Frostvale City

Seraphine had just finished her dinner by the river and was taking a moment to chill out. The fire was dying down, and the winter night was getting pretty chilly. She sat cross-legged on the ground, which was covered in frost, and her breath made little clouds in the air. She was thinking about the village she'd seen earlier – all those chimneys puffing out smoke, like they were calling her to come closer. She wasn't sure about it, but she knew she had to do something to survive. She didn't have any money or anything, so she really needed some decent clothes. So, she took a deep breath, stood up, and started heading towards the village.

The walk through the snowy landscape was slow but steady. Every step she took crunched on the frozen ground, and the wind was biting through her old clothes. Even though she was freezing, she moved with a kind of grace that felt natural now – she was a far cry from the awkward person she used to be. As she got closer to the village, she stopped in the shadows to have a look around. Villages were pretty simple places, with people going about their lives without worrying about anything dangerous. But even here, she had to be careful. She was pretty striking, and her clothes weren't exactly blending in, so she didn't want to attract any unwanted attention.

Seraphine waited until it was completely dark before sneaking between the wooden houses. Smoke was curling up from the chimneys, and she could see faint candlelight behind the frosted windows. Most people were in bed, so the streets were empty except for the occasional dog barking in the distance. She moved quietly, her silver eyes scanning for anything useful. It didn't take long to find what she needed: a clothesline strung between two posts, swaying gently in the breeze. Hanging on it were a few dresses, their colours muted in the moonlight.

She crept up to the clothesline and picked out a dress – it was plain but looked sturdy enough for travelling. It wasn't exactly made for her, but it would do for now. As she pulled it over her head, she noticed how it clung to her curves, making her look pretty sexy, even though she was trying to be inconspicuous. The fabric was tight around her hips and chest, leaving very little room for modesty. She frowned, realising that blending in might be harder than she thought. But there was no turning back, so she adjusted the dress as best she could and carried on, making sure not to draw attention to herself.

As dawn approached, Seraphine decided to leave the village and head toward a larger city she had heard whispers of during her travels. Its name was *Frostvale*, a bustling hub nestled in the heart of the region's coldest territory. Known for its thriving trade routes and abundance of cultivators, Frostvale attracted all manner of people—from lowly mortals to powerful practitioners seeking rare resources. Seraphine reasoned that such a place would offer better opportunities to acquire supplies.

Upon arriving at the gates of Frostvale, she marveled at the sight before her. The city sprawled across the horizon, its cobblestone streets lined with shops, taverns, and market stalls. Merchants called out to passersby, hawking everything from warm cloaks to exotic herbs. Above it all loomed the towering silhouette of the city's central keep, where rumors claimed some of the strongest cultivators resided. As she wandered deeper into the crowd, Seraphine became acutely aware of the spiritual energies surrounding her. Two individuals nearby radiated particularly strong auras—both clearly Foundation Establishment cultivators. Their presence sent a shiver down her spine, though not out of fear. Instead, she recognized them as peers, albeit ones far weaker than herself. These were likely early-stage practitioners, their strength paling in comparison to her own potential after absorbing the Yin Bones' power. Still, she reminded herself to tread carefully. Even lesser cultivators could pose a threat if provoked.

Her first priority was finding shelter for the night. After asking around discreetly, she learned of a modest inn tucked away in a quieter corner of the city. The establishment bore the name *The Frozen Hearth*, its sign creaking softly in the wind. Inside, the air was warm and inviting, filled with the scent of roasted meat and spiced wine. A burly man stood behind the counter, his grizzled face breaking into a toothy grin as he greeted customers. Seraphine approached him hesitantly, clutching a handful of copper coins she had scavenged earlier.

"A room for the night," she said softly,alluric voice. Her voice carrying just enough confidence to mask her nervousness.

The innkeeper nodded and named his price: one hundred copper coins. Relieved that she had enough, Seraphine handed over the coins and accepted the key he offered. Her room was small but clean, with a narrow bed and a single window overlooking the alley below. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders as she collapsed onto the mattress, grateful for the reprieve from the harsh world outside. For the first time since entering the cave, she allowed herself to relax completely, letting sleep claim her.

