Cao Yun could feel that Rong Shan was actually thinking about his decision. His surprise at Cao Yun's powerful killing intent had mostly passed. Although he couldn't feel any powerful fire within Cao Yun, he wasn't an idiot. He had dealt with demons and knew better than to judge non-Flameborns based on their flames. That being said, he could only vaguely guess Cao Yun's actual strength. To be fair, that was also the case for Cao Yun. Even now, Cao Yun wasn't completely sure of Rong Shan's strength. However, Cao Yun had absolute confidence, which further shook Rong Shan's confidence.
Behind Rong Shan, his superior officers were all ready for a bloody battle. Beyond them, Cao Yun's senses were extended farther and farther. Thanks to the array formations he had left throughout the land, he could sense tribesmen of the Raging Volcano tribe near the Ancient Obsidian tribe. They were far enough away that no one could spot them. By their positions, Cao Yun could tell that they were probably meant to cut off roads and not necessarily attack the tribe. Apparently, Rong Shan wasn't ready for an invasion yet. However, he had a choice to make.
Although Cao Yun was only a guest of the Ancient Obsidian tribe, Rong Shan could use his words to justify an attack. The Ancient Obsidian tribe was small, weak, and isolated. So long as he had an actual justification, Rong Shan wasn't afraid of any repercussions. In the worst-case scenario, he could buy off some other major tribes to be left in peace. In fact, he could literally allow them to search the Ancient Obsidian tribe for the legendary treasures left behind by the Ash Bringer. Rong Shan didn't believe they existed, or the Ancient Obsidian tribe wouldn't have fallen so much. Some of his men were lured by the idea of getting the treasures, Rong Shan wasn't. That being said, it didn't mean he couldn't use them to bargain with others, even if they didn't exist. What mattered was that others believed they existed.
Huichi was silent because he didn't want to lower his tribe by saying that Cao Yun's words were insane. Besides, he didn't need to say anything. Indeed, his brother Huilu intervened. Just as he was about to speak, he felt an intense pressure all over his body. It was as if he was plunged into an icy well, under tons of frozen water. Huilu didn't even connect it to Cao Yun, the tall man was convinced that the Raging Volcano tribe was suppressing him so that they could use Cao Yun's words as an insult to justify an attack. Huilu cursed Cao Yun without even realizing that Cao Yun was the one holding him back. Contrary to Rong Shan, Cao Yun had a good idea of the strength of the three leaders and even Shaman Heiyan. They were no match for him at all. However, he had no idea about the ancient presence underground. He only knew that he was Cangfeng, an old ancestor of the Ancient Obsidian tribe.
It was clear that Rong Shan feared that Cangfeng or his men would be ready to invade the tribe. However, Cangfeng was terribly old. He probably couldn't do anything outside of the grounds of the tribe. In other words, if Rong Shan killed the three leaders, the tribe would eventually fall apart. Even without risking facing the old monster, Rong Shan might be able to triumph and get what he wanted. Cangfeng would be unable to actually lead his tribe. For it to survive, the tribe would be forced to accept the Raging Volcano tribe's offer, especially if the Fire Thearch supported the killing of the three leaders.
Seeing that Huilu didn't say anything, Huishou was about to intervene, but this time, Shaman Heiyan himself stopped him. Huishou was shocked as the shaman barely ever took part in any political decision.
"Noble leader, have faith in the Ash Bringer. She yet protects our meager, unworthy tribe. Believe in her and ignite your fire within."
At last, Rong Shan came to a decision. Nothing in life was free of risk. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. This was a perfect opportunity. Not only could he kill the three leaders at once, but he even had the perfect justification thanks to this Cao Yun. Even if this Cao Yun was somehow too strong, they could still kill the three leaders and run away. Against an outsider, all the tribes would rally with Rong Shan. In fact, Rong Shan might even blame Cao Yun for the murder, saying that he had tried to kill them all and failed. In that case, though, Rong Shan would have to kill all witnesses to be safe. Even though young girls might not be believed, it was better safe than sorry.
