Ice Phoenix vs. Ice Luan: A Duel of Extreme Cold

Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, above a cold pool that never thawed year-round, white mist swirled as bone-piercing cold filled the air.

Bing'er silently arrived at the edge of the cold pool. A thin layer of frost had already formed over her moon-white fitted outfit. The closer she drew, the stronger the tremor rising from deep within her bloodline became. Her Ice Phoenix Martial Soul roared soundlessly, both excited and wary in the face of an equal existence.

Qin Mo and Zhu Zhuqing hid in the distant treetops, silently watching the battle. This was Bing'er's fight. Unless her life was in danger, Qin Mo would not interfere.

Bing'er took a deep breath and circulated her Ultimate Ice Soul Power, turning the cold invading her body to her own use. She stepped onto the pool's surface, and the water beneath her feet instantly froze, supporting her weight.

"Come out." Bing'er's cool voice echoed over the cold pool.

Gurgle, gurgle...

At the center of the pool, the water began to churn violently, forming a massive whirlpool. Then a clear, majestic cry rang out from the depths, piercing the water's surface and soaring into the sky!

Splash!

Water sprayed in all directions as a Giant Bird over five meters long burst from the pool! Its entire body was covered in translucent ice-blue feathers, as though sculpted from ice. Its tail feathers were long and magnificent, while a small cluster of crown-like ice crystal plumes adorned its head. Its eyes were a pure icy white, without the slightest impurity, and it gazed down at Bing'er with an innate nobility and indifference.

It was a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast—the Extreme Cold Ice Luan!

Sensing the Ultimate Ice aura emanating from Bing'er, one that was in no way inferior to its own and was even purer and more domineering, surprise flashed through the Extreme Cold Ice Luan's eyes before being replaced by intense hostility. This cold pool was its territory. Any intruder, especially a powerful being with the same attribute, was a provocation!

"Screech!"

The Extreme Cold Ice Luan spread its wings, unleashing countless razor-sharp ice spikes that blanketed Bing'er like a rain of arrows! Every spike contained Extreme Cold Qi capable of freezing a Soul King's Soul Power.

Bing'er's expression did not change as three Soul Rings, two yellow and one purple, lit up beneath her feet. "First Soul Skill, Ice Feather Guard!" Countless phantom ice-blue feathers emerged, forming a spinning shield before her that blocked and shattered every incoming ice spike. "Second Soul Skill, Ice Phoenix Charge!" Her body transformed into an ice-blue streak of light as she charged straight at the Extreme Cold Ice Luan. Wherever she passed, the air froze into a white trail.

The Extreme Cold Ice Luan showed no weakness. Its talons gleamed with cold light as it met her charge.

Boom!

The collision of ice-blue against ice-blue unleashed astonishing energy ripples. Huge waves rose across the entire cold pool, then swiftly froze into eerie shapes of frozen surf.

Human and luan engaged in a fierce aerial battle amid the icy, snowbound landscape. Though Bing'er was far smaller than the Ice Luan, she was agile and wielded her Soul Skills with exquisite precision, displaying the Ice Phoenix's nimbleness and sharpness to the fullest. The Extreme Cold Ice Luan, meanwhile, relied on its formidable physical body and vast reserves of Soul Power to launch relentless assaults, attempting to crush her through sheer force.

Their Extreme Cold Qi eroded and collided with each other, driving the surrounding temperature lower and lower until even Qin Mo and Zhu Zhuqing in the distance had to circulate their Soul Power to resist it.

"Bing'er's Ultimate Ice has the advantage in quality, but her total Soul Power and combat experience are inferior to that Ice Luan's, which has lived for over ten thousand years," Qin Mo calmly analyzed the battle. "The key is whether she can comprehend the 'artistic conception' I spoke of and find a point of breakthrough."

On the battlefield, Bing'er gradually fell into a disadvantage. The Extreme Cold Ice Luan's attacks grew increasingly frenzied. The Ice Storm raised by the beat of its wings forced her back again and again, while the ice feathers protecting her body became dimmer.

"Is there only freezing and destruction?" Qin Mo's words echoed through Bing'er's mind. No... within extreme cold, there is also life—and the majesty of a king!

Looking at the proud and powerful Ice Luan before her, she suddenly came to an understanding. Her ice should not merely be a weapon. It should also be her domain, her throne!

"Third Soul Skill, Ice Phoenix Domain!"

Bing'er gave a sharp cry, and her Third Soul Ring shone with brilliant purple light! Centered on her, an absolute frigid domain spanning dozens of meters abruptly unfolded! Within it was no longer mere low temperature, but a coldness suffused with absolute dominion! The Extreme Cold Ice Luan's movements were visibly suppressed within the domain. Its extreme cold power seemed to have encountered a sovereign and became sluggish!

Meanwhile, Bing'er's aura surged sharply. She seemed to merge with the entire domain, becoming the ruler of this world of ice and snow!

"A... nascent domain?!" Surprise and approval flashed through Qin Mo's eyes in the distance. He had not expected Bing'er to touch the threshold of a domain ahead of time under such pressure! Though still immature, its potential was boundless!

The Extreme Cold Ice Luan also sensed the deadly threat. It let out a frightened cry and struggled desperately.

"It's over." Bing'er's gaze was icy as her jade-like hand clenched lightly. The endless cold within the domain instantly condensed into a massive ice crystal spear, its tip aimed directly at the Ice Luan's core!

"Ice Phoenix... Judgment!"

Whoosh!

The ice crystal spear became a streak of frigid light that pierced heaven and earth, instantly breaking through the Extreme Cold Ice Luan's defenses and striking its energy core with perfect accuracy!

"Screech—!" The Extreme Cold Ice Luan released a mournful cry as its massive body fell from the air and crashed onto the ice, its aura rapidly fading.

Bing'er slowly descended from the air. Her face was somewhat pale, but her eyes shone incomparably bright. This battle had not only allowed her to defeat a powerful foe, but had also given her a revolutionary understanding of her own Martial Soul.

Qin Mo and Zhu Zhuqing came to her side. "Very well done," Qin Mo praised without reservation. "Recover your Soul Power first, then absorb the Soul Ring. The essence of this Extreme Cold Ice Luan is enough to let your Martial Soul undergo a transformation."

Bing'er nodded firmly, then sat cross-legged and began regulating her breath. She knew that her own leap forward was about to begin.