Once the two women got a clear look at the corpse, they were naturally overjoyed.
Qing Xiao let out a long breath and bowed deeply to Han Li. "If Senior Han hadn't intervened, who knows how many fellow cultivators from our Fire Coral Archipelago would have fallen this time."
"Indeed. Even the Silver Shark Hermit was no match for that monster. If it had gone on a rampage in these waters, it would have been a disaster for all of us. Thank you, Mr. Han, for displaying your great powers and eliminating that abomination!" The woman in the black skirt spoke with even greater deference than before.
"It was nothing. The creature was somewhat troublesome, but my techniques happen to have a certain restraining effect on it. Still, this beast doesn't seem like a typical sea monster. Do you have any idea where it came from?" Han Li waved his hand and asked in a casual tone.
"I'm afraid this junior doesn't know. This was the first time something like this appeared here. At the time, several dozen fellow Daoists had gathered at this location to discuss how to deal with that sea beast. Then this moth suddenly burst out from the mist beyond the island and flew straight onto it. Caught off guard, many fellow cultivators whose cultivation wasn't high enough were killed instantly by its roar. Fortunately, the Silver Shark Hermit managed to hold the beast back for a brief moment, which allowed the remaining fraction of us to escape. Otherwise, had it unleashed its full-throated roar, it wouldn't have been strange at all for every single one of us to perish here." Recalling the terror of the monstrous moth, a trace of lingering fear still flickered across Qing Xiao's face.
Han Li furrowed his brow slightly and nodded, then shifted his gaze back to the group of young men and women who had emerged from the pavilion. He asked offhandedly, "Were these people originally from this island? Their physiques seem rather unusual, yet they aren't cultivators."
"Hehe, these are members of the Frost Essence Clan. Though people of this clan cannot commune with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, they are all extraordinarily intelligent. They can spray a type of cold breath, and their appearance remains youthful well into adulthood, only showing signs of aging at the very end of their lifespan. They're a relatively small race — the entire Fire Coral Archipelago has only about ten thousand of them. But since this clan cannot produce any cultivators, they generally attach themselves to other powerful races, or serve directly under the patronage of a mighty superior clan. These Frost Essence Clan members had previously pledged themselves to the Silver Shark Hermit, serving as ordinary attendants," the woman in the black skirt explained.
"But now that the Silver Shark Hermit is dead, I'm afraid they'll need to find a new path forward." Qing Xiao sighed, sounding rather sympathetic toward the Frost Essence Clan members.
"Oh, this clan really is quite unique." This was the first time Han Li had heard of such an exotic race, and he eyed the young men and women with genuine interest, studying them several more times over.
The young men and women, upon hearing the two women's words, merely kowtowed ceaselessly toward the three of them under the leadership of the woman at their head.
"What's this — could it be you're planning to pledge yourselves to Mr. Han's service in exchange for his protection? If that's truly the case, Mr. Han might as well take them in. Members of this clan make excellent attendants. Whether it's managing the miscellaneous affairs of a cave dwelling or tending a spirit herb garden, they have a certain unique talent." The woman in the black skirt seemed to read their intentions and smiled sweetly.
"Oh? They know how to cultivate spirit herbs?" Han Li was somewhat surprised to hear this.
"They don't merely 'know' — even ordinary cultivators of the upper clans are far inferior to them when it comes to the talent of spirit herb cultivation. And since these particular individuals were able to stay by the Silver Shark Hermit's side, they're naturally the best this clan has to offer. If word got out, there would likely be plenty of upper clan cultivators fighting over them," Qing Xiao added with a smile.
"A pity, then. I'm used to traveling alone and don't really care to have people around me. If you two are interested, you're welcome to take them yourselves." Han Li shook his head without hesitation.
"Very well, since Senior Han has said so, this junior won't stand on ceremony. My cave dwelling could truly use some extra hands right now. Sister Qing, how about we split these Frost Essence Clan members between us?" The woman in the black skirt blinked her beautiful eyes and said to Qing Xiao with a smile.
"I already have plenty of attendants on my island. Since you like them, Sister, just take them all." Qing Xiao was remarkably magnanimous about the matter.
Upon hearing this, the woman in the black skirt stopped being polite. She turned to the Frost Essence Clan members and asked whether they were willing to go with her.
Having witnessed the death of their former master with their own eyes, the Frost Essence Clan members naturally had no objections to the woman's invitation. They respectfully agreed one after another. Then, following the woman's instructions, they began tidying up the largest of the ice palaces before inviting Han Li and the two women inside.
"Mr. Han, what are your plans going forward? Do you still intend to hunt down that sea beast?" Qing Xiao, seated on a stone chair in the great hall, posed the question.
"Well, now that I'm here, I naturally won't give up easily. I'll have to give it a try regardless." Han Li sat between the two women and replied calmly.
Qing Xiao and the other woman exchanged a look.
"What's the matter? Do you two think I can't handle it?" Han Li raised an eyebrow and asked lightly.