The Shenbing Light Wheel shot from the Binglun Crossbow, heading towards the Snow Ice Emperor. However, the Snow Ice Emperor swung its arms, unleashing four fists simultaneously. With two powerful blows, the light wheel was instantly shattered.
Chen Tian then reverted to his first form, his longsword appearing. His figure erupted into countless afterimages, with over a dozen Chen Tian apparitions appearing before the Snow Ice Emperor.
His sword danced, continuously striking the Snow Ice Emperor's body. The Snow Ice Emperor roared in response to Chen Tian's attacks, and with each roar, the surrounding Chen Tian phantoms exploded. Chen Tian's true form reappeared before the Snow Ice Emperor. The Snow Ice Emperor was designed to be sentient but incapable of shapeshifting; otherwise, it would have been a much tougher fight.
His weapon then transformed, and the Shenbing Light Sword and light waves shot out. Chen Tian shifted forms again and charged at the Snow Ice Emperor. This time, four pairs of wings grew from his weapon. The wings folded inward, converging into a greatsword, its blade composed of feathers.
Weapon Form: Ice Wing Saber!
This was the ninth weapon form of this particular item. The greatsword swung, and a massive blade descended. The Snow Ice Emperor endured the light waves and sword strikes with its body, followed by Chen Tian's descending greatsword. However, the Snow Ice Emperor's four arms presented their palms, and as they slapped together, a colossal palm barrier materialized before it. Chen Tian's greatsword struck the palm barrier with no effect.
A cracking sound followed, and Chen Tian was thrown back. Suddenly, the Snow Ice Emperor appeared behind Chen Tian's divine fire, its fists moving. A devastating force struck Chen Tian's back. Chen Tian's Shenbing Armor materialized, and as the punch landed, the entire suit of armor shattered. Simultaneously, another set of armor appeared on his body, then dissipated into specks of starlight.
Dark Night Asura Skill: Dark Night True Body. This skill allows for the loss of one set of armor to negate a fatal blow.
This skill was incredibly practical, and Chen Tian was not lacking in armor. From defeating bosses and completing quests, Chen Tian had acquired eight sets of armor of varying quality. Losing one set now was no cause for concern.
Chen Tian retreated, widening the distance. He dared not take a direct hit from the opponent's power. His health was only at 8,800; one such blow would leave him severely injured, if not dead, even with his armor. This was because, in the "Cold Observer" mode, all attributes had to be allocated through stat points; leveling up granted no attribute bonuses.
This was a drawback that began after level ten. Chen Tian looked at the Snow Ice Emperor. They had been fighting for so long, and Chen Tian hadn't even managed to provoke its professional skills. It was proving difficult.
However, Chen Tian did not despair. His mind raced, visualizing countless scenarios. He nodded, "So be it!"
Chen Tian's figure vanished from the Snow Ice Emperor's sight, reappearing directly above it.
Skill: Teleportation!
His weapon then transformed. *Swish, swish, swish!* Countless light swords, light waves, and light wheels filled the air, surrounding the Snow Ice Emperor. Chen Tian's transformation speed was rapid, like the clacking of keyboard keys.
Light wheels, light swords, and light waves enveloped the Snow Ice Emperor and converged upon it. Chen Tian seized the moment, his arm's weapon transforming. Four transparent circular shards materialized on his arm's weapon, and a crescent blade slowly emerged from the muzzle, positioned horizontally. Chen Tian aimed at the Snow Ice Emperor.
Tenth Form: Blade of Ice Light! Air currents flowed from the circular shards, gathering at the crescent blade at the gun's muzzle. The crescent blade, formed of divine ice, pulsed with light. A crackling sound, like electricity, emanated from the circular shards, resonating with each other. Instantly, the circular shards merged into the body of the crescent blade. Chen Tian clenched his fist, and a colossal crescent blade shot forth.
Azure and violet radiance, crescent blade, half-moon brilliance, the night sky descends.
Skill: Ice Moon Blade!
The Snow Ice Emperor, seeing the surrounding light swords, waves, and wheels, suddenly shattered its arms. The shattered arms transformed into ice spikes that scattered outward.
The light wheels, light swords, and light waves were all annihilated by the ice spikes. However, Chen Tian's Ice Moon Blade was already approaching the Snow Ice Emperor. Seeing this, the Snow Ice Emperor waved its hands, its arms clapping together, then spreading apart. A massive barrier appeared before it, continuously expanding as its hands widened.
White barrier, crystalline form, ice crystal shield.
Skill: Ice Crystal Barrier!
Chen Tian was stunned. "Well, well, it even has a self-created skill! How many self-created skills does this guy have?"
The Ice Moon Blade struck the Ice Crystal Barrier, causing it to shatter. The Ice Moon Blade dissipated, followed by an explosion. A figure slowly emerged from the blast.
Watching the figure emerge from the explosion, Chen Tian spoke, "So you can shapeshift after all!"
"Human, I initially deemed you unworthy of my shapeshifted form. However, I now acknowledge your strength. I shall engage you as an equal. This is a shred of dignity granted to you in your final moments!"
"How dare you strike me! You shall die!"
The Snow Ice Emperor, having shapeshifted into a middle-aged man, spoke with a cold tone. The man had refined features, large eyes, a high nose bridge, and a perfectly proportioned physique. His body was composed of white ice crystals.
