Even if Xiao Wu had wanted to leave now, she couldn't. The Ice Phoenix released by Shui Bing'er had already locked tightly onto both her and Lin Jie.
The massive Ice Phoenix descended swiftly from the sky, its size over seven meters. Compared to it, Lin Jie and Xiao Wu looked like ants.
Standing in front of Xiao Wu, Lin Jie faced the Phoenix without fear.
The spectators were puzzled. Were they really planning to take it head-on?
Seeing the two Shrek students still not dodging, Shui Bing'er shouted anxiously from above, "Do you want to die?! Get out of the way—I can barely control it!"
The Ice Phoenix trembled mid-air, but the energy it carried was beyond her ability to halt.
Lin Jie heard her words and smiled softly. What a kind girl. But surrender? Not his style.
"Xiao Wu, fall back."
"Got it." She immediately retreated to the edge of the arena.
With a shout, lightning surged from Lin Jie's hands.
Zzzzzzt… crackle…
Blue-white lightning coiled around him, surging across his body. As it intensified, streaks of deep violet-black emerged.
The lightning heightened his reflexes, hardened his body, and formed a living armor around him.
With his current speed, Lin Jie could've easily dodged. But Xiao Wu might not have. So instead, he chose to test the limits of his Lightning Armor.
The radiant blue Ice Phoenix descended like a god's judgment. Cold winds howled, snow danced—Drifting Snow was terrifying.
In that moment, Lin Jie shot forward like a cannonball, charging straight at the Phoenix.
He ignored the freezing tide, his right hand extended, fingers tight. Lightning howled like birds as it gathered. As it peaked, the cries faded—replaced by a blade of concentrated lightning.
Extreme Lightning Raikiri (Chidori).
He struck straight at the Ice Phoenix.
BOOM!!!
As Raikiri met Phoenix, a colossal explosion tore through the arena. The Phoenix shattered less than ten meters from the ground.
Frozen energy surged outward, covering the entire stage. Ice spikes rose from the floor. The platform's center caved in under the pressure.
Tianshui's team members jumped off instantly. Xiao Wu, protected by Invincible Golden Body, withstood the impact.
She landed on the frozen stage, trembling slightly but unharmed. Circulating Spirit Power, she expelled the cold.
Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu dropped onto the icy arena, pale and barely standing.
At the moment of impact, Lin Jie pierced through the Ice Phoenix—but the icy energy surged over him, freezing his lightning armor and seeping toward his body.
The fusion technique's power was evident.
Even so, Lin Jie endured. He shook off the frost, dispersed the armor, and slowly descended.
The girls stared, dazed. He blocked it.
Shui Bing'er couldn't understand. Even a Spirit King should have fallen. The cold alone should have delayed anyone's reaction. But Lin Jie? Unscathed.
The audience didn't get it either. The attack had devastated the arena—and Lin Jie was still standing.
Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu were pale, spent, and in Spirit Power overdraft.
Lin Jie landed and walked toward them, step by step.
Seeing him, Shui Bing'er knew: they had lost.
Xiao Wu, having recovered, walked over to join him.
Now only four remained: Lin Jie and Xiao Wu still able to fight, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu completely drained.
The outcome was clear.
When Lin Jie reached within three meters, Shui Bing'er asked hoarsely, "Can you tell me... how you did it?"
He paused, recalling how she had warned him earlier—not out of strategy, but genuine concern. She hadn't wanted to hurt him.
Looking at this beautiful, kind girl, he chose not to lie.
"Which part do you want to ask about?" he said softly.
"…Which part?" she echoed, confused. She wanted to ask about both—the ice shield earlier, and how he withstood the Ice Phoenix. But she hesitated.
Seeing this, Lin Jie replied gently, "One of my abilities is Ice Immunity."
"Ice Immunity…" Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu murmured. A bitter smile touched their lips.
"Then… why did my first ability freeze you earlier?" she asked.
"My immunity only works against energy-based ice. Your first Spirit Ability is physical, so it still affects me. As for the Ice Phoenix—I did take some damage… but…"
He trailed off.
They understood. And smiled bitterly.
"…We lost," Shui Bing'er admitted. Hard words—but she was no sore loser.
Lin Jie nodded. In their condition, they couldn't continue.
"Lin Jie… we won, right?" Xiao Wu asked softly.
"I guess so," he replied.
Shui Bing'er glanced at Xiao Wu. Though a little battered, she wasn't hurt. The bitterness in Shui Bing'er's smile deepened.
Just then, the referee cautiously stepped onto the arena, clearly shaken by the scale of destruction.
"…Is it over?" he asked.
Shui Bing'er nodded. "We lost."
Lin Jie and Xiao Wu nodded in response.