"Ancient Obsidian tribe! While you plot with an outsider to plunder all other tribes, you think you can buy our Raging Volcano tribe?! Death to all traitors! Return to the eternal furnace and be kindled anew!"
Without waiting for any more words from Rong Shan, his officers attacked. They didn't target Cao Yun at all. Instead, they went for everyone else. Even the twin sisters were targets.
The very moment they moved, Cao Yun took out his one hundred and eight flying swords, the 'Ebony Feathers' and 'Azure Scales'. They flew all over the place and protected the targets. Thanks to the surprise, two officers were slaughtered in an instant. They were obviously the weakest of the bunch, and they were those targeting the twin sisters.
At the same time, Cao Yun called for Hongyu's help to keep the twins safe. Honestly, Cao Yun wasn't too concerned with the three leaders. If he could spare some effort, he would protect them, but he wouldn't risk himself for them. After all, they would have let him be killed, and he didn't feel any intimacy with them. Moreover, they were somewhat incompetent leaders. Maybe it was better for them to perish here. Or maybe, just facing death could help them realize that they had to work together in a much better fashion. Strangely enough, Cao Yun was more preoccupied with defending Shaman Heiyan, who seemed to know things that could help him. Besides, Shaman Heiyan had seemed to be on Cao Yun's side in this trial.
With no hesitation, Rong Shan went all-out. Six wings of pure fire appeared behind his back. The feathers looked like sharp, deadly daggers. In his hands, he was holding a long saber and a short sword. Both of them were made of flames as well. Even from a distance, one could feel their heat. Cao Yun himself could feel a scorching heat. In fact, Cao Yun could feel something much more powerful than that. The heat wasn't merely affecting his flesh, it was also burning his very soul. Cao Yun had absolutely no doubt that even he wouldn't be able to heal from a wound inflicted by these weapons. At the very least, he would heal even slower than a mortal would heal from a wound inflicted by a normal weapon.
Responding to Rong Shan, Cao Yun took out his 'Dark Abyss Wrathful Serpent Spear'. Suddenly, Cao Yun's aura changed completely. He circulated all of his cultivation but kept his human appearance, not wishing to reveal his asura cultivation among Flameborns who hated demons.
Rong Shan's wings flapped, and he disappeared. Cao Yun's vision could barely follow him, and his wings left blazing trails that tricked him. Instead of staying immobile, waiting for Rong Shan to reappear and attack, Cao Yun also moved all over the place. The human turned into lightning and immediately appeared behind an officer of Rong Shan. Cao Yun was ruthless. His spear stabbed the woman directly in the head. The poor young woman's head exploded before she could even realize what had happened. Only a handful of Flameborns here could follow Cao Yun's movements. Obviously, Cao Yun had chosen his target so that she couldn't sense his presence. She died without even understanding what had happened. She probably never even realized that she had died.
Of course, it infuriated Rong Shan. Although he didn't let his emotions get the better of him, he understood that Cao Yun could slaughter most of his officers if Rong Shan didn't keep him busy. This was clearly Cao Yun's message. Rong Shan couldn't stall him at all. Thus, Rong Shan attacked immediately. Everyone heard thunder as the chieftain flapped his wings. Dozens of blazing feathers flew toward Cao Yun before he could react.
'Imperial Throne'!
Cao Yun erected a powerful wall of wind. Unfortunately, it only served to fan the flames even more. The walls of wind turned into a blazing inferno, and the feathers were upon Cao Yun. From within, Cao Yun mobilized his Black Heart Flame. It engulfed his spear, and Cao Yun swept forward. Most of the feathers were blown away this time. When they hit the ground, they were still burning and literally dug deeper into the ground that turned into glass at the point of impact. Cao Yun's mastery over the Dao of Fire was much weaker than Rong Shan's. Several feathers pierced the wall and were not deflected by Cao Yun's spear. The human was only hit once, his side was lacerated but wasn't sliced open.
By the time Cao Yun could breathe, Rong Shan was already in front of him. His saber was plunging directly into Cao Yun's heart.
'Mountain Under Thunder'!
