Amidst the myriad of startled gazes, a pale white flame erupted from Xiao Yan’s body with a burst, then swiftly retracted, dashing back into his body like a lightning bolt. With the return of this flame, an extraordinarily powerful aura awakened within Xiao Yan, gushing out slowly, causing the space around him to become chaotic and unstable. Xiao Yan hovered in the sky, his face flushed abnormally red, even his pitch-black eyes were veiled by a fierce energy. The ferocity of this energy was so alarming that even Xiao Yan himself was startled. He had never expected that simultaneously unleashing three different heavenly fires would produce such a volatile surge of power! Tightening his fists with some difficulty, Xiao Yan felt his body slightly stiffen due to the tumultuous energy inside. This stiffness only gradually subsided after several minutes.
“Such a tyrannical Heavenly Fire Three Metamorphoses…” As his body adjusted to this surging energy, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but draw a breath, for if not for his body being refined through countless elixirs and celestial treasures, he might have been the first to succumb to its backlash.
“Phew…” A plume of warm air spurted from Xiao Yan’s mouth, the flush on his face gradually fading. The painful spasms in his meridians, brought about by the raging energy within, also lessened. After years of tempering by all manner of medicinal ingredients and wondrous treasures, Xiao Yan’s physique was so formidable that even peak-level Battle Sect practitioners would be hard-pressed to match it.
“No wonder Tang Zhen warned against using the Three Metamorphoses unless absolutely necessary. He was right,” mused Xiao Yan, his palm lightly clenching. Sensing the overwhelming power in his body, he smiled faintly, “But, the sensation after enduring this is truly exquisite…”
By Xiao Yan’s own estimation, his current strength was likely at the level of a Seven Star Battle Sect. This meant the Heavenly Fire Three Metamorphoses had boosted his power by five stars! An ordinary Flame Valley elder, when fully utilizing the Three Metamorphoses, could enhance their strength by three stars. However, a unique feature of this transformation was that the increase in power was determined by the fire’s strength. Stronger eruptions granted stronger boons. Given that Xiao Yan was channeling three peerless heavenly fires, the resulting enhancement was terrifying.
Of course, while the present enhancement was strong, the aftermath was no small matter. It was fortunate that Xiao Yan’s body was far more robust than an average practitioner’s; otherwise, this single outburst might have left him convalescing for half a year or more.
Xiao Yan’s transformation also caught the attention of the Heavenly Fire Venerable and Tian Shuangzi, who had been holding back. Catching sight, the Heavenly Fire Venterian nodded with a smile. Even he struggled to discern Xiao Yan’s full capabilities, but he knew that, despite his youth, subduing him would be a daunting task…
Glancing at Xiao Yan, Tian Shuangzi frowned but dismissed it quickly. Regardless of how powerful Xiao Yan’s secret techniques were, as long as he hadn’t reached the level of Dou Zun, he posed no real threat. Here, the only person Tian Shuangzi deemed worthy of concern was the Heavenly Fire Venerable. As for Xiao Yan, even if the Eagle Guard couldn’t deal with him, there were others like the Heaven Snake and some Ice River Valley elders who would. It was unthinkable that a mere Two Star Battle Sect, even with the Flame Valley’s secret techniques, could defy the heavens.
Xiao Yan, unaware of Tian Shuangzi’s thoughts, adapted to the immense energy within. Gripping the Heavy Black Scale, he glanced at the Eagle Guard and the grim-faced Heaven Snake. Grinning, he declared, “Old man, I’m taking your life today!”
The solidifying black fog resumed its flow, revealing a gloomy face. The Eagle Guard glared at Xiao Yan, sneering, “Big talk. Though this technique boosts your power, it has a time limit. Once it expires, you’re just a waste!”
“Before that, I’ll kill you,” Xiao Yan grinned, a chilling intent in his eyes.
“Lofty words!” the Eagle Guard scoffed, but as he spoke, he saw Xiao Yan’s body tremble. An instinctive chill surged through him, prompting a rapid retreat.
As the Eagle Guard stumbled back, a phantom figure appeared before him, wielding a heavy scale engulfed in emerald flames, lashing out with a terrifying blow. The scales barely missed, but the blazing heat made the Eagle Guard’s face flush. Missed, yet the force almost crushed him.
“The boy’s speed with the technique is frightening, I can’t keep up.” The cold sweat broke out, and fury welled within the Eagle Guard. Roaring, “I won’t believe I can’t handle this! Even Yao Chen failed to escape my grasp. How can you turn the tide?”
As the roar faded, the Eagle Guard’s hand seal changed. Chains of black mist shot out, forming a spider web, and he stood at the center, like a demon. A low growl echoed, and shadows screamed, rushing out to merge with the chains, which grew more menacing. They coiled to form a colossal black python, metal-like and ominous, radiating a bone-chilling darkness.
“Go!” A frigid voice commanded, and the python’s serpentine gaze turned to Xiao Yan, tail whipping through space, striking like lightning.
Xiao Yan, aloft, eyes cold, drew a breath, gripping the Heavy Scale tightly. Instead of retreating, he charged, with a momentum akin to asteroids colliding, at the black python!
“Flame Splitting Wave Slicer!” With a swing, a vast blaze shot from the scale, slashing the python, sparking intensely. The attack barely fazed the beast.
“Six Unions Wandering Scale, Six Fires!” Changing his technique, another lethal slash cut through the python, breaking several links. Nearing the python, Xiao Yan was met with more attacks, but the dense black gas was repelled by a green flame shield. Erupting, the black gas turned to smoke, annihilated.
Parrying the strikes, Xiao Yan appeared before the python, hands forming rapid seals, dazzling light condensing. “Mountain-Crushing Seal!” His hand stamped, crushing the python’s links. The cold, dark energy seeping out, he hammered again, “Sea-Uprooting Seal!”
With the power of the Heavenly Fire Three Metamorphoses, Xiao Yan executed the first two techniques of the Emperor’s Seal Mastery in one go, a feat that would astonish even Xun’er if she saw. The Sea-Uprooting Seal, with massive force, collided with the python’s head, stunning those watching.
BOOM! The python’s enormous body stiffened, disintegrating amidst screeches. The Eagle Guard’s painstakingly crafted Soul-snake was annihilated by Xiao Yan’s vicious techniques.
Even the Eagle Guard was stunned, eyeing Xiao Yan, unable to speak. In mid-air, a figure materialized, young and grinning, holding a delicate lotus flame.
“This is for my master!” Xiao Yan’s grin widened, the lotus launching, slamming into the Eagle Guard’s chest in a deafening explosion.
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