Breaking [Ice Blast]!
As Zhao Shanhe was teleported off the arena, Zhao Hanshuang's figure returned to the inner arena's pillar of light amidst a burst of Clear and Cold, clear light.
At this moment, only two Disciple have the right to challenge: Yu Jiangying, the Chief the Water Court, and Xu Qing, the Chief the Earth Court.
The atmosphere was silent and somewhat oppressive.
Yu Jiangying possessed a Clear and Cold and aloof demeanor, her gaze slowly sweeping over the Three Laws with profound auras in the arena.
Su Bai's Sword Intent was restrained, yet its sharpness was hidden.
Qin Lin is unfathomable and controls the entire situation through Spirit Plant.
And Zhao Hanshuang, who has just demonstrated her Absolute Defense and control abilities.
Her delicate lips curled slightly, and she had already made up her mind.
Xu Qing, standing to the side, had a kind face and a steady posture. He scratched his head and lowered his voice to tentatively say to Yu Jiangying, "Junior Sister Yu, look at this situation... with just the two of us, I'm afraid neither of us has a chance."
"How about... you and I team up, pick the one we're most confident against, and wear him down with a series of attacks? That's better than giving up outright."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jiangying glanced at Xu Qing with her Clear and Cold eyes.
"Join forces? Wear each other down?" She gently shook her head, her voice melodious yet utterly calm. "Even if we manage to outlast one of them, we'll still have to fight again."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Su Bai and the other two again, her tone calm yet carrying a hint of self-awareness. "I have no chance of winning against any of these three, no matter who they face."
"Forcing it will only bring shame upon yourself, waste your Spiritual Power, and damage your State of Mind."
After saying that, she stopped looking at Xu Qing, who had an awkward expression, nodded slightly to Steward Li Zhao in mid-air, and then took a step forward.
A faint light of teleportation descended, and Yu Jiangying's figure rippled like water before quietly disappearing into the inner arena.
She chose to abstain.
"This..."
Xu Qing watched Yu Jiangying's departing figure, his embarrassment deepening, finally turning into a helpless bitter smile.
"Enough, enough. Junior Sister Yu is right. Since things are beyond our control, forcing it will only lead to more trouble."
He also cupped his hands in a respectful gesture Steward Li Zhao: "Steward Li, your Disciple Xu Qing also abstains."
A flash of light, and Xu Qing's sturdy figure disappeared.
Thus, in the vast inner arena, under the dazzling pillars of light, only Three Laws remained standing in a triangular formation: Su Bai from the Sword Academy, Zhao Hanshuang from the Ice Court, and Qin Lin from the Wood Court.
The figure of Li Zhao, the Inner Sect Hall Steward, appeared at the right time. His gaze swept over the three young Disciple who had different temperaments but were equally outstanding, and a rare gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Thus, the top three in this year's Inner Sect Grand Competition have been determined!"
"In the current order: First seat, Zhao Hanshuang from the Ice Court; second seat, Qin Lin from the Wood Court; third seat, Su Bai from the Sword Academy."
He paused, looked at the three, and asked routinely, "Do any of you have any objections to the current rankings? If not, then the final rankings can be determined accordingly, and the competition will conclude successfully."
As soon as Li Zhao finished speaking, the room fell silent, and all eyes were on the three of them.
According to the rules, the top three players temporarily can now challenge each other to determine the final ranking.
Qin Lin was the first to make a move.
With a gentle and peaceful smile on his face, he cupped his hands to Deacon Li Zhao Steward, Su Bai, and Zhao Hanshuang, and said loudly, "Steward Li, this Disciple Qin Lin is already satisfied with the second seat and has no intention of challenging for it."
He chose to aim for second place and strive for... no, he aimed for second place but didn't strive for first.
Li Zhao nodded, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "Good, knows when to advance and retreat, understands gains and losses."
He waved his hand, and a soft beam of teleportation light descended, enveloping Qin Lin.
Qin Lin's figure gradually faded in the light. Before leaving, he seemed to sense something and turned to look at the two remaining people in the arena.
An invisible aura was quietly rising and colliding between Su Bai and Zhao Hanshuang, making the air in that area seem to freeze.
Qin Lin's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, before he completely disappeared from the inner area.
Now, only two people remain inside, their eyes locked.
Su Bai stood tall and straight like a pine tree. Although there was no sharp Sword Qi emanating from his body, his calm gaze seemed to contain a sharpness that could cut through any obstacle.
The Jade Pendant Chief the black silver sword at his waist shimmered with a deep, eerie luster under the beam of light.
