After a thunderous crack, a thick silver arc plunged into the massive fireball.
Just as most onlookers expected the arc to pierce through the fireball, the lightning instead vanished into its surface as if swallowed whole.
Lei Lan was startled as the fireball surged toward her with terrifying momentum.
After a brief hesitation, she swiftly retreated, her wings wrapping tightly around her.
Instantly, layers of lightning erupted around her, and within the crackling energy, a silver-white roc materialized, its body alive with dancing arcs. Around its neck hung a peculiar necklace adorned with a golden gourd a few inches tall.
She had ultimately decided to rely on her most formidable transformation to defeat her opponent.
Upon the roc’s appearance, the massive fireball halted its rolling motion. A deep, rumbling roar echoed as the fireball morphed into a crimson phoenix.
The phoenix was several times larger than the roc, yet the latter showed no fear. With a piercing cry, the roc’s body swelled dramatically, nearly matching the phoenix in size, before charging forward amidst a storm of lightning.
The phoenix, undaunted, flared its flames and lashed out with its talons, sending ten crimson streaks downward.
As the two colossal birds clashed, their wings blotted out half the space within the barrier, intensifying the ferocity of their battle.
Blood and feathers rained from the sky, only to dissipate before touching the ground.
To the astonishment of many, Lei Lan—despite being only an early-stage Spirit General—held her own in close combat, growing fiercer with each passing moment.
The arcs of lightning around her talons and body gradually shifted from silver-white to a faint purple, their power far surpassing that of ordinary silver lightning.
Han Li watched the aerial battle with glowing blue eyes, a peculiar expression flickering across his lips.
Unnoticed by others, he saw clearly that the purple arcs were not generated by the roc itself. Instead, they originated from the golden gourd around its neck, which periodically released thin strands of purple electricity. These strands merged seamlessly with the roc’s silver arcs, transforming them into the more potent purple variant.
This purple energy seemed to hold extraordinary origins.
Hong Sha, now unexpectedly suppressed, seethed with fury.
Though she couldn’t fathom how her opponent had gained the upper hand, she knew some external aid was at play. By raw power alone, she should have been the superior.
At that moment, faint male voices reached her ears, dispelling her last hesitation. With a flap of her wings, she unleashed her final trump card—a killing move reserved for the trials.
A single, elongated feather shot from the phoenix’s head.
With a sharp *whoosh*, the feather transformed into an identical phoenix. Opening its beak, it spat a barrage of fireballs before diving into the fray.
Now facing two phoenixes, the silver roc was quickly overwhelmed, its furious cries echoing through the battlefield.
The collision of flames and lightning sent shockwaves through the barrier, distorting the very air.
The chaotic energy obscured the battle, but it was clear the silver roc was on the verge of collapse.
Han Li observed silently before suddenly spreading his wings. With a thunderous crack, he vanished in a flash of blue-white lightning.
Almost simultaneously, another shadowy figure disappeared from the crowd.
A golden sword beam, over ten zhang long, materialized midair and slashed toward the entangled combatants.
Before the blade even neared, a faint white scar split the air, emitting a piercing shriek.
The flames and lightning disintegrated upon contact, as if made of mud.
The two phoenixes and the silver roc barely had time to react before the golden light cleaved downward with unstoppable force.
Panicked, the three birds abandoned their fight and scattered.
The colossal sword beam sliced between them, leaving behind a lingering white scar. A surge of energy erupted from it, drawing in the surrounding spiritual qi as if space itself had been torn asunder.
The spectators erupted into chaos. The silver roc retracted its lightning and reverted to Lei Lan’s human form, her face etched with shock.
“You’re no match for her. End this now,” a calm voice spoke from behind her, startlingly close.
The silver-robed woman whirled around to find a green-clad youth standing there—Han Li.
“Was that your doing?” Lei Lan gasped, awed by the sword strike’s power, which rivaled that of a Spirit Commander.
The terrifying blade and its aftermath had already dissipated, restoring calm.
But Han Li didn’t answer. His gaze was fixed ahead.
Lei Lan followed his line of sight and saw Hong Sha, now human again, smirking at them. Behind her stood a red-robed youth—Zhu Yinzi, the most formidable of the Chiyong Clan’s candidates.
A chill ran down Lei Lan’s spine.
“Brother Han, I hear you’ve been cultivating overseas and only recently returned to the Tianpeng Clan. I’m curious—would you honor me with a spar?” Zhu Yinzi asked, his lips twitching.
Though inwardly unsettled by Han Li’s earlier display, he maintained his composure, determined to gauge his opponent’s strength.
Zhu Yinzi’s reputation far surpassed that of Hong Sha or Lei Lan. His challenge sent waves of excitement through the crowd.
Lei Lan’s eyes narrowed in realization—she had merely been bait to lure out Han Li.
“I have no interest in fighting you,” Han Li replied dismissively.
Zhu Yinzi smirked. “Now that you’re within the barrier, you have no choice.”
His hand shimmered red, transforming into a crystalline claw. With a casual swipe, five crimson streaks shot forth, vanishing midair.
Han Li raised a pitch-black hand, fingers splayed defensively.
The streaks reappeared ten zhang away, now grown to monstrous size, their pressure suffocating.
With a flick of his wrist, Han Li summoned a black mountain, shielding himself completely.
The claw strikes landed with dull thuds, their heat searing the air. Yet the mountain stood unshaken.
Zhu Yinzi’s eyes widened in surprise.
Han Li inspected the mountain’s surface—five deep gouges, slightly melted. With a cold snort, he pressed his palm against it, and the damage instantly healed.
“Since you insist, I’ll oblige,” Han Li said coolly, stepping beside the mountain.
His wings flared, and a green roc phantom emerged behind him. Four towering cyclones erupted around him, howling like furious beasts.
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