Liam Ardent could not help but feel his blood ignite at the sight before him. Lady Isolde Serpentis — her beauty was beyond mortal measure, an ethereal allure that seemed almost dangerous in its perfection.
Suddenly, a wave of cold radiated from her slender form, the chill so sharp that it seemed to draw the warmth from his very bones. Her voice, like frost over steel, cut through the air.
"If you dare harbour unclean thoughts… I will make you a eunuch."
Liam drew a slow breath, forcing his racing heart to steady. In one fluid motion, he retrieved a set of fine gold needles. Without hesitation, he began to insert them into her meridian points, his movements swift and precise, each placement flowing into the next like drifting clouds and flowing water.
At first, Lady Isolde kept her guard, eyes sharp as if expecting trickery. Yet once the needles touched her skin and the currents of inner energy began to move, she knew he was wholly focused on healing her. The tense reservoir of her power subsided.
The needles danced in his hands like living creatures, each vibrating in a faint rhythm. Soon, the faint silver frost that clung to them began to seep out into the air, lowering the room's temperature by several degrees.
By the time a single stick of incense had burned down, the biting cold within her body had eased, almost gone entirely.
Liam collected the needles, wiping away a thin sheen of sweat from his brow. "That will do for today. The remaining chill lies deep within your blood and marrow. It will surface again in a day — then I can treat it further."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and made for the door, as if avoiding a coiled viper. Lady Isolde's beauty was breathtaking, but she was poison, frost, and fire all at once — and far too dangerous to touch.
Even with the "Skyblade Experience trial card" in his possession, he knew it would grant him only three minutes of unmatched sword skill. Enough to punish her in combat, perhaps, but far from enough to escape the web of consequences she could weave afterward. He had no wish to provoke a foe whose methods against Edric Thornwell had been so ruthlessly creative.
"Afraid of me?" Her tone was almost playful now. "Keep your hands clean, and I will reward you — not harm you."
Liam glanced back. Her face, warm for an instant, had already cooled into a mask of icy detachment. The frost in her eyes made his skin prickle. He looked away at once and walked out without another word.
Behind him, Lady Isolde's lips curved in a smile that could have toppled kingdoms. Her fingers moved deftly, fixing the silver wig upon her head and replacing the lifelike human-skin mask. Her spine curved, her posture aged, her voice rasped once more with the guise of the frail elder.
"Doctor Ardent, you have my thanks. If you can cure me fully, you will be well rewarded."
"I'll do what I can," Liam replied curtly, not breaking stride.
He had barely stepped outside when—
Bang!
A slender figure collided into him, soft yet sudden.
"Ah—!"
He found himself staring into the flawless features of Lilith Stormbane, the surprise bringing her face so close that her lips pressed against his. Instinctively, he breathed in her scent — and drew back in equal shock.
Lilith's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing crimson. She scrambled back, stammering, "I… I was in a hurry to see my lady. I didn't mean to—"
Liam straightened, brushing off the moment. "I didn't notice you coming. I've purged part of her cold poison. Tomorrow I'll continue. Go on inside."
Lilith nodded quickly and slipped past him, the blush still colouring her face.
System Update
[Affection Level: Lilith Stormbane – 99 / 100]
Over the next three days, Liam treated Lady Isolde once each morning. Every session tested his focus — for each time, her mask came off, revealing that same unearthly beauty, and each time the creeping frost within her body pushed back against his needles.
At night, Isla Drake would sneak over with shy boldness, her affection too obvious to ignore, while Lady Moira Drake watched in silence, never speaking of it.
On the third day, Liam withdrew his final needle and exhaled deeply. "It's done. Avoid places of deep cold for a month, or the damage may return."
System Update
[Affection Level: Isolde Serpentis – 80 / 100 (Admiration)]
He knew that unless her affection reached the point of sworn loyalty, it could drop at any time — and her temperament was as changeable as the sea.
Lady Isolde slipped her mask and silver wig back on, then produced a small, intricate token — three silver leaves cradling a golden flower.
"You saved my life. Take this Golden Flower Silver Leaf Emblem. Should you travel overseas, it may grant you certain… privileges."
Liam accepted it with a nod.
System Update
[Item Acquired: Golden Flower Silver Leaf Emblem]
(Insignia of the Serpent Isle's ruler; forged of coral gold and deep-sea silver. Grade: Gold.)
His inner energy had also grown over the three days, now reaching 19,000 — a noticeable leap.
Emerging together from the treatment room, they were met by Lilith rushing over. "Well? Is she cured?"
The old woman's guise smiled faintly. "Doctor Ardent is indeed worthy of the title. Better than Edric Thornwell ever was. I am healed."
Lilith beamed, darting forward to plant a quick kiss on Liam's cheek.
System Update
[Affection Level: Lilith Stormbane – 100 / 100 (Sworn Loyalty)]
But the moment was broken by a sharp, ringing voice that echoed across the valley:
"Moira Drake! Come out and face me!"
Liam's head snapped toward the entrance. Striding into Butterfly Valley was a figure in a plain grey robe, her presence cold as iron.
Mother Clarisse Hale.
Glossary Update
Golden Flower Silver Leaf Emblem – Insignia of the Serpent Isle's ruler, Lady Isolde Serpentis. Grants recognition and privileges among overseas factions. Forged of coral gold and deep-sea silver.
Needle Technique – Meridian Frost Expulsion – A precision acupuncture method to draw out cold energy from deep within the body's organs and meridians, balancing qi and restoring vitality.
Mother Clarisse Hale – Abbess of the Emei Sect, known for her strict discipline and mastery of the Heaven-Relying Sword. Holds one of the highest ranks in the Jianghu.
Jianghu – Literally" Refers to the martial world: a society of wandering heroes, sects, and rivalries, where strength, loyalty, and reputation matter more than law.
This story is inspired from various Wuxia novels ,so if you find any similarities please dont mind . and if you think this is boring wait till the Dual cultivation starts ,Thank you .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 25 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: patreon.com/GodFic