Chapter 618: As Expected

Moreover, I don't know where that black-robed man went.

Could it have already been reduced to ashes by this blaze?

It probably isn't……

Just as he was pondering, a sudden wave of heat surged from behind, instantly Startled Awakening Emperor Duan.

He abruptly turned his head, only to see a pair of crimson eyes drawing near his face.

Terrified, he kept stepping back, swinging his right hand to release a palm blast, hoping to push the person before him away.

However, as he threw that palm, the flames ahead remained utterly still, completely swallowing the palm wind.

How could this be!

Only then did Emperor Duan realize that every move he made was already anticipated by his opponent.

In other words, has that black-robed man already seen through his techniques?

Whooo—!!

A mass of blazing fire surged up from the ground, the erratic flames instantly coalescing into a dragon's head, gaping with a blood‑filled maw as if to swallow Emperor Duan whole.

Old Duan, watch out!

A shout rang out, tearing through the heavens!

Only to see a strand of void sword qi suddenly lance upward, hoisting Emperor Duan high and flinging him far from the dragon head's attack range!

What's going on?

Emperor Duan cried out in alarm, turned his head, and discovered he had been hoisted high by the Lord of the Great Wasteland, just like lifting a small animal.

This sight left everyone present trembling with fear.

Just one more second, and Emperor Duan would be devoured by those flames, reduced to nothing!

Good heavens! What Divine Ability has that black‑robed man unleashed!

Did you see that just now? He flits about like a ghost, leaving no trace for anyone to catch—he's practically faster than Emperor Duan!

I thought that once Emperor Duan unleashed the Time Killing Formation, he'd be invincible, but I never expected it could be broken like this—it's astonishing!

Mid‑air, the Lord of the Great Wasteland held Emperor Duan by the collar and slowly descended to the ground.

Hey hey hey, Old Wasteland, let go of me! With so many people watching, what does this look like!

Emperor Duan felt mortified, hurriedly broke free of the Lord of the Great Wasteland's grip, and jumped down.

Beside them, the Black Emperor doubled over with laughter, slapping his thigh: 'Old Duan, you've had your day too! Haha! Look at your cowardly self just now—if the Lord of the Wasteland hadn't saved you, you'd have been swallowed already!'

Pah!

Emperor Duan gave the Black Emperor a sideways glance.

'Alright, Old Duan, this guy's no joke anymore.' The Lord of the Great Wasteland reminded him, turning his gaze toward the distance.

Where the heavenly divine fire fell, the air was also filled with countless ashes.

Slowly, the flames and ashes coalesced together, forming a human shape.

Huh? …Is that him?

Emperor Duan stared, astonished, unable to cease his wonder.

Soon, the black‑robed man stepped out of the ashes, the flames on his body already extinguished.

The talismans all over him returned to their places, continually puffing out wisps of white smoke.

Cough cough cough!

Before the black‑robed man could steady himself, he clutched his chest and burst into violent coughing.

Second Brother!

Qin Hong saw this and hurried forward to support him.

Second Brother, are you alright?

Cough cough… I… I'm fine…

Qin Hong was so worried she was about to cry, her eyes glistening with tears.

Just now, seeing the black‑robed man risk his life, willing to burn his own flesh to defeat Emperor Duan, that final strike—if the Lord of the Great Wasteland hadn't intervened, Emperor Duan would surely have been slain!

Thank goodness you, Second Brother, returned in time; otherwise, a little later and you'd have been burned to death in there.

Rest assured… Second Brother isn't so weak he can't hold out for a while.

The black‑robed man spoke while taking the black robe handed by his junior disciple and draping it over himself to conceal the talismans.

However, his body was now weakened to the extreme; even speaking a few more words would trigger violent coughing.

Indeed, this is no trivial matter—the Karmic Fire Divine Ability is hard to contend with.

The Lord of the Great Wasteland cupped his fists toward the black‑robed man and spoke respectfully.

"Hmph!" Qin Hong glared angrily at the few ahead and shouted, "We agreed it would be a one‑on‑one between my Second Brother and Emperor Duan, yet you butted in—this breaks the rules!"

Oh?

The Black Emperor leapt up, hands on his hips, shouting loudly: 'But I heard Elder Duobao say this is a team battle—where in the rules does it say we can't lend a hand?'

Seeing the Black Emperor, who had just defeated her own senior sect brother, Qin Hong flared with even greater anger.

This fury surpassed even what she felt when facing Emperor Duan.

If that's the case, then don't blame us for not holding back!

No sooner had the words fallen than a hulking figure from the black‑robed man's team surged forward, hoisting a massive axe and slamming it down hard onto the ground!

Boom! A tremendous roar split the arena in two instantly, the ground cracking open with a fissure that ran across the entire arena!

