Just how overwhelming was Su Min's firepower?
The nickname "Crimson Blazing Bird" might sound cute, but no one who'd faced her in battle was laughing. The sky-scorching Nanming Lihuo, combined with her dual-element sword strikes, made approaching her a nightmare.
Han Chaoyan knew this better than anyone. Despite now possessing a divine water artifact—water's natural counter to fire—he understood that trading ranged attacks with Su Min would end the same way it had for Luo Changshui: in humiliating defeat.
So his strategy was simple: exploit the Earth-grade treasure he'd obtained from an ancient ruin to close the gap. If he could force close-quarters combat, Su Min wouldn't dare detonate her Vermilion Bird Saint Avatar—its explosion would damage her too. With his artifact's protection, any mutual damage would favor him.
For once, the hunter had become the hunted. Su Min, who specialized in countering others, now faced a tool tailored against her.
"[Flamewood Avatar Disc]: Grants extreme resistance to fire/wood attacks. Generates a renewable barrier—if unbroken, nullifies all damage from these elements."
"That artifact hard-counters her dual attributes. Unless Miss Su reveals something new, she's in trouble."
"Ranked third for a reason—he's been hiding this trump card. Melee is undoubtedly the best approach against her."
The spectators nodded in silent agreement. Only Yao Xian'er or Xie Yingying could possibly outblast Su Min. Everyone else would be committing suicide by challenging the walking artillery platform. Then came Han Chaoyan's transformation.
[Soaring Serpent Unity: Activates ancient Soaring Serpent bloodline, drastically enhancing physicality.]
Beasts—whether divine or demonic—possessed far greater natural physicality than humans. A massive black serpentine phantom materialized behind Han Chaoyan, its aura distorting the air.
"Hmph."
Su Min's lips curled. She'd anticipated this.
Azure light shimmered across her skin as the [Azure Dragon's Creation Art—Dragon Shadow] activated. Compared to the Vermilion Bird's flamboyant flames, the Azure Dragon's power was restrained—but no less potent.
[Azure Dragon's Creation Art—Dragon Shadow]: Requires prior [Four Symbols Possession (Azure Dragon Form)]. Transforms the user's skin into dragon scales while explosively enhancing physical capabilities.
CLANG—!!!
An ear-splitting collision reverberated across the arena. Many instinctively covered their ears. The Soaring Serpent was formidable—an ancient divine beast in its own right. But against one of the Four Symbols? It was outmatched.
Moreover, their inheritances differed. The Vermilion Bird's legacy amplified energy attacks—a mage's path. Su Min had instinctively honed the Azure Dragon's gift into pure physical reinforcement.
~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
Han Chaoyan's Soaring Serpent inheritance was more balanced: capable of both phantom breath attacks and body enhancement. But "balanced" meant "limited"—especially when the base material was inferior.
Add the Eastern Azure Wood's comprehensive physical boosts, and the outcome was inevitable.
THUD—!
Han Chaoyan flew backward faster than he'd charged, cratering the ground with a spray of blood.
"Such terrifying strength! Those azure flashes confirm the Azure Dragon's legacy—Vermilion for ranged, Azure for melee."
"With Soaring Serpent Unity active, Han Chaoyan's physique should rival the Great Desolate Holy Body's. Yet she overpowered him instantly."
"A tyrannical goddess in human skin..."
The audience collectively gasped. They'd expected Han Chaoyan to lose—but not like this. Total domination. Su Min's slender, seemingly delicate frame hid monstrous power. No bulging muscles, just seamless lethality.
"Brother, how do you compare?"
In a corner, a fiery-haired girl nudged the gaunt young man beside her—the Great Desolate Holy Body's inheritor. True physique masters kept their strength concealed.
"I'm stronger. But facing her would still be dangerous."
His expression was grave. Their single exchanged palm strike during their aborted clash had been his full power—yet she'd matched it. The gap wasn't large.
Su Min didn't let up. As Han Chaoyan struggled to rise, her Vermilion Bird unleashed a concentrated fireblast.
BOOM—!
The arena became an inferno. Yet through the flames, a figure charged forward.
"That artifact's Earth-grade, plus his divine water's protection. He can tank my flames."
Being countered was annoying—but unlike the Dowager's absolute suppression, this was manageable.
CRACK—!
A small shield materialized and shattered, absorbing Nanming Lihuo's fury and buying Han Chaoyan breathing room.
"All or nothing."
Outranged and outmuscled, Han Chaoyan activated his final gambit. The very air twisted as [Yinfire Illusory Realm] unfolded.
"Yinfire—the Soaring Serpent's innate ability?"
Su Min's eyes narrowed. The Soaring Serpent wasn't water-aligned—it was one of the Eight Divine Emissaries governing fire. Han Chaoyan's water affinity likely came from his personal physique altering the inheritance.
But now, burning his essence, he revealed its true nature:
Soaring Serpent—Emissary of Fire.
Its divinity is subtle yet venomous, governing flames, anomalies, terror, dreams, corruption, and deception.
"He's trying to trap me in an illusion!"
Su Min hurled her Vermilion Bird forward. She couldn't risk the illusion fully forming—even if she might break free, prevention was better than cure.
BOOM—!!!
The explosion disrupted the spreading Yinfire. Blood trickled from Han Chaoyan's lips—but with a desperate roar, he sacrificed two more essence blood drops to forcibly complete the technique.
[Yinfire Illusory Realm]
Reality twisted. For cultivators, vision and hearing were secondary—spiritual perception was paramount. This realm distorted both space and senses.
"It's done. Even if you—"
Han Chaoyan's triumph died in his throat.
A massive mirror now hovered overhead.
[Mirror of True Sight (Mystic-grade Mid-tier)]: Reveals illusions. Effectiveness decreases against higher-tier illusions.
The mirror's glow lasted mere seconds before cracking—but that was enough.
[Five Thunders Dominion—Thunder Avatar]: Channels heavenly lightning to briefly surpass physical limits. Prolonged use causes irreversible damage.
[Azure Dragon's Heaven-Sundering Strike]: Concentrates all power into a single blow.
"You—?!"
Golden lightning enveloped Su Min as she crossed the distance in a blink. Han Chaoyan's widened eyes were the last thing she saw before the Golden Core Heavenly Ranking's protective barrier whisked him away.
"Planned for this. Did you think you were the only one who prepares?"
Su Min smirked. The moment she'd seen Han Chaoyan's name on the bracket, she'd devised this counter. The Mystic-grade mirror was inferior to his Earth-grade treasure—but she only needed a split second of clarity. When the illusion first formed, opponents always hesitated. That window, plus the Thunder Avatar's burst power, sealed his fate.
His techniques were no secret. With a "Low Mystery" rating on the Heavenly Ranking, everyone knew his moves.
"Without the ranking's protection, that strike would've killed you."
As golden light transported her back to the spectator stand, the crowd's gazes held newfound reverence. Her physical body was already meditating to recover.
"You're actually insane. I might not have reacted in time to that."
Xie Yingying exhaled sharply. Su Min had never used that combo against her—seeing the illusion trap form had made her sweat.