Ice Chi, having made up his mind, guarded the entrance rigidly, his eyes fixed on the faint purple afterimage hanging mid-air!
As expected, the Star that had sprung high into the sky began its descent once more!
Amidst a dull roar, the purple afterimage suddenly burst forth in a dazzling cluster of seven-colored light, as brilliant as fiery, flowing clouds set against a sunset or dusk sky!
The entire sky seemed to be engulfed in fierce flame! Accompanying this was a suffocating, dense wave of killing intent!
Then, the sweeping red clouds of fire seemed to be gathered and compressed by an invisible force, spinning and dancing at astonishing speed before condensing into a single, enormous sphere of red fire! It plummeted from the heavens!
The colossal orb of red light emitted sharp, indistinct whistling sounds due to its incredible Dou Qi intensity, so much so that the very space around it was squeezed almost to shattering, displaying an eerie distortion and ripple.
Ah! What kind of sword technique is this!
Ice Chi was utterly stunned by the terrifying aura before him! The power of this move was entirely different from the previous attack! It was certainly no less potent than the powerful strikes launched by old monsters like Feng Xiao and You Quan!
It was difficult to fathom how this young man, with his limited Dou Qi cultivation, could conjure forth such astonishing intensity!
“Interesting. Let this old man see just how strong your killing move truly is.” At this moment, Ice Chi’s ambition to conquer was fully ignited.
Swish! Swish!
The massive sphere of blood-red light, like a crimson comet falling from the heavens, dragged a dazzling, enormous scarlet streak across the gloomy, eerie sky, hurtling towards Ice Chi on the ground with world-destroying might!
This move was the third strike of the Nine Heavens Star River: Moon-Shatter, Star-Fall! It focused on crushing the opponent head-on with sheer force!
So, he intends to clash head-on with this old man!
Although shocked by the terrifying power of this sword technique, Ice Chi felt an even greater, irrepressible frenzy and excitement! With a fierce roar, his Ice elemental Dou Qi was instantly pushed to its absolute limit!
The silver shield of Dou Qi that had encircled his body suddenly swelled even larger, transforming into a gigantic greatsword of light. Following this, Ice Chi stomped down hard with both feet, launching himself like a cannonball fired from its barrel directly towards the descending crimson comet in the sky!
This move was the powerful killing blow from the Seven Ultimate Freezing Arts: Profound Ice Piercing Sun!!
Ice Chi had never imagined being pushed to such a desperate state by this young man, even being forced to unleash the Profound Ice Piercing Sun, one of his top three ultimate killing moves!
The silver-white sword of light soared like a massive dragon piercing the heavens!
Rumble!
Amidst a dull, heavy crash, it finally collided with the crimson comet plummeting from the sky!
Thump! Boom!
With a muffled roar, a colossal ring of light instantly exploded beneath the somber sky! It appeared as a perpetually twisting, rippling distortion!
It was as if a massive black hole had suddenly appeared in the void!
One had to realize that the current intensity of the Star’s Dou Qi was far beyond what it was before, and the Moon-Shatter, Star-Fall technique he employed possessed a power beyond normal imagination.
However, Ice Chi, this old monster who had lived for over two hundred and seventy years, combined his cultivated Dou Qi with the assistance of his Star King equipment, making his power astonishingly formidable.
When the ultimate techniques of these two masters collided, the resulting shockwave was comparable to a small nuclear bomb. The space itself was even shaken into momentary tearing and distortion!
Swish! Swish!
The incredible explosive impact propelled the two clashing figures away at terrifying speed.
The purple afterimage shot upwards like a rocket piercing the sky, instantly becoming a faint black speck!
But Ice Chi was slammed violently toward the ground by the astonishing force of the explosion!
He actually blasted an immense crater into the earth upon impact!
At this moment, due to the previous fierce collision, Ice Chi’s blood and Qi were already churning violently, and he couldn't help spitting out a mouthful of clotted blood!
Yet, before he could even begin to regulate his breathing!
A faint, sharp whistle echoed again from high above. Accompanied by it was a strange illumination!
Looking up, the scene before him left Ice Chi utterly dumbfounded!
Ah! How is this possible!
