Chapter 434: The Heavenly Demon Grand Array
"Flame Sovereign · Wrath of Wang Quan!"
North of the Northern Continent, beyond the Warding Spirit Array of the White Jade Capital, Wang Quan's chilling voice echoed.
Within the Spirit Array, black demonic energy erupted violently from his body, surging wildly. In mere moments, the swirling energy coalesced into a colossal demonic avatar over 3,000 meters tall. It stood like a towering mountain, exuding an oppressive aura that made even Xiao Tiance feel his movements sluggish under its overwhelming pressure.
What's worse, the avatar held a massive sword forged from black demonic energy and wreathed in purple flames. Even from hundreds of meters away, the heat emanating from the flames carried an unmistakable sense of fatality. One wrong move, and Xiao Tiance was certain it would cleave him apart, even with his perfected Spirit Array Body Refinement Technique.
"Swoosh!"
Sensing the threat, Xiao Tiance swiftly retreated until his back pressed against the barrier of the Spirit Array. Cornered, he narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Wang Quan and the menacing avatar.
"Hehehe, there's no escape, Xiao Tiance. This is the price for provoking me!"
Wang Quan's laughter was laced with madness and confidence. He seemed to already envision the moment Xiao Tiance was cleaved in two.
The other four Heavenly Demon Emperors stood back, their expressions smug as they watched the spectacle unfold.
Wang Quan had invoked "Three Extermination Divine Technique", a supreme secret art of the Flame Sovereign Tribe. To them, this battle was all but over. There was no need for them to lift a finger. Once Xiao Tiance fell, the Spirit Array would collapse, and the battlefield outside would be theirs to control.
In their eyes, raw power would soon resolve everything.
"Impressive strength..."
Xiao Tiance's gaze remained steady despite the odds. He could sense the avatar had already locked onto him. No matter where he went within the Spirit Array, there was no escaping its reach.
"As expected of a mid stage Heavenly Demon Emperor. Such power could overwhelm anyone. But if I collapse the Spirit Array now, the battlefield outside will be overrun in minutes."
Xiao Tiance clenched his jaw, knowing retreat wasn't an option.
"Time to gamble it all!"
Spinning his battle intent longsword with a flourish, he stepped forward, sending a secret transmission to Ling'er:
"Ling'er, hold the battle array at all costs. If it collapses, we're both done for."
Ling'er's voice responded firmly, devoid of fear:
"Rest assured, young master. If this is the end, I will follow you to the very last."
"Come!"
With a fierce roar, Xiao Tiance launched himself forward, battle intent blazing as his longsword pulsed with energy amplified by the array.
"Swoosh!"
His figure blurred as he sped toward Wang Quan, aiming directly for the Heavenly Demon Emperor. But before his sword could strike, Wang Quan's cold sneer rang out.
"Hmph!"
In an instant, Wang Quan's form merged with the towering demonic avatar, becoming one with its immense body.
"Clang! Boom! Bang!"
Xiao Tiance's longsword clashed against the avatar's flaming purple greatsword. A thunderous sound reverberated as sparks flew from the impact. But before Xiao Tiance could counter, another massive arm materialized from the avatar and smashed into his chest.
"Boom!"
The blow sent Xiao Tiance hurtling backward like a cannonball, slamming into the Spirit Array's barrier.
Though the barrier shook violently, it held firm. Xiao Tiance, however, wasn't as fortunate. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his chest heaved as he assessed his injuries. Three ribs were shattered, and the area where the fist had struck had caved inward.
Despite the pain, Xiao Tiance wiped the blood from his lips, his smirk defiant.
"Impressive. I haven't been hurt this badly in years."
"Hehehe, that was just the appetizer, Xiao Tiance. For daring to challenge me, I'll ensure you suffer."
Wang Quan's voice boomed from the avatar, filled with sadistic glee.
"Let's go again!"
Planting his sword into the ground, Xiao Tiance forced himself upright. His eyes burned with battle intent as he charged forward once more.
A Calculated Maneuver
This time, Xiao Tiance executed a maneuver more deliberate and precise.
"Battle Intent · Heaven Splitting Strike!"
His longsword radiated a dazzling light as he unleashed a powerful slash toward the avatar.
"Clang!"
Once again, the demonic avatar raised its flaming purple greatsword to block the strike.
But this time, Xiao Tiance smirked.
With a sudden twist, he evaded the greatsword's trajectory, reappearing directly before the avatar.
"Did you think I'd fall for the same trick twice?"
Raising his sword high, he aimed for the avatar's head.
"Too naive!"
Wang Quan sneered from within the avatar. At his command, the avatar's eyes flared with purple fire.
"Whoosh!"
The fire shot out like twin beams, forcing Xiao Tiance to abandon his attack and retreat. Worse, the flames consumed his sword, incinerating the intricate battle patterns upon it.
"Damn it!"
Discarding the now useless weapon, Xiao Tiance withdrew, regrouping as Ling'er formed another sword for him from the battle array.
Even so, his expression grew darker. He had clearly underestimated the power of the purple flames.
A Daunting Revelation
From within the avatar, Wang Quan's mocking voice rang out.
"Xiao Tiance, you can't win. That's the essence of Flame Sovereign Wrath. Unless you can match the full might of a mid stage Heavenly Demon Emperor, this battlefield will be your grave!"
Xiao Tiance didn't respond. Instead, his grip on the new sword tightened as he prepared for the next clash, his thoughts racing.
This wasn't just a fight it was a battle for survival, one where retreat was not an option.
"Young Master, under Wang Quan's control, that demonic avatar's speed, strength, and reaction time are on par with ours. If this continues, we might end up being exhausted to death here," Ling'er said, her tone laced with worry.
