Flame Duel

The blood-red flame in Cao Ying's hand stood upright like a human the moment it entered the Flame Duel Arena, its every movement even showing a hint of sentience.

"Is that... the innate beast flame of an eighth-rank magical beast, the Blood Demon Ape?" Xiao Yan nodded inwardly as he watched. The Blood Demon Ape's flame was the core flame used to fuse the blood demon flame.

Barring any surprises, the Cao Family would begin gathering beast flame essences in vast quantities for Cao Ying, eventually forming a blood demon flame comparable to the beast flame of a ninth-rank magical beast.

This flame was immensely powerful, belonging to the highest tier of beast flames beneath the myriad beast spirit flame.

For now, however, the Blood Demon Ape's flame was still only an eighth-rank beast flame. It held no advantage over his Green Lion Demon Flame.

With a thought from Xiao Yan, the masses of azure flame in the Flame Duel Arena swiftly gathered, finally taking the shape of an azure lion with a pair of wings on its back.

"It's the Green Lion Demon Flame of an eighth-rank magical beast, the Azure-Winged Heavenly Demon Lion." Seated in the place of honor, Danyang Zi and the Cao Family Ancestor exchanged a glance. They were somewhat surprised, but hardly shocked.

As Yao Chen's disciple, possessing the beast flame of an eighth-rank magical beast was perfectly normal. Their surprise came only from how rare Azure-Winged Heavenly Demon Lions were.

"Blood Demon Ape flame, tear his lion apart!" Cao Ying formed seals with both hands. The humanoid flame abruptly swelled, finally transforming into a massive Demon Flame Gorilla.

"Roar!" The Demon Flame Gorilla beat its chest and stamped its feet, charging toward the azure lion.

"A paltry trick!" Xiao Yan pressed two fingers together, directing the Green Lion Demon Flame to battle the Demon Flame Gorilla.

The two magical beasts formed from flame tore and bit at each other madly. Cao Ying's proud expression gradually grew solemn, while Xiao Yan remained composed, a faint trace of confidence lingering on his face.

"Haha, you've really caught my interest! Among people my age, you're the first to make me struggle in a flame duel. What's your name?"

As the pressure mounted, Cao Ying only grew more excited. Only now did she realize she did not even know his name.

"Xiao Yan!" Xiao Yan calmly gave his name, his expression still indifferent, as though this flame duel put no pressure on him at all.

In truth, he felt no pressure whatsoever. No matter how extraordinarily gifted Cao Ying was, she was still only a girl of fourteen or fifteen.

"If that's all you've got, you might just lose." Xiao Yan finally smiled faintly, though there was a hint of contempt in it.

The azure lion in the arena suddenly intensified its attacks, leaving the Demon Flame Gorilla in a sorry state.

"All I've got?" Cao Ying sneered.

"Xiao Yan, I admit you're strong, but I've never lost a flame duel against anyone my age!" With that, a Dou Wang-level aura erupted from her body.

Boom! As her Dou Qi erupted, its formidable power immediately fueled the Blood Demon Ape's flame, causing it to swell abruptly.

The Demon Flame Gorilla, originally only a little taller than a person, instantly grew several dozen feet tall!

Had she not been mindful of the roof's height, the Demon Flame Gorilla could have continued swelling to hundreds of feet.

She's already entered the Dou Wang realm? Xiao Yan carefully sensed the aura emanating from Cao Ying. It was roughly at the strength of a One-Star Dou Wang or a two-star Dou Wang.

Although she had only just entered the Dou Wang realm, she was not yet fifteen, making her a little younger than him.

Such aptitude would qualify her as a first-rate genius even among the Ancient Seven Clans. In terms of bloodline grade, she would likely be eighth-tier, perhaps even with the potential to reach ninth-tier and become a holy maiden.

Truly worthy of being the Cao Family's little enchantress! Unfortunately, you've run into me. Heh heh!

A smile crept onto Xiao Yan's lips, as though his scheme had succeeded.

This was Cao Ying's moment of glory, when her pride was at its highest. If he thoroughly defeated her now, he would leave an indelible impression on her heart.

If he made good use of that impression, winning her over would not be far off.

"Reaching Dou Wang at your age really is impressive."

Watching the smile curl at Xiao Yan's lips, Cao Ying suddenly felt a trace of unease creep into her normally confident heart.