Zhao Hanshuang's expression was cold, his dark Daoist Daoist Robe making his skin appear even paler, and his eyes were devoid of any warmth as he quietly looked at Su Bai.
What are you waiting for?
"Do you really think that by spending a few months in my Ice Court and observing a few training sessions, you can grasp the essence of my Ice Magic and find an opportunity to exploit it?"
His statement was not entirely unfounded.
Su Bai concealed his identity and joined the Ice Court, and at this moment, he stood on the final stage as the Chief the Sword Academy.
Zhao Hanshuang naturally interpreted his previous infiltration as intelligence gathering and searching for weaknesses.
Speaking at this moment is both a question and a form of psychological suppression.
Upon hearing this, Su Bai shrugged nonchalantly, a relaxed smile appearing on his face, a subtle contrast to the rising fighting spirit around him.
"Chief Zhao is mistaken."
He said slowly, "The Immortal Path immortality lies in practice."
"How will I know if I don't try it myself... whether I, a self-taught Disciple of the Ice Court, can learn anything real from you, the legitimate Chief?"
"Steward Li."
Su Bai stopped looking at Zhao Hanshuang and turned to Li Zhao in mid-air. "Disciple Su Bai requests to exercise the right of challenge, target is the first seat, Senior Brother Zhao Hanshuang!"
It's here! The final showdown!
A glint flashed in Li Zhao's eyes. Without uttering any further words, he simply replied in a deep voice, "Granted!"
Buzz--!
Two teleportation beams, brighter than ever before, crashed down, completely engulfing Su Bai and Zhao Hanshuang.
The next moment, the two figures appeared at opposite ends of the huge and empty arena!
At the same time, the atmosphere in the outdoor spectator area was instantly ignited!
"The market is open! The market is open! This is the ultimate showdown that happens only once in a lifetime!"
A slightly high-pitched but powerful voice rang out among the Disciple.
A Disciple with a slightly yellowish complexion and small but shrewd eyes stood on a stone stool that had been moved from somewhere, waving a jade tablet that shimmered with spiritual light in his hand, shouting orders with spittle flying everywhere.
"The final battle of this year's Inner Sect Grand Competition! Zhao Hanshuang, the Chief of the Ice Court, versus Su Bai, the dark horse Chief of the Sword Academy!"
"Bet on Zhao Chief win, odds are 1 to 1.5! A safe choice, Ice Magic is invincible!"
"Bet on Chief Su to win, odds 1 to 1.6! A rising star in Sword Dao, a comeback is on the horizon!"
"Spirit Stone, Contribution Points, Pill, Talisman —all can be bet! Honest and trustworthy, reputation guaranteed! Take a gamble, and your chance to go from Lower Grade to Middle Grade, doubling your cultivation resources, is right before your eyes!"
The Disciple who opened the gambling den was nicknamed "Mazi." Although his talent for cultivating Talent was mediocre, he was said to be related to a certain Golden Core Ancestor in the sect.
Moreover, he is a resourceful person who has been practicing this art for many years and has a decent reputation among the inner disciple.
He always makes timely appearances during the key stages of the annual grand competition, adding a unique touch of vibrancy to this grand event of the sect.
At this moment, the moment he opened the betting pool, it immediately attracted the attention of a large number of Disciple.
The tense atmosphere of watching the game was somewhat diluted by this unexpected gambling interlude, replaced by a restless excitement.
"I'm betting on Zhao Hanshuang! Twenty Contribution Points! His Ice Magic is too reliable. Although Su Bai's Sword Qi is sharp, it might not be able to break through that snow puppet!"
"I think Chief Su has a chance! That sword net Divine Ability is unpredictable, and there's an even more powerful Dragon-shaped Sword Qi he hasn't unleashed yet! Fifteen Spirit Stone, I'll buy Su Bai!"
"Senior Brother Zhao's cultivation is profound, and his combat experience is even richer. I'll bet thirty Contribution Points!"
"Su Bai's tactics are flexible, and he has a constant stream of trump cards. I'm betting a bottle of Gathering Qi Pill!"
The sound of betting echoed everywhere.
The glow of the Spirit Stone Contribution Points flickered intermittently among the crowd.
Mazi was extremely busy, with several familiar Disciple helping him register bets, collect wagers, and distribute simple Jade Token for recording information.
Zhao Shanhe, who had just caught his breath and was still somewhat pale, squeezed through the crowd.
He stared at the jade tablet in Mazi's hand, gritted his teeth, pulled out his own Identity Jade Token from his robes, and declared without hesitation, "Mazi! Three hundred Contribution Points, all bet on Chief Su of the Sword Academy to win!"
