
As if she teleported over due to her speed, Jessica engaged two of the bandits at once, her blade moving in a blur.
"Damn you!"
*Bang!*
She deflected the first attack with a precise parry, spinning gracefully to dodge the second strike. Her wind qi-enhanced blade sliced through the air, cutting deep into her opponent's defenses. One bandit stumbled back, blood spraying from a gash in his side "Nghk!", while the other barely had time to react before Jessica's sword had already penetrated his heart as the blade passed through his chest.
"Ahh!"
Serena, meanwhile, faced off against another bandit, his dagger aimed at her heart. She moved like a wraith, her cold qi enveloping her blade as she deflected his strike. With a swift motion, she slashed across his chest, the black ice spreading instantly, immobilizing him as black ice spreads in his chest, freezing his organs, soon it started to fail along with his heart.
The leader not realizing that his men had already been dealt with instantly, he charged forward towards Serana, swinging his heavy sword at her with a brute force. Serana moved aside, using the guard of her sword the heavy sword blade slid into her blade, deflecting his attack completely.
*Clink!* Sword sparks were emitted from the head clash between the two.
Before he could even react, a cold qi flashed in his eyes as ice formed on both of his hand, "Ah!" and soon Serana's small foot pressed on his stomach, as if a heavy hammer had hit his stomach, the bandit leader was kicked meters away, flipping on the ground like a rag doll.
His frozen hands had shattered due to the impact he had when rolled onto the ground after being kicked like a sand bag. The bandit instantly passed out completely.
The action only took a minute, that even mortals would comprehend the scene as imaginary due to how unrealistic these girls move.
"Hmph, these guys deserve it!" Jessica said, turning to Serena.
Serena's expression softening slightly, after hearing her usual energy, "We need to stay alert. There could be more dangers ahead." She reminded.
Serana then looked at dead bodies on her surroundings, it just occurred to her that she had just killed people. This is her first time killing a real living person, she was surprised she didn't feel much. Making her feel that it's even underwhelming considering she was thinking of this for a long time before joining the sect.
Serana took one more look on the dead bodies before cooly turned away from the gory scene, with the path now clear, they continued their journey into Frostfall Forest.
Finally, the two arrived at the frostfall forest. The forest was completely covered by snow, the white scenery gave a comforting feeling to Serana, it felt like this was her second home, after 7th peak.
"Huu~ it's indeed cold, even with warm potion it's still freezing cold. Imagine if its' winter season, this must've been the coldest hell." Jessica warmed her hands using friction. She then looked at the calm and composed Serana, completely unbothered by the cold, unlike Jessica who wore thick clothes and jacket to protect herself from the cold environment, Serana still wore her 7th peak disciple robes, which is very light.
Though, Jessica had to admit that her appearance in this white cold world, she looked like a fairy.
"Ice cultivators have it easy huh." Jessica complained as she pouted, making Serana faintly smile at her.
"Alright," Serana said, scanning the area with keen eyes. "Let's split up and cover more ground. We can meet back here in a couple of hours. Keep an eye out for anything unusual."
Jessica nodded, her expression turned serious. "Stay safe and call out if you need help."
The two separated, each moving deeper into the Frostfall Forest. The air grew colder, the trees tall and imposing, as Serana now alone, moved swiftly and silently, her senses attuned to the slightest disturbances. Her breath created small puffs of mist in the frigid air as she navigated the dense undergrowth, her eyes sharp and alert, finding some clue or traces of herbs she was looking for, while being alert against sudden attacks.
The silence of the forests bothered Serana as she felt danger increasing the more she moved forward…
…