After using the Secret Technique, Xun'er's strength greatly increased, and her speed also became much faster.
Chasing after Lin Xiu, Xun'er clenched her hands, and two golden flames formed a long whip, falling into her palms.
Swish!
She swung it fiercely.
The long whip seemed to have a life of its own, winding in the air like a snake, enveloping Lin Xiu's position.
Lin Xiu burst with crackling electric light, his figure disappearing into the thunder.
Crash!
The next moment, Lin Xiu's figure revealed itself in another location.
But this distance from his previous position wasn't far at all.
Looking at the golden flames forming a net in front of him, Lin Xiu couldn't help but show a trace of dread.
After all, this was the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame, ranked fourth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking!
"Lin Xiu is blocked!"
"What kind of flame is this? It feels so terrifying."
"A 7-Star Dou Spirit! Each new generation is more monstrous than the last. Even the top figures on the Strong Ranking didn't have such terrifying power boosts from Secret Techniques."
The old students were all stunned, gaping in disbelief at the figure in the golden flames.
They had been paying attention to Xiao Yan all along, but who would have believed that this girl who always stayed by Xiao Yan's side wasn't a pushover either?
"To be defeated by Xiao Yan's hand is actually a kind of happiness," Luo Hou sighed.
He asked himself inwardly.
If he had faced Xiao Xun'er in this state just now, being able to hold on for two seconds would have been considered a success.
Originally, when everyone saw Lin Xiu display his speed, they thought he had a great chance of winning.
But now, with Xun'er going berserk, they suddenly felt it was inappropriate to draw conclusions too early.
"Lin Xiu is trapped! He seems very wary of the golden flames. He must break free, or it will be dangerous. Even for Lin Xiu, dealing with a 7-Star Dou Spirit would be quite difficult," Su Xiao worriedly remarked.
If it were him, when he had the speed advantage earlier, he would have taken the opportunity to defeat everyone else.
It would be best to knock down Xiao Yan first!
Because since the beginning of the fight, Xiao Yan had been tinkering with those two flames.
Anyone with eyes could guess it was definitely a big move.
Leng Bai pursed his lips, but he didn't immediately refute Su Xiao's point.
"Lin Xiu, it's not too late to admit defeat now. I can tell you seriously, I haven't fully mastered this flame yet. I'm not sure what consequences will arise later," Xun'er said earnestly.
Watching the figure cornered by the flames, Xun'er's expression was particularly serious.
"Do you think mere flames can make me bow down? Not you, nor Xiao Yan! The outcome of this match was decided from the start. The winner will be me, Lin Xiu!" Lin Xiu smiled faintly.
Hearing this, Xun'er shook her head slightly, no longer speaking.
As if manipulating invisible ropes with her fingers, Xun'er pulled, and the golden flame nets on both sides suddenly surged toward Lin Xiu.
"Prepare to save him! That girl's flames seem to be Heavenly Flame too!" Elder Qing's expression was unusually serious, with a hint of tension in his eyes.
Beside him, Elder Su also had a serious expression.
Even Hu Gan, with his Qi slightly turbulent, was ready to act at any moment.
The might of the Heavenly Flame was not to be underestimated!
However, in the next moment, the flames suddenly stagnated.
At this moment, thunder roared, and a bolt of lightning flashed through the flames. Lin Xiu dashed out directly from the gap.
"How could this happen?"
Xun'er's small mouth was slightly agape, her face filled with incredulity. Just now, she found herself unexpectedly losing control of the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame.
It must be noted that the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame had been imprinted by her father when she was a child, branded within her body.
No one could possibly wrest control of it!
Xun'er naturally believed her father's words. As a rare 9-Star Dou Saint on the continent, her father was already a peak figure.
The two elders and Hu Gan also flashed a hint of astonishment on their faces, never expecting Lin Xiu to escape.
And he did so in such a clean and decisive manner!
