Volume One: The Servants of Changshui County Chapter 118: The Ice Sculpture Maiden

Three days later, Lijian Manor took control of the Blazing Flame Sect.

The two deputy sect leaders, who had reached the seventh grade in martial cultivation, were completely crippled. Song Director and the serpent demon were killed, leaving only disciples of the eighth and ninth grades.

The spiritual energy here was abundant, and most people had reached the graded levels.

Very few remained without any martial cultivation grade.

All members of the Blazing Flame Sect were relocated near Lijian Manor.

At the same time, the manor’s head planned to gather people to expand the estate into a city capable of accommodating over three hundred inhabitants.

Construction was ongoing, flourishing with great momentum.

Every day, the clamor of hammering and building disturbed peaceful dreams.

After resting for a few days, Lu Jiuzhang set out with the big black dog and Zhong Zhengming toward the core area of the ruins.

Though there were many spiritual herbs, most were occupied by powerful beasts.

Although the second-grade demonic tree had drawn Lu Jiuzhang here seeking opportunity, competing with monsters for spiritual herbs was clearly unwise.

If the beasts suddenly rose up, Lu Jiuzhang and Zhong Zhengming might not be able to hold their ground.

Some treasures were found, but most were not from the Step Heaven Sect; rather, they were remnants left by sects that had entered later.

There were many offensive magical treasures, though most were of low rank.

Lu Jiuzhang collected them and handed them over to the manor’s head.

Afterward, Lu Jiuzhang and the others went to the Northern Blade Sect.

Inside the main hall of the Northern Blade Sect, Lu Jiuzhang saw an ice sculpture standing tall.

Within it was frozen a young girl of about sixteen or seventeen years of age.

She was likely the sect leader’s daughter mentioned by the aged elder, though the method of her sealing remained unknown.

“I’ve never heard of such a treasure that can seal a person for countless years, only to awaken later,” Zhong Zhengming remarked with awe upon seeing the ice sculpture.

“Step Heaven Sect from tens of thousands of years ago was incredibly powerful. Perhaps this method was theirs, learned and passed down by the sects that came later,” Lu Jiuzhang speculated.

“Master Jiuzhang, I don’t think so. If what you said were true, then all sects that entered over these thirty thousand years would have sealed themselves in the same way. Wouldn’t the ruins be filled with ice sculptures by now?” the big black dog retorted.

“Whether it is or isn’t, that’s no longer important,” Lu Jiuzhang said. “Why not try to awaken her and find out?”

“Wait, Master, you want to bring her out with us?” the big black dog was shocked. “Don’t make a mistake just because you think she’s pretty.”

“I think Feng Wanqing is nice. If anyone is coming out with us, it’d be her. She may not look as good as this ice sculpture girl, but she’s considerate and cooks well.”

What mistake? What mistake indeed?

Lu Jiuzhang slapped the big black dog’s head. “Enough nonsense! That old man saved us once; let’s fulfill his wish. Besides, I’m quite interested in this sealed person.”

Sealing a dying person away—if one’s cultivation becomes extremely high in the future, could they break the seal and revive that person?

If such a method exists, it would greatly increase the chance of survival.

“That’s true. That old man is quite alright,” the big black dog nodded. “But the problem is, how do we break the seal?”

“No idea!” Lu Jiuzhang shook his head and placed his palm on the ice sculpture.

Surprisingly, the ice was not cold but warm and smooth like jade.

In the next moment, the ice began to change; it melted continuously, the ice wrapping the girl thinning more and more.

Her face became increasingly clear.

“Heh, it’s this easy to break?” the big black dog expressed disbelief, licking the ice once. “Wow, Master Jiuzhang, this tastes sweet, and the spiritual energy is so strong!”

The melted ice transformed into liquid, dripping to the ground, then quickly evaporating into gas and dissipating into the surrounding space.

“You’re drinking her bathwater!” Lu Jiuzhang scolded.

“What bathwater? Master, don’t speak so bluntly. I’m a noble divine beast,” the big black dog said, licking a few more times reluctantly before stopping.

After about the time it takes to drink three cups of tea, the ice covering the girl had completely melted.

Then, her eyelashes twitched slightly.

Her jet-black eyes slowly opened. Upon seeing the unfamiliar faces before her, the girl showed no surprise or any particular reaction.

She stood frozen for a long moment before speaking her first words. “Has the ruin been opened? May I leave?”

Her voice was cold and emotionless, like that of a robot, completely unlike the kindly old elder.

The elder often greeted with a warm smile, but this woman was like a chilling frost.

“Boring. Master Jiuzhang, it’d be better to bring Feng Wanqing out. At least she’s interesting and knows how to please me,” the big black dog lamented.

“The formation still stands, the ruin remains here, but we can leave,” Lu Jiuzhang explained. “The young lady’s cultivation is ninth grade, which is within the formation’s tolerance.”

“Oh,” the girl said, then turned and left.

“Hey, after unsealing you, don’t you say thank you?” the big black dog growled in anger.

What kind of character was this?

No manners at all!

“Oh, thank you,” the sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl replied coldly as she turned around.

“Let’s go. We’ll search nearby to see if there are any treasures,” Lu Jiuzhang said, leading Zhong Zhengming and the big black dog onward.

Not far from the sect, they found a medicinal field planted with many spiritual herbs.

Lu Jiuzhang gathered all the herbs and then found many high-grade cultivation manuals and martial arts techniques in the Northern Blade Sect’s library.

There were also some weapons once used by the sect’s disciples.

There was simply too much, so Lu Jiuzhang planned to have the people from Lijian Manor come and move everything out.

As for the spiritual herbs, Lu Jiuzhang would keep them all for himself.

He intended to copy the cultivation manuals and martial arts to give to the manor’s people.

When leaving the Northern Blade Sect, Lu Jiuzhang saw the young woman carrying a bag following behind.

She must have gone to pack her belongings after leaving the main hall, he thought.

“Hey, you’re sticking with us now?” the big black dog was displeased.

“Take me out!” the girl demanded.

“We don’t owe you anything. Why should we take you out just because you say so?” the big black dog said grimly.

How could someone be so shameless?

No sense of reason at all!

“All the spiritual herbs, cultivation manuals, and martial arts you carry came from the Northern Blade Sect. Consider this your reward,” the girl said.

Ah... well...

There was no good rebuttal.

The big black dog lowered his head and kept signaling Lu Jiuzhang with his eyes, hoping he would refuse the girl.

But seeing Lu Jiuzhang ignore him, the big black dog felt somewhat dejected.

These days, dogs aren’t respected!

He wondered when he could restore his true form and become a genuine divine beast. Then, let’s see who dares to underestimate him!