"You pushed yourself too hard," Luo Feng said as he handed over a bottle of recovery serum. "Power like Chaos Lightning must put an enormous strain on your body."
"Definitely." Thunder God drained the bottle in one gulp. "Feels like every meridian in my body is about to snap. But as long as I won, it's worth it."
At that moment, Luo Feng seized an opportunity.
The Black Pattern Blade flashed like a streak of golden light, thrusting directly toward Salamander's flaming barrier. The razor-sharp blade aura collided with the demonic flames, producing a dazzling shower of sparks.
The sudden strike did catch Salamander off guard.
However, the defense of the demonic flame barrier was far stronger than expected. Even with the amplification of the Law of Gold, Luo Feng's blade only managed to leave a shallow mark on its surface.
"Not bad," Salamander said as he steadied himself, anger flickering in his eyes. "Using telekinesis to launch a surprise attack. Looks like you studied me quite carefully."
Luo Feng did not respond. Instead, he pressed his assault.
The Black Pattern Blade moved in his hand as though alive. Every strike landed precisely on the same spot of the flaming barrier.
Law of Gold. Layered Wave Slash!
One strike followed another. Golden blade lights stacked upon each other, building in power until they finally tore open a crack in the shield.
"Looking for death!" Salamander roared.
He slammed both hands onto the ground.
"Demonic Flames. Magma Eruption!"
Rumble!
The earth split open instantly. Pillars of molten lava shot skyward. Within seconds the entire battlefield transformed into a sea of fire. Rivers of lava flowed across the ground, and even the air warped from the intense heat.
Luo Feng darted through the erupting magma columns with astonishing agility. His speed was incredible, each movement precisely avoiding the lethal blasts of lava.
"You're quick," Salamander sneered. "But how long can you keep running?"
He formed a seal with his hands. The demonic flames around him surged violently. The dark red fire gradually deepened in color, as though it intended to devour all light.
"Demonic Flames. Infernal Furnace!"
Centered around Salamander, the ground within a hundred meters collapsed, forming a massive lava pit. Molten magma churned within it, radiating terrifying heat.
"This is bad!" Rowan exclaimed from the audience, his face turning pale. "The range of that attack is huge. Luo Feng has nowhere to escape!"
Sure enough, Luo Feng was forced onto a floating rock at the center of the lava pit. Boiling magma surrounded him on all sides. One misstep would mean certain death.
"Where will you run now?" Salamander grinned viciously while floating above the pit. "Taste my Demonic Flame Storm!"
Dozens of blazing fireballs shot from his hands, falling like a meteor shower toward Luo Feng. Each one carried enough power to melt steel.
Luo Feng took a deep breath and held the Black Pattern Blade horizontally before him.
Law of Gold. Indestructible Vajra!
A layer of golden light suddenly covered his entire body, forming armor like solid gold. The fireballs exploded against the golden barrier, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Yet none managed to break through.
"Impressive defense," Salamander said with narrowed eyes. "But how long can you maintain it?"
He intensified his assault. The fireballs grew larger and more numerous. The entire lava pit glowed with blinding firelight as the temperature continued to rise.
Luo Feng could feel the pressure mounting.
Indestructible Vajra had tremendous defensive power, but it also consumed an enormous amount of energy. At this rate, he could only endure for a few minutes at most.
"I need to counterattack."
A resolute gleam appeared in Luo Feng's eyes.
Suddenly he dropped his defense and shot toward Salamander like a cannonball.
"Suicidal fool!" Salamander sneered, bringing his hands together.
"Demonic Flames. Inferno Dragon Devours the Heavens!"
A colossal fire dragon rose behind him, opening its massive jaws as it lunged toward Luo Feng. Wherever the dragon passed, even the space itself seemed to burn.
At the critical moment, Luo Feng abruptly changed direction.
Instead of retreating, he rushed straight toward the dragon's head.
"Has he lost his mind?" the audience gasped.
Just as the dragon was about to swallow him, the Black Pattern Blade erupted with blinding golden light.
Law of Gold. Fifth Profound Meaning. Shattering Golden Wheel!
A massive golden disk condensed before him. Its edge was razor-sharp, spinning at terrifying speed as it sliced into the fire dragon.
Boom!
The golden wheel collided with the dragon, producing an earth-shaking explosion. The entire Starry Sky Arena trembled, and even the protective barrier groaned under the pressure.
When the smoke cleared, the fire dragon had been cut in half.
Using the recoil from the explosion, Luo Feng surged forward, closing the distance to Salamander.
"What?!" Salamander stared in shock.
"Now!"
Luo Feng's eyes flashed with fierce determination.
