Chương 202: The Inferno of the Tournament

The Sword Discourse Arena was charged with palpable tension, a heavy atmosphere hanging over the spectators, especially the members of the Burning Heaven Clan. They were uneasy, their faces taut with worry. Their pride and reputation were at stake in this quarterfinal match. The arena, known for its monumental clashes, had already witnessed several intense battles, but none compared to the one about to unfold. It was the first match of the quarterfinals, a confrontation between Yun Che and Fen Juebi—two vastly different combatants, yet fate had brought them together on this grand stage.

Raja, the enigmatic figure who had been guiding Yun Che's progress, had made a bold decision for his protégé. He allowed Yun Che to use his Fire Breathing combination Six Styles and Haki, but no sword. This decision, while unconventional, only added to the intrigue of the match. Yun Che's unusual abilities had already made a name for him, and now, in the face of the Burning Heaven Clan's strongest fighter, the real test would begin.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Fen Moli, the elder of the Burning Heaven Clan, was pacing nervously. His once-calm demeanor had been replaced with frustration and anxiety as he pressured Fen Juebi to secure a victory. A loss, Fen Moli warned, would be disastrous. It would mar the clan's reputation and could very well force them to fall out of the top four rankings, an unacceptable outcome. Fen Moli's words were sharp, each sentence urging Fen Juebi to fight with everything he had. The clan's future rested on his shoulders.

Fen Juebi, however, appeared unshaken. He was a man of great pride and arrogance, confident in his abilities. Dismissing Yun Che as a weak and lucky opponent, he refused to entertain the notion that he might lose. His thoughts were focused not on victory, but on how best to humiliate Yun Che in front of the entire arena. He was certain that no one could match his power—certain that Yun Che's mysterious abilities were nothing more than tricks that could easily be undone.

"Do not worry, Elder," Fen Juebi reassured Fen Moli, his voice filled with arrogance. "I will crush this fool, and make sure he understands the difference between us. I will show him the true power of the Burning Heaven Clan."

He turned to Fen Juecheng, another member of the clan, and discussed his strategy further. He would use every tool at his disposal, every technique of fire control that he had mastered, and make sure Yun Che knew his place. He was prepared to go to any lengths to secure this victory.

Yun Che, on the other hand, was a picture of calm. In the face of the mounting pressure, he showed no signs of fear or anxiety. To him, Fen Juebi was just another opponent to defeat. His earlier encounters with powerful figures, including his battles with Mu Xiongyan, had forged a resolve that no opponent could easily shake. The crowd's murmurs of disbelief only fueled his confidence, for he knew that he was no stranger to overcoming the impossible.

The crowd, however, was not as confident. They watched with skepticism, certain that the powerful Fen Juebi—of the Burning Heaven Clan, no less—was far beyond the abilities of a mere Spirit Profound Realm fighter like Yun Che. His control over fire was legendary, and the fact that he wielded the Sky Profound Weapon, the Demon Flame Blade, only reinforced the belief that Yun Che was out of his league. This weapon, known for its destructive power, was feared throughout the tournament.

The battle began with the two combatants facing off. Fen Juebi taunted Yun Che, a smug smile playing across his face. He was sure of his impending victory. Yun Che, however, responded with a dismissive remark, unaffected by his opponent's bravado.

Fen Juebi ignited the Demon Flame Blade, summoning a massive flaming tornado that hurtled toward Yun Che with terrifying speed. The heat was overwhelming, and the audience gasped in shock at the sheer force of the attack. It seemed impossible that Yun Che could withstand such a display of power.

Yun Che, unfazed, took a step back, his body instinctively moving into a defensive posture. But rather than retreating completely, he countered. His fist crackled with energy as he unleashed a Powerful Haki Punch, sending a profound energy tornado of his own toward Fen Juebi's attack. The collision was cataclysmic, an explosion that rocked the arena. Yun Che was pushed back by the force, but miraculously, he was unharmed.

