Chapter 297: Ice Bloom of the Battlefield
When Xiao Lan pointed her ice sword at the Killing God Douluo, Xiao Qiang's first reaction was—
"Don't mess around!"
He instinctively tried to stand up and stop her, but his body was still too weak to cooperate.
The invincible shield had vanished, and now Xiao Lan stood alone facing the terrifying Killing God Douluo. During the short time the shield was active, her opponent hadn't remained idle either. The Killing God Douluo had been frantically gathering a massive amount of bloody evil energy into his Killing Sword, preparing to unleash another devastating strike.
Xiao Lan stepped forward, her Ice Snow Girl Martial Spirit erupting in full. Her body grew noticeably taller; her long black hair turned to flowing snow-white silk, and her eyes shimmered with icy blue light. Her exquisite face now bore an uncanny resemblance to the Snow Empress, as if she had transformed into a youthful version of the legendary being.
Four soul rings—three red and one orange—spiraled around her before quickly merging. A stunning blue-gold soul ring appeared above them all as her aura surged. She charged, and her ice sword collided with the Killing Sword.
The battlefield went silent.
The Killing Sword shattered—cleanly split in two. The Killing God Douluo was likewise cleaved apart under the immense power of Xiao Lan's strike.
Everyone watching from the Soul Palace was stunned.
Even Xiao Qiang was in complete disbelief. No, especially Xiao Qiang.
In his mind, Xiao Lan was still just a child—a fifteen-year-old girl. In his previous world, that was merely the age to attend high school. Even in the Douluo Continent, it wasn't the prime age for a high-level soul master, let alone battlefield dominance.
He had never imagined Xiao Lan as a top-tier combatant in the current conflict—at least, not yet. But now, she had killed a level 97 evil soul master with a single attack.
Even Xiao Qiang, who had read all three parts of the Douluo series, had never seen a protagonist this strong at her age. He recalled his own fifteen-year-old self—struggling to defeat Dai Yaoheng despite multiple golden plug-ins.
Then Tianmeng's voice rang out in Xiao Qiang's spiritual sea:
"Don't be too surprised. Look at the resources she used. The leg and head bones are both hundred-thousand-year-level. Her left arm is from a two-hundred-thousand-year Ice Bear King, and the right arm is a two-hundred-thousand-year Ice Jade Scorpion. The palm bone on her left hand may seem weaker, but it's an external bone that's been enhanced by fusion rings. Her right palm has the Eight-angled Black Ice Grass—also a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. Behind her is a seventy-thousand-year Ice Spirit Bird external soul bone, which has now reached hundred-thousand-year strength. And don't forget the two-hundred-thousand-year Evil Eye Tyrant external skull. At level 89, her combat power isn't far from yours."
Xiao Qiang muttered to himself, "I guess I've been too hung up on age. With twin martial spirits and enough high-level resources, power can come quickly."
He looked around at the enemy forces and nodded to himself.
"But after this battle, unless someone descends from the heavens, we can finally take our time."
With the death of the level 97 Killing God Douluo, the momentum shifted decisively in favor of the Soul Palace. As long as the Holy Spirit Church was crushed, Shrek—already weak and self-destructing—would cease to be a threat. Even if Xuan Zi miraculously survived with his level 98 cultivation intact, one man couldn't turn the tide alone.
After slaying the Killing God Douluo, Xiao Lan raised her sword and shouted to her forces:
"All members of the Soul Palace—eliminate every last evil soul master!"
"Yes, Miss!"
"Yes, Palace Master!"
With strength and status on her side, Xiao Lan now held complete authority over the Soul Palace.
Xiao Qiang, his spiritual energy still functioning, focused on scanning the battlefield and sharing information. Under Xiao Lan's leadership, the Soul Palace and its allied factions began a fierce counterattack against the Holy Spirit Church.
Other factions that had remained neutral began joining the fray. Though few dared to challenge the Church at its peak, now that it was falling, many found unexpected courage. It was easy to beat a drowning dog.
"Damn it!" Ye Xishui cursed in frustration.
Her Death God Tower wasn't enough to close the gap between her and the Snow Empress. Though she raged, Xue Di's dominance kept her contained. Worse, her emotional outburst nearly got her seriously injured.
"Xishui!"
Long Xiaoyao, witnessing Ye Xishui nearly fall, went berserk. In this continent of emotions, his love for her had lasted over two centuries. He could tolerate injury, but he couldn't bear to see Ye Xishui hurt.
He burned his soul and mental power without hesitation, forcing Mu Qingxue—who had entered fusion ring state—to retreat. Then, in a flash, he transformed into a massive dragon and shielded Ye Xishui with his body.
"Xiaoyao, you…" Ye Xishui looked at him, overwhelmed.
"I told you," Long Xiaoyao said fiercely, "No one can hurt you unless they step over my dead body!"
Ye Xishui was silent for a long moment. Then she whispered:
"You really haven't changed…"
Despite wielding the Phoenix of Light and possessing rebirth abilities, she hadn't chosen to retreat. Instead, she wanted to test whether Long Xiaoyao's love still endured after all these years.
Now she had her answer.
Though Long Xiaoyao's life was nearing its end, Ye Xishui felt no sorrow. If he died for her, she would die with him.
Watching this unfold, Xiao Qiang sighed deeply, then looked to his allies.
"Does anyone have a way to enhance physical fitness temporarily?"