Chapter 433: Flame Sovereign · The Fall of Wang Quan
"Let's See How You Handle This Blazing Heavens Flame Palm!"
In the skies above the northern boundary of Zhuxian City, Xiao Tiance sneered as his Eight Marks Fusion was effortlessly blocked by the demon emperors. With his eyes cold, his boundless spiritual energy surged, and in an instant, the Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame ignited in his palm.
"Boom!"
Infused with spiritual energy, the originally palm sized flame expanded to a massive scale. The extreme heat radiating from the flames seemed intent on burning the heavens and earth into ashes.
The flame rapidly transformed, reshaped into a quasi ultimate divine technique using a modified battle technique. In mere moments, a massive palm composed of pure golden flames materialized.
"Go!"
With a push, the flame covered palm advanced, leaving a searing trail through the air, even cracking the fabric of space itself.
"Watch Out!"
The five Heavenly Demon Kings, led by Wang Quan, immediately grew wary, retreating rapidly. The overwhelming heat emanating from the flame palm made it clear: contact with this attack would result in severe injuries, even for them.
Even Wang Quan, a mid stage Heavenly Demon King, felt a sense of urgency.
"Demon Tide!"
Suddenly, Shi Hai, the Corpse Sea Demon King, stepped forward. Black demonic energy erupted from his body, forming a torrent of magic energy. With a push of his hands, the black waves surged toward Xiao Tiance's fiery palm.
"Rumble!"
The collision was instant. However, contrary to Shi Hai's expectations, the magical energy didn't extinguish the flame. Instead, the moment the two forces met, the Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame exploded violently, igniting the demonic energy like oil meeting fire.
"Boom!"
A massive chain reaction of explosions ensued. Wherever the demonic energy touched the flames, it erupted into fiery blasts.
Caught in the chaos, Shi Hai suffered the most. After the explosions subsided, one of his arms hung limp, its flesh completely burned away, leaving only blackened bone exposed.
"Shi Hai, Are You Alright?"
Shi Shan, another demon king, rushed forward, concern evident.
Shi Hai waved him off, though his expression was grim as he examined his scorched arm. His voice was laced with disbelief.
"What kind of flame is this? Even the most powerful flames of the Fire Spirit Clan pale in comparison it completely incinerated my demonic energy."
The other Heavenly Demon Kings exchanged uneasy glances.
"This fire is no ordinary flame; it can burn through even the most concentrated demonic energy."
"Terrifying. If it weren't for Shi Hai stepping in, we might've all been caught in that explosion."
"Hmph! No wonder he dares to challenge us. But if he thinks this flame alone can defeat us, he's sorely mistaken."
Though surprised, their arrogance remained intact. While Xiao Tiance had delivered an unexpected blow, the Heavenly Demon Kings were still confident in their collective strength.
Xiao Tiance's Provocation
Seeing the unease among his opponents, Xiao Tiance smirked.
"What's the matter? Doesn't feel so good, does it? Perhaps you're not as invincible as you thought."
Wang Quan's expression darkened, his tone icy.
"Impressive flames, but if that's your best, you've severely underestimated us."
The other demon kings glared at Xiao Tiance, their killing intent surging.
"Time to Turn Things Up"
Xiao Tiance remained unfazed.
"Who said I was done? If that didn't impress you, let's take it up a notch."
He retrieved a black jade talisman from his spatial ring and crushed it without hesitation.
"Buzz..."
Immediately, intricate arrays of glowing patterns appeared in the surrounding space. Four massive beams of light shot skyward, forming a vast barrier that enclosed both Xiao Tiance and the five demon kings.
The Trap Is Set
Wang Quan frowned as he stepped forward to test the barrier. With a powerful punch, he struck the barrier's surface.
"Bang! Clang!"
The impact rebounded with tremendous force, sending Wang Quan skidding back several meters. His eyes widened in shock.
"A... Sacred Grandmaster Level Array?!"
The other demon kings were equally stunned.
"Impossible! This can't be a Sacred Grandmaster's array!"
"Wait he's no Sacred Array Grandmaster. He's trapped in here with us, which means this array relies on him as the core."
They quickly deduced the truth. Xiao Tiance wasn't powerful enough to construct such a high level array independently. Instead, he had modified an Emperor Grade Grandmaster Array, using himself as the array's core to amplify its power.
Xiao Tiance's Gambit
Xiao Tiance chuckled, his voice calm and taunting.
**"You're right. This isn't a Sacred Grandmaster array, just my strongest Emperor Grade array with a little... modification. I've made myself the array's core, raising it to Sacred Grandmaster level power.
"Here's the deal: kill me, and the array collapses. Fail, and you'll remain trapped here forever. Not even peak stage Heavenly Demon Kings can break this array without eliminating its core."**
Despite his nonchalant tone, Xiao Tiance's gamble was clear. He was betting everything on his ability to survive and hold off the demon kings.
The Demon Kings React
Instead of panicking, Wang Quan smirked.
"A bold move, Xiao Tiance. But you've miscalculated. You've trapped yourself with us your death is only a matter of time."
The other demon kings shared his confidence. Though the array was powerful, they now had a single, clear objective: kill Xiao Tiance.
The Stage Is Set
As the tension escalated, Xiao Tiance's gaze remained unwavering.
"You think you're predators, but you've stepped into my hunting ground. Come then show me what you've got."
The battle for survival had truly begun.
