Chapter 360: An Unfair Duel
Boom!
The tip of the spear clashed violently with the flame dragon, unleashing a thunderous explosion that echoed throughout the void. Black lightning intertwined with purple-black flames, creating a dazzling display of thunder and fire.
"He's like a god of war!"
Dan Chen stared at Xiao Yuan's figure, unable to suppress her astonishment.
Previously, when they had faced the Three Thousand Burning Flame directly, everyone had felt deep fear in their hearts. After all, it was a terrifying existence that even the three great leaders of the Pill Tower found troublesome.
Yet now, this young man, a peer of theirs, had single-handedly forced the Three Thousand Burning Flame into a corner. Such strength was truly awe-inspiring.
But in truth, Xiao Yuan, who was in the midst of battle, did not feel as triumphant.
In terms of raw power, the Three Thousand Burning Flame was on par with a peak Dou Zun expert. Although its strength had been weakened due to breaking its seal and being separated from its core body, even a normal seven-star Dou Zun wouldn't be able to suppress it head-on.
Xiao Yuan had already reached his limit. Now it was a matter of whose energy lasted longer—his Dou Qi recovery or the flame's remaining reserves.
Even after consuming pills, Xiao Yuan's full-force output meant his recovery couldn't quite keep up with his expenditure.
At this stage, Tier Seven pills were barely enough for him.
Still, the flame was no better off. The dark flames surrounding its body had dimmed considerably. It was clearly burning through its strength rapidly to maintain its current rampage.
"Now! Attack! It can't hold on much longer!"
Seeing the flame flicker, Xiao Yuan finally gave the signal.
Xiao Yan understood at once. His third brother had reached his limit—it was his turn to act.
In a flash of silver lightning, Xiao Yan appeared beside Xiao Yuan.
"This..."
Song Qing frowned. These two had clearly come well-prepared!
He glanced toward Grand Elder Qiu Ling, hesitating to speak.
Old Monster Qinghua also tensed, ready to act, but noticed Qiu Ling subtly watching him.
"Why are you looking at me?" Qiu Ling said calmly. "Before we entered, the three presidents made it clear—Xiao Yuan is in charge here. If you could convince him to help subdue the flame, go ahead. My only duty is to evacuate you if the flame goes berserk."
Hearing this, Song Qing's expression flickered. But ultimately, he said nothing.
What else could he say?
Xiao Yuan was the heir-apparent to the next Pill Tower leadership. Xiao Yan was the current champion and a candidate for the same role. The whole point of entering the Star Region was to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Everyone had already tried and failed. Xiao Yuan had cleaned up the mess. Now it was Xiao Yan's turn. No one could object—not without losing face or worse.
Song Qing was merely a lower elder of the Song Clan, one of the five major families in the Pill Region. Offending Xiao Yuan now would be political suicide.
Old Monster Qinghua sighed. "Tch... what rotten luck. Last time I fought over a Heavenly Flame, I ran into Yao Chen. Now I run into his disciple. Forget it. Out of respect for Yao Chen, I'll back off."
That was a much more graceful way of stepping down than Song Qing's silence.
Besides, if it really came to a fight, Xiao Yuan wouldn't flinch. He still had six fully upgraded Heavenly Demon Puppets from Wind Lightning Pavilion in his storage ring. Even Móyàn Tianzun wouldn't have survived being ganged up on by them.
"This is all thanks to you, brother."
Xiao Yuan looked at the weakened Three Thousand Burning Flame and smiled.
"Then let's get this over with. I don't have the stamina for a drawn-out fight," Xiao Yan replied as Xiao Yuan patted his shoulder and pointed at the flame.
Xiao Yan turned his gaze and saw streams of starlight seeping into the void, being absorbed by the flame. The fire around it was slowly intensifying.
"No wonder it's called the Undying Flame…"
Xiao Yan's heart tensed. The legend was true—so long as starlight existed, the flame could recover endlessly. If this went on, it'd be back to full power in no time.
"I can't let it keep absorbing!"
With that thought, Xiao Yan dashed into the air, reappearing before the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Bluish-green Heavenly Flame surged from his body, enveloping him entirely.
The flame stared coldly at Xiao Yan. When the Heavenly Flame emerged, a flash of greed lit its eyes. It didn't recognize this flame specifically, but it knew—if it could devour it, not even the three Pill Tower leaders could stop it!
That look of hunger didn't escape Xiao Yan's notice. He chuckled to himself. Fallen Heart Flame had once looked at him the same way—but this one was far less subtle.
"If you want to devour my flame... you'll have to be capable of it first."
