The cold night air had turned sharper. Silence blanketed the hills until Mike stepped forward, meeting Lingmu Yaohuan's stare.
Come on then, Mike said, voice steady. Show me what you've got.
Lingmu Yaohuan's lips curled in a smirk. As you wish, boy.
With a clenched fist, Lingmu Yaohuan released a burst of pressure air rippled violently around him, dirt rising from the ground. The trees nearby swayed under the invisible force.
Mike braced himself, his expression hardening. Dou Wang… One Star. His gaze sharpened. He's as strong as Master Jian Dao… but I can't back down now.
He pulled his hammer from his back, gripping it with both hands as his aura flared intense and golden, swirling like a storm. Across from him, Lingmu Yaohuan chuckled darkly.
A mere Dou Ba… Two Stars? Hah. Not even worth my time, the chief said with disdain.
Mike raised his hammer. Let's find out, shall we?
Their figures blurred then collided midair.
Boom!
The clash sent shockwaves tearing through the ground. Cracks split the dirt beneath them. Each strike echoed like thunder, their weapons colliding with raw force. Mike strained dodging, countering, striking back when he could but the pressure from Lingmu Yaohuan's spear was overwhelming.
From the sidelines, the Wolf King narrowed his eyes. With Mike distracted, he stepped forward to join the battle only to be stopped by a blade's cold edge.
Jian Dao appeared before him, calm but dangerous. Take one more step, he said in a voice low as thunder, and I'll tear your limbs off slowly.
You damn bastard, the Wolf King snarled. You think you're untouchable?
Jian Dao smirked. That was your last warning. Interfere, and you won't live to regret it.
Meanwhile, Lingmu Yaohuan's energy surged.
He activated a technique Beast Soul Resonance Ascension. His aura spiked as his cultivation momentarily rose to Dou Wang Three Stars. His eyes glowed, and a long silver spear appeared in his hand.
Mike's body was sent flying with the next blow. Blood sprayed across the ground as he struggled to rise, battered and burned.
Lingmu Yaohuan advanced with another vicious technique Twin Eclipse Claw. His fingers extended into shimmering dark-violet claws, radiating deadly energy. Each strike was aimed to paralyze, shatter, and sever.
Mike summoned his Sea Snake Flame, but even its heat couldn't keep up. The claws tore through his defenses his skin cut, his muscles bruised, his top scorched and torn.
He hit the ground, coughing blood.
Jian Dao stepped forward, eyes locked on his disciple. Mike, fall back and heal. I won't support you from here on not with healing, not emotionally. It's time you face this world's pain, cruelty… and truth.
Mike, shaking, slowly stood. He wiped the blood from his mouth and raised his head, his eyes burning with fire and resolve.
No, Master, he said through gritted teeth. Don't interfere. Not until one of us is dead.
Jian Dao gave a slight nod. Good. Then prove yourself.
Mike turned to Lingmu Yaohuan. Let's end this.
Yaohuan sneered, then raised his arms.
From behind him, three elite leaders of the Lingmu family appeared, forming a triangle formation around Mike. Energy began swirling at the center, creating a violet vortex. From it, a terrifying presence emerged.
The sky cracked open and a Giant Spiritual Wolf, pinkish black and massive, emerged, eyes glowing crimson.
Mike swung his hammer but the moment his attack neared the beast, it was dissolved by the wolf's aura.
This… is going to be tough, Mike muttered.
The Spiritual Wolf leapt forward but Mike activated his Ice Snake Flame.
Suddenly, the entire field changed. The temperature plummeted.
Frost crept over rocks. Trees froze mid-sway. Even the wind turned brittle.
Lingmu Yaohuan and his elders staggered. The Wolf King gritted his teeth, his breath turning white. Jian Dao popped a pill and smirked as the cold lost its grip on him.
The Ice Snake Flame burst across Mike's body and engulfed his hammer now glowing with white-blue flames. The wolf halted briefly, its massive body shivering. Mike took his chance.
With a powerful leap, he met the wolf midair and struck it with a crystalized blow.
Boom!
The beast shattered into glowing fragments crystalline shards raining down like snow. The triangle formation broke, and the three leaders fell to their knees, drained.
Fury twisted Lingmu Yaohuan's face. You bastard!
He lunged at Mike, spear outstretched.
But Mike raised his hands and dozens of ice serpents exploded from his flame.
Lingmu Yaohuan struck at them but every time he destroyed one, two more took its place. They lashed at his arms, his legs chilling each point of contact until his movements slowed.
Mike narrowed his eyes.
Now.
He leapt back, raising his hammer.
Frostgrave Doomsway First Stage: Glacial Rain Piercers!
The sky turned white.
From above, hundreds of sharp, spear-like ice shards descended like heavenly wrath.
Lingmu Yaohuan looked up just as they pierced through his defenses.
One struck his chest another into his thigh another through his shoulder.
He screamed, blood freezing in the air.
You… Ice Valley scum, he choked. You…
Then silence.
His body fell.
The other three leaders and even the Wolf King turned to run.
Mike, panting, lifted his hand.
Run? In your dreams.
With a flick, another wave of Glacial Rain Piercers chased them impaling each one midflight. Their bodies fell, broken and frozen.
The valley went quiet again.
Only the wind remained.
Jian Dao walked up beside Mike, placing a hand on his shoulder.
You did well, he said. Heal up.
He tossed him a Tier-3 Recovery Pill. Mike caught it and sat down, beginning to meditate.
As the surroundings slowly returned to normal, Jian Dao erased their traces.
The next morning...
Mike opened his eyes, refreshed but aching.
Jian Dao was seated nearby, sipping tea. Good morning. A new day… new tasks.
Mike smiled. True, Master. Last night felt like a test before the competition.
Suddenly, he blinked. Wait, where's Mr. Huo?
Resting, Jian Dao replied. Probably asleep for weeks again.
Just then, a shimmering light flickered on Mike's forehead.
From the vessel tied there, a small, glowing spirit emerged stretching.
Who's talking about me?
Mike laughed. Mr. Huo!
Jian Dao smirked. Ah, your passion and sleeping hobby has returned.
Huo Chuntian rubbed his temples. Were you teasing me? I was recovering my spiritual form! I'm ready for anything now. So where are we headed?
Mike replied, Shi Tan City.
Huo floated around Mike, scanning him from head to toe. Hmm. You've changed… Your aura is different. Hair's longer. Face is brighter. You even look stronger.
He narrowed his eyes. Have you… reached Jing Ying rank?
Jian Dao burst out laughing. Mike chuckled. Should we tell him?
Jian Dao wiped a tear. Go ahead.
Tell me what?! Huo Chuntian snapped.
Jian Dao smiled. Mike has learned his first technique Frostgrave Doomsway. He's unlocked its first stage. And his flame? It evolved into Ice Snake Flame.
Huo Chuntian's eyes widened. What?! You learned that technique?! Frostgrave Doomsway?! You actually learned it?!
Mike grinned. Yes, Mr. Huo. And I'll master all its stages soon.