The elders of the Xuanfrost Sect wore grim expressions, cold light flickering in their eyes as they looked toward the Snow Domain Alliance with growing hostility.

  Zhang Mingyuan let out a low chuckle and said quietly to Yun Che,

  “Watch carefully, my disciple. This exchange is far more intense than in previous years. The Snow Domain Alliance being this arrogant—this is a first.”

  Yun Che glanced around at the indignant expressions of his fellow sect members, then carefully observed Shen Bingyun on the platform. A faint layer of icy mist still shrouded him, elusive and impenetrable even to divine sense, making the depth of his cultivation difficult to discern.

  Standing upon the ice-crystal battle platform, Shen Bingyun carried himself with refined ease. Smiling, he said,

  “Senior Brother Zhao, since my sect elders have given the order, I will only use fifty percent of my strength in this battle.”

  Zhao Yue was broad and solidly built, his face ruddy and rough. He looked less like a secluded cultivator and more like a martial artist who had tempered his body for years. After cautiously sizing up Shen Bingyun, he cupped his fists and said in a deep voice,

  “Senior Brother Shen, please!”

  Before the words had fully fallen, Zhao Yue stamped his foot.

  The surface of the ice platform suddenly bloomed with crystalline Cold Crystal Lotus Flowers. Their petals rapidly unfurled and rose into the air, rotating slowly around his body. Each petal’s edge pulsed with razor-sharp sword qi, frost spilling outward in waves. Zhao Yue’s robes billowed violently despite the lack of wind.

  True Person Han Jing nodded slightly.

  “Zhao Yue’s Cold Lotus Sword Qi has reached mid-grade power. Not bad.”

  The Red-Bearded Elder showed a proud smile.

  “Senior Brother Sect Master, Zhao Yue is the most diligent disciple under my tutelage. He selected this Cold Lotus Sword Qi from the Scripture Pavilion five years ago and cultivated it day and night to reach the mid-grade realm. Its offensive might is fierce—perfectly suited to his resolute temperament.”

  Elder Ling Shuang also smiled and addressed the disciples,

  “The Cold Lotus Sword Qi is renowned for piercing defenses and breaking fortifications. Observe carefully—opportunities like this, proven in real combat, are exceedingly rare.”

  Yun Han narrowed his eyes, outwardly acknowledging the lesson while sneering inwardly.

  Cold Lotus Sword Qi? When I reach the sixth layer, I’ll surpass him easily.

  “Senior Brother Zhao is usually so quiet… I didn’t expect his Cold Lotus Sword Qi to reach this level,”

  Sun Li murmured enviously, watching intently.

  On the platform, Zhao Yue suddenly roared,

  “Junior Brother Shen! The Cold Lotus Sword Qi shows no mercy—watch yourself!”

  The icy lotus petals spinning around him abruptly accelerated. Sword qi burst forth like a torrential storm, transforming into countless ice-blue streaks that shot straight toward Shen Bingyun!

  Shen Bingyun’s expression remained calm. His figure drifted backward as his hands formed seals in a blur.

  “Ice Mirror!”

  In an instant, the light above the platform dimmed. Countless fine ice crystals condensed from the air, converging at lightning speed to form a crystal-clear mirror over a zhang tall before him. Under the sunlight, its surface refracted dazzling, multicolored brilliance—beautiful yet eerie.

  Elder Ouyang Shuo smiled and spoke to the disciples behind him,

  “The Xuanfrost Sect’s Cold Lotus Sword Qi is extremely difficult to cultivate. This Zhao Yue has already brushed against the threshold of sword intent. His offensive power is among the strongest of his realm. Should you encounter such techniques in the future, remember—do not meet them head-on. Use maneuvering tactics instead… unless, of course, you possess an Ice Spirit Constitution like Bingyun, allowing the world’s ice-attributed spiritual energy to move at your will.”

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  The disciples nodded respectfully. Only the azure-robed man standing at the very back showed a fleeting trace of disdain in his eyes.

  On the platform, the storm of Cold Lotus Sword Qi slammed into the ice mirror. Zhao Yue’s expression darkened—the mirror was utterly bizarre. The sword qi vanished silently upon contact, without even the faintest ripple.

