For an early-stage cultivator to face a late-stage cultivator was utter madness, no matter the era.
Even setting aside the relative strength of their Dao Lineages, a late-stage cultivator who had established merely a lower-grade immortal foundation would still surpass an early-stage cultivator more than twofold in true essence, spirit sense, and every other respect. In extreme cases, the gap could reach three to five times.
Then there were the differences in age, experience, and spell arts. Any Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator could easily deal with three to five Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivators.
Fortunately, the gap extended only that far. There was no fundamental Transformation like that between Purple Mansion and Foundation Establishment, or between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining.
Besides, Jiang Yang could be considered quite experienced in this regard. His senior sister was also at the late stage, and she cultivated lightning, no less. She had put him through a brutal regimen; he had taken plenty of lightning strikes during their usual sparring sessions.
Although his senior sister had held back somewhat, Jiang Yang had hidden cards of his own. Even Jiang Yang himself probably did not know where his limits now lay.
The man in the crimson robe patterned with Separation Fire offered a salute, then leisurely swept his sleeve and formed a hand seal, calling out:
"Zhu Mingye!"
Vermilion Light marked the summer solstice; fire flourished and blazed. Summer fed upon the zenith sun, and attached flame gave birth to Separation Fire.
Vermilion flames shone brilliantly, coiling into fire serpents that rippled around the young man.
Rolling scarlet flames burned until the air twisted and churned. Heat struck Jiang Yang in the face, and every breath brought the parching heat of summer upon him.
Back when sovereign fire had first blazed in its full