Chapter 999: One-Sided Annihilation! Only Ten Seconds!

"No, I can't let him get close, or I won't be able to win."

Alan's gaze hardened, and he desperately fled in another direction.

At the same time, flames surged as he pointed his hand toward Xu Jingming.

Whoosh—

The originally energy-based flames coalesced, forming a vast ocean of magma-like fire!

Molten lava!

Elemental Fire S-class restriction technique: drastically reduces enemy movement speed.

Indeed, as soon as the technique activated, Xu Jingming far away slowed as if trapped in quicksand!

"It's working!" Alan's face lit up with joy; while continuing to flee, he furiously channeled his mental energy to prepare an even stronger technique.

"No wonder he's another Aurora-level—definitely has some real skill. Guess I'll have to go all out."

Feeling the flames continuously dragging at his speed, Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow.

Thunder Domain, OPEN!!

Crackling—!!

The already furious Chaotic Divine Thunder instantly unleashed astonishing power, slicing through the surrounding golden flames like a swift blade cutting through chaos!

"Lightning Dash Technique!"

Ziiii—

Xu Jingming vanished from his spot like a bolt of black lightning.

By the time Alan reacted, Xu Jingming was already right in front of his face!

"How could he be this fast?!" Alan's expression changed instantly.

His prepared technique hadn't even completed half its activation.

"Die!"

A black spear wreathed in thunder slashed through the air, leaving a brilliant trail as it stabbed toward Alan with furious force!

"Hah! Xu Jingming, you really think I'm afraid?"

A boastful laugh rang out; Alan's fear vanished, replaced by a mocking smile.

Instantly, his entire body transformed into a sea of golden flame!

The furious spear pierced through—but only scattered the flames, causing not the slightest harm to Alan.

Endless golden flames coalesced into a colossal flame figure over twenty meters tall.

The elemental form of Alan looked down at Xu Jingming, his voice rumbling:

"With my Elemental Form, your close-range attacks are useless!"

Elemental Form isn't invincible, but it's similar to a Martial Saint's indestructible substance.

As long as his elemental energy isn't fully depleted, he won't die.

With Xu Jingming's strength, achieving that would take considerable time.

"Prepare to meet your end!"

Boom—!!

A massive crimson lotus bloomed behind Alan.

Though still a bud, it radiated staggering energy, as if ready to ignite the entire sky!

"World-Ending Crimson Lotus! A SSR-level technique created by the Flame Divine Lord—I never expected Lord Alan learned it!"

"Who can stand against the Crimson Lotus? Xu Jingming is finished!"

A wave of gasps erupted from the crowd.

As a SSR-level technique, the World-Ending Crimson Lotus's power was unmatched.

But correspondingly, its activation time was extremely long—nearly ten seconds!

And since Xu Jingming and Alan were of equal rank, under Alan's Elemental Form, it was impossible to interrupt him within ten seconds!

"A SSR-level technique requiring ten seconds to activate?"

Xu Jingming's lips curled into a blade-like smile, black lightning flickering deep in his pupils: "More than enough time for me to obliterate you three thousand six hundred times."

Ziiii—!!

Chaotic Thunderlight tore through the searing veil, under the breathless gaze of all.

Xu Jingming's form vanished into lightning, replaced by a towering, godlike Lei Shen manifestation!

Behind this manifestation, the Brilliant Jiyao Jiyao Lei Huan had expanded to over ten meters in diameter, spinning wildly like a divine halo.

"Heavenly Thunder Punishment Sword!"

The Thunder Giant clenched his hand in midair.

Endless black thunder gathered from the Jiyao Jiyao Lei Huan, surging into his palm and coalescing into a massive sword over ten meters long!

Heavenly Thunder Punishment Sword!

This long-range SSS-level technique was directly used by Xu Jingming as a weapon!

"Be destroyed!"

The thunderous great sword crashed down—just one strike, and the still-budding crimson lotus was utterly extinguished!

Then another slash struck Alan directly!

Boom—!!

Thunder and flame devoured each other; Alan felt his Solar True Flame being rapidly drained!

Upon closer sensing, he realized 40% had already been obliterated!!

"How is this possible?!" Alan was utterly panicked.

Both are SSS-grade abilities, why is Xu Jingming's Chaos Divine Thunder so strong?

And his Solar True Flame seems unable to even hurt the opponent?

"Thunder Dragon Technique!"

Boom—!!

Three more jet-black thunder dragons surged from Lei Hai and slammed toward Allen, biting fiercely.

The Solar True Flame, already down to only 60%, plummeted at breakneck speed!

At this moment, Xu Jingming's second sword strike was about to land!!

"No! I cannot die!"

Allen's Solar True Flame had dropped below 40%—if he took one more direct hit, he could not possibly survive!

"I yield! I yield!"

A shrill cry rang out; in utter terror, Allen chose to surrender!

"Allen surrenders! This trial battle lasted eight seconds! Xu Jingming is the ultimate victor!"

Lord Hei Yu, suspended midair, immediately announced the match result.

Swish—

The sky-full of flames retracted, revealing Allen's figure.

He gasped heavily, face pale with shock.

Opposite him, Xu Jingming also exited his elemental state, revealing his form, and looked at Allen: "I told you—I only need ten seconds to defeat you."

As his words fell, the entire square erupted!

"Holy shit! He won! Xu Jingming won!"

"Not just won—he crushed him!"

"One sword severed the World-Ending Crimson Lotus! No wonder he's a Polar Level—so brutally strong!"

"Who can deny it? That was an SSR-grade combat technique!"

"......"

Dozens of gazes fixed on Xu Jingming.

Admiration, envy—and above all, awe!

Since Xu Jingming entered the Xinhuo World two months ago and achieved Polar Level certification.

Many had debated whether he or Allen was stronger.

But since their ranks differed and they'd never actually fought, no conclusion was ever reached.

From today onward, no doubt remains.

Xu Jingming is unquestionably the strongest!

"Lost... lost?"

On Leo's side, Lady Qiao Lin and the others were stunned.

They had assumed that Lord Hei Yu's breakthrough to ninth rank would sweep away all rivals, paving his path to invincibility.

Yet before even leaving the Breakthrough Tower, he'd already been defeated...

"Xu Jingming..."

Watching Xu Jingming stand midair, basking in the crowd's cheers, Leo's eyes revealed a rare Solemn expression.

Both possess SSS-grade abilities, yet Xu Jingming and Allen's performances were worlds apart!

Is it because of the ability? No, certainly not.

Both rated SSS-grade, their power levels must be nearly identical.

Since it's not the ability, and both are ninth-rank lower-tier,

There is only one factor left: Xu Jingming's base attributes far exceed Allen's!

"A typical eighth-rank peak Grand Master achieving ninth rank might reach 300,000 Hertz of mental energy—

But Allen, under the Divine Sovereign's cultivation, using celestial herbs and treasures, and refining his Soul-Refining Art to an extreme level,

Achieved 600,000 Hertz after his breakthrough. If Xu Jingming surpasses him, how immense must his mental energy be?"

Leo silently marveled.

Whether he liked it or not, after returning, he would have to renegotiate his stance toward Xu Jingming with the Divine Sovereign...