Chapter 42: The Fire Method Prodigy (Asking for Votes)

Xu Wen had never been so belittled before, especially in a situation like this—under the gaze of the entire crowd, being openly mocked and advised to forfeit by an arrogant youngster. It was the first time in his life, whether in this world or on Earth… Everything felt so fresh and hard to accept.

A cold sound hummed from his nose, revealing Xu Wen’s attitude toward Lan Yanlie’s so-called advice. With a sweep of his right arm, a one-star spell, "Flame Blade," streaked across the sky like a fiery rainbow, casting a brilliant, sorrowful light as it shot straight toward his opponent twenty meters away.

A trace of indescribable mockery flickered in Lan Yanlie’s eyes. Even the "Great Fireball Technique," a two-star spell, couldn’t break through the blue flame surrounding him—what could a one-star spell possibly do?

“If you insist on continuing, as you wish!”

Lan Yanlie laughed loudly, not even bothering to dodge. The blue flames in his hand shot out simultaneously, twisting like poisonous snakes as they advanced rapidly toward Xu Wen.

Flame Jet?

No, in Lan Yanlie’s hands, the two-star Flame Jet had evolved into "Blue Flame Jet," its power reaching the upper tier of two stars, surpassing even the "Flame Spear."

The spells crossed paths in midair, each hitting their mark in succession. As expected, the Flame Blade failed to harm Lan Yanlie at all; the blue flame quivered and swiftly returned to normal. Yet, to the surprise of the elders on the high platform, the "Blue Flame Jet," just scarcely less powerful than a three-star spell, also failed to harm Xu Wen. Without any elaborate moves, he endured it with the "Flame Shield," which remained unscathed.

This scene astonished many. Everyone knew the Flame Shield’s defense: it could withstand impacts below mid-level two-star attacks, but anything stronger would break it. In other words, Xu Wen’s Flame Shield seemed to have undergone some special refinement, its defense able to withstand spells below three stars.

While the crowd was still reeling, Xu Wen unleashed his second spell—Flame Spear!

The Flame Spear hovered silently at his side, pointing at Lan Yanlie from afar. His tone grew even colder: “If you want me to forfeit, this level of attack isn’t enough.”

“Is that so?” Lan Yanlie’s voice turned icier. He recalled that Xu Wen’s Flame Shield was somewhat different from others—since it could shift from defensive to offensive magic, heightened defense was no surprise.

“Then how about this?”

Lan Yanlie shouted thunderously! The sonic boom shook the arena, a blue Flame Arrow shot forth with astonishing speed and momentum!

Xu Wen’s expression darkened. The Flame Spear at his side launched without hesitation—not at Lan Yanlie, but cleverly intercepting the Flame Arrow. Amid the shocked cries of countless disciples, the blue and red spells collided overhead, shattering into fragments.

On the high platform, more than a dozen Fire Magic Peak elders showed astonished expressions.

“Old Xu, where did you find such a talent? This one’s a real prodigy for fire magic!” That last move truly tested one’s vision, and to calmly seize the opportunity and calculate the perfect interception route under overwhelming pressure—no novice could do that!

“Heh heh.” Elder Xu stroked his beard and chuckled:

“I’ve lived most of my life, and at least I have this much insight. Forgive me, forgive me.”

As soon as he was praised, he started to boast, causing the other elders to scowl and ignore him. Soon, Elder Xu’s proud gaze turned grave…

In the arena.

After two failed attacks, Lan Yanlie, frustrated, unleashed a Flame Spear wreathed in blue fire, its momentum far surpassing the Flame Arrow, shooting forth at breathtaking speed.

The speed of the Flame Spear was formidable—this wasn’t something ordinary fire magicians could easily intercept…

Use "that thing," quick!

Elder Xu’s eyes filled with anxiety. He couldn’t understand why Xu Wen still hadn’t used "Devil’s Eye"—if he waited any longer, there’d be no chance.

Below the stage!

Over twenty intermediate and advanced fire magicians, all with strength above four stars, were completely absorbed in the duel, their attention fixed on every shift and fluctuation in the two combatants’ aura.

Seeing the blue Flame Spear, carrying the deadly force of a three-star attack, hurtling toward Xu Wen, many judges couldn’t help but prepare to use magic from the arena to protect him…

But just as they readied their intervention!

Boom!!

At last, the dark red Flame Spear shot forth!

As the blue Flame Spear neared, Xu Wen’s spear struck its tip in mid-air—dangerously close, but enough to stall the blue spear’s momentum and halt the judges’ next actions.

Blocked?!

The judges below broke out in cold sweat; they nearly intervened for Xu Wen. None expected he’d use such a risky method to intercept the incredibly fast Flame Spear at close range.

Even though the Flame Spear only briefly impeded Lan Yanlie’s attack and didn’t fully destroy it, the remaining force was no longer a threat to Xu Wen’s Flame Shield.

With a light crack, Xu Wen easily dispersed it. The damaged part of the Flame Shield, its fiery tendrils entwined, quickly restored itself.

After repeatedly neutralizing Lan Yanlie’s attacks, there was no sign of relief on Xu Wen’s face. Through the Flame Shield, his cautious gaze landed on his opponent, who had now summoned the "Great Fireball Technique," and on the shrinking blue flames around Lan Yanlie.

His lips twitched slightly; his feet, which had stubbornly refused to retreat until now, finally shifted back a little. An inconspicuous pill slipped from Xu Wen’s pant leg to the ground…

He widened the distance without attracting anyone’s attention.

The deadliest gap between two-star and three-star fire magicians was that below three-star strength, there was no effective way to resist group attack spells. After several failed attempts, Lan Yanlie finally decided to exploit this advantage to settle the match.

“Thinking of running now? Too late!”

Noticing that his internal blue flames were plummeting to their lowest ebb, Lan Yanlie no longer hesitated. With a wave of his hand, the blue Great Fireball rapidly expanded in the arena, the overwhelming blue flames filling the audience’s vision, surging toward Xu Wen, who had retreated to a corner with nowhere to hide!

Although the Lan Yan family’s "secret medicine" allowed him to keep fighting without concern, crafting such a special elixir was extremely costly, and he was loath to waste it on a two-star opponent.

“It’s over!!”

Blue flames swept across the stage, carrying Lan Yanlie’s determination as they furiously crushed toward the corner!

As the spell left his hand, the blue light in Lan Yanlie’s eyes quickly faded, and the blue flames guarding him shrank to a thin, barely visible layer…

“Finally reached the limit!”

Lan Yanlie dropped to his knees, clutching his chest as his heart pounded fiercely. The aftereffects of overexerting his blue flames finally began, but to him, as long as he won, these side effects mattered little—a brief rest would fix it.

But at that moment!

He suddenly heard thunderous cheers erupting from the arena, mingled with shouts from his own companions.

Looking up, he saw that the blue Great Fireball had inexplicably stopped moving, frozen ten meters from the corner, its shape showing signs of collapse.

Before he could react, a dark red streak shot out from the dissipating fireball like a javelin, swift as lightning, aimed directly at Lan Yanlie’s face…

In that instant, Lan Yanlie’s eyes flashed with shock and regret, but it was too late. As a protective shield formed around him, the referee’s verdict rang out at just the right moment:

“Seventh Medicine Peak! Victory!!”

The cheers of countless disciples, both inner and outer, exploded from the audience.