Chapter 418: The First Appearance of the Five-Colored Fire Lotus
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed across the arena as a figure was flung through the air and staggered back two steps before landing.
"Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler!"
Xiao Yan stabilized his stance, expression grim. With a powerful swing of the heavy ruler in his hand, a massive flame torrent over a hundred zhang in length erupted from the blade, surging like lightning toward Gu Yao.
"A cheap trick. What can such a flashy technique even accomplish?"
Facing the blazing tide of flame, Gu Yao sneered. With a clenched fist, frost-white ice surged from his body, instantly encasing his arm in thick Xuan Ice.
"Shatter!"
With a mighty punch, Gu Yao smashed the oncoming flame attack to pieces before everyone's eyes, his strength breaking it apart with ease.
"So that's your—"
He had just begun to mock when his expression suddenly darkened. From within the shattered flames, a five-colored pillar of fire erupted!
He felt it immediately—a suffocating aura of destruction.
"Lihuo Burns the Heavens!"
Xiao Yan's eyes were cold as he completed his hand seals. The pillar of flame struck Gu Yao, and a terrifying explosion of fire swept across the sky!
BOOOOM!
A giant crater over a hundred zhang wide tore into the ground beneath the storm of flames, and even the protective Dou Qi barrier around the square trembled violently from the impact.
"So powerful… This brat is cunning—he used a distraction to draw Gu Yao's attention, then unleashed a much stronger technique while his guard was down!"
Watching the explosive firestorm bloom across the square, many battle-hardened spectators nodded in approval.
In the distance, even Lord Skyfire nodded thoughtfully. His Five-Wheel Away-Flame Technique had been refined after many discussions with Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan. Though its raw power was slightly reduced, its activation speed had increased dramatically. The new version, formed into a talisman array and infused with flame and Dou Qi, could even be gifted to others as a spiritual weapon—rare even on the entire continent.
But despite the devastation he'd caused, Xiao Yan's face remained solemn. The Five-Wheel Flame Formation was powerful, rivaling Heaven-rank techniques. But if Gu Yao could be taken out that easily, he wouldn't be one of the Gu Clan's Four Great Commanders.
BOOM!
Even as the thought crossed Xiao Yan's mind, the firestorm quaked. A terrifying cold aura began spreading out from within.
Then, like a tidal wave, Gu Yao's Dou Qi surged into the sky, howling with power.
"You've suffered and grown strong—so what? I possess the Dou Di bloodline, cultivated the Gu Clan's true legacy arts, and my rank surpasses yours. You, son of a ruined clan, have no right to challenge me!"
As that icy voice echoed from the sky, Xiao Yan's expression turned grim.
BOOM!
The firestorm collapsed into itself and exploded outward in all directions. Flaming waves crashed into the Dou Qi barrier, shaking it violently.
As the blaze receded just ten zhang from Xiao Yan, a figure cloaked in ice stepped out, hovering in the sky.
Gu Yao was now clad in thick Xuan Ice armor, glimmering with light. He had clearly used it to resist the brunt of the explosion.
He floated in midair, wielding a translucent ice spear, sharp and deadly—crafted from some unknown metal.
"Today, I'll show you what true excellence in the younger generation looks like. You are not worthy of standing at this level."
"Ten Thousand Beast Spear Art!"
Gu Yao vanished and reappeared above Xiao Yan like lightning, ice spear dancing as beastly roars echoed from his strikes. Every attack surged toward Xiao Yan's vital points with deadly precision.
"Such ferocity!"
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted. He summoned all his Dou Qi and whipped his ruler defensively, catching most of the attacks. But with each clash, the ground beneath his feet cracked deeply, his boots gouging twin holes into the stone.
"Beast King's Roar!"
Changing techniques mid-combo, Gu Yao's strikes condensed into a single massive beast phantom, roaring down toward Xiao Yan's throat.
But Xiao Yan's Heavenly Realm soul flared from his brow, allowing him to perceive the true path of the attack hidden in the illusion.
With a sudden slash along an unexpected trajectory—
CLANG!
He struck what seemed like empty air—yet a hidden spear tip clashed against his ruler in a shower of sparks.
"Tch."
Gu Yao's eyes flashed in disbelief. With a cold snort, he slammed his palm onto the spear shaft, causing it to spin wildly and slam into Xiao Yan's weapon.
CLANG!
With a sudden twist, the spear's momentum knocked the heavy ruler from Xiao Yan's hand.
"Die!"
With the weapon disarmed, Gu Yao pounced like a hawk, talons outstretched toward Xiao Yan's chest.
But Xiao Yan didn't retreat.
He let the strike come.
"Earth Fiery Pulse!"
