Rose-red flames poured from beneath her feet like a tide, spreading wildly across the arena floor.
Wherever the flames passed, the ground, its hard ice not yet fully melted, was scorched a second time, sending up great clouds of white mist.
Flame shadows raced across the ground like countless fiery snakes, turning more than half the arena into a sea of fire in the blink of an eye.
The two support system Soul Masters trapped in ice finally broke free as well.
Their faces were slightly pale, but their hands never paused. Under their control, the seven fireballs circling overhead split into two streaks of light, one to the left and one to the right, hovering beside Lia and Huo Wushuang respectively.
Those were the ammunition prepared for them.
Anyone attempting a surprise attack on either of them would first have to face two compressed fireballs poised to strike.
With that, Blazing Fire Academy's formation stabilized once more.
From being frozen to breaking free to counterattacking, the entire process had taken only an instant.
At last, the faintest trace of gravity flickered in Shui Bing'er's eyes.
She had originally intended to freeze Lia and Huo Wu at the same time, buying her side enough time.
But Lia had broken free at least thirty percent faster than she had anticipated.
The flames inside this fifteen-year-old girl burned hotter than she had estimated.
Plan A had failed.
Then—
"Lan Fozi," Shui Bing'er said softly.
The girl with sea-blue hair tilted her head slightly, a gleam of eager anticipation flashing through her pale-blue eyes.
"The strongest one is yours."
Lan Fozi smiled.
It was a faint, almost innocent smile, forming a strange contrast with the elusive aura of the deep sea around her, which seemed capable of swallowing everything.
She did not answer.