The afternoon sun bathed the plaza in light as the two teams facing off in the loser's bracket once again took their places on the field, basking in the gaze of countless spectators. The air was heavier than in the morning, icy and oppressive, as if it could freeze a person's breath.
On the side of Grand Martial Academy, everyone wore calm, even slightly amused, expressions. Jiang Hongfei's eyes were sharp, a sneer of cold ridicule curling at the edge of his mouth.
"I thought you would stay 'practical' until the very end."
"What? Didn't kneel enough this morning? Want to do it again this afternoon?"
His words stung Tang San like salt forced into a still-open wound. His face immediately darkened, plunging into shadow, his eyes locking coldly onto Jiang Hongfei. Jaws clenched, he managed to force out his breath:
"Who do you think you are, to even speak to me?"
Jiang Hongfei shrugged, grin widening, an air of careless arrogance about him.
"Really? Just wait until I trample your head underfoot and win this match. Then you'll see exactly what kind of person I am."
Dugu Yan glanced at Tang San, then shifted her gaze to Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing standing beside him, her red lips curving slightly.
"You ignorant fools—after this morning, you think you can send 'true' competitors up against us? Is this all your Star Luo Empire has left?"
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing both turned pale, clenching their fists so tightly their knuckles cracked. This wasn't mere provocation—it was a blatant insult.
Taking a deep breath to suppress his surging anger, Tang San forced his tone to remain icy.
"You are not enough to be my opponent."
His gaze passed over Dugu Yan and finally fixed on Shui Bing'er, the coldest presence among the Grand Martial team—the most dangerous foe.
If he could defeat her, he could exploit his advantage as Spirit Emperor, gain breathing room, and then pick off the others one by one, changing the course of the battle.
Dugu Yan smirked and said no more, but the killing intent in her eyes was chilling.
"Both teams, prepare!"
The referee's voice sliced through the tense atmosphere.
"Release your Martial Spirits!"
At his order, dazzling colors exploded skyward—the central plaza becoming the battlefield for a collision of soul power.
Almost instantaneously, Shui Bing'er moved, not a moment's hesitation in her elegant, phoenix-like leap, wings of ice spread as she shot straight for Tang San. Her intention was clear—to take out the leader first!
Tang San narrowed his eyes. Knowing his Blue Silver Grass martial spirit was at a disadvantage against her Ultimate Ice, he didn't hesitate, abandoning it altogether. In a flash, a burst of dark light signaled the swing of his Clear Sky Hammer. With a weighty roar, the hammer swept powerfully toward Shui Bing'er in midair.
But Shui Bing'er didn't flinch. She opened her pale palm, meeting the giant hammer as though greeting an old friend. Her palm shimmered with spirit light, and her ultimate ice soul power—by some subtle method—enveloped, guided, and redirected Tang San's attack with a gentle touch.
Bang!
The hammer's force was deflected, just barely grazing her robes before it smashed into the air, showering small stones. The two crossed paths and instantly separated. The first clash seemed equal on the surface, yet Shui Bing'er's effortless parry won her silent applause from many observers.
"Hmph!" Tang San vanished with his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, reappearing with a second swing of his mighty hammer, murderous intent lighting his eyes.
"Shui Bing'er! Die!"
His humiliating defeat at Suotuo Arena had always been his sore spot, and today he was determined to take revenge.
Dugu Yan, nearby, blocked Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's path in a flash, lips carrying a frosty smile.
"Hurry—it won't take me long."
"Netherworld White Tiger!"
The two roared together, soul powers of black and white merging, and in the next instant, an awe-inspiring Netherworld White Tiger appeared, baring its fangs and lunging at Dugu Yan.
Jiang Hongfei's eyes glinted like a drawn sword as he instantly clashed with one of the Star Luo team's Clear Sky Hammer martial artists. His speed was blinding, movements unpredictable; his punches and kicks were a storm that left his opponent unable to keep up, unable to use their full strength.
Meanwhile, Huang Bin let out a deep roar. His already sturdy body swelled even larger, his blood energy erupting like smoke from a wolf totem, filling the air. He didn't waste effort on fancy moves—his casserole-sized fist pounded fiercely at another Clear Sky disciple.