A powerful burst erupted from beneath Gu Yao's feet as molten magma exploded upward and slammed into him.
BOOM!
Gu Yao was blown into the sky.
But Xiao Yan wasn't finished.
Stomping hard, he sent magma pillars bursting from the ground in all directions, a volcanic storm battering the airspace around Gu Yao.
"Such precise control—compressing the flames underground and releasing them from beneath the enemy. Xiao Yan's strength may be lower, but his combat instincts are remarkable. If they were the same rank, the outcome wouldn't be so easy to predict."
Even many Gu Clan observers were impressed. They had never seen Gu Yao forced into such a situation by an outsider.
In the sky, Gu Yao struggled slightly. The lava didn't harm him much—but within it pulsed an energy that disturbed his mind, igniting invisible spiritual flames.
Were it not for his potent ice-based Dou Qi, he'd already be injured.
Frustration brewed. This battle should've been quick. Yet he was now locked in a deadlock.
"Enough! Begone!"
He finally roared. Slamming both palms downward, a massive ice energy wave crushed the magma columns in an avalanche of freezing force.
Seeing the tidal wave of frost heading his way, Xiao Yan's feet flared with silver light, and he blinked into the sky.
"Burning Art!"
The Flame Mantra activated, devouring surrounding energy like a black hole. Streams of essence poured into him.
Since absorbing the Three Thousand Burning Flame, the Flame Mantra had evolved to near-Heaven-rank levels.
"A Heaven-rank technique?!"
Spectators narrowed their eyes at the spectacle.
"You think you're the only one with one?"
"Ancient Saint Codex—Devour Heaven and Earth!"
Gu Yao sneered, forming seals. Dark clouds swirled above, drawing in massive streams of elemental energy, which surged into him like a waterfall.
"He even brought out the Ancient Saint Codex…"
Lin Xiu and others turned grim. No one expected Gu Yao would need this to win.
"Xiao Yan, now let me show you the true power of a Gu Clan Heaven-rank technique!"
Gu Yao floated high, looking down as dark clouds covered the sky.
But below, Xiao Yan raised a glowing hand.
A four-colored light swirled in his palm.
Everyone stared in confusion—
Then an apocalyptic wave of destructive aura exploded outward.
"He's going to use it... here?"
Seeing this scene, Xiao Yuan was slightly stunned.
"Trying the same trick again?"
As the four-colored glow once more gathered in Xiao Yan's hand, Gu Yao looked unimpressed.
"That's the Fire Lotus Dou Technique?"
Skyfire Venerable turned his head toward Xiao Yuan, a questioning light in his eyes.
Xiao Yuan nodded slightly.
This moment would decide the battle.
Four different Heavenly Flames hovered in the sky, their terrifying heat drying the air instantly. Although none of the spectators were weak, many couldn't help but show their shock—Heavenly Flames were already rare, yet Xiao Yan actually possessed four of them. That was a staggering amount.
"Falling Heart Flame?"
Mang Tianchi gazed at the formless flame floating around Xiao Yan and cried out in surprise.
He had sealed this flame in the past, so he naturally recognized it. However, he never expected it to end up in Xiao Yan's hands.
"Four Heavenly Flames... how is that possible? How can four different Heavenly Flames coexist in one body without conflicting and exploding?"
A member of the Yan Clan with a somewhat cocky expression was now dumbfounded, mumbling in disbelief.
"Green Lotus Core Flame, Falling Heart Flame, Ocean Heart Flame, and the Three Thousand Burning Flame..."
Even Huo Xuan's expression froze as he stared upward, eyes filled with disbelief. As a member of the Flame Clan, he was deeply attuned to fire. Even they only possessed four Heavenly Flames total, yet here stood a single man wielding them all.
"His cultivation method must be extremely special, with the ability to fuse different Heavenly Flames. The fusion he used previously must have been a blend of all four... Even our clan's core technique, the Fire Emperor Mystic Tome, can't do that..."
Huo Zhi's brows furrowed slightly as she spoke softly, deeply unsettled.
"This man... clearly isn't as simple as he appears."
"Such a strange method and quantity of Heavenly Flames... this Xiao Yan truly is an anomaly."
Elsewhere in the square, still suppressed under Xiao Yuan's spiritual pressure, Yao Xingji stared greedily at Xiao Yan's flames. To an alchemist, Heavenly Flames were the ultimate treasure. Despite his status in the Yao Clan, he'd worked tirelessly to obtain even one. Yet this so-called "abandoned" disciple of the Yao Clan had four!
Even the total of all flames within the Yao Clan likely couldn't match this.
"He must have something to suppress the flames... maybe it's his cultivation method. If I can capture him, I might be able to extract both the method and the flames... and when I do... the position of Yao Clan leader will be mine."