-----

The next morning, Seraphine woke up to the sun shining through her window at *The Frozen Hearth*. The warmth from the fireplace had made the room cosy, and she felt more relaxed than she had in ages. Her stomach was rumbling, so she knew she needed to eat before heading out. After getting dressed in the simple dress she'd bought in the village, she went downstairs to the common area where the innkeeper served up hearty meals.

She ordered a basic breakfast – some stewed vegetables, a chunk of bread and a mug of warm tea. While she ate, she watched the other people in the inn, who were mostly merchants or low-level cultivators passing through Frostvale. They were chatting about trade routes, recent fights and rumours about powerful objects hidden in nearby ruins. But for now, Seraphine was just focused on surviving and getting used to her new life. When she'd finished, she paid for her meal with a few of the copper coins she'd found earlier and went back out into the busy streets of the city.

By mid-morning, Seraphine wanted some peace and quiet. The crowded marketplace was getting on her nerves, with all the noise and chaos. So she wandered off to a quieter part of Frostvale – a back alley behind some abandoned buildings. Not many people went there, so it was a good place to think without anyone watching her. But her peace didn't last long.

As she turned a corner, two men came out of the shadows, and it was clear what they were up to from the way they were looking at her. They were both Qi-Gathering cultivators, and she could sense their weak spiritual energy. They walked towards her confidently, thinking she was weak because she looked delicate. One of them smirked and said in a cocky voice, "You're a real beauty. Why don't you come with us? We'll make sure you're… comfortable."

Seraphine stayed calm, almost like she didn't care, but inside she was furious. She didn't hesitate for a second. She moved quickly and precisely, using the skills she'd learned from years of surviving and her new powers. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a blast of icy Qi through the air, freezing one man solid before he could even react. The other attacker barely had time to pull out his dagger before she was right in front of him, and she hit him in the throat, silencing him for good.

The entire encounter lasted mere seconds. When it was over, Seraphine stood amidst the bodies, her silver eyes glinting coldly. She wasted no time searching their possessions. From their storage bags, she retrieved several valuable items: two bottles of Qi-Gathering pills, a modest sword, fifteen Energy stones, 150 copper coins, and seventeen silver coins. It wasn't much, but it would suffice for now.

Her mind briefly drifted to the storage bag she had lost during her earlier fight with the red fish in the river. That bag had contained a Qi-Gathering pill, a spear, various men's clothing, 25 Energy stones, 200 copper coins, and twenty silver coins. Losing it had been unfortunate, but she reminded herself that such setbacks were inevitable in the cultivation world. What mattered was moving forward.

---

Seraphine's got her loot and she's back in the market district. First things first, she needs a new outfit - something that shows off her figure but also helps her blend in. She pops into a tailor's shop that's all about women's clothes and tells the seamstress what she's after. After trying on a few dresses, she finds one that's perfect - it hugs her curves without being too revealing. To hide her face, she buys a veil that looks really elegant and covers her silver eyes and blue hair. She also gets some sturdy boots for travelling, so she can move around easily.

The whole lot cost her ten Energy stones - a bit pricey, but worth it. She leaves the shop feeling much more confident in her new look. The veil adds a bit of mystery and stops people from staring at her. Happy with her new look, she decides to check out the cultivation shops in Frostvale. These places are for people who practice cultivation, selling everything from herbs to weapons and manuals. She's amazed by all the stuff they have, but some of it's way out of her price range. Still, she finds a few things that could be good investments for the future.

After that, Seraphine uses the rest of her Energy stones to rent a private training ground on the edge of the city. These places are popular with cultivators who want to practice without being disturbed. The owner assures her it's quiet and safe, perfect for someone like her. With the place rented, she spends the rest of the afternoon trying out her *Glacial Glow Celestial Technique*, pushing herself to the limit and getting used to her new powers.

By evening, her stomach's starting to rumble. Foundation Establishment cultivators can go a week without food if they have to, but Seraphine doesn't want to test that. Plus, she never really enjoyed cooking, even in her past life. So, she buys some ready-made food from a nearby vendor - roasted meat and steamed rice wrapped in leaves. It's simple but filling, enough to keep her going for another day.

As night falls, she heads back to her rented room.

*******