197: Breakthrough in the standoff

On the field of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition, the atmosphere was as tense as a bowstring about to snap.

Shen Guyan wore that mysterious azure dragon mask. At this moment, the patterns of a Zhulong were flickering upon the mask. A layer of faint, intangible dragon shadows seemed to linger around his body; they appeared both illusory and real, ethereal like smoke, yet radiating a heart-palpitating majesty.

Under the miraculous enhancement of his Zhulong form, his entire Aura was like a flame shooting into the sky, suddenly climbing to a staggering height. He paid no heed to the terrifying pressure Wu Changkong had unleashed, which was like a surging tsunami.

Shen Yi, watching from the side, actually failed to recognize Shen Guyan for a moment.

At this moment, Shen Guyan seemed reborn; the change was truly too great. The gaze beneath the mask revealed a sense of determination and ruthlessness, like the eyes of a wolf in the cold night, emitting a captivating radiance. His posture was upright, like a drawn blade.

"Junior?" Wu Changkong's gaze swept toward Shen Guyan as cold as an ice blade; that look seemed capable of freezing the air instantly. "This matter has nothing to do with you, do not seek your own death!" After saying this, the heavenly frost sword in his hand seemed to sense its master's anger and began to tremble slightly. The Soul Power light on the blade grew increasingly intense, like a volcano about to erupt, ready to launch the next round of attacks capable of destroying the World at any moment.

Shen Guyan let out a cold laugh, his laughter filled with disdain, like a heavy hammer smashing fiercely into this tense atmosphere. He took a step forward, and as this step landed, it seemed as if the very earth trembled because of it.

"The competition inherently carries risks. You are bullying the small with your superior status; are you not afraid of being laughed at if this gets out?" As he spoke, the Dragon Aura radiating from his body was like a surging torrent, faintly contending with Wu Changkong's icy Aura, which was like a thousand-year-old cold pool. Where the two clashed, the surrounding air seemed to be wantonly kneaded by an invisible pair of hands, producing crackling explosions like firecrackers during the New Year, only this sound was filled with a chilling power.

Seeing this, Long Huantian and Zhang Zhenpeng both felt a sudden jolt in their hearts, as if struck by a heavy hammer. The latter had long since recognized the identity of the newcomer from that azure dragon mask, and the anger in his heart was inadvertently extinguished by a bit of joy.

"That's right, bullying the small, and still causing chaos in my Tianhai City. Do you really think my Tianhai Alliance has no one?" Long Huantian hurriedly echoed, shouting, his voice echoing in the air as he tried to build up momentum.

Shen Guyan's gaze remained fixed tightly on Wu Changkong, like a goshawk watching its prey, not relaxing for an instant. "Wu Changkong, you are a powerhouse, yet you disregard your status to attack a Junior. If Shrek Academy knew of your conduct, what would they think?" This sentence of his was like a precisely shot arrow, piercing directly into Wu Changkong's sore spot.

"Who are you?" Wu Changkong's eyes narrowed instantly, like flickering cold stars, and the light of the heavenly frost sword in his hand also paused slightly. The opponent actually knew his former identity, which greatly shocked him.

The honor of Shrek Academy had always been like a sacred banner hanging high in his heart; it was something he valued immensely. Shen Guyan's words were like an incomparably sharp blade, stabbing fiercely into the softest part of his heart, causing him to calm down a little instantly.

Just at this moment, whistling sounds suddenly came from the sky, sounds like the roars of demons or the howls of giant beasts, causing people to tremble with fear. One large figure after another, like black clouds, quickly appeared above the Tianhai Stadium.

Seeing these figures, Long Huantian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as if a drowning person had grabbed a straw, silently thinking to himself: reinforcements have arrived.

The audience at the scene looked up at the sky one after another, astonished to see mechs over ten meters tall descending from the sky like meteors. There were over twenty of them, and the scene was extremely spectacular. The posture seemed to shroud the entire competition field in a shadow of steel.

The leading mech was deep purple, like a mysterious purple star in the night sky, its whole body radiating an Aura so strong it was suffocating. Behind it were four yellow mechs, like four bright yellow diamonds, followed by fifteen white mechs, just like fifteen floating white clouds. These mechs appeared similar in size, but the energy fluctuations they emitted were completely different—the energy Auras of all the mechs behind combined were not as intense as this leading purple mech, just like how stars, though numerous, struggle to compete with the bright moon.

As soon as the twenty mechs appeared, they swiftly surrounded Wu Changkong like Gui Mei. Each white mech held a three-meter-long soul tool cannon on its arm, the muzzles aimed at Wu Changkong. The pitch-black muzzles seemed ready to spew destructive flames at any moment; the purple mech flew at the very front, like a king reigning over the World, radiating unparalleled majesty.

It must be known that a purple soul tool mech is equivalent to at least the combat power of a six-ring Spirit Master, and it has a more abundant energy reserve, like an inexhaustible treasure trove of energy, enough to form a powerful suppression against a six-ring Spirit Emperor.

