Shu Han returned to the viewing platform with a cold expression. Wei Haolong voiced his concern, "Old Yu, even if I find your disciple disagreeable, you can't simply cast him into danger like this! The power of a formation treasure is vast, far beyond what a Qi-refining stage practitioner can withstand. Furthermore, after you so brutally defeated his master, this youth must harbor deep resentment."
Song Changyi too was perplexed by Shu Han's actions.
Shu Han scoffed, "Just watch. My disciple isn't so easily defeated by a mere formation treasure."
On the arena.
Zhang Jianhua held a luminous triangular formation plate, his gaze maliciously sweeping over Bai Xingyan's entire being. He pondered which part of Bai Xingyan would be best to shatter first.
Suddenly, Bai Xingyan launched from the ground, steering the Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation into the sky.
Foolish!
As Zhang Jianhua unleashed the Triangular Strangling Formation Plate, three devastating formation patterns materialized above his head.
Thinking he could escape the formation's stranglehold by taking to the sky? This would only strip you of all protection! Meet your end!
A surge of disgust welled up in Bai Xingyan as he observed the sinister grin on Zhang Jianhua's face.
Under the watchful eyes of the audience, Bai Xingyan, instead of deploying his renowned Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation, condensed a radiant sword aura with his spiritual power. Within this aura, something swirled densely.
With a powerful shout, Bai Xingyan brandished his sword aura directly against Zhang Jianhua's formation.
The moment the sword aura collided with the formation pattern, it was instantly torn apart by the Triangular Strangling Formation.
However, as the sword aura dispersed, what was encapsulated within it was revealed.
With a rustling sound, hundreds of talismans, blazing fiercely, unfurled.
The talismans fluttered like fiery butterflies, dancing in the arena's sky, painting a momentarily magnificent scene.
But then, with a slight movement of Bai Xingyan's lips, the splendid vision vanished, transforming into the depths of hell.
Boom!
Consecutive massive explosions echoed across the arena.
Gigantic fireballs burst forth one after another, their intense flames engulfing the entire arena. At the base of Fiery Cloud Peak, it appeared as if a miniature sun had risen, blinding all to the extent they could not keep their eyes open.
Wei Haolong, watching the terrifying explosions, stammered, "Old Yu... what... what is this?"
Shu Han responded nonchalantly, "Merely an advanced fire explosion talisman of the Qi-refining stage."
Wei Haolong exclaimed, "Qi-refining stage... But wait! No talisman of the Qi-refining stage could possibly have such overwhelming power!"
Shu Han clarified, "But when you have them in quantity, it's another story. Judging by the scale, Xingyan must have used about five hundred."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Five hundred!
Wei Haolong's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, and Song Changyi too gasped in astonishment.
Wei Haolong remarked, "You really spare no expense for your disciple. Although advanced Qi-refining talismans aren't particularly precious, over five hundred of them... That's no small sum!"
Shu Han chuckled inwardly, thinking, You're startled by just five hundred? I have an additional two thousand Thunder Tribulation talismans in my storage bag!
As the flames receded, the sturdy Earthfire Arena was left with cracks everywhere.
The crowd saw a charred figure lying awkwardly on the stage, his once-luminous triangular formation plate now shattered into three pieces.
Everyone drew a sharp intake of breath.
Huang Chendong, alarmed, hastily flew onto the platform to inspect Zhang Jianhua's condition. He found him barely alive; his dantian, meridians, and limbs were severely burned and riddled with wounds.
For him, not just cultivation, but even mere survival would be a challenge.
So ruthless!
His gaze shifted to Bai Xingyan, who was slowly descending, and to Shu Han behind the scenes.
Trepidation gripped his heart.
This master-disciple pair was ruthlessly efficient.
In the end, he had no choice but to announce, "For this game, Bai Xingyan is victorious! He's awarded five thousand sect contribution points. His master, Yu Tiancheng, is awarded eight thousand points!"
Huang Zheming, looking at Zhang Jianhua, who was now almost reduced to charcoal, trembled with anger, his fingernails digging into his palms.
His face twisted with rage as he pointed at Shu Han and bellowed, "Just you wait, Yu Tiancheng! How dare a newcomer act so arrogantly? On the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard, I'll make you pay! I'll show you that crossing the established powerhouses of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect isn't so easy!"
With that, he stormed off, leaving behind his disciple, who resembled charred wood and was on the brink of death.
Wei Haolong watched Huang Zheming's retreating figure, shaking his head and sighing, "He brought this upon himself. Of all people to provoke, he had to choose the vindictive and scheming Old Yu. I truly pity his future."
Song Changyi turned to Shu Han, advising, "Brother Yu, he's blinded by his own ego. When you face him in the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard, try not to act as you did today. After all, no matter the grievances, we're still sect members. For the prosperity of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, please exercise restraint."
Shu Han gazed at Song Changyi, letting out a sigh. He had already mentally noted Huang Zhe Ming, planning to face him in the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard to make him reunite with his charred disciple.
Anyone who dared to conspire against him and his disciple, Shu Han wouldn't let go easily.
However, with Song Changyi's words, Shu Han momentarily set aside these thoughts, replying, "Since Brother Song speaks, I won't bother with such trivial characters. Rest assured."
Afterwards, Shu Han and Bai Xingyan attended the celebration ceremony for the top rank of the Earthfire Leaderboard. Once unknown within the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, this master-disciple duo suddenly became the talk of the sect.
Especially Shu Han, whose reputation was buzzing among the Foundation Establishment disciples.
Following the Earthfire Leaderboard was the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard, where Shu Han became the focus of attention.
In the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, the ranking of Qi-refining disciples on the Earthfire board not only depended on their own talents but also on the strength of their masters.
Bai Xingyan extravagantly using hundreds of high-level talismans during the finals made everyone believe that it was the doing of his master, Yu Tiancheng.
They weren't clear about Yu Tiancheng's true strength. But if a disciple is so lavish, wouldn't the master be even more so? They now realized that he must have many aces up his sleeve.
Once the Earthfire Leaderboard concluded, these Heavenly Fire Leaderboard cultivators began investigating Shu Han's capabilities.
While Shu Han had heard of their inquiries, he didn't care.
Let them investigate.
He didn't consider any Foundation Establishment disciples in the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect as threats, except for Song Changyi.
Even if they found something, it would only lead to their despair.
After the Earthfire Leaderboard, Wei Haolong and Di Guxue, accompanied by Song Changyi, immediately visited Shu Han to enjoy some drinks.
Ever since Wei Haolong and Song Changyi had tasted his Heavenly Creation Fluid-infused wine, they couldn't appreciate any other. They often came asking for more.
Shu Han was generous. With ample Heavenly Creation Fluid at his disposal, spiking the wine with it was of little consequence. Plus, Bai Xingyan's victory, albeit expected, had pleased Shu Han. He presented them with plenty of wine to indulge in.
Thus, the five of them sat in Wei Haolong's courtyard, toasting and enjoying the aromatic liquor, which also attracted the 'mad elder'.
The six of them drank merrily, nearly reaching a state of euphoria.