Chapter 282: Defeating Han Feng
Word Count: 2,786 Words
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Uttering the cruelest words with the friendliest smile.
Xiao Yan's smiling face might make those who didn't know any better think he had a very good relationship with Han Feng.
Han Feng took a deep breath, and the ferocity on his face gradually faded. He seemed to revert back to the Han Feng who had ambushed and assassinated his own Master. His eyes stared sinisterly at the smiling Xiao Yan before him.
"In that case, I can only capture you. Keke, rest assured, I have many methods," Han Feng said. "When the time comes, I won't worry about you not handing over the Flame Mantra. Moreover, I will even take the Heavenly Flames within your body, turning you into a complete cripple."
"Although Heavenly Flames become imprinted on the soul after being refined, there are some forces in this world that specialize in the soul and can strip away Heavenly Flames."
Xiao Yan smiled faintly at Han Feng's menacing words. "Truth be told, I also have my eye on the Sea Heart Flame in your body. I think it might be what my Flame Mantra needs to evolve to a level I've been longing for."
"Then let's see if your strength can back up your talk!" Han Feng let out a sinister laugh. The Dou Qi within his body surged wildly. A deep blue flame erupted from his palm and rushed skyward like a shimmering curtain of water cascading from the heavens, creating a magnificent sight.
This sudden surge of towering blue flames immediately caught the attention of countless eyes in Feng City. Gasps of astonishment spread like wildfire and echoed from all directions.
"Back then, your Heavenly Flame attack severely injured me, but it also allowed me to touch the threshold of the Dou Ancestor realm, reaching the strength of a half-step Dou Ancestor," Han Feng said as he floated within the deep blue flame curtain hanging from the sky, looking down on Xiao Yan with a cold smile. "I am now much stronger than before. Last time, I merely underestimated that fire lotus of yours. This time, I'm afraid you won't have such good luck."
He wouldn't give Xiao Yan the time to merge Heavenly Flames to create that terrifying fire lotus again.
Xiao Yan responded with a calm smile and made no retort. Instead, he waved a hand and unleashed the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change.
Skyfire Three Mysterious Change—Ten Thousand Beast Glazed Change!
Boom!
A thunderous roar reverberated inside Xiao Yan's body. His fire control ability had reached an inconceivable level after the Flame Mantra evolved to the quasi-Tian Class. Now he could not only separate the different Heavenly Flames within him but even merge a few of them into a brand-new Heavenly Flame.
The Ten Thousand Beast Flame, the Fallen Heart Flame, and the Green Lotus Core Flame—three kinds of Heavenly Flames surged out from his Acceptance Soul, then merged into a brand-new Heavenly Flame under the effect of the Flame Mantra.
Even with Xiao Yan's Tier 7 Spiritual Strength, using six kinds of Heavenly Flames to perform the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change would be too much for him to bear!
An extremely terrifying and scorching temperature instantly erupted from within him. His aura surged from a 6-star Dou King, rapidly climbed, and finally surpassed the Dou Emperor realm and reached the 3-star Dou Emperor stage.
Such a soaring increase in strength left Han Feng dumbfounded. When Xiao Yan used the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change before, he had only barely reached Dou Emperor strength, and even then, it had been extremely tenuous.
But now, Xiao Yan's strength not only surpassed the Dou Emperor realm, but judging from his demeanor, he still had strength to spare and hadn't reached his limit!
Xiao Yan clenched his fist, feeling the immense power surging within his body.
'Using three kinds of Heavenly Flames for the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change feels just right. Four should be the limit. If it's five, I'm afraid my body will be unable to sustain it for long like last time.'
Although his current strength was only that of a 3-star Dou Emperor, one must not forget that his Flame Mantra was now at the quasi-Tian Class. In contrast, Han Feng's Flame Mantra was incomplete, and he had only refined one Heavenly Flame, making it equivalent to an Intermediate Xuan Class. The gap between the two was so great that even differences in cultivation base couldn't make up for it.
Xiao Yan spotted that Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame seemed a bit subdued and let out a small laugh. "Senior Brother, your Heavenly Flame doesn't look as strong as mine."
"You... you... you refined the Fallen Heart Flame and even merged it successfully?!"
Han Feng's eyes were riveted on the emerald-red flames dancing around Xiao Yan. Although those flames did not appear dominantly violent, his extremely keen spiritual perception allowed him to vaguely sense that the energy contained within them was terrifying.
It was likely stronger than any flame he had ever encountered, stronger even than the Bone Chilling Flame!
Xiao Yan merely smiled at Han Feng's astonished expression. A wisp of emerald flame, sprite-like, flickered between his fingertips. The space itself seemed faintly distorted wherever its tail passed.
"Let's end this."
Han Feng's face instantly twisted as if water could be wrung from it. The Sea Heart Flame transformed into a longsword, the tip pointing straight at Xiao Yan as he roared, "I have no regrets about what happened back then! He was the one in the wrong!"
"Go to hell!"
Boom!
Han Feng's sea-blue Dou Qi wings trembled as he transformed into a blue flame streak shooting straight at Xiao Yan. The longsword formed from flames brought its scorching might down in a sweeping strike.
