6 Chapter 4: Mishap on the Way

Somewhere within the majestic Scarlet Mountain Range, three figures found respite amidst nature's embrace. A little girl rested her head gently upon the lap of a mature beauty, while another girl leaned against the trunk of a nearby tree. However, a cloud of discontent hung over the second girl, evident in her clenched jaw and the quickening beat of her heart. Was it the sluggish pace of their journey or a lingering sense of favoritism toward Lingxi that troubled Qingyue? She couldn't unravel the enigmatic turmoil within her throbbing heart.

"Are you feeling alright, Qing'er?" Xu gently placed a pillow, conjured from her pocket dimension, beneath Lingxi's head and covered her with a fur blanket. Drawing closer to Qingyue, she tenderly seated her on her lap, stroking her beautiful hair with comforting care. "You can confide in your master if you're not feeling well, my dear."

"I'm not sure, master," Qingyue replied softly. "It's this inexplicable foreign feeling that troubles me today. It engulfs me with a mix of happiness, sadness, and anger, surfacing intermittently."

"Try to describe this 'foreign feeling' in a way that helps you convey it to me," Xu suggested.

"Well, master," Qingyue paused, collecting her thoughts. "Whenever this strange sensation envelops me, I feel a warmth spreading through me, as if tiny ants are gently traversing my skin. It starts from my heart and courses through every fiber of my being, especially my head. My mind feels lighter, and the world around me appears more vibrant and colorful. And when I gaze upon you, master, a mysterious warmth seems to envelop me, embracing my existence."

Xu pondered Qingyue's description, contemplating its meaning. "Hmm... It seems you might be experiencing a spiritual awakening, Qing'er," she deduced. Swiftly, she draped an extra-thick fur blanket over Qingyue and retrieved a profound medicinal pill from her collection—one known to awaken latent powers. Slipping the pill into Qingyue's dry mouth, she assured her, "This should help you understand and harness the energy within you."

"Thank you, master," Qingyue expressed her gratitude, closing her eyes and nestling her head against Xu's sturdy bosom. Her tiny hands clung to Xu's waist as she succumbed to the peaceful realm of dreams within a few short minutes.

Xu maintained her watchful vigil, her hands gently caressing Qingyue's hair and back for another twenty minutes. "I must ensure these girls return safely to the Palace, so I can teach them the sacred ways of Ice Profound cultivation," Xu mused silently. "Once they have mastered it, Lingxi shall no longer shiver in the cold waters of the lake, and Qingyue shall be shielded from the chills of winter." With that decision made, Xu closed her eyes, preparing for rest. "Let us recharge tonight and set forth anew at daybreak."

Before bidding her disciples goodnight, Xu carefully placed Lingxi and Qingyue side by side on a king-sized bed conjured from her pocket dimension. She covered them with a large, soft fur blanket made from the exquisite Skybbit, a rare beast of tremendous power. Tenderly, she kissed each of their tiny foreheads.

"Sleep well, my dear disciples," Xu whispered with affectionate finality. She then arranged six Purple Veined Divine Crystals at the cardinal and intercardinal directions. Activating her profound technique, "Six Stars of the Heavenly Body," six ethereal lines of energy surged from the crystals, forming a transparent dome that enveloped the girls. This dome possessed a reflective quality, rendering their presence and activities invisible to outsiders. "Perfect," Xu acknowledged with satisfaction.

Her caring demeanor faded into a distant memory, replaced by an icy-cold tone as she addressed a specific spot in the distance. "Reveal yourself, you voyeuristic wretch. You've been shadowing us for quite some time."

"Now, now, don't be shy or blush at me, my little fairy," a handsome young man with short crimson spiky hair materialized from the ethereal blur. His face betrayed his lewd thoughts as he gazed at Xu. "While I appreciate your seductive figure and alluring charm, I am a true gentleman. I shall not impose myself upon you without your explicit consent."

"Keep your distance, you vile scoundrel. I have no interest in engaging in dual cultivation with you or your kind. Leave now, while I still afford your ancestors some respect," Xu retorted firmly.

"Kekekeke," the man emitted a sinister laugh. "My dear fairy, I wonder how your countenance would appear after our passionate cultivation. You should know that my lineage boasts of—"

"Silence, shameless degenerate!" Overwhelmed by anger, Xu unleashed a sword energy imbued with the chilling sharpness of ice. The energy cleaved through the man's illusory afterimage, leaving no trace of his presence.

In the distance, a soft chuckle resonated. "You're as impetuous as when you were a helpless girl, one hundred and sixty years ago," the man taunted. "I made the right decision then, sparing your immature bloom so it could blossom fully. And now, I eagerly await the moment to possess you, to break your indomitable spirit."