This heaven‑shattering, earth‑splitting spectacle left the spectators awestruck.

What tremendous power this is!

Everyone in there is a fierce general! Thank goodness I didn't have to face them!

"If it weren't for the barrier protecting us, this place would probably have been split in half."

"In an instant, the arena reeked of gunpowder, and the original one-on-one duel instantly turned into a five-on-five melee!"

"Now everyone followed suit, eyes glued to the battlefield, afraid to miss any exciting moment."

"Bixiao on the platform also rose to her feet, hands clenched, eagerly watching the match below."

"\"Sister, be careful. \" Yunxiao whispered from the side."

"Although the match was exciting with constant twists, Yunxiao remained composed, not prone to shouting. After all, the three Xiao are of the Chan Sect, the most exalted existence in the myriad heavens and worlds, revered by countless powerhouses."

"However, Bixiao completely disregarded her image, excited like someone who had never seen the world."

"\"Ah, Yunxiao sis, watching the match, of course we should be excited a bit; otherwise what's the point of being here? \""

"Bixiao felt that as long as she enjoyed watching, nothing else mattered."

"Qiongxiao beside them shrugged, showing an expression of accustomed helplessness."

"\"Speaking of which, I didn't expect the first team match to be this exciting either. \" Duobao Daoist also interjected."

"\"I originally thought the Lord of the Great Wilderness and his crew's strength was enough to crush most participants, but today truly opened my eyes—those myriad strange divine abilities and techniques, endlessly emerging, truly make me marvel at the vastness of the realms and the breadth of divine power... \""

"Saying that, Duobao Daoist became intoxicated again, drawing disdainful glances from the three Xiao."

"At this moment, in the match arena, with the first person's first move, the horn of the team competition has thoroughly sounded."

"The burly wielder of a giant axe, swinging a vajra axe even larger than himself, leapt up and fiercely smashed toward the Black Emperor's direction!"

"\"Black Emperor, come and have a match with me! \""

"Since the senior brother was defeated, he's taken a dislike to the Black Emperor. Now finally having a chance to really fight, he certainly won't back down!"

"Qin Hong seeing the situation, quickly placed the black-robed man in a safe spot, whispering: \"Second brother, just wait here for our good news; soon we'll net them all! \""

"\"Qin Hong... \" the black-robed man wanted to say something, but opened his mouth and swallowed the words back."

"Their current opponents are the few led by the Lord of the Great Wilderness, strong in strength, their cultivation level is among the top in the myriad realms."

"Facing them, I don't know whether to say I'm unlucky or lucky."

"Losing might be considered normal, but if we win, that would be a stunning comeback, an earth-shaking victory!"

"So he can't utter defeatist words that would affect his junior brothers' and sisters' fighting spirit."

"This battle, we must win!"

"\"Qin Hong, go! \""

"With the black-robed man's encouragement, Qin Hong smiled confidently, killing intent soaring across the sky, rushing straight to the battlefield center!"

"\"Come on! Who dares to fight me! \""

"On the other side, the few led by the Lord of the Great Wilderness still stood motionless in place, watching the several people rushing over, with complex expressions."

"Duan Di scratched his head, complaining: \"I said you guys watching the show from the back would be fine; why come up to cause trouble? These lackeys I could handle alone! \""

"\"Cut it out, you don't even know what just happened? If it weren't for Old Huang making a move, you'd be out! \" Pestilence Dragon retorted."

"\"You... \""

Alright! Everyone, say one less sentence—this is a critical moment, we can't be careless. The opponent isn't a pushover; don't be like Old Duan just now, thinking the opponent is weak and letting your guard down.

After the Lord of the Great Wilderness finished speaking, Duan Emperor's face darkened.

How did it get dragged onto me again?

Besides, that wasn't carelessness on my part—it was clearly a sneak attack, alright!

Who knew the black-robed man could transform into a karmic fire red ghost and appear anywhere?

If he had known earlier, he definitely could have taken precautions.

But now is not the time to argue.

Facing the several people coming with great momentum, the Lord of the Great Wilderness suddenly stepped forward.

Then the next part is the main show. Everyone must perform well; we absolutely cannot let people look down on us. You know, Ye Qin the big shot might be watching us!

Upon hearing the name of Ye Qin the big shot, the several people behind all shuddered.

Yeah!

Their contest this time is not only to obtain the Primordial Qi and Hongmeng Purple Qi, but also to gain Ye Qin the big shot's favor.

If Ye Qin the big shot takes a liking to them, they might be able to join the Sect of the Cutting they've dreamed of.

This is a great opportunity!

How can we just waste it like that!

Hmph! That big guy, leave it to me, the Black Emperor, to handle!

