Fragments of the ice phoenix fluttered down from the sky. The deep-blue ice crystals turned into pools of icy water the instant they landed, seeping into the cracks of the frozen plain.
The brilliant fire dragon circled once in midair and let out a triumphant roar, then became a streak of fire that flew back into Lin Ming's palm. It condensed once more into a brilliant, firefly-like speck of light and quietly sank into his body.
From beginning to end, Lin Ming had stood in place without moving so much as half a step. His robes had fluttered briefly in the storm of spiritual energy, but now they gradually settled.
Withdrawing his hand, Lin Ming calmly swept his abyss-dark eyes over the three Ice Spirit Clan experts sprawled on the ice.
The three Ice Spirit Clan experts lay collapsed on the ice, their leader deathly pale, the blood at the corner of his mouth still wet. The fingers he braced against the ice trembled violently, and the snowflake mark on his forehead had dimmed, as though covered in a thick layer of frost.
Of the other two, one lay unconscious in a hollow in the ice wall, while the other lay facedown on the ice, unable to move at all. His back rose and fell weakly, his aura utterly depleted.
The ice phoenix they had formed together had been torn apart by emperor flame. The backlash felt as though it had ripped away a corner of their souls. Never mind fighting again—even standing was almost impossible.
Yet just then, the leading Ice Spirit Clan expert slowly raised his head despite his desperate plight.
A resolute, icy gleam flashed through his ice-blue eyes. He reached out with his trembling right hand and drew a deep-blue Ice Talisman from within his robes.