C1335 The New Surprise

Ciara was frantically trying to evade something, her fear palpable.

She was somewhat slighter in build compared to the typical male Shura warriors, yet the natural silver armor that adorned her shoulders, complete with its protruding spikes, gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen.

Those spikes, sharp enough to rival Divine Weapons, were encased in tiny ice crystals, giving the appearance of being frosted over.

The Frost Well that encased her lower body could be seen as a piece of wondrous armor, shielding her waist and below from the majority of harm.

The bricks of the Frost Well, along with the Ice Shard that Yu Yuan had recently acquired from the snow bear, were of identical material.

But the bricks that constructed the Frost Well were imbued with the mysterious and malevolent essence of the Dark Realm—chilling, shadowy, and sinister, as if capable of eroding one's heart and soul.

The scene from the Dragon Slaying Stage timely projected into Yu Yuan's Mindscape and Lunar Spirit, enabling him to keep a clear view of the events unfolding in the Frozen World.

"Stardust Blade, Shuangshuang..." Yu Yuan murmured, recognizing the exceptional sword light emanating from the crystals on Ciara's body. He was convinced that Ji Ningshuang, the ninth-level Shura female warrior, must have just engaged in combat with her.

Clearly, Ciara was on the losing end.

The sight of the Stardust Blade's sword light in the Glimmerdrift Nebula, a domain of the Shura, caught Yu Yuan off guard, yet it also sparked a glimmer of hope and excitement within him. This was not the Everlands, devoid of the presence of mighty beings from the five supreme forces. An encounter here could mean less trouble, especially if Ji Ningshuang was alone.

However, what he couldn't ascertain was whether Ji Ningshuang was the sole contender in the conflict with Ciara.

"Hmm!"

Peering through the Dragon Slaying Stage, he was astonished to discover that Ciara, though slightly wounded, was using her unique blood magic to search for something with the aid of the Frost Well.

Tiny bolts of ghostly lightning sprang from Ciara's midsection into the bricks of the well, triggering some innate theurgy. Silently, they reached out through the Frost Well, probing the unknown.

A look of elation slowly emerged in Ciara's eyes, suggesting she had found what she was seeking.

"Can it be?"

When Yu Yuan noticed the ninth-level Shura Elder manipulating the Frost Well, abruptly changing course towards his location in the Frozen World, he couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

Ciara had been searching for the elusive Wintermaw Star, hidden within the vastness of the Glimmerdrift Nebula. Like the snow bear native to these parts, she found herself expending extra time and energy due to the star's unpredictable nature within the Domain.

The snow bear, with its innate bloodline and traits, could resonate with the Domain, confirming its proximity. Ciara's tool of choice was the Frost Well that had ensnared her, allowing her to tap into its power.

Yu Yuan's demeanor shifted to one of grave concern as he pondered the potential consequences of Ciara's arrival. With her came the Frost Well, a conduit to the Dark Realm, capable of summoning the Blood King, Sabonis, directly into their world. The Shura warriors could also infiltrate this realm through the Frost Well, with Ciara as their beacon.

Moreover, Ji Ningshuang, who was in hot pursuit of Ciara, along with other Unbounds from the Everlands and possibly even the wielder of the Banner of Duality, might converge upon their location. Anxiety etched itself across Yu Yuan's face as he contemplated these possibilities.

Yet, as is often the case, his fears materialized regardless of his reluctance. The female Shura warrior, wounded by the Stardust Blade, followed the Frost Well's guidance with unerring precision, locating the inconspicuous star within the Glimmerdrift Nebula.

With her destination confirmed, Ciara hurtled towards it. Upon reaching the cold fog that enshrouded the wall, the Frost Well that had been her prison and armor suddenly expanded. A surge of ice energy flowed from the wall, fusing with the Frost Well, and ignited by her bloodline.

With a resounding boom, an icy flame erupted from the well, incinerating the remnants of Ji Ningshuang's sword light and the distinctive, piercing sword force to ash. Ciara was determined to ensure not a single Ice Shard of the Stardust Blade remained before she entered the peculiar realm. Her fear was that Ji Ningshuang could trace her through any lingering sword's will.

Only after every shard was reduced to cinders and no trace of sword force remained did Ciara allow herself a moment of relief. She transformed the Frost Well into a cold stone shield beneath her feet and stepped through the wall into the enigmatic world where Yu Yuan awaited.

Upon entering, Ciara glanced down and immediately caught sight of the still, deep-sea surface and the snow bear lying supine upon it. The bear, which dominated a vast expanse of the sea, was riddled with a network of wounds. A blood-red Baneblade hovered above the snow bear's chest, emitting streaks of bloody light that seemed to continue tormenting the unconscious creature.

Above, the Dragon Slaying Stage hung suspended in the air, and Yu Yuan, who was familiar with it, stared at her in astonishment. The seasoned female Shura warrior's eyes blazed with fury, and sharp spikes on her shoulders and knees burst forth with blinding light.