Beneath the gloomy sky over the vast snowy plains, two suns had appeared.
One, pale and sickly, hung askew in the firmament!
The other was red to the point of dripping blood, emitting an eerie, ghastly crimson glow!
The sun, a blood-red sun!
This! How could this be!
What was even more unbelievable was that this strange, blood-red sun was hurtling downward at an incredible speed! Accompanying it was a suffocating, almost paralyzing aura of deathly stillness.
This terrifying presence was something he had never experienced in his long life of over two hundred and seventy years!
Slaughter, destruction, devouring everything! Like an Asura fiend from hell, stirring the most fragile nerves deep within the human heart!
Heavens, what is that thing!
For the first time, Ice Chi felt true fear! There was even an impulse to flee heedlessly!
Yet, his warlike blood drove him to become even more maniacal!
No matter what, he absolutely could not flee! He had to withstand this move!
At this juncture, Ice Chi could no longer afford to hold anything back!
Damn it! I’ll fight you to the death!
“Origin Return to One Breath!” With a frenzied shout, Ice Chi finally unleashed his final, ultimate trump card!
This was a desperate measure, a move of mutually assured destruction!
Origin Return to One Breath, as the name implied, meant converging all one's innate essence into a single point, unleashing it to generate terrifying, explosive power! Once activated, the Dou Qi energy within the body would surge wildly in an explosive manner, capable of instantly breaking through one's own cultivation level by more than fivefold!
Of course, the cost of activating this move was devastating; even if he survived, he would be left with only half a life, which is why Ice Chi was extremely reluctant to use it unless absolutely necessary.
In Ice Chi’s long life spanning over two hundred and seventy years, he had only been forced to unleash this near-suicidal technique twice before: once a century ago in his duel with You Quan of Han Ling, and the other with Feng Xiao.
Yet, he never expected to be forced into using this terrifying ultimate move again while facing this young man.
This was something Ice Chi could not have possibly predicted.
This only solidified Ice Chi’s resolve to kill the Star, no matter the cost.
Indeed, for the Star to possess such cultivation at such a young age—if he were allowed to grow further, who in this world could stand against him?
Perhaps even the three old monsters—himself, Feng Xiao, and You Quan combined—would stand no chance against him then.
And this was absolutely not what Ice Chi wished to see.
Rumble! Terrifying energy rapidly gathered at an astonishing pace.
Within a fifty-meter radius of Ice Chi, an eerie distortion manifested, as if an invisible black hole was voraciously devouring everything.
Even the stones on the ground shattered without warning, breaking down into thumb-sized particles!
In just an instant, Origin Return to One Breath had amassed enough power to destroy everything.
“Come! It’s either you die or I perish!” With a fierce roar, Ice Chi stomped down hard with both feet, his body surging toward the sky like a burning silver cannonball, crashing into that blood-red sun plummeting overhead.
Thump! Boom! Boom! A massive, dazzling sphere of colored light suddenly exploded mid-air, transforming into a pillar of light that pierced the very firmament! Like two planets colliding head-on, accompanied by a dull, deafening roar, the entire world seemed to be pulverized! It settled into an unnaturally, strangely silent state!
The red and white beams of light, upon the pillar’s ascent, shot out simultaneously!
The red light soared back towards the heavens, while the white light slammed heavily onto the ground!
Thump! Boom! The terrifying impact nearly knocked Ice Chi unconscious.
Yet, at this moment, he couldn't suppress a look of wild ecstasy!
His eyes were fixed intently on the sky!
The faint afterimage dragged a scarlet, eerie red streak as it rapidly fell!
In the direct clash, Ice Chi held the overwhelming advantage in Dou Qi. Although he was heavily wounded now, it was certain that his opponent had sustained far greater damage!
He might even have been instantly blown to death.
However, Ice Chi dared not harbor any illusion of luck; he needed to take his life now! He could not allow the enemy even a moment to catch his breath!
Almost the instant he landed, Ice Chi forced back the feeling that his body was about to explode and rapidly lunged towards the Star.
Thump! The rapidly descending Star finally smashed heavily into the ground!
And blood spurted uncontrollably; even more tragically, he hadn't even managed to open his eyes—it was clear he had been instantly knocked senseless during that fierce clash.
