Enlightenment

Huo Rulie seemed to wholeheartedly approve of the duel, Mu Xuanyin was much the same. In the Snow Song Realm, it was already a known fact that Aerion could ascend to the middle stages of the Divine Tribulation Realm while only being at the first stage of the Divine Soul Realm. The visitors from the Flame God Realm, however, did not know this. Even if Huo Rulie did know, he still would not hesitate since Mu Hanyi and Huo Poyun are worlds apart despite being at the same cultivation level.

The divine hall elders set up formations in order to protect the disciples watching the duel. Meanwhile, Aerion prepared himself for battle by drawing out Blackfyre and holding it with his left hand. He seemed somewhat calm and collected as a gentle aura of purple lightning surrounded him. This gentle aura of lightning soon turned fierce and tyrannical, almost taking the shape of a tiger. Huo Poyun naturally used a sword as well, though Blackfyre looked very much superior.

"Where did you get that sword?"

"My ancestor bestowed it upon me... though, it was less impressive back then. I naturally had to improve it myself. But it doesn't matter where it comes from, all you need to know is that this sword of mine will lead to your imminent defeat."

"It seems that there is no point in talking any further."

"Begin!"

Purgatory.

Aerion activated Purgatory and waited for Huo Poyun to strike. This slightly caught Huo Poyun by surprise as he expected Aerion to strike first. After all, he was 'supposedly' the weaker of the two. But this would have made sense if he had cultivated the Ice Phoenix God Investiture Canon, which was more defensive than offensive. However, there were no signs of him using any sort of ice art.

"Are you going to attack or not... could it be that you, the great Huo Poyun, is frightened of my Divine Soul Realm power?"

"You asked for it, do not blame me for the consequences!"

"Hmph, show me your worst, little crow." Aerion arrogantly replied.

The Boundless Sword Art... Aerion had become quite an expert at provoking his opponents and even more so, capitalising on their mistakes. Since his power relied mostly on elements, he decided to even things out a bit and create a few profound skills of his own which did not rely on any kind of element. The Boundless Sword Art was comprised of countless profound skills and the most intriguing thing was that, unlike most profound arts, it didn't have a set order. Aerion could, in essence, skip the less impressive profound skills and comprehend the very best, which is exactly what he did during those seven days along with his usual routine.

Huo Poyun started out with a few sword strikes, all of whom were easily repelled with shocking grace by Aerion. This made Huo Poyun less rational and his attacks soon became very predictable. Eventually, Aerion had enough of being passive and decided to push Huo Poyun himself.

Silver Calamity, Boundless Counter!

Aerion deflected Huo Poyun's next blow and gave himself the perfect opportunity to strike back, which he gladly took. The sudden rise in speed caught Huo Poyun off guard...

Slash.

Drip...

Blackfyre got a taste of Huo Poyun's blood. The slash caused a minor cut on his cheek... clearly, Aerion wasn't content with the duel ending there. Huo Poyun backed away and touched the cut. The blood on his fingers did enrage him. He had never felt the feeling of defeat before and even less so, experienced this kind of humiliation. Aerion could have struck a major blow but he didn't... Huo Poyun took it the wrong way and thought that Aerion was looking down on him.

Golden Crow flames erupted from both of his hands. However, Aerion wasn't in the least terrified. After all, this was what he wanted to see in the first place! The arrogant, proud and destructive flames of the Golden Crow... however, it wasn't Aerion who ignited them this time around.

"You... you will pay for that."

A Golden Anniahlation was sent his way almost immediately. Clearly, he was no longer holding back.

Aerion slapped it away with his right hand. Although the flames didn't harm him, the profound energy from the attack did manage to injure his hand. This was far more than Mu Hanyi had ever accomplished...

Huo Poyun stood still for a few moments, dazed with tremendous amounts of shock. A person in the Divine Soul Realm, let alone the first stage, deflected his attack with a slap and only had a minor injury to show for it.

Huo Poyun clenched his teeth and prepared an even more powerful profound skill. Aerion noticed that it was none other than the mighty Yellow Springs Ashes... however, he remained in place and allowed Huo Poyun to fully complete it.

"You will regret giving me this chance!"

"We'll see about that."

Ferocious Tiger Slash!

...

Oh.

BOOM.

The Yellow Springs Ashes went through his Ferocious Tiger Slash like it never existed and proceeded towards him. Aerion survived the attack but he took some damage as a result. His Ice Phoenix Snow Robe was tattered and in some places, coloured by his blood. This would have never happened if he could use his Heaven Absorbing Silver Claw or Susanoo, both would have easily handled the attack...

I can't lose this fight.

Aerion grasped Blackfyre tightly...

Perfect Sword Spirit.

One Aerion in Silver Calamity was formidable... but two Aerion's was a whole different story!

"This is as far as you go." Aerion coldly stated.

Swift Wind.

Huo Poyun blocked the Sword Spirit but couldn't quite stop Aerion who was behind him. There was nothing he could do as Blackfyre swiftly pierced him. Aerion withdrew Blackfyre from Huo Poyun and the Sword Spirit kicked him into the air. Then both he and the Sword Spirit combined their profound energy to create a truly frightening profound skill.

White Tiger's Tale of the End, Eighth Stage: Eternal White (Purple) Purgatory!

Crack...

BOOOM.

BOOOM.

BOOOM.

