The reason why Qi Ling was able to activate the new function of this Fourth Soul Skill was indeed because Shui Bing'er's Ice Phoenix put enough pressure on him. The twenty-four ice prison pillars just now had already put Qi Ling in danger of being defeated. Without using the World-Destroying Black Flame, it would be almost impossible for him to escape.
But how could something like the World-Destroying Black Flame be used so easily? Even Qi Ling doubted whether he could successfully escape with the small amount of black flame he currently possessed.
So at the most critical moment, Qi Ling's potential was finally unleashed. His strong desire to win allowed him to discover his potential and activate the Blood Devil Slays Heaven's Devouring Ability.
Using this ability, Qi Ling successfully devoured the ice prison that trapped him and assimilated its energy. Although he was also seriously injured under the ice, this was the best possible outcome.
Then, two giant beasts, one blue and one black, appeared on the arena. The pure and elegant Ice Phoenix and the evil and terrifying Blood Devil made people wonder whether they were watching a Soul Fighting or a battle of beasts.
Compared to the enormous Ice Phoenix, the Blood Devil's size was considerably smaller, but the oppressive aura it exuded was no less; in fact, its terrifying appearance made it even more impossible to ignore.
Shui Bing'er in the air and Qi Ling on the ground exchanged glances, and their situations became clear. Qi Ling had suffered severe frost damage and was barely holding on, since even the Blood Devil Slays Heaven was not immune to the damage.
The Ice Phoenix was in no better shape. After using so many skills in succession, its Soul Power was also on the verge of exhaustion. Once its Soul Power was depleted, the seven people would lose the ability to continue fighting.
So after assessing the remaining Soul Power in her body, Shui Bing'er immediately made a decision. She abandoned her ineffective ranged attacks and instead chose to descend from the sky to engage Qi Ling in close combat.
Qi Ling looked at Shui Bing'er's choice and thought it was clever. At this moment, the Ice Phoenix had the advantage in size, so it had the upper hand in close combat. Moreover, since Qi Ling's size was large enough at this time, it would not have the problem of being unable to move quickly enough.
More importantly, she immediately realized that if she continued to use ranged energy attacks, she would undoubtedly continue to be absorbed by Qi Ling, so close combat was the only way. Qi Ling greatly admired her observation and judgment.
"Excellent judgment!" Qi Ling praised, "But if you think you can defeat me this way, you're seriously underestimating me!"
Without flinching, Qi Ling charged towards the Ice Phoenix that had landed on the ground, her right hand, now transformed into sharp claws, reaching out to grab it.
Faced with Qi Ling's attack, the Ice Phoenix chose to counter it in mid-air with its sharp claws, using its advantage to inflict some damage on Qi Ling.
But Qi Ling had his own reasons for taking this loss. He was willing to risk injury to fight back, all in order to grab its feet and pull it down from the air.
Once the Phoenix lands on the ground, it's nothing more than a larger chicken; it will be difficult for it to fly again!
Shui Bing'er naturally understood this principle, so after being held back by Qi Ling, she immediately chose to fly upwards, intending to drag Qi Ling into the air as well.
In Shui Bing'er's view, the Ice Phoenix has a size advantage, so dragging Qi Ling into the air would not be a problem, thus giving it an advantage.
But little did she know that simply standing on the ground and comparing strength with Qi Ling would be a mistake. The existence of the Divine Power of the Earth made Qi Ling's strength beyond anyone's imagination.
"Little girl, come down here!" Qi Ling laughed, then grabbed the Ice Phoenix's hand and pulled it down forcefully. A tremendous force dragged its massive body down from the sky.
Shui Bing'er, inside the Ice Phoenix, cried out in alarm, and then the enormous Phoenix body crashed heavily onto the arena, causing a huge tremor.
Qi Ling then leaped up, intending to suppress the Ice Phoenix.
However, due to the huge difference in size between the two, the Ice Phoenix flapped its wings, knocking Qi Ling off its body, and then rose up to attack Qi Ling.
Looking at the ice crystals covering her body, Qi Ling couldn't help but laugh bitterly to herself. She never imagined she would one day realize that this was the difference in power.
"However, I'm still far from it! It would be naive of me to think I'd admit defeat just because of this gap!" Qi Ling thought to herself.
Facing the Ice Phoenix that emitted a phoenix cry, Qi Ling also roared and charged towards it. Each strike left ominous black flames on the Ice Phoenix's pure body, but at the same time, large patches of ice crystals were left on her own body.
As the battle between the two progressed, the situation gradually became clear. Although Qi Ling was strong, he was facing seven opponents, so each time they clashed, he suffered even more severe injuries.
The main reason is that both sides are extremely special beings: the frigid ice and the ominous black flames are things that will cause injury if touched. Therefore, no combat techniques are useful; only the most primal force clashes.
Shui Bing'er knew this well, so even at the risk of getting injured, she intensified her attacks on Qi Ling, striving to inflict greater damage on him. Only in this way could she have a sliver of hope of victory.
By the end of the battle, Qi Ling's body was covered in ice crystals, and even the black flames on her body were about to go out.
"Seriously, looks like this is where it ends," Qi Ling thought to herself. "This form has reached its limit. What a pity, I wanted to play with them a little longer."
With the Ice Phoenix's final strike, the last wisp of flame on Qi Ling's body was extinguished. Shui Bing'er, inside the Ice Phoenix, mustered her strength and pondered, "Did we win? Did we finally win?"
In terms of the outcome, the Ice Phoenix did indeed defeat the Blood Devil, but unfortunately, the main characters in this battle were not these two strange beasts, but Qi Ling and Shui Bing'er.
Just when Shui Bing'er thought she had won, Qi Ling suddenly raised her head and revealed a strange smile.
Seeing Qi Ling's smile, Shui Bing'er felt a sense of foreboding. Sure enough, the next second, Qi Ling, transformed into Blood Devil, pounced on her, her body exploding violently as if she wanted to perish together with her.
They didn't really understand Qi Ling's Soul Skill. To be precise, Qi Ling's Blood Devil Slays Heaven is divided into two stages: Blood Devil and Slays Heaven.
The damage sustained in Blood Devil form will be fully released in the Slays Heaven stage, so even if Blood Devil is no match for Phoenix, Ice Phoenix has no chance of winning from the very beginning.
In the earth-shattering explosion, the Ice Phoenix's body turned into countless ice shards, which gradually dissipated in the air. The six students from the Skywater Academy had already collapsed to the ground, with only Shui Bing'er remaining conscious, but she had also lost all her Soul Power.