The chains piercing through bone and flesh failed to make the swan so much as furrow its brow.
It beat its wings, and a massive tide of frigid wind swept forth. Icy chains shot out from the cave entrance, winding around Lin Qi's Emperor Phoenix Sword.
Lin Qi's expression hardened. "It wants to seize the Emperor Phoenix Sword!"
The Emperor Phoenix Sword had been forged from her mother's Phoenix Bone. It was only natural that it held an immense allure for the Ice Phoenix Clan.
Yet during her previous uses of Phoenix Soul Return, none of the birds or beasts she summoned had ever set their sights on the Emperor Phoenix Sword. Lin Qi had let her guard down for a moment.
She clenched the Emperor Phoenix Sword in both hands, every muscle in her body taut as she was dragged forward, carving a deep trail across the ground.
The frigid wind howled around her, and frost flashed like blades.
Lin Qi swung a Lightning Whip backward, but it was blocked by the ancient phoenix gate the moment it reached the entrance.
The swan took advantage of the opportunity and gave another hard tug, dragging Lin Qi straight to the gates.
Li Zhi and Tianbao beside her were pulled forward as well.
The Emperor Phoenix Sword's sword spirit had also sensed the swan's intentions. It struggled and shrieked wildly, its blade trembling.
Gritting her teeth, Lin Qi drained her spiritual energy and brought down an Imperial Phoenix Seal upon the icy chains. All the chains snapped apart in an instant.
Before the next wave of chains could rush out, the ancient gates slammed shut.
Through the crack in the gates, Lin Qi saw the swan's cold eyes, utterly devoid of emotion.
After a long while, she let out a deep