The massive, azure energy serpent, upon first contact with the surging, pale white flames, began to dissipate rapidly as if melting snow met scorching heat. In the blink of an eye, the ferocious, roaring serpent vanished abruptly from the sky, leaving behind only a faint, mournful hiss that echoed through the heavens… until it faded away.
The sudden change left everyone present in a state of stunned bewilderment. After a long moment, shocked gazes hurriedly turned toward the fiery figure in the sky.
Beneath the azure sky, the figure hovered in the air, surrounded by roiling, pale white flames that completely enveloped it. Due to the intense concentration of the flames, it was difficult for outsiders to discern the figure’s form and features. Moreover, the intense heat of the flames caused the air around the figure to distort and shimmer, giving the appearance of a crease in space when viewed from afar, an oddity indeed.
Although they were far away, the five Snake-People Clan Dou Wang powerhouses could still sense the searing heat emanating from the strange, pale white flames. They swallowed hard, exchanged glances, and a sense of unease welled up in their hearts.
“Who are you? Why are you interfering in our Snake-People Clan affairs?” The sudden appearance of the fiery figure and its terrifying display instantly darkened the expression of the gray-robed elder. However, he dared not recklessly offend a mysterious, unknown powerhouse at this time. Exchanging glances with his companions, he stepped forward and demanded in a low voice.
“No reason… I just like it,” came the aged voice, calm and unhurried, from within the white flames. The indifferent tone made the gray-robed elder and his companions’ faces even more grim.
Standing not far behind the fiery figure, Yun Zhi stared at the figure in front of her with slight surprise, frowning and pondering for a moment. She could not recall when a Battle Emperor capable of controlling white flames had emerged in the Jia Ma Empire.
Her beautiful eyes swept over the roiling, pale white flames, and her eyes narrowed slightly. A moment later, a flash of shock passed through them… In her perception, she clearly felt that those flames, which emitted intense heat, seemed to be blocks of ten-thousand-year ice. But how could ice release such searing flames? What kind of thing is this, so bizarre?
“Could it be… could it be another Different Flame?” Her eyes blinked, and remembering the strange flame in the world, Yun Zhi’s heart leapt. In addition to her shock, she felt a mix of laughter and tears. These rare Different Flames, which were almost never seen, had appeared twice today? Could this be considered luck?
“Old sir, thank you for your assistance. Heh heh. However, these clowns pose no significant threat to me…” Shaking her head, Yun Zhi dispelled some of her thoughts. A grateful, gentle smile appeared on her lovely face as she smiled at the fiery figure before her.
“Perhaps,” the fiery figure said indifferently, “I am not one who likes to meddle in others’ affairs. If no one had asked me, I would not have bothered to come.”
“Someone asked you?” Yun Zhi was taken aback and frowned slightly, asking, “Old sir, who asked you to help me? Could it be Gu He?”
“Hehe, although Gu He has a good reputation in the Jia Ma Empire, he doesn’t have the qualifications to ask me to come.” The old man’s laughter contained a hint of disdain.
Hearing the fiery figure’s denial, Yun Zhi was surprised again. A puzzled look flashed across her pretty face. Among the people she knew, there were few who could invite a Battle Emperor to act. Moreover, this trip to the desert was a secret operation, and only a handful of people knew about it. Therefore, Gu He seemed to be the most likely candidate. But the tone of the old man’s words indicated that he did not seem to care much about the so-called Pill King.
“Stop thinking. After dealing with these long-tailed snakes, I can also get my business done early.” Waving his hand, the fiery figure said calmly. Raising his head, he gazed at the five Dou Wang powerhouses in the sky, and smiled lightly, “I’ve heard that the Snake-People Clan’s fighting techniques are unique. Today, I’ll give them a good try.”
Fixing his fierce gaze on the fiery figure in the sky, the gray-robed elder’s eyes twitched. With his knowledge, he found that he could not determine who this figure was. Feeling a bit incredulous, his mood gradually sank.
A Battle Emperor, they might still be able to resist with their combined combat techniques for a while. But if it were two Battle Emperors, then they, the five of them, would be like chickens being slaughtered, easily defeated one by one. Knowing the strength of two Battle Emperor powerhouses, the gray-robed elder was well aware of the obvious disparity between them.
