Chapter 347: Becoming the Spirit General
As they watched the massive crimson Vermilion Bird over Lin Langtian's head, every Fire Division disciple's face shifted with shock, their eyes filled with awe.
"That's… the ancient Vermilion Bird Flame!"
Around the arena, an eruption of gasps and murmurs rose. In the Fire Division, many were familiar with the legendary flame from ancient times, knowing it had been wielded only by the most powerful figures on the continent. In fact, few flames could surpass the Vermilion Bird Flame, possibly only the rare Chaos Demonic Flame.
Lin Langtian had revealed this fearsome flame as his trump card to clash with Ling Chi in a decisive blow.
On the grand stage, the Fire Division leaders exchanged wary looks, silently taken aback. It had been many years since anyone in the Fire Division had demonstrated a flame of such power.
"So, this is the Vermilion Bird Flame. What a troublesome force," Ling Chi muttered, looking up with tension at the enormous crimson bird towering above. However, a dark grin quickly replaced his expression of surprise. "Lin Langtian, so what if you possess the Vermilion Bird Flame? I'll show you what real power looks like!"
Suspended in mid-air, Ling Chi's voice thundered like a storm. Above him, his monstrous Flame Wolf glowed with a terrifying aura, as tangible as a giant, wrathful beast, seeming to radiate a world-destroying power.
"Flame Emperor Art: Flame Wolf King!"
With a vicious glint in his eye, Ling Chi pointed sharply at Lin Langtian.
Howl!
At his command, the Flame Wolf, formed entirely from his fierce beast fire, unleashed a thunderous howl, as if it had become fully sentient. The next instant, the Flame Wolf charged, crossing the sky in a blazing streak, its furious flames trailing like a comet.
Boom!
Under the force of this explosive charge, the entire arena began to shake and crack, deep fissures spreading rapidly. The impact of the Flame Wolf's presence alone caused multiple arenas to collapse, sending a wave of shock through the crowd.
"Impressive!" someone muttered in awe, as they witnessed the power of Ling Chi's long-held Spirit General status.
Seeing the force of the Flame Wolf's power, doubts rippled through the crowd. Could Lin Langtian withstand this fierce assault?
Lin Langtian raised an eyebrow at Ling Chi's menacing attack. "This will make for a worthy final blow," he thought. Despite Ling Chi's considerable power, it was clear he was underestimating Lin Langtian.
Without delay, Lin Langtian formed a series of seals with his hands. Above him, the enormous red figure of the Vermilion Bird began to take on an increasingly solid form. As it spread its fiery wings, a scorching gust of wind erupted across the arena.
Even the slightest touch of this fiery gale would be enough to tear apart a Seven-Seal Nirvana warrior.
"Everyone, get back!" shouted several disciples as they scrambled to evade the deadly flames swirling around them, feeling its devastating power even from a distance.
Meanwhile, a feeling of shock spread throughout the crowd. If the Vermilion Bird's fiery aura alone held this much power, what would happen when it fully unleashed its wrath?
"Flame Emperor Art: Vermilion Bird Blaze!"
With Lin Langtian's shout, the crimson Vermilion Bird launched forward, cutting through the sky toward the massive Flame Wolf in a blinding flash, producing a sonic boom that split the air. Every rock in its path was reduced to dust as the Vermilion Bird charged with full force.
The power of this single blow was astonishing.
Even the Fire Division's senior leaders, who had been observing from the high seats, looked on with heavy expressions. The Vermilion Bird Flame's sheer might was almost akin to that of a Life Nirvana warrior, a testament to its unparalleled power.
As the Vermilion Bird crossed the arena, the faintest glimmer of its scorching energy reduced stones on the ground to ash, a massive crack running half a meter wide in its wake, practically splitting the entire platform in two.
Both Lin Langtian and Ling Chi had deployed the Fire Division's pinnacle technique, the Flame Emperor Art. The clash was relentless, each attack carrying a terrifying, destructive force that tore through the air and shattered the arena floor. Disciples watched in awe and fear, unable to fathom the sheer intensity of the battle.
The two colossal beasts, the red Vermilion Bird and the Flame Wolf, grew closer with each passing moment, their forms radiating unmatched power as they prepared to collide.
In that split second, the anticipation within the crowd reached its peak. Who would emerge victorious in this earth-shattering clash?
Boom!
The two giants collided in a blast that echoed across the entire arena, the force of their impact generating a storm of energy. The violent clash created a blinding explosion, filling the sky with an ocean of flame.
The disciples watched in stunned silence as the fire spread outward from the point of impact, the sheer heat and force of it stirring unease across every face.
"These two are going to destroy the entire Fire Division if they keep this up," muttered Fire Division Head Feng Cang. A frown crossed his face as he watched the spiraling inferno. With a quick decision, he stood, and in a flash, he vanished from the platform.
Just as Feng Cang vanished into the air, a violent storm of fire erupted, spreading across the sky and radiating in all directions from the mountain peak.
Boom!!
From the spectator stands, countless Fire Division disciples looked on in terror at the rapidly expanding flame storm. Even from a distance, they could feel its terrifying heat. If the flames reached them, few would make it out alive.
"Hmph!"
In a split second, an elder's silhouette flashed into the air, letting out a cold shout as a powerful surge of energy erupted from his body. As Feng Cang appeared, the previously raging firestorm instantly settled, seemingly subdued by his force alone.
"Life Nirvana Realm, perfected!"
