Ten moves, for a Card Adept, amounted to no more than a flash of lightning and a spark from flint.
The atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably. Everyone believed Chief Steward White was merely giving this woman from Faya a graceful way out. As long as he had no intention of killing anyone, the guests would not be so nervous. What they feared most was Chief Steward White killing someone here. Perhaps none of them could claim to have clean hands, but beside a man renowned for killing, their nerves inevitably stretched taut.
Today, however, Chief Steward White seemed to have no such intention. This left them feeling fortunate. The atmosphere in the hall eased, and people watched the duel more with the anticipation of spectators enjoying a show.
A man had his reputation as a tree had its shadow. Xize's towering fame had long since branded itself deep into the hearts of the Federation's Card Adepts. Although the man before her was only Xize's student, Xiao Man still dared not let down her guard in the slightest.
She immediately activated the card in her Wrist Device.
A chill spread through the hall with astonishing speed, and the air temperature plunged.
In midair, a pair of long blue energy wings abruptly appeared on Xiao Man's back. They extended from her sides to slightly above her shoulders, but spanned two meters when spread. The wings consisted of countless Energy Blades, each about two fingers wide and glowing pure blue. These wings of countless Energy Blades were crystalline and translucent, as though fashioned from polished sapphire fragments.
As she spread her wings, a surge of cold suddenly arose. The wings were like wings of ice.
Under that chill, the soft carpet became rock-hard. Tiny ice crystals even appeared in the areas closest