The Phantom Lord Guild Headquarters stood in shambles, split in half by Su Yan's devastating attack. Inside, only six remained standing: Jose, the guild master; Gajeel, the Iron Dragon Slayer; and the Four Elements of the Phantom Lord.
Gajeel, although battered by Su Yan in their earlier encounter, had recovered quickly thanks to his Dragon Slayer physiology—a magic that fundamentally transformed the human body into a dragon-like state. But even he couldn't hide his wariness as he faced Su Yan again.
"Is this really the 'Undead Demon Emperor' of Fairy Tail?" Totomaru, the Fire Element, muttered, his voice trembling.
"Such power," Aria, the leader of the Four Elements, gasped. "This isn't just strong—it's monstrous!"
Sol of the Earth shook uncontrollably. "To think Fairy Tail hides such strength! This man is... no mere mage!"
Even Gajeel, despite his usual arrogance, had to admit the obvious. Su Yan wasn't just strong—he was beyond anything Gajeel had faced before.
Jose's face twisted in anger. He had miscalculated. Despite defeating Gajeel and a significant portion of his guild already, Su Yan's strength was still far beyond his expectations.
"Trash," Jose spat, glaring at his incapacitated guild members. "Can't even withstand a mental shock."
At the Fairy Tail Guild
"The Phantom Lord's guild is split in half!" someone exclaimed.
"As expected of Su Yan!" another cheered.
"That'll teach them not to mess with Fairy Tail!"
Despite the excitement, Su Yan shook his head. "It's not over yet. It won't be even until I've dealt with Jose."
Mira stepped forward, concern on her face. "Be careful. He's one of the Ten Wizard Saints, like the Master. He's no pushover."
Su Yan smiled, unbothered. "Don't worry. There's a difference between saints, and this one isn't much."
Without further delay, Su Yan strode confidently toward the Phantom Lord guild.
"I'm coming too!" Natsu yelled, leaping forward.
"Love!" chirped Happy, who spread his wings and carried Natsu toward the fight.
"I'm not sitting this one out!" Gray declared, following close behind.
"A man must answer the call!" Elfman roared, charging like a bear.
Confronting the Ghosts
Su Yan appeared before Jose, his steps unhurried but his presence imposing. The Four Elements and Gajeel stood on edge, their postures stiff with tension. Only Jose maintained a semblance of calm, though his