In the deserted, lifeless city, a relentless noise echoed. Not the quarreling of a couple, nor the sounds of a parade, but the clash of two against one.
Yifan and Yun Xinyao watched from the sidelines, like judges observing a contest.
At that moment, Hong Zhe raised his sword high. A crimson aura enveloped the blade. He slashed forward, intending to test Xue Yao's strength.
Xue Yao snorted, immediately forming a seal with her left hand. A wall of blood rose before her, blocking the sharp attack.
Yet, even so, the black mist obscured her vision. Her spiritual senses could not penetrate it. From within the darkness, a barely perceptible magical strike flew toward her.
Boom!!
Xue Yao blocked it at the last instant. Another red slash came from the front. Pushed on two sides, she did not panic; her eyes grew sharper instead.
Her sword trembled. A drop of her blood fell upon the blade, and its aura surged. She swung a full strike forward, cutting through the black mist.
Slaaasshh!!
Outside the mist, Hong Zhe felt death approaching. The terrifying slash pierced the mist's defense and headed straight for him. In a panic, he hastily formed a shield, which shattered instantly.
Bang!!
Hong Zhe was thrown backward, crashing into a building until it crumbled, then tumbled to the ground. Blood smeared his face and hands.
"Uhk… insane… so strong!" he coughed violently, body trembling.
He realized Xue Yao was at fifth-stage Heavenly King, the same as him. Yet her power, was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
Meanwhile, within the black mist, Xue Yao held her ground. Invisible strikes came in rapid succession, forcing her into defense. Suddenly, she looked up.
From the sky, a torrential lightning rain fell. Each raindrop like a razor, ready to tear her skin. Xue Yao immediately formed a blood barrier around her body. Lightning struck, shaking her. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, searching for an opening. In that silent moment, a thought emerged.
'This situation is tough… but it's the perfect time to try that technique.'
Xue Yao staggered slightly, yet her gaze remained cold. She focused all remaining energy, pressing and compressing it, until it accumulated within her petite frame.
The technique… the one Yifan had given her. An Immortal-level technique, whose very name would make many tremble: Worldly Freezing Technique.
Her delicate fingers formed a mysterious seal. Sweat dampened her beautiful face. Every vein throbbed painfully; her spiritual energy drained like water escaping a shattered vessel.
But Xue Yao did not care. She knew that if she delayed, she would lose to Hong Zhe and Hei Yun.
"Immortal-level technique…" she whispered, as if uttering a final vow.
The voice almost dissolved into the black mist, yet the determination behind it made the air tremble.
"…Worldly Freezing Technique!"
Suddenly, red glimmering energy seeped from the seal on her hands. Not just blinding light, not scorching flames, but a thin, blood-red mist—cold, as if capable of piercing bone. The mist penetrated everything in its path, moving swiftly like a hungry living creature.
In the distance, Yifan watched without expression, while Yun Xinyao let out a soft breath.
"Look… Xue Yao really managed to unleash it?" Yun Xinyao's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Isn't this… an anomaly? How could an Immortal technique be executed so quickly?"
Yifan smiled faintly, calm as ever.
"It is true. Immortal techniques are not easily wielded. But Xue Yao is different. She trained through the path I directly provided, into which I infused my understanding. That is why she can use it quickly, though not yet perfectly."
"Hmph… no wonder it's abnormal. So it's your doing," Yun Xinyao snorted, frowning slightly.
Yifan cast her a playful glance, voice gentle. "Xinyao, your talent was rare from the beginning. Otherwise, you would not have reached this point."
Yun Xinyao puffed her cheeks, arms crossed, yet a faint blush appeared on her face.
"Don't act smart."
Though her lips pouted, her heart warmed.
Meanwhile, Xue Yao's red mist began spreading. Like gentle waves, it swept in every direction. Yifan and Yun Xinyao hastily erected small protective barriers around themselves. They knew… what was coming next was not to be taken lightly.
Hong Zhe, who had been meditating to recover, opened his eyes in shock. The red mist had already surrounded him. It felt like invisible chains constricting his breathing.
'What is this?' His face turned pale, eyes wide.
Hei Yun was even more sensitive. He sensed the strange cold emanating from the red mist. He tried to leap away, moving as fast as possible. Yet the mist moved faster, engulfing the entire area.
Xue Yao panted, body trembling, right leg bracing her to stay upright. Her right hand extended forward, palm up. From it, a deep red glow shimmered, as if she held a fragile miniature globe.
As the mist expanded, a terrible miracle occurred.
Everything froze!
Not just Hong Zhe and Hei Yun. Not just the surrounding buildings. Even the air, the raindrops, the drifting dust—everything stood still, as if time itself had lost meaning.
Hong Zhe struggled, but could not move. Panic painted his face.
'It's… frozen?' Impossible! Impossible!' he thought.
All techniques, all power he attempted to activate failed. It was as if the world had sealed itself shut.
Hei Yun was the same. His eyes widened, pupils frozen.
'What kind of technique is this?' his mind trembled.
The cold pierced his heart, even stopping his breath. He stared straight ahead, and there… two figures stood at ease. Yifan and Yun Xinyao. They were like gods behind a veil, unaffected in the slightest.
'Who… are they really?!' Hei Yun wanted to scream, but even his voice could not emerge.
Despair gripped his heart. Regret choked his chest. The once arrogant man now cried inwardly. The terror was so overwhelming he felt his very soul might perish. He had thought a reward of beautiful women awaited him for this sect mission, yet fate had turned cruelly against him.
Beside Xue Yao, she gritted her teeth. Her body weak, yet her eyes glowed cold. Her voice was barely audible.
"…Destroy."
Her palm clenched, crushing the red light until it cracked like shattered glass.
In that instant, Hong Zhe and Hei Yun screamed inwardly, sensing death approaching.
'No! Nooo!!!'
A silent explosion erupted. Everything frozen turned to dust. Ruined buildings crumbled further into ash. The ground quaked. The city vanished in an instant, leaving only tiny fragments scattering.
The scene was horrifying, as if the world had collapsed in a heartbeat.
At the outskirts, Yifan and Yun Xinyao swiftly approached Xue Yao. Her body slumped, face pale, blood dripping from the corner of her lips.
Yifan exhaled deeply, his face grim. "Haish… this is my fault. I let it go this far."
Yun Xinyao shook her head as she looked at him. "Don't blame yourself, Brother. If you had always protected her, she would never have grown."
Yifan remained silent, lowering his gaze to Xue Yao. "Still… look at her condition."
"Enough." Yun Xinyao patted his shoulder softly. "The important thing now is to heal her first."
Yifan nodded. "Hmm… you're right."
Yun Xinyao closed her eyes briefly, then spoke quickly,
"We can't return to Liuyao Pavilion. It's too far. But I sense abundant spiritual energy not far from here."
"Then," Yifan said, carefully lifting Xue Yao, "we'll take her there."
The two of them hurried away, leaving behind the city, now nothing but ash, dust, and the whisper of death carried on the wind.