The Academy's back mountain dueling platform had seen many confrontations over the years, but rarely had one been arranged with such deliberate privacy. Word of the challenge had spread quickly through whispered conversations—Skywater Academy's captain requesting a formal duel with Heaven Dou's infamous poison specialist.
Now, as the two young women faced each other across the stone platform, the handful of students who had gathered to witness this unprecedented matchup could feel the tension crackling in the air like lightning before a storm.
"This is between her and me," Shui Bing'er declared as her sister Shui Yue'er started to step forward. Her voice carried absolute determination as she looked firmly at Dugu Yan across from them. "I won't allow anyone else to interfere, and I'll accept whatever the outcome may be."
The formal words of challenge spoken, Shui Bing'er's three spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple—materialized beneath her feet in a display of controlled power.
**"Screech—"**
A clear phoenix cry echoed throughout the back mountain, so pure and haunting that even the watching students fell silent in awe. A light blue ice phoenix phantom suddenly manifested and soared into the sky above the platform, its wings spread wide in magnificent display.
The effect was immediate and dramatic. Within a 400-meter radius, the temperature plummeted so rapidly that frost formed on the observers' clothing. The dueling platform's stone surface became covered with a thick layer of solid ice that gleamed like a polished mirror.
The students watching from the safety of the mountainside wrapped their arms around themselves, circulating their spirit power to resist the spreading cold. Though the phoenix was breathtakingly beautiful, the bitter chill made even the most enthusiastic male spectators lose their appetite for cheering.
"Skywater Academy's Shui Bing'er, Ice Phoenix spirit, Level 36 Spirit Elder," she announced with formal courtesy, her breath visible in the frigid air. "Please enlighten me."
Facing the intimidatingly cold presence of Shui Bing'er, Dugu Yan found her spirit power being constantly drained just by standing on the ice-covered platform. But something unexpected was happening—her martial soul seemed to be resonating with something deeper, creating a sensation she couldn't quite identify.
As her own spirit manifested, a brown-scaled dragon phantom automatically appeared behind her, rising to meet the ice phoenix at equal height in the sky above.
**"Roar—"**
The dragon's roar clashed with the phoenix's cry in a battle of auras, but the hierarchy of mythical beasts made itself known immediately. A phoenix was still a phoenix, regardless of element, while a scaled dragon, no matter how proud, was not a true dragon. The Rock Territory Poison Scaled Dragon's roar grew progressively weaker, its massive head inevitably lowering in an instinctive display of deference.
Yet rather than feeling defeated by this display, both women experienced something entirely unexpected—an intensifying sense of spiritual connection that seemed to bridge the gap between their very souls.
Shui Bing'er's eyes widened with confusion as she stared at Dugu Yan. "Something's not right," she murmured, more to herself than to her opponent. "Her spirit... It's resonating with mine. Could this sense of familiarity mean our souls are highly compatible? Capable of producing a..."
The thought struck them both simultaneously, occupying their minds so completely that for a moment, the formal duel was forgotten entirely.
*Spirit fusion technique.*
But Shui Bing'er forced herself to focus, pushing the intriguing possibility aside. Another persistent question nagged at her thoughts: when exactly had Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Serpent spirit evolved into a dragon-type? The transformation suggested power growth far beyond what should be possible for someone their age.
Both women shook their heads almost in unison, casting such distracting thoughts aside. They were in the middle of a formal spirit duel—they absolutely couldn't allow irrelevant speculation to interfere with their performance.
Four standard spirit rings appeared beneath Dugu Yan's feet in succession, their glow reflecting off the icy platform surface. Looking directly at Shui Bing'er with newfound confidence, she made her own formal introduction:
"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Dugu Yan, Rock Territory Poison Scaled Dragon spirit, Level 49 Spirit Ancestor. Please enlighten me."
The revelation of Dugu Yan's true power level sent shock waves through the watching students. Gasps and excited whispers echoed from the mountainside as the implications sank in.
"What? Did I hear that correctly? Sister Yan is actually a Level 49 Spirit Ancestor—just one level away from Spirit King!"
"No wonder she kept her abilities so hidden within the academy. And her spirit is incredibly similar to the legendary Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"
Dugu Yan allowed herself a moment of satisfaction at the surprised expressions surrounding them before launching into action.
"First spirit skill: Red Turbid Sand Domain!"
Large amounts of reddish-brown sand erupted around Dugu Yan like a localized sandstorm, with streams of it rapidly attacking toward Shui Bing'er in coordinated waves.
Far from panicking, Shui Bing'er smiled confidently and stepped back to steady her footing. With fluid grace, she touched her right hand to the icy ground.
"First spirit skill: Ice Seal!"
Numerous thick ice spikes shot up from the dueling platform in perfect formation, creating an impenetrable ice barrier that not only blocked the flying sand but began to freeze it solid upon contact.
But Shui Bing'er's counterattack was far from finished. Taking advantage of the ice surface's natural slipperiness, she glided across the platform with supernatural speed, reaching Dugu Yan's side before her opponent could react.
"Ice Seal!" she called again, instantly freezing Dugu Yan into a perfect ice sculpture, her arms and legs locked in place.
Inside her crystalline prison, Dugu Yan felt a surge of indignation at being caught so easily. Her anger became fuel for her power as she activated her second spirit skill from within the ice.
