Chapter 29: Earth Binding Spell
Chapter 29: Earth Binding Spell
A terrifying shriek spilled out. Gao Huanzhang’s brows were cold and furious, his eyes flickering with swirling fire. Waves of heat rose from his body like flowing lava, condensing into a formidable, horned flame phantom.
“Bull Demon? How on earth did that bloodline get its name? That is clearly a Flame Demon!” Li Yi found himself looking up, gazing at the boiling flame phantom, cursing inwardly.
However, what he didn’t know was that in ancient times, Flame Demons were indeed referred to by the term “Bull Demon.”
Back then, planar wars were not yet common, so it was perfectly normal not to recognize beings from other realms.
For example, the Heavenly Decree Powerhouse, Tian Dan, bestowed with the title “Blazing Hell Charge,” once used a legendary divine arcane secret known as the “Gate of Flame Hell” to protect an entire nation — and it was once called the “Fire Bull Formation”!
Generally speaking, the Flame Demon bloodline was considered a high-tier bloodline.
However, Flame Demons also had their own hierarchy, such as “Molten Heart Flame Demons” and “Sun-Bearing Flame Demons.” The lineage inherited by the Gao family was the relatively low-tier “Fire Dance Flame Demon,” which is why it was not counted among the high-tier bloodlines.
The phantom descended, merging completely with Gao Huanzhang’s form.
The next shriek erupted from his throat. Its sound resembled the high-level spell — Banshee’s Wail — and directly pierced the soul!
Gao Huanzhang hunched over, his eyes blood-red, with flaming horns protruding from his forehead. He had clearly transformed into a smaller version of a Flame Demon.
On the surface of his skin, fiery demonic patterns continuously sprouted.
Beneath his feet, a ring of crimson light spread out, spanning just over a meter in diameter!
This ring of light seemed rather unremarkable compared to the menacing Flame Demon apparition, but it didn’t escape the sharp-eyed observers, immediately stirring a low, buzzing undercurrent below the stage!
“An Aura! That’s right, that’s an Aura! And it’s the notoriously powerful Heart-Burning Aura!”
“An Aura? Let me see… Yes, it really is!”
“So, does that mean our Great Qian Empire has produced another military talent? Oh, my heavens!”
Thoughts of astonishment rose and fell, swirling continuously.
From the higher seats, gazes lingered, unwilling to look away.
“Even though he is borrowing the demonic nature of the ‘Flame Demon Horn,’ this young man’s talent is truly exceptional!” Qin Yue’s face showed eagerness. Being the youngest in seniority, he politely inquired, “I wish to take him as an Outer-Disciple, placing him under Ye Xin’s tutelage. Do our two elders have any objections?”
An Outer-Disciple was the disciple of a Direct Disciple, essentially a disciple’s disciple or a grand-disciple.
Of course, not every Direct Disciple had the qualification to take disciples; it required a certain level of cultivation and contribution.
Each elder also had strict limits on the number of Direct and Outer-Disciples they could have, and each slot was highly treasured.
Qin Yue was too young. This time, taking Yu Qian as a Direct Disciple and then wanting Gao Huanzhang as an Outer-Disciple would surely exhaust his slots. Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to accept any new disciples for several years.
“For this young man to catch Elder Qin’s eye is his great fortune.”
Gu Yan actually had some thoughts of his own, but since Qin Yue had already spoken, it would be impolite to contradict him.
He could understand Qin Yue’s eagerness.
An Aura was a strange and mysterious power. It required neither Battle Aura nor Mana. The possessor naturally radiated it beneath their feet, enhancing their surroundings.
Once an Aura was formed, it could grow with its master, its area of effect expanding ever wider.
On the battlefield, the term “Aura” was equivalent to a large-area, continuously active buffing magic. Its power was easy to imagine!
Even to this day, no one knew what Auras were related to — bloodline, soul, or perhaps just random chance?
The only certainty was that those who possessed an Aura, once they joined the military, were naturally born commanders!
If one could reach the realms of Han Xin, Cao Cao, or Li Jing, where the Aura’s might could span hundreds of miles, known as “Han Xin mustering troops, the more the better,” then that would be the kind of supreme commander talent that appears only once in centuries.
Presumably, Gao Huanzhang would enter the military in the future. Considering the benefits of being a high commander, even a Direct Disciple slot was worth it.
“Heh…” You Qiushui looked up, casting a sidelong glance at Gu Yanran. Though she didn’t speak, her gaze spoke volumes.
Clearly, Qin Yue didn’t need to state his stance; he had already joined her camp, believing Gao Huanzhang was the one with promising talent.
Gu Yanran remained silent, a stubborn glint in her eyes.
