Facing the battle-ready Song Changyi, Shu Han sighed internally, deeming him both stubborn and combative.

He waved dismissively, "Come on, senior brother. You have pseudo-Core Formation cultivation while I'm at the mid-stage. Do you really think it's appropriate to fight me?"

Song Changyi laughed heartily, "You think I, Song Changyi, would overpower others based on cultivation levels? Be it within or outside the sect, or on the Heavenly Fire Arena, I never overpower others with high cultivation levels. If you are mid-stage, then I will use only mid-stage powers to combat you, ensuring I won't take the slightest advantage!"

"I'd rather not fight." Rolling his eyes, Shu Han said, "Given your esteemed status, if I accidentally hurt you, wouldn't a bunch of Core Formation elders come after me? And what if you go back on your word and raise your cultivation level mid-battle? I just want to follow the rules. Why are you making this difficult?"

"How dare you!" Song Changyi's fiery red sword emerged, his voice dripping with menace, "I, Song Changyi, am honorable and would never stoop to such disgraceful acts!"

Seeing him so agitated, Shu Han thought, This naive fellow is rather easy to provoke. Suddenly, Song Changyi transformed into a streak of light, thrusting his sword at an alarming speed.

Shu Han was taken aback. He had intended to exploit the young devil's anger and find an opening, but this attack was flawless. Not only was it seamless, but its swiftness also made evasion challenging.

Could this power truly be from a mid-stage Foundation Establishment? Bring it on!

Shu Han's "Cloud-walking Step" had already made significant progress under the modifications of the "Shrinking Earth into Inches" technique. He dodged rapidly, leaving an afterimage, narrowly evading the strike. The residual sword qi struck the afterimage, carving a massive gap into the sturdy volcanic rock.

Missing his target, Song Changyi seemed dazed, losing track of Shu Han. In a split second, he felt a chill behind him. Hastily forming a seal, his fiery red sword manifested eighteen protective blades, placing them behind him in succession.

Boom!

Emerging behind Song Changyi, Shu Han delivered a powerful punch, reminiscent of the mad elder's prowess. Black patterns shimmered on his wrist.

His fist clashed directly with the magical treasure, shattering Song Changyi's protective blades. Strands of black fire splashed out, sending Song Changyi flying into the solid volcanic rock, leaving a human-shaped crater.

Staring at his fist that radiated with black patterns, Shu Han felt a surge of elation. On a whim, he had tried to emulate the mad elder's technique of clashing bodily with magical treasures. He hadn't expected the mysterious black patterns to augment his fist's power to the level of a magical treasure.

So, integrating the power of the Heavenly Fire into the physical body to forge a unique treasure-like physique was the technique the mad elder wanted to teach!

Eureka!

Shu Han was overjoyed. The loss of a bit of Black Abyssal Fire now seemed trivial.

Song Changyi climbed out of the human-shaped crater, his face smudged with dirt and looked at Shu Han in astonishment. He asked, "What was that magic treasure just now? I didn't feel any spiritual power from you. How did you exert such strength?"

"You still have much to learn, senior brother."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Instead of being angry, Song Changyi looked at Shu Han intently and smiled, "Just for that punch alone, I'll grant you this cave dwelling! However, I'm curious about your abilities. Entertain me with a few more moves so I can witness your prowess."

In an instant, Song Changyi's fighting spirit surged. Raising his long sword, he laughed, "It seems you're a newly joined rogue cultivator and are probably unfamiliar with the spells of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. Let me give you a glimpse of our techniques, just so I'm not taking advantage. Watch closely, this technique is the 'Instantaneous Blink Technique'!"

Instantly, the spiritual power radiating from Song Changyi began to retract rapidly. Mysterious flames rose around him, reminiscent of gunpowder just before an explosion.

His aura was compressed to its limit, poised to strike, but he still took the time to explain, "'Instantaneous Blink Technique' is a unique spell of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. It compresses spiritual power and releases it instantly. It's a superior spell in both power and speed, capable of killing in the blink of an eye. Be ready!"

Boom!

A shockwave burst behind Song Changyi, propelling him forward at breakneck speed, turning him into a blazing ball of fire aimed at Shu Han.

The gale it brought felt like blades against Shu Han's face. The black patterns on his wrist lit up, and he seized the opportunity to punch towards the oncoming Song Changyi with even greater speed.

However, Song Changyi, with his keen senses, detected that he might be at a disadvantage and immediately diverted his trajectory, narrowly missing Shu Han. He then floated in the air, compressing his inner energy once more, his entire body glowing red.

"The 'Instantaneous Blink Technique' consists of three levels. Each level is several times faster and more powerful than the previous one. Normally, only those in the later stages can master the third level. However, I managed to use it during my mid-stage and have even developed the fourth level. So, using the third level against you isn't unfair. Be prepared!"

Song Changyi's entire body heated up as he rapidly spiraled in the air, resembling a fiery tornado. Suddenly, all the burning spiritual power converged onto his sword.

The sword pierced through the air, transforming into a meteor, and hurling toward Shu Han. The surrounding soil, lifted by the boiling spiritual power, melted into dense magma. The massive meteor was right in front of Shu Han in a split second.

Shu Han was greatly alarmed, feeling that he absolutely couldn't block this attack head-on with just his fist. His physical strength was nowhere near the level of the old madman.

Left with no choice, he unsheathed the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword. With a shimmer of golden light, a golden thunderbolt blasted out.

The dense fiery glow collided with the golden light, and after a brief, ear-piercing stalemate, the golden light tore apart the fiery meteor, flinging away Song Changyi's long sword. The thunderbolt form then charged straight at Song Changyi.

"What?!"

Startled, Song Changyi pointed and his spiritual power broke the seal instantly. Dense, surging flames spewed from his fingers, transforming into a roaring dragon, snapping at the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword.

Earth Dragon Fire!

The flame, shaped like a dragon, crashed into the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, neither gaining an upper hand. Seeing the formidable Earth Dragon Fire, Shu Han chose not to resist and withdrew his sword. Persisting in this deadlock would surely result in his defeat. The essence of the Earth Dragon Fire was not to be underestimated!

Upon seeing this, Song Changyi also immediately retracted the Earth Dragon Fire and did not take advantage of the situation. He caught his crimson long sword that had been flung away. Both of them were simultaneously shocked internally.

Shu Han thought: "That was definitely the Earth Dragon Fire! To think this man has mastered such a heavenly fire to perfection. Could this be the legendary 'Heavenly Fire Manipulation Art'?"

Song Changyi reflected: "He actually broke through my three-level blink instantly and even forced out my Earth Dragon Fire!"

Song Changyi descended, offering a fist salute in embarrassment, "I admit defeat. I had to unseal my spiritual power just now; otherwise, I fear I would have been grievously injured by you. This cave dwelling is yours, junior brother. With your capabilities, you are worthy of having a prime-ranked cave dwelling."

Seeing Song Changyi openly admit his error, Shu Han thought, "Although this fellow is a bit straightforward, he is an upright and candid person."

"Thank you, senior brother."

Song Changyi laughed heartily, patting Shu Han on the shoulder, "Having a cultivator like you join our Fiery Cloud Instant Sect is promising for our future! Tell me, junior brother, how did you block my level-one blink with your bare hands? Rest assured, I won't take advantage of you. Feel free to make any request!"

Shu Han was taken aback for a moment. Looking into Song Changyi's eager eyes, he thought, "This black pattern is related to the heavenly fire. Since my contact with the mad elder is already known to the Sect Leader, showing him shouldn't be an issue. Perhaps he might discern something from it."