As Su Bai's senior brother, he had personally experienced Su Bai's swordsmanship and witnessed Su Bai's progress, and had almost blind faith in his Chief junior brother.
"Alright! Senior Brother Zhao, you're so generous!"
Mazi's eyes lit up. He deftly took Zhao Shanhe's Jade Token, swiped it to deduct Contribution Points, and handed over a specially made Recording Jade Slip.
"If Chief Su wins, he can claim 450 Contribution Points with this Jade Slip!"
Zhao Shanhe put away the Jade Slip, looked up at the arena, and silently prayed, "Chief, I've staked all my cultivation resources on you this year! You must win!"
Not far away, Qin Lin, who had just been teleported out and was thoughtfully observing the atmosphere in the arena, inadvertently caught a glimpse of Zhao Shanhe placing a heavy bet.
His gentle eyes flickered slightly, then a faint smile appeared on his face, and he quietly strolled over to Mazi's side.
"Mazi Brother Ma Zi," Qin Lin said gently, handing over his Jade Token, "800 Contribution Points, bet on Junior Brother Su Bai to win."
"Eight hundred?!"
Mazi was startled and almost dropped the jade Jade Token.
It's understandable that Qin Lin, as the Chief the Wood Court, is wealthy, but this move is truly extravagant, especially considering he's betting on Su Bai!
Mazi's heart skipped a beat, and he knew something was wrong.
Qin Lin may seem calm, but he has a sharp eye. Why is he betting so heavily on Su Bai? Could it be that he has seen some winning opportunity that I haven't?
Mazi dared not delay and quickly processed the matter. At the same time, he calmly picked up the control jade tablet in his hand and swiftly adjusted the odds.
A flash of light appeared on the jade tablet, Su Bai's odds quietly changed from "1 to 1.6" to "1 to 1.4".
Zhao Hanshuang's odds have been slightly adjusted to "1 to 1.55".
He needs to control the risk based on the number of Spirit Stone he bets.
Regardless of the undercurrents caused by this final odds in the external market.
On the arena, Su Bai and Zhao Hanshuang had already settled down.
The two remained three hundred feet apart.
But this time, the atmosphere was completely different from any of the previous ones.
Without any probing or hesitation, the invisible force began to collide and compress wildly the moment it landed!
Su Bai knew how troublesome and swift Zhao Hanshuang's [Ice Blast] was; it was a locked-on area attack that even Zhao Shanhe's Sword Control Technique could not completely escape.
Therefore, he no longer used ordinary flying Sky-Flying, but instead summoned the Top-grade Magic Sword Azure Dragon to his feet with a thought!
"Clang!"
The Azure Dragon Sword emitted a clear and resonant sword cry, its blade radiating a brilliant azure light as it steadily supported Su Bai.
Using Top-grade Magic Sword Flight results in speed, agility, and Spiritual Power transmission efficiency that far surpasses that of ordinary flying swords!
This was Su Bai's first countermeasure against Zhao Hanshuang's control Law Technique, and it was incredibly fast!
On the other hand, Zhao Hanshuang's response was equally decisive and extremely skillful.
Almost as soon as Su Bai summoned the Azure Dragon Sword, his hands had already completed the hand seals, and he shouted, "Ice and snow as armor, jade puppet for protection!"
Intense Ice Attribute Spiritual Power gathered wildly, and a bone-chilling cold swept through.
The familiar Snow King Puppet, carved entirely from white jade, with an endearing yet formidable defense, reappeared, tightly enveloping his entire body.
Quasi-Second Tier defensive Law Technique [Ice Snow Jade Puppet].
It was his foundation and his greatest reliance in dealing with Su Bai's invincible Sword Qi.
Su Bai Copy Zhao Hanshuang's Talent, so he naturally knew the ins and outs of this technique.
Even with his current Third Tier Ice Attribute Talent, casting [Ice Snow Jade Puppet] would require nearly half of his Spiritual Power, placing a huge burden on him.
However, for Zhao Hanshuang, whose cultivation has reached the Qi Refining Great Perfection and who also possesses top-tier ice-type Talent, and who has been immersed in this technique for a longer time, maintaining it consumes relatively less energy and allows for faster recovery.
We cannot hope to deplete his Spiritual Power.
The tactics were clear.
Su Bai stepped onto the Azure Dragon Sword, a flash of azure light, and his figure moved like lightning, heading towards Zhao Hanshuang's location!
At the same time, another ordinary Low-grade Magic Sword that he had prepared in his sleeve shot out, turning into a silver stream of light, and slashed first at the white jade-like Snow King on the ice surface!
A probing attack, which also serves as interference.