Boom!
Fist met hammer with a dull thud. The soul master was shocked by the raw power, arms going numb, retreating again and again in fear.
Huang Bin pressed his advantage, unleashing a savage barrage that left his foe unable to fend off blows, much less retaliate.
Ma Hongjun spread his wings for support, but at that moment, a needle-sharp spear of light split the sky. Yang Bojun, wielding a black soul-breaking spear, eyes cold as iron, stabbed it at Ma Hongjun's vital spot like a dragon.
Ma Hongjun, terrified, could only dodge. Even so, the spear's light grazed him, blood welling anew on his body, and he panicked, fleeing upward, no longer daring to draw near.
Xue Wu unleashed her soul power, fiercely guarding Ye Lingling against surprise attacks.
As Tang San rushed at her, Shui Bing'er's eyes blazed with an azure coldness. Instead of retreating, she took a step in midair, right hand forming a sword as she pointed ahead.
"Zheng—!"
Like a phoenix's cry, her sword rang shrilly through the arena! Ultimate chill condensed violently, her hand morphing into a slender, crystalline ice sword, cold light swirling, mysterious frosted patterns racing along the blade's surface. The surrounding temperature dropped so rapidly, even the air itself felt frozen.
This was the ultimate skill she'd gained under the Snow Empress—a peerless sword of ultimate ice. Though she could only show a fraction of its true power at her current cultivation, it was more than enough to withstand even slightly stronger foes.
A phantom of her Ice Phoenix Martial Spirit unfolded its wings behind her. Sword at the ready, clothes flapping, she looked every bit the goddess of ice descending upon mortal land.
"Slash!"
With a shrill cry, she cut the sky with her ice sword, leaving a beautiful arc of frosty blue as she hurtled toward Tang San.
No fanciness—nothing but speed and cold extremes.
Tang San swung his hammer to defend.
Clang!
When the ice sword and Clear Sky Hammer met, a metallic screech resounded, shards of ice and sparks flying everywhere. Bone-chilling cold seeped up the hammer's handle, invading his arm, and Tang San felt his veins going rigid.
"What a cold sword!"
For a heartbeat, Tang San's heart stopped. This chill went beyond the surface, slicing through defenses, even invading his very soul power.
Shui Bing'er twisted agilely in the air, her sword in hand seemingly alive—her strikes growing swifter and more cunning, aiming straight at Tang San's vitals. At the same time, the violent cold attached to the blade continually eroded Tang San's movement and soul power flow.
Frustration burned within Tang San. His soul power and the hammer's mighty force should easily surpass Shui Bing'er's, yet at this moment, he couldn't bring his strength to bear. She anticipated his attacks and evasive footwork completely—even his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step lost much of its unpredictability. Her sword always arrived at his weakest spot, forcing him on the defensive.
"Damn it! How could a native of Douluo Continent see through even the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step's ultimate mysteries of our Tang Sect?!"
Shock and rage warred within him.
From across the rushing wind, Shui Bing'er's voice came cold:
"Tang San, do you really think our difference is just a matter of level? You've never once been qualified to be my opponent, from start to finish. Your pride, your reliance—they're all flaws in my eyes."
Before she finished, she exploited a tiny gap in Tang San's defense with an impossibly angled strike, slicing his ribs with her ice sword.
Tang San felt his hair stand on end, barely scrambling away. He barely regained his footing when suddenly, his feet grew numb—
Shui Bing'er's first spirit ring glimmered quietly.
"First Soul Skill: Ice Seal!"
Solid ice instantly spread from beneath Tang San's feet, locking him in place.
"Damn it—!"
He forced his soul power outward to smash the ice, but Shui Bing'er's attacks came faster and harsher still.
Ultimate Ice—peerless, murderous, frigid. Each strike more lethal than the last.
Before the sword even touched him, an aura of cold pierced Tang San's scalp.
"First Soul Skill—Clear Sky's Guardian!"
With a roar, his black Clear Sky Hammer instantly swelled, covering him like a shield, gleaming with a dark luster—a barrier of solid light.
Crack!
