Layer upon layer of ice walls surrounded Fang Han, solid as forged steel. The chill radiating from them was ten times sharper than before—enough to rend flesh and bone apart in moments. Even a Divine Transformation master who touched that frost would be frozen into a statue within seconds.
Yet despite being sealed within the fortress of ice, Fang Han's body remained unharmed. His mana circulated fiercely, forming a barrier that the frost could not pierce. Still, he was trapped—his movements restricted, his strength suppressed.
"Han Chi!" Long Xuan's clear voice echoed beyond the walls. "Pierce the ice—strike!"
The dragon sword twisted its body like a living creature and dove into the icy layers, vanishing from sight. A heartbeat later, it burst from the wall beside Fang Han, jaws open, unleashing another Frost Soul Thunder. The white orb detonated upon contact with his mana, shaking his protective aura and thickening the frozen prison around him once more.
So powerful! Fang Han thought grimly. Even my vast mana trembles before that lightning. If not for my Yama Golden Body, I'd already be a sculpture of ice. Were I at the second stage of the Divine Ability Realm—the True Essence stage—I could have shattered this frost with a thought. But for now, this will take effort.
Each icy layer was tougher than refined steel, while the Han Chi Sword slid through them as if through water—born, after all, from a frost wyrm that had spent eons in frozen seas. The sword thrived within the ice; Fang Han, on the other hand, had to burn through tremendous mana just to resist it.
Again and again, the sword released Frost Soul Thunder, its relentless blasts meant to wear him down. Mana, like stamina, would eventually run dry.
"Fang Han," Long Xuan's voice floated through the frost, soft but confident, "you're trapped within the walls of my Frost Soul Thunder. Your mana will soon be exhausted. Unless you wield a treasure powerful enough to break free, you'll be spent even if you escape. It seems I have the upper hand this time."
"Not necessarily!" Fang Han's laughter boomed from within the ice.
Suddenly, his aura collapsed inward—his mana retracting completely into his body. The frost seized the opportunity, flooding in with full force. Layers thickened, hardening around him until he was truly frozen, even his flesh encased in crystalline frost.
"What?" Long Xuan's eyes narrowed. "He's drawing his power inward to explode it outward in one strike? Foolish—he'll break free, but at the cost of nearly all his mana. And allowing the cold to reach his body like that… he's willing to injure himself?"
The watching elders murmured amongst themselves.
"This isn't wise."
"Even if he breaks free, his strength will be gone."
"Still… impressive control. And Long Xuan's mastery of the Han Chi Sword is astounding."
"He should've struck harder earlier. Soft-heartedness has no place in a duel of this level."
Then—BOOM!
A thunderous roar shook the entire platform. Fang Han's retracted power erupted outward like ten thousand galloping steeds. Wave after wave of explosive force rippled through the air—hundreds of shockwaves in an instant.
The ice walls shattered violently, chunks of frost launching outward like meteors. Disciples screamed and ducked as shards the size of boulders crashed around the arena.
The Han Chi Sword sensed danger and withdrew instantly, darting back into Long Xuan's waiting hand.
As the storm of shattered ice subsided, Fang Han emerged—his breath visible in the cold air. Long Xuan's eyes flashed. A talisman between her fingers ignited in a burst of light, and her figure vanished, reappearing high above to avoid the brunt of his counterattack.
Hovering in the air, she raised her hand. The Han Chi Sword streaked down once more—and from her other palm, she sent forth a second weapon: a small golden ring. It glimmered innocuously as it flew—but then swelled rapidly, expanding into a giant loop aimed straight at Fang Han.
It was her hidden trump card—the Golden Hoop. Once it locked onto its target, it would shrink and tighten, crushing bone and bursting skulls. When placed on the head, it could be used to control or execute its victim with a single thought.
It was a cunning treasure—less a weapon than a snare. Its power lay in surprise. And now, with Fang Han's mana seemingly depleted and the Han Chi Sword providing cover, the golden hoop descended—inescapable.
"The outcome is decided," an elder murmured.
"Long Xuan is remarkable—she's subdued even a Divine Ability expert."
"Fang Han was too confident. To rely only on his mana against two treasures—imprudent."
But then—
A surge of blinding power erupted from Fang Han's body.
"What—how does he still have this much mana?!"
"Fajing!" one disciple shouted. "He's using Mana Crystals!"
Indeed, luminous crystals floated around Fang Han, each one radiating boundless spiritual energy.
He raised both hands—twin vortexes of mana condensed into enormous palms of light. With a thunderous clap, they seized both the Han Chi Sword and the Golden Hoop midair, crushing their momentum and dragging them into his control.
Before Long Xuan could react, he swept his arm outward. Threads of mana shot from his fingertips, weaving into a vast, glowing net that expanded and snapped shut around her.
Long Xuan struggled—but it was like a fish caught in a celestial web.
"Mana crystals…" she gasped. "So that's how—you replenished your power mid-battle!"
"I yield," she called quickly, her voice calm despite her defeat. "Please, Fang Han, show mercy."
Fang Han's mana dissipated in an instant. The shimmering net unraveled, and both captured treasures floated gently toward Long Xuan. He smiled faintly.
"Your techniques are exquisite, Junior Sister Long. But this round, I had the advantage."
As he landed, the crowd erupted. The duel was over.
Fang Han—victorious.
The new number one on the Mountains and Rivers Ranking.
The Yin-Yang Longevity Pill and the Golden Radiance Flame Mirror were now his.