“The Snake-People Clan has no grudge against you, but we will remember your actions today…” Even though they were at a disadvantage, the gray-robed elder still sneered and threw out a harsh remark. Then, he let out a sharp hiss and shouted, “Retreat!”
Hearing the gray-robed elder’s shout, the four surrounding Dou Wang powerhouses hesitated for a moment before reluctantly glaring at the fiery figure in the sky. Their hands formed seals simultaneously, and with a low shout, their bodies exploded nearly at the same time. As the explosions resounded through the sky, countless energy serpents surged out and shot off in all directions over the desert.
Seeing the gray-robed elder and his companions preparing to escape, Yun Zhi’s brow furrowed. Just as she was about to block them, the fiery figure waved his hand slightly. Seeing this, Yun Zhi stopped.
Watching the countless energy serpents fleeing, the fiery figure, after a moment of silence, lightly waved his hands. Instantly, five needle-like spikes condensed from the pale white flames formed in front of him. The five flame spikes slowly rotated, and the fiery figure coldly watched the energy serpents that almost covered the sky. His powerful soul force burst out, quickly scanning for the true forms hidden among the countless serpents. With a low, cold laugh, he flicked his fingers, and the five pale white flame spikes shot out in five different directions.
Though the pale white flame spikes looked small, they left faint white traces in the azure sky as they zipped through the air. The intense heat they carried directly vaporized the surrounding air into nothingness.
Seeing that the seemingly unimpressive flame spikes could cause such a commotion, a look of surprise flashed across Yun Zhi’s face. She became increasingly curious about the identity of the mysterious figure in front of her.
The flame spikes zipped across the sky, plunging straight into the sea of energy serpents. Although the energy serpents looked similar, the spikes seemed to have clear targets, burning away any obstructing serpents and then fiercely stabbing towards the five extremely small, distant ones.
Sensing the imminent, terrifying attack, the five small serpents quickly turned, staring at the approaching flame spikes with triangular pupils filled with a human-like fear.
“Letting the tiger back to the mountain is not my style. Since we are enemies, naturally, I won’t leave any potential threats…” The fiery figure said indifferently, watching the five small serpents about to be pierced by the flame spikes.
Behind him, Yun Zhi, seeing the actions of the fiery figure, said nothing. She was not a fool. When it was time to be ruthless, she would be even more ruthless than an executioner. At her status and strength, she knew very well when to be ruthless and when to show mercy.
In the sky, the five flame spikes, with sharp, whistling sounds, shot towards the five small serpents. Just as they were about to strike, a sudden change occurred!
“Hmm…”
Just as the five small serpents were about to be severely injured, the fiery figure’s body suddenly trembled violently, and a low groan came from within the flames.
Clearly hearing this groan, Yun Zhi was taken aback and hastily asked, “Old sir, are you alright?”
As she spoke, her face suddenly changed. She sensed a powerful aura suddenly surge out from the pale white flames. This aura spread swiftly, like lightning, and quickly caught up with the five flame spikes. A slight tremor, and the spikes, condensed from the Different Flame, were shattered into nothingness.
Taking advantage of this perilous moment, the five small serpents swayed their tails and dove into the sand dunes, disappearing from the duo’s sight in a rather pitiful manner.
“Damn beasts…” The pale white flames emitted an angry, aged voice as the five small serpents disappeared.
With the angry curses fading, the vaguely berserk, terrifying aura gradually dissipated. After a while, the aura completely vanished, as if it had never been there.
“Ah, it was all for naught…” Sighing and shaking his head, the fiery figure smacked his sleeves, seemingly scolding something. Turning around, he glanced at the graceful Yun Zhi and then headed out of the desert.
As he passed by Yun Zhi, the fiery figure paused slightly, hesitating for a moment before saying, “By the way, a little guy asked me to apologize to you. It seems he was a bit too much earlier…”
Hearing this, Yun Zhi’s body trembled, her rosy lips parting slightly. A look of astonishment filled her lovely face. From the bits of information the mysterious figure occasionally revealed, she understood… the Battle Emperor who came to support her… was actually invited by Xiao Yan.
“This little guy… quite capable… I truly underestimated you before.” Turning her head, Yun Zhi gazed at the rapidly disappearing fiery figure in the distance, muttering in amazement.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage