“Could that be… the Flame Emperor Art?!”
An onlooker couldn’t help but cry out in shock.
The exclamation caused an uproar, with many cultivators displaying stunned expressions.
“The Flame Emperor Art was created by the Flame God, a high-tier holy technique of immense power, supremely fierce and domineering, and extremely difficult to cultivate. I never imagined Shang Ziqi could master it.”
“And now, Shang Ziqi is simultaneously unleashing the Flame Emperor Art and Yinming Mysterious Light, creating a duality of ice and fire. Such control is truly terrifying.”
“Deploying two high-tier holy techniques like this nearly doubles their power. Zhang Ruochen is in trouble.”
…
Almost everyone turned their gaze to the two towering figures behind Shang Ziqi, their hearts filled with awe.
To simultaneously wield two high-tier holy techniques with opposing attributes, maintaining perfect balance, showcased Shang Ziqi’s fearsome prowess.
A faint smile finally appeared on Shang Ziqi’s grim face.
He had been cultivating the Flame Emperor Art for a long time but had always lacked a critical insight, preventing him from achieving mastery.
Yet, in his fury just moments ago, he had unexpectedly grasped that key, an unforeseen delight.
Mastering two high-tier holy techniques in the Saint King realm was an achievement that alone could make Shang Ziqi renowned across the myriad realms, surpassing even peerless prodigies like Xuanyuan Liekong.
“Zhang Ruochen, I owe you thanks. Without you, I might not have mastered the Flame Emperor Art so quickly. As a token of gratitude, you’ll be the first to taste its power,” Shang Ziqi said with a smile.
Sensing the terror of the two towering figures behind Shang Ziqi, Zhang Ruochen’s expression grew grave. This time, he truly felt an immense threat.
In this situation, Zhang Ruochen had no choice but to fully activate the Fire God Armor and the Hidden Mountain Demonic Mirror while channeling vast amounts of holy qi into his left leg.
He desperately wanted to unleash the Flame God’s Leg at full power for a devastating strike.
But he knew that even the Flame God’s Leg’s strongest blow couldn’t kill Shang Ziqi.
And after such a strike, his holy qi would be completely depleted, unable to recover immediately.
At that point, he would lose all combat ability, left at Shang Ziqi’s mercy.
“Shang Ziqi’s attack is extraordinary. I’ll need to use fifty percent of the Flame God’s Leg’s power to have a chance of withstanding it,” Zhang Ruochen thought, rapidly weighing his options and making a decision.
Normally, he only used ten percent of the Flame God’s Leg’s power, which consumed minimal holy qi and could be recovered almost instantly.
But using fifty percent would significantly increase its might, at the cost of half his holy qi. Even with the divine sun in his Divine Light Qi Sea continuously releasing refined qi, recovery would take considerable time.
This would undoubtedly impact his ability to use other techniques afterward.
But with no other choice, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t afford to hesitate. If Shang Ziqi’s strike critically injured him, he’d have even less chance to fight back.
Infused with immense holy qi, Zhang Ruochen’s left leg glowed crimson, 100,000 robust flame rules materializing, their scorching aura nearly melting the surrounding space.
The ferocious beast and flame emperor behind Shang Ziqi charged simultaneously, like gods and demons advancing together, exuding a terrifying aura of destruction.
Where they passed, the earth sank violently, teetering on the brink of collapse.
“Flame God’s Leg.”
At the same moment, Zhang Ruochen swept his left leg outward.
A colossal divine force surged, transforming into towering fire waves that swept across all directions.
“Boom.”
Zhang Ruochen was instantly engulfed by flames and icy power, the area resembling the aftermath of a star’s collision, forming a devastating shockwave.
Ripples of terrifying force spread through the space, layer upon layer, radiating outward at an alarming speed.
Compared to the earlier roars of the ferocious beast and flame emperor, these force ripples were exponentially more terrifying.
Many combatants on both sides halted their fights, turning to counter the relentless waves of force.
Even so, some powerhouses couldn’t avoid injury, with some sustaining severe wounds.
The observing cultivators, having learned their lesson, had retreated far in advance, suffering minimal impact this time.
An earthquake shook the area within ten thousand miles, mountains crumbled, and the earth sank, countless lives lost to the catastrophe.
“Boom.”
Masses of dark red magma erupted from the ground, soon forming a vast magma lake.
With scorching magma continuously surging from below, the lake remained in a boiling state, melting vast amounts of rock and stone, showing no signs of solidifying.
Chen Hu cast his gaze toward Shang Ziqi, his brows furrowed, murmuring, “Mastering two high-tier holy techniques in the Saint King realm and wielding them in tandem—my junior brother is truly formidable. No wonder Master values him so highly.”
“This strike is already close to the top three levels of the Near-Dao Realm’s strongest attacks. At this rate, he might not even need to reach the Heaven-Connecting Realm to match my current strength.”
