Chapter 296: The Frost Divine Sword
Ling Yun's fingers gently traced the sheath of the icy blue sword, frost-like light gliding across her pale fingertips like rippling crystal.
Her clear voice rang through the auction hall. "Everyone, you must already feel it—the power of Absolute Ice, a pure force so cold it can freeze all creation."
With a flick of her wrist, the sword rose from her hand and hovered in midair.
"Boom!"
The sheath slipped off on its own, and in that instant, countless shards of spectral ice exploded into the air. The temperature of the entire hall plunged. Even the specks of dust in the air crystallized into tiny motes of frost.
"This sword is named the Frost Divine Sword. It is neither a damaged artifact nor a semi-divine weapon, but a truly flawless ice-attribute divine artifact."
"Whaa—!"
The crowd erupted in astonishment. Even among the Limit Douluos of the Douluo Continent, gasps filled the air.
Niu Tian of the Clear Sky Sect clenched his fists hard enough for his knuckles to turn white. Beside him, Titan the Sky Blue Bull Ape let out a low growl. "A perfect divine artifact… Just how many hidden cards does the Starry Auction Pavilion possess?"
The two ancient beasts had lived for millennia, and they had personally witnessed the terrible power of divine weapons—the Golden Trident, the Angelic Sacred Sword, and even Bibi Dong's Rakshasa Scythe.
Each held the might to annihilate all before it.
Only in the hands of true gods could such artifacts unleash their boundless power.
Who could have imagined that, thousands of years later, the mortal world would again gaze upon a flawless divine weapon of an entirely new element?
The shock was immeasurable.
From its aura alone, the Frost Divine Sword was clearly authentic, untouched by damage, radiating supreme divinity.
Niu Tian and Titan exchanged glances. They both knew that divine artifacts were rarer than anything else. The Starry Auction Pavilion might never present such an item again.
This time, no matter the cost, the Clear Sky Sect would compete with everything they had.
They could not—would not—let it fall into another's hands.
If even one Limit Douluo wielded this Frost Divine Sword, the two of them together would stand no chance.
Such was the amplifying might of a divine artifact—utterly irresistible.
Xu Tiannan of the Sun Moon Empire felt his pupils contract sharply. "A true divine sword of Absolute Ice… We must have it. Even the half-damaged tower artifact we saw before held frightening power. I can't even imagine what a perfect weapon like this could unleash."
He swallowed hard, eyes burning with determination.
It was thanks to that incomplete artifact that he had breached the Limit Douluo level himself.
And now, before him was a flawless divine weapon. He could not remain calm. This was something he had to claim. Fortunately, they had saved enough funds earlier for this moment.
Ignoring the restless murmurs below, Ling Yun continued, her voice serene and measured.
"The Frost Divine Sword contains the essence of Absolute Ice. Every arc of its blade bears this force—touch it, and you freeze; swing it, and entire realms turn to ice."
"It is recorded that before this sword was sealed, a single strike could freeze an entire sea solid, the frost lingering for a hundred years."
Her gaze swept across the hall as she added, "To fully command this divine sword, one requirement must be met—complete mastery and comprehension of the element of ice. Ordinary soul masters, even if they possess this weapon, cannot awaken its true potential."
At those words, many of the eager bidders quickly fell silent.
The standard of "Absolute Ice" was unimaginably high. Only a handful across the entire continent could meet it. Competing for this sword recklessly would bring more danger than reward.
Still, even those without such mastery were reluctant to give up completely.
After all, the Pavilion had said that while full power required the Absolute Ice attribute, lesser ice-type soul masters could still draw out a portion of the sword's strength.
And even those without any ice-attribute martial soul could still benefit immensely. Simply owning such a divine weapon would dramatically elevate their power.
…
Suddenly, from among the crowd, a calm yet commanding figure rose to her feet.
The Snow Empress stood tall, her previously soft gaze now shining like the edge of a blade.
Frost swirled around her fingertips as her lips parted, trembling with barely restrained emotion. "An ice-attribute divine artifact… it truly exists."
Even Di Tian and the other soul beasts narrowed their eyes at the sight of this weapon.
Hidden shock flickered across Gu Yuena's celestial features as well.
She had long suspected that the Starry Auction Pavilion possessed genuine divine weapons, but she had not expected them to bring one out so openly for sale.
Since they had done so… she would not show restraint.
A divine artifact of such magnitude could never be allowed to fall into human hands.
It could greatly bolster the Soul Beast Clan's strength. Gu Yuena had already decided—she would claim the sword herself.
"Hmm?"
Di Tian's gaze drifted toward the Snow Empress, noting the burning desire in her eyes. His brow furrowed in thought.
This divine sword of ice would reach its full potential only in the hands of one who truly embodied that element. And the Snow Empress was the very incarnation of Absolute Ice.
Within the entire Douluo Continent, none surpassed her command over frost.
In her hands, this Frost Divine Sword could display its true, devastating power.
After a moment's consideration, Di Tian turned toward Gu Yuena. "Master, it seems the Snow Empress has a deep connection to this sword. I suggest we let her have it. She belongs to our clan, and with this weapon, she may survive her approaching tribulation far more easily."
Di Tian had long sensed it—the Snow Empress's time was drawing near.
As one who had lived for over eight hundred thousand years himself, he knew all too well how perilous and uncertain such a tribulation could be.
Even with her immense strength and the sanctuary of the Extreme North, survival was far from guaranteed.
Gu Yuena paused briefly before nodding. "Very well."
Though the sword was extraordinary, it needed to rest in the hands of the right wielder.
The Snow Empress was, after all, one of their own. Letting her claim it was natural.
The other fierce beasts exchanged brief looks tinged with envy but said nothing.
Among the Soul Beast Clan, strength commanded respect. The Snow Empress's power far surpassed their own. If she was to wield the Frost Divine Sword, none could object.
…
Deep within Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, the trembling voice of the Heavenly Dream Iceworm whispered in awe.
(END CHAPTER)
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