Dou Shi One-Star: Ice Source Annihilator
As that icy energy erupted from Lou King's body, the entire scene in the hall changed. Lou King remained silent, but the fury in his eyes and the white mist spreading around him spoke volumes.
Xiao Zhan, the head of the Xiao family, and the three Elders could not even move from their spots. Deep astonishment was etched on their faces. They could not believe that Lou King had achieved the level of a 'One-Star Dou Shi'. Above all was that mysterious power-Ice Source Annihilator. They felt that this was no ordinary cold wind, but a force that was numbing the 'Dou Qi' flowing inside their bodies. The Elders' hands froze onto the armrests of their chairs.
Ge Ye, who sat with pride considering himself a representative of a large sect, was in a miserable state. He felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He understood that Lou King's 'Ice' energy was far more pure and destructive than his own.
[Note: The energy being pure and destructive does not mean Lou King can easily defeat any Dou Grandmaster, because that requires techniques, experience, weapons, and skills. Therefore, it is not easy for Lou King to defeat a Dou Grandmaster.]
Nalan Yanran, who had come with high arrogance considering herself a 'genius', was rendered speechless. Lou King's serious face and the bone-chilling cold surrounding him shattered her self-confidence. For the first time, she began to worry about her own safety.
The other talented youths who had come with Nalan Yanran could not withstand the pressure of Lou King's power. They began to feel a blurriness before their eyes. Their bodies were trembling, and the only thought in their minds was to somehow escape this pressure. Their talent seemed like a mere straw before Lou King's destructive power.
The most pathetic condition was of those who were still at the 'Dou Zhe' level. The air in the hall had turned so cold that it pricked like thorns upon entering the lungs. A layer of white frost began to settle on people's clothes, hair, and even eyelashes. They became stuck to their spots like stone statues. It felt as if their heartbeats would stop. Without Lou King speaking a single word, his power had brought them to their knees.
The entire hall looked like an icy coffin. Frost had settled on the walls, and the floor became so slippery and cold that it was difficult to stand. The "Ice Source Annihilator" proved that Lou King was no longer that old ordinary boy; he had become a warrior with whom clashing meant inviting death.
Xiao Yan, who had endured much recently, stood up from his place seeing this power. He knew Lou King was powerful, but a 'One-Star Dou Shi' and this level of 'Icy Energy' was beyond his imagination. There was no jealousy in Xiao Yan's eyes, but a deep spark. He thought to himself- "Brother Lou King's strength... it is like the Elders of some great sect. He has reached this stage so silently!"
Inside Xiao Yan's ring, Yao Lao, who is himself an 'Alchemist Master' and an extremely powerful soul, was shocked to see Lou King's energy.
When Lou King's icy energy spread through the hall, Yao Lao's soul inside the ring suddenly became alert. He had never felt such pure 'Cold Energy' in a small place like Wutan City before.
"Xiao Yan, be careful! The energy inside this boy (Lou King) is not ordinary. This is not just 'Dou Qi'; it looks like the source of some ancient and cold power. I have seen many 'Ice Dou Huangs' in my life, but such 'Purity' at such a young age... it is near impossible!"
Yao Lao sensed that this power was not just spreading cold, but was annihilating the opponent's energy. He noticed that any Dou Qi entering Lou King's domain was not just freezing, but losing its very existence.
Yao Lao warned Xiao Yan- "Do not take him lightly. His 'Ice Source' directly attacks the bone marrow and the 'Origin' of the soul. If he fully unleashes his power, the 'Dou Zhe' level people in this hall will shatter like ice statues."
Yao Lao was most surprised wondering if Lou King possessed something like a 'Heavenly Ice' (similar to a Heavenly Flame). Because the way his energy was controlling the temperature of the hall, it did not seem like a high-tier secret technique.
Xiao Yan asked nervously in his mind- "Teacher, is Brother Lou King's power enough to stop Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye?"