In Long Huantian's view, with these mechs, the situation should be effectively controlled. But not everyone thought so, for instance, Shen Yi, who had reached the stage area but had not gone up.

Before going on stage, Wu Changkong had left a murderous remark: if she intervened to stop him, the two would no longer be Senior Brother and Junior Sister. This sentence was like a cold shackle, binding Shen Yi's heart.

Shen Yi looked at Wu Changkong, who was suspended in mid-air with eyes that remained as indifferent as ice. She was all too familiar with Wu Changkong's temper and couldn't help but mutter to herself: "These idiots, they are forcing him to go crazy! Don't they understand that the calmer a person looks, the more terrifying they are when they go crazy?" Her voice was soft, yet filled with helplessness and worry.

Just as she was whispering, Wu Changkong's pair of eyes became bone-chillingly cold again, like a glacier that had not melted for ten thousand years. Immediately, he slowly looked up at the long sword in his hand, and then slowly spat out two words: "Heavenly—Ice—" The voice was low and hoarse, as if it came from the nine Hells, carrying endless coldness.

Wu Changkong's body suddenly lit up, like a star exploding in an instant, radiating boundless light. The heavenly frost sword flashed with light and instantly merged into his body, disappearing without a trace, just like a drop of water merging into the sea, leaving no shadow or trace. All the mech pilots who had locked onto him felt their vision blur; the man who had been locked on by the soul tool cannons had vanished into thin air, as if he had never existed.

"He is there!" Someone shouted, their voice sharp and terrified, and everyone subconsciously looked up—Wu Changkong had appeared in mid-air. Unlike his previous dashing image in fluttering white clothes, white spots of light appeared on his body, like stars flickering in the night sky, distributed on his forehead, shoulders, chest, elbows, wrists, palms, waist and abdomen, hips, knees, and soles of his feet.

Starting from these light spots, rays of silver, thread-like light instantly extended outward, converging into incomparably magnificent silver patterns. The Aura on Wu Changkong's body erupted at an extremely terrifying speed, just like a volcano that had been sleeping for a thousand years suddenly erupting; that power seemed to want to break through the shackles of heaven and earth.

The silver pattern on his forehead formed first, and in the center, a water-drop-shaped crystal shimmering with pale blue light emerged, like a brilliant gemstone embedded in his forehead.

As the silver light patterns condensed, a white headband appeared first. Five protrusions that seemed to be gathered from snowflakes stood up at the front of the headband. The silver patterns on them had already solidified, exceptionally magnificent, like a snow lotus blooming on an iceberg, noble and sacred.

Two pieces of white metal hung down from the sides of the headband, fitting between Wu Changkong's cheeks and ears, extending all the way down, as if it were the spread of his own cold current, and also like two silver waterfalls pouring down from the top of his head.

The streamlined armor began to appear from the neck guard at his throat. The white armor matched with silver patterns, just like the ice and snow of winter reflecting the moonlight, magnificently extending downward. When all the silver patterns became clear, Wu Changkong's body was completely covered by the white armor, as if he had already become the Dominator of the ice and snow World.

As the silver light flowed, his eyes turned a shining blue, like the deep ocean, and also like the endless firmament. The six spirit rings that originally surrounded his body were contained within, merging into the armor, as if they had always been a part of this armor, inseparable.

His Aura soared in a straight line instantly, and a great sword one-third longer than the heavenly frost sword appeared out of thin air in his hand—the hilt and guard were both white, as if carved from ice and snow, with a snowflake-shaped protrusion at the end of the hilt, just like a blooming ice flower; the blade was crystal blue, over four feet long, appearing more substantial than the original heavenly frost sword.

Wu Changkong was already extraordinarily handsome, and now, covered by this full-body white armor, he was simply the perfect synonym for the word "magnificent." He stood in mid-air, like a Divinity descending, and even Shen Yi, who was the most familiar with him under the stage, watched with shining eyes.

"Not bad appearance." Shen Guyan frowned. In a place like Tianhai City, as long as one didn't attract some of the big figures lurking about, a Two-Word Battle Armor Master was enough to sweep away everything.

"Battle Armor!" Long Huantian and Zhang Zhenpeng exclaimed almost in unison. That voice was filled with shock and fear. The mechs that had intended to act all froze in mid-air, as if they had been hit by a binding spell.

The pilots of the white mechs even subconsciously lowered their soul tool cannons—he was actually a Battle Armor Master! This fact was like a bolt from the blue, instantly shattering their original plans.

Battle Armor, that was an incomparably mysterious and powerful existence in the Spirit Master World, representing the Peak of strength and honor!

The Heavenly Ice Great Sword in Wu Changkong's hand pointed obliquely at the ground, and his Aura climbed crazily in geometric multiples, as if it were about to break through the sky.

However, the words "Heavenly Ice" had not been heard from his mouth for who knows how long, and deep within his azure blue eyes, there seemed to be hidden more pain.