"Xiao Tiance, I must admit, even Qin Tian from the Grand Thousand Palace wouldn't dare show such courage as you. But you've overestimated yourself. If you think you and your twelve puppets can hold us here indefinitely, you're being naive."
Wang Quan sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Is that so? We'll see."
Xiao Tiance smirked faintly, sending a secret transmission to Ling'er to activate the Battle Array.
"Buzz... Buzz... Buzz..."
At Xiao Tiance's signal, the twelve Heavenly Demon Puppets positioned themselves in a precise formation behind him. Their combined auras surged, connecting seamlessly.
Within moments, countless battle patterns emerged.
One million... ten million... twenty million... The number skyrocketed. In just two seconds, Xiao Tiance's battle array reached a staggering sixty five million battle patterns.
And it kept climbing.
Finally, under the astonished gazes of Wang Quan and his companions, the number stabilized at seventy one million battle patterns.
"A Battle Array Master?!"
The five Heavenly Demon Kings were dumbfounded.
"Hiss..."
They collectively drew a sharp breath, their disbelief evident.
Even after raising their expectations for Xiao Tiance, they found themselves stunned once again. Not only could this man contend with a half step Sacred Heaven Sovereign using his cultivation at the early Saint Heaven Sovereign stage, but he was also a Saint Level Spirit Array Grandmaster.
And now, the seventy one million battle patterns before them declared him to be a Saint Level Battle Array Grandmaster as well!
"Impressive..."
As they reeled from their shock, Xiao Tiance's battle intent coalesced into a longsword, its aura sharp and indomitable.
Months ago, at the founding ceremony of White Jade Capital, his battle array had been enough to suppress any foe below the Saint Heaven Sovereign realm. Now, with his increased strength and enhanced mastery, even early Sacred Heaven Sovereigns would hesitate to face him head on.
The twelve puppets behind him, moving as if they were extensions of his own body, created an impenetrable formation.
"Clap, Clap, Clap."
Wang Quan began to applaud, his eyes gleaming with admiration as he smiled.
"You're truly remarkable, Xiao Tiance. I've seen many talented individuals in my time, but none as extraordinary as you."
Xiao Tiance's expression remained cold.
"Flattery won't save you. If you truly admire me, why not offer me your head? With it, I could exchange for a fine reward at the Grand Thousand Palace."
His tone was laced with sarcasm, a mockery as sharp as his blade.
"Hahaha! If you can take my head, it's yours to claim. But can you manage that, I wonder?"
Wang Quan laughed darkly, his arrogance undiminished.
Xiao Tiance's eyes flickered to the battlefield outside. The high level combatants were evenly matched, with neither side gaining the upper hand. Meanwhile, Medusa, leading White Jade Capital's forces, toyed with the weaker demons assaulting the city. Without a Sacred Heaven Sovereign in their ranks, breaking through Xiao Tiance's defensive arrays was a futile dream.
"Let's begin." Xiao Tiance gripped his battle imbued longsword tightly.
"Then let us grant your wish!"
At Wang Quan's signal, the five Heavenly Demon Kings lunged at Xiao Tiance simultaneously.
The Clash Begins
Wang Quan led the charge, his fist hurtling forward with immense power. Xiao Tiance raised his sword to block, but the sheer force pushed him back several steps.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The others followed, their attacks relentless and overwhelming. One on one, Xiao Tiance could hold his own even against Wang Quan, a mid stage Heavenly Demon King. But against five at once, the odds were stacked.
In mere moments, Xiao Tiance endured countless strikes. Yet he retaliated fiercely. His battle intent longsword left gashes on Wang Quan and the others, though their wounds healed almost instantly.
A Moment to Breathe
After deflecting another round of attacks with a powerful slash, Xiao Tiance leaped back, his chest heaving.
His clothes were in tatters, revealing a muscular frame marred by white scars proof of the countless blows he had absorbed.
"It's still too much," Xiao Tiance muttered to himself, acknowledging the limits of his endurance.
Tearing off the remnants of his shirt, he revealed the faint glow of spirit array patterns etched into his body. Without these Body Refinement Arrays, he would have long since succumbed to the barrage.
The Truth Revealed
Wang Quan, who had been preparing to attack again, froze upon seeing the glowing patterns. His expression darkened.
"Xiao Tiance, what is your connection to the Heavenly Dao Sect?"
The question, laced with cold fury, caught Xiao Tiance off guard.
"Body Refinement Array!"
The other Heavenly Demon Kings quickly recognized the technique. The red and gold array glowing faintly on Xiao Tiance's chest was a signature of the once mighty Heavenly Dao Sect, destroyed over 30,000 years ago by the demon race.
"Haha! And what if I am connected to them?"
Xiao Tiance laughed, fully aware of the hatred demons bore for the Heavenly Dao Sect.
Wang Quan's gaze grew venomous.
"Tell me where you obtained this technique, or I will break every bone in your body to find out!"
"You'll have to kill me first."
Xiao Tiance's defiance only fueled Wang Quan's anger.
Flames of Destruction
Enraged, Wang Quan unleashed his full power. Black demonic energy surged around him, transforming into a raging inferno tinged with violet flames.
"Flame Sovereign · Wrath of Wang Quan!"
The battlefield trembled as the violet flames spread, their malevolence palpable.
Xiao Tiance's smirk faded as he prepared himself.
The battle had only just begun, and the stakes had never been higher.
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