The Black Emperor wiped his mouth, laughing as he leapt into midair, directly facing the heavy axe of that big guy.

As for Qin Hong, she is the only girl among those several people, which gives the remaining few a headache.

That...

I, I won't go, Old Wilderness you know—I'm not good at dealing with women! That bald guy over there, I'll take him!

The rascal dragon waved his hand, quickly distanced himself, then rushed toward that bald guy.

The Lord of the Great Wilderness looked toward Duan Emperor again.

Old Duan, how about...

Hey! Don't! I just fought a battle, I'm mentally and physically exhausted. As you said, we should give you some chance to perform. This time I'll just rest in the back. Anyway, that black-robed man is mine; the rest you guys handle yourselves.

Duan Emperor said while sitting on the ground, obviously not intending to act.

Then only the Chu Emperor, Chen Zhan, and Li Bawang remained. But those three seemed to have already locked onto their targets, so they wouldn't listen to the Lord of the Great Wilderness's advice, each charging forward.

Sigh...

The Lord of the Great Wilderness sighed helplessly.

If I had known earlier, I should have stayed in the rear to command.

Forget it……

Having thought that, the Master of the Great Wilderness drew a deep breath of foul qi and let out a loud shout.

«Qin Hong dao friend, your opponent is me! »

Before the words could finish, the spectators outside had not yet come to their senses, while inside the arena there were already rolling heavenly thunder, flashing waves of light, and the Dao surging like a tide.

Looking up, the void was an expanse of dark red, as if dyed with fresh blood, and below, air vortices coiled endlessly.

Boom boom boom!

Two golden dragons soared up from above the crowd, weaving through the heavens.

«This is…? »

«It's simply magnificent! »

The crowd exclaimed in amazement, unable to take it all in.

The duel inside the arena left them dazzled, unable to tell who was the attacker and who the victim; yet the sky-filling golden thunder and the spirals all over the ground had already won over countless people.

This is the kind of battle that ought to exist between experts!

Bang!

A tremendous sound rang out, and suddenly a howl burst from the arena.

Immediately, strands of Heifeng spread through the arena, tightly enveloping several people.

«You hurt my second brother; today I will make you pay the price! »

Qin Hong emanated a dark purple light from her whole body, her eyes glaring angrily, fists clenched. The skin on her body began to gradually protrude, sprouting fine tiny holes.

The Master of the Great Wilderness furrowed their brow slightly; seeing this, their heart involuntarily jolted.

This woman is certainly no ordinary person!

Leaving others aside, this round's opponents surely each possess some technique unknown to me.

Just like what we see before us…

«Blazing Gate! »

Qin Hong let out a loud shout, her hands swirling before her chest; red threads pulsed in her palms, gathering into a mass, which then exploded with a boom.

Boom!!

The ground violently trembled in an instant; immediately, a blood-red door rose from a wide crack, standing towering between heaven and earth!

The crowd stared dumbfounded, so shocked by the sight that they dared not breathe.

Even the few combatants inside the arena were affected by this sight.

«Whoa, what the hell is this? »

Black Emperor flew up into midair, narrowly avoiding being struck by the suddenly risen blood-red door, and hastily retreated.

The Emperor of Infinite End, even before making a move, was swept up by that invisible vortex; fortunately they had a backup, and hastily severed that invisible mystic qi, escaping the whirl.

Upon retreating and looking, they too were astonished.

«This woman…»

Countless gazes converged on that woman inside the arena.

Qin Hong's eyes had turned entirely crimson, with no pupil or sclera visible, completely covered in blood.

Her mouth slightly opened, as if she were chanting some incantation.

Immediately, the Blazing Gate towering between heaven and earth slowly opened.

Creak—

A heavy scraping sound echoed in the vast arena; at the moment the Blazing Gate opened, heaven and earth changed color.

From within the gate came countless wails and curses.

Listening closely, mixed in were many people's weeping, howls, and roars…

The Master of the Great Wilderness felt their heart sink; they hurriedly circulated their spiritual essence, wrapping a ripple of light around themselves.

He had an ominous premonition; in the next second, something terrifying seemed about to surge out from behind the gate.

«This woman really isn't simple…»

The few who had originally rushed to the front also heard the command, quickly gathering their spiritual essence and taking form to arrive at the center of the illusory arena.

«What's going on, Old Wasteland? » the Emperor of Infinite End looked bewildered, seemingly still unaware of what was about to happen.

«Tsk……these few aren't easy to deal with! » the Black Emperor frowned tightly.

Leaving aside the woman called Qin Hong, that burly fellow who just wielded a massive axe, swinging it to cleave heaven and earth, is no pushover either!

I myself had only exchanged a few simple moves with the opponent, and almost had my defenses broken!