Chapter 72: The Battle for the Mask

The sun began its descent, casting a deep orange hue upon the colossal arena in Infinite City. The golden beams pierced through the towering archways, creating a spectacle that looked straight out of a masterpiece. The ambiance in the arena was electric. The crowd's murmurs had settled to a hushed whisper, every eye trained on the center stage, where the next monumental duel was about to unfold.

Having previously battled valiantly, Feng Xuan found himself as a spectator this round. He leaned over to Li Yang, mischief evident in his eyes, and said, "Unmasking Lisa is now your mission. Do us proud!"

Li Yang chuckled, a fire of determination burning in his eyes. "I'll give it everything, not just for the win, but for your happiness too," he replied, drawing strength from their camaraderie.

As the minutes felt like hours, Lisa finally rose. Clad in her signature attire with her face veiled, she declared, "It's time." 

Li Yang, not one to shy away from a challenge, responded enthusiastically, "Agreed! Let's give them a magnificent show. Although, I must tell you, my brother here," he pointed towards Feng Xuan, "wants me to reveal the face behind that mask of yours. You okay with that?"

Lisa's gaze shifted to Feng Xuan, who cheekily gestured a heart with his hands, signifying his ongoing infatuation. Lisa's eyes, though hidden, seemed to roll in exasperation. "If you can manage to beat me, you can try," she taunted, throwing the gauntlet.

The starting horn bellowed, and without hesitation, both contenders summoned their respective champions. Li Yang's Lion-Eagle, embodying the elements of earth and wind, took to the skies with a mighty roar. Its massive wings created whirlwinds, sending tremors through the battleground. Meanwhile, Lisa unveiled her Millennium Ice Dragon. Majestic and shimmering, it radiated an icy aura, its very presence dropping the temperature of the arena.

While the Lion-Eagle dominated the airspace, swooping and diving with unmatched agility, the Ice Dragon countered every move with its icy blasts and freezing tempests. The ground beneath became a mixture of rocky terrain and ice patches, testament to the ferocity of their clashing powers.

Li Yang, aware of the Ice Dragon's formidable ice wall defense, strategized to use the Lion-Eagle's earth element. He commanded it to hurl massive boulders, attempting to shatter the dragon's defenses. However, each boulder was met with an icy barrier, vaporizing into steam upon impact.

Lisa wasn't just on the defensive, though. She directed her dragon to launch razor-sharp icicles, aiming straight for the Lion-Eagle. But Li Yang was prepared. Tapping into the wind attributes, the eagle swiftly dodged, creating tornadoes to deflect the onslaught of icicles.

The battle raged on. Each move was meticulously calculated, every strategy countered with another. The audience was on the edge of their seats, gasping at near misses and cheering at masterful maneuvers.

As the duel intensified, Li Yang knew he had to find a way through the seemingly impenetrable ice defenses. The earth and wind fusion attacks were powerful, but he needed something more. He pondered his next moves, weighing his options.

Lisa, sensing his hesitation, smirked beneath her mask. "Is that all you've got?" she taunted, her dragon echoing her sentiments with a deafening roar.

But Li Yang was undeterred. "This battle is far from over," he responded, signaling the Lion-Eagle for their next move.