Saint Domain Battle

After immersing himself in the vast collection of manuals within the Scripture Pavilion, Lin Tian felt his understanding of the Fire Element Mystery grow increasingly profound. When he finished, he headed to Laun's residence to find Porter and Laun.

When Lin Tian arrived at Laun's residence, Porter and Laun were in the courtyard, drinking tea and chatting. Seeing Lin Tian approach, Laun's face broke into a gratified smile. "Lin Tian, you're here. After this session of contemplation, your comprehension of the Mystery must have reached a new level."

Lin Tian bowed respectfully and said, "Teacher Laun, I have indeed gained a great deal this time. I've had many new insights into the Fire Element Mystery."

A glint flashed in Laun's eyes as he said, "That's excellent. However, knowledge gained from books alone is shallow; true combat is the real test of your understanding. How about we spar a little? I'd like to see your current strength, and I hope you can gain even more from the battle."

Lin Tian readily agreed. "Then I ask for your guidance, Teacher."

Porter, who had been listening nearby, perked up at this. "In that case, I'll join in too and exchange a few moves with you. This old bones of mine wants to see just how far you've grown, little Lin Tian."

The three of them arrived at an empty training ground, where the air itself seemed to grow scorching hot in anticipation of the coming battle. As a fire-attribute warrior, Porter struck first. His figure moved like lightning, appearing before Lin Tian in an instant. The longsword in his hand blazed with roaring flames, carrying a torrent of battle qi as it thrust toward Lin Tian like a red bolt of lightning. This single strike condensed Porter's unique understanding of the Fire Element Mystery; the flames on the blade leaped and howled, trying to devour Lin Tian whole.

Lin Tian's expression remained calm. He could feel the power behind this strike, but there was no fear in his heart. Just as the sword was about to pierce him, his body shifted slightly to the side, evading Porter's attack with the grace of a wisp of smoke. At the same time, his right hand shot out, gathering a ball of flame and flinging it at Porter along a peculiar trajectory. The flame seemed casual, yet it flew with precision toward Porter's sword, attempting to disrupt his attack rhythm.

Seeing this, Porter silently praised Lin Tian's quick reflexes. He flicked his wrist, and the longsword traced an arc in the air, changing direction to slash at Lin Tian's palm. Meanwhile, his battle qi erupted even more violently, and the flames spread along the blade, forming a wall of fire that surged toward Lin Tian.

Lin Tian did not retreat. His gaze was firm as magic power flowed within him. Flames rose around his body, and he seemed to merge with the fire itself. Suddenly, his figure flickered, and he charged straight into the wall of fire. Inside the flames, part of Lin Tian's body transformed into fire elements, weaving nimbly through the blaze and evading Porter's attack.

Watching from the side, Laun was inwardly astonished. He knew well that being able to partially elementalize one's body was no easy feat for an ordinary Saint Domain expert. Lin Tian must have a profound grasp of the Fire Element Mystery. Seeing Lin Tian handle Porter's attack with such ease, Laun's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Then Laun, as a fire-attribute Saint Archmage, joined the battle. His hands formed seals rapidly as he chanted, "Fire elements, heed my call, gather into the power of destruction—Explosive Meteor!" In an instant, several massive, burning meteors appeared in the sky, hurtling toward Lin Tian with a roar. Each meteor carried immense magical power, scorching and distorting the air in its path.

Feeling the immense pressure from above, Lin Tian dared not be careless. He continued to spar with Porter while dealing with Laun's magical assault. Focusing his mind, he once again employed the Fire Element Mystery, his body moving as fluidly as flames, weaving through the gaps between the meteors with ease. At the same time, he didn't forget to counterattack. His hands waved continuously, sending streaks of flame sword qi flying toward Porter and Laun. These sword qi left trails of scorching heat as they cut through the air.

Seeing Lin Tian handle such a fierce assault with composure, Porter gained a new appreciation for his strength. He let out a loud shout, pushing his battle qi to its limit until his entire body seemed to become a giant torch. He unleashed his signature technique—"Flame Dragon Slash." A dragon formed from condensed flames flew out from his sword, roaring as it charged at Lin Tian. This flame dragon was lifelike, its flames seemingly capable of incinerating everything.

Not to be outdone, Laun followed up with "Flame Prison." Countless flames surged from the ground, rapidly surrounding Lin Tian and forming a massive cage of fire. The flames within the cage churned endlessly, trying to trap him inside, gradually shrinking to burn him.

Caught in a two-pronged attack, Lin Tian remained calm. He knew he couldn't panic; he had to find a way to break through. Closing his eyes, he sensed the flow of fire elements around him, silently communing with them. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, a look of determination flashing within. The flames on the surface of his body blazed brightly, and once again, part of him transformed into fire elements, merging with the surrounding flames.

Inside the Flame Prison, Lin Tian's body moved like a phantom, easily evading the Flame Dragon Slash's attack. Seizing the moment when the Flame Prison contracted, he found a weak point and turned into a streak of flame light, bursting out of the cage.

Without pause, Lin Tian launched a counterattack. His hands danced, and in an instant, countless flaming blades appeared in the air, flying toward Porter and Laun. These blades moved at incredible speed, carrying immense magical power, and the air hissed as they cut through it.

Porter and Laun quickly deployed their defenses. Porter raised his longsword, forming a sturdy fire shield with his battle qi in front of him, blocking most of the flaming blades. Laun cast "Flame Barrier," protecting himself within it. However, Lin Tian's assault didn't stop there.

He once again used the Fire Element Mystery, his body charging toward Porter like a burning flame. The moment he closed in, part of his body turned into fire elements, piercing straight through Porter's fire shield and appearing right before him. Startled, Porter hurriedly raised his sword to block. But Lin Tian's attacks came like a storm, using the properties of fire elements to make his strikes even more unpredictable.

Meanwhile, Laun kept casting magic from the side, trying to disrupt Lin Tian's movements. Yet Lin Tian seemed to have a complete awareness of his surroundings, engaging Porter in close combat while deftly dodging Laun's spells.

The battle continued for some time. Porter and Laun exhausted their techniques, but they still couldn't get the better of Lin Tian. Finally, the three of them stopped.

Porter looked at Lin Tian, his eyes full of admiration. "Lin Tian, you little rascal, your strength truly impresses me. In that fight, your use of the Fire Element Mystery was masterful. Being able to partially elementalize your body—that level of attainment is probably already at the peak of the Saint Domain."

Laun nodded in agreement. "That's right. I've never seen a Saint Domain expert so proficient in the Fire Element Mystery. Lin Tian, your understanding of the Mystery far surpasses those of the same rank. With time, becoming a god won't be too difficult."

Lin Tian said modestly, "Grandfather and Teacher Laun flatter me. I've also gained a lot from this battle. Through actual combat, my comprehension of the Fire Element Mystery has deepened, and I've realized there are still many areas where I need to improve."

Porter encouraged him, "Keep it up, Lin Tian. With your talent and grasp of the Mystery, your future achievements are limitless. Do you still need to find more people to fight? Since you're on Fire God Mountain now, I can find some Saint Domain experts of comparable strength to spar with you."

Lin Tian thought about what he had gained from the battle and said, "Is that possible? Then I'll trouble you, Grandfather."

Porter patted his chest and said, "No problem. Do you have any requirements for the sparring partners?"

Lin Tian replied, "If possible, I'd prefer Saint Domain experts who comprehend the Fire Element Mystery. I want to see different applications of it."

Porter laughed heartily. "There aren't many Saint Domain experts on Fire God Mountain who comprehend other Mysteries, but there are plenty of fire-attribute ones. Come on, follow me."