The next day comes. 3 matches went on between different sects. And now its time for Wu Hai to fight in the main stage.

There's a 10-minute breaks before the next match as usual. Wu Hai had received the information on his opponent.

Bai Xiaotong, genius from Vermilion Bird sect, middle foundation establishment!

The announcer briefly mentions the information of the next competitors.

Wu Hai at age of 19 is already in middle foundation establishment! A genius orphan from a commoner background, a genius disciple of dragon flame sect.

Just from the name of sect, you know he use techniques of flames.

And his opponent, is none other than genius from Vermilion Bird sect!

The audience discusses and talks in excitement.

Bai Xiaotong, an direct disciple of vermilion bird sect, a descendant of the legendary True Immortal, Bai Huizhong who established the sect thousands of years ago! At the age of 18 he reached middle foundation establishment.

Would the dragon devour the legendary phoenix? Or would the phoenix snatch the dragon with its claws like a mere snake?

Even I feel excited!

The announcer flies around on the platform, hyping up the crowd and building up momentum.

The crowd cheered and discusses.

"Heh. They dare call themselves dragons. They are mere snakes. No, they are worms!". Bai Xiaotong said with disdain in the preparation area.

"Young master, don't underestimate him. Their sect has flame technique that even we, who have deep inheritance don't have. I have seen the power of it and you shouldn't look down on them".

The elder reminded him. In fact, he doesn't want to believe that some unknown sect has better flame technique, in terms of raw flame strength that doesn't use vitality at least. But he has seen it with his own eyes and had to admit in recognition despite feeling embarrassment deep in his heart.

And in case something bad happens a lifesaving talisman is allowed be used to save this young master from death. He is the son of sect master after all; although their sect master had already ascended to the upper realm and currently the vice master is taking care of the sect in lower realm.

Life-saving talisman is really precious and only few sects with deep inheritances have such treasures.

The elders of vermillion bird sect had already made up his mind to snatch Wu Hai or anyone from the Dragon flame sect, regardless of losing or winning because it means there's a chance to get (steal) the technique.

On Wu Hai side, the elders and seniors gave him encouragement and advices.

“Wu Hai, their secret technique allows them to quench and burn their vitality and chi inside their flesh to get explosive power safely and efficiently. Prolonged battle will be difficult as your chi consumption will be greater. Also, since you are both using flame techniques; try to drain air from your opponent. It should reduce his power significantly”.

‘Yes master!’.

“Also be careful if your flame becomes black out of your control. Both of you will consume elements in the air fast and both of you might get poisoned accidently. However you can also use it as an advantage, you understand?”.

‘Yes master!’.

Wu Hai nods at his master suggestions. He also has same plans in his mind.

Shao Ai felt worried hearing the chatters around him, discussing and betting on who will win but most of them leaned on Bai Xiaotong.

He is a known genius and a direct descendant of the ancestor who founded the sect itself. Naturally, compared to some random guy with no worth mentioning family name and not well-known sect, it's not difficult to make assumptions.

Shao Ai had seen members of Vermilion bird sect fights and their techniques and control and were really refined. There are similarities such as using flame explosion to propel movement and such but if he had to say there's elegance with the way vermilion bird sect use their techniques.

Seeing the break time is up, and Wu Hai and his opponent walked into the arena. Shao Ai made a prayer to Heaven to keep Wu Hai safe first, and win second.

He had seen a lot of injuries and deaths during the tournament. Wu Hai is the only one he could call a close friend and he would feel devastated if he would be injured heavily.

The crowd chattering slowly turns to a halt as the battle is about to begin.

Wu Hai felt nervous seeing the million eyes watching him. He sees Shao Ai on the first row who is clasping his hands on prayer. And he sees mother Su as well. He calms his nerves and composed himself. The ones that had cared for him were watching him, supporting him.

He won't embarrass himself in front of them.

He looks at his opponent with determination.

Bai Xiaotong just cast a glance at Wu Hai. As someone who practices the path of flame from a prestigious family, he looks down on Wu Hai and his sect as a whole.

He is confident he can win.

"Fighters, get ready!".

The announcer screamed excitedly.

Wu Hai starts to circulate his chi as a warming up, preparing to launch an attack or defend.

Bai Xiaotong also casually circulates his chi.

After 5 seconds the announcer started the fight.

"Fight!".

Whoosh!

