Helping

The next morning, Seraphine was up bright and early, already thinking about what she had to do. She pulled out the monster cores she had bagged from Milv Forest – they were still glowing faintly with magic. These were not just valuable, they were also a great source of Qi for her cultivation. She sat cross-legged on the floor of her room, closed her eyes, and started channeling the energy from the cores into herself. The *Glacial Glow Celestial Technique* loved the extra Qi, and it felt even colder as she refined the raw energy into something purer and more connected to her. Every breath she took brought in a bit of frosty Qi, making her connection to the technique stronger and giving her more energy. By the time she was done, the cores were much dimmer, their power now part of her.

She could still feel the aches from her fight with the Ironhide Boar, so she grabbed one of the healing pills she had bought from *The Crimson Lotus Pavilion*. As soon as she swallowed it, she felt it working – a warm feeling spread through her, fixing the little injuries she had gotten and giving her tired muscles a boost. It was not a replacement for proper rest or a long recovery, but it was enough to get her ready for the journey ahead. With her body feeling better and her Qi topped up, she packed her stuff carefully, making sure everything was secure before leaving the inn.

Her next stop was a cultivation town called *Vortex Town*, over 500 kilometres west of Frostvale. The town got its name from a massive natural vortex of Spirit Energy that swirled above the area. This made it a popular spot for cultivators who wanted to level up faster, because the dense magic meant they could make breakthroughs quicker and train more efficiently. But, of course, there were risks – lots of different groups, including sects, wandering cultivators, and even bad guys, hung around Vortex Town, which led to fights over resources and territory. Even with all the dangers, Seraphine knew the potential rewards were worth it. If she wanted to get better at her skills and learn more about the *Glacial Glow Celestial Technique*, this was the place to be.

Before heading out, she slipped into a sleek black dress. It was practical but also good for hiding. The fabric clung to her body without getting in the way, perfect for travelling. To keep her gorgeous face hidden from nosy people, she put on a dark veil. You could just about see her silver eyes under the shadowy folds. Her sword was strapped to her side, ready to be used as a weapon or to get her around.

Stepping out of *The Frozen Hearth*, she took a moment to get her bearings. Once she was happy, she focused her energy, sending it into her sword until it buzzed with power. With a graceful jump, she landed on the blade, which was hovering just above the ground. Slowly, it started to rise, carrying her up into the fresh morning air. As she went higher, the rooftops of Frostvale got smaller and smaller, replaced by huge forests and snowy plains that stretched as far as the eye could see. She adjusted her grip and tilted the sword forward, sending her west at a steady speed.

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Seraphine was heading west when she decided to chill out for a bit in a quiet spot deep in the woods. The air was fresh, with a hint of pine and damp earth. She leaned against a massive tree, its gnarled roots making a comfy seat. Her sword rested on her lap, its blade catching the sunlight filtering through the leaves. For a moment, she closed her eyes, letting the peace of the forest calm her down.

But the peace didn't last long. A sudden ruckus shattered the silence – a mix of clashing metal, explosions, and muffled screams echoed through the trees. Seraphine's silver eyes flew open, her senses on high alert. She moved silently towards the noise, her steps light and purposeful. Hiding behind a thick tree trunk, she peeked into the clearing.

What she saw was a total mess. Two men, their auras dark and menacing, were fighting two women who had a completely different vibe – delicate but fierce. All four were clearly Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, their power obvious in every move they made. The men wore ripped black robes that seemed to suck up the light around them, their faces hidden by hoods. Their weapons were jagged blades covered in runes, glowing with a sinister crimson light. The women were dressed in flowing white robes with fancy golden embroidery. They were stunningly beautiful, almost otherworldly, but now their pale skin was stained with blood.

The fight was intense and amazing. One of the women used a slender staff infused with water Qi, summoning icy water that froze in mid-air before shattering into sharp shards aimed at her opponents. She moved gracefully, like a dancer in a deadly performance. The other woman fought with twin daggers wrapped in wind Qi, their edges whistling through the air as she dodged attacks with lightning speed.

These two women were seriously struggling, even though they were skilled. The guys, who were dark cultivators, were really going at them with fire and shadow magic. One of them was chucking fireballs that exploded on impact, burning the ground and making the women back off. The other one was whipping out these dark tendrils, trying to grab them. Every hit was spot on, and the women were already cut up pretty bad, their fancy robes all torn and bloody.

Seraphine was trying to hear what they were saying over all the chaos. "You can't escape us," one of the guys growled, sounding really menacing. "Your pure energy will be perfect for our magic. Give in now, and we might make it quick."

"Never!" one of the women spat back, her voice shaking with anger even though she was hurt. "We'd rather die than be your tools for your nasty magic!"

That confirmed what Seraphine had thought: these guys were demon cultivators, the kind who steal other people's energy for their own messed-up magic. Even in the world of cultivation, where people do whatever they have to survive, this was messed up. Seraphine hesitated. If she got involved, she could get hurt, and maybe even attract unwanted attention. She had to think it through carefully, her mind racing.

From where she was, she saw another brutal fight. The guy with fire magic unleashed a huge wave of fire energy, and the woman with the water staff had to quickly put up an ice barrier. The clash sent shockwaves everywhere, shaking the ground under Seraphine's feet. The other woman dodged a bunch of dark tendrils, but one grazed her shoulder, leaving a burning mark. She yelled in pain but fought back with a bunch of dagger strikes, each one infused with wind magic, slicing through the air like invisible blades.

