Chapter 149: Cold Frost 3 (1/2)
Chapter 149: Cold Frost (3)
The power from the collision of ice and fire caused the guests on the tall tower to exclaim with surprise.
It was the highest praise they could offer for the two candidates’ strength, and it was an acknowledgement of the strength they possessed.
“Who knew this brat was still concealing his strength? His Erupting Firebird can actually be this powerful.” Many people sighed in praise.
There were those in the crowd, however, for whom the situation became a bit more complex.
Gu Qingluo gazed at Su Chen, bewildered.
She was one of the few who fully understood what just happened.
Yes, his Erupting Firebird had become stronger, but it wasn’t the technique itself that was more powerful. The Erupting Firebird’s strength originated not only from the firebird itself, but also from the hand that gave it flight.
My Flying Flower Hands!
Gu Qingluo previously suspected that Su Chen’s Erupting Firebird contained traces of her Flying Flower Hands, but now she was absolutely certain.
The Erupting Firebird was formed from combining the Flying Flower Hands and other Origin Skills.
But more importantly, the power of Su Chen’s Flying Flower Hands far exceeded the upper limit someone without a bloodline could achieve!
Wha-what is going on?
It was very simple. Su Chen’s Flying Flower Hands truly had improved.
After consuming the Origin Substance Medicine, Su Chen’s mastery of the Gu Clan’s techniques had greatly increased. However, this increase was only related to his potential. In other words, Su Chen could only cultivate to the extent possible for an individual without a bloodline, but after consuming the Origin Substance Medicine, he could cultivate to the limit of a mixed-bloodline individual. He would have to cultivate to reach that point though.
In the past, Su Chen had diligently cultivated the Flying Flower Hands, and he wasn’t far away from the no-bloodline limit. Upon entering the exam grounds, his techniques were tempered in battle, and he also obtained Brooke’s Formula and the Erupting Firebird. The easiest way to make a breakthrough was through combat. Su Chen’s Flying Flower Hands had finally broken through the no-bloodline limit, reaching a level equivalent to someone with a mixed bloodline.
Since his Flying Flower Hands had increased by a level, the explosive power of the Erupting Firebird also increased. Su Chen had kept this more powerful Erupting Firebird in his back pocket for quite some time now.
This was his ultimate trump card, which was why he had never revealed it.
He originally thought he wouldn’t have to display his ultimate trump card in this exam, but Ji Hanyan had immediately forced out his most powerful Erupting Firebird.
The collision between ice and fire scattered a magnificent light across the sky, yet it also possessed a frightening killing intent.
The powerful Erupting Firebird counteracted the Frosted Ice Palms. Wang Doushan’s Cloud Sundering charged through the remnants of the collision. The unearthly white light screamed through the skies, charging towards Ji Hanyan.
Ji Hanyan was caught off guard. She didn’t expect to be put at a disadvantage after their exchange. Her jade-like face displayed a trace of astonishment. Finally, a human-like expression surfaced on her otherwise icy face.
A cold light emerged from her body and enshrouded it. She blocked Wang Doushan’s attack with this crystalline barrier.
Dammit, she even has protective Origin Skills! The three of them cursed.
Since their plan had fallen through, Su Chen decided to go all-in. He launched several powerful Erupting Firebirds as he yelled, “I’ll be responsible for defense. Wang Doushan, you’re responsible for counterattacking, and Jin Ling’er, you’re responsible for keeping her tied down.”
“Understood!” the two of them yelled.
Wang Doushan’s yell was excited, but Jin Ling’er sounded a bit wronged.
She did in fact possess quite a bit of strength, but unfortunately the effectiveness of an illusion master in battle depended on the willpower of their opponent. If she could find a weak-willed but powerful exam candidate to control, she would dominate. But there was none at hand, and her opponent was Ji Hanyan, who possessed an inconceivably resolute will. She was completely unprepared to deal with Ji Hanyan.
One could even go so far as to say Jin Ling’er was completely countered by Ji Hanyan. The soul-assimilating technique and Jade Dew Fragrance that she was so proud of were of no use against Ji Hanyan. Jin Ling’er could only use common Origin Skills. Although she wasn’t weak in terms of combat strength either, she was inferior to both Su Chen and Wang Doushan. Normally, she would be the strongest of the trio, but now she was the weakest.
Su Chen’s performance once again brought shock to the faces of the onlookers.
Having revealed his most powerful Erupting Firebird, Su Chen didn’t conceal his strength anymore. He activated the strengthened Snaking Mist Steps.
His speed instantly shot up to a completely new level as he soared through the air, taking multiple steps in midair and reaching a point where he was higher than Ji Hanyan. He simultaneously unleashed a strengthened Erupting Firebird, attacking Ji Hanyan from above.
No one was invincible. Everyone possessed their own limitations.
During the initial exchanges, Su Chen had already begun identifying Ji Hanyan’s weaknesses. The first thing he found out was that she was far more powerful when she attacked from higher grounds.
The Frosted Ice Palms, Frostbird White Ice Fist, or the Profound Soul-Splitting Finger – all of them had to be launched from a high point to unleash their full potential.
Ji Hanyan had specifically learned a midair-type Origin Skill just for this.
Why else would she only strike from up above? To appear awe-inspiring?
Su Chen leapt into the air, higher than Ji Hanyan, giving her quite the shock.
She raised her hand and attacked with another Frosted Ice Palms, the wave of frost rushing towards Su Chen. The chilling intent pierced his bones. It seemed as if the attack possessed its previous power, yet Su Chen could clearly sense that the power behind the strike had decreased by about fifteen percent.
His hypothesis was correct!
Boom!
The strengthened explosive firebird slammed into the Frosted Ice Palms. This time, the ice and fire were no longer equally matched. The flames were evidently suppressing the ice and snow. The fire pressed its way through and directly attacked Ji Hanyan.
At the same time, Wang Doushan’s Cloud Sundering and Jin Ling’er’s Butterfly Wing Sword pierced towards Ji Hanyan.
A chilling expression flashed across Ji Hanyan’s eyes.
She let out a quiet cry.
This was the first time she had uttered a sound.
The ice crystal barrier reappeared as Ji Hanyan struck out with her palms in rapid succession.
She did not use the Frosted Ice Palms, but a palm technique they hadn’t yet seen. It filled the sky with palm images, generating waves of powerful palm winds. However, these palm winds were solely used to defend herself.
Boom boom boom boom!
Consecutive explosions sounded out.
The palm wind dissipated and her barrier shattered. Ji Hanyan’s defensive capabilities were not nearly as powerful as her offensive capabilities. The trio’s combined attacks were enough to cause all of her defenses to crumble.