His eyes glowed red with greed.
Above, Xiao Yuan's heavenly-tier soul instantly detected Yao Xingji's malicious intent.
"Tch... Looks like I'll have to clean up some trash later."
He sighed internally.
With the four Heavenly Flames now in view, all eyes were on Xiao Yan. Everyone's minds churned—some in admiration, others with jealousy, and more than a few with desire.
"I didn't expect you to possess four Heavenly Flames. But if you think repeating yourself will win again... then today marks your defeat."
Gu Yao's gaze passed over the flames with a trace of surprise, but he quickly sneered. His hands danced through the air, and with his seals formed, the winds suddenly died. Even the roiling clouds above froze, as a terrifying aura of annihilation poured from him.
As that energy spread, even spectators began to feel despair creeping into their hearts. It was as if all life around them was vanishing.
"To be forced this far... Xiao Yan has done well."
In the air, the three ancient elders of the Gu Clan exchanged solemn glances. Their Dou Qi erupted simultaneously, strengthening the protective barrier around the arena.
"This is... the Grand Annihilation Art."
Xun Er inhaled deeply, her expression solemn. She had once practiced the same technique. The power to erase all life made it unforgettable.
"If he can push Gu Yao to use a Heaven-Rank Dou Technique, he's already won. Even if he retreats now, no one in the Gu Clan can say a word."
Mang Tianchi's expression darkened slightly.
"You still underestimate him. Even if all four of the Black Fiend Commanders attacked at once, they'd be left with mutual injuries from what's coming."
Xiao Yuan's eyes never left Xiao Yan.
This Fire Lotus Dou Technique... was even troublesome for him to counter.
That shocked Mang Tianchi and Xun Er deeply.
"A technique that powerful?"
"A Heaven-Rank Dou Technique..."
Xiao Yan stared solemnly at Gu Yao's closed eyes as all life seemed to vanish from his body. The Gu Clan was a superpower with thousands of years of heritage. Heaven-Rank Dou Techniques were bound to exist within their archives.
He couldn't afford the slightest mistake.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan's brow twitched—white flame burst forth.
"A fifth Heavenly Flame!"
Gasps echoed across the arena.
How could one person possess five?!
"Is that... Yao Chen's Bone Chilling Flame?"
Skyfire Venerable recognized it instantly—and his heart trembled.
Unlike the custom-made flames of Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yan's were all naturally formed. Their destructive power was far greater.
This wasn't the best setup for the Five-Wheel Flame Formation, but just witnessing this would've made death worthwhile.
With the fifth flame added, Xiao Yan roared internally and forced all five flames together.
"And you think you can challenge me with this?"
Gu Yao sneered. He raised a single finger and gently pressed it forward.
"Grand Annihilation Finger!"
As his finger fell, the sky seemed to freeze. From that single point, a wave of death surged outward like a hurricane.
BOOM—
The sky shattered.
The thick clouds above churned wildly, as if something monstrous was about to burst forth.
"Heavenly Flames may be strong... but our Heaven-Rank Dou Techniques are stronger!"
Gu Yao hovered high above, gaze icy. He raised his right hand, clenched it—
BOOM!
A giant black finger burst from the clouds and plunged toward Xiao Yan.
The massive finger radiated a dreadful aura. All life in its path crumbled. The sky tore open behind it, leaving a thousand-zhang-long rift in space.
"Horrifying..."
Even strong warriors turned pale. Just the leaking aura was terrifying. If they were the target, they'd be vaporized before the finger even landed.
"Die, Xiao Yan. Only your death will make Xun Er let go!"
But Xiao Yan didn't flinch. His palm slowly opened, and he stomped into the air—charging directly toward the descending black finger!
"Gu Yao... you're celebrating a bit too early."
Xiao Yan looked tiny in comparison, but a loud laugh rang out.
At the same moment, sharp-eyed observers saw it—there, in his palm, a delicate fire lotus bloomed. Palm-sized, spinning slowly, five flames danced along its petals, distorting the surrounding space.
A destructive force radiated silently.
BOOM—
Xiao Yan collided with the black finger. With a deafening explosion, the massive digit shuddered—and shattered into countless dark fragments.
The shockwave tore Xiao Yan's hands apart—blood spilled freely. Dozens of deep cuts slashed his body. He looked like a man drenched in blood.
"Gu Yao! You want my life? Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Xiao Yan laughed toward the heavens, voice hoarse yet thunderous.
He burst forth like a crimson comet, fire lotus in hand, breaking through the sky as he charged straight toward the pale-faced, stunned Gu Yao.
In that moment, even the Gu Clan elders wore expressions of absolute horror.
This strike—unless one was at the Half-Saint level—none of them could stop it!
(END CHAPTER)
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