79 Grand Flame Extinguishing, Ashless Slash!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of clashing metal and whooshing air echoed through the arena, each strike like a hammer blow against the hearts of the tense audience, their eyes glued to the battle between Yan Zhen and Bai Ao.
Bai Ao, ranked thirty-third on the Rising Star List and leader of the White Fang, was quite famous in the Inner Academy, with numerous admirers.
Yan Zhen and Huangfu Wenqing, both having reached the Rising Star List at the Mystic Master realm, were equally prominent. Several society leaders and officers were already plotting how to recruit them.
On the stage, the battle intensified. Yan Zhen, wielding the Gold and Silver Fire Sword Embryo, exchanged blows with Bai Ao in a rapid exchange, their hands numbing after over a hundred strikes. They separated, leaping back, then both began gathering their Mystic Power again.
Bai Ao punched, his Lightning Mystic Power surging forth. Yan Zhen raised his greatsword and slashed downwards, the fiery sword Qi leaving a scorched mark on the arena floor as it collided with Bai Ao’s lightning-fast fist.
Bang!
The clash of Mystic Power created a massive explosion, a shockwave sweeping across the arena, kicking up dust and debris.
Both of them panted slightly, calming their turbulent Mystic Power and preparing for the next round.
Bai Ao’s gauntlets were covered in flames from the Gold and Silver Fire, the metal starting to melt, much to his distress. Yan Zhen’s sword embryo also dimmed slightly. After all, it was just an embryo, not a complete sword, its power somewhat lacking.
“You do have some skill, no wonder you could defeat Fu Cheng.” Bai Ao sneered. “But you’re still just a four-star Mystic Master, while I’m a four-star Mystic General. That difference isn’t something Mystic Arts or Mystic Skills can bridge!”
“Are you afraid?” Yan Zhen saw through his bluff. “You realized I’m stronger than you expected, so you’re scared, worried that I have more tricks up my sleeve.”
Bai Ao was enraged. “You? I can crush you like an ant!”
Yan Zhen smirked. “Crushing an ant… that’s you.”
He was mocking Bai Ao’s nickname, “White Dog” (Can mean mastiff or Tibetan Mastiff, which are types of dogs).
Bai Ao, knowing he couldn’t win a verbal spar, unleashed his rage, his Lightning Mystic Power surging, electric arcs crackling across half the arena, a faint wolf’s head forming behind him.
“Thunder Beast Transformation!”
He kicked off the ground and charged towards Yan Zhen with lightning speed, unleashing a barrage of punches, each heavier than the last, forcing Yan Zhen to retreat defensively. The final blow sent him flying.
Yan Zhen used the momentum to create some distance, landing unsteadily. Before he could dispel the numbing effect of the Lightning Mystic Power, Bai Ao had already begun charging his next attack.
“It’s over, Yan Zhen!”
A vast amount of Lightning Mystic Power transformed into a giant azure wolf that howled, its roar like thunder, shaking the entire arena.
This was Bai Ao’s ultimate technique, the King-level Mystic Skill Azure Thunder Howl!
It was this technique that earned him his thirty-third place on the Rising Star List.
—It is time to end this.
Yan Zhen’s duel with Bai Ao was a key plot point. The system had already issued its instructions. Bai Ao using Azure Thunder Howl was Yan Zhen’s cue to defeat him.
If not for the script’s restrictions, Yan Zhen would have already put on the snake scale gauntlets given to him by Cai Lian and ended the fight with a single, crippling blow.
“Hmph!”
Yan Zhen gripped the Gold and Silver Fire Sword Embryo with both hands and raised it high. Crimson and grayish-black flames ignited on the gold and silver blade.
Three Extreme Flames intertwined and clashed on the sword’s surface, creating a destructive energy similar to Myriad Forms Annihilation, Heaven and Earth Incineration, incredibly unstable.
Yan Zhen tightened his grip on the hilt and shouted, “Grand Flame Extinguishing… Ashless Slash!”
Intensely hot sword Qi erupted, slamming into the incoming thunder wolf like a crashing wave. Fire and lightning collided, creating a massive explosion that shook the entire arena.
The power of the Flame Extinguishing, Ashless Slash increased with each additional Extreme Flame. With three flames, its power was tripled.
The thunder wolf was instantly torn apart by the searing sword Qi, the remaining energy engulfing Bai Ao, who stared in horror.
As the dust settled, Bai Ao was revealed, his body charred black and covered in cuts, a gruesome sight. Although he wasn’t bleeding, he was clearly severely injured.
—Bai Ao actually lost?!
The audience was shocked. He was a four-star Mystic General, yet he was defeated by Yan Zhen, a four-star Mystic Master!
Even Gu Tiange, the monstrously talented, top-ranked student on the Rising Star List, hadn’t been this dominant at this level. Yan Zhen’s victory over Bai Ao completely shattered their expectations.
“…”
Bai Ao looked up with difficulty at Yan Zhen, who stood, leaning on his sword, panting slightly, his eyes filled with resentment and a hint of fear.
“How… how could you—”
Yan Zhen dispelled the Gold and Silver Fire Sword Embryo and said calmly, “There’s always someone stronger… And I wasn’t even trying my best.”
He had only used the “heat” of the Extreme Flames, not their special abilities. Otherwise, with the Gold and Silver Fire as his sword, the Great Crimson Skyfire for defense, and the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire for disruption, Bai Ao wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Especially the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire, its mind-altering ability was incredibly difficult to defend against, and those who hadn’t cultivated their souls were especially vulnerable.
Once he obtained the sonic Mystic Skill “Heavenly Dragon’s Eight Tones” from Grand Elder Yu Yan, this ability would be further enhanced, becoming one of his most powerful attacks.
“Hand them over.”
Yan Zhen stepped on Bai Ao’s hand, ignoring his pained cry, and forcibly took his storage ring.
Since they hadn’t specified the wager amount before the duel, it was assumed to be all the points they possessed. This was the academy’s rule.
Yan Zhen’s Spiritual Power probed into the storage ring and retrieved Bai Ao’s Tier 5 academy card, then tossed the ring back to him.
He then walked over to the White Fang’s second-in-command, took his storage ring, and retrieved his winnings.
After that, Yan Zhen returned to the center of the arena, looked around at the audience, and said loudly, “Anyone else who’s not convinced can come at me. But if anyone dares to lay a finger on my people again, I won’t be so merciful!”
Looking at the scorch marks on the arena and the two unconscious White Fang members, the students felt a sense of dread towards this seemingly harmless junior.
A four-star Mystic Master, ranked ninety-ninth on the Rising Star List, now having defeated the thirty-third rank. What level of power would he reach next month?
Yan Zhen ignored their reactions, turned, and left the stage, taking Long Ying’s hand and walking towards Huangfu Wenqing.
“Let’s go.”
Huangfu Wenqing’s heart swelled with happiness. She took Yan Zhen’s other arm, and they left the dueling arena together.
They first went to the Seven Stars Hall to collect Yan Zhen’s reward, then headed towards the dining hall for a meal.
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