Zhao Hanshuang locked onto Su Bai's rapidly approaching figure through the puppet's transparent observation port, and with her left hand forming a hand seal, she pressed it lightly against the ice surface beneath her feet!
"The Icefield stretches on, leaving no trace on the snow!"
An even more powerful chill erupted from beneath him, like a living white wave, rapidly spreading out from him toward the direction Su Bai was rushing towards!
Wherever it passed, the hard arena floor was quickly covered by a layer of smooth, incredibly hard Xuan Bing, the area rapidly expanding to hundreds of feet, then two hundred feet...
This is an enhanced version of the [Ice Blanket] technique used to pursue Zhao Shanhe!
Not only does he need to increase his gliding speed on the ice, but he also needs to transform the battlefield environment, turning the arena into an ice domain that is absolutely advantageous to him!
Within this realm, his movement and spellcasting will be enhanced.
Meanwhile, the opponents will suffer from the chill and the slippery conditions.
Su Bai had anticipated this.
He wielded the Low-grade Magic Sword, and when it flew to within a few dozen feet of the Snow King Puppet, the sword trembled, and a condensed, Compressed Sword Qi detached from the sword, whistling as it slashed towards the edge of the rapidly spreading ice layer on the ground!
Boom!
The Sword Qi exploded, and the violent Sword Intent and sharp Spiritual Power instantly shattered the newly formed ice layer, creating a broken area several meters wide, with ice shards flying everywhere.
Zhao Hanshuang merely snorted coldly and pointed her right hand in the distance.
Beneath the ice layer in the broken area, new cold air immediately surged out. The broken ice crystals seemed to be summoned and quickly gathered together. In just one or two breaths, the damaged area was restored to a smooth surface, and the ice layer was even more solid and thicker than before!
This [Ice Blanket] is definitely not a one-time Law Technique.
Instead, it is continuously connected to the caster's Spiritual Power, and can be constantly repaired. In fact, over time, the area of the ice layer may even expand and the cold may intensify!
Within the limited space of the arena, this is an almost unsolvable problem of environmental control.
Swish!
Just as Su Bai was probing the ice layer, the Snow King Puppet encasing Zhao Hanshuang moved!
It glided lightly across the smooth, mirror-like ice, its massive body unleashing a terrifying initial velocity completely disproportionate to its size.
Like a giant white shuttle hurtling across the ice, it actively attacked Su Bai, who was riding his Sword Flight in mid-air!
The gliding speed aided by the ice surface was surprisingly close to the speed Su Bai used when wielding the Azure Dragon Sword!
The distance between them is rapidly closing!
Two hundred zhang! One hundred and fifty zhang! One hundred zhang!
Upon entering the hundred-zhang range, Zhao Hanshuang's eyes flashed with cold light. His right hand, which had been hanging by his side, suddenly rose, his five fingers spread, and aimed at the airspace where Su Bai was located. Complex ancient incantations were rapidly recited from his mouth!
"Ice Blast!"
This [Ice Blast] is more powerful, covers a wider area, and is even more chilling!
Su Bai felt the air around him freeze instantly, and countless fine ice crystals appeared out of thin air, pressing down on him frantically!
The biting cold not only eroded his protective Spiritual Power, but also began to slow down the circulation of Spiritual Power within his body.
The spiritual light of the Azure Dragon Sword beneath their feet seemed to dim slightly!
Even more terrifying was that this chill, like a bone-deep infection, followed him relentlessly with his movements, locking onto him tightly and rapidly developing in the direction of completely freezing him and then detonating him from the inside out!
"Such fast casting speed! Such strong targeting!"
Su Bai felt a chill run down his spine. Zhao Hanshuang truly lived up to her title as the Chief the Ice Court; her mastery of this signature killing move had reached a state of perfection.
hide?
With the Azure Dragon Sword's extreme speed, it might be possible to create distance and delay the freezing process, but within this ever-expanding Icefield field, it will eventually be caught up.
And they will remain in a passive position.
Harden it?
Ordinary defensive Law Technique would likely be insufficient to withstand the burst of power from this Quasi-Second Tier Ice Magic.
In a flash, Su Bai made a decision that surprised everyone!
He abruptly stopped his forward momentum on the Sword Flight, even recalling the Azure Dragon Sword from under his feet and holding it in his right hand.
His left hand, with fingers joined like a sword, rapidly traced a mysterious trajectory in front of him, simultaneously maximizing the power of the "Yin Yang Guixu Sword Meridian" and the [Great Luo Sword Net] Method Formula within his body!
Instead of spreading the sword net towards the enemy, he suddenly pulled it inward!
"Net Shielding!"
