Chapter 617: Undaunted in Crisis, the Lord of the Great Wilderness Makes a Move

My only goals are the Primordial Qi and the Primordial Purple Qi… so… none of you can stop me!

The black-robed man's tone was icy; even Duan Di could feel the killing intent rushing at him.

Heh, interesting… this is how it should be—give it your all, don't let me get bored!

Duan Di gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his face.

At this moment, he too had to take it seriously.

His previous two moves had been perfectly neutralized by the black-robed man, stunning the entire crowd; now all eyes were on the black-robed man, while he himself was left aside.

How could he tolerate such a thing happening!

Once he steps onto the stage, he must become the focus of the entire arena!

Then let me see your strength!

Duan Di let out a loud shout, black light bursting from his whole body, instantly enveloping the entire arena.

Within this black aura, the laws of time and space all failed, everything seeming to freeze at this moment.

Floating stone fragments and scattered stardust all turned intangible in this space!

Kind of interesting…

The black-robed man snorted coldly, the talisman on his right hand beginning to vibrate violently.

Here it comes again! This guy's pulling that move again!

That heavenly purple lightning from just now could be absorbed; this time he's probably going to suck up Duan Di's move again!

How are we supposed to fight this?

Everyone turned their gazes to the Lord of the Great Wilderness and the Black Emperor and others at the other corner of the arena.

They were also waiting, wondering if, when Duan Di ran into trouble later, these teammates of his would step in to help.

After all, it's a team competition—we can't let Duan Di hog all the spotlight, can we?

But right now, Duan Di seems to be the one at a disadvantage.

In my domain, no one can steal my spotlight!

Duan Di roared, his entire strength gathering into a single force, swiftly reversing and vanishing instantly in this space!

This is his specialty.

A still space, slowing the opponent's reaction, then striking with thunderous force to instantly kill them!

One strike, certain death; instant annihilation!

No matter if you can absorb it or how scary your tattooed arms are, this move will send anyone—human or ghost—crashing down!

Only a swooshing sound was heard in the air!

In the blink of an eye, Duan Di appeared behind the black-robed man, suddenly holding two long swords poised to stab into his body!

Not good!

In the distance, the black-robed man's teammates saw the situation, sensed something wrong, and a white-haired woman cried out.

But it was already too late; by the time that sound reached the black-robed man's ears, he was a step behind.

The flow of time inside and outside the arena was completely cut off!

Within the range of Duan Di's spreading black aura, anyone who entered this vortex would be swept into his rhythm.

And here, Duan Di is the master!

Hiss!!

The two long swords suddenly pierced the black-robed man's waist and back, running through to his chest.

The next moment, Duan Di vanished again from behind him.

When he reappeared, Duan Di had returned to his original spot; the black aura dissipated, and all time restrictions were lifted.

It was as if he had done nothing and gone nowhere just moments before.

Those inside the black aura felt as if a long time had passed, but to those outside it was merely the blink of an eye.

Pfft!

The black-robed man spat out a mouthful of black blood; two long swords had been thrust into his waist at some point.

His waist was pierced straight through, blood gushing out.

You!

The black-robed man glared furiously at Duan Di ahead, revealing a pair of shocking gray eyes beneath his hat brim.

You guys see, the black-robed man's eyes are gray!

What's going on? It looks so weird!!

Everyone chattered, and the black-robed man suddenly collapsed to his knees.

His waist was wounded, his internal organs pierced; he now had no strength left, unable to muster the energy to stand.

"Oh dear, this Old Duan!" the Lord of the Great Wilderness in the distance helplessly patted his forehead.

"Why do you keep using these tricks?"

He had originally been thinking of going to help if the situation turned bad, after all, a good brother in trouble—how could he stand by and do nothing?

But now, Duan Di defeating the black-robed man with such a move made him feel embarrassed to step forward.

It felt like he was bullying someone.

No……

He's already bullying them.

"I told you, you and I aren't even on the same level." Duan Di crossed his arms and gave a confident smile.

"Your five viscera are injured; you'd better not move recklessly, lest the wound tear. Let your next one come up, or you can all come at once—either way, I alone am enough."

Duan Di's words instantly enraged the other members of the black-robed man's team; in a moment, five figures leapt into the arena.

The white-haired woman who had been shouting outside just now pointed at Duan Di and hurled abuse:

"Don't go too far! My senior brother was injured by you just now, and we let it go. Now you use such despicable means to hurt my second senior brother—you're simply going too far!"

