NOVEL NEXT Chapter 440: Demonic Flame Armament
"Brother Langtian!" Qingtan's eyes sparkled with joy as she looked at the familiar figure standing before her. Despite his ghost mask, she recognized him immediately.
"Watch out!"
As her happiness rose, Qingtan's peripheral vision caught sight of a blood-colored shadow rushing at them with deadly speed, her face turning pale as she shouted in warning.
But before her voice even finished, the terrifying blood-colored figure had already closed the distance, barreling toward them like a meteor with overwhelming killing intent. Yet before Qingtan could react, Lin Langtian lunged forward. His fist, blazing with firelight, struck the blood puppet squarely in the chest with a force filled with pure, brutal energy.
Boom!
The deep sound echoed in everyone's ears. The blood puppet was thrown back, its body skidding several hundred meters across the ground before slamming into a wall, leaving cracks spidering outward as its entire form embedded into the stone.
"Who is this...?"
Among the crowd of Southern River leaders, many stared wide-eyed at the figure standing in front of Qingtan.
"A Tribunal Guard with such shocking strength...could he be Lin Langtian, the famed shadow guard of Lady Qingtan?" one of the elders murmured, stunned, as he watched the black-clad figure who had just punched the blood puppet across the battlefield.
"Ah, a shadow guard... That explains it."
Many were familiar with the rules of the Dark Hall—each trial participant was assigned a shadow guard, a skilled protector meant to guard them against hidden dangers. And Qingtan's guard was none other than the renowned prodigy Lin Langtian, known across the East and West Xuan Regions.
As people stared, Lin Langtian's presence seemed to command a strange sense of calm on the chaotic battlefield. Both allies and enemies alike found their gazes drawn to him.
"A shadow guard?" In the air above, Tang Lie, the Fire Cloud Sect's leader, glanced at Lin Langtian. He sneered as he assessed him. "Just an advanced Life Xuan cultivator. Does he think he can stop my blood puppet?"
"Rebel Tang Lie, you should be more worried about your own fate," growled Zhong Kui, stepping forward with an ominous darkness radiating from his body. Shadows gathered behind him, forming into a towering figure with a massive black hammer. The shadow loomed over the battlefield like an avenging spirit, exuding a terrifying pressure that filled the air.
"Dark Hammer, Obliterate All!"
Zhong Kui's voice was deathly calm, yet his eyes gleamed with lethal intent as he signaled his attack. His red sword insignia on the ghost mask glowed like blood, as he raised his hand, directing the shadow's massive hammer toward Tang Lie.
Boom!
The hammer's swing distorted the space around it, forming a thousand-foot-long trail of dark energy that surged forward, ripping through the air with deathly silence and aiming straight for Tang Lie.
Boom, boom!
Tang Lie managed to defend himself, though even he looked strained under Zhong Kui's assault. His fierce defense caused a storm of power to explode in the air, scattering through the battlefield below. Buildings collapsed, and the ground split open as people scrambled to avoid getting caught in the destructive energy.
As the shockwaves faded, people's eyes turned skyward. Tang Lie emerged from the maelstrom of energy, clutching his chest. A deep slash bled openly across his torso, staining his clothes as his face paled.
"It seems even a Death Xuan entry-level like him can't rival the strength of a Tribunal Commander…" whispered someone below, watching Tang Lie's bloodied figure.
In the sky, Tang Lie's face contorted with rage as he pointed toward Qingtan below, screaming, "Blood Puppet, seize her!"
His last chance to turn the tide lay in capturing Qingtan as a hostage. Without her, both he and the Fire Cloud Sect would be doomed.
Roar!
At his command, the blood puppet rose from the rubble and let out a guttural roar, its monstrous, blood-red body radiating killing intent as it charged toward Qingtan once again. It loomed over her, raising a fist brimming with crimson energy.
Zhong Kui moved to intercept, but Tang Lie blocked his path, throwing every ounce of his strength into a desperate struggle to hold him back.
"I'll have to rely on Lady Qingtan's shadow guard now…" Zhong Kui thought, sparing a glance toward Lin Langtian before focusing on Tang Lie with murderous resolve. Tang Lie would not escape today.
Boom, boom!
The blood puppet's movements shook the earth as it closed in on Qingtan. Its massive, blood-colored body glowed a dark red as it prepared to deliver a crushing blow.
Lin Langtian stepped forward, his expression steady as his eyes narrowed with determination.
Down in the square, the Blood Puppet's punch was simple and direct, carrying only a terrifying surge of energy. The raw force from that punch seemed to crystallize in mid-air, and with a shattering sound, even nearby blue stone tiles exploded into dust.
