"Seraphina, you need to be mentally prepared. The moment you start cultivating, you'll be afflicted by the Nine Nether Cold Poison. From then on, you'll have to endure its agonizing flare-ups every month. The pain is like having your heart shattered and your bones carved out." The thought of the suffering Seraphina was about to endure made Trudy a little fearful.
"I know. But no matter how hard it is, I have to get stronger. Bring me a piece of paper and a pen," Seraphina said resolutely.
"Here you go. What are you going to write?"
Without answering Trudy, Seraphina focused on drawing on the paper while Trudy squatted beside her to watch.
"There, it's done. Trudy, go give the robots their orders. Have them build me a wheelchair. These are the designs."
"A wheelchair? Why do you need one of these?" Trudy asked in confusion, holding the design sketch.
"Once I start practicing the Nine Nether Cold Technique, I'll be weak in the early stages. A wheelchair would be a good way to get around." When Seraphina had first decided to practice the Nine Nether Cold Technique, she had already looked into its initial consequences.
The Nine Nether Cold Technique is known as a Supreme Cultivation Method because anyone who completely masters it will possess power far surpassing that of a Martial Emperor—the pinnacle of Ancient Martial Arts. However, this also makes it incredibly difficult to practice. The technique is divided into nine layers. From the First to the Third Layer, the poison flares up on the night of the last day of every month, inflicting a near-death experience that lasts the entire night. Upon reaching the Fourth Layer, the flare-ups reduce to once a year. It's only upon reaching the Seventh Layer that the Nine Nether Cold Poison is completely purged.
"Oh, right, Seraphina, I forgot to tell you—you have a Holy Cold Body, which is perfectly suited for the Nine Nether Cold Technique. This constitution will make your practice much smoother and more effective. I'm sure you can master the entire technique!" Trudy said confidently, placing its plump little paw on Seraphina's hand.
"The Holy Cold Body?"
"Yes. The Holy Cold Body, like the Holy Flame Body I mentioned before, is a one-in-a-million constitution. Both grant their bearers a superior, innate talent for cultivation," Trudy volunteered, seeing the quizzical look on Seraphina's face.
"Okay, we can talk about this later. I'm going to start cultivating now." 'The most urgent thing right now is to practice,' Seraphina thought. 'I can learn about the rest later.'
"Okay, I'll go get that wheelchair taken care of for you." Trudy grabbed the design sketch and zipped away.
Seraphina calmed her mind, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began practicing the First Layer of the Nine Nether Cold Technique. She closed her eyes and immersed herself completely, guiding the Spiritual Energy through her body. Gradually, the Spiritual Energy in the space was drawn into her. She sat perfectly still, like an old monk deep in meditation. After an unknown amount of time, a thin layer of icy mist coated her entire body, and frost dusted her eyebrows and hair.
"Ngh..." Suddenly, Seraphina slumped to the side and collapsed onto the ground. Her face was contorted in pain, and she bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. She curled into a ball, her entire body trembling.
'Agh, it hurts... so cold...'
It felt as if every bone in her body was being snapped, one by one, as if her meridians were being torn apart. The pain was so intense she wanted to end it all right there and then.
"Seraphina, it's alright! Trudy's here with you! Just hang on, and it'll pass!" Trudy had just returned to see Seraphina in the throes of agony and immediately rushed forward to grasp her hand.
After what felt like an eternity, Seraphina's trembling finally stopped.
"I'm fine, Trudy. See? I've already broken through to the First Layer," Seraphina said, her voice a hoarse rasp as she tried to reassure him.
"Seraphina, wait here! I'm going to get something!" Trudy wiped its tears and dashed straight toward the medicinal herb garden.
Seraphina struggled to sit up, her gaze following the direction Trudy had gone.
"Seraphina, eat this! You'll feel better after you do." A moment later, Trudy returned, carrying a small, crimson fruit.
"What is this?" Seraphina asked, taking the fruit and examining it closely.
"It's a Green Blood Fruit. It'll help you recover some strength so you won't feel so weak. Hurry and eat it!" Trudy urged.
At Trudy's urging, Seraphina popped the fruit into her mouth and finished it in a few quick bites. After she was done, she felt her body had indeed recovered significantly. Her meridians felt as if they'd been repaired, and she felt much stronger than just moments before.
"By the way, Trudy, how long have I been in here?" It suddenly occurred to Seraphina that she hadn't left since she started practicing, and she worried that her family would be frantic if they couldn't find her.
"You've been in the space cultivating for six days, but only a few hours have passed outside. It's still the afternoon." Trudy was relieved to see some color return to Seraphina's face.
"In that case, I'll stay here and consolidate my Cultivation. Call me when it's dinnertime in the outside world." Seeing that it was still early, Seraphina decided to remain in the space. After all, its abundant Spiritual Energy would help her recover.
"Mm-hm." Trudy lay down nearby, watching Seraphina.
When Seraphina felt she had recovered about fifty percent of her strength, she opened her eyes and found Trudy asleep by her feet. A warmth spread through her chest as she recalled how it had stayed by her side, crying and comforting her through the poison's flare-up. She reached down, scooped it up, and left the space.
Seraphina settled Trudy on the bed, then picked up the phone and called Sylvia Blaine. "Mom, I won't be joining you for dinner in the dining room tonight. Could you just have a servant bring it to my room?"
"Seraphina, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Hearing the weakness and hoarseness in her daughter's voice, Sylvia Blaine grew worried that Seraphina was hiding an illness and trying to tough it out.
"I'm fine, Mom, don't worry. I'm just a little tired from practicing today. I talked to Grandfather about it this morning; you can ask him." Seraphina quickly explained, hearing the urgency in Sylvia's voice. She was afraid her mother would rush right over, and seeing her in such a wretched, weakened state would surely give her a fright.
"Are you sure you're alright? How about I come over and check on you?" Sylvia still sounded unconvinced.
"No, really, there's no need! I'll explain everything tomorrow, I promise," Seraphina quickly urged. 'Just my luck,' she thought.
"Alright then. I'll have someone bring your dinner up in a bit," Sylvia said softly.
"Okay, thanks." Seraphina hung up, grabbed some clean clothes, and decided to take a shower before she ate.