"Damn you, human whelp!" Ciara first roared in the articulate tongue of the Everlands, followed by an uncontrollable, piercing shriek. The ice energy and blood magic at her back swiftly coalesced into a raging ice tempest.

Within the tempest swirled numerous ice shards, her lifeblood's essence, and her bloodline mystique. Before Yu Yuan could even begin to explain, the ice tempest, sprawling over ten acres, descended upon them like a colossal umbrella.

In the Frozen Wastes, Ciara, an Elder of the Shura, seemed to wield divine assistance. Her bloodline activated, her ferocious assault naturally amassed an overwhelming surge of ice energy. The blood magic even pulverized a nearby glacier, sending a barrage of razor-sharp ice blocks spiraling into the storm.

With a series of sharp cracks and snaps, Yu Yuan, whose Lunar Spirit and physical form had merged, braced himself in the heart of the ice tempest. Despite his preparation, the ordeal was excruciating.

His robust body, hardened by countless battles, endured relentless bombardment every second from a multitude of ice shards, rocks, and ice spikes. Had he been a mere Solar Spirit of the Everlands, he would have been shattered to bits by now.

The Solar Spirit Body should have fragmented into crystalline shards and been ground to dust, leaving not even bone fragments behind. But Yu Yuan's physique, repeatedly purified and tempered by the Altar of Rebirth and built upon the foundation of the Evil Body Refining Technique, was far more resilient than that of most Solar Spirits.

He was in pain, in utter misery, yet the blows to his corporeal body resulted in mere flesh wounds.

"I know your body is formidable, akin to those of the Forgeroses. Nevertheless, you're still going to die!"

Ciara's expression was fierce as she hovered above the ice tempest, her gaze cold and menacing.

The spikes on her knees and shoulders, cold as platinum, slowly elongated.

These were the blades she wielded to slay the human cultivator and the ninth-level Monster Lord of the Everlands!

It seemed she was ready to dive into the ice tempest herself to execute Yu Yuan, the brazen human who dared to injure the snow bear of the Frostlands.

The snow bear's grave injuries were more intolerable to her than her own.

She was well aware of the snow bear's significant contributions to their race. The existence of the Frost Well was all thanks to this extraordinary creature.

The Shura had an ancient pact with the snow bear to ensure its safety forever.

This was a truth ingrained in the hearts of every formidable Shura warrior, a creed they unfailingly upheld.

"The snow bear was not harmed by me. It was Gu Xingkui, wielder of the Sword of Gaia, who inflicted the injury!"

Amidst a flurry of icy blades, an impatient Yu Yuan bellowed as he summoned the Dragon Slaying Stage.

With a whoosh, the Dragon Slaying Stage soared across, its radiant white glow illuminating the ice tempest and warping the very fabric of space.

Before Ciara could descend, Yu Yuan found himself abruptly atop the Dragon Slaying Stage, caught off guard by the transition.

He quickly discerned another wondrous aspect of the Dragon Slaying Stage.

Within a certain radius, his real body or Lunar Spirit could instantly return to the Dragon Slaying Stage!

Just like now, he had exploited this remarkable trait of the Dragon Slaying Stage to instantly break free from the ice tempest's grasp, denying Ciara any opportunity.

"The second wondrous feature!"

A smile broke across his face as he realized that after enduring many trials, the Dragon Slaying Stage had indeed transcended, bringing him a succession of delightful surprises.

"Sword of Gaia, Gu Xingkui!"

Upon hearing the name, Ciara, poised to plunge into the ice tempest, clenched her teeth and repeated it with venom.

Then, with her ninth-level bloodline, she stood at the edge of the storm, her feet planted on the Frost Well like an icy bulwark, and extended her senses to scrutinize the area.

For someone of her stature and caliber, discerning the residual aura within the wound was hardly a challenge.

The moment she entered, Ciara caught sight of the snow bear's pitiable condition. The Baneblade hovered above, casting down shafts of bloody light. It was this sight that ignited her rage and stripped her of her composure.

Now, having taken to heart Yu Yuan's explanation, she truly focused and immediately detected a profound and substantial presence lurking within the wound.

The spikes on Ciara's shoulders and knees had elongated abruptly, their glow dimming.

She had come to accept Yu Yuan's assertion. The one responsible for the snow bear's grievous injuries, leaving it in such a sorry state, was indeed Gu Xingkui, known as the "Sword of Gaia."

Thus, the ice tempest swirling at her feet began to subside and soon vanished altogether.

With a furrowed brow and a face etched with skepticism, she questioned, "Why are you here? And what are you doing with that Baneblade?"

"I'm treating it, helping it heal," Yu Yuan replied.

He stood upon the Dragon Slaying Stage, his Lunar Spirit and physical form now one, exuding a seamless unity with the platform. Facing Ciara, he bore no trace of fear.

The Dragon Slaying Stage lent him an abundance of confidence and reliance.

Coupled with his own array of wondrous powers, Yu Yuan stood unafraid before Ciara.

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