A dazzling cyan Sword Light erupted from the Azure Dragon Sword, but this time, instead of spreading outwards and weaving into a net, the Sword Light seemed to possess a life of its own, swirling and intertwining inwards.
Within a radius of about one foot around Su Bai, an impenetrable spherical sword net shield composed of countless tiny beams of Sword Qi instantly formed!
Offense is the best form of defense!
With the sharp Sword Qi attribute of the Sword Net, it can withstand the extreme cold and burst of [Ice Blast]!
"Huh?!"
On the viewing platform, Xu Shangran help but let out a soft exclamation, followed by a gleam of surprise in his eyes.
"Good lad! You're quick-witted! You've actually managed to use the [Great Luo Sword Net] like that!"
"The sword net is formed from Sword Qi, incomparably sharp, and naturally possesses extremely strong resistance and cutting ability against Spiritual Power erosion and physical freezing!"
"To counteract the freezing penetration of [Ice Blast]... brilliant!"
On the arena, Zhao Hanshuang's icy brows furrowed slightly upon seeing this.
Su Bai's response was completely unexpected; it was not a defensive method he was familiar with from any Sword Cultivator.
"Explode!" The arrow was on the bowstring, and it had to be released. Zhao Hanshuang clenched her fists tightly!
Buzz--!
The temperature in the space several tens of feet centered on Su Bai plummeted to an extreme level, and then exploded with a deafening roar!
Countless ice crystals and extremely cold Spiritual Power surged wildly, turning that area of air into a deadly, icy hell!
But in the heart of that chaotic, white exploding ice, a persistent cyan light never went out!
The spherical sword net protective shield surrounding Su Bai trembled violently and flickered under the terrifying impact of the ice explosion.
Fine Sword Qi and icy Spiritual Power constantly annihilated each other on the surface, emitting a piercing "hissing" sound.
The glory of Jianwang is also fading at a visible speed.
But it didn't break!
As the aftershocks of the ice explosion slowly dissipated and the white ice mist gradually settled, Su Bai's figure reappeared clearly.
The spherical sword net surrounding him had become extremely thin, leaving only a faint, cicada-wing-like membrane of Sword Qi.
But it still stubbornly exists.
Aside from being slightly out of breath, he himself was completely unharmed!
He successfully withstood Zhao Hanshuang's charged Ice Blast head-on by using an unconventional application of the [Great Luo Sword Net]!
"He blocked it! Chief Su really blocked Zhao Hanshuang's ultimate move!"
"That's... a sword net? He used an offensive sword net for defense?!"
"Unbelievable! Sword Cultivator can do this?"
An uproar erupted outside!
Countless Disciple stared wide-eyed.
Zhao Shanhe clenched his fists in excitement and roared, "Good!"
On the arena, Su Bai slowly exhaled a breath of white air mixed with icy crystals, his hand gripping the Azure Dragon Sword as steady as a rock.
Through the thin net of swords, he looked down at the Snow King Puppet on the ice, which was also somewhat frozen, and at Zhao Hanshuang's eyes behind the puppet, which finally showed obvious ripples.
A sharp, sword-like smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"Chief Zhao," Su Bai's voice pierced through the thin icy mist, clearly reaching us, "It seems that... I've broken your [Ice Blast] technique?"
Before he could finish speaking, a sharp glint flashed in Su Bai!
He lightly touched the ground with his feet, and the Low-grade Magic Sword down to his feet and supported him, while his right hand raised high the Azure Dragon Sword, whose spiritual light had been rekindled!
The sword tip pointed straight to the sky, and a terrifying Sword Intent, far more vast than when he used [Dragon's Roar Sword Heaven] before, soared into the heavens from his body!
"Next..." Su Bai's voice suddenly rose, "It's my turn!"
"Dragon's Roar - Sword's Roar to the Heavens!!!"
"Hold head high--!!!"
An even more domineering Dragon's Roar roar than during the previous battle against Zhang Feifei resounded all around!
The Azure Dragon Sword's light erupted completely, and a massive dragon-shaped phantom, seven or eight zhang long and wrapped in destructive Azure Sword Qi, roared as it broke free from the sword's tip!
This time, Su Bai unleashed [Dragon's Roar Sword Heaven] without holding back, using more than a quarter of his pure Spiritual Power! With the dual enhancement of [Clear Heart Sword Intent] and the "Profound Sword True Essence Art," its power and momentum reached the Peak he could currently unleash!
The Dragon-shaped Sword Qi, baring its fangs and claws, tore through the still-fragile, icy air with an intent to crush everything!
With unstoppable force, it charged fiercely towards the Snow King Puppet on the ice, which resembled white jade!