Lone Battle in the Cold Abyss, Finger Burns Icelin

Chapter 28: Solo Battle in the Icy Abyss, Finger Burns Ice Scales

Three days later, North Gate of Qingzhou Prefecture City.

Li Yifan, clad in black, a long saber at his waist, his aura as stable as a mountain, arrived precisely on time. He hadn't brought any members of the Seventh Squad; this was a personal collaboration at the invitation of Liu Ruyan.

A moment later, Liu Ruyan arrived gracefully. Accompanying her were not members of the Xuntian Guard, but a middle-aged man in a grey fur coat, with a sharp face and keen eyes. This man's aura was steady, around the late Bone Refining stage. A medicine pouch and a short blade hung at his waist, clearly indicating he was an expert at navigating the wilderness.

"Captain Li, you've been waiting," Liu Ruyan nodded slightly, her voice as clear and cool as ever. She was still in white today, but against the backdrop of the snowy mountains, she appeared even more elegant and refined.

"Captain Liu is too kind," Li Yifan returned the greeting, his gaze falling on the middle-aged man.

Liu Ruyan introduced, "This is Liu Zhong. He is an elder of the Liu Family, responsible for gathering herbs in the North Xuan Province area for many years. He is extremely familiar with the snowy mountain terrain and the Icy Abyss, and his tracking skills are first-rate. For this mission, he will be our guide."

Liu Zhong stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Li Yifan. "Liu Zhong greets Captain Li. I have long admired Captain Li's name, and meeting you today, you truly live up to your reputation." He felt the unfathomable aura emanating from Li Yifan and was very humble in his demeanor.

Li Yifan cupped his fists in return. "Mr. Liu, no need for such formality. We will be relying on you for this journey."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three wasted no more time. They mounted their horses and galloped away from the prefecture city, heading towards North Xuan Province.

The journey was long. After several days of riding, they finally entered the territory of North Xuan Province. The further north they traveled, the lower the temperature became, the wind biting and fierce, their breath freezing in the air. Li Yifan circulated the Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique, his supreme Yang true qi flowing naturally, keeping him warm and immune to the cold. Liu Ruyan's cultivation method leaned towards the cold, and she seemed quite adapted to it. Liu Zhong, on the other hand, relied on his experience and specially prepared medicinal wine to ward off the severe cold.

Along the way, Liu Ruyan confirmed the mission details with Li Yifan again. The objective was clear: to collect the Mystic Ice Lotus from the cold pond deep within the Icy Abyss. The guardian monster beast was an Ice Scale Python at the middle stage of Muscle Refining. The mission grade was C-plus, with 1000 contribution points, of which Li Yifan would receive sixty percent. If the Ice Scale Python was killed, its corpse materials would belong to Li Yifan, and the Liu Family could purchase them at market price.

Li Yifan was clear-minded. This trip was not only for contribution points but also to test his own strength at the middle stage of Muscle Refining and to lay the groundwork for monetizing monster beast materials through the Liu Family's channels in the future.

They dismounted and proceeded on foot, entering the depths of the snowy mountains. Led by Liu Zhong, the experienced guide, the three avoided numerous dangerous areas, following a relatively safe path towards the Icy Abyss. Liu Zhong was intimately familiar with the snowy mountain environment and always found the most suitable routes, saving them a lot of trouble.

A day later, they arrived at the entrance of the Icy Abyss—a vast glacial canyon. Inside the valley, the wind howled, ice crystals filled the air, and an intense chill assailed them.

"Captain Li, Miss Liu, ahead lies the core area of the Icy Abyss. The cold is extremely severe; you must circulate your true qi to protect yourselves. The valley is filled with ice crevices, so you must follow my steps closely," Liu Zhong reminded them with a solemn expression.

Liu Ruyan took out a warm jade pendant and wore it. Liu Zhong also swallowed a crimson pill. Li Yifan, as always, relied on his powerful Nine Yang True Qi to form an invisible shield around his body, isolating the cold air. This caused Liu Zhong to secretly gasp in amazement.

The three cautiously stepped into the canyon. Inside, the ice walls were jagged and smooth as mirrors, the light dim. Beneath their feet was millennia-old solid ice, and they had to tread with extreme care. The biting cold constantly eroded them; without profound cultivation, they would freeze solid in an instant.

Liu Zhong led the way, proceeding cautiously, relying on his familiarity with the terrain and the faint scent of lotus in the air. Liu Ruyan was in the middle, and Li Yifan brought up the rear, vigilant of their surroundings.

After venturing several miles deep, the cold intensified. Suddenly, a massive white shadow lunged from behind an ice wall to their front left, like lightning, heading straight for Liu Ruyan in the center of the group!

It was an Ice Plains Bear, stout and covered in thick ice armor! Its strength had reached the peak of Bone Refining! The giant bear roared, its voice echoing through the ice valley. Its claws, carrying a fierce cold wind, were about to strike Liu Ruyan!

