Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Vermilion Bird vs. Vermilion Bird

WHOOSH...

On the Martial Arts Arena, a sea of fire churned without cease. The figures of Shen Haoran and Murong Wanqing flickered relentlessly, and every collision sent violent waves surging through the flames.

Below the Martial Arts Arena, the crowd of Martial Artists watched the intense clash on stage, their hearts reeling in shock. Murong Wanqing’s aura was clearly stronger than Shen Haoran’s, yet in their exchange, she couldn’t seem to gain any advantage. Shen Haoran always seemed to predict her attacks and intercept them ahead of time, a fact that left Murong Wanqing deeply frustrated.

In truth, this was a simple matter of superior combat skill! Murong Wanqing was indeed a disciple of a major clan, and while such disciples have access to countless cultivation resources, they are often like flowers raised in a greenhouse—unable to withstand a true storm. Shen Haoran was different. He had been tempered by numerous life-and-death battles, so his combat skills naturally overwhelmed Murong Wanqing’s on every front!

As the fight wore on, Murong Wanqing actually began to lose ground. Both were using flames to attack, but Shen Haoran, who possessed the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, clearly had the upper hand. Soon, he was even starting to outright overpower Murong Wanqing!

’I can’t let this drag on!’ Murong Wanqing thought, watching Shen Haoran’s attacks grow increasingly ferocious. ’If this continues, I’ll be completely caught in his rhythm. Then, my defeat will only be a matter of time!’

"Spiritual Snake Emerges from the Cave!" Murong Wanqing cried out. The Soft Whip in her hand moved like its namesake, tracing a graceful arc to coil tightly around Shen Haoran’s Black Flame Giant Ruler before constricting with sudden force.

"Hmph!" Shen Haoran snorted at the sight. His Black Flame Giant Ruler abruptly expanded as the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian surged forth, engulfing the slender Soft Whip. Immediately after, a Black Flame Split Wave shot straight toward Murong Wanqing!

The Black Flame Split Wave was incredibly fast, reaching Murong Wanqing in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, her reactions were just as quick. Crimson flames surged, forming a Fire Curtain to block the attack!

BOOM!

With a tremendous roar, the Black Flame Split Wave slammed into the Fire Curtain and exploded. A violent gale swept across the Martial Arts Arena, scattering the sea of fire. Murong Wanqing was sent flying backward, one foot landing over the edge of the arena!

"Watch out!" the crowd below cried out, seeing Murong Wanqing about to fall from the arena. She was a goddess in their hearts, and they didn’t want to see her lose.

Fortunately, Murong Wanqing was remarkably flexible. She managed to stabilize herself and pull her foot back onto the arena. The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief before turning their gazes to Shen Haoran. He was still completely shrouded in black flames, his very pupils blazing with dark fire. Combined with his terrifying Qilin Arm, he looked like a Demon God straight from the Nine Netherworld.

Murong Wanqing’s expression was grim as she stared at Shen Haoran. She had activated her Clan Pattern and forcibly enhanced the quality of her Spiritual Power, yet she still couldn’t defeat him. Her power was clearly five Small Realms higher than his, a fact that filled her with a sense of bitter indignation.

’I, the proud Young Lady of the Murong Clan, am about to be defeated by a complete nobody? And a nobody who’s weaker than me, at that! If word of this gets out, how will I ever show my face again?’

’It seems I have no choice but to use that technique,’ Murong Wanqing thought, her jaw tight with resolve.

"Listen to me, Shen," Murong Wanqing said, her voice cold. "You are indeed strong. But this battle is for the honor of my Murong Clan, and I cannot afford to lose. For my next move, I will hold nothing back. There is a very real chance you will die. Do you still wish to continue?"

Shen Haoran was taken aback. ’What does she mean by that? She’s going to use a killing blow, and she’s warning me beforehand?’

"Are you underestimating me?" Shen Haoran asked coldly.

"I don’t mean to underestimate you," Murong Wanqing replied. "It’s just that I cannot fully control this technique. We have no life-or-death grudge between us, and I have no desire to kill you. I only wanted to give you a warning. If I accidentally injure you severely, I hope you won’t hold it against me."

’A warning?’ Shen Haoran looked at Murong Wanqing, suddenly at a loss for words. His opinion of her began to change. ’It seems the Murong Clan isn’t entirely what I imagined. This Murong Wanqing, at least, is kind-hearted.’

However, since this was a competition, Shen Haoran had no intention of holding back. He barked, "Then bring it on!"

"Fine. In that case, don’t blame me for what happens next!" Seeing Shen Haoran’s persistence, Murong Wanqing’s gaze grew cold. ’If he’s this determined, then I’ll just have to show him the Secret Technique of the Murong Family!’

"This is a Secret Technique unique to my Murong Family, an Ancient Martial Skill. No one who has ever witnessed it has lived to tell the tale!" At that moment, a change came over Murong Wanqing’s eyes, which now seemed to hold the weight of ages.

A low whisper escaped Murong Wanqing’s lips, "Vermilion Bird’s Heaven-Burning Flame." The words echoed across the entire arena like a Brahma Sound. A pair of crimson, fiery wings erupted from her back, making her resemble a proud Phoenix as her body slowly began to ascend.

As Murong Wanqing floated into the air, a power that seemed to hail from the Primordial Chaos erupted from within her. The phantasmal image of a Vermilion Bird, reborn in flames, materialized behind her!

"Th-that’s the Ancient Divine Beast, the Vermilion Bird!"

"Could the Murong Family’s legacy be the legacy of the Ancient Vermilion Bird?"

"No wonder the Murong Family has stood at the continent’s apex for a thousand years without falling! With a heaven-defying legacy like an Ancient Divine Beast, how could they ever decline?" The Martial Artists gazed at the phantasmal Vermilion Bird, their faces filled with reverence. An Ancient Divine Beast was a thing of faith in their hearts. When the Vermilion Bird appears, it incinerates all creation!

Shen Haoran stared at Murong Wanqing, his face a mask of astonishment. ’This technique... it’s so familiar.’ When he obtained the Vermilion Bird Wings, the knowledge of the Vermilion Bird’s Heaven-Burning Flame Martial Skill had been imprinted in his mind. Feeling that incredibly familiar aura emanating from Murong Wanqing, he was genuinely surprised. He never expected someone else to know this technique.

"Hmph. In that case, let’s see whose Vermilion Bird’s Heaven-Burning Flame is the authentic one—yours, or mine!" Shen Haoran chuckled. A pair of massive, black-flamed wings shot out from his back. With a gentle beat of his wings, Shen Haoran’s body also began to float slowly into the air. A black Vermilion Bird phantom materialized behind him as well!

"Th-that’s impossible! That kid knows the Murong Family’s Secret Technique too?" Seeing the phantasmal Vermilion Bird behind Shen Haoran, the Martial Artists present were utterly dumbfounded.

"Doesn’t the Vermilion Bird behind that kid look... more solid than the one behind Miss Murong?" a timid voice suddenly interjected.

Everyone looked up. As they watched the two Vermilion Birds stare each other down, their very souls trembled...