CHAPTER 450 (1)

"You!"

The Cold Water Palace Master was both shocked and enraged.

She hadn't expected Li Changbo, who moments ago had been speaking with the demeanor befitting a Golden Core Realm cultivator, to suddenly resort to underhanded tactics.

Such despicable behavior was hardly what one would associate with a Golden Core master. However, she had remained somewhat guarded against him, and given the distance between them, she was able to react in time.

With a thought, an icy silk kerchief shot out from her body, transforming into a hundred-foot-long ribbon of frost that wrapped tightly around her.

The intense green flames that Li Changbo conjured collided with the frosty barrier, resulting in a deafening explosion. Flames burst forth, enveloping the Cold Water Palace Master and burning unceasingly.

Some of the fire even descended toward the city below.

"Get out of the way!"

The onlookers in the city, witnessing the falling flames, were filled with terror and scrambled to find shelter.

Even the slightest contact with these flames, condensed from the spiritual power of a Golden Core cultivator, would spell disaster for anyone below the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Sure enough, the flames left behind gaping holes as they burned through the city's buildings. Were it not for the peculiar construction of Cold Water City—its structures primarily made of stone and ice bricks—the city might have erupted into a conflagration.

Though a large-scale fire was averted, the sight of these indestructible buildings melting into holes left the onlookers trembling. If such flames could easily destroy rock and ice, what would they do to human flesh?

All at once, the reverence for Li Changbo among the city's residents reached its peak. The cultivators at the Innate and Foundation Establishment Realms, in particular, experienced for the first time the awe-inspiring terror of a Golden Core master.

When Li Changbo had declared his intention to raze Cold Water City to the ground, it was no idle threat. He truly had the power to follow through!

And if the residual flames alone were this destructive, how could the Cold Water Palace Master—directly targeted by his attack—possibly survive?

All eyes were fixed anxiously on the sky, watching the massive fireball that continued to burn relentlessly.

"Palace Master!" Someone within the massive icy palace exclaimed in panic. "Why must she be so reckless? He is a Golden Core master! The Palace Master has yet to undergo her tribulation. How could she possibly contend with him?"

"We could retreat to the secret realm! Li Changbo can't invade it, can he?"

"That wretch is exploiting the Palace Master's nature! He’s using the lives of the city's commoners to force her hand."

"Curse it all! If only we had more time to cultivate and overcome our tribulations. How can we let this despicable man trample upon us like this?"

"Enough talk!" A resolute voice echoed within the ice palace. "Focus on the battle. If the Palace Master falters, we must save her at all costs!"

The hall fell silent, its occupants wearing expressions of grim determination.

...

"Brother, will that pretty lady be alright?"

On a rooftop tavern, Xiao Yan asked worriedly.

She didn’t fully grasp the nuances of the conflict between the two, but her instincts told her she disliked the man called Li Changbo.

"Don't worry," Lu Qing replied calmly. "For now, she'll be fine."

His expression unchanged, Lu Qing reassured Xiao Yan while his powerful divine sense picked up the tense conversations inside the icy palace. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

...

Boom!

Under countless watchful gazes, the fiery mass in the sky suddenly erupted and dispersed, revealing the Cold Water Palace Master's figure.

She appeared disheveled. Her pure white dress was scorched in several places, leaving charred marks. Even her flowing black hair was singed and slightly curled.

She had survived Li Changbo's attack, but it was evident she had not done so effortlessly.

"Wonderful! The pretty lady is safe!" Xiao Yan cheered with relief.

Lu Qing gave a faint smile.

Though the Cold Water Palace Master was only at the Peak Foundation Establishment Realm and had advanced to this level relatively recently, her defensive artifact allowed her to withstand the strike of a Golden Core cultivator. That was no small feat.

However, it was also clear that Li Changbo's foundation was unstable, making him weaker than an average Golden Core master. Furthermore, his attack relied solely on his cultivation without employing any artifacts. This disparity allowed the Cold Water Palace Master to endure his assault.

But surviving one strike would likely provoke Li Changbo's fury, putting her in a more precarious position.

As expected, Li Changbo's expression darkened when he saw his attack thwarted.

"You wretched woman! I didn’t expect you to have such means to block my strike. Truly, the heritage of the Four Great Secret Realms is impressive."

The Cold Water Palace Master ignored his taunts. Her gaze fell to the city below, now scarred with numerous craters, and her expression turned icy.

Looking back at Li Changbo, she said, "Li Changbo, for someone who calls himself a Golden Core master, your actions are nothing short of cruel and immoral. Do you not care about the lives of common folk?"

"I’ve said it before—they’re just ants. Why waste time worrying about them?" Li Changbo sneered coldly. "Besides, no one has died yet. Instead of wasting your energy on these trivial matters, you should focus on surviving my next two strikes."

He paused, his tone mocking. "This time, I won’t hold back. If you kneel and swear fealty to me now, I might consider sparing your life."

"Swear fealty to you? So that’s your true motive!" The Cold Water Palace Master’s expression darkened. "I’ve wondered why you, heartless as you are, would suddenly seek revenge after all these years. It’s not about vengeance; it’s about coveting my Cold Water Palace!"

"Ridiculous! The position of Cold Water Palace Master belongs to my late wife’s lineage, stolen by your mother through vile schemes. As her husband, I’m merely reclaiming what is rightfully hers. Now, beg for mercy, or perish along with this city!"

With those words, another green flame appeared in Li Changbo’s hand. This one burned even brighter, its heat palpable even from a distance.

Seeing the flame, the Cold Water Palace Master's face fell. She could tell this attack was far more potent than the last. Her artifact, already damaged, might not hold up.

Looking down at the battered Cold Water City, she steeled herself. She could not let the city suffer further destruction.

With her resolve firm, she raised her head.

"No need for three moves. Let’s settle this with one!"

She pulled a jade hairpin from her bun and spat a mouthful of essence blood onto it. The hairpin turned crimson and floated before her, exuding an aura of immense danger as her hands executed a complex series of seals.

"No! The Palace Master is activating the Cold Jade Hairpin! At her current level, forcing this artifact will cause severe harm to her vitality!" someone in the ice palace shouted in alarm.

But it was already too late.