Liu Ruyan, though startled, was not flustered. Cold energy condensed on her jade-like hand, her Ice Palm already poised to strike! But the Ice Plains Bear's strength and speed were greatly amplified in the icy environment. This pounce was powerful and heavy; even if she could block it, she would likely be injured by the impact!

At this critical juncture!

A crimson finger wind, arriving later but striking first, was as fast as thunder! The finger wind was condensed into a tangible form, emitting a scorching aura, and accurately struck the Ice Plains Bear's brow!

"Pfft!"

A soft sound, like a red-hot iron skewer piercing cold ice! The charging giant body of the Ice Plains Bear suddenly froze. A small, scorched hole appeared on its forehead, penetrating through to the back of its head! Its ferocious aura instantly dissipated, and its massive body crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of ice shards!

From the bear's pounce to its death, it was but the blink of an eye!

Liu Ruyan slowly dispersed her gathered palm force, a trace of astonishment flashing in her beautiful eyes as she looked at Li Yifan, who stood with his finger retracted. Liu Zhong was even more dumbfounded, staring in disbelief at the corpse of the peak Bone Refining monster beast on the ground.

One finger! Just one finger! It had instantly killed an Ice Plains Bear at the peak of Bone Refining!

What kind of strength was this?! Liu Zhong, having roamed the mountains and forests for years, knew how formidable a peak Bone Refining monster beast was, especially a tough-skinned one like the Ice Plains Bear. Yet, before Li Yifan, it was like a clay chicken or a pottery dog!

Li Yifan's expression was calm, as if he had done something insignificant. The Scorching Sun Finger at the Great Accomplishment stage, combined with his middle-stage Muscle Refining Nine Yang True Qi, supreme Yang countering extreme cold, instantly killing a monster beast of the same level was well within reason.

"Captain Liu, you must have been frightened," Li Yifan said lightly. "It seems we have entered the territory of powerful monster beasts; we must be even more careful."

Liu Ruyan took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and nodded. "Thank you, Captain Li, for your intervention. Liu Zhong, let's continue."

Liu Zhong snapped back to attention, his gaze towards Li Yifan filled with reverence. He led the way even more cautiously.

On the rest of the journey, they encountered several more waves of ice-elemental monster beasts. However, their strength was all below the Bone Refining Realm, and they were easily dealt with by Liu Ruyan and Liu Zhong. Li Yifan did not make another move.

Under Liu Zhong's guidance, the three finally passed through a narrow ice crevice without any major incident. Before them, the scene suddenly opened up, revealing a vast underground ice cave. In the center of the cave was a deep, cold pond, emanating a chilling aura. On an ice platform in the pond, a crystal-clear lotus, shimmering with a blue halo, bloomed quietly—the Mystic Ice Lotus!

However, everyone's attention was instantly drawn to the colossal creature by the edge of the cold pond! A ten-zhang giant python, its body covered in ice scales, its head ferocious, its vertical pupils icy, exuding the fierce aura of the middle stage of Muscle Refining—the Ice Scale Python!

The Ice Scale Python sensed the intruders and immediately coiled its body, emitting a threatening hiss. Its cold gaze locked onto Li Yifan, whose aura was the strongest.

"Captain Li, let's proceed as planned. I will be responsible for collecting the Mystic Ice Lotus. This Ice Scale Python, I'll leave to you," Liu Ruyan said with a solemn expression. She knew the terrifying nature of a middle-stage Muscle Refining monster beast. Even if Li Yifan was powerful, this would be a fierce battle.

"Alright!" Battle intent surged in Li Yifan's eyes! This was the perfect opportunity for him to fully familiarize himself with the power of the Great Accomplishment Scorching Sun Finger in actual combat!

He took a step forward, facing the Ice Scale Python alone! His middle-stage Muscle Refining aura was released without reservation. His Nine Yang True Qi surged, its scorching aura clashing intensely with the severe cold of the ice cave, making the Ice Scale Python agitated.

"Hiss!" The Ice Scale Python was enraged. It opened its massive maw and spewed a dense, icy poisonous mist like a white tide towards Li Yifan!

Li Yifan neither dodged nor blocked. He circulated the Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique to its fullest, crimson true qi erupting around him like a blazing torch! As the poisonous mist approached, it was rapidly evaporated and dissolved by the supreme Yang true qi, making it difficult to get close!

"Good!" Li Yifan grunted, discarding his saber entirely. He brought his fingers together and unleashed the Great Accomplishment Scorching Sun Finger with full force! His fingertips glowed crimson like a branding iron, his figure moved like lightning, charging straight at the Ice Scale Python!

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Streams of incredibly condensed crimson finger winds shot towards the Ice Scale Python like a sudden downpour! The finger winds were not only fast but also incredibly precise and vicious, targeting vulnerable areas such as its eyes, nostrils, mouth, and joint connections!

