Cut From Ice: A Cultivator’s Rebirth

Lin Qingling clenched her teeth.

"Shameless!" she growled.

"Damn Lingxu! All those years of your loyalty, and he didn't even give you a single thing?" She was furious now, truly furious.

She waved her sleeve. "Forget it. From now on, whatever your previous master didn't give you, I will. Mingyue!"

Luo Mingyue quickly stood at attention. "Yes, Master?"

"Take Xiaoshuang to the market. Buy her a flying sword, a storage ring, a pill furnace, and a protective spiritual robe," she ordered, listing them off one by one.

"Yes!" Luo Mingyue responded with a wide grin. "Come on, Junior Sister, today you're going shopping with Senior Sister!"

"...Do I need to buy so many things?" Li Shuang asked softly.

"Yes!" both master and senior sister replied in unison.

So, Li Shuang was dragged out.

The Sword Sect's marketplace was lively and crowded.

Though the sect was strict, disciples were allowed to trade on designated market days. Those with merit points or spirit stones could purchase magical tools and spiritual items.

Many stalls were opened by outer disciples or rogue cultivators from nearby towns. But even so, any stall within the sect had to be inspected for safety. This rule made the market very popular among disciples.

"Come here, Junior Sister!" Luo Mingyue said, pulling Li Shuang straight to a large tool shop.

This place had everything—spiritual swords, flying swords, talismans, robes, and more.

Luo Mingyue glanced around and quickly flagged down a clerk.

"We need a good flying sword, but something light and fast. My Junior Sister is in the Qi Training stage, so she needs something easy to control."

"Of course!" the clerk said with a warm smile. "You're from Wuqing Peak, right? Senior Sister Luo is famous in the sect. I'll bring out the best options!"

He soon returned with a tray of four flying swords—each delicate and finely crafted.

"This one is Wind Whisper, made from feather steel. Incredibly fast, perfect for evasion."

"This one is Swift Snow, refined in a snowstorm by the Glacier Sect—excellent for speed and stability."

"And this here is Cloud Trace, designed for smooth control. Even a beginner can master it within days."

Li Shuang quietly observed them all.

Her gaze landed on Swift Snow.

She reached out and picked it up.

The moment her fingers touched the hilt, a gentle chill seeped into her skin—not biting cold, but rather… refreshing.

It reminded her of when she was young, climbing the mountain to gather frost blossoms for medicine. The same clarity, the same calmness.

"I want this one," she said.

Luo Mingyue nodded. "Wrap it up. We'll take it."

The clerk beamed. "Excellent choice. That one's popular!"

After paying, they continued down the stalls.

Next stop: storage rings.

"Junior Sister, this one looks cute!" Luo Mingyue held up a sky-blue ring inlaid with a small amethyst.

Li Shuang, however, chose a simple silver ring with a clear stone—practical, durable, and unadorned.

She'd always preferred function over form.

Next came pill furnaces. Even though she didn't specialize in alchemy, having one was necessary.

She picked a small black furnace engraved with a phoenix pattern. The moment she touched it, a soft warmth spread through her palm—it felt like it acknowledged her presence.

By now, her storage pouch was getting heavier.

"Okay," Luo Mingyue said, "last stop—protective clothing!"

The robe section was filled with spiritual garments—robes that could deflect spells, reduce damage, or enhance certain techniques.

Li Shuang paused in front of a rack of Wuqing Peak robes.

The robes here were designed to resonate with the Supreme Forgetting Love Technique. They were plain white with faint silver linings and no ornate decorations—but their defenses were among the best.

She chose one and put it on.

It fit perfectly.

As she turned to examine the stitching, a cold voice called out behind her.

"Well, well. Look who's flaunting their new status."

She turned around—and saw Ye Zhaozhao.

She stood not far away, arms crossed, eyes narrowing slightly.

Next to her stood Sheng Yuan, face stiff.

Clearly, they had seen her shopping spree and couldn't ignore it.

"You really jumped ship quickly," Zhaozhao said with a slight sneer. "Wasn't it just a few days ago that you were still weeping over your expulsion? Now here you are—Wuqing Peak's little darling."

Li Shuang didn't react.

She simply looked at Zhaozhao, her eyes calm and cold.

She had no time to entertain petty performances anymore.

Zhaozhao continued, "Did your new master treat you well? Gave you spirit stones? Took you shopping? Did you beg for her favor too?"

Luo Mingyue's face darkened.

Li Shuang finally spoke—voice soft, but piercing.

"You're right."

Zhaozhao blinked. "What?"

"You're right," Li Shuang repeated. "My new master gave me spirit stones. She gave me a sword. She gave me a robe. She gave me everything your master never thought I needed."

She stepped closer.

"In the ten years I followed Lingxu Zhenren, I never asked for a single thing. Not even once."

"I crafted my sword by hand. I forged my own armor. I earned every spirit stone through missions. And when I was injured, I healed myself. When I was misunderstood, I remained silent. When I was betrayed…"

She looked directly into Zhaozhao's eyes.

"…I still protected you."

Ye Zhaozhao's expression shifted.

Li Shuang's tone was still calm, but there was weight in every word.

"I used to think loyalty and kindness would be returned. That if I gave everything, I'd be trusted."

"But now—"

Her gaze sharpened.

"I only believe in one thing:Those who betray me… don't deserve my mercy."

She turned and walked away.

The new robe fluttered behind her like frost in the wind.

Zhaozhao stood frozen, her fists clenched.

System Notification:Negative Emotion Value: +30Source: Ye Zhaozhao—Emotion: Dread.