"Second spirit skill: Earth Wave Swamp!"
The effect was immediate and devastating. A crisp sound filled the air—
**"Hiss—"**
**"Crack—"**
The entire dueling platform, frozen solid by thick ice just moments before, developed a web of cracks that spread like lightning. The ice split into countless chunks of broken fragments, while green poisonous fog began seeping up from the swamp-like ground that Dugu Yan's skill had created.
However, the interaction between ice and swamp proved more complex than either combatant had anticipated. The ice fragments absorbed much of the poisonous fog, neutralizing its intended effect while simultaneously freeing Dugu Yan from her frozen prison.
This unexpected turn of events caught Shui Bing'er completely off guard. The innate power of her Ice Phoenix spirit and the Ice Seal technique had countered two of Dugu Yan's spirit skills almost effortlessly—but now her opponent was free and had two more abilities waiting to be used.
Time for a more serious approach.
"Second spirit skill: Ice Phoenix Splitting Ring Strike!"
Magnificent blue phoenix wings suddenly materialized on Shui Bing'er's back, while armor made of gleaming ice crystals formed over her entire body. This was her most prized enhancement-type spirit skill—beyond allowing flight and amplifying her other abilities' power, it provided a significant 20% increase to both her speed and defense attributes.
She soared through the air like a descending ice phoenix, diving toward Dugu Yan with devastating intent. But her opponent merely smiled calmly, consuming a large amount of spirit power to activate her most defensive ability.
"Fourth spirit skill: Rock Armor Defense!"
The collision was spectacular. The sound of a violent impact echoed across the mountain as countless ice fragments scattered in all directions, creating a brilliant shower of frozen crystals. A faint white mist rose from the center of the dueling platform, and within that mist, the massive shadow of a dragon's tail could be glimpsed.
When the mist finally cleared, Shui Bing'er lay motionless on the ground, her ice crystal armor shattered and her breathing labored.
"I lost," she admitted quietly, her voice carrying both disappointment and grudging respect. "I was defeated by my own overconfidence."
From the dive attack to Shui Bing'er's defeat, the entire decisive exchange had taken less than three seconds, leaving the watching students completely bewildered by the sudden reversal.
"Wasn't Shui Bing'er dominating just a moment ago? How did she lose in less than three seconds?"
After a moment of stunned silence, the surrounding Heaven Dou Imperial Academy students began cheering enthusiastically, celebrating Dugu Yan's impressive victory against such a formidable opponent.
But as Shui Yue'er helped her sister to her feet, Dugu Yan found herself experiencing that strange spiritual connection even more intensely. The feeling was unmistakable now—their souls were definitely compatible in ways that went far beyond normal martial resonance.
"Sister Bing'er," she called out, her earlier hostility completely replaced by genuine curiosity, "come with me. I have some things I'd like to discuss with you privately."
"Alright," Shui Bing'er agreed, having acknowledged Dugu Yan's superior strength and strategic thinking. She, too, had private words she wanted to share, especially about that unusual resonance they'd both experienced.
---
The walk to Dugu Yan's dormitory was conducted in thoughtful silence, both young women processing what they had experienced during their brief but intense confrontation. Once inside the private room, Shui Bing'er immediately locked the door behind them, ensuring they wouldn't be interrupted.
Turning to face each other, both women opened their mouths to speak, only to voice the same thought in perfect unison:
"Spirit fusion technique."
The synchronized words hung in the air for a moment before both women burst into surprised laughter—the kind of genuine, delighted laughter that can instantly dissolve years of hostility and misunderstanding.
"I didn't expect you to have the exact same feeling," Shui Bing'er said, her previous tension melting away completely.
"Of course I did!" Dugu Yan replied enthusiastically. "From the moment my Rock Territory Poison Scaled Dragon spirit manifested, I felt that natural spiritual connection. It was like our souls were meant to work together."
The realization filled Dugu Yan with unexpected joy. She hadn't expected to meet such a kindred spirit today, especially not someone who apparently shared her complicated feelings about a certain absent young man. This had to be what some people called destiny.
Taking the initiative, Dugu Yan reached out to clasp Shui Bing'er's hand in a gesture of genuine friendship.
"Sister Bing'er, I owe you an apology for my behavior earlier. I wasn't entirely honest about that... difficult man we both seem to care about. The truth is, he still hasn't returned from wherever he disappeared to, and no word has come back about his condition."
"That doesn't matter anymore," Shui Bing'er replied with surprising composure, though her eyes betrayed lingering concern. "I've gotten used to his unpredictable nature after all these years. That damn man and his mysterious ways aren't the most important thing right now."
Her expression brightened with sudden inspiration. "But if you and I can really master a spirit fusion technique together, when that man finally returns, we'll be able to teach him a proper lesson and vent all our accumulated frustrations."
Looking at the determined expression on Shui Bing'er's face, Dugu Yan found herself in complete agreement with the suggestion. How had she not thought of using a spirit fusion technique as the perfect method of getting revenge for all his thoughtless disappearances?
Though they spoke of punishment and frustration, both women remained genuinely worried about his safety and well-being. The bravado was a thin cover for deeper fears they weren't quite ready to voice.
"Where on earth is that damn man now?" they wondered silently, their thoughts turning toward someone whose absence had somehow managed to bring them together as allies instead of rivals.