Chapter 450 (2)
With resolute determination, the Cold Water Palace Master moved swiftly.
From spitting out essence blood to completing the incantation, it all happened in just a single breath.
As the incantation was completed, she felt her spiritual energy gush out like a flood, being frantically absorbed by the Cold Jade Hairpin.
The surrounding heaven and earth spiritual energy also became agitated, swirling into the Cold Jade Hairpin like a whirlwind.
Immense power emerged from the hairpin, causing the laws of heaven and earth around it to ripple slightly.
The Cold Water Palace Master gazed at Li Changbo.
She had gone to such lengths, depleting her vital energy, to activate the Cold Jade Hairpin in the shortest possible time because she feared he might intervene and stop her.
To her surprise, Li Changbo simply stood there without doing anything, leisurely watching as she fully activated the Cold Jade Hairpin.
When the Cold Water Palace Master finally stopped moving, he said indifferently, "Are you ready? Wretched wench, do you really think you can defeat a genuine Golden Core cultivator with just a single artifact?"
"If that were possible, your late mother wouldn’t have had to risk her life to endure the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation.""Today, I’ll show you the true power of the Golden Core Realm!"
The azure flame in Li Changbo's hand suddenly expanded, transforming into a giant flaming palm over ten meters wide, reaching out toward the Cold Water Palace Master.
"Go!"
Even though she felt the terrifying power of the flaming palm, the Cold Water Palace Master showed no sign of retreat.
Biting her silver teeth, she pointed her hand seal forward, and the Cold Jade Hairpin before her expanded into a massive artifact several meters in size.
It then turned into a streak of blood-red light, shooting toward the flaming palm at great speed.
Under the gaze of countless onlookers, the Cold Jade Hairpin and the Flaming Palm collided in an instant.
Boom!
The streak of light formed by the Cold Jade Hairpin was formidable, but the Flaming Palm conjured by Li Changbo was even more terrifying.
Although part of the flames scattered in all directions under the hairpin’s impact, the palm itself remained intact, grabbing the hairpin firmly.
No matter how much it struggled or twisted, it couldn’t break free.
In the end, under the burning azure flames, the artifact returned to its original form and ceased all movement.
"Pfft!"
The divine soul within the hairpin was refined, and combined with the depletion of her life force from activating the artifact, the Cold Water Palace Master spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Her body swayed, about to fall from the sky.
"Palace Master!"
Several figures flew out from the Ice Palace, rushing to catch her.
"Audacious!"
At this moment, Li Changbo's expression turned fierce. With a flick of his sleeve, a streak of fire shot out, heading toward the group.
"Not good, block it quickly!"
The expressions of those who had flown out changed dramatically as they hurriedly activated their magical tools to defend.
But how could flames conjured by a Golden Core cultivator be easily stopped by mere Foundation Establishment cultivators?
After a violent explosion, the group was sent flying, their charred bodies smashing into several of the Ice Palace’s buildings below. Their life and death were uncertain.
"Elder Qiu!"
The Cold Water Palace Master cried out in anguish at the sight.
Yet in the next moment, Li Changbo appeared in front of her, sneering.
"Wretched wench, if you kneel and beg for mercy now, swearing fealty to me, I might spare your life."
"Dream on! Even if I die, I will never yield to you!"
The Cold Water Palace Master’s face was resolute as she began to forcefully ignite the remnants of her spiritual energy.
But in the next breath, her body froze as a suppressive force descended upon her.
Her spiritual energy was forcibly sealed, rendering her unable to act.
"You intend to sever your meridians and end your life? Futile. Before me, even death is not an option for you."
Li Changbo's gaze bore into her with a sinister glint.
"I’ll engrave a Soul Imprint upon you, turning you into a soul slave. From then on, you will obey my every command."
"No matter what I order, you will have no choice but to comply.
"This will be the punishment for Cold Water Palace. Your venomous mother once harmed my wife and children.
"As her daughter, you will atone for her sins in her stead."
"A Soul Imprint?"
The Cold Water Palace Master’s face paled with horror as she realized the horrifying implications of his words.
"Impossible! How could you wield such a wicked art?"
"Impossible? You’ll find out soon enough. Once the imprint is upon you, you’ll retain your consciousness but lose all freedom.
"Even if your heart resists, your body will carry out my commands. If I order you to die, you will do so without hesitation."
Li Changbo's voice was calm, yet it sent chills down the spines of everyone who heard it.
It was hard to fathom the existence of such a malicious technique that could completely dominate one’s will.
For those affected, it would be a fate far worse than death—a true living hell.
The Cold Water Palace Master’s face turned ashen. She feared no death, but the thought of becoming his puppet was a fate she could not bear.
"Are you scared now? Hahaha..."
Li Changbo laughed maniacally, his voice filled with cruel delight.
"Wretched wench, your mother humiliated me back then. Now, I’ll return that humiliation a thousandfold through you!
"If only she were still alive, I’d let her witness the torment of her daughter!"
"Despicable coward! You won’t succeed!"
A sharp voice suddenly rang out from within the Ice Palace.
Then, a massive ice arrow shot upward, heading straight for Li Changbo.
"Tricks of the weak!"
With a casual wave of his hand, Li Changbo released a flame that melted the ice arrow instantly.
"Insects, don’t be in a hurry. After I enslave this wench, none of you will escape.
"For now, watch closely as your noble Palace Master becomes my puppet!"
With a wicked grin, Li Changbo extended a finger toward the Cold Water Palace Master’s brow. Her eyes filled with despair.
But at that moment, a calm voice interrupted.
"I say, could you not litter while you fight?"
"Who?"
Li Changbo whipped his head toward the source of the voice, his pupils narrowing.
On the roof of a tavern within the city stood two figures—one a refined young man, the other a delicate little girl.
The young man held a ball of azure flame, identical to Li Changbo’s signature technique.