Xiao Tiance nodded and responded through their soul connection, "Don't worry. He hasn't gone all out yet, and neither have we. Right now, our priority is to find a weakness in that avatar. Without one, it's nearly impossible to attack or defend against it effectively. And with those other four Heavenly Demon Emperors waiting for an opening, we're at a severe disadvantage."
"Young Master, why not coat the Battle Intent Sword with the Golden Emperor Flame? While their purple flames are powerful, they pale compared to the Golden Emperor Flame. Moreover, the flame proved highly effective at burning demonic energy before. Since that massive avatar is composed entirely of demonic energy, the Golden Emperor Flame might give us the edge we need," Ling'er suggested.
Xiao Tiance's eyes lit up. He flipped his left hand, summoning the terrifying Golden Emperor Flame once more. As it flared in his palm, he swept the flame over the blade of his Battle Intent Sword, coating it in radiant golden fire.
"Whoosh!"
As the Golden Emperor Flame engulfed the sword, its heat distorted the air around it. Even the lingering demonic energy in the vicinity ignited and burned away in an instant.
Across from him, Wang Quan's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the golden flames. However, his expression soon returned to calm disdain. He thought to himself, "That flame may burn through scattered demonic energy like that of Shihai, but my avatar is nothing like his feeble constructs. Let's see how far this flame goes."
The Third Strike
With a flash, Xiao Tiance launched his third offensive. This time, his Battle Intent Sword blazed brilliantly, searing the very fabric of space as he charged forward. Wherever the sword passed, the air shimmered, and the demonic energy in its path was obliterated.
"Hmph!" Wang Quan snorted as he controlled his massive avatar, meeting Xiao Tiance's attack head on with the avatar's flaming purple greatsword.
"Clang!"
When the two swords collided, Xiao Tiance immediately sensed the Golden Emperor Flame devouring portions of the purple fire coating Wang Quan's sword.
"Boom!"
Both combatants staggered from the clash. Xiao Tiance was forced back two steps, but he planted his feet firmly and transferred the rebound force through his blade into the massive avatar. To his satisfaction, the towering construct was also forced back several steps.
"Hmph!"
Wang Quan's expression darkened at this development. Controlling the avatar, he unleashed another wave of purple flames, which surged toward Xiao Tiance.
Sensing the opportunity, Xiao Tiance poured his vast soul energy into a mental assault, targeting Wang Quan directly.
"ARGHH!"
Caught off guard, Wang Quan clutched his head in agony, his mental defenses overwhelmed. The enormous avatar trembled as Wang Quan's control wavered, cracks forming in its surface.
"Now!"
Xiao Tiance didn't hesitate. With a mighty swing of his Battle Intent Sword, he aimed to decapitate Wang Quan and end the fight.
Intervention from the Four Emperors
Just as Xiao Tiance's strike was about to connect, the four observing Heavenly Demon Emperors Shihai, Shishan, Wuming, and Wutian simultaneously launched devastating attacks. Four beams of malevolent energy streaked toward Xiao Tiance.
Xiao Tiance quickly withdrew, abandoning his strike on Wang Quan to avoid being hit by the four combined attacks. He backflipped gracefully, retreating to a safe distance.
Though he had missed the chance to behead Wang Quan, Xiao Tiance had no regrets. He thought grimly, Even if I had severed his head, there's no guarantee that a Heavenly Demon Emperor like him would die so easily. Trading my life for a gamble isn't worth it.
Now separated, Xiao Tiance watched as Wang Quan's massive avatar dissipated entirely. Across from him, Wang Quan glared with bloodshot eyes, his face twisted in fury.
"I WILL KILL YOU!" Wang Quan roared, his voice shaking the air.
Xiao Tiance smirked coldly, unshaken. "You want to kill me? Funny. I've been thinking the same about you and not just you, but the rest of your little friends too."
The Heavenly Demon Grand Array
Seeing Wang Quan's condition, Wuming stepped forward and said, "Lord Wang Quan, there's no need to drag this out any further. Let's end this together."
Wutian nodded in agreement. "Time is not on our side. Even though this Spirit Array isolates us, I can sense a powerful force approaching quickly. It's likely those pests from the Great Thousand Palace are on their way."
Shihai and Shishan extended their senses as well, their expressions darkening. "It must be Qin Tian," Shihai said. "That lunatic is getting closer."
Hearing the name "Qin Tian," Wang Quan's rage subsided momentarily, replaced by a flicker of hatred and fear. He muttered, "Qin Tian..."
Wang Quan's hand instinctively moved to his chest, a deep scar hidden beneath his robes. Memories of his last encounter with Qin Tian resurfaced how that maddening man had escaped, leaving a trail of slaughtered Demon Emperors in his wake.
Snapping back to the present, Wang Quan growled, "Very well. Let's finish this."
He turned his cold gaze to Xiao Tiance and said, "I had hoped to toy with you a bit longer, but fate has other plans. This is your last chance, Xiao Tiance. Submit to me, reveal your connection to the Heavenly Dao Sect, and I might spare your life."
Instead of answering, Xiao Tiance burst into laughter. "Thank you for letting me know reinforcements are on the way. All I need to do now is hold you off. You've just made my job easier!"
Wang Quan's eyes darkened. "Then you've sealed your fate. We'll see how long you can laugh."
"Form the Heavenly Demon Grand Array!" Wang Quan commanded.
The four Heavenly Demon Emperors responded immediately, moving to their designated positions east, south, west, and north. Their combined auras surged, weaving together into an ancient, malevolent formation that radiated overwhelming power.
As the array activated, Xiao Tiance felt a chilling aura that seemed to smother the entire battlefield.
"Under the Heavenly Demon Grand Array, even gods will fall. Xiao Tiance, regret your choices while you still can."
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