Huang Mo continued laying out Earth Fireballs, steadily expanding his control. By now, more than half the arena had been turned into a hidden minefield. He raised his voice, confident, "Lin Yan, you've done enough. To push me this far with your methods already proves your talent. Surrender."
The spectators sighed inwardly. It seemed the outcome was decided, and even Huang Mo believed victory was within his grasp.
But Lin Yan's expression remained calm. "Enough probing… time to end this." His aura surged as Borrow Fire Gu, Fire Armor Gu, Walking Fire Gu, Fire Aperture Gu, and other Flame Path Gu activated together, resonating into a unified whole.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Flames burst outward from his body, engulfing him completely. His figure transformed into a golden-red flame form, as if cast from fire itself. Nine flame patterns coiled like dragons, his eyes burned crimson, his hair flowed like molten gold, and every movement stirred waves of scorching heat.
Rank 3 Killer Move: Flame Demon Possession (Incomplete).
Shock swept across the arena. Even Huang Ming and the other Rank 4 and Rank 5 experts could not remain calm. "He didn't learn the Family's Flame Demon True Body… so how is he using this move?!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At this moment, Lin Yan stood firmly on the arena, his feet submerged in a sea of fire. A continuous surge of immense power rose from within his body, while the silver primeval essence in his aperture drained rapidly. At the same time, the fire energy stored in his two Fire Apertures was also being consumed at an alarming rate.
He didn't have much time. The earlier battle had already burned through more than half of his reserves. Now, he only had a few breaths left to maintain this state.
"But it's enough."
Killing intent flashed in Lin Yan's eyes. During the three months he spent breaking through to Rank 3, he hadn't been idle. After mastering Borrow Fire Gu, he had repeatedly entered dream realms, deducing Flame Path Rank 3 killer moves and trying to replicate the Family's Flame Demon True Body, replacing the role of Glass Flame Bone Gu.
To achieve this, he had studied battle records over and over, even recreating them in dream realms to fight through them personally. With his previous foundation, after countless attempts, he had finally reconstructed seventy to eighty percent of its power.
"Die!" Wrapped in roaring flames, Lin Yan raised his hand and aimed at Huang Mo. Fire gathered from all directions, compressing into a crimson-gold vortex in his palm. In the next instant, a blazing pillar of golden-red fire burst forth, tearing through the air and twisting everything in its path.
Rumble!
On the ground, Huang Mo hastily activated Flying Earth Gu, trying to escape, but the blazing pillar of fire chased relentlessly, carving a deep, scorched trench across the arena. Gravel melted into crimson magma, ash filled the sky, and flames spread wildly in every direction.
In the end, under Huang Mo's despairing gaze, his figure was swallowed by the towering column of fire.
Mid-air, Lin Yan continued to pour power into Fireball Gu, sustaining the attack. The pillar of fire raged for three full breaths before finally dispersing. At the center of the massive blackened crater, a charred body lay motionless—even Flame Body Gu had failed to withstand the force of Flame Demon Possession.
Lin Yan's flames faded, his face turning pale. His silver primeval essence was completely drained, and the aura of his core Gu—Fire Armor, Fireball, Fire Eye, Raging Fire, and Borrow Fire—had all weakened, some even showing signs of damage. The fire patterns on his palms were dim, the energy within his Fire Apertures entirely exhausted.
But the result was undeniable. He had defeated Huang Mo, a late Rank 3 expert, while relying on only a single Rank 3 Gu.
Once he fully refined his remaining Rank 2 Gu and added more Rank 3 Gu to his arsenal, his combat strength would rise several times over.
He looked down at Huang Mo in the crater, his life barely hanging on, his own expression calm and unreadable. He had deliberately held back from delivering the final blow. He still needed to remain within the Family. Establishing dominance and proving his worth was enough—killing recklessly would only provoke the Rank 5 experts and bring unnecessary trouble.
At the same time, Lin Yan swept his gaze across the surroundings, and the watching Gu Masters immediately lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. Even the three A-grade geniuses slightly bowed, their hearts filled with complicated emotions. Everyone understood that Lin Yan had completely risen. Without relying on Shan Shayuan, he had established his own authority. At just over sixteen, with such talent and strength, his future was beyond doubt.
Lin Yan's lips curled, and he suddenly laughed, his voice filled with unrestrained confidence. This battle had achieved its purpose. What did tens of thousands of primeval stones matter? What if he refused Family missions? Who could force him? In the end, relying on oneself was what truly mattered.
At that moment, more than a dozen high-ranking figures appeared in mid-air, their expressions unsettled, all shocked by the fact that Lin Yan had deciphered and even replicated part of the Family's true inheritance killer move. This level of talent was abnormal and had to be treated with extreme caution.
Huang Ming descended from the sky, his gaze fixed on Lin Yan as he spoke with approval, "As expected of the Family's top genius. After discussion among the high-ranking officials, we have decided to fully support your cultivation."