The Ice Scale Python clearly hadn't expected its opponent's attack method to be so peculiar and swift. It swung its sharp claws and moved its head to block, but the finger winds were too dense and agile, and some inevitably slipped through!

"Puff! Puff!"

Two finger winds successfully struck near its eye sockets. Although they didn't directly blind it, the scorching finger force instantly seared its scales, leaving two black marks. The intense pain caused the Ice Scale Python to let out an enraged roar!

It suddenly swung its massive tail, sweeping towards them like an ice pillar, with immense power! Li Yifan's Spirit Fox Steps were exquisite, allowing him to dodge the tail strike at the last possible moment, while his finger winds continued to harass! He moved rapidly around the Ice Scale Python's enormous body, his finger winds following like shadows, making it impossible for the python to defend itself!

The Ice Scale Python raged, spewing poison mist and ice cones, but Li Yifan deflected them all with his agile footwork and scorching protective true qi. The battle's rhythm was completely controlled by Li Yifan, who, using the Scorching Sun Finger technique, engaged in a hit-and-run battle with the massive, mid-stage Muscle Refining Monster Beast!

Liu Ruyan watched from the side, mesmerized. She had never imagined that a finger technique could be wielded with such mastery! The scorching finger winds weren't just powerful; they contained a sharp intent that seemed to pierce the void. She seized the opportunity to quickly approach the cold pond, preparing to pick the Mystic Ice Lotus.

Sensing Liu Ruyan's intention, the Ice Scale Python went berserk. Ignoring the blackened patches on its body from the finger winds, it inhaled a massive amount of cold air, its chest swelling violently, intending to unleash its innate cold poison to stop her!

"Hmph! Trying that trick again?" Li Yifan's eyes flashed with cold light. Seizing the moment it was gathering power, the Nine Yang True Qi in his body surged towards his right middle and index fingers with unprecedented speed! The two fingers instantly turned crimson and translucent, like a pair of red-hot, peerless swords! A terrifying finger intent, capable of piercing everything and burning all things, locked onto the Ice Scale Python's gaping maw!

"Scorching Sun Finger's ultimate art—Double Yang Piercing Evil!"

He roared, his figure darting forward like a phantom to the Ice Scale Python's face. His fingers joined like a sword, and with thunderous might, he thrust them straight in, piercing with absolute precision deep into the Ice Scale Python's wide, bloody maw!

"Pfft—Chira!"

The ultimate scorching finger force erupted like a volcano from the Ice Scale Python's most vulnerable spot! Extreme Yang countered extreme Yin. Before the Ice Scale Python's cold poison could be expelled, it was detonated within its throat by this destructive power!

"Aooo—!!!"

The Ice Scale Python let out a distorted, agonizing howl. Its massive body convulsed violently, rolling wildly and smashing the surrounding ice walls to pieces! But the life force within it had been thoroughly shredded by the overbearing Scorching Sun Finger force! After struggling for a dozen breaths, the giant python crashed to the ground, cold blood gurgling from its mouth and nostrils, lifeless.

A mid-stage Muscle Refining Monster Beast, the Ice Scale Python, was killed single-handedly by Li Yifan using the perfected Scorching Sun Finger!

The battle ended, leaving the ice cave in disarray. Li Yifan slowly retracted his fingers, the crimson glow on his fingertips gradually dissipating. He panted slightly, sweat beading on his forehead, but his eyes were bright, quite satisfied with the outcome of the battle. After cultivating the Scorching Sun Finger to perfection, its power had indeed not disappointed him.

Liu Ruyan had also successfully harvested the Mystic Ice Lotus, looking at Li Yifan with eyes full of shock. In this battle, Li Yifan had used no blades, only his finger technique, to kill a formidable enemy. His strength and methods had once again broadened her understanding.

Liu Zhong emerged from his hiding place, looking at the Ice Scale Python's corpse with immense reverence.

Liu Zhong stepped forward to help process the python's carcass, skillfully extracting valuable materials. He explained, "According to ancient texts, Monster Beasts cannot condense an energy core, a 'demon core,' before the Innate realm. For a Muscle Refining Monster Beast, its essence is distributed throughout its flesh, sinews, and bones. However, this Ice Scale Python's gall contains part of its ice origin, making it a valuable item." As he spoke, he precisely extracted an egg-sized, blue gallbladder emitting a strong chill from the python's abdomen—the Ice Scale Python Gallbladder.

Liu Ruyan nodded in understanding. "Uncle Liu's knowledge is vast; you are surely correct. As agreed, all these materials belong to you. Our Liu Family will purchase them at market price."

Li Yifan put away the materials, regretting the Ice Plains Bear from earlier. He had left without salvaging its materials in order to hurry. More importantly, he had verified the power of his perfected finger technique and established a more stable cooperative relationship with the Liu Family.