  Frowning, Zhao Yue prepared to unleash another technique—

  At that moment, Shen Bingyun revealed a strange smile behind the mirror.

  “Senior Brother Zhao, courtesy demands reciprocity. Since you’ve struck—why don’t you take this Cold Lotus Sword Qi as well?”

  Ripples spread across the surface of the ice mirror. The sword qi Zhao Yue had just unleashed suddenly refracted outward from the mirror!

  The same icy brilliance.

  The same piercing cold.

  And faintly… even colder than before.

  Zhao Yue’s face changed drastically as he retreated at full speed. But the reflected sword qi was faster still. With no time to dodge, he gritted his teeth and flung over a dozen Ice Armor Talismans from his storage pouch.

  The talismans ignited in flashes of yellow light, transforming into layers of dark, icy mist that shielded him.

  Sword qi shot into the mist, dissolving rapidly—yet the mist itself thinned just as quickly. Most of the attack was neutralized, but several streaks pierced through and struck Zhao Yue’s body directly!

  Puchi—!

  The force blasted Zhao Yue backward several zhang. He spat mouthful after mouthful of blood midair, his face deathly pale, before crashing heavily onto the ground. He struggled several times but failed to rise. Multiple sword wounds riddled his body—fortunately none were fatal.

  Shen Bingyun’s face revealed satisfaction. He leapt gracefully down from the platform and bowed to Ouyang Shuo.

  “Disciple has not failed expectations—this was merely fifty percent strength, activating Ice Mirror Reflection.”

  The Red-Bearded Elder flashed over in a streak of crimson light, landing beside Zhao Yue. His face was grim as he sealed Zhao Yue’s wounds with rapid strikes and fed him several precious pills. Only then did he look up coldly.

  “What a fine Ice Mirror Reflection. Without cultivation at the eighth layer of Qi Condensation or higher, it is nearly impossible to break head-on. My disciple’s defeat is not unjust—his skills were simply lacking.”

  The Snow Domain Alliance disciples lit up with excitement, whispering among themselves.

  “A mere sixth-layer Qi Condensation dared challenge Senior Brother Shen? I knew the first match was guaranteed!”

  “Exactly! Even elders praise Senior Brother Shen’s Ice Mirror Technique—what chance did they have?”

  “The Xuanfrost Sect truly declines with each generation. I’ve been observing these days—none of their inner disciples pose a threat to us.”

  “Not necessarily. The core disciples in purple robes haven’t appeared yet. I’ve heard from elders that those are their true foundation.”

  Standing at the back of the crowd, Yun Che quietly swept Shen Bingyun with his divine sense. That Ice Mirror Reflection technique appeared mysterious, but its core lay in a deeply concealed divine sense imprint embedded within the mirror—eerily similar to the method Li Shan used to control the Filth Snow Pills.

  His gaze shifted toward the azure-robed man at the very back of the Snow Domain Alliance. The man remained motionless, eyes lowered, as if utterly indifferent to the outcome of the battle.

  Zhang Mingyuan snorted softly.

  “The Snow Domain Alliance came well prepared this time. Shen Bingyun’s Ice Spirit Constitution does give him a natural advantage in ice techniques… but if they think this alone lets them sweep through our Xuanfrost Sect, they’re gravely underestimating us.”

  Yun Han’s expression darkened as he clenched his fists. Sun Li leaned over and whispered,

  “Senior Brother Yun, if you’re up next, make sure to give them a proper lesson!”

  Yun Han sneered.

  “Don’t worry. Shen Bingyun… I have my own methods to deal with him.”

  At this moment, Ouyang Shuo clasped his hands with a smile.

  “Daoist Friend Han Jing, this first match can be counted as our Snow Domain Alliance’s lucky win. May I ask—which outstanding disciple will your sect send next for guidance?”

  True Person Han Jing’s expression remained calm. His gaze swept over the disciples behind him as he spoke slowly:

  “For the next match—Yun Han, you go.”

  A sharp glint flashed in Yun Han’s eyes as he stepped forward.

  The wind and snow suddenly intensified.

  Was Shen Bingyun truly using only fifty percent of his strength?

  And Yun Che has already noticed the real core—

  ?? the divine sense imprint.

  With Yun Han stepping onto the stage next, do you think he’ll reclaim a victory… or reveal even deeper secrets?