[Congratulations! Flame: Level Up]

[Level 2 Flame: Able to summon fire elements through both hands, with a maximum temperature of 580°C and a burn radius of 3 meters.]

[Permanent Attribute Bonus for Level 2 Flame: Spirit +100, Fire Resistance +60, Charisma +10.]

As the system voice echoed in his mind, Gao Yang felt a surge of energy flooding his body, filling him with an overwhelming sense of exhilaration.

Fat Jun's bulky figure was tightly wrapped in strands of black hair, too many to retreat all at once. Seizing the moment, Gao Yang withdrew the flames and, timing it perfectly, grabbed hold of a retreating strand. The black hair, like a taut string, pulled Gao Yang—now a "kite"—directly toward the Hair Monster's core: its skull.

The Hair Monster, in the midst of devouring Qing Ling, was interrupted by Gao Yang's sudden assault. It paused its feast and turned its attention toward him.

It immediately severed the strands Gao Yang held, but it was too late. Gao Yang arced through the air in a perfect trajectory, now directly above the Hair Monster.

Three "black needles," formed from its hair, materialized and lunged at Gao Yang from the front, left, and right. He spread his arms wide, aiming at the two needles flanking him. "Flame!"

Boom—Boom—Twin blasts of fire erupted from his palms, engulfing the black needles.

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The needle hurtling toward him from the front was too close to dodge. Gao Yang twisted his body, praying to avoid a fatal strike.

Shwing—At the last possible moment, a Tang blade sliced through the incoming needle, severing it.

It was Qing Ling's metal talent! Still bound and hanging in midair, her face was drenched in blood, yet her half-lidded eyes were locked on Gao Yang.

Though on the verge of death, she refused to surrender!

A rush of adrenaline surged through Gao Yang. He spread his arms wide, letting his body plunge toward the Hair Monster.

Three meters!

Two meters!

One meter! Within striking range.

"Flame!" Gao Yang roared, pouring every ounce of energy into his palms.

Boom—The twin flames converged and merged into one, instantly consuming the Hair Monster.

"Aaaaah—" The creature let out a horrific scream, but it wasn't enough. A second of flame wasn’t enough to incinerate all its hair, nor was it sufficient to destroy its hardened skull.

But Gao Yang had no strength left. Gravity pulled him downward, and the flames in his palms were just about to lose contact with their target.

Suddenly, he felt something steady beneath his feet.

Looking down, he saw it—it was the suspended Tang blade!

The sword lifted him upward by half a meter.

Qing Ling had exhausted the last of her spiritual power. Her eyes closed, her arms fell limp.

In fact, after being pierced by the "black needle," her metal talent had suddenly ascended to level 3, and it was only through that last burst of strength that she had managed to hold on until now.

[Level 3 Metal: Maximum sensing range of metal—50 meters. Maximum control range—10 meters. Maximum controllable weight—60 kilograms.]

"Flame!" Gao Yang, leaping again, couldn't afford to miss this final chance. He yearned to release every ounce of energy in one fell swoop.

But the brief pause in his attack had given the Hair Monster a moment to recover from the pain. The skull rapidly retreated, slipping out of Gao Yang's range.

Helpless, Gao Yang could only watch as the creature escaped, powerless to stop it.

At that very moment, a "black needle" shot toward him from behind.