178: Frozen Arrogance

Hong Chen's possessive words sounded particularly grating in the cold air. The several guards behind him also stepped forward in coordination, subtly forming a surrounding formation. The fluctuations of Dou Qi they emitted revealed that all of them possessed the cultivation level of a Dou Huang, and the old man who looked like a steward had an Aura that had reached Peak Dou Huang.

The surrounding crowd immediately quieted down, many people showing expressions of schadenfreude or sympathy. In this Tianbei City, the Hong Family and the Han Family were known as the two hegemons, and this Young Lord Hong Chen was notoriously lecherous and dissolute. Women he set his eyes on rarely escaped his clutches. These two outsiders were likely going to suffer misfortune.

However, the reactions of Li Ao and Medusa to this situation were beyond everyone's expectations.

Li Ao did not even spare Hong Chen a direct glance. His gaze fell upon Medusa's slightly curved lips, carrying a hint of helpless amusement, and he said softly, "It seems even wanting a moment of peace is impossible."

Medusa finally lifted her eyelids. Her pair of purple eyes, like ice that had existed for ten thousand years, swept over Hong Chen and his group. There was no anger, no fear, only the indifference of looking down upon ants.

"Noisy."

The two cold words left her red lips, seemingly carrying substantial chill, causing the surrounding temperature to drop by a few degrees.

Hong Chen's heart skipped a beat when he was looked at with that gaze, but it was immediately replaced by greater fury. In this Tianbei City, no one had ever dared to ignore him like this, let alone a woman!

"You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! Guards, seize her for this Young Lord! As for the man, I don't care if he lives or dies!" Hong Chen's face darkened as he roared sharply.

Upon hearing this, the Dou Huang guards immediately unleashed their Dou Qi. Energy lights of various colors illuminated the area, and they rushed toward Li Ao and Medusa like hungry tigers pouncing on prey. The Peak Dou Huang old man leading them even formed his five fingers into a claw, creating a fierce whistling sound as he aimed directly for Li Ao's throat, intending to subdue the man who appeared to be the woman's protector first.

Facing the siege of several Dou Huangs, Li Ao remained standing exactly where he was, not moving at all.

Just as those attacks were about to land, Medusa, who had been standing still, moved.

She did not display any magnificent Dou Technique. She merely raised her slender, jade-like hand seemingly casually and gently swept it forward.

A brilliant yet icy seven-colored energy flowed out from her sleeve like a Phoenix spreading its tail. This energy was not vast, but it carried an authority and extreme coldness that made one's Soul tremble.

Wherever the seven-colored energy passed, the space seemed to freeze, giving rise to fine ice crystals. The fiercely charging Dou Huang guards, along with the Dou Qi radiance they unleashed, instantly collided with what seemed like an invisible wall of ten-thousand-year-old profound ice the moment they touched the seven-colored energy!

"Crack! Crack!"

The jarring sounds of freezing continuously rang out.

The several Dou Huang guards, maintaining their charging and attacking postures, were instantly frozen from the outside in, turning into lifelike ice sculptures! Their faces still held expressions of ferocity or shock, but their eyes were completely solidified, and their life Aura was extinguished in an instant. Even the Peak Dou Huang old man was no exception; his sharp claw was only half a foot away from Li Ao's throat but could not advance an inch further, transforming into a rigid ice sculpture.

The entire process was so fast that it exceeded the reaction speed of most people.

The street was deathly silent.

Everyone widened their eyes, staring incredulously at the ice sculptures reflecting seven-colored light in the sunlight, and at the cold, stunning woman who remained standing still, looking as if she had merely brushed away some dust.

Dou Huangs... several Dou Huangs, including a Peak Dou Huang, were just... instantly killed? Without even a shred of room for resistance?

What exactly was this woman's strength?! A Dou Zong? Or perhaps... a Dou Zun?!