“Die!” Ice Chi’s silver greatsword, like lightning splitting the void, descended in an instant!
Just as the fallen Star was about to be cleaved in two!
Roar! A heaven-shaking roar erupted, and a massive white afterimage suddenly flashed—it was the Great Mammoth King, whose enormous body materialized beside the Star like a phantom. It snatched the Star in its jaws and bolted!
It had to be admitted that this creature was remarkably agile. It had long realized the Star was no match for this old monster and was constantly prepared to flee, finally getting its chance!
“You damnable beast, stop!” The enraged Ice Chi was unwilling to let go so easily. With a furious shout, his speed surged, instantly catching up to the Great Mammoth King!
It could not be denied that the Great Mammoth King's speed was astonishing.
However, an old monster whose cultivation had reached Ice Chi’s level could no longer be measured by common standards!
A mere burst of Dou Qi allowed him to easily close the distance with the massive beast!
Such terrifying speed could only be described as abnormal!
But just then!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Suddenly, a strange whistle pierced the air!
A bizarre fluctuation suddenly washed over the area! Without any warning, the entire space seemed to transform into a massive, swirling vortex of ripples!
Ah! What is going on! Before Ice Chi could react, he was caught by a force so strong he felt as if an invisible giant had grabbed him tightly, rendering him completely unable to resist as he was pulled towards the center of the vortex!
What was even more perilous was that several faint afterimages suddenly flashed from the vortex's center, accompanied by waves of soul-piercing, towering killing intent!
Ah! They are people!
Ice Chi could hardly believe that several individuals had suddenly appeared within this unexpected spatial vortex!
The sharp sword edge instantly reached his chest!
Ice Chi didn't even have time to think; he instinctively held his sword horizontally across his chest while frantically channeling the Dou Qi within him!
Thump! Boom! A gigantic cluster of light suddenly exploded. The powerful Dou Qi shockwave instantly shattered the bizarre restraint. Not only that!
The several simultaneous sword strikes were knocked aside! And those several faint afterimages were also repelled a great distance!
Evidently, the newcomers’ skills were not exceptional; at least, they were not Ice Chi’s match!
However, another blue afterimage flashed like a ghost next to the Great Mammoth King!
Damn it! Clearly, these people were the Star's reinforcements! But Ice Chi could not fathom how they appeared here!
Seeing his prey about to slip away, Ice Chi was utterly unwilling to miss this chance.
Almost as soon as he repelled the intercepting figures, Ice Chi charged toward the Great Mammoth King heedlessly!
No matter what, he could not allow them to rescue this young man.
With speed comparable to lightning, Ice Chi’s silver greatsword descended with astonishing might! Protecting the Great Mammoth King was Xiang Tian, who had arrived just in time via spatial teleportation!
But how could Xiang Tian’s cultivation withstand the fury of the enraged Ice Chi, attacking desperately, even though Ice Chi was already severely wounded by the Star!
Even so, Xiang Tian was no match, not even having time to attempt evasion!
However, the figure in question showed absolutely no intention of evading, nor did he attempt to block the attack!
Is this fellow foolish! Ice Chi was slightly shocked into bewilderment!
Just then!
Thump! Boom!
A muffled crash, loud as a thunderclap! A red light flashed! Ice Chi’s swiftly approaching silhouette suddenly jolted backward without warning, slamming heavily onto the ground! Then, he couldn't help but vomit a torrent of blood!
Forcing back the urge to pass out from the impact, Ice Chi looked up in shock!
Only then did Ice Chi notice, in the center of the still-undispersed ripples, stood a giant Ice Wolf. And seated upon the wolf was a strange, cylindrical object! Behind the cylinder stood a young man with a grim expression, staring tensely at him!
The cylinder was still emitting wisps of pale green smoke—incredibly bizarre and sinister!
Ah! It’s a Magic Crystal Cannon!
The Magic Crystal Cannon was famed as the continent's most terrifying weapon of slaughter; its destructive power was unparalleled. Even a super expert possessing a Spirit Pearl would surely be pulverized if hit head-on.
If it weren't for his transcendent Dou Qi cultivation, coupled with the protection of his Star King equipment, he would likely have been blasted into fragments on the spot!
