The grand hall was enveloped in an eerie silence, an atmosphere thick with tension. Yang Fan couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement; he thought, "A show is about to unfold... I only hope it ends with some bruises, giving me a chance to showcase my healing skills."
A voice, icy and devoid of warmth, sliced through the stillness: "Who dares to wreak havoc on my 'Skyward Vessel'?"
With that, a woman in white glided into view, appearing to be in her mid-twenties. Her beauty was striking, yet her expression was frosty, reminiscent of an ice queen who commanded reverence and fear.
"Ice Lily, Li Yue Shuang!"
An old hand in the hall immediately recognized her.
"Li Yue Shuang ranks fifth in the 'Skyward Vessel.' She may be a sight to behold, yet she perpetually wears a glacial demeanor, earning her the moniker 'Ice Lily,'" murmured a familiar cultivator to his companion.
"Indeed, I've heard of the 'Ice Lily.' Could it be she is the one escorting us to 'Xiuyu Pavilion'?" a youthful cultivator speculated with curiosity.
The rotund, jowly monk's eyes lit up at the sight of Li Yue Shuang, a lascivious grin spreading across his face. "This lady is quite the catch. What's your price for a night of pleasure?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Li Yue Shuang's coldness intensified, her eyes glinting with a barely concealed murderous intent.
"Ah, so you are the infamous 'Color-Bound Monk' of 'Qingjiang River'!"
Just then, a burly man in his forties strode into the hall, his presence commanding and his gaze fierce.
"Second Brother, leave this fat-faced monk to me. Do not interfere," Li Yue Shuang remarked coldly, glancing at the robust figure.
"What nonsense! This monk demands to go to 'Xiuyu Pavilion' right now. Is it too much to ask for you to prepare a boat for me in advance?" the Color-Bound Monk retorted defiantly.
Li Yue Shuang scoffed, "'Xiuyu Pavilion' is nestled within treacherous torrents. You must take our magical vessel, 'Skyward Vessel,' to navigate the myriad dangers and reach your destination. If you refuse to heed my warning, I shall not allow you aboard!"
"Damn it!" the monk cursed, stomping toward a nearby cushion. Though he was brash, he wasn't foolish enough to provoke an entire group.
"Stop right there!" Li Yue Shuang barked, her voice commanding. "Do you think you can simply erase the insults you've hurled at me?"
"What do you want, girl? You think I'm easy to bully?" the monk shot back, his expression darkening.
"If you apologize to me and to the 'Skyward Vessel,' I might spare you. Otherwise, prepare for a painful reckoning," she replied coolly.
"Ha! Spare me? I've encountered countless women, and I can see right through your facade. You're just a damaged vessel, perhaps a victim of some lecher's advances?" he laughed derisively.
"You..." Li Yue Shuang's face turned ashen with fury, nearly losing her composure.
"Did I strike a nerve?" the monk sneered, his demeanor lewd and provocative.
"Seeking death!"
In an instant, a chilling flying sword appeared in Li Yue Shuang's hand, crystalline and gleaming, which soon shimmered with a layer of frost as she infused it with her spiritual power.
Swish!
The icy sword sliced through the air, imbued with an aura of frost, piercing towards the Color-Bound Monk in the blink of an eye.
The monk suddenly realized this woman was not to be underestimated. Both he and Li Yue Shuang were cultivators at the late Qi Refinement stage, equally matched in skill.
Bang!
The monk swiftly conjured a golden monk's staff, blocking the sword with a resonating clash.
"You think I fear a fight?" he taunted, brandishing the staff with confidence as he lunged toward Li Yue Shuang.
"Not good!"
Li Yue Shuang quickly recalled her frost-laden sword, gripping it tightly.
Bang! Bang!
The Color-Bound Monk struck twice, forcing Li Yue Shuang back by a foot or so, panting slightly.
It was evident that the monk's combat experience was far richer than hers, and his spiritual energy was deeper as well.
With a powerful surge, the monk launched his golden staff, whipping up a fierce gust that seemed to gleam with a golden aura.