Yao Lao took a deep breath and said- "Enough? Xiao Yan, if this boy wants, he can force even a seven-star 'Dou Shi' like Ge Ye to freeze. His 'Ice Source Annihilator' technique is completely swallowing Ge Ye's fire-based energy. Today Nalan Yanran will find out whose tail she has stepped on."
[Note: Yao Lao had to wake up earlier than planned because Lou King suggested taking off the ring. If Xiao Yan had removed the ring, Yao Lao's last hope would have vanished. Because Yao Lao woke up early, Xiao Yan was able to achieve a breakthrough to Dou Zhe so quickly.]
Xiao Mei, who always admired powerful people, was watching Lou King with wide eyes. She felt that the air around Lou King was so cold that she didn't even dare to go near him. Respect for Lou King increased in her eyes. She realized that the entire Wutan City would now tremble at Lou King's name.
Xiao Yu, who just a while ago was glaring at Lou King in anger and threatening to "see him" in the evening, was completely stunned. Although Lou King had not directed his power toward her, the coldness of his 'Ice Source' energy was reaching her. Her annoyance turned into wonder in an instant. She never thought that the Lou King she spent so much time with possessed such destructive and cold power. There was a strange mixture of pride and fear in her eyes.
Since no one in the family mocked Lou King, everyone's reaction was one of pride and awe. The 'Dou Zhe' level youths felt as if a mountain was standing before them. They were scared that Lou King's anger might accidentally fall on them, as they were unable to endure that icy pressure. Their Dou Qi began to freeze inside their bodies, making them feel helpless even to move.
Lou King's power showed Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye that Xiao Yan was not alone in the Xiao family; there stood a protector (Lou King) who could freeze the pride of the entire 'Yun Lan Sect' like ice. Only Lou King's dominance remained in the hall.
Slowly, Lou King calmed down, seeing which everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Lou King knew where to stop; if he had done more, he and the Xiao family would have had to face the wrath of the Yun Lan Sect, which he did not want to do yet.
Lou King looked toward Nalan Yanran and said: "You should know that because of you, the enemies of the Xiao family will take advantage of this time and insult the family, and they might play some dirty tricks. Now, if the relationship between the Nalan family and the Xiao family breaks, the old enemies of the Xiao family, who were not attacking us because of the Nalan family, will also try to take advantage of this. This will cause the Xiao family to face financial problems or even fights and deaths, which will make the Xiao family's anger dangerous for you and the Nalan family."
"Therefore, I would suggest that you do not break this relation right now. You can spend time with Xiao Yan and learn about him. Anyway, you are very young right now and there is plenty of time for your marriage. If even then you do not like Xiao Yan and want to break the engagement, you can do so."
"If you are not happy with this, then I have another way."
Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye, along with the entire hall, began to look at Lou King. They were waiting for Lou King's next words. In everyone's eyes, respect was shining after seeing Lou King's power.
"The Three-Year Agreement."
"If you want to break the engagement, you can make a three-year agreement. In this, after three years, Xiao Yan will come to the Yun Lan Sect and challenge you. If you win, one of your wishes will be fulfilled. If Xiao Yan wins, one of his wishes will be fulfilled-whether to keep the marriage or not."
Lou King finished his words, turned toward Xiao Zhan, bowed with folded hands, and said: "I have said what I wanted to say. If I have said anything wrong, Family Head, please forgive me." Then Lou King sat back in his seat.
Xiao Zhan looked at Nalan Yanran and said: "Nalan Yanran, what is your opinion on this? Do you want to cancel the engagement and make a three-year agreement, or do you want the engagement to continue as it is?"
"The Three-Year Agreement," Nalan Yanran said after thinking a bit.
"Then it is settled. Today's assembly ends here," said Xiao Zhan, and the Elders left.
Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye went toward the hotel where they were staying, because their luggage was there and who would want to stay after hearing so much?
Lou King remained sitting in his seat. The hall was empty, but besides Lou King and Xiao Yu, there was one more girl sitting there, staring at Xiao Yu and Lou King. She was none other than:
"Xiao Xun'er"