Both Wu Hai and Bai Xiaotong approached each other at a fast speed.

Wu Hai launched a dragon flame palm to the opponent to test the water a few metres away from him.

Bai Xiaotong sneered in disdain seeing the dragon shaped flame approaching him. He used his technique, the wing of vermillion.

Flames surrounds his body and takes shape from his back and stretched out to both his hands forming a flaming wing like shape.

He simply slapped the dragon flame with a flap of flaming wing while spinning 180°.

Boom!

The flame dragon explodes right in front of Bai Xiaotong, covering his body in the explosive flame.

Wu Hai thought it's stupid to face it head-on. While the audience was surprised that he took the dragon flame to his face and anticipates the outcome.

Before Wu Hai could be ready, Bai Xiaotong leaped out of the explosion flame that had covered his vision and went straight to Wu Hai.

Bai Xiaotong's body is protected by his own flame and wasn't injured at all. He used a movement technique to leap and propel himself to him.

He sneered in disdain and flapped his two wings, launching a huge flame projectile only 2 meters away from Wu Hai.

Wu Hai in panic uses a dragon flame palm to block it and causes an explosion 1 meter from his body sending him flying backward, receiving a lot of burns.

"Cough!". He coughed out as the smoke entered his lungs.

Thankfully as someone who cultivates the path of flame, he had tempered his body in flames so his flame resistance is high. The same goes for Bai Xiaotong allowing him to face the flame dragon head on as well. If it's others they would be heavily injured already.

He underestimated his opponent too much, Wu Hai thought.

Bai Xiaotong just stood there and watched Wu Hai stand from the ground. Normally people wouldn't let their opponent catch a breather and keep attacking.

But being an arrogant young master who looks down on his opponent, naturally he lets his opponent get back up.

"Dragon? More like a worm to me". Bai Xiaotong nonchalantly.

Wu Hai felt his ego hurt and that his entire sect is being looked down on.

"You are a chicken!".

Bai Xiaotong felt anger rise in his heart. His techniques are taught by the legendary phoenix, the vermillion bird of the South, to his ancestor! To call him a chicken!?

"You dare! You courting death!".

Bai Xiaotong wants to show Wu Hai the true difference between heaven and earth and leap through the air with a flaming body. In the eyes of the audience, his figure had the shape of a bird approaching Wu Hai as if he was flying!

Wu Hai uses his movement technique of Thousand Flaming Steps to create distance.

Bai Xiaotong launched 3 blades of fire with flaps of his flaming wings while spinning mid air.

Dragon Flame Vortex!

Wu Hai launched a dragon flame palm in a spiral movement surrounding him. And this time, he is a bit serious as his flame contains a trace of blue colour.

Boom!

The 3 fire blades explode on contact. And surprisingly the blue red flame dragon engulfed the fire and withstood the explosion. The flame dragon circles around Wu Hai one more time as it becomes more solid in shape. Wu Hai took a stance with one foot on the ground as the dragon seemed to follow along.

He is ready to go melee with the Dragon Dance Kung Fu.

Bai Xiaotong is surprised that his attack failed to break through it but he doesn't care. His flight continued and approached Wu Hai to fight melee with him.

He increased his chi output and increased his leaping speed as the flames covering his back exploded brighter.

Wu Hai also charged forward with a palm followed by a dragon flame charging.

His opponent redirected the palm with his hand sideways, followed with a spin wheel kick that contains flame power.

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Wu Hai dodged the kick barely as flames are thrown out into the air. His flame dragon at the same time was redirected by the opponent's other arm. Bai Xiaotong skill in Kung Fu is shown at this moment; he wasn't a brute that only knows how to throw flames.

Wu Hai continues to launch punches and kicks followed by the dragon flame. Gradually the dragon flame grows brighter and has more hint of blue colour.

Bai Xiaotong used elegant movements to redirect most of the attacks.

The crowd cheered wildly seeing large flames bursting in the air from every punch and kick along with the growing flame dragon in the field. The whole Colosseum starts to feel the temperature rising, especially for the spectators at the front seats.

Bai Xiaotong launched counterattacks and managed to hit Wu Hai with flames but he blocked it with a flaming fist directly enduring it.

Wu Hai also managed to hit Bai Xiaotong a few times but he too endured it.

Both of them are literally burning each other. But both of them have high flame resistance tempered bodies.