His telekinetic power erupted at full force.
"Mind Storm!"
An invisible mental shockwave blasted directly into Salamander's sea of consciousness. Luo Feng poured everything into that attack, even risking damage to his own spiritual core.
"Argh!"
Salamander screamed as splitting pain tore through his mind. His demonic flame barrier faltered for a brief moment.
Luo Feng seized the opportunity.
The Black Pattern Blade thrust toward Salamander's chest.
At the last possible moment, Salamander forced his body backward despite the agony. The blade scraped across his chest armor, leaving a deep gouge.
"Damn you!" Salamander roared in fury.
The demonic flames inside his body spiraled out of control.
"You've successfully enraged me!"
His hair suddenly shifted from red to pitch black. The flames within his eyes also turned pure black. A terrifying aura erupted from his body, causing even the surrounding lava to boil violently.
"Demonic Flames. Sixth Profound Meaning. Black Flame Devour!"
Jet-black flames surged from Salamander's body. These flames emitted no heat and no light, yet they carried an aura that filled everyone with dread.
"Not good!" Hong stood up abruptly. "Luo Feng, get away! That black flame can devour everything!"
But it was already too late.
The black flames lunged toward Luo Feng like living creatures. Wherever they passed, even the air itself seemed to be consumed.
Luo Feng attempted to dodge but suddenly realized his body had been locked in place by an invisible force.
"This is the true power of Black Flame," Salamander said coldly. "It devours everything, including your life force."
Just as the flames were about to swallow him, Luo Feng closed his eyes.
The Law of Gold within his body began to circulate wildly.
"If I can't escape, then I'll face it head on."
His eyes snapped open.
The broken blade in his hand erupted with unprecedented golden radiance.
Law of Gold. Ultimate Profound Meaning. Void Cleaving Slash!
A colossal golden blade aura shot into the sky, carrying the power to sever everything.
This was Luo Feng's final trump card. It embodied every ounce of his understanding of the Law of Gold.
The golden blade collided directly with the black flames.
Two completely opposite forces struggled against each other in the air. Golden light attempted to cut through the black flames, while the flames tried to devour the light.
"Break!"
Luo Feng roared as he burned his own blood essence, pouring all his remaining strength into the attack.
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the entire battlefield. Blinding light engulfed everything as the shockwave swept across the arena. Even the audience barrier cracked under the force.
When the light faded, the sight on the battlefield made everyone gasp.
The lava pit had completely collapsed, leaving countless bottomless fissures across the ground.
Salamander knelt on one knee, his armor shattered. Black blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Luo Feng's condition was even worse.
He lay on the ground, the Black Pattern Blade broken into two pieces. His body was covered in burns from the black flames. The most serious injury was his right arm, which had nearly been burned to charcoal.
Both fighters had reached their absolute limits.
Yet the battle was not over.
Salamander coughed as he slowly stood up.
"I didn't expect you to block my Black Flame," he said hoarsely. "You truly deserve to have reached this stage."
Luo Feng struggled to sit up and picked up the broken blade with his left hand.
"You're strong too. The strongest opponent I've faced."
"Then let's settle this with one final strike!" Salamander said.
He gathered all his remaining power into his right fist. Black flames flickered around it. Though weaker than before, the aura of destruction was still terrifying.
Luo Feng tightened his grip on the broken blade in his left hand. The power of the Law of Gold flowed through it once more.
The two exchanged a glance.
Then they attacked at the same time.
"Demonic Flames. Destruction Fist!"
"Law of Gold. Broken Blade!"
Bang!
Fist and blade collided violently. The shockwave blasted both men backward, slamming them into the ground.
The entire arena fell silent.
Everyone held their breath.
Moments passed.
Finally, Luo Feng slowly pushed himself up. His left arm hung limply, clearly injured, but he was still standing.
Salamander, however, remained motionless on the ground.
He had completely lost the ability to fight.
"The winner is Luo Feng of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire!"
The referee's voice shattered the silence.
The arena exploded with thunderous cheers.
"Luo Feng! Luo Feng! Luo Feng!"
The audience shouted his name again and again, celebrating the incredible battle.
Medical teams rushed onto the battlefield and carried both fighters away. As Luo Feng was lifted onto the stretcher, he nodded respectfully toward Salamander.
"That was an intense fight," Hong said quietly. "Luo Feng won purely through willpower."
"Yes," Thunder God agreed solemnly. "That final attack. He was practically fighting with his life."
"But the price was heavy," Rowan said worriedly as he looked toward the medical chamber. "His right arm might take a long time to recover."