Clang!
Xiao Yan reacted swiftly. The Heavy Xuan Ruler smashed head-on into Han Feng's blazing sword with a ringing impact.
A fearsome power that Han Feng had never felt before surged through the blade, sending him spinning away.
Xiao Yan pressed his advantage, swinging the ruler toward Han Feng's face.
Yet Han Feng's battle experience was extensive. With Tier 7 Spiritual Strength of his own, he sensed and evaded Xiao Yan's blow in time. Flicking his wrist, he spun his longsword in a dazzling flourish and thrust it at Xiao Yan's throat.
Swoosh!
A flash of lightning streaked by; all that was skewered was Xiao Yan's afterimage.
Xiao Yan reappeared at Han Feng's flank in a blur of movement. Also at Tier 7 Spiritual Strength, he remained unflustered.
Han Feng lifted an eyebrow, a bit unnerved by Xiao Yan's quickness. Then he flicked his arm at high speed, causing the longsword of flame to appear as though it had split into countless mirrored blades.
Like a driving rainstorm, these blazing swords whooshed through the air in an overwhelming barrage aimed straight at Xiao Yan.
Heavenly Flame Dou Technique—Beast Spirit Descent!
ROAR!!
An Eight-Winged Flame Demon Tiger's illusory figure appeared behind Xiao Yan with a mighty roar. A mass of demon flames spewed forth like the world's end. Under the enhancement of the quasi-Tian Class Qi Method, the quality of Xiao Yan's Dou Qi had undergone a significant leap.
The demon flames blasted through Han Feng's sword techniques as if crushing dry weeds.
Han Feng's expression changed drastically when he saw his own Heavenly Flame unable to match Xiao Yan's. With a sudden flip of his body, he dodged the attack in an extremely sorry state.
"This guy's Heavenly Flame... is actually this strong!" Han Feng was greatly alarmed. Despite having a higher cultivation, he couldn't rival Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flames!
Xiao Yan noticed that his flames had scorched the hem of Han Feng's alchemist robe. He smiled, then flicked his finger, and a formless, transparent Heavenly Flame separated from the merged Heavenly Flame shrouding his body.
"Fallen Heart Flame!"
No wonder Han Feng looked so ashen. The Fallen Heart Flame ranked 14th among Heavenly Flames. This alone was of a higher grade than the Sea Heart Flame, not to mention Xiao Yan had also merged other Heavenly Flames!
Suddenly, Han Feng felt his body heating up. His body shuddered as the Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength within his body became chaotic. He felt as if he were on fire.
Only after sensing with his spiritual perception did he discover that a formless Heart Flame had actually appeared within his body and was burning him!
'This is Heart Flame Invasion!' Han Feng immediately mobilized the Sea Heart Flame to extinguish the Heavenly Flame within his body.
But at the moment Han Feng's thoughts moved to control his Heavenly Flame, the three-colored fire wings behind Xiao Yan suddenly flared like a jet, propelling him at high speed toward the distracted Han Feng with the Heavy Xuan Ruler raised.
Han Feng abruptly looked up to see a black shadow rapidly enlarging before his eyes. There was no time to eliminate the Heart Flame within his body. He hurriedly raised his sword to block.
A powerful force caused Han Feng's arm to go numb with a loud clang!
However, this also allowed Han Feng to borrow the force to retreat. After the Sea Heart Flame extinguished the Heart Flame, he suddenly raised his head. His face was filled with ferocious madness.
With a furious shout, he launched the massive Dou Qi sphere in his hand like a blazing sun, shooting straight toward Xiao Yan!
"Radiant Seal!"
A blinding beam of light tore through space. Faintly visible within the light beam was a massive handprint that looked like a blazing sun falling from the horizon, carrying a terrifying energy that made one's hair stand on end!
Xiao Yan's heart tightened as he thought, 'A Di Class Dou Technique, and it's already at major mastery.'
He did not hold back either. Flames erupted from the Heavy Xuan Ruler, and the surrounding natural energy converged. The Flame Mantra absorbed and transformed the energy within a radius of several dozen kilometers like a nuclear reactor.
"Flame Splitting Tsunami!"
Three-colored flames transformed into a crescent-shaped blade and flew out with a momentum as if to cleave the earth. It was an awe-inspiring sight!
Under the gaze of both parties, the two energy attacks collided in midair with a thunderous boom. The result was not unexpected. Xiao Yan, who possessed a quasi-Tian Class Qi Method, held an absolute advantage.
Moreover, even his Heavenly Flames were of a much higher rank than Han Feng's. The gap in cultivation between them was completely bridged, and Xiao Yan even gained the upper hand.
BOOM!!
The blade glow from the Flame Splitting Tsunami actually cleaved Han Feng's energy handprint apart, and the terrifying fiery energy surged straight toward his face.
"What?!" Han Feng was greatly shocked. This was his most powerful Di Class Dou Technique, yet it couldn't withstand a Dou Technique unleashed by Xiao Yan, a mere Dou King who had used a Secret Technique to boost his strength!
Rumble!!