"Long Yan, your threats do not faze me!" Xu's voice dripped with undisguised fury. "This is your final warning, out of respect for the Fire Dragon Clan Patriarch. Say one more word, and I shall sever your vile tongue. Consider yourself forewarned, for I am Xu, the Heavenly Xu of the Immortals." Her anger unleashed waves of unparalleled intensity, and her profound aura took on the form of the "Walking Calamity Xu," causing the temperature in the surroundings to plummet. Ice flowers bloomed, and vegetation sprouted, giving birth to Xu's infamous "Winter's Spring."

"Chill, my fairy," Long Yan smirked, though the frost gradually encased his body. Despite his true fire dragon physique and resistance to fire and water elements, the ice took hold. In a matter of seconds, he stood encased in solid ice, frozen in an arrogant pose.

A roar, reminiscent of an angered wild beast, erupted from the frozen figure as cracks spiderwebbed across its icy surface. With a final shattering, the figure crumbled, revealing a fiery dragon exuding an aura befitting a sovereign of the profound realm. "Just you wait, Xu. I shall crush your feeble disciples with unspeakable torment in your presence."

In response, Xu unleashed a focused beam of starlight, piercing through Long Yan's right shoulder. Unsatisfied, she conjured thirty more starlight beams, each tearing through the air at lightning speed. Despite his high agility, Long Yan failed to evade them all, resulting in three additional holes in his left leg, lower right abdomen, and right arm.

The air crackled with tension as Long Yan and Xu faced each other, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze. Xu, her body battered and bloodied, stood with unwavering determination, her pain masked by a resolute spirit. Long Yan, his fiery aura emanating with arrogance, displayed a twisted smile, confident in his power. It was a battle that would determine their fate.

With a thunderous roar, Long Yan unleashed his primal fury, summoning flames that danced around him like a tempest. The ground trembled beneath his feet as he lunged forward, his movements swift and predatory. Xu, her senses honed, evaded his initial strike, her body flowing like water in a graceful dance.

Their clash reverberated through the Scarlet Mountain Range, shaking the very foundations of the earth. Xu's movements were precise, each strike calculated to exploit Long Yan's vulnerabilities. She weaved through his onslaught, her steps blending with the wind, guided by an otherworldly force.

Long Yan, enraged by Xu's resilience, unleashed a torrent of fire, scorching the surroundings with his inferno. The searing heat threatened to overwhelm Xu, but she stood her ground, her eyes burning with unyielding determination. She channeled her profound energy, summoning a frigid storm that clashed with Long Yan's flames, creating a mesmerizing display of contrasting elements.

Their battle raged on, the clash of their profound energies echoing through the mountains. Xu's movements became a blur, her strikes a symphony of power and precision. Each blow she landed carried the weight of her pain and suffering, a testament to her unyielding spirit. Long Yan, his arrogance shattered, fought desperately to fend off Xu's relentless assault.

As the battle reached its crescendo, Xu's injuries threatened to overcome her. Blood stained her robes, and her body trembled with exhaustion. But in the face of adversity, she tapped into a wellspring of inner strength. With a primal scream, she unleashed a surge of profound energy, a radiant aura enveloping her form.

Her body seemed to defy the laws of nature as she pushed beyond her limits, her every strike imbued with a newfound power. Long Yan, caught off guard by this surge of resilience, faltered in his defense. Xu seized the opportunity, her blade glimmering with an icy brilliance as it sliced through the air with unparalleled precision.

With a final, resounding clash, Xu's blade found its mark, piercing through Long Yan's defenses and leaving a deep, searing wound. Long Yan staggered backward, his eyes filled with disbelief and pain. The battle had taken its toll, and his strength waned.

Xu stood tall, her body battered but victorious. Her eyes held a mixture of triumph and exhaustion as she observed her fallen foe. Long Yan, his arrogance shattered, could only muster a bitter smile before retreating into the shadows, nursing his heavy injuries.

As the echoes of their battle subsided, Xu's wounds caught up with her. She fell to her knees, the pain flooding back with a vengeance. But even in her weakened state, she wore a satisfied grin. She had overcome the odds, defying her pain and emerging victorious.

It was a testament to her indomitable will, a display of the strength that lay within her. With a deep breath, Xu vowed to continue her journey, to grow stronger and face whatever challenges lay ahead. The scars of battle would fade, but the memory of this hard-fought victory would forever be etched in her heart.

Sighing heavily, Xu closed her eyes, relieved that her disciples remained unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. Their peaceful sleep undisturbed, the night continued in blissful ignorance, as the promise of a new day approached on the horizon.