The prolonged clash between ice and earth had reached a critical point, as both domains strained against each other, neither fully collapsing, yet neither able to dominate completely, creating a fragile equilibrium that could break at any moment, depending on who made the decisive move first.
Li Hao's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Zhao Kun's movements, searching for the slightest flaw, the smallest delay, because he understood that this balance could not be maintained indefinitely, and when it broke, the outcome of the battle would begin to shift rapidly.
Then—
He saw it.
A brief moment where Zhao Kun's defense lagged behind his attack.
It was subtle.
Almost unnoticeable.
But it was enough.
Without hesitation, Li Hao moved.
His figure shot forward, his sword carrying both the chilling force of his ice domain and a faint, concealed trace of lightning energy, striking directly at the opening with perfect timing, while his Frost Fang Wolf attacked simultaneously from the opposite direction, forcing Zhao Kun into a split-second decision once again.
The collision exploded outward.
This time—
The crack in Zhao Kun's defense spread further.
The balance—
Had begun to break.