Chapter 78: The Fallen Grandmaster

At the sight before them, everyone gasped in astonishment, and even Yang Jun, who had always remained composed, furrowed his brows. Lu Ming was instantly encased in ice; Yang Jun could see that this was Lin Feng’s ultimate move.

He had abandoned the maintenance of his Extreme Frost Domain in exchange for this inescapable attack—a strike that had concentrated all the icy true energy he had cultivated over his lifetime. It was a blow that could shake the heavens.

This attack shattered Lu Ming’s protective aura. Without his fiery true energy to shield him, whether he could survive such intense cold was truly unknown.

At this moment, Lin Feng stood with a faint smile, sword in hand.

This was his trump card: Extreme Frost Imprisonment!

It was his most powerful single-target attack, utilizing every ounce of his icy true energy to instantly form an icy prison that froze his opponent. There was simply no way to evade it. Moreover, this move employed a special technique to compress the energy, making the chill within far stronger than his domain—several times so.

No human could survive such temperatures. Even a grandmaster struck by this would be gravely injured. Lin Feng did not believe Lu Ming could live through it.

Everyone stared in shock at Lu Ming, sealed completely within a massive block of ice. Not even a shadow was visible; only the bone-chilling cold emanated from within.

“It’s over. No one can survive my Extreme Frost Imprisonment,” Lin Feng declared coldly, gazing at the hopeful faces of the Fire Dragon Special Forces.

As he spoke, his breath seemed like a howling wind, making everyone shiver involuntarily. Their eyes dimmed. So much time had passed, and Lu Ming had not stirred—it was almost certain he was finished.

A grandmaster was, indeed, extraordinary.

Even Yang Jun shook his head, no longer holding out hope for Lu Ming’s survival.

Only now did he truly understand the power of a grandmaster. Perhaps he could have breached the Extreme Frost Domain himself, but he couldn’t have lasted ten minutes, let alone survived the Extreme Frost Imprisonment.

Yet, just as Lin Feng finished speaking, the enormous block of ice encasing Lu Ming suddenly exploded. Lu Ming’s figure shot into the air.

“It’s time you tasted my power. Take this, Dragon’s Flame!”

Suspended in midair, Lu Ming brought his palms together and spat forth a stream of searing fire, surging straight toward Lin Feng.

“He’s still alive!”

“He’s unharmed? My god!”

“Instructor Lu is incredible!”

The moment Lu Ming burst free, the Fire Dragon team erupted in excited shouts.

Their attitudes toward Lu Ming and Lin Feng were worlds apart. While Lin Feng, as a grandmaster, deserved respect, his arrogance had alienated them. Yang Jun had once clashed with him over this arrogance, and Lin Feng had stormed off after just two sword demonstrations, rarely appearing since.

Lu Ming, on the other hand, had proven himself no less powerful than a grandmaster, earning their admiration and imparting genuine teachings. Emotionally, they were far more inclined toward Lu Ming.

Now, seeing Lu Ming not only shatter the ice but retaliate with such a miraculous display—breathing fire—they cheered for him, awestruck.

As for Lin Feng, he was utterly horrified. His Extreme Frost Imprisonment had failed to kill Lu Ming, and now Lu Ming retaliated with a technique that only a grandmaster could possibly wield. Yet, as far as Lin Feng could tell, Lu Ming had not yet fully comprehended his own “Way”—at best, he was a half-step grandmaster.

But the fire Lu Ming breathed from above gave Lin Feng an immediate sense of mortal danger.

The flames had not yet reached him, but Lin Feng already felt their scorching heat. These flames carried a terrifying, primordial energy, as though they could incinerate the world itself. His very soul trembled.

The Fire Dragon Special Forces, too, felt the terrifying power of the flame. The temperature in the valley soared, leaving them parched and breathless.

Suddenly, Lin Feng shouted, “No!”

He raised his Frost Sword, conjuring a barrier of ice before himself.

The Dragon’s Flame struck in an instant; the ice barrier melted away, and the fire engulfed Lin Feng.

“Aaah—!” Lin Feng screamed in agony, pouring every last drop of his icy true energy into putting out the flames.

But the fire Lu Ming spat was the breath of a dragon—Dragon’s Flame, one of the most formidable attacks of the dragon race, possessing the power to burn all things, impossible to extinguish with ease. If it could be so easily quelled, dragons would never stand atop the world’s hierarchy.

Lin Feng struggled desperately, pitting his icy energy against the Dragon’s Flame. But he was no match—the last of his energy was depleted in moments, and the Dragon’s Flame clung to him, burning fiercely.

Only now did Lin Feng realize his icy true energy was utterly outclassed. Quietly, he closed his eyes and surrendered to fate.

The onlookers sighed. A grandmaster, about to be reduced to ashes.

As warriors themselves, they knew how rare and difficult it was to reach grandmaster status. Though they disliked Lin Feng’s arrogance, it was still a pity to watch a grandmaster fall.

But then, Lu Ming drew a deep breath, and the Dragon’s Flame reversed course, sucked back into his body without a trace.

Lu Ming slowly floated to the ground, gazing calmly at the resigned Lin Feng.

The Fire Dragon soldiers were speechless, mouths agape, dumbstruck by Lu Ming’s display.

For a long moment, Lin Feng felt no pain. He slowly opened his eyes.

Examining himself, he found his clothes charred and ragged, but his body unscathed.

At last, he understood: Lu Ming had withdrawn the flame at the critical moment.

With a bitter smile, Lin Feng spoke: “Time sweeps us all along, and among the world’s experts, I, Lin Feng, acknowledge my defeat. Thank you, Mr. Lu, for sparing my life.”

He cupped his hands in a salute to Lu Ming, then turned and walked away from the valley.

“It is not easy to become a grandmaster,” Lu Ming called after him. “I hope you can draw some understanding from this battle, and not give in to despair or stray onto a dark path.”

Every grandmaster was a force to be reckoned with. Lu Ming’s words were a warning: he feared Lin Feng might be unable to accept his defeat, fall into depravity, and become a threat to innocents.

If that happened, not only would the world lose a grandmaster, but countless people might pay a heavy price.

Lin Feng halted at these words. After a moment, he turned back and saluted once more.

“I have learned much from this. When I return, I will devote myself to cultivation. Rest assured, Mr. Lu, I will not be led astray by inner demons.”

Lu Ming nodded, and Lin Feng departed with a faint smile.

This battle had stripped Lin Feng of his arrogance. With renewed focus, he would surely reach even greater heights.

Lu Ming, meanwhile, understood that grandmaster was not the ultimate level in martial arts. There must be realms beyond. It was simply that, so far, no one in the world had surpassed the grandmaster level—or perhaps, no one had encountered such a figure.

Lu Ming turned his gaze upon the gaping Fire Dragon soldiers and asked, “Do I have flowers growing on my face?”

At once, everyone looked around awkwardly. Even Yang Jun tilted his head to the sky, counting stars.

They were now utterly convinced of Lu Ming’s prowess. To defeat a so-called invincible grandmaster—his strength must be beyond measure. In front of such a fearsome man, they were perfectly obedient.

Lu Ming swept his gaze over them, making their skin crawl.

He gave a cold snort, then said to Yang Jun, “See me after dinner tonight.”

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