In an instant, colorful lights flowed across the Douhun Platform. Soul Rings rose from beneath everyone's feet, and waves of Soul Power spread outward like a rising tide...
Ice River stared at the Two Yellow, One Purple, and Two Black Soul Rings on the Sword Body of the Asura Demon Sword in Lu Chen's hand, his eyes filled with disbelief. The Soul Ring Configuration on that man actually surpassed the optimal configuration!
"Begin."
As soon as the host's voice fell, the First Soul Ring on Lu Chen's body lit up. A flash of blood-red light surrounded him, and he charged straight at Ice River.
Blue light flashed in Ice Rain's hand, and a two-meter-long staff formed entirely from ice crystals appeared.
Two Yellow Two Purple Soul Rings revolved around the Frost Staff.
"Frost Ring!"
The Third Soul Ring on Leng Yu's body lit up, and an ice-blue ring flew toward Lu Chen.
Lu Chen smiled faintly and swung the Asura Demon Sword in his hand.
With a sharp crack, the Frost Ring shattered.
By then, Lu Chen had reached Ice River.
A tiger's roar rang from Ice River. Then his Third Soul Ring lit up, and the white fur covering his body instantly took on an icy-blue sheen. His palms swelled several times in size as he swung them at Lu Chen.
"Asura Berserk Devour!"
Lu Chen's Fourth Soul Ring lit up. Dark Gold Patterns crawled from the blade and up his arm, while the Slaughter Aura surging around him instantly condensed into a dark-red suit of armor covered in spikes. It enveloped his entire body, and even his eyes took on a hint of crimson.
"Bang!"
At the moment of impact, Ice River was sent flying by the tremendous force.
The members of the Ice Team tried to rush to Ice River's aid, but a stream of purple flames blocked them.
Purple Mist spread through the area. Anyone who came near was assailed by Poison Fire.
The Imperial Fighting Team members held the Ice Team at bay.
Xiao Wu and Ice Feather fought fiercely. Despite possessing the Extreme Cold Sparrow Martial Soul, he was thoroughly outpaced by Xiao Wu. If he hadn't been able to fly, Xiao Wu would have kicked him off the platform long ago.
Zhu Zhuqing became a streak of black light, repeatedly harrying Leng Zi Jie. Meanwhile, Xia Xue and Xia Feng were held up by Yu Tianheng and Shi Mo. With Dugu Yan controlling the battlefield, the three of them couldn't assist Ice River anytime soon.
Ice Spirit made her move. Just like her name suggested, her Martial Soul was an extremely rare support-type Martial Soul: the Spirit of Frost. Though this Martial Soul could only support Soul Masters with the Ice Attribute, its enhancement was no weaker than that of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
The four Soul Rings on Ice Spirit's body—Yellow, Yellow, Purple, and Purple—lit up in succession. An ice-blue phantom appeared behind her.
Red, yellow, blue, and green halos enveloped the phantom. Ice Spirit's first four Soul Skills respectively enhanced strength, defense, speed, and Soul Power.
Then, guided by Ice Spirit, the Spirit of Frost flew toward Ice River.
The instant they touched, the Spirit of Frost slowly merged into Ice River's body. Blue light flashed in his eyes, and wisps of white chill drifted from him. A layer of Ice Crystal Armor gradually appeared across his body.
"Ha!"
Ice River roared, spraying frost-laden breath from his mouth. Then his Fourth Soul Ring lit up, and an ice-blue orb shot from his mouth.
Lu Chen showed no fear. He twisted his wrist and swept the Asura Demon Sword horizontally.
A streak of red Asura Sword Qi shot toward the ice-blue orb.
"Bang!"
The orb exploded, and thick ice mist spread in every direction.
Within the mist, Ice River appeared behind Lu Chen. His broad tiger palm, covered in ice spikes, struck toward Lu Chen's back.
Five streaks of cold light flashed. Then came a sharp clang as the tiger palm landed squarely on the broad Sword Body of the Asura Demon Sword.
Lu Chen thrust the blade upward, then swept the Asura Demon Sword through in a smooth follow-up strike.
A streak of blood-red light slashed across Ice River's chest. With a tearing sound, the Ice Crystal Armor over his chest split apart, and a wound deep enough to expose bone appeared at once.