Fen Juebi, surprised by the strength of Yun Che's counterattack, dismissed it as nothing more than a lucky fluke. He still saw Yun Che as weak, unworthy of his attention. With a dismissive snort, he prepared to escalate the battle. "You're still trash compared to my power," he sneered, ready to unleash more devastating techniques.

Fen Juebi then announced he would show Yun Che the true power of the Burning Heaven Clan. With a roar, he ignited Blue Flame—a much stronger, more dangerous fire that could only be controlled by those at the Earth Profound Realm or higher. The audience was shocked to see him unleash such a powerful attack so early in the fight. The flames, a deep and violent blue, began to consume the arena, their heat unbearable.

The crowd was stunned. Fen Juebi's use of Blue Flame sent ripples of shock through the audience. Even those familiar with the Burning Heaven Clan's techniques could hardly believe their eyes. The Blue Flame was a display of overwhelming power, signaling that Fen Juebi had no intention of holding back. This was a fight to the death.

From the stands, Fen Moli watched closely, his brow furrowed. He couldn't help but wonder if using the Blue Flame so early was an overreaction. Was Yun Che truly that dangerous? Or was Fen Juebi simply being overly cautious?

Laughing maniacally, Fen Juebi launched a flurry of flaming tornadoes at Yun Che, each one larger and more destructive than the last. His confidence was unshaken, and he believed that his fire would overwhelm Yun Che's defenses.

The arena was soon engulfed in blue flames, the air thick with smoke and heat. The flames spread to every corner, seeking to trap Yun Che in an inescapable web of fire. Fen Juebi's control over the flames was immaculate, his power evident to all who watched.

But Yun Che was not intimidated. The difference between blue flames and scarlet flames was stark. While scarlet flames could be resisted by Spirit Profound Realm defenses, blue flames were a different beast entirely. Even the smallest flicker of blue fire could easily burn through them, making Fen Juebi's attack seem all the more formidable.

Fen Juebi took it a step further, using his Blue Flame to create illusions of himself. Multiple clones appeared, all attacking from different directions, overwhelming Yun Che with sheer numbers. The audience watched in awe as the Burning Heaven Clan's core technique—The Burning Phantom Illusion—came into play. They believed Yun Che's defeat was inevitable.

Despite being surrounded on all sides by flames and illusions, Yun Che remained calm. His eyes glinted with a quiet determination, and then, without warning, a mocking smile crossed his lips. His ability to perceive the flow of energy, honed by his Observation Haki, made it impossible for the clones to deceive him.

In an instant, Yun Che stepped forward, his movements blindingly fast. He used the Six Styles Shave to zip through the flames and clones with ease, his Finger Gun shockwaves tearing apart Fen Juebi's illusions and neutralizing the Blue Flame. The audience gasped in disbelief as Yun Che effortlessly dispelled the seemingly unstoppable attack.

Fen Juebi was taken aback by the ease with which Yun Che had countered his powerful flames. But rather than retreating, he gritted his teeth, unwilling to accept defeat. His eyes gleamed with desperation as he activated the Burning Heaven Dragon Flame, a forbidden technique that required him to sacrifice his own blood essence for power.

The Dragon Flame was powerful beyond belief, a blazing inferno that surged toward Yun Che. However, the cost of using it was steep. Fen Juebi's strength began to wane as his blood essence was consumed by the technique, leaving him weakened and vulnerable.

Ling Yuefeng, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but worry. The Dragon Flame was a deadly technique, and though Yun Che was powerful, would he survive its fury? She clenched her fists, ready to intervene if necessary.

As the Dragon Flame bore down on him, Yun Che remained unfazed. His hands clenched and move towards his chest together, and he activated his Fire Breathing technique. The flames were drawn to him, swirling around his body as he absorbed their power. Within moments, started to form a Orb and after five Sec the Orb became a mini Sun and Yun Che Released his attack Ultimate Fire Rokuogan.