"Could it be that she still can't master the Heavenly Flame? It doesn't seem likely," Elder Qing frowned, pondering the momentary pause in the appearance of the flame net.
"No, it doesn't seem like a loss of control. It seems more like being influenced," he concluded.
Elder Su shook his head.
"Influencing flames? And it's the influence of a Heavenly Flame? Is there such an ability?"
Elder Qing looked at him, his eyes filled with astonishment and suspicion.
Elder Su frowned in thought.
"Both of you, do you remember the incident where an elder provoked the Fallen Heart Flame and ultimately got burned?" Hu Gan suddenly hinted.
Under normal circumstances, few would relate influencing flames to that incident.
But he was different.
Because Hu Gan remembered clearly that after Lin Xiu left the library, he had casually asked about the Flame Soul Separation Technique.
At that time, Hu Gan didn't say much.
After all, Lin Xiu didn't take it; he took the Starlight Body Forging Technique.
But now, from the previously used Earth Rank Dou Technique, "Surging Waves Overwhelm Heavens," Hu Gan couldn't help but connect Lin Xiu to the Flame Soul Separation Technique.
At that time, when Lin Xiu walked out of the library with red eyes and bloodshot, though it was a long time ago, Hu Gan still remembered it somewhat.
"You mean the Dou Technique called Flame Soul Separation Technique, which is said to be able to evolve?" the two elders looked at Hu Gan, asking simultaneously.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I have this speculation," Hu Gan replied with a bitter smile.
The three of them fell into contemplation, ceasing their exchange and directing their gaze toward the battlefield.
And in that moment of distraction...
Lin Xiu had already appeared in front of Xiao Xun'er.
Facing this exquisitely delicate girl, Lin Xiu showed no mercy, raising his hand and striking out with a palm.
The palm surged with Dou Qi!
"Xun'er, be careful!"
"Be careful!"
Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and the other newcomers shouted with all their might when they saw Xun'er not reacting at all.
At the critical moment, Xun'er's gaze regained its alertness, finally snapping out of her daze.
Facing Lin Xiu's approaching palm, Xun'er's fair palm traced out a small half circle in front of her.
Suddenly, golden light bloomed in her palm, her five fingers curling into a peculiar half arc.
"Returning Swallow Strike!"
Xun'er uttered a tender shout.
Returning Swallow Strike was a Black Rank High-level Dou Technique. Over the years, she had refined it to a high level, capable of reflecting the opponent's attack back at them.
At the moment of contact, Lin Xiu felt a force rushing back into his body.
Both he and Xun'er were propelled backward.
However, Lin Xiu adjusted quickly, unleashing several strands of Dou Qi in succession to counteract the force, stabilizing his stance.
On the other hand, Xun'er was not faring as well. Under the premise of using the Secret Technique, her body was already nearing its limit.
Now, being struck by Lin Xiu's overwhelming force, despite deflecting his attack back, she was still affected.
Her own aura rapidly declined, returning to her original state as a 5-Star Dou Grandmaster.
However, her Dou Qi was also somewhat disordered, and she couldn't even manage to adjust her posture.
Just as she thought she was about to fall to the ground, Xun'er suddenly felt herself being embraced. Instinctively struggling, she heard a familiar voice.
"Xun'er, you've worked hard. Leave the rest to me!" Xiao Yan cradled Xun'er as they slowly descended to the ground, one hand supporting a Fire Lotus with shades of green and purple.
"Big Brother Xiao Yan, I did my best," Xun'er whispered softly.
"I saw it," Xiao Yan smiled faintly. After releasing Xun'er, he spread his wings and flew toward Lin Xiu.
"Senior Brother Lin Xiu, this is my strongest strike. If you can withstand it, even if we, the newcomers, lose this Fire Energy Hunting Competition, we'll do so willingly." Xiao Yan spoke slowly.
"I'll make sure you all lose willingly!" Lin Xiu glanced at the Angry Buddha Lotus Flame, beckoning Xiao Yan with a finger, a hint of anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
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