"Unfortunately, you've run into me!" As Xiao Yan's words fell, an aura far stronger than Cao Ying's erupted, making even the previously composed Danyang Zi and Cao Family Ancestor pale.

"A two-star Dou Emperor! How is that possible!"

A boy barely over fifteen was already a Dou Huang expert.

"This boy has the makings of a Dou Sheng!" The two old men exchanged glances, each seeing the shock in the other's eyes.

"How is that possible? How could you be a Dou Emperor!" Cao Ying's alluring little face turned deathly pale.

Among the people her age whom she knew, there were indeed some whose Dou Qi cultivation surpassed hers. But all of them focused primarily on cultivating Dou Qi, and their advantage was limited-at most, they were only three-star Dou Wangs.

This was the first time she had met someone whose cultivation exceeded hers while also studying alchemy. Moreover, this boy's cultivation was actually so far above her own.

Even with her aptitude, she would have to be seventeen or eighteen to reach Dou Emperor.

"Hehe, little lady, watch how I put you in your place!" Xiao Yan gave a wicked smile, pouring the surging Dou Qi within his body into the Green Lion Demon Flame.

Bang! To everyone's surprise, after rapidly expanding, the Green Lion Demon Flame suddenly burst apart.

Ah, the drawbacks of a Yellow Tier Cultivation Technique are far too obvious. A feeling of impotence, like his kidneys had given out, washed over Xiao Yan.

The Dou Qi produced by this Yellow Tier Cultivation Technique was somewhat insubstantial and could not withstand his forceful output. He had actually lost control of the flame in an instant, causing it to explode.

Seeing Xiao Yan's flame burst apart, Cao Ying immediately reacted, hastily driving the Demon Flame Gorilla back and forth to crush the scattered Green Lion Demon Flame.

"Miss Cao, sometimes the finest essence comes in a concentrated form." After steadying his mind, Xiao Yan finally began forming hand seals in earnest.

The azure flames rapidly gathered, once again forming an azure lion. This time, however, the lion was less than half its previous size. Compared with the enormous Demon Flame Gorilla, it was not even as large as its palm.

"Condensing a Fire Spirit!" At this sight, everyone present once again looked startled. Though the azure lion had grown smaller, it was far more solid and possessed greater sentience.

This was a method only many sixth-tier alchemists possessed.

"Azure Lion Heavenly Demon Slash! Go!" Xiao Yan barked. The azure lion beat its two pairs of long, slender wings, sweeping across the Demon Flame Gorilla like two sharp curved blades.

Streak after streak of azure flame slashed past. The Demon Flame Gorilla clawed wildly in every direction, but could not catch the tiny lion at all. Instead, those blade-like wings cut it all over.

"Xiao Yan, you're strong, but I'll defeat you!"

Cao Ying cried out, pouring her immense soul power into the Demon Flame Gorilla as well.

Yet Xiao Yan's soul power was even deeper than hers-the difference was like a pond compared with a lake. No matter how hard Cao Ying pushed, Xiao Yan always looked completely at ease.

"I refuse to believe it!" Cao Ying's beautiful eyes reddened. Since childhood, when had she ever been defeated by someone her own age? Today, not only was she being suppressed, but her opponent did not even seem to be using his full strength.

Her hands frantically formed seals, and faint traces of bloody tears even began to seep from her eyes.

"Ying'er, enough!" The Cao Family Ancestor's expression changed again at this sight.

Cao Ying was about to activate a Secret Art. Although it could greatly increase her strength, it would leave serious aftereffects and might even damage her foundation.

"Xiao Yan, I will defeat you!"

Cao Ying ignored the Cao Family Ancestor and continued forming seals.

"Enough." The boy's calm voice rang out. The azure lion, which had battered the Demon Flame Gorilla beyond recognition, suddenly paused, then dispersed into azure flames with a bang.

Cao Ying froze. In the next instant, a strand of Dou Qi interrupted her activation of the Secret Art.

"Is a little competition worth even damaging your foundation?"

The gentle voice sounded beside Cao Ying's ear. She raised her head slightly and saw the boy smiling at her.

At that moment, Cao Ying suddenly felt that this boy seemed somewhat different from the other boys she usually encountered.

Without her realizing it, Xiao Yan had already left an indelible impression on her heart.

"Let's end today's match here. At the Alchemy Competition in seven days, we can compete in alchemy instead..."

The white-robed boy's figure receded along with his voice, leaving only a bewildered Cao Ying and a crowd of dumbfounded onlookers.