---

Seraphine remained concealed behind the tree, her mind racing as she observed the brutal fight unfolding before her. The two women, though clearly outmatched by the sinister strength of their opponents, refused to yield. Their determination was palpable, each strike and counterstrike a testament to their resolve. Yet, it was evident that the dark male cultivators held the upper hand. One of them, radiating an aura indicative of the fourth stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, wielded fire Qi with devastating precision. His crimson flames scorched the earth, leaving blackened craters in their wake. The other, a fifth-stage cultivator, commanded tendrils of shadow Qi that lashed out like living serpents, seeking to ensnare and crush his prey.

Despite their overwhelming power, the women fought back fiercely. The one wielding the water staff managed to freeze several of the shadow tendrils mid-air, shattering them into harmless fragments with a sharp crack of her staff. Her companion, armed with twin daggers, darted between attacks with blinding speed, her wind-infused blades slicing through the air with audible whistles. Though their efforts inflicted wounds on the men—burns from icy shards and shallow cuts from razor-sharp gusts—their injuries were mounting. Blood trickled down their arms and legs, staining their once-pristine white robes.

As Seraphine watched, she noted the emblem embroidered on the women's garments: a silver crescent moon cradling a single star within its curve. This was the insignia of the *Silverstone Sect*, a renowned cultivation sect based in Vortex Town. Known for its strict discipline and formidable female practitioners, the sect ruled over a significant portion of the town's spiritual resources. It was said that only women were permitted entry into the sect, making it both revered and feared among cultivators. For Seraphine, this revelation carried weight. Helping these women could grant her valuable information about Vortex Town—and perhaps even secure her a place within the sect itself.

Her thoughts turned inward as she weighed the pros and cons. On one hand, intervening meant risking exposure and drawing unwanted attention. On the other, aiding the women might open doors she otherwise couldn't access. Moreover, the two demon cultivators posed little threat to her if she unleashed her full potential. However, revealing her true strength was not part of her plan. Instead, she decided to limit herself to displaying the power of a fifth-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator—a level slightly above the stronger opponent but still believable enough to avoid suspicion.

With her decision made, Seraphine stepped forward, emerging from the shadows. Her sudden appearance caused all four combatants to pause momentarily. The two demon cultivators turned their heads toward her, their eyes narrowing as they took in her figure. Even beneath the veil and the modest black dress, her seductive curves were impossible to ignore. One of them smirked, his gaze raking over her form with predatory intent. "Well, well," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "What do we have here? Another lost lamb wandering into our den? Perhaps we'll add you to our collection—you'd make a fine slave or toy."

The second man chuckled darkly, his crimson flames flickering ominously around him. "Indeed. Such beauty shouldn't go to waste. Maybe she'll fetch a higher price than these two."

The women, though visibly stunned by Seraphine's unexpected arrival, exchanged wary glances. They seemed unsure whether her presence would help or hinder their situation. Despite her covered face, there was something commanding about her posture—her every movement exuded confidence and control.

Ignoring the crude remarks, Seraphine spoke calmly, her voice carrying a frosty edge. "You seem to misunderstand something," she said, stepping closer until she stood between the women and their attackers. "These two are under my protection now. Leave, or I will ensure your demise."

The first demon cultivator laughed derisively, raising his jagged blade. "Bold words for someone who hasn't even drawn their weapon yet. Do you really think you can stand against us?"

Seraphine didn't respond verbally. Instead, she reached for her sword, unsheathing it in one fluid motion. A surge of icy Qi erupted from her core, enveloping the blade in a shimmering aura of frost. The temperature in the clearing plummeted instantly, causing frost to creep across the ground. Her silver eyes gleamed coldly beneath the veil as she locked gazes with the men. "I warned you," she murmured softly, her tone devoid of emotion.

Without waiting for a response, she moved with blinding speed, closing the distance between herself and the nearest opponent—the fifth-stage cultivator. Her sword slashed downward, releasing a wave of freezing energy that forced him to leap backward. He retaliated with a flurry of shadow tendrils, but Seraphine deflected them effortlessly, her movements precise and calculated. Meanwhile, the women rallied behind her, launching coordinated attacks against the fourth-stage cultivator. Their combined efforts began to turn the tide; the man struggled to fend off both the water staff's icy bursts and the twin daggers' cutting winds.

Seeing his ally falter, the fifth-stage cultivator growled in frustration and unleashed a massive sphere of fire aimed directly at Seraphine. She countered by summoning a barrier of ice, which absorbed the brunt of the explosion. As the smoke cleared, she pressed her advantage, driving him further back with relentless strikes infused with frosty Qi. Each blow sent waves of cold energy rippling outward, slowing his movements and sapping his strength.

The battle reached its climax when the three women converged on the remaining demon cultivator. Cornered and overwhelmed, he let out a snarl of defiance before attempting one final desperate attack. But it was futile. With a synchronized effort, the trio delivered a finishing blow that left him collapsing to the ground, unconscious. His companion, realizing defeat was inevitable, cursed loudly and fled into the forest, disappearing into the shadows.

Breathing heavily, the two women turned to Seraphine, gratitude evident in their expressions despite their exhaustion. "Thank you," one of them said, bowing deeply. "We owe you our lives."

Seraphine nodded curtly, lowering her sword. "You're from the Silverstone Sect, aren't you?" she asked, gesturing to their emblem. When they confirmed her suspicion, she continued, "I'm heading to Vortex Town. Perhaps your sect can offer me shelter in exchange for my assistance today."

The women exchanged glances before nodding eagerly. "Of course," the second woman replied. " Our sect welcome you, Thank you for helping us.

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