With a smirk, Xiao Yan's feet lit with silver light and thunder rumbled as he flashed atop the dragon's head. Fists blazing with Heavenly Flame, he struck downward!
The Three Thousand Burning Flame refused to back down. It swung its tail upward to meet the blow head-on.
BOOM!
The impact between the two flames warped the air, creating black rifts in the space around them.
The collision forced both parties to recoil. The dragon howled and unleashed a terrifying purple-black flame beam from its mouth.
Xiao Yan coldly laughed. At full power, he'd have been in trouble. But now? The flame was barely running at 10% strength.
As the fiery beam surged forward, Xiao Yan summoned a roaring blue flame wall in front of him.
BOOM!
The two flames clashed head-on, releasing insane destructive force.
Though the blue wall trembled violently, it held. No matter how hard the flame pushed, it couldn't break through.
After a few minutes, the dragon's energy began to wane. The purple-black beam thinned out.
Now!
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. He retracted the flame wall and hurled several jade bottles into the fading fire stream.
BANG BANG!
The bottles exploded on contact, releasing a white, freezing liquid.
SSSSHHH!
Where the liquid met flame, thick white mist burst forth, radiating bone-deep chill.
Though the mist quickly evaporated under the heat, it was enough. The dragon's dark flame receded, revealing its true color once more—purple-black.
"It's time!"
As the flames dimmed, Xiao Yan disappeared again, reappearing above the dragon's head. In his hand was another jade bottle.
WHAM!
The bottle shattered on the dragon's forehead, and a drop of dark-golden blood oozed out.
When the blood touched the dragon's skin, its body froze, and its eyes dulled. A faint rune emerged on its forehead—an exact match to the dragon seal on Xiao Yan's palm!
"The Dragon Seal... it really is the Dragon Seal!"
Xiao Yan's heart surged with joy.
The moment the rune formed, Xiao Yan's own seal began to burn. A strange resonance filled his heart.
Soon after, a subtle sense of emotion emerged from the flame. He could feel... its thoughts?
ROAR!
The moment Xiao Yan realized what was happening, the dragon snapped out of its daze. Its eyes gleamed with fury, and the rune blazed brightly.
Xiao Yan's heart clenched. This was the most dangerous moment.
As Zi Yan had warned, the Dragon Seal was reciprocal. If he couldn't suppress the flame, it would turn and enslave him instead.
"Come on, then. Let's see if you've got what it takes."
This was it—do or die.
Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed fiercely. He'd consumed three Heavenly Flames. Was this one going to be the end of him?
ROAR!
The dragon bellowed. The rune on its head glowed like a golden sun, lighting up the void.
As the light intensified, the bond in Xiao Yan's heart grew stronger. Suddenly, everything spun. His vision blurred. And when he opened his eyes again, he stood in a world of purple-black flame.
He was inside the Three Thousand Burning Flame's soul realm.
"Foolish human!"
A massive dragon rose from the inferno, glaring coldly down at him.
Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes.
So this is it... the final battle for the Dragon Seal. If he lost, his soul would be bound forever.
"Soul combat, huh?"
He looked down at his translucent hand, then sat cross-legged atop a lotus of blue fire.
His black eyes locked onto the dragon.
"Show me what you've got, beast."
ROAR!
The dragon shrieked and sent a tidal wave of fire toward him. The space shook.
But Xiao Yan remained calm. This was more than soul strength—it was a battle of wills.
And his will had been tempered through years of hardship. He was unshakable.
The blue fire shield surrounding him expanded, blocking the onslaught of purple-black flame. No matter how it roared and clashed, he didn't budge.
This battle had just begun.
And it was not going to be a fair one.
Outside, Xiao Yuan saw Xiao Yan enter meditative focus. With a solemn expression, he quickly formed a Primordial Seal, radiating chaotic multicolored light.
Primordial Seal!
Using primordial energy to stabilize Xiao Yan's elemental flow and shield his soul.
As long as this seal remained, Xiao Yan's soul would be safe—so long as his body endured.
Xiao Yuan trusted his brother's willpower.
But of course, that wasn't enough for him.
He formed another seal—a second Primordial Seal, glowing brightly.
Primordial Essence Scatter: Five Elements Flow, Six Energies Dissolve the Soul.
With that, he hurled the seal at the mini dragon form of the Three Thousand Burning Flame, striking its head.
Only then did Xiao Yuan lower himself calmly to the ground.
In such an exchange of rising and falling powers—this Heavenly Flame was already as good as Xiao Yan's.
(END CHAPTER)
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