Li Yi, don’t lose…
…
“Kill, kill, kill!”
Beneath the blood curtain, blood energy raged wildly. Several sinister arrays, including “Bloody Will,” seemed to resonate faintly with the Flame Demon’s will!
Gao Huanzhang’s eyes flickered between clarity and evil, while his aura continuously climbed, becoming increasingly savage and brutal.
His Mana fluctuations had already reached the peak of the half-step seventh layer!
“Yan Zhao, the humiliation you left me, I’ll settle it first with your friend!”
Obviously, Li Yi wasn’t even in his sights. His gaze had long since shifted toward Yan Zhao.
With a sinister laugh, Gao Huanzhang formed a claw with his hand. A ball of Flame Demon fire gathered in his palm!
This fire, more like molten lava than flowing flames, had a thick, viscous texture and even carried a faint aura of karmic sin, its power inexplicably formidable.
“Little bug, turn to ash!”
His words were chillingly similar to a Flame Demon’s. Gao Huanzhang’s movements were nothing like a Mage’s; instead, he acted like a catapult, hurling a ball of demonic fire!
His arm strength rivaled that of a frenzied bear. As the ball of demonic fire flew, it resembled a fireball, even taking on the appearance of a Lava Burst!
Flame Demons were also called by another name in ancient times — “Fire Hurlers.”
“Is this guy even human?”
Li Yi crouched down, narrowly dodging the attack. Just as he felt a wave of relief, an excruciating pain shot up from his spine.
He suddenly remembered: the characteristic of Flame Demon fire was its ability to burn the soul. One needed to maintain sufficient distance to avoid damage.
At that moment, he sorely missed the still-unperfected Wind Stride Spell.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Several consecutive snaps sent layers upon layers of black cracks sweeping in from all directions like a tidal wave!
But their formidable pressure crashed against Gao Huanzhang’s soul like raging waves against the shore, shattering completely.
“The Heart-Burning Aura might cause some loss of reason, but it strengthens killing intent and willpower, greatly boosting mental resistance and reducing the effects of illusions. This Aura is only slightly inferior to ‘Mind Fire,’ and it’s a natural counter to my Snap!”
Li Yi thought to himself. His fingers moved through nine transformations, and two Mana Missiles rose in his palm.
One was pitch black, the other azure-white. Their colors were eerily deep, as if concealing immense power.
Boom!
Struck by the residual force of the fiery waves, Li Yi staggered back several steps, grunting.
His mind was flooded with a tearing, agonizing sensation.
“It’s only polite to return the favor. Take this, ha!”
With a furious roar, he launched an azure-white missile.
“A missile that slow, how could it possibly hurt me?”
Gao Huanzhang’s figure flashed, evading this strangely colored Mana Missile. In return, he sent a blast of flame that sent the fleeing Li Yi flying, slamming him against the blood curtain.
“You’re finished!”
Gao Huanzhang’s face twisted with excitement. Just as he was about to pursue, a sharp pain exploded on his back!
“A rebound?”
He quickly realized the blow on his back was the Mana Missile rebounding from the blood curtain. But what baffled him was how incredibly painful this Mana Missile was!
It was just a Mana Missile — how could it carry such might?
Its force was heavy and immense, like a flying mountain crashing down upon him.
What surprised him even more was that the Flame Demon aura surrounding him was actually being suppressed by that Mana!
One must know that the four elements — earth, wind, water, and fire — create and overcome each other. Mana also had grades of quality. The strongest, of course, was divine power, while Flame Demon power already stood very high on that pyramid.
“What kind of Mana is this?”
The thought flashed through his mind, but his reason was quickly swallowed by pain and madness!
Several exchanges had occurred in the blink of an eye, leaving the audience below dumbstruck.
“Did you all see that Mana Missile?” one person asked with a complex look, speaking softly.
“I saw it. That was a bit…”
“Really…”
Stammering, everyone seemed to hold back, unsure how to describe it.
In earlier fights, they had seen Mana Missiles hit the blood curtain. But Li Yi’s recent missile had caused the massive blood curtain to bulge outward in an exaggerated arc. One could imagine how terrifying its power was!
This time, the gazes directed at Li Yi held much more genuine awe.
“Awoo!”
Another shriek arose. Gao Huanzhang, now completely devoid of reason, rushed forward. His speed wasn’t much slower than the Wind Stride Spell, and in an instant, he was right in front of Li Yi!
Whoosh!
Flame manifested as a whip, lashing through the Void like a fiery serpent, coiling toward him.
Crack!
A single lash made Li Yi’s consciousness blur, nearly knocking him out.
“Such powerful flames! Earth Binding Spell!”
Staggering back a few steps, Li Yi pointed a finger at the ground and spoke coldly.