Inside the medical chamber, Luo Feng lay on the treatment bed. Tubes were connected all over his body as advanced medical fluid slowly repaired his injuries.
However, the damage caused by the Black Flame was severe. Even the most advanced medical technology required time.
"Worth it," Luo Feng said weakly with a faint smile. "Defeating an opponent like that is worth a few injuries."
After saying that, he gradually fell asleep.
Not long afterward, the situation inside the medical chamber grew more serious.
Luo Feng's face was pale as paper. Even with the best medical technology available, black veins continued spreading slowly across his injured arm.
The chief physician frowned as he adjusted the equipment.
"The situation is not very optimistic," he said to Hong and the others. "The Flame Demon Prince's Black Flame did not only cause physical damage. It also left behind a severe fire toxin. This toxin is corroding Luo Feng's meridians and cells. If it isn't removed soon, it may affect his future cultivation."
"Is there a solution?" Thunder God asked anxiously.
The doctor thought for a moment.
"Ordinary antidotes have little effect against this type of toxin. As far as I know, only a rare medicine called the Ice Soul Purification Pill can completely eliminate it."
"Then we'll buy it!" Thunder God said without hesitation. "No matter how much it costs!"
"It's not a matter of money," the doctor replied, shaking his head. "The Ice Soul Purification Pill is extremely rare. One of its ingredients is ten-thousand-year ice marrow from the Frozen Star Region. In the entire Black Dragon Mountain Empire, perhaps only the royal family possesses it."
Hearing this, Hong and Rowan exchanged a glance.
"We'll go meet the king," Hong said decisively. "No matter the price, we must obtain that medicine."
The three of them immediately headed toward the Black Dragon Mountain Empire's temporary royal residence.
For this tournament, the king himself had come to lead the delegation. He was staying in the most luxurious royal suite in the City of the Starry Sky.
After several layers of announcements and security checks, the three finally met the king.
He was an imposing middle-aged man dressed in a black dragon robe, his presence filled with natural authority.
"Your Majesty," Hong said respectfully. "We have come to request medicine for Luo Feng."
The king nodded.
"I watched Luo Feng's battle. It was truly remarkable. He brought honor to the empire and deserves the best treatment."
"We heard Your Majesty possesses the Ice Soul Purification Pill," Rowan asked cautiously.
The king sighed.
"That medicine is indeed precious. The royal family only has three pills in total. Unfortunately, last month I already bestowed the final one upon a general guarding the frontier."
The three felt their hearts sink.
"However," the king continued, "I believe the Third Prince, Brolin, still has one. You may try asking him."
With this new lead, they quickly left and went straight to the residence of the Third Prince.
Brolin was calmly drinking tea in a garden when they arrived. Seeing them approach, he smiled faintly.
"I expected you would come."
"Your Highness," Hong said directly. "We have come to request medicine. Luo Feng has been poisoned by fire toxin and urgently needs the Ice Soul Purification Pill."
"I do indeed have one," Brolin said as he set down his teacup. "And I'm willing to give it to save Luo Feng. After all, he is a hero of the empire."
"That's wonderful!" Thunder God exclaimed.
"However," Brolin added calmly, "nothing in this world is free. I will give you the medicine, but you must agree to one condition."
"What condition?" Hong asked cautiously.
Brolin stood and walked toward the window.
"Have you heard of interstellar escort missions?"
"We have," Rowan said. "They are high-risk transport missions organized by interstellar merchant guilds. The rewards are great, but the danger is even greater."
"Exactly," Brolin replied. "I recently received a special escort mission. A shipment of important materials must be delivered to the Chaotic Star Region. That place is filled with pirates and constant conflict. Ordinary guards cannot handle it."
"You want us to escort it?" Hong asked.
"Precisely," Brolin said with a nod. "With your strength, completing the mission should not be difficult. The timing is also convenient. It happens during the tournament's break period."
The three fell silent.
Interstellar escort missions were notorious for their dangers. The Chaotic Star Region, in particular, was one of the most unstable and lawless regions in the entire universe.
"Why not send royal guards?" Thunder God asked.
Brolin gave a faint, helpless smile.
"These materials are somewhat sensitive. Too many people cannot know about them. Royal guards attract too much attention. But you are different. As tournament participants, it is perfectly normal for you to go on an off-season training expedition."
"What exactly are these materials?" Hong pressed.
"For now, that remains confidential," Brolin said, shaking his head. "But I can guarantee they are not illegal."
The three exchanged uneasy glances.
On one side, Luo Feng's condition was urgent.
On the other, the risks of an interstellar escort mission, especially in the Chaotic Star Region, were enormous.