The entire dueling arena that was suspended in midair shook as if it was about to collapse. Billowing blue flames and extreme heat overtook the top third of the sphere, preventing the water below from rising any further. Great clouds of steam erupted due to the astonishing temperature which was so intense that it could even be felt outside of the protective array.
Chen Wentian's spiritual aura rose precipitously after taking the power-boosting pill, far more than an ordinary power-boosting pill should have. The standard was about ten percent while he had ramped up his flames by over fifty percent. And with such an increase in power, he was able to fully suppress the capability of the Water-Carrying Gourd.
"You should surrender now." Chen Wentian said over the roar of flames, "Before I boil you alive like a turtle in soup!"
"Don't spout nonsense!" Yang Gehu shouted and attacked.
With a swing of his glaive, he launched a great wave of water into the flames above. A second later, his attack had been completely evaporated by the intense heat. Chen Wentian didn't need to do anything except let his flame domain do the work.
Yang Gehu tried a few more times but met the same result. Afterward, he retreated to the bottom to contemplate his options. He dared not face the flames himself so he could only stay underwater.
Chen Wentian responded by increasing his blue dragon flames even further. The temperature of the pool of water rose rapidly. Despite Yang Gehu's efforts, it was already close to boiling.
"This… is a power-boosting pill?" Abbotess Wei asked, "When did such a pill become this ridiculous?"
"This Chen bastard is clearly cheating!" Abbotess Yang said.
"Don't be ridiculous." Abbotess Wei admonished and looked at Abbotess Mao, "Sister Mao, what do you think of his flames now?"
Mao Ling looked as if she had swallowed something bitter, "His flames… suddenly increased in power and profoundness. It is difficult for me to judge its true quality but it is definitely special."
Wei Jiarong shook her head, "I thought he was simply a lucky person, to be at the 7th Stage of Spiritual Strengthening. Yang Gehu should have been able to handle him but he has surprised us at every turn. Also, I can't say for certain but his spiritual energy seems to already contain a trace of a Spirit King's aura."
"What?" Abbotess Yang shouted, "You can't be serious?"
Wei Jiarong's expression was totally serious, "I sensed it a few times when he first took the pill. Perhaps it was due to that abnormal power-boost pill or perhaps it was something else. Regardless, I'm afraid… that we underestimated this person far too much."
"What…" Abbotess Yang spluttered.
"Yang Mengshi, I'm sorry about Yang Gehu. I will ask the other members of the Seven Potentates to give the Yang Clan of Great Waves a proper compensation for the loss."
Wei Jiarong's vision was frighteningly accurate and far superior to most of the immortals in the audience. Chen Wentian's usage of the power-boost pill had indeed been a feint to distract the audience from his true strength. After absorbing three late-stage Spirit Lord Realm souls, he had finally taken a tangible step toward the Spirit King Realm. He would need a lot more souls but he was now confident he would be able to match Jasmine's progress.
He didn't need to use the pill to beat Yang Gehu but it made for a great excuse. He didn't want to reveal his true strength, even to beat a detestable person like Yang Gehu. Extreme reactions to such pills were rare but not unheard of. Even if some people suspected the truth, the pill would still leave a doubt in their minds.
By now, the duel was over in many people's eyes. Chen Wentian's increase in power was overwhelming. There was nothing Yang Gehu could do while the pool of water around him rapidly boiled away. What had started out with exciting clashes and flashy displays of weapon and elemental arts now devolved into a waiting game. Even if Yang Gehu could resist being boiled to death, once all the water was gone, he would be turned into a roasted turtle instead of turtle soup.
"Well, that just about wraps it up. It wasn't very exciting in the end." Abbotess Li muttered with a sigh. She glanced over at Long Yifei who was still watching the duel intently. "Long Yifei, I hope you won't blame me for tonight."
Long Yifei turned to her sharply. There was a flash of anger in her eyes which disappeared as quickly as it came. "Abbotess Li, how can I blame anyone. The Order was looking out for my best interests per the customs of the Gift Giving Ceremony."
The words were clearly sarcastic but her tone was even and unreadable.
Li Shishi covered her mouth and chuckled, "Good, good. I had doubts about your master when I first met you and honestly, I still do. However, since he has proven his devotion to you and his commitment to supporting you, I am satisfied for the time being. I look forward to seeing how you will progress during the rest of the school year."
Long Yifei bowed her head slight, "I will not disappoint my master's grace."
She was about to say something else but a panicked shout interrupted her.
In the dueling sphere above, Yang Gehu had finally run out of options. All of the water was gone except for a small puddle that barely covered his knees. The Water-Carry Gourd could not output enough to offset the fearsome flame domain. Yang Gehu's advantage in the environment had completely gone away and he was left facing a sea of blue flames with just his innate spiritual energy and the Wave Emperor Armor set.
Every attack he launched was turned into clouds of steam. Everywhere he turned, he met with walls of unbearable flames. The only possibility seemed to be surrender but those words had yet to leave his mouth.
He was the young master of the Yang Clan of Great Waves. He was ordained by the heavens with peerless talent and dashingly good looks. Everything he had wanted; he had been able to easily obtain. The thought of defeat had never graced his mind from the day he was born until now.
Facing an azure inferno, he couldn't understand how everything had been ruined in one night. He was supposed to win Long Yifei's heart. He was supposed to fight for the clan leader's position. He wasn't supposed to meet such an end.
"Ahhhhh!" He let out another miserable cry, a lamentation to everything he was about to lose.
He expended the last of his spiritual energy until there was nothing left. He then collapsed to his knees at the bottom of the arena, finally surrendering to the flames.
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