Frozen Battle — Ice Against Flame
The air grew bitterly cold the instant WuBie raised his hand. It was not the sharp chill of winter, but a suffocating, absolute cold that sank into bone and spirit alike. Frost spread across the ground in violent waves, sealing cracked earth, shattered stone, and scorched remnants of past battles beneath a flawless sheet of ice. Even the wind seemed to freeze mid-howl.
Above them, WuBie's icy attacks descended without mercy.
Blades of ice, spears of frost, and shards as sharp as divine steel rained from the sky, each one carrying the crushing authority of a god of water at full wrath. Xiao Yan reacted instantly. Fire burst from his back as blazing wings erupted, flames roaring against the encroaching cold. For a brief moment, the battlefield glowed orange and gold as fire met ice in a violent clash.
But the cold was too absolute.
The flames dimmed. Ice crept along Xiao Yan's wings, crawling like living chains, extinguishing fire piece by piece. His breath hitched as the freezing qi invaded his meridians. Cracks formed in the fire itself, and with a sharp cry of pain, the wings shattered into embers.
Xiao Yan fell.
He crashed into the frozen ground, skidding across the ice before coming to a halt. His godly aura flickered violently as he reverted to his human form. His right hand lay stiff and pale against the ground, completely frozen, trembling uncontrollably. Frost crawled up his arm, numbing sensation and strength alike.
"Xiao Yan!" LuQi shouted.
The Saint surged forward without hesitation, forcing his cultivation outward in a desperate attempt to shield him. He took only two steps.
WuBie's eyes flicked toward him.
In an instant, LuQi froze mid-motion. Ice locked around his legs, climbed his torso, and sealed his arms to his sides. His expression twisted with strain as his breath turned white, his body immobilized like a statue carved from frost.
"No—!" Di'or cried.
She spun away, trying to retreat, trying to escape the invisible pressure bearing down on them. The ground beneath her feet crystallized instantly. Ice surged upward, swallowing her legs, her waist, her chest, until she too stood frozen, eyes wide with fury and helplessness.
Around them, disciples cried out in terror.
One by one, they were caught.
The temperature dropped further, impossibly so. Teeth chattered violently. Cultivation failed. Qi stagnated. Bodies shook as frost wrapped around limbs, binding them in place. No one could move. No one could resist.
WuBie descended slowly from the sky, his feet never touching the ground. Ice swirled beneath him like a living sea, lifting him with calm, terrifying grace. His gaze passed over the frozen Saints and disciples without interest.
Then his eyes settled on Nem.
"Demon Lord," WuBie said quietly. His voice carried effortlessly across the frozen battlefield. "Devil God… Tie Nem."
Nem's expression hardened. For the first time, unease flickered in his eyes. "You remember," he said slowly. "How did you survive?"
WuBie's eyes did not waver. "The Ansha saved many souls that day," he replied, his tone calm but edged with lethal certainty. "But he is not here now."
The ice beneath his feet cracked outward.
"I will end this."
Nem clenched his fists, his mind racing. "You're overestimating yourself," he muttered, forcing composure. "Even the Ansha is holding back… for that child. Don't let this cloud your judgment."
WuBie's gaze sharpened. "Such excuses…" His voice echoed, each word pressing down like an executioner's blade.
Then, unexpectedly, he turned his attention fully to Nem.
"You're smart," WuBie said. "I value talent. Work for me, and I might spare you."
The battlefield fell deathly silent.
Xiao Yan forced himself upright despite the pain, frost cracking along his arm. "Why can't you beg me to keep your secret?" he demanded, his voice hoarse but resolute.
WuBie turned toward him slowly. "I have no secret to hide," he replied coldly. "I never wanted to impersonate the Ansha. But you trusted me too much."
His eyes narrowed.
"That is why Mi-An was manipulated… to ensure your trust."
The words struck Xiao Yan harder than any attack. His breath faltered, rage and realization colliding violently within his chest.
"And the prophecy?" Xiao Yan demanded. "You said you were indomitable."
WuBie laughed—a low, chilling sound that echoed across the frozen land. "I just… enjoy the drama."
The ice creaked loudly.
Then—
A new presence cut through the frozen battlefield like a blade through silk.
The air trembled.
The frost shuddered.
And suddenly, Mi-An appeared.