Yan Zhao hurried without pause to Cold Ice Lake. The lake water was bitingly cold, and its surface was covered by a thick layer of ice. He channeled his Immortal Power to break through the ice and descended. The moment he entered the lakebed, countless ice spikes shot at him from all directions. Yan Zhao wielded his two swords, blocking them one after another. At that moment, a massive Ice Dragon swam out from the depths of the lakebed. Wherever the Ice Dragon passed, the water temperature plummeted, and Yan Zhao felt even the circulation of his Immortal Power slowing. The Ice Dragon opened its enormous jaws and expelled a stream of Extreme Cold Qi. Yan Zhao hurriedly crossed his two immortal swords to block it, yet a thin layer of ice still formed over his body. Gritting his teeth, he mobilized all his Immortal Power. The light from his twin swords intertwined, forming a blazing sword aura that slashed toward the Ice Dragon. Struck by the sword aura, the Ice Dragon let out a pained roar. Seizing the chance, Yan Zhao charged forward and thrust both swords into the Ice Dragon's vital point. The Ice Dragon shattered into chunks of ice. Where it had once been, Yan Zhao found a third Ancient Immortal Sword emitting an eerie glow. He stowed all three immortal swords away and set off for home with a bountiful harvest.
Just as Yan Zhao was preparing to leave the lakebed, an even more powerful aura rushed toward him. A massive ice coffin slowly rose from the depths of the lakebed. Its lid opened on its own, and an Ice Spirit Female Immortal stepped out. Bone-chilling cold radiated from her body as she fixed Yan Zhao with an icy stare.
"You dared to kill my Ice Dragon and steal the Ancient Immortal Sword. You will not leave here today," the Ice Spirit Female Immortal said coldly.
Yan Zhao tightened his grip on his two swords and watched her warily. "This immortal sword was ownerless to begin with. I obtained it through my own ability. If you insist on stopping me, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
The Ice Spirit Female Immortal swept both hands out, sending countless Ice Cones flying toward Yan Zhao like raindrops. Yan Zhao dodged nimbly while swinging his swords to shatter every Ice Cone that came near him. Spotting an opening, he channeled his Immortal Power again and charged toward the Ice Spirit Female Immortal, carrying the radiance of all three immortal swords. The Ice Spirit Female Immortal refused to yield and condensed an ice shield to block him. The two clashed fiercely, turning the lakebed upside down. Just as Yan Zhao began to struggle, he suddenly realized that the three immortal swords might be able to merge into one and unleash greater power. He tried fusing their strength together. A dazzling flash of light burst forth, and a more powerful immortal sword appeared in his hand.
Yan Zhao drove the sword forward and finally defeated the Ice Spirit Female Immortal, successfully leaving Cold Ice Lake. Just after leaving with the Merged Immortal Sword, he felt the surrounding space twist. The Ice Spirit Female Immortal had somehow used a secret art to set a Space Trap here in advance. Countless sharp Ice Prisms pressed in from every direction, trying to crush him. Yan Zhao circulated his Immortal Power and raised a shield centered on the Merged Immortal Sword, temporarily holding back the attack. But more and more Ice Prisms closed in, and the pressure grew greater. His Immortal Power was rapidly draining away. Just when despair took hold of him, the Merged Immortal Sword suddenly bloomed with seven-colored light. A mysterious force surged out and instantly blasted all the Ice Prisms to pieces. Before Yan Zhao could catch his breath, the Ice Spirit Female Immortal appeared before him again. This time, however, her aura was weak; she had clearly suffered severe injuries as well.
"Forget it. This immortal sword is fated to be yours, so I will let you leave today. But do not think your luck will last forever." After saying this, the Ice Spirit Female Immortal vanished. Yan Zhao did not dare linger. He quickly used an immortal art to leave this dangerous place, determined to thoroughly study the Merged Immortal Sword after returning and increase his strength for the many challenges ahead. After Yan Zhao returned to the sect, he told the sect master of his experiences. Hearing that he had successfully merged the three Ancient Immortal Swords and defeated the Ice Spirit Female Immortal, the sect master was greatly shocked but also deeply gratified. He told Yan Zhao that the Merged Immortal Sword had been forged by the Ancient Immortal Method and contained immense secrets, warning him to guard it carefully.
Yan Zhao studied the Merged Immortal Sword day and night, yet he was never able to fully master its power. Just as he was troubled by this, the sect received word that a group of evil Demon Cultivators were burning, killing, and plundering nearby villages. Yan Zhao decided to take the Merged Immortal Sword and eliminate the demons.
Upon arriving at the village, Yan Zhao engaged the Demon Cultivators in a fierce battle. Those Demon Cultivators were no weaklings, and Yan Zhao struggled at first. But at the critical moment, the Merged Immortal Sword seemed to sense Yan Zhao's unwavering resolve and once again blossomed with seven-colored light. A powerful force poured into Yan Zhao's body. Wielding the immortal sword, Yan Zhao swept through them as though no one stood in his way, instantly crushing the Demon Cultivators and successfully saving the village. After this battle, Yan Zhao's control over the Merged Immortal Sword deepened further, and he looked forward even more to one day shining brilliantly on the path of cultivation.
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