Tang Xiaoqi's easy, nonchalant one-finger defeat of Vajra Gate Batu, the resulting heated discussion not yet faded. Most of the audience's gazes on the plaza were involuntarily drawn to another arena—Arena Nine.
The reason was simple—who was about to step onto it was one of the most watched figures of this conference, co-holder of first place on the Ascending Heaven Ladder, current heir of Crimson Star Sacred Land—Mu Xue.
Her opponent was equally attention-grabbing. A cultivator named Wule from Southern Frontier's Ten Thousand Poison Marsh. This person was thin and withered, his complexion an unhealthy blue-black, eye sockets deep, fingernails long and purple-black, faint sweet-fishy scent hovering around him, making people nauseous. Clearly a master who had immersed himself in poison techniques for many years.
"Wule from Ten Thousand Poison Marsh! It's said his poison techniques are mysteriously unpredictable, can corrode spiritual energy and erode souls. Many same-level cultivators have fallen to him, dying in extremely miserable ways!"
"Mu Xue Immortal is strong, but facing this kind of evil left-path poison technique, she'll probably have a hard time, right?"
"Poison techniques are hardest to defend against. One careless mistake and you could fall into the trap. Immortal Mu Xue needs to be careful."
Below arena discussions flew everywhere, most rather wary of Wule, while also worried for Mu Xue. After all, poison techniques were different from frontal combat, often more sinister and unforeseeable.
Xiaoqi also stood near Arena Five, his gaze toward Arena Nine. He had always been curious about Mu Xue's strength. This battlegood (just right) allowed him a glimpse.
Zhao Tiezhu leaned over, his voice like a jar: "Little Seven brother, that effeminate-looking guy obviously isn't a good person. Immortal Mu Xue won't suffer a loss, right?"
Xiaoqi slightly shook his head, his gaze composed: "Just watch."
On the arena, the elder judge announced the start.
That Wule gave an icy smile, revealing a mouthful of black-yellow teeth, his voice hoarse like a poisonous snake's tongue: "Heh heh, Crimson Star Sacred Land's Immortal? Delicate and fair, just right to test my new (treasure)!" Before his words even finished, both hands swung forward violently!
Not hidden weapons, but massive areas of dense ink-black, churning poison fog! The moment that fog appeared, it rapidly diffused, carrying a choking rotten smell. Not only did it block vision, but the arena's surrounding protective light barrier was corroded, making sizzling sounds, spiritual light slightly dimming! Showing how extremely potent the toxicity was!
At the same time, countless tiny needles like cow hair, flickering with ghostly blue luster, hid within the poison fog, like a bee swarm, silently shooting toward Mu Xue's vital points! These poison needles were obviously extraordinary, with tremendous penetrating power, specialized in breaking protective spiritual auras!
"What vicious means!"
"Attacking with killing moves from the start!"
Exclamations of shock rose from the arena.
Wule's face showed (smug) fierce smile. His "Ten Thousand Poison Miasma" combined with "Spirit Corroding Poison Needles" had secretly killed countless strong enemies. In his view, even if this Mu Xue was a Crimson Star Sacred Land heir, in that sudden moment she would absolutely struggle to resist. As long as even a trace of poison fog touched her or a poison needle struck, victory and defeat would be decided!
However, facing this overwhelming, vicious assault, Mu Xue's expression didn't change in the slightest. She didn't even make any defensive or dodging posture. She simply stood there quietly, like a lotus on a snowy peak, cold and pure, detached from worldly affairs.
Just as that ink-black poison fog was about to swallow her, and the countless ghostly blue poison needles were already approaching—
She moved.
She merely raised her jade-like right hand, toward the front, and gently pressed down.
No earth-shaking momentum, no dazzling brilliant light.
Only a strand of terrifying cold, seemingly from the Nine Abysses below, able to freeze time and space, erupted from her center!
"Crackle-crackle-crackle—!!!"
A dense freezing sound, making scalps tingle, instantly swept across the entire Arena Nine!
Time seemed to solidify at this moment.
That churning, surging black poison fog, at three chi before Mu Xue's body, was forcibly frozen in place! Maintaining its churning posture, yet transformed into a massive, irregular black ice sculpture!
Those countless shooting ghostly blue poison needles were similarly frozen in mid-air, maintaining their shooting trajectory. The needle tips closest to Mu Xue were less than an inch away! Yet they could advance no further, covered with a thick layer of crystal-clear frost, ghostly blue luster dimmed and solidified beneath the ice.
Even the arena floor, air, and even light seemed affected by this terrifying cold, covered with white frost. Light refraction made the arena's scene appear somewhat twisted and blurred.
The entire Arena Nine, under Mu Xue's casual press, transformed into a massive, uncanny ice-sealed world!
And Mu Xue was the center of this ice-sealed world, unstained by dust, unharmed.
Wule's fierce smile froze completely, turning into boundless fear and disbelief. He felt his connection with the released poison fog and needles instantly severed. An irresistible cold turned back along that invisible connection, making him feel as if falling into an ice cellar, blood nearly freezing! He wanted to retreat, wanted to concede, yet found even lifting a finger difficult, thinking seemingly slowed by the cold.
Below the arena, dead silence.
Everyone widened their eyes, mouths open, like ducks with pinched necks, unable to make any sound. This scene before them exceeded the limits of their imagination.
With a wave of her hand, the entire arena sealed in ice! What terrifying strength? What absolute control over ice laws?
Even cultivators in other arenas who were mid-battle involuntarily stopped their movements, staring in horror at Arena Nine.
Xiaoqi's pupils slightly contracted, his heart shaken. He knew Mu Xue was strong, yet hadn't expected her to be this powerful! This effortless, nearly "law-following-word" control was absolutely not something an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator could possess. The Crimson Star Sacred Land's depth was truly unfathomable. He questioned himself—if he faced this move, even if he could dodge the core area relying on movement technique, he absolutely couldn't be this relaxed and nonchalant.
Zhao Tiezhu stared with eyes wide open, murmuring after a long while: "I... my (mother)... this... this is too..."
The elder judge also stared for quite some time before taking a deep breath, announcing loudly, his voice carrying an unnoticeable tremor: "Wule lost combat capability! Winner—Crimson Star Sacred Land, Mu Xue!"
As the announcement fell, Mu Xue's cold gaze swept across the ice-sealed Wule, not looking again, as if having done something insignificant. She again gently waved her hand.
"Peng!"
That massive black poison fog ice sculpture and countless poison needle ice shards instantly exploded into the finest ice crystal powder, falling rustling, leaving not a trace of toxin. The arena's cold also quickly receded.
Mu Xue turned, walking down the arena at a (calm and unhurried) pace. Wherever she passed, the crowd automatically parted a path. Gazing eyes were filled with reverence and shock.
Ice-sealing thousand miles, destroying enemies with a laugh and conversation.
Mu Xue demonstrated absolute strength in this nearly crushing victory, declaring to all—She, Mu Xue, possessed the absolute strength to compete for this conference's championship! Her power was profound and unfathomable, causing despair yet also longing.
Xiaoqi watched her departing back, his gaze even more solemn. The conference's strong ones were far more numerous and powerful than he anticipated. Every step ahead required giving one's all.