This middle-aged man was indeed the shapeshifted Snow Ice Emperor.
Yet, Chen Tian remained puzzled. Why hadn't it used its shapeshifting ability from the start?
He didn't believe the Snow Ice Emperor's explanation. He activated his Divine Eyes, instantly revealing the opponent's status panel, and then spoke, "I see. It seems you cannot shapeshift in your four-armed state. It was only after you shattered your arms that it became possible."
"You couldn't do it initially, don't try to hide it. I know."
Chen Tian taunted playfully, causing the Snow Ice Emperor's expression to darken.
Enraged by Chen Tian's taunts, the Snow Ice Emperor erupted in radiance, instantly vanishing. Chen Tian stepped forward.
A chase and clash unfolded in the sky, two beams of light colliding. With each collision, their altitude fluctuated, followed by explosions. Both Chen Tian and the Snow Ice Emperor were forced back.
Chen Tian touched his lips. "It seems you're even more powerful in your shapeshifted form!"
"Kid, I will kill you!"
The Snow Ice Emperor roared in fury, but Chen Tian showed no concern. His aura surged. With each clash, the Snow Ice Emperor felt their strength becoming equal, a far cry from the initial advantage it held.
Chen Tian had activated his "The Stronger I Fight" skill. As time passed, his combat power could stack up to 300%, increasing with duration.
Chen Tian's attributes had now reached a level comparable to the opponent's, with little difference. The Snow Ice Emperor then noticed Chen Tian's situation.
Its legs moved like scissors, striking towards Chen Tian. However, Chen Tian reacted, spreading his arms to block the legs on either side. He then quickly lifted his leg, aiming a straight kick at the Snow Ice Emperor's face.
The Snow Ice Emperor leaned back, dodging instantly, and simultaneously swung its left fist towards Chen Tian.
Seeing this, Chen Tian spun his body, clenching his fists. The Snow Ice Emperor's legs were kicked away by the spinning Chen Tian. Their fists collided.
Both were forced back three steps. Chen Tian looked at the Snow Ice Emperor. This opponent was proving incredibly difficult. Its shapeshifted form was remarkably powerful, more so than before.
The Snow Ice Emperor sneered, "Do you think you're the only one with amplification skills?"
Snowflakes swirled around the Snow Ice Emperor, ice crystals flowing. Snow began to fall from the sky, covering the entire ice valley. The Snow Ice Emperor's aura surged dramatically.
Its power ascended rapidly. In Chen Tian's Divine Eye information, the attributes increased continuously. Chen Tian's eyes widened, and he immediately attacked. His arm transformed, switching its form into a Shenbing Longsword Drill.
He had to interrupt the opponent's power boost. If it continued to grow, Chen Tian would be outmatched.
"Damn it! How does this guy have amplification skills too? What were the developers of 'Era of Time' thinking? With bosses like this, what's left for players?"
This was Chen Tian's internal monologue. The bosses were already monstrous, and now they were conscious, even surpassing player awareness. Now, they could even comprehend amplification skills. This made the game incredibly difficult for players.
The Longsword Drill shot directly towards the Snow Ice Emperor. Seeing this, the Snow Ice Emperor absorbed the surrounding snow and ice crystals into its body. It extended its palm and gently opened it. The Light Sword Drill shattered.
Chen Tian checked the opponent's attributes. Incredible, it had risen to level ninety, a jump of over ten levels, with attributes matching that level.
Chen Tian instantly made his weapon disappear. He was no longer a match for the opponent.
"It seems I can only use Fusion."
Chen Tian sighed. In this situation, he had no choice but to use the Fusion function. He had already decided what to fuse, but the cost was too great, and he really didn't want to resort to it.
Seeing Chen Tian making no move, the Snow Ice Emperor believed he had no means of resistance and attacked decisively. It slapped its palm forward, and a fearsome snowstorm erupted, rushing towards Chen Tian.
Chen Tian was instantly engulfed by the snowstorm, his body swallowed by the blizzard.
Watching from the side, Teacher San exclaimed, "Chen Tian!"
The Snow Ice Emperor noticed him due to Teacher San's shout and swiftly struck out with a palm. A colossal palm descended from the sky, as if the sky itself was crushing down on Teacher San, leaving him nowhere to escape.
"You dare to attack my brother!"
A roar erupted from within the snowstorm. A furious silver flame shot towards the heavens. A silver flaming spear launched forth, heading towards the giant palm.
A thunderous explosion echoed. Chen Tian's figure appeared before Teacher San.
Chen Tian was now covered in silver flames. His body and appearance had changed little, but his hair had transformed into silver flames, his eyes were silver, and flames shaped like two blades stood on his shoulders.
Moreover, these silver flames seemed different from divine fire, radiating fearsome power, with specks of light flickering within.
This form was achieved by Chen Tian fusing his Spiritual Grade Divine Fire, Divine Fire, Spiritual Grade Divine Ice, and Divine Ice. In this state, Chen Tian's profession was: King of Ice and Fire!
However, the cost was that his Divine Ice, Divine Fire, and elemental mastery would temporarily disappear for three months, measured in real time.
Chen Tian truly felt that the Fusion function should only be used when absolutely necessary, as its price was too high.
Indeed, great power came at a great cost. There was no free lunch in this world, and he had to bear the consequences of his decision.