However as they exchanged their blows, Bai Xiaotong felt something was wrong. He is feeling he was being suppressed the longer he fought. His skin and flesh felt close to being burnt. And he felt his flame weakening.

No! His opponent's flame is growing stronger than mine and my flame is losing its power!

Bai Xiaotong realised his predicament. He's not sure what is going on but he realised he will lose if they fight like this.

He increased his chi output, quenching more chi from his dantian and from his body. The flame surrounding his body burst into an orange-reddish colour.

Wu Hai felt the opponent flames a bit stronger, and so he too increased his circulation technique to increase his own flame strength and further weaken the opponent.

His dragon flame turned a bright blue colour, bringing cheers to the crowd seeing how colourful and strong it looks.

Bai Xiaotong is anxious because his flame once again is suppressed and grows smaller again.

When the blue dragon grazed on his side, he felt his flesh burnt!

"Ah!". Bai Xiaotong is angry and feels ashamed! To think his flesh can get burned by his opponent destroyed his pride.

He launched attacks frantically releasing flames and explosions each time he swings his arms and feet. The wings of vermillion continuously launch blades and balls of flame from each of his swings.

Wu Hai blocked them with his flaming fists and the circling flame dragon, while the blue dragon kept on grazing on the opponent from time to time.

"Haa... Ha...". Bai Xiaotong felt slightly dizzy and his movement became sluggish. He's confused. He received more and more hit and received burns to his flesh and skin. He realised his flame had colours of black in them.

This!? This can't be! He had mastered this Vermillion cloak technique. No way his control is bad enough for it to be like this!

His opponent, he's doing something to him!

Shao Ai had leaned forward while watching, noticing that Wu Hai is at a clear advantage at this point.

He cheered for him in his heart.

Bai Xiaotong gritted his teeth in anger. To think his opponent forced him to this extent.

"True Vermillion Rising!".

He used the secret technique to burn his own vitality to unleash extraordinary strength.

Boom!

Explosion of red fire blows Wu Hai away. But he's fine as he's protected by the blue flame dragon.

Wu Hai composed himself and looked at his opponent. He is shocked seeing the appearance and the power exuded by Bai Xiaotong.

His opponent is clad in crimson flame, with blood exuding from his pores feeding the flame. There are runes and marks covering his arms, feet and even some strange lines on his face.

Boom!

A burst of red flame explodes from his back, unleashing large red wings of flame. It's as if the legendary phoenix is born at this moment.

"Die!".

Bai Xiaotong leaped into the air at ridiculously high speed and launched a flaming red kick. He burst like a meteor approaching Wu Hai!

Wu Hai although surprised is confident in his own flame power and clashed with a kick of his own combined with the blue flame dragon.

Boom!

Wu Hai was hurled back from the tremendous force slamming his back to the arena wall crashing into it.

Boom! The arena wall was filled with cracks as the formation protective wall activated to protect the audience.

Wu Hai coughed out blood and whimpered in pain. His body is half burned from the explosion. He gritted his teeth and focused his eyes on the arena.

His opponent on the other hand was also flanged backward smashed onto the opposite side of the arena wall.

But Bai Xiaotong is in better condition.

He stood up and looked at Wu Hai in anger.

He starts to approach Wu Hai with a steady step, wanting to finish him off. He sees he is more injured than him.

Wu Hai knows the battle isn't over yet.

He climbed out of the crack of the wall and stood on the ground, circulating the little chi he had left in his dantian.

But before he could prepare, Bai Xiaotong suddenly explodes in red flame again, burning his blood again.

"Is he crazy!?". The elder that had accompanied the young master exclaimed and even stood up from his seat. Is he wishing for death!? To think he used the technique again! If anything happens to him, his father would kill him for sure! The elder is worried and panicking because his own life is at stake.

Wu Hai launched a dragon flame palm to him but after it exploded it didn't even flinch his opponent.

Wu Hai weakly raised his palm to launch another flame dragon palm but his opponent had already closed his distance.

Bai Xiaotong can end him in one swoop at this moment but decides to release his anger by beating him to show him his superiority.

He strangled Wu Hai, leaping into the air while throwing him.

Shao Ai was already in panic and looked around in the arena wishing for someone to stop them.

The fight is over! Why is no one stopping them!? He screamed in his heart with worry.

Wu Hai struggled and tried to muster his chi. But before he could, he was blasted by a flame explosion.

Kuh!