A collective gasp spread across the stadium. The Burning Heaven Clan's disciples froze, their faces pale with disbelief. Fen Juebi, the wielder of the forbidden skill, stumbled back, his confidence shattered like glass. Even Ling Yuefeng and Ling Wugou, masters of profound cultivation, exchanged bewildered glances.

"How... how is this possible?" Ling Yuefeng murmured, his voice trembling.

Raja, sitting in the audience with an amused smirk, leaned back in his seat. His pride in Yun Che was evident, but his expression remained enigmatic. "That's my little brother," he muttered under his breath, drawing curious glances.

Fen Juebi, now visibly trembling, attempted a last-ditch effort, summoning his weapon for a desperate attack. But Yun Che moved like lightning. Using Shave, he closed the distance in an instant and delivered a devastating punch to Fen Juebi's chest. The force sent him flying across the arena, his body crashing into the ground like a lifeless ragdoll.

Ling Wugou stepped forward and raised his hand. "The winner is Yun Che! He advances to the semifinals!"

The crowd erupted in deafening applause and chatter.

"Did you see that? He destroyed the Heaven Burning Dragon with his hands!"

"Is this the end of the Burning Heaven Clan's dominance?"

"The Blue Wind Imperial Family might actually win this tournament!"

In stark contrast, the Burning Heaven Clan was in shambles. Fen Moli, the clan's elder, clenched his fists, his face a mask of anger and disbelief. A defeat of this magnitude was unprecedented for their clan, and the humiliation was unbearable.

As Yun Che turned to leave the stage, Fen Juebi, driven by humiliation and rage, let out a guttural scream. He launched a sneak attack with his Demon Flame Blade, its sinister energy cutting through the air toward Yun Che's back.

But Yun Che was prepared. Without turning, he threw a punch infused with Haki, a force so immense that it shattered the blade upon contact and sent Fen Juebi sprawling to the ground. His arm bent at an unnatural angle, and he screamed in agony.

"Yun Che, you've gone too far!" Fen Moli roared, stepping into the arena. His killing intent was palpable, silencing the audience. "You dare harm a member of the Burning Heaven Clan to this extent?"

Yun Che snorted, his voice calm but sharp. "He attacked me first. I merely defended myself."

Fen Moli, consumed by rage, ignored the explanation. His profound energy surged as he prepared to strike Yun Che, disregarding all protocol.

Before Fen Moli's attack could land, a sudden gust of wind swept across the stadium. A streak of golden light descended, and with it, a magnificent sword embedded itself into the ground between Fen Moli and Yun Che. The sword radiated an overwhelming pressure, and a Black Tempest Lion, formed of Supreme King Haki, manifested from its hilt.

The lion let out a deafening roar that reverberated through the arena.

Everyone below the Throne Level cultivation dropped to their knees involuntarily. Even those above that level felt their legs buckle under the sheer weight of the sword's presence.

Raja Rudra appeared in the arena with a flash, his expression cold and menacing. He looked down at Fen Moli, who was now kneeling under the sword's pressure.

"You've got a lot of nerve," Raja said, his voice echoing like thunder, "to show killing intent toward my little brother."

With a casual flick of his wrist, Raja summoned a small ball of flame. It hovered in his palm for a moment before he launched it at Fen Moli. The fireball struck the elder's head, and in an instant, flames engulfed his entire body. Fen Moli's agonized scream was cut short as his body was reduced to ash within seconds.

The crowd was paralyzed with fear. Every spectator shared a single thought: What kind of monster are we witnessing today?

Raja turned to the audience, his expression softening into a smirk. "Let this be a lesson. My brother's honor will not be trampled upon."

Yun Che bowed slightly, a rare sign of respect. "Thank you, brother."

As Raja vanished as quickly as he appeared, the stadium was left in stunned silence. No one dared question the power of Yun Che—or the terrifying might of Raja.