Faced with the terrifying oncoming strike, Lin Langtian's expression grew focused. He turned to Qingtan, saying, "Leave this one to me. You take care of the others on the battlefield."
Without waiting for Qingtan's response, Lin Langtian clenched his hands as surging black flames burst from his body.
"Black Flame Overlord Body, Demon Flame Armament!"
The magical flames roared to life with a crackling intensity, filling the air as Lin Langtian's cold voice sounded beneath them. The flames, which initially surged outward, suddenly pulled back, clinging tightly to his body, where they flowed like dark armor.
Swish!
From his back unfurled wide, razor-edged wings resembling the blades of a flaming bird. The bone wings, now smaller but more precise, were bordered with black flames, looking as deadly as they were fearsome.
The armor covering Lin Langtian's body had transformed into a sleeker, lighter armor of condensed flames, fitting close to his figure and radiating a restrained power. His limbs were now lined with serrated flame blades that hinted at deadly strength with every move, each sharpened with jagged edges to slice through any resistance. Lin Langtian had transformed into a being that seemed forged from the fires of hell itself.
Boom!
Lin Langtian's eyes, blazing with black fire, locked onto the approaching Blood Puppet. In an instant, he moved, appearing before the puppet with a speed that made it seem like he'd teleported. Without hesitation, he punched forward, his strike both brutal and precise.
Thud!
The air around his fist condensed and exploded, distorting space itself in the wake of his blow. Yet the Blood Puppet didn't flinch; its own bloody fist swung back with equal ferocity, meeting Lin Langtian's head-on.
The impact sent a metallic sound rippling through the square. Waves of energy spread out, detonating the air within a hundred feet and turning it into a vacuum of destruction.
Locked in battle, the Blood Puppet's savage grin grew wider, its two fingers suddenly jabbing forward like bloody needles aimed directly at Lin Langtian's eyes.
Clang!
Lin Langtian deflected the thrust with a sharp flick of his bladed arm, blocking the blood-red light and instantly leaning in closer. His attacks burst out in rapid succession, fist and palm moving like a hurricane around the Blood Puppet.
Roar!
In response, the Blood Puppet snarled, its bloody aura flaring as it swung its own fists to meet Lin Langtian's onslaught head-on.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The clashing blows rang out like metal striking metal, unleashing waves of raw power that rippled through the battlefield. Onlookers felt a chill down their spines as they watched, unable to believe that this duel was based purely on physical strength.
"He's actually going toe-to-toe with a half-step Death Xuan puppet in pure strength…"
Watching the clash between Lin Langtian and the Blood Puppet, the heads of the Southern River forces were visibly shaken. They knew well the Blood Puppet's durability—it was known across the continent that all puppets were famed for their toughness. Yet Lin Langtian held his own, striking with equal ferocity.
Even the warriors of the Tribunal were taken aback. Few could have expected anyone aside from Commander Zhong Kui to hold his ground against such a formidable opponent.
Blu Yan, one of the flag commanders, watched the two locked in battle like lions with awed admiration. The sound of their fists impacting flesh was enough to make her heart skip a beat as her gaze followed Lin Langtian.
"Brother Langtian…" Qingtan whispered to herself, biting her lip in concern. She knew that in terms of strength and resilience, Lin Langtian would eventually be outmatched by the Blood Puppet. Though he hadn't lost ground yet, the difference in their cultivation levels would only become more apparent as the battle dragged on.
"This won't be easy," she thought, her eyes gleaming with fierce resolve. "But no matter what happens, I believe in you, Brother Langtian!"
Determined, Qingtan steeled herself as she noticed two Fire Cloud Sect elders preparing to attack. She raised her black scythe and hurled herself toward them.
Boom!
In the square, the Blood Puppet's fist struck Lin Langtian's shoulder, shattering the protective flame armor on impact. A sharp crack sounded as his bones strained under the pressure, threatening to knock him back.
Swish!
But just as his body was thrown back, Lin Langtian's leg lashed out with lightning speed, the razor edges of his armor slicing across the Blood Puppet's chest, leaving a charred scar across its blood-red body.
Thud!
Lin Langtian steadied himself mid-air, though his armor was visibly cracked in places, with traces of blood seeping through. Across from him, the Blood Puppet bore new scars from their brutal exchange, its body riddled with scorched marks and gashes. Their battle was a vicious one, leaving both combatants visibly wounded.
But being a puppet, the Blood Puppet held the upper hand in a battle of pure attrition.
As the fight raged on, Lin Langtian's determination only hardened. Though bruised and bloodied, he stood tall, his black flames flickering as he locked eyes with his relentless foe. This battle was far from over.
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