A thunderous explosion rippled out the moment that fire connected with Han Feng. The raging Heavenly Flame swelled like a spherical barrier, threatening to burn him alive within it.
The violent temperature vaporized the very clouds overhead.
"Ha!" Han Feng let out a loud shout within the fiery sphere, and the sound of ocean waves crashing echoed outward.
Hissing sounds arose as white steam immediately enveloped the surroundings; water vapor permeated the area. Xiao Yan had known from before that the Sea Heart Flame's special ability allowed Han Feng to cultivate water-attribute Dou Techniques.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew it was impossible to defeat Han Feng relying solely on the Flame Splitting Tsunami.
A Low Di Class Dou Technique at major mastery might have been enough to decide victory at the Dou King realm, but against the opponents he now faced, such techniques were somewhat lacking. They were merely foundational moves; to determine victory, he needed a trump card!
For example, the Angry Buddha Lotus Flame.
Buzz!!!
Seizing the moment while Han Feng remained busy fending off the flames, Xiao Yan began molding a fire lotus between his hands.
His palm slowly rose, and from within his wide sleeve, a deep emerald glow gradually emerged. In an instant, the green light flew out, and then, a flawless jade-like fire lotus, only the size of a palm, hovered above his hand.
'Phew, even with a quasi-Tian Class Qi Method, creating this thing using just the Essence Flames of two kinds of Heavenly Flames still consumes an enormous amount of Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength.' Xiao Yan gazed at the jade-like fire lotus, then lifted his head and chuckled at Han Feng in the distance, whose face had suddenly stiffened.
Although this time the fire lotus only had two colors, it was crafted using the Essence Flames of the Fallen Heart Flame and the Green Lotus Core Flame. Its terrifying power was unparalleled, even surpassing the one he used last time!
"Senior Brother, the same trick nearly finished you off last time. You haven't learned a thing."
Although the fire lotus was only palm-sized, in Han Feng's eyes, it was even more terrifying than the vast blade glow that had nearly spanned the sky earlier. Four months ago, it was this damned thing that had nearly cost him his life!
The entirely jade-like luster of the fire lotus looked even more radiant, yet Han Feng understood that this fire lotus before him was even more terrifying than the one that had almost blown him apart four months ago!
Using his tier 7 spiritual perception, Han Feng could vaguely sense the immense power contained within the jade-like fire lotus. Therefore, his expression grew increasingly grim. He knew that if he couldn't withstand this attack, he would die a gruesome death.
"Go."
Xiao Yan lightly flicked the fire lotus, and the glazed-colored Angry Buddha Lotus Flame transformed into a streak of fire, shooting toward Han Feng. The trail it burned left visible scorch marks in the very space it passed through.
"You cursed brat!"
Gritting his teeth hard, Han Feng didn't dare to be careless any longer. He even swallowed several pills that could temporarily boost his strength.
Immediately, deep blue flames surged endlessly from within his body, finally transforming into a vast deep blue sea of flames spanning seventy to eighty feet. Strangely, these flames emitted thunderous sounds like ocean waves crashing against rocks, causing a slight oppression in people's hearts. That feeling was like facing the boundless sea alone, making one unable to muster any courage to resist.
It was evident that Han Feng's mastery over the Sea Heart Flame was quite profound.
"Sea Heart Phantom Beast!"
Facing the incoming Angry Buddha Lotus Flame, Han Feng transformed the sea of flames into a gigantic sky-blue beast. The beast's massive body charged fiercely toward the smaller fire lotus, intending to smash it to pieces.
BOOM!
Silence lasted only a fleeting moment before a cataclysmic energy storm erupted from the collision point like a tempest!
The terrifying fiery energy storm expanded over an area of several hundred meters. Even the groups of Dou Kings battling in the sky were forced to flee hurriedly in all directions. They knew that if they were caught in this maelstrom, even with their strength, they wouldn't fare well.
Like a tornado, the flames swept both Xiao Yan and Han Feng into its vortex in an instant.
Upon witnessing the astonishing power of Xiao Yan's Dou Technique, Lin Yan, who had just slain a Dou King from the Black-Corner Region, couldn't help but smile bitterly. "This guy is getting more and more terrifying."
Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing couldn't help but feel their gazes dim. It seemed almost impossible to surpass him.
"Who won?" Zi Yan murmured to herself after punching back a peak Dou King.
Even Su Qian and the Gold Silver Elders paused, for the victor between Xiao Yan and Han Feng would likely decide the overall outcome of the entire battle.
"It's Han Feng! He's over there!" Moments later, Han Feng's figure appeared. His alchemist robe was in tatters, blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, and his body was covered in extensive burns.
"Where is Xiao Yan?"
Just as everyone was puzzled about Xiao Yan's whereabouts, a mass of black flames suddenly appeared in the empty space. The Heavy Xuan Ruler slashed fiercely toward Han Feng from behind.
"Betraying your Master and bringing shame upon your ancestors—today, I shall carry out justice in his name!"
Caught completely off guard, Han Feng took the heavy blow head-on. A mouthful of fresh blood spurted from his lips, his body hurtling away like a bird with its wings snapped.