Sensing the abrupt calm that now spread over the landscape, Lin Langtian's eyes flashed, and he felt a touch of respect deepen within him. The head of the Fire Division was indeed no one to underestimate.
Gasp!
With Feng Cang's suppression of the flames, the duel also finally reached a decisive point.
Screech!
With a piercing cry, the crimson Vermilion Bird's power flared up, gaining even more intensity. In an instant, it tore the massive Flame Wolf to pieces. Despite Lin Langtian's inability to harness the Vermilion Bird Flame's full potential, the ancient power it held was more than enough to overwhelm the life-force fire summoned by Ling Chi.
As his Flame Wolf was shredded by the Vermilion Bird, Ling Chi's expression shifted to one of shock. But as one of the Eight Spirit Generals of the Gate of Origins, he didn't hesitate; using the force of the explosion as leverage, he sprang backward in a swift retreat.
Whoosh!
But as Ling Chi retreated, the crimson Vermilion Bird surged forward at breakneck speed, piercing through the dissipating Flame Wolf and charging toward him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Ling Chi's face hardened as he continued to retreat rapidly. With every movement of his sleeves, he unleashed wave after wave of scorching fire energy, hoping to fend off the relentless Vermilion Bird.
But his efforts were futile. Not only did the Vermilion Bird have an astonishing speed, but the flames that fueled it possessed a terrifying incinerating power that left his defensive blasts useless.
All around the arena, a stir broke out. Countless disciples watched in stunned silence as Ling Chi, their formidable Spirit General, appeared overwhelmed and barely able to hold his ground. Their faces were filled with disbelief.
The tide of the battle had shifted too quickly!
Most had assumed that when Ling Chi unleashed his Flame Emperor Art, it would be enough to turn the fight in his favor. Yet none had expected Lin Langtian not only to withstand Ling Chi's powerful strike but also to push him to such a desperate state.
The crowd erupted with shock, the noise echoing across the mountain peak. Even Zhang Hao and the other core disciples looked at each other in amazement, each seeing the same stunned look reflected in the others' eyes.
If Lin Langtian defeated Ling Chi, he would seamlessly take over as the Spirit General. This would place him, a mere newcomer of less than half a year, above nearly every Fire Division disciple, second only to a handful of division leaders!
Whoosh!
But Ling Chi had no time to consider the murmurs from the crowd. His gaze remained fixed on the relentless Vermilion Bird in pursuit, its fiery eyes locked onto him like prey. A profound sense of danger sent chills down his spine.
"It's catching up!"
Ling Chi's pupils shrank as the Vermilion Bird closed in, its scorching heat already making him sweat.
"There's no way I'll let it defeat me!"
With a surge of anger, he halted his retreat, harnessing every ounce of his power. A vast aura radiated as he struck his hand forward, unleashing a powerful blast of energy.
Boom!
Ling Chi's fierce strike collided with the Vermilion Bird, momentarily halting its advance. The Nine-Seal Nirvana power he unleashed revealed its full might.
Yet just as Ling Chi felt a hint of satisfaction, thinking he'd stopped the Vermilion Bird, the ancient fire screeched again. The violent flames surged, ignoring his defenses and surging toward him with a terrifying force.
"No!"
His expression changed to panic as the Vermilion Bird's flames tore through his defenses, surrounding him in a blazing inferno. Gathering his remaining energy, Ling Chi created layers of protective barriers, each glowing with a comforting yet fragile light.
But just as he thought he was safe, a chilling sound reached his ears.
Crack!
Under the Vermilion Bird's fiery assault, the layers of protective barriers began to fracture. Crack after crack appeared until, under the astonished gazes of the surrounding disciples, they shattered completely.
Bang!
With the barriers broken, the remaining flames struck Ling Chi with full force. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and his body was flung across the arena, skidding to a halt as he lay unconscious amidst the crowd.
For a moment, silence reigned across the arena as the disciples stared at Ling Chi's motionless form in disbelief.
Then, as they turned to Lin Langtian, who stood tall on the platform, clad in his iconic green robe and exuding a calm aura, they couldn't help but exchange glances, a chill running down their spines.
Ling Chi had lost.
The Fire Division's Spirit General had been defeated.
And his replacement was a prodigious newcomer who'd joined less than six months ago. Nearly every Fire Division disciple present stood in stunned silence, remembering how they had doubted Lin Langtian's challenge, considering it reckless. Ling Chi had long been unrivaled in his position, unchallenged for years.
Yet, after this fierce battle, Lin Langtian had demonstrated his strength and secured his place.
Upon seeing the victory, Muo Tie and Lin Langtian's other loyal allies grinned with pride, their faces flushed with excitement. While they'd always known his talent was remarkable, none had anticipated that within half a year, he would pull Ling Chi down from his seat and rise as the new Spirit General.
"The battle is over," Feng Cang announced, approaching Lin Langtian. The elder's deep gaze lingered on him momentarily before turning to address the thousands of disciples present. "According to the Gate of Origins' rules, from this day forward, Lin Langtian shall take the place of Ling Chi as Spirit General. Does anyone have any objections?"
"We greet you, Senior Brother!"
In unison, the thousands of Fire Division disciples lowered their heads in respect toward Lin Langtian, faces filled with admiration and a hint of awe.
Having bested Ling Chi, Lin Langtian was now unquestionably the Spirit General, the leader of the Fire Division disciples.
Even Zhang Hao and the other core disciples, despite their shifting expressions, could only grit their teeth and bow to Lin Langtian.
In the Gate of Origins, each of the Eight Divisions reveres its Spirit General.
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