This could no longer be considered an ordinary battle.

The spectators were already dumbfounded, the scene before them had completely exceeded their understanding. Everything happened too swiftly for their eyes to catch more than the endless shadows of fists and flames. The fists they could comprehend, but the flames, particularly the overwhelming fire net, they could not understand at all.

This was no longer a mortal battle; it was akin to a clash of gods. Were those powers beyond reality not some legendary Immortal Techniques?

Could humans really be this strong?

"Yes, maybe they really can."

Those who had already received the battle marks and felt that magical power clearly understood this at that moment.

It made their hearts yearn.

But they all knew that they absolutely could not achieve this level now.

For example, they certainly couldn’t break through the encirclement of the fire net like that heavily tattooed priest.

"Crash——"

The fiery barrier was actually broken by force, with a speed unattainable by humans, charging like a battering ram—yet even after breaking through the encirclement, Wu Zhao’s clenched fists remained cold.

Only because the sound was wrong.

"Buzz——" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The shattered web pursued, and the previously loose dirt had quickly solidified in the brief burning, each fiery fragment becoming sharp like a blade, the fractured edges ready to easily tear through flesh.

And now, Wu Zhao had no protection on his body.

"Whoosh——"

The fiery fragments quickly enveloped Wu Zhao.

Then, they began to swirl madly.

"The answer is a meat grinder."

Du Chengfeng, gazing at the rising fire tornado, raised the half-broken blade in his hand once more.

"Farewell."

Boom——

The fiery blade once again cleaved downwards.

Yet this lethal strike was blocked, as it was met by the left hand emerging from the fiery tornado. Even against countless hard fragments tearing away, the arm remained unscathed—not protected by any defensive aura but by the extreme speed of the strike. In this moment of life and death, Wu Zhao, an Inan, erupted with even more terrifying power, knocking all the fiery shards to the ground with just his empty right hand.

"Do you think such tricks could defeat me?"

Standing on the fiery ground, Wu Zhao, with his hair and beard bristling, resembled a Demon God walking the earth!

"It’s just this kind of thing!"

"Of course not."

Du Chengfeng shook his head.

"How could I harm the hostage?"

"...Hmm?"

Wu Zhao hesitated, instinctively lowering his head.

It was then he saw that amid the grandiose attack just now, under the cover of the flames, half a blade had somehow already reached his chest.

Next, a stab and a flick.

"Pff——"

Blood sprayed from the tattooed chest.

Along with it flew the Bronze Halberd, already with two notches.

"So, I say, farewell."

With a flick of the finger, the Bladeless Sword, long poised to strike, sliced through the air, shattering the Bronze Halberd on the spot.

In theory, keeping the Bronze Halberd could allow Du Chengfeng to receive the complete knowledge inheritance of the Inan, but for safety’s sake, Du Chengfeng chose to immediately destroy the dangerous artifact—at least denying it the opportunity to possess another, otherwise, the earlier combo attack would have been in vain.

As for the knowledge from the Inan inheritance, even fragmented pieces should suffice, and if not, it didn’t matter much to Du Chengfeng.

Once, he might have considered walking the path the Inan once tread, but now, these things merely serve as references for him.

He was not an Inan; he had his own path to follow.

Even if the road ahead seemed obscure and directionless, he had ultimately begun to find some things uniquely his own.

"But first, I need to save the hostage."

With this thought, Du Chengfeng swung the fiery blade once more.

The blazing edge skimmed the distant body’s chest, the fiery tip precisely cutting along the still-bleeding wound—then, after a moment of searing, the scent of roasting meat wafted up once more.

And the gushing blood was stanched.

"Wake up, wake up."

Du Chengfeng went up, patting Li Jia Dalang’s face.

No longer Wu Zhao, but Li Jia Dalang, now that the Bronze Halberd was removed, this body finally returned to its original owner.

"I..."

Regaining consciousness, Li Jia Dalang struggled to sit up, wanting to speak, but only coughed up a mouthful of blood as soon as he opened his mouth.

Clearly, neither the recent injuries nor Wu Zhao’s excessive use of this body was something Li Jia Dalang could endure.

To be used like this and still be alive was misfortune amidst fortune.

"Alright, it’s all over; take a rest."

Du Chengfeng patted Li Jia Dalang on the shoulder, indicating he no longer needed to be tense.

But Li Jia Dalang remained anxious, scratching his head non-stop.

"It’s all over; there’s nothing to fear now."

Seeing Li Jia Dalang’s disheveled look, Du Chengfeng spoke soothingly again.

Indeed, having just gone through such an incident, anyone would be scared for days, especially since Li Jia Dalang wasn’t that strong to begin with. Such a sudden ordeal was naturally panic-inducing.

"No! It’s not..."

Li Jia Dalang, coughing and scratching his head, continued.

"Hairpin, hairpin..."

"Hairpin?"

Du Chengfeng scratched his head.

"Is it very important to you? It must have fallen somewhere during the fight... Wait! You mean a hairpin?"

Before finishing his sentence, Du Chengfeng suddenly looked up.

At a distance in mid-air, a small, finely crafted steel hairpin was silently flying away, swift as lightning.

In an instant, it vanished from his sight.

"Wha...?"

Du Chengfeng quickly reached for a bronze fragment on the ground, then pulled out the Grinding Stone, attempting to sharpen it.

This was his first time trying to hone a blade, and he received no feedback.

The bronze fragments on the ground held nothing.