"You have harmed my Disciple. If anything happens to him, you will pay with your lives." Wu Changkong's cold voice fell, like the gale of a cold winter, blowing through everyone's heart. His grim gaze pointed directly at Zhang Zhenpeng, that look seemingly wanting to swallow him alive.

His target was not the sisters Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tianer—they were just two children. "If a son is not educated, it is the father's fault; if teaching is not strict, it is the teacher's laziness." What he was looking for was their teacher.

That was why he had struck so fiercely just now when he saw Zhang Zhenpeng and was questioned.

Zhang Zhenpeng's face instantly turned pale as paper, as if all the blood had been drained from it.

A Two-Word Battle Armor Master, this person was actually a Two-Word Battle Armor Master! Let alone him, the entire Hailu City would never want to offend such an existence. Any Spirit Master who could become a Battle Armor Master was without exception the most top-tier and persevering powerhouse among Spirit Masters; the difficulty of forging Battle Armor was at least ten times that of forging a mech of the same level.

Such a young Two-Word Battle Armor Master had an unlimited future and might even stand at the Peak of the continent. He knew deeply that what he was facing at this moment was a mountain that was almost impossible to cross.

"So what if you are a Two-Word Battle Armor Master?" Shen Guyan resisted Wu Changkong's pressure and took a step forward: "Do you really think you can act recklessly here?"

"Junior... it seems I must teach you a lesson on behalf of your elders..." Wu Changkong's tone was even more chilling.

Shen Guyan was completely unafraid. Although he couldn't guarantee whether Lan Fozi would be willing to save him, Nalali was right there in Tianhai City. He only needed to have Zhang Zhenpeng and Long Huantian block for a moment, and he could call Nalali over to suppress the situation through the azure dragon imprint.

Suddenly, Wu Changkong's body shook slightly, and the Heavenly Ice Great Sword in his hand emitted a clear and impassioned hum, as if telling of its master's anger and determination. Immediately after, he shook violently, and the Heavenly Ice battle armor suddenly burst forth with intense silver light. That silver light was like a scorching sun, dazzling enough to make people subconsciously dodge even in the daytime. That light seemed to want to illuminate the entire World, and also seemed to want to dispel all darkness.

The mechs almost all assumed defensive postures, and Long Huantian and Zhang Zhenpeng also changed color in horror: was he going to attack? Their hearts were filled with fear and unease, as if they were in the darkness before a storm arrived, not knowing what would happen in the next moment.

Just at this critical moment, Shen Yi finally could no longer hold back and soared into the air, like a dark green lightning bolt, tearing through the sky. Streams of dark green Qi circled her body, like green ribbons, dancing with the wind. Her long white hair flew wantonly behind her, and the Qi on her body turned into strange runes branded onto her. Just like the situation where light spots appeared on Wu Changkong earlier, light spots also appeared on her body, only they were green, full of vitality.

The dark green light halo, like vines, climbed rapidly, and in just a breath or two, a set of green armor with dark green patterns had covered her entire body—

Another Battle Armor!

This set of Battle Armor was clearly different from Wu Changkong's: the surface was not smooth, embedded with pieces of raised "sensitive plants." The patterns radiated outward from these "sensitive plants" as the center, as if every "sensitive plant" contained the Profound Truth of life.

Wu Changkong's Battle Armor battle skirt was relatively short, but her battle skirt covered her thighs, full of feminine characteristics, like a blooming green flower. She had an extra dark green long whip in her hand, with a green bead full of life energy at the tip of the whip, just like a jade green emerald, emitting a soft light. The entire set of Battle Armor was filled with a rich Aura of life; its appearance caused the suffocating coldness in the stadium to dissipate a bit, as if it had brought the warmth of spring.

"Changkong, don't be impulsive!" Shen Yi shouted clearly, her voice crisp and melodious, yet carrying an unquestionable majesty. She knew deeply that although Battle Armor Masters had a revered status, they also had to abide by certain order, and if they committed a major mistake, they would likewise be punished. The stronger the strength, the greater the constraints received on certain levels. She could not watch helplessly as Wu Changkong committed an irredeemable mistake due to impulsiveness, nor could she watch this conflict evolve into a disaster.

At this moment, she stood between Wu Changkong and the crowd, like a green barrier, attempting to quell this storm about to erupt.

Shen Yi was just about to stop Wu Changkong from being impulsive, but suddenly her expression changed, she let out a surprised "Eh," and hovered in mid-air without rushing up again, "Everyone, do not move."

She spread her arms, naturally possessing an Aura that caused all the mech pilots and Spirit Masters present to stop their actions.

At this moment, in the sky, the silver light halo around Wu Changkong's body gradually converged. Immediately following, a black spirit ring like thick ink appeared from under his feet. The spirit ring expanded, floated upward, and then slowly merged into the Heavenly Ice battle armor.

Shen Yi's expression became a bit strange, and she didn't know what to say. This guy had actually broken through at this time. From now on, Wu Changkong was no longer a six-ring Spirit Emperor, but a seven-ring Spirit Saint.