Previously, Chen Hu hadn’t taken Shang Ziqi seriously, but now he had to acknowledge his prowess.
Chen Hu knew it wouldn’t be long before Shang Ziqi became the strongest of the Merit Temple’s younger generation, surpassing even him.
“Cousin!”
“Junior Brother!”
“Your Highness!”
Seeing Zhang Ruochen engulfed by the destructive force, Kong Lanyou, Jin Yu, Han Qiu, and others cried out in alarm.
Their eyes reddened as they desperately tried to rush to his aid.
But their opponents were formidable, pinning them down and giving them no chance to break free.
On the cliff, Chi Kunlun’s eyes were bloodshot, shouting uncontrollably, “Father!”
Undoubtedly, he had come to believe the words of the mysterious Yanluo Clan man.
Chi Kunlun was frantic, wishing he could rush to Peacock Manor immediately.
Even though his strength was still weak, he wanted to stand and fight alongside Zhang Ruochen in this moment.
“It seems the outcome is decided. Shang Ziqi is quite impressive, mastering two high-tier holy techniques in such a short cultivation time, with their powers complementing and countering each other. With more growth, he might even be worthy of facing me.”
“Those four annoying pursuers are closing in again. We can’t stay here any longer. Kid, it’s time to go!”
The mysterious Yanluo Clan man stood, preparing to take Chi Kunlun and leave.
Chi Kunlun roared, “My father won’t die! I’m going to kill Shang Ziqi!”
“Kid, you can’t kill Shang Ziqi now. If you want revenge, come with me obediently. Once you master my skills, killing Shang Ziqi won’t be impossible,” the mysterious man said.
“No, I’m not leaving! I’m going to save my father!” Chi Kunlun’s emotions were wildly agitated.
Seeing this, the mysterious man shook his head, raising a hand to unleash Yanluo Hell Qi, sealing Chi Kunlun’s ability to move.
Chi Kunlun’s eyes widened, filled with anger and unwillingness, but he was powerless to break free from the mysterious man’s seal.
Ignoring Chi Kunlun’s protests, the mysterious man grabbed him, stepping off the cliff and vanishing without a trace.
Before Peacock Manor, the area remained shrouded in destructive force, lingering for a long time.
“Taking such a terrifying strike, it seems Zhang Ruochen is more likely dead than alive.”
“What a pity, the successor of time and space, gone just like that.”
“It’s not that Zhang Ruochen was weak—Shang Ziqi was simply too strong. Who in the Saint King realm can wield two high-tier holy techniques in tandem?”
“This battle is Shang Ziqi’s victory. With Zhang Ruochen’s fall, Kunlun Realm and Guanghan Realm will suffer a massive blow.”
“Shang Ziqi’s era has begun, and no one can stop it.”
…
For a moment, the observing cultivators gazed at Shang Ziqi with awe, overwhelmed by the terrifying strength he displayed.
Many believed it wouldn’t be long before Shang Ziqi reached the level of Yan Wushen or the Four Heavenly Kings of the Heavenly Palace, capable of crushing ordinary Nine-Step Saint Kings with ease.
Gradually, the destructive force in the central area began to dissipate, and many turned their attention to that region, eager to see the final outcome.
Shang Ziqi wore a confident smile, his eyes brimming with pride, fully convinced of his victory.
However, as the destructive force cleared, his smile froze, for he saw a figure emerging in that area.
That figure was none other than Zhang Ruochen.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen was covered in blood. Despite the Fire God Armor’s protection, he was grievously injured, his body riddled with wounds, his flesh on the verge of collapse.
He had underestimated the power of Shang Ziqi’s earlier strike. Using fifty percent of the Flame God’s Leg’s power, and even drawing on more in a critical moment, he still couldn’t fully withstand it.
Zhang Ruochen’s body was covered in cracks, his organs nearly shattered. Anyone else with such injuries would likely have perished, unable to hold on.
Shang Ziqi stared at Zhang Ruochen with a dark gaze, saying grimly, “Zhang Ruochen, you’re remarkably tenacious.”
“Shang Ziqi, you want my life so badly? Too bad you can’t take it,” Zhang Ruochen replied fearlessly.
Shang Ziqi snorted coldly, “At this point, Zhang Ruochen, what’s the point of pretending to be calm? You’re at the end of your rope. I could crush you with a single finger.”
Though he hadn’t killed Zhang Ruochen in one strike, Shang Ziqi wasn’t frustrated. He could see Zhang Ruochen’s severe injuries and crumbling body—killing him now would be effortless.
“Is that so? Why don’t you try?” Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen’s composed demeanor, Shang Ziqi’s brows furrowed slightly, an uneasy feeling stirring within him.
His mind raced with thoughts, and his gaze turned razor-sharp. Extending a finger, he condensed a terrifying flame.
“Playing tricks? If you want to die, I’ll grant your wish.”
With that, Shang Ziqi pointed at Zhang Ruochen from afar, unleashing a deadly strike.