The ice sword slammed into the shield, a sharp splitting sound ringing out. The light barrier trembled violently, fissures spreading, and a sliver of icy sword energy stabbed through, biting savagely into Tang San's chest.
Zzzzt!
His robe tore open, revealing a deep wound with exposed bone. Miraculously, instead of blood bursting out, an icy film instantly sealed over the wound, freezing cold pouring into him from the injury.
"Aaagh!"
Tang San staggered back, face ashen, blood and vital energy surging in his chest, even his soul power's flow almost seizing up.
Bad news arrived from other parts of the battlefield as well.
Yang Bojun's Soul-Breaking Spear pierced Ma Hongjun's chest, sending the big man crashing down with a scream. The spear exploded with soul power, instantly causing massive internal injuries. It looked like Ma Hongjun had died on the spot.
Meanwhile, two Clear Sky Hammer soul masters barely withstood Jiang Hongfei and Huang Bin's attacks using a joint defensive skill. But then, one of them suddenly froze, struck by a wave of Jiang Hongfei's strange mental interference.
Huang Bin seized his chance, unleashing his inner force in a punch that shattered the man's head instantly—red and white matter splattering everywhere. The other could not resist, and after a brief struggle, Huang Bin broke his neck.
But what really incited Tang San's rage came from Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's side. Though the Netherworld White Tiger was powerful, Dugu Yan alone completely suppressed it. Behind Dugu Yan, eight dark purple spider legs weaved in the air, unleashing eerie and rapid attacks. This soul bone, originally Tang San's, had been forcibly taken by Chen Yi of Sotu City and now empowered Dugu Yan.
The Eight Spider Lances were not only powerfully toxic, but could also drain soul power, putting the White Tiger at a severe disadvantage. No matter how fiercely he roared, he couldn't break through.
Tang San's heart ached with bitter regret:
"If only I'd let Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun escape—those useless fools! Maybe the White Tiger would've had a fighting chance."
But reality gave him no time for remorse. Shui Bing'er's ice sword once more slashed toward him, and Tang San, enduring the agony in his shoulder and the stagnation of soul power, could only swing his hammer to block.
Clang!
Sparks and shards of ice flew in all directions. At that exact instant—Tang San's former strength exhausted, new power yet to bloom—Shui Bing'er's free left hand shot out with lightning speed, palm striking his chest.
The Emperor's Palm—a chill even a blizzard could not match.
Puff—
What looked like a gentle hit concealed a terrible cold and hidden energy. Tang San's sternum groaned under the crushing pressure, and he vomited blood mixed with flecks of ice, his whole body flying backward like a severed kite, tracing a miserable arc.
Yet the battle gave him no chance for pause. Shui Bing'er already moved forward, her ice sword aimed ruthlessly at his throat—true killing intent in her eyes.
This was the blow meant to end him.
At that moment between life and death, insanity flashed in Tang San's gaze. Suddenly, he released the Clear Sky Hammer and activated his Blue Silver Grass martial spirit. Countless vines erupted, forming a thick wall to briefly block Shui Bing'er's fatal strike.
Using this fleeting chance, Tang San rolled awkwardly to avoid certain death—though the movement burst open his frostbitten chest, blood trickling out mixed with ice, pain so intense darkness almost swallowed his sight.
Almost simultaneously, Yang Bojun joined Dugu Yan's Eight Spider Lances, their strange poison and relentless spear-shadow perfectly combining. The already-strained Netherworld White Tiger finally collapsed, completely destroyed.
As the two landed, Dugu Yan's spider lances stabbed at their foes' vital points, pinning them in place.
But even as Tang San struggled to his feet and caught his breath, he realized in despair that he was surrounded. Jiang Hongfei, Huang Bin, Yang Bojun, Dugu Yan, and Xue Wu had all formed an inescapable net, closing in on him from every direction.
Their eyes, cold, mocking, and filled with killing intent, bore down on him as if he were a beast cornered and destined for slaughter.
Shui Bing'er cut down the blue grass blocking her path with her sword, then gracefully exited the encirclement. Her icy blue eyes looked at Tang San as if he were already dead.
Nearby, Dai Weisi, Zhu Zhuyun, and the others clenched their fists, faces pale with helplessness—none of them could change the outcome.
…