Duan Di shrugged. "In a match, what's sneaky or not sneaky? Warfare does not despise deceit. Blame yourselves for not guarding against my move—who else can you blame?"

Facing the five people before him, plus the black-robed man unable to get up, Duan Di felt no fear at all.

Although he didn't know which world or era these people came from, he believed that wherever he was, his name Duan Di would be the most renowned.

"Lao Huang, do you think Lao Duan is being too arrogant? Should we go up and remind him a couple of times? The other side seems provoked; I don't know if there's any danger in him taking on five opponents next."

Chu Di in a corner of the arena asked softly, and Chen Zhan echoed him.

"Yeah, Lao Huang, after all it's a team event. If we let Lao Duan steal all the spotlight, we brothers would just be spectators. Even if we win, it wouldn't be glorious! We at least need to go out and show our faces."

"Otherwise, when Boss Ye Qin sees it, he'll think Duan Di is the sole focus of the arena, having taken down seven or eight opponents by himself."

The Lord of the Great Wilderness gave a faint smile. "Don't rush, Lao Duan is in for a rough time……"

"Huh? Lao Huang, what are you saying?"

"If you don't believe me, just keep watching. That black-robed man isn't easy to deal with." The Lord of the Great Wilderness lifted his chin, pointed ahead, and said softly, "Believe me, it won't be long before we all go up together." When these several peak-power fighters go up together, the scene will surely cause a sensation throughout the venue!

"At first, though, the Lord of the Great Wilderness thought it unnecessary—more people would just cause chaos."

"Even if we go all out, we first need to get a clear grasp of the opponent's details."

"However, judging from those two earlier matches, it's almost time for him to make his move."

At this moment, noisy clamor continued inside the arena.

Several teammates of the black-robed man seemed to have locked horns with Duan Di.

Especially that white-haired woman, who kept clinging to Duan Di and wouldn't let go.

"Despicable villain! Pah! How can you stand there alone? Hurry up and call your teammates over so we can have a fair and square fight! I, this immortal maiden, will take you on!"

Duan Di gave a cold snort. "Just you lot? …Never mind, if you want to move against my brothers, I advise you to give up early—you probably can't even handle me."

"You!" The white-haired woman's face flushed crimson with anger, leaving her speechless.

"Qin Hong, enough." The black-robed man shouted, then slowly rose to his feet with everyone's support.

"Second brother, this……"

No mistake, no missing, one launch, one internal, one content, one one look!

"I said enough." The black-robed man waved his hand, had those supporting him step back, then gathered all his strength and pulled out the two long swords embedded in his abdomen in one motion.

Pfft……

Fresh blood spurted out, the two front and rear wounds spewing scalding hot blood that splattered onto the ground.

"Second brother, you're so badly injured—it's all this brat's fault; let me avenge you!" Qin Hong looked at the black-robed man's wounds, fuming, and adding to that Duan Di's full-face contempt and aggressive tone, her anger flared even more.

"You all stay back and watch; without my order, nobody is allowed to act!"

"This……" The few behind him were somewhat taken aback, at a loss. The black-robed man is so badly injured they ought to rush forward to help. Besides, this is a team match; one-on-one comes later. But since the other side also sent only one person, their intervening would look like ganging up on a lone opponent.

"The eldest brother is already out; only us six remain. We absolutely cannot lose this fight—I must win back honor for the eldest brother." The black-robed man gritted his teeth, pressing both hands hard against his abdominal wound.

A red light emanated from his palm, covering both wounds. Seeing this, Duan Di involuntarily frowned, thinking, "What trick is this kid up to? Does he think pressing on the wound will stop the bleeding?"

However, the next scene shocked him greatly. From the black-robed man's hand pressing the wound, wisps of white smoke slowly drifted out, accompanied by a faint smell of scorching.

Duan Di suddenly realized—the kid was cauterizing the wound to quickly seal it shut, thereby closing off the main blood vessels. What a ruthless character!

Looking again at the black-robed man's expression, he was in extreme pain, cold sweat continually streaming down his forehead.

"Second brother……" Qin Hong cried out heartbrokenly, "Second brother, forget it, let us go up……"

"No need!" the black-robed man said, slowly taking off his black robe to reveal his whole body.

Everyone stared in astonishment. The black-robed man's body was wrapped in bandages, with no patch of skin visible; even on his face, aside from the mouth and eyes, everything else was sealed up tight.

