The Divine Battle Hall.
Atop the final step of the Earth Ranking's White Jade Stairway.
A phantom White Tiger coalesced behind Mo Yun, a battered saber appeared in his hand, and the golden light protecting his body blazed brightly. He looked like a god of war clad in golden armor.
Opposite him, the Xu Wudi constructed by the array burned with crimson flames. Their flickering tongues scorched the surrounding air until it warped and twisted.
His eyes resembled two dancing clusters of flame, while the Ring-Pommel Broad Saber in his hand glowed red-hot like a branding iron fresh from the furnace, radiating a heart-stopping heat.
At that moment, Xu Wudi seemed to be composed entirely of fire. Merely standing there, he made even the surrounding air seem to smell scorched.
"A prodigy of the Fire Lineage?" Mo Yun focused, then flashed forward, raising his saber to slash at Xu Wudi. "I hope you won't disappoint me."
Before his words had faded, Mo Yun appeared before Xu Wudi and brought his battered saber crashing down over his head.
The seemingly unremarkable slash appeared to freeze the entire space. Wherever its edge passed, layers of air exploded with shrill, piercing sonic booms.
Xu Wudi's expression tightened slightly. Instinctively, he tried to dodge, only to discover in horror that the slash seemed to have locked down all the surrounding space. There was nowhere to retreat, nowhere to evade.
He gritted his teeth. Flames erupted around him, becoming a pillar of fire that soared skyward. Pouring all his strength into the Ring-Pommel Broad Saber, he steeled himself and met the blow head-on.
Shhk!
With a muffled sound, the crimson flames instantly went out like a snuffed candle. Mo Yun's single slash severed Xu Wudi at the waist, saber and all, and his entire body