Li Yue Shuang felt the pressure of the approaching gale, her expression turning serious.
The icy sword trembled slightly as her spiritual light surged forth. A formidable chill coalesced around the blade, swirling into shards of frost.
Swish, swish, swish—
With a flourish, she sent forth a flurry of spinning ice flowers, colliding with the golden staff in mid-air.
Clang!
The two magical artifacts crashed together, the ice blossoms exploding upon impact, sending a powerful shockwave that reverberated throughout the hall.
Clatter! Ding!
Both the golden staff and the icy sword clattered to the ground. Li Yue Shuang gasped for breath, her complexion pale, her energy considerably drained, with several wounds marring her skin.
Even her fair face bore a deep, alarming gash, a sight that was hard to ignore.
A layer of frost clung to the Color-Bound Monk, and he trembled slightly, nursing multiple injuries as well.
"Damn it!"
Fuming, the monk approached, reclaiming his golden staff while glaring fiercely at Li Yue Shuang.
"My friend, do you really wish to challenge the seven brothers of the 'Skyward Vessel'? While both you and your companion share some blame for the earlier incident, you've settled your dispute fairly. Is it not time to end this bickering?" a voice boomed from behind them.
A towering figure stood protectively before Li Yue Shuang, his voice resonant and compelling.
The 'Skyward Vessel' was a small alliance of seven loose cultivators, a notable force along the 'Qingjiang River.' The only routes to 'Xiuyu Pavilion' were through aerial flight or via waterways.
The seven brothers of the 'Skyward Vessel' controlled a third of these waterways, having garnered numerous enemies, and typically refrained from antagonizing those who traveled with them.
"Just my luck! I take a beating because of this girl. What a hassle!"
The Color-Bound Monk glared at Li Yue Shuang, their animosity palpable.
"Why are the two of you throwing genuine punches over such a trivial matter?"
A somewhat frail-looking youth stepped forward, his tone conciliatory.
The other cultivators regarded him with a mix of surprise and skepticism. Was this guy truly willing to play the fool?
"Who are you?" the Color-Bound Monk sneered, scrutinizing him.
"Hmph."
Li Yue Shuang cast a dispassionate glance his way, recognizing that his demeanor was rather exceptional.
The frail youth sighed, "I am but a humble alchemist, and seeing the injuries you both bear, I thought to offer my services as a healer."
"What? An alchemist?"
The burly man shielding Li Yue Shuang's side perked up, his eyes brightening.
In the realm of cultivation, alchemists were highly sought after. The destructive power wielded in battles between cultivators was immense, making it difficult for worldly physicians to heal them. To expedite recovery, an alchemist's expertise was essential.
"Yes, saving lives is the essence of my craft," the frail youth stated, a look of benevolence gracing his features.
"May I ask your name, friend? I am 'Skyward Vessel's' Second Brother, you can call me Xing Er." The robust man grinned.
"I'm Yang," the youth replied with a gentle smile, exuding an inexplicable charm.
Unmistakably, this frail young man was indeed Yang Fan.
"Since Yang the Alchemist is so kind-hearted, why not tend to my Fifth Sister's wounds?" Xing Er suggested, gently supporting the injured Li Yue Shuang.
"Uh..."
Li Yue Shuang hesitated, casting a glance at Yang Fan, her face blooming with an unusual flush.
Her clothing bore multiple rips, revealing portions of her delicate skin.
"Hey, kid, if this girl doesn't want your help, then treat me first!" the Color-Bound Monk interjected.
"Alright then."
Yang Fan shrugged; with two injured individuals before him, it was only logical to treat the one willing to cooperate first.
Xing Er's expression shifted, about to protest, but Li Yue Shuang restrained him. "Let's see what he can do."
"Agreed." Xing Er nodded in agreement.
Li Yue Shuang harbored concerns about the scars on her face; if improperly treated, they could leave a permanent mark—an unacceptable fate for a breathtakingly beautiful female cultivator.
Thus, she resolved to assess Yang Fan's skills before fully committing.