Chapter 14: Eh? Eh? Eh?
As a knight who had fought on the front lines for many years, Xu Bai was all too familiar with the patterns spreading across Ice Lily’s face.
“Demonic Runes.”
This was a power unique to demons, similar to humans’ psychic circuits, but far more potent and invasive.
Once tainted by the power of Demonic Runes, the body’s existing power system would be forcefully destroyed and replaced, ultimately transforming the victim into either a half-demon or a twisted monster.
Even powerful races like elves and beastkin were not immune, let alone humans.
“Frost Calamity.”
Ice Lily’s words were few, her tone still indifferent.
As she spoke, the frosty air around them condensed, the area of effect shrinking, focusing on Xu Bai.
The temperature around Xu Bai plummeted, a thin layer of frost forming on her lips.
“She’s strong…”
Without hesitation, Xu Bai activated her psychic circuits, the power of a Grand Knight returning.
“Ice Blades.”
Before Xu Bai could react, sharp ice blades materialized around Ice Lily, hurtling towards her.
[Severing Cut: Falling Petals]!
Xu Bai instantly countered, swift, subtle slashes deflecting each blade.
The shattered fragments, propelled by her attack, flew back towards Ice Lily, but dissipated into mist before reaching her.
Ice Lily’s expression remained unchanged. Within her “Frost Calamity” domain, she controlled all ice-based power.
“This is troublesome…” Xu Bai steeled herself, the sluggishness in her long-dormant psychic circuits fading, channeling a surge of energy into her dagger.
This was no time for holding back; she had to give it her all to defeat this demon!
Ice Lily raised a hand, conjuring more ice blades, this time in greater numbers.
As the blades attacked again, Xu Bai deflected them, but the effort was clearly taking a toll.
More blades followed relentlessly, Ice Lily mechanically repeating the same attack, giving Xu Bai no respite.
After several waves, Xu Bai’s stamina was depleted, her breath ragged.
“What are you trying to do…” Xu Bai narrowed her eyes, observing Ice Lily. Conjuring the ice blades didn’t seem to strain her, yet she only attacked in waves.
However, Xu Bai’s psychic circuits were nearing exhaustion. Within Ice Lily’s “Frost Calamity” domain, her energy consumption was significantly amplified.
“I can’t keep this up. I have to attack!”
Xu Bai made up her mind. As the next wave of ice blades approached, she didn’t deflect them. Instead, she leaped, using the blades as footholds to close the distance with Ice Lily.
“I have to get close… her ice blades will be useless at close range!”
Xu Bai focused, her small body moving nimbly between the blades, her movements synchronized with her sword.
Simultaneously, her psychic circuits flared, her aura surging, becoming unstable.
As Xu Bai approached, Ice Lily’s expression remained calm, only the speed of her ice blade conjuration increasing.
But for the battle-hardened Xu Bai, this wasn’t enough to stop her. Using her small size to her advantage, she weaved through the gaps.
Once in close combat, Xu Bai, with her superior swordsmanship, would have the upper hand.
Within ten paces, with her burning psychic circuits, she was confident she could inflict serious damage!
“Ten paces, five paces—”
Finally, within striking distance, Xu Bai lunged, her dagger flashing.
[Severing Cut: Startling Shadow]!
[Severing Cut: Soul Sever]!
[Reverse Severing Cut: Life Extinguishing]!
Three swift, devastating slashes aimed directly at Ice Lily.
Xu Bai poured all her remaining energy into these three strikes, the overflowing power even severing a nearby beam.
The angles of her attacks were perfect, leaving Ice Lily no room to dodge; she had to face them head-on.
Allowing Xu Bai to get this close, unguarded, was already a defeat.
However…
Ice Lily slowly raised her head, meeting Xu Bai’s gaze. There was no fear in her eyes, no longer the previous indifference, but a swirling blue-white light.
She was activating her Demonic Runes!
What was going on? Had she miscalculated?
Xu Bai’s heart skipped a beat, but her attack had already been launched. Ice Lily would be severely injured.
Judging by her Demonic Runes and abilities, she was likely of the Ice Demon race, not known for their physical strength or close-combat prowess.
Even without using her psychic energy, Xu Bai was at least a Seventh-Order Knight.
Moreover, this all-out attack posed a lethal threat even to a Ninth-Order Legendary Knight. Unless Ice Lily was a high-ranking demon, she wouldn’t escape unscathed.
“Frost Calamity, Gather.”
Just as Xu Bai’s attack was about to land, Ice Lily’s voice rang out. The scattered ice blades around them instantly reformed, floating in mid-air.
A last-ditch effort?
No, it wasn’t.
“Frost Calamity, Solidify.”
A thick layer of ice armor encased Ice Lily, freezing her entire body.
Clang!
Xu Bai’s attack shattered the ice armor, sending shards flying.
However, the attack’s force was also completely neutralized, leaving only a shallow scratch on Ice Lily’s body, which quickly healed.
“She… transformed into ice!”
“I’ve fought too few Ice Demons. I forgot about this technique…”
Xu Bai realized her mistake the moment her dagger struck the ice armor, but it was too late.
This was a defensive spell used by Ice Demons when facing a fatal threat, transforming their bodies into solid ice to withstand any attack.
At the same time, a far greater number of ice blades than before converged towards Xu Bai’s back with the force of a blizzard.
After that all-out attack, Xu Bai had no energy left to defend herself.
Feeling the chilling air behind her, with no time to react, she braced for the agonizing pain of being impaled.
“…”
But, to her surprise, instead of the expected agony, she felt a soft, cold embrace, a faint, familiar fragrance filling her senses.
“Eh? Eh? Eh?”
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