"What the heck is this guy trying to do?"

"I really can't make sense of it."

Everyone cast doubtful glances, wanting to see what other abilities the black-robed man had to contend with Duan Di. That earlier airborne thrust almost took half his life, and he still bears injuries—how could he fight Duan Di now?

"Heh heh…… I advise you to surrender, at least so you don't have to suffer this fleshly pain. You should know you can't beat me……" Duan Di crossed his arms and said coldly. However, he no longer showed that hair-raising cold smile; his expression gradually turned solemn.

"That's not necessarily……" The black-robed man took a deep breath, gathering all his strength. On his exposed right arm, talismans flowed, each line emitting flickers of red light.

Immediately afterward, a raging blaze ignited……

"What?" Duan Di jumped in shock. He never imagined the man before him would suddenly self-immolate!

However……

The situation seems not so simple!

Amid the raging flames, the black-robed man's bandages were completely burned away, finally revealing his true form. Ashes drifted away…… appearing before everyone's eyes was a black-haired man covered head to toe in talismans…… a freak exposed to the air.

Those dense talismans, at this moment as if breaking free of control, floated and jumped about, crawling back and forth across his skin. The sight left everyone holding their breath.

The firelight grew ever fiercer, the black-robed man's skin beginning to be replaced by crimson flames; driven by the talismans, fire spread over his entire body. Under everyone's gaze, he burst into flames, resembling a flame envoy from hell.

"Just what kind of move is this?" Duan Di narrowed his eyes, mouth agape in astonishment.

"I originally didn't want to use this move, but since you've forced me to go all out, I'll let you taste what true fury is——"

Only then did a mighty surge of aura erupt within the arena, instantly changing the colors of heaven and earth. At that moment, heaven and earth seemed to invert, scarlet clouds roiled all around, and the black-robed man's firelight shot up to the heavens.

The spectators outside stared agape, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Just what divine being is this!"

"To actually draw fire to burn oneself and still emit such a terrifying aura!"

Inside the arena, Qin Hong saw the black-robed man unleash such a supreme technique, her heart filled with immense worry.

"Second brother, you're burning up your own life force!"

This move requires burning the flesh to unleash limitless power, burning the blood vessels, burning the tendons and bones……

As the saying goes, "Slay a thousand foes, suffer eight hundred losses yourself!"

Its power is indeed earth-shattering, but if it lasts too long, it will surely be burned to ashes by this blaze!

Fortunately, this match has a rule: no matter how severe the injury, no matter the life or death of the competitors, as long as their primordial spirit remains, they can be fully restored. The Daoist Duobao has personally guaranteed this, giving them a calming pill.

However, after this fierce battle, the match arena is likely to be destroyed in an instant……

At that moment, a roar came from within the arena; the black-robed man born of blazing fire erupted with a wave of flames, lunging straight at Emperor Duan.

"Heh, interesting!"

Emperor Duan also grew excited, his spiritual energy surging and his blood boiling.

He hadn't encountered such a formidable opponent in a long time.

I had thought the newcomer was just a weakling I could kill in one move, but I never expected it to open my eyes.

"Then I'll play with you!"

Emperor Duan again deployed the Time Formation, enveloping the surrounding space.

Anyone inside would surely be affected, their movements sluggish and strength weakened.

Emperor Duan intended to repeat the old trick, letting the black-robed man taste the gap in power.

He leapt into the air, hoping to strike the black-robed man from behind in an instant and cleave him at the waist—take him down in one blow!

However, an accident occurred……

When Emperor Duan's form flashed behind the black-robed man and his long sword was about to swing, the figure before him suddenly vanished!

"What?"

Emperor Duan exclaimed.

"How is this possible?"

In the space I created, only I can move freely while others are bound—how did this guy manage it!

Before Emperor Duan could regain his senses, a mass of blazing fire lunged at him!

With a booming roar, the flames instantly engulfed Emperor Duan.

The long sword in his hand also melted from the flames, turning into scrap iron.

Now Emperor Duan dared not approach carelessly; he quickly leapt up and jumped out of the flame's range.

The Time-Space Formation vanished along with it, and the effect of slowing the enemy's speed that had been set up disappeared completely.

"Damn! I can't get close at all!"

Emperor Duan furrowed his brows, staring at the scorched earth below, his face clouded with worry. (End of chapter)