"Captain!" The Third Soul Ring on Ice Rain's body lit up, and the Frost Scepter in his hand blazed with dazzling blue light.
Then the surrounding ice mist transformed into a hail of ice that swept toward Lu Chen.
The Fifth Soul Ring on Ice River's body lit up, and dazzling blue light erupted from him.
"Roar—"
A tiger's roar rang out. Ice River's muscles swelled in an instant, and the phantom of a deep-blue Frost Tiger appeared behind him.
Lu Chen swung his sword. Crimson light flared, instantly dissolving the surrounding mist and the incoming hail.
At the same time, Ice River had already appeared before Lu Chen. The tiger palm of the Frost Tiger phantom behind him descended with his strike.
A crimson glint flashed in Lu Chen's eyes. Asura Sword Intent surged from within him into the Asura Demon Sword. The Dark Gold Demonic Mark on the blade lit up, emanating a terrifying Slaughter Aura.
Gripping the Asura Demon Sword, Lu Chen slashed hard at Ice River's tiger palm.
"Boom—!"
A wave of air surged outward from the two of them.
Then, under the horrified gazes of every member of the Ice Team, the Frost Tiger phantom slowly vanished. In its place, the Asura Demon Sword blazed with a wild red light.
Ice River's terrifying Slaughter Aura surged up his arm and into his body, sending stabbing pain through his meridians.
Then the Asura Demon Sword sent him flying. He landed outside the Douhun Platform and passed out.
"Captain!"
Seeing this from the air, Ice Feather abruptly froze, his eyes filled with shock.
Pink light flared around Xiao Wu. "Worry about yourself first!"
"Second Soul Skill, Bewitchment!"
A bewitching pink light shone from Xiao Wu's eyes, and Ice Feather's body stiffened.
Then Xiao Wu pushed off hard with her calves and shot into the air. Her First Soul Skill, Waist Bow, activated.
Xiao Wu hooked both feet around his waist. Her slender waist twisted sharply, and her body spun once in midair.
Using the force of the spin, she flung Ice Feather off the platform.
Ice Feather crashed heavily to the ground below and lost all ability to fight.
After dealing with Ice River, Lu Chen turned his gaze to Leng Zi Jie, who was holding up the Ice Turtle Shield to defend himself.
The Second Soul Ring on Lu Chen's body lit up. Then he swung the Asura Demon Sword at Leng Zi Jie, who was still holding up the Ice Turtle Shield.
Enhanced by Asura Sword Intent, a verdant-red Sword Qi shot toward Leng Zi Jie.
The Third Soul Ring on Leng Zi Jie's body lit up, and the Ice Turtle Shield in his hand instantly expanded several times over.
The verdant-red Sword Qi struck the Ice Turtle Shield, but with a soft hiss, it pierced straight through and hit Leng Zi Jie.
At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing's Third Soul Ring lit up, and the Crescent Moon Mark on her forehead gleamed silver. She brought her hands together above her head, and the Claw Blades on her ten fingers rapidly fused into a sharp blade about a foot long.
As Soul Power flowed into it, a Black Light Blade condensed along its edge, with a faint silver halo swirling around the blade's outer edge.
The Black Light Blade came crashing down over Leng Zi Jie's head.
Leng Zi Jie's body flew backward and landed outside the Douhun Platform with a heavy thud.
Lu Chen had also reached Leng Ling. He held the Asura Demon Sword against her neck and said coldly, "You've lost."
Leng Ling looked around. One by one, her teammates were collapsing under the effects of Dugu Yan's Bile Phosphorus Corrosive Poison.
Leng Ling gazed at Lu Chen with beautiful eyes. As though all her strength had left her, she stammered, "W-we surrender."
Xiao Wu landed steadily beside Lu Chen and wiggled her fluffy rabbit ears, looking to him for praise. "Lu Chen, how did I do?"
Lu Chen drew in his Slaughter Aura and rubbed the soft rabbit ears on top of Xiao Wu's head with his right hand. "You did great."
Xiao Wu's body trembled slightly. The tips of her ears turned pink, and a faint flush spread across her face.
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