Cao Yun quickly blocked the saber with the shaft of his spear, horizontal to the ground. As the weapons collided, Cao Yun could feel his own weapon scream in agony. Without the Black Heart Flame to protect it from the Dao of Fire of Rong Shan, his spear would have been damaged. It probably wouldn't have been sliced in half, but it would have been weakened. Just as he blocked, Cao Yun used the momentum to fly into the air. Rong Shan was indeed terrifying. Although his actual strength was probably a bit inferior to that of a 1st-grade Spirit Warrior, or very close to it, his Dao of Fire was a threat even to a late Sage.
Seeing Cao Yun fly into the air, Rong Shan chased him. Suddenly, Cao Yun changed trajectory and dove right into Rong Shan. Before Rong Shan could react, Cao Yun's spear struck.
In the sky above, the stars and constellations of the Azure Dragon weren't visible, hidden by the black clouds of this everlasting burning world. However, Cao Yun could feel their presence, and his martial arts were barely affected at all.
'Dragon Swimming Against the Storm'!
His spear was so swift that it created small storms as it reached for Rong Shan. Those storms were incredibly cold, clashing with the atmosphere of the Broken Fire World itself. Taken by surprise, Rong Shan was unable to fully dodge. The spear had far greater reach than both his weapons. At the very last moment, Rong Shan hit the spear with his small sword. Pouring all his strength into it, Rong Shan was able to move out of the way, mostly. His right wings were completely torn apart. Now that Cao Yun was a bit closer, Rong Shan tried to fly upward.
His sword scraped along the spear, trying to keep some kind of control over his enemy's weapon. But Rong Shan's actual weapon was his long saber. This time, Rong Shan tried to slice off Cao Yun's forearm, to make him let go of the spear. Cao Yun literally let go of his weapon before the saber could slice off his forearm. Then Cao Yun kicked off his own spear. The sudden movement threw off Rong Shan. The chieftain tried to hold onto his sword, which was flung away. He realized his mistake too late as Cao Yun grabbed his spear back. It was now reversed, and Cao Yun struck Rong Shan's flank with the butt of his spear.
'Cracking the World'!
The sound of Rong Shan's bones cracking echoed throughout the battlefield. On the ground, Cao Yun's flying swords were still protecting everyone, but Huichi was also fighting back. Huishou was assessing the situation as everything had happened too fast. And Huilu was simply dumbfounded and didn't even understand what was going on. Jinyao wasn't fighting back as he was using his body as a shield for his daughters.
In the distance, Cao Yun felt Hongyu. She was still far away. Now that he had started to face Rong Shan, Cao Yun realized that he was quite strong. In fact, Cao Yun wasn't even sure he could actually kill him. He didn't think he would lose, not at this point at least, but he wouldn't claim he could win for sure, either. With time being against Cao Yun, things weren't looking too good. However, Cao Yun wasn't alarmed at all. If possible, he would want to win without revealing any of his trump cards, but he might actually be forced to do so.
After losing almost half his wings, Rong Shan simply let go of them. They weren't meant to fly at all. All the feathers from his blazing wings separated and became a large swarm of fiery blades. Cao Yun was forced to recall some of his own flying swords and imbued them with Black Heart Flame so that they wouldn't be melted by the fiery feathers. In the sky, flying swords and feathers were fighting each other in an apocalyptic battle.
While their flying weapons were fighting under the control of their master's will, the two warriors kept on attacking. Rong Shan slashed with his long saber. Suddenly, magma literally lunged from the blade as if the blade itself had melted somehow. Cao Yun went through it with his spear. A hailstorm struck the magma, which solidified in the air. Cao Yun's spear struck Rong Shan's small sword that he was using like a shield. Cao Yun let go of the spear with one hand to get closer to Rong Shan while both Rong Shan's weapons were unable to protect him.
Cao Yun's physical strength was insane. So he punched Rong Shan in the throat. Rong Shan was able to block, but his arm was crushed by the impact. At that moment, he realized what his son had suffered. Cao Yun's arms were monstrous.
Rong Shan breathed out, and scorching air assaulted Cao Yun. It almost burned his skin off, and he was forced to retreat. The fight could last a long time, much too long.