He was blasted to the right side while in midair.

Before he reached the ground, Bai Xiaotong figure had already flown below with a burst of red flame and slapped him back up with another burst of blame.

Ack! Wu Hai was blasted as he felt scorching heat burn his flesh further.

He jumped high as if flying right above Wu Hai to deliver the final attack.

"Die!".

With a 360° spin, he unleashed a terrifying red flame axe kick directly hitting his abdomen.

Ack-

Boom!

Wu Hai was kicked down and smashed into the ground with explosion of red flame. A large crater forms below as dust filled the air.

Bai Xiaotong landed on the ground. But he collapsed and fell on his knees right after.

Cough! He coughed out blood from burning a lot of his vitality.

Haa... Haa... He is losing his breath.

But he's proud that he won. He had to admit his opponent is definitely strong.

...

Shao Ai had already closed his eyes in fear.

He has a tear forming in his eyes. He can't bear to see this. Why no one stops them...

The crowd is filled with cheers again. Mother Su also had a tear in her eyes remembering the child she took care of for 7 years. She remembered how at first Wu Hai was very distant to her after his parents passed and was very isolated from the rest of the orphanage members.

She remembers it's Shao Ai who approached him and became his first friend when they were children. She prays he's alive after all this.

...

As the smoke dissipates, the cheers are still going on. The announcer is already ready to announce the winner; he's just waiting for the smoke to dissipate.

Everyone finally sees Wu Hai's torn up figure, seemingly dead. The medic team is already on the way.

"What an exciting and hot battle! The win-".

'NO!'.

The announcer, the crowd, the medic, and everyone is startled and look at Wu Hai again. Wu Hai had raised his head and shouted.

Shao Ai opened his eyes and turned to look.

The blood around Wu Hai body is boiling and vaporising. And flames are exuding and seemingly forming around his body. And vague runes are seen forming on his body.

Wu Hai used his hands to support himself and slowly stood up.

"You... Are not dead yet...?". Bai Xiaotong, also slowly gets back up. Cough! He coughed up blood again but simply wiped it away while warily looking at Wu Hai.

Bai Xiaotong looked carefully and was shocked in horror.

No way! He- he is!?

Even the elders of the vermillion bird sect and dragon flame sect stood up from their seats. The crowd is going crazy with anticipation seeing the scene.

Burst of blue flames exudes from within Wu Hai's body covering him. A silhouette of dragon shaped flame is formed around his body seemingly coming from within him. Wu Hai had comprehended the technique to burn one own vitality, quenching every chi and the essence of the body from fighting Bai Xiaotong!

He copied the secret technique!? Bai Xiaotong and the elders of the sect are shocked beyond comprehension. The elders of the dragon sect also looked at each other in incomprehensible surprise.

“You have secret technique of vermillion bird sect?”. Elder Zhong asked the sect master.

“I don’t! I never taught anything like that!”.

Powered up by the burning vitality, Wu Hai stood firm and looked at Bai Xiaotong.

Sizzles. His flesh is further burned by his own incomplete technique, and it even charred his own skin and flesh and vaporised his blood. He endured it for the sake of winning.

Bai Xiaotong gritted his teeth. He can't lose!

He used his technique again, and quenched his vitality and essence as a red flame burst out from his body again. But the flame is flickering as if it's on the last life.

The deafening cheers are resounded again seeing the scene.

Why...? Shao Ai doesn't understand. He understands the risk of the technique. Wu Hai should survive if he just accepts defeat and lay there.

But now... It's like he is burning the last breath of life he had.

A tear fell down his cheek. He really can't afford to see someone he cares about dying.

Whoosh!

Both Wu Hai and Bai Xiaotong rushed at each other with the last power he could muster. Each of them is like two burning meteors, one blue and one red about to collide with each other.

They both will die like this! The elders all have the same thought.

Shao Ai too, had a premonition that Wu Hai will die if they collide.

No...

Just as he is about to despair, just as they are meters away from each other ready to release their final attack, suddenly there's a ringing of a bell that appears.

Ring~

Suddenly out of nowhere waves of ice explodes from the middle of the arena.

Boom!

The arena turned snow white from the sudden ice waves. The hot temperature instantly went down to be really cold.

The crowd went silent, shivered and observed what was going on.

As the snow dispersed, a tall female figure with long black hair and white snow skin stood centre. She exudes a cold elegant charm, like a queen of snow. She held a fan, with little bell charm which is a spiritual treasure hanging from it.