Huo Poyun was struck by endless amounts of purple lightning. If it were the real thing, white lightning, then Huo Poyun would be no more than dust. However, when the onslaught ended, Huo Poyun was only severely injured as he fell onto the ground. Well, to a cultivator of the Divine Tribulation Realm these wounds could only be considered minor as they can completely heal over time... but in battle, this was a death sentence. He was guaranteed to lose if the duel went on for a long period of time... therefore, he had to end it now!

Aerion's Perfect Sword Spirit dissipated as he was sure of his victory... however, Huo Poyun still managed to stand up.

What can he possibly do?

Aerion sighed. "Concede now or I'll make you regret going any further..."

"Heh... hahahaha... Brother Aerion is kind, but I absolutely can't lose! Just like you can't lose, neither can I."

"I understand... but what can you accomplish in your current state?"

"One last... attack."

Which stage of the Golden Crow's Record of the Burning World is he going to use, I wonder? If it's the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury... then... I might truly face defeat. In my current, restricted, arsenal of profound skills, there isn't a single one that can match it in strength.

"Are you going to respect his wishes of 'one last attack' or are you going to stop him from casting it... hahaha."

Even if it's the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury, I won't stop him... that would be disgraceful of me.

"Oh, very disgraceful indeed!" Rotias said, rather sarcastically "But I doubt you ever will accept defeat."

Huo Rulie looked up. "So he is really going to use it... I must admit, Mu Xuanyin, your disciple is a real monster. However, he will not be able to withstand my Poyun's attack no matter what. Hahaha, for it is none other than the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury! You should instruct him to concede immediately or he will face certain death."

"Is that so? Hmph, what makes you believe this king's disciple cannot defend against a mere Nine Suns Heaven's Fury?"

"Then if your disciple dies... what will you do?"

"Die?" Mu Xuanyin said indifferently. "If this king's disciple, Aerion Targaryen, were to fall to such a pitiful attack off his own accord then this king will not pursue this matter any further!"

"Good... remember those words, Snow Song Realm King!"

"Nine... Suns... Heaven's... Fury!?" The faces of the masters and elders of the Divine Ice Phoenix Sect suddenly turned pale as they looked at Aerion with worry. Those four, very frightening, words... it was the tenth and final stage of the Golden Crow's Record of the Burning World. In tens of thousands of years only four people have cultivated this stage. Even Huo Rulie has yet to do so, meanwhile, Huo Poyun, a disciple in his early twenties can!

Aerion calmly gazed at the sun made up of Golden Crow flames. Huo Poyun was very confident in the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury and doubted that Aerion had anything that could match it. He was wrong... and right at the same time! Aerion had his absolute shield and was considering the idea of bringing it out for all to see.

"Concede now or I'll make you regret going any further..." Huo Poyun announced. It was word for word what he had said earlier!

Aerion grit his teeth in fury as an aura of fire engulfed him. That was the moment where the mere thought of losing to Huo Poyun disintegrated into nothing... defeat was no longer an option!

"You..." Aerion laughed. "You have brought doom upon yourself, Poyun."

"Very well."

Huo Poyun screamed and so did the Golden Crow flames as the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury was sent down onto Aerion. A direct hit from even one sun would result in major wounds for Aerion... however, he felt no fear towards the attack as it descended to him.

Fire... how can fire harm the mighty Fire Dragon God!?

Aerion touched the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury with his right hand. He was prepared to use his Susanoo just in case things don't go to plan.

Ah...

Then the image of the Crimson Dragon appeared before him as an authoritative voice resounded in his mind, forcing him to enter a temporary state of enlightenment. His violet eyes burned crimson just before the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury exploded.

"NO FLAME DARES TO BURN THIS GOD... FOR I AM ITS CREATOR... MY FURY WAS THE FIRST FLAME TO LIGHT THIS WORLD!"

BOOM.

"What!?"

After the explosion, Aerion was supposed to be close to death's doors but that wasn't quite the case. The remnants of the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury danced around him as if he were its master. Aerion didn't seem to have gotten any new wounds... in fact, all of his previous wounds were no longer there. The Nine Suns Heaven's Fury didn't damage him, it healed him! This... this kind of result left everyone in a state of shock for many long seconds.

Newly reborn from the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury, Aerion seemed to have gained a temporary boost in power. Huo Poyun dropped to the ground, on his knees, he was clearly in a state of despair. "I... concede."

It seems that I owe you a great favour, Huo Poyun. as you helped me unlock some of Aerios' divine power.

Aerion walked over to him yet he didn't quite know what to say. "You are truly something... I can understand why Sect Master Huo chose you as his direct disciple now. But you shouldn't think of this as defeat, because you surprised everyone with the mighty Nine Suns Heaven's Fury."

"It... did... nothing."

Aerion sighed, he's right about that. "You simply used it on the wrong person."

You see, I'm the complete inheritor of an Ancestral God...

"Anyways, your cultivation level is far more impressive than my own. By releasing the Nine Suns Heaven's Fury, you have gained this King's greatest respect... very few people have managed to do so. I hope that we may become friends in the future and repair the relationship between the Flame God Realm and Snow Song Realm." Aerion sincerely stated.

He turned around and returned to his Master's side. The golden and almost heavenly aura around his body slowly dissipated as he returned to normal. Huo Rulie flew to Huo Poyun to inspect his wounds which weren't all that bad.

"I wonder, Huo Rulie, who's successor is superior? I believe you know the answer now!"