Thinking of that possibility, countless gazes were filled with shock and terror. In Tianbei City, a Dou Zong was already a top-tier combatant, and a Dou Zun was a legendary existence!

The arrogance and lewdness on Hong Chen's face had long vanished without a trace, replaced by boundless fear and pallor. His legs were weak, and he nearly collapsed onto the ground. Pointing at Medusa, his lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word. His greatest reliance was actually so vulnerable before her!

Medusa's gaze finally landed on Hong Chen.

That gaze was still icy, devoid of any emotion.

Hong Chen felt a chill rush from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head, and his Soul trembled. He had no doubt that in the next moment, he would turn into a cold statue just like those guards.

"Se... Senior... spare me! This junior was blind and offended Senior! Please spare me!" Hong Chen dropped to his knees with a thud, tears and snot streaming down his face, kowtowing repeatedly like pounding garlic. He no longer possessed even a shred of his previous arrogance.

A hint of disgust flashed in Medusa's eyes; she felt killing him would dirty her hands. She withdrew her gaze and looked at Li Ao, as if asking for his opinion.

Only then did Li Ao slowly turn his gaze toward Hong Chen, who was kneeling and begging for mercy. His tone was calm but carried undeniable authority: "Scram. If there is a next time, the Hong Family will cease to exist."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered the ears of everyone present, carrying a chilling coldness that made hearts palpitate, more biting than the snow and wind of the northern region.

Hong Chen felt as if he had received a great pardon. He scrambled to his feet, not daring to look at the two of them again, and fled miserably in the direction of the Hong Family, not even bothering with the ice sculptures.

Li Ao no longer paid attention to the surrounding whispers and looks of reverence. He said softly to Medusa, "Let's go. The trouble is resolved."

Medusa nodded slightly. The two continued walking toward the location of the Mittel Family stronghold as if nothing had happened.

The crowd automatically parted, creating a wider path, watching these two formidable figures leave. Only after their backs disappeared at the end of the street did a heaven-shaking clamor of discussion erupt.

"My heavens, who were they? Freezing several Dou Huangs in a single move!"

"The Hong Family has hit a steel plate this time!"

"The man didn't even make a move the entire time. His strength is probably even more unfathomable!"

"Quick, go report to the Clan Chief!"

Following this incident, the news of "a man and a woman, strength unfathomable, suspected to be Dou Zun," spread throughout the entire Tianbei City as if it had grown wings, causing shock and concern among all major powers.

At this moment, Li Ao and Medusa had arrived in front of a rather imposing mansion. On the plaque above the mansion's gate, the six characters "Mittel Auction House" were written in a flourishing, Dragon and Phoenix style, and next to it was the unique emblem of the Mittel Family.

A middle-aged, capable-looking fat man dressed in luxurious robes, who had already received the news and was waiting anxiously at the entrance, trembled when he saw the two approaching, especially when he felt the lingering, chilling Aura that made one's heart palpitate. He quickly trotted forward to greet them, his face filled with awe and respectful smiles.

"This humble one, Hoper, is the steward of the Mittel Auction House in Tianbei City. I respectfully welcome Young Master Li Ao, and respectfully welcome Your Majesty the Queen!"

He bowed very low, his attitude utterly humble. Clearly, he was already aware of the scene that had just occurred at the nearby intersection.

Li Ao glanced at him and said indifferently, "Steward Hoper, there is no need for such ceremony. Let us go inside and talk."

"Yes, yes, yes, Young Master, Your Majesty, please come inside quickly!" Hoper hurriedly turned sideways to lead the way, but his heart was filled with tumultuous waves of shock. These two were indeed the formidable figures mentioned in the Clan Chief's letter! They dared to casually dispose of the Hong Family's Young Lord; their strength and background were simply terrifying!

Entering the mansion's interior, which was warm like spring and isolated from the external wind, snow, and clamor, Li Ao knew that their actions in Tianbei City had truly begun. And after that small interlude just now, it was likely that they would avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble later on.