Time was running out for Erwin to think. He swiftly performed a series of hand seals, summoning several golden barriers above his head. The ice spikes slammed into the barriers with a sharp, ringing clang.
The disciples at the foot of the mountain stared in astonishment.
"How did she do that? It feels like we need to rethink everything! We're all studying magic—why can they come up with such sophisticated applications?"
"You're not the only one feeling that way!"
A veteran student fixed his gaze on Rainie Nangong, hovering in the air, trying to decipher the principles behind her magic. Hearing the disciples' chatter, he remarked casually, "Keep watching. This is just the beginning."
"Senior, can we learn this later?" one disciple asked.
The veteran shook his head. "Kunlun has no secret teachings. Technique-casting is public knowledge—except for one category. Those methods rely heavily on innate talent and are inherently dangerous. Not everyone can learn them; you must apply and study under an Elder's protection. Senior Nangong's style falls into that category."
"Have you tried it, Senior?"
The veteran didn't hide the truth. "I have. But I haven't mastered it. I hope some of you will learn it someday and carry on Senior Nangong's legacy."
Hearing this, the Kunlun students burned with renewed enthusiasm. They were desperate to learn, to become the next Rainie Nangong. The veteran smiled faintly. It wasn't that easy.
Meanwhile, the Elders debated whether Erwin could learn such a technique. None claimed he could master it effortlessly; they knew the difficulty. They had all attempted it, yet none had succeeded. Rainie Nangong's thought process was simply too unconventional—so much so that even her grandfather struggled to understand how she manipulated magic to her will.
The duel continued. Erwin blocked the barrage of ice spikes. Perhaps Rainie Nangong's stamina was waning, as the ice spikes dissolved into rain.
Erwin saw his chance to counterattack.
But then, Rainie Nangong waved her hands.
Vines erupted from beneath Erwin's feet, growing at a terrifying speed. His pupils contracted as he leaped back. A Wood-Growing Technique? Another one?
Is Rainie Nangong really that proficient? Sunny had said Kunlun students usually specialized in only one or two techniques. Was her aptitude truly this exceptional? She was almost matching him!
More importantly, how could these vines grow this fast?
Erwin stared in disbelief as the vines covered half the arena. Suddenly, Quincy Shen stood up on the hill.
"That's it! She's cutting off his space! Now comes Senior Nangong's signature move—the unstoppable combo!"
While dodging the vines, Erwin began to analyze them. He glanced up at the falling rain and a suspicion formed. Could this rain be the cause?
Erwin dismissed his Golden Barrier and reached out, catching a single drop of rain. He sensed it briefly and froze.
Qi? The rainwater contained traces of Qi. Although minuscule, it was enough to accelerate the vines' growth.
How is this possible? How can rain carry Qi?
Erwin was baffled, and deeply shocked.
Just then, he noticed several vines beginning to wither. Was the growth too accelerated? Did he misjudge the timing? Large swathes of vines started to dry out. Erwin paused, confused, and instinctively severed one vine with a technique.
Suddenly, Erwin noticed Rainie Nangong forming hand seals again. He recognized the method: Fire Manipulation. Looking at the withered vines, realization struck him.
She's combining them?
The vines covered half the platform. If she set them ablaze now...
Erwin shuddered. Quincy Shen clapped his hands gleefully.
"Yes! That's it! It's outrageous! Even after all these years, seeing this is still absurd!" He looked at Erwin. "So, how do you plan to break this?"
Senior Nangong's move was no joke.
She unleashed her fire manipulation. Flames hit the vines, igniting them instantly. Erwin frowned. Shouldn't she have stopped the rain first?
Then, a wisp of steam rose, and Erwin understood.
It was a trap.
A stray breeze blew past, and Erwin looked up. It was Rainie Nangong again, using Wind Manipulation. She really knew everything.
As the steam thickened, Erwin felt his breath catch. The heat was stifling, and his vision blurred. On the other half of the arena, the rain had turned into ice spikes, clattering onto the ground.
Erwin was numb. This is Eastern strategy? No wonder this was a culture that produced classics like The Thirty-Six Stratagems. She was burning him, steaming him, and blocking his escape routes with ice. If she added one more element of harassment, this battle strategy would be perfect.
Just as the thought crossed his mind...
A bolt of lightning struck through the steam, aiming right for him. Erwin threw up a Golden Barrier, but the lightning shattered it instantly.
Erwin stared. Seriously? You planned this too?!
He tugged at his collar. His robes could block damage, but heat wasn't a damaging technique—his defenses were useless.
He needed a way out, or defeat was inevitable.
There was only one option left. Erwin focused his gaze on the half of the arena covered in ice spikes.