But now, even though he wasn't pulverized, he was blasted into a state of severe injury and vomiting blood. Combined with the previous trauma from the duel with the Star, he now had less than half a life left!
What in the world was happening? How did these people suddenly appear!
His own cultivation had yielded no sensation whatsoever!
Ice Chi could scarcely believe it! Everything happening before him was beyond comprehension!
But before he could make sense of it, the repelled afterimages and the young man who had blocked him earlier darted forward like lightning.
While you’re weak, we’ll take your life! The surprise attack was launched by Sui Yun, Xiang Tian, Shen Ru, Luo Hou, Long Zhan, and the others who had arrived in time from the Mafa Continent via spatial teleportation: Ji Du, Long Yuan, Fei Xue, Hu Xiao, Shan Ye, Xiong Ba, Tian Xia Ying, Zhen Kuang Ren, and Feng Qing Tian!
Although these were all top experts from the Mafa Continent and the Snow Domain, they were definitely no match for Ice Chi. However, in his current state—severely injured by the Star and then directly hit by the Magic Crystal Cannon—Ice Chi was critically wounded. Now, facing the combined assault of these few, he appeared utterly miserable!
Damn it! The enraged Ice Chi roared and again pushed his remaining Dou Qi!
Thump! A massive cluster of light exploded again!
Every weapon thrown at him was blasted far away!
Even in his heavily injured state, the combat power Ice Chi unleashed was something Sui Yun and the others could not withstand!
But Ice Chi also knew clearly that in his current condition, he could not linger in a protracted fight; otherwise, he would be the one to suffer!
As he repelled them, he shot away like lightning!
“Star Kid, just wait! This old man will surely kill you.” In the blink of an eye, the golden figure vanished, but his venomous voice lingered like a persistent curse, echoing ceaselessly!
This speed of coming and going like the wind left everyone gaping in astonishment!
“What a shame, he got away,” Sui Yun said with a hint of helplessness.
“It’s lucky we managed to drive him off,” Yan Chu said from atop the giant Ice Wolf, retracting the Magic Crystal Cannon! He practically collapsed onto the ground, utterly drained!
Even now, Yan Chu couldn't believe that his single shot had managed, by some strange twist of fate, to strike that terrifying old monster! What astonished him even more was that the old monster hadn't been instantly vaporized after taking the direct hit!
Such monstrous defense was truly terrifying!
It seemed the power of the Magic Crystal Cannon still needed improvement!
“How is the Prince?”
Meanwhile, Ji Du and the others rushed quickly to the side of the large beast!
Whoo! The large beast cried mournfully and spat the Star onto the ground! Its leader-like eyes were filled with anxiety!
Sui Yun also looked grave, quickly taking the Star's pulse: “His meridians are severely damaged; he is gravely injured.”
“Can he be cured?” Ji Du asked anxiously.
“His life is temporarily saved. To heal completely, we must return to the Royal Seat and let Sui Xin treat him.” Sui Yun replied.
“That's a relief,” Shen Ru and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“I told you the Prince has great fortune; he’s experienced plenty of major storms,” Luo Hou remarked on the side.
“Yes, I hope he can pull through this time too,” Ji Du nodded slightly.
The others were left dumbstruck by the disastrous scene that resembled a nuclear explosion.
Even though the duel was long over.
The turbulent aftermath of the dense Dou Qi lingering in the air still left everyone with lingering fear!
“I never thought the Prince could fight the old monster Ice Chi to this extent,” Xiang Kong murmured in awe.
“Indeed.” Sui Yun also looked on with longing: “What a pity, to have missed such an earth-shattering duel.”
“...” As for Long Yuan, Fei Xue, and Feng Qing Tian, they could no longer hide their shock! Although they knew the Star could not be measured by common standards, every time they reunited with him seemed filled with shock and unbelievable miracles!
They knew his background intimately; it was hard to imagine how he achieved such astonishing progress in cultivation!
It seemed nothing was impossible for him.
“It looks like I won’t live long enough to catch up to the pace of this fellow,” Feng Qing Tian sighed deeply.
“Ha! I realized that long ago,” Long Zhan said: “I just hope we aren't left too far behind by him.”