In previous rounds of combat, the appearance of this lotus always signified Li Shuang's imminent victory. Under Li Shuang's current most powerful ultimate move, none of the previous demonic beasts had been able to withstand it.
This time, the moment the ice lotus bloomed, the Frost Dragon was briefly frozen into an ice sculpture. But in the next instant, she broke free. Li Shuang hadn't expected to win in one move. The moment the Frost Dragon broke free, the Black Abyss Sword was already upon her.
"Is that all you've got?" The Frost Dragon pushed aside the Black Abyss with her claw, her voice icy. "Now, it's my turn." She soared into the air, exhaling dragon's breath that froze everything. The entire world was suddenly engulfed in a massive blizzard.
This blizzard constantly intensified the cold on Li Shuang, but the Frost Dragon thrived in it, her magic power greatly enhanced. As a supreme ice spiritual root, it was the first time Li Shuang had been suppressed by ice-attributed spiritual energy. Under this powerful blizzard, her sword domain was affected; its range not only shrunk, but its various wondrous uses could not be fully deployed.
The moment Li Shuang was suppressed, the Frost Dragon's tail unceremoniously lashed out. Li Shuang moved with difficulty. Although she avoided a vital spot, she was still a moment too slow. With just one strike, a wound appeared on Li Shuang's body. The Frost Dragon had no intention of holding back; seeing Li Shuang injured, her attacks rained down one after another. For a moment, Li Shuang could only dodge.
The Frost Dragon's eyes were calm. She had waited for so many years; to say she didn't want to leave this place was impossible. But if she kept choosing and ended up with a weakling, it would be meaningless. Such a Li Shuang would never have made it this far.
She had thought that this human, who had absorbed the ninth-grade lotus seed, had some ability. But now, it seemed she was still lacking. A hint of disappointment flickered in the Frost Dragon's eyes. It seemed she would have to continue waiting!
Even though the battle had turned disadvantageous, Li Shuang's gaze showed no fluctuation. What if it was a dragon-shaped demonic beast? She could win! She must win! She just needed to find the right moment to seize victory.
Li Shuang dodged the attacks with difficulty, her gaze somewhat dazed as she looked at the swirling snow. Blizzard... The Foundation Establishment stage Frost Dragon didn't have many powerful offensive moves. The reason she held the absolute upper hand was this terrifying blizzard. A faint realization dawned on Li Shuang. This blizzard seemed to be an application of a domain.
Sword cultivators had sword domains. Other cultivators also had their domains. After absorbing the ninth-grade lotus seed, Li Shuang's sword domain had a delaying effect, but that was due to the lotus seed, not her own comprehension. But this blizzard was different. This seemed... to contain a profound and mysterious artistic conception.
Li Shuang slowly closed her eyes. Artistic conception? A glimmer of inspiration seemed to be flashing. As long as she grasped this glimmer, she could defeat the Frost Dragon before her.
In the jade slip space, Su Mu showed an expectant expression. For Li Shuang to master a sword domain at this age was already a sign of extraordinary talent. However, her opponent was the Frost Dragon, a powerful demonic beast that had already mastered an artistic conception. Under the same cultivation level, only an artistic conception could resist another artistic conception. In the eyes of true masters, a domain without an artistic conception was like a soulless human, utterly vulnerable. Only by comprehending her own sword intent could Li Shuang's sword domain possess a true soul.
This was originally what he intended to guide her towards. But under the catalysis of this Frost Dragon, Li Shuang seemed to be mastering sword intent ahead of schedule.
"That's enough. It ends here." A sigh from the Frost Dragon echoed in the air. Subsequently, the swirling snow became even denser. Li Shuang's figure was completely buried in the snow, and the Frost Dragon's sharp claws descended fiercely at that moment.
Just at that instant, Li Shuang suddenly opened her eyes. The swirling snow seemed to freeze for a moment. The Frost Dragon let out a soft "hmm." The next moment, Li Shuang's previously compressed sword domain expanded freely. Petals of ice lotus transformed into ice blades, cutting out a blank zone within the blizzard.
Su Mu smiled slightly, withdrawing his gaze and continuing to fish. This time, he truly had to thank the Frost Dragon. The artistic conception that Li Shuang would have needed another year or two to master had been forced out ahead of time. From now on, her sword domain could have its own name: Ice Lotus Sword Domain. How about that?
Su Mu looked at the fish in the lake, his expression leisurely. This battle... was no longer in suspense. He could also continue fishing with peace of mind. The most beautiful lotus petals unleashed the most formidable attacks.
The moment the blizzard paused, Li Shuang, for the last time, unleashed the Lotus in Ice. All spiritual energy was instantly drained, the blizzard froze in the air, and layers of ice blades also froze in the air. The Frost Dragon was frozen in place, somewhat horrified. In the end, she only saw a dazzling sword light.
"Congratulations, challenger, for successfully completing the challenge! You have obtained a key to Langya Palace." The moment the Frost Dragon completely disappeared from the arena, a mechanical voice simultaneously sounded.
Challenge... successful? A key appeared before Li Shuang. The moment Li Shuang grasped the key, it transformed into a mark, imprinted on her palm. Then, the mark completely disappeared from her palm. If Li Shuang hadn't vaguely felt a subtle connection between herself and the key, she would have thought this so-called key was an illusion.
The challenge was successful. Her tightly strung heart finally relaxed. Li Shuang wanted to walk away, but suddenly, she stumbled, unable to stand steadily, and fell directly onto the ice! "Xiao Shuang!" Liu Juncheng reacted immediately and rushed over.
In a peculiar palace, a water mirror was showing the scene of Li Shuang falling. A man with two horns on his head looked at a cold-faced woman. "Boss. Your Foundation Establishment stage beast body was defeated." The man chuckled, his expression rather gloating. The woman gave him a cold glance. The man's heart tightened, and he immediately shut his mouth.
"This is just the beginning." The woman's expression was calm. "Among those challengers, her current strength... is probably the weakest." "What's there to fear? There are still thirteen years until Langya Palace opens. Who knows, she might surpass the others later?" A man with several fangs said with a laugh. "Thirteen years from now... I look forward to it." The woman's icy voice fell, and the world returned to silence.
Ten days later, in a cave, Li Shuang slowly opened her eyes. The challenge at the ice lake had exhausted all her energy, and she had simply fallen into a deep sleep. However, with the operation of the Grand Forgetfulness Art, if any crisis arose, she would naturally be awakened. But this time, she had slept soundly for ten days, until she had fully recovered, before waking up. When did this Langya Secret Realm become so safe?