Soon the figure of Wu Hai and Bai Xiaotong is seen on the ground, unconscious in thin layers of snow.

It seems that the person had stopped them both.

"Medic, quick. Give them Life Preserving pills".

The voice seems to be amplified by a technique as it even reaches the audience. The medic team wasted no time and rushed to them both. They went to put the highest quality life Preserving pills in their mouths and carried them away for further treatment.

"It's a draw". She once again said for everyone to hear and disappeared with another ringing of a bell.

She reappears in the VVIP seat on the highest floor calmly after stopping the unnecessary death of 2 geniuses.

"They both are genius monsters", the person next to her commented.

"Indeed". She calmly commented.

The few seats are where the high elders from prestigious sects are seated. They are there to judge the contestants and to save the participant if a win or lose is guaranteed already.

Shao Ai uses his eyes and sees the breath of vitality remaining in Wu Hai. He felt relieved to see Wu Hai is alive and being carried away by the medic team.

But he still prays in his heart he could be treated. He is heavily injured and he's afraid something went wrong later.

The crowd began to talk and discuss again while the arena was being cleared up and repaired during the break.

"Whew! That's unexpected! To think it comes to a draw. What a fiery battle. Seniors, do you have any comments on their performances?".

The announcer flies towards a row of elders in the VIP seat.

One of them took the mic and commented on how they both have admirable fighting spirit and commented on their flame techniques and their differences.

While the crowd was chattering away, Shao Ai had already left his seat and went to the treatment area.

He sat on the bench there, waiting for news. He doesn't have the energy to watch any battle anymore. Dragon flame sect members also went to wait for news.

An hour passed as they waited there, while staring at the walls blankly.

A staff member who is about to go to the toilet look at Shao Ai and the others.

Shao Ai, noticing the staff coming out of the treatment room immediately asked about Wu Hai condition.

"Oh. He's stable now but still unconscious. He might need a day or two to recuperate and wake up".

The staff thought for a moment, seeing his worried look.

"No worries. He definitely will be fine. You should go back first and see him later".

Everyone feels relieved hearing the assurance. They nods at the staff and slowly walks out of the area. He returns to his seat shortly.

"How is Wu Hai?". Mother Su asked from behind him.

Shao Ai repeated what the staff said, relieving the worry in mother Su's heart.

He went to watch the next battle. But his mind wasn't on the battle really.

When the last battle ended, Shao Ai went to the treatment area again. He saw a staff member on the counter and went to ask.

"He has finished his treatment. You can visit him if you want".

Shao Ai nods. She told the room number and soon Shao Ai reached the room.

He pulled the curtain to see Wu Hai is bandaged all over his body. The elders and seniors of the dragon flame sect are also there. He looks like a mummy being wrapped all over like this. He looked at Wu Hai with a complicated expression.

He feels angry honestly seeing Wu Hai last move back then. It's suicidal. He could have just accepted defeat and lay there. There's always another time, as long as you live, won't you be able to be stronger?

But then... It's something that Wu Hai chose to pursue. Shao Ai can't understand his dream or why he tried that hard. For him, fighting is never something he likes to do so he can't relate. He can only support him and his decisions.

Shao Ai just sat there, looking over Wu Hai. He saw how his flesh is burnt here and there. And the blood oozing and boiling from him.

It must be painful...

The elders and seniors nod at Shao Ai and leave the room. After all the competition is still going on and one of the seniors has a battle as well tomorrow.

Shao Ai held the bandaged arm gently, afraid to hurt his hand. Although, it's only been weeks since he has been truly close to him, he really cares for him at this moment.

He channeled his chi, and ran his cycle of heaven and earth technique along with transferring vitality to him. He senses how low the chi and vitality inside him is. He is determined to help him recover.

He stayed there for hours, trying to help him recover quickly and ease his pain. He continuously meditates and circulates chi and vitality.

One of the martial doctors went to check midway but is surprised seeing the condition of the patient is improved. Seeing Shao Ai who seemed like he almost got caught doing something illegal, he assumed he did something to help. But it's his secret so he won't pry since it's good for the patient. He leaves them alone and lets them be.

Shao Ai continued until he's too tired. He laid back on the wall and closed his eyes. He hopes it would help him. He closed his eyes as he enters the dreamscape.

...