When Zhu Bing saw Shan Mao unleash his third spirit skill, she was first startled, then retreated a short distance. Only after confirming that Shan Mao's third skill was purely defensive did she tentatively advance for two strikes. The Ice-Ring Blade cut against Shan Mao's body, producing a crisp metallic snap as it bounced off his Immovable Vajra golden aura.
"Looks like a purely defensive skill… trying to hold out until his teammate can assist?"
Zhu Bing muttered under her breath, eyes flicking from the unyielding Shan Mao to her teammate and the opposing Blackstar Mantis user. Although they weren't terribly far, it would still take several seconds to reach her. And those few seconds were more than enough for her to react.
Sizing up the situation, Zhu Bing assumed a concealed blade stance, hiding her Ice-Ring Blade at her left waist, holding the pose, seemingly challenging Shan Mao to see who would act first.
This stance was far from meaningless—it was the charging posture for her third spirit skill, Frozen River.
Her third skill was peculiar. To unleash it, she had to charge for at least three seconds. The longer the charge, the greater the skill's damage and range. Zhu Bing could theoretically continue charging until all her spirit power was infused, at which point the attack could rival another's fourth or fifth skill.
Yet, in the Spirit Arena, that minimum three-second charge often made the skill unusable. Few opponents would be foolish enough to stand there, waiting for her to charge. That's why Frozen River was rarely seen in matches.
But today, by chance, she had encountered a spirit master who did exactly that—stood still and let her charge.
Shan Mao watched Zhu Bing's posture. Though he didn't know its effect, it was clearly a charging stance. He immediately looked toward his teammate—but the Blackstar Mantis user was still locked in combat with the staff wielder. Only after seven or eight seconds did his eyes return to this side.
Both sides recognized the perfect moment.
The Blackstar Mantis user's third spirit ring flared. Spirit power infused his legs and back. Two thin, veil-like wings burst from his back. He bent his legs and thrust off the ground, creating a slight depression beneath his feet. Using the recoil, he vaulted several meters into the air, arcing precisely toward Zhu Bing and Shan Mao. Flapping his delicate wings midair, he adjusted his landing to fall directly behind Zhu Bing.
"Ah Bing!!!"
The staff wielder shouted in shock and fury, realizing in an instant everything had been planned. Every clash, every subtle maneuver—everything that had brought him and the Blackstar Mantis user to this exact position was part of the enemy's strategy!
"Ah~~ Wrath of the Vajra!"
As the staff master cried out, the motionless Shan Mao suddenly erupted. The fists he had held in front of him shot skyward, golden light spiraling outward.
This was the full expression of his third spirit skill—Wrath of the Vajra, the area knockback unleashed after charging his defensive skill, Immovable Vajra.
The roar of his teammate and the dispersing golden aura struck Zhu Bing almost simultaneously. In those split seconds, she had no time to react. She couldn't dodge, nor could she discern the reason behind the roar. The only option was to swing her hidden Ice-Ring Blade, releasing her long-charged third skill.
A massive ice-blue storm, streaked with frost, surged forward, engulfing Shan Mao.
*Spurt!*
Zhu Bing expelled a mouthful of blood midair. Not all her accumulated spirit power had been unleashed; the abrupt interruption caused severe internal backlash, leaving her seriously injured.
But it wasn't over yet. The Blackstar Mantis user was already descending.
"Referee! We surrender!!!"
With the staff wielder's concession, the Blackstar Mantis user and Zhu Bing passed each other in the air. He landed steadily, while Zhu Bing collapsed, unmoving.
*Ding!*
The bell rang, signaling victory and the match's end.
The Blackstar Mantis user hurried to Shan Mao, only to find him still holding his arms skyward, encased in ice-blue aura, a frozen sculpture. The ground from Zhu Bing's original spot to behind Shan Mao, over twenty meters, had turned into a glistening ice path.
Meanwhile, the staff master rushed to Zhu Bing. Only after checking and confirming she wasn't in mortal danger did he breathe a sigh of relief and collapse onto the ground beside her.
"Good~~~! Ohhh~~~!"
At that moment, the previously silent audience erupted in thunderous cheers. Even Dai Mubai and Qian Jue, who had been watching intently, couldn't help but clap.
Sometimes, battles between spirit masters were just that heart-stopping. From Shan Mao and the Blackstar Mantis user exchanging glances to the match's conclusion, only two or three seconds passed—but in that brief instant, the victor had been decided.
After the audience's cheers settled, two middle-aged men ascended the arena.
They approached the frozen Shan Mao and the fallen Zhu Bing. The man inspecting Shan Mao lightly examined him before suddenly slapping the top of his head.
Cracks appeared across the ice encasing Shan Mao.
*Crack, crack… crackle!*
Chunks of ice fell, revealing a bruised and shivering Shan Mao, tinged blue and purple.
*Clack, clack, clack…*
Shan Mao slowly lowered his arms, shivering as he hugged himself, teeth chattering. The Blackstar Mantis user quickly removed his coat and wrapped it around him. The fit wasn't perfect—he was far larger—but it helped a little.
"Quickly get him off stage and rinse with warm water. After restoring some warmth, exercise lightly to expel the chill."
The middle-aged man patted Shan Mao's broad back. "You're solidly built, young man. Don't worry, nothing serious."
He then moved to Zhu Bing's side.
"So, Old Xing, is this serious?" he asked softly to the other middle-aged man attending Zhu Bing.
Old Xing glanced at Shan Mao, slowly descending with the help of his teammate, and shook his head. Standing up, he said:
"Definitely more serious than your guy, but she'll be fine. The Blackstar Mantis user restrained himself; she was only knocked out. Most of the injury came from soul power backlash. No lasting effects expected."
Old Xing released his spirit, summoning a koala-like beast spirit that enveloped him. Five spirit rings appeared at his feet: one white, two yellow, two purple.
Qian Jue's eyes widened. That koala-like spirit was none other than the Green Pouch Beast—the very spirit beast whose second spirit skill his Kindred had absorbed.
Old Xing placed his hands above Zhu Bing's head, his fourth spirit ring glowing. Pale green spirit energy swirled between his palms, coalescing into a funnel.
As the energy solidified, the color shifted from light green to emerald. Emerald drops dripped from the funnel's tip, landing directly into Zhu Bing's mouth.
This continued for about a minute, until no more drops formed. Old Xing withdrew his spirit energy and the funnel vanished.
"All done. Rest now. Avoid strenuous activity for one week." He returned his spirit and, with a gentle warning, walked down the stage alongside the other middle-aged man.
*Phew.*
The staff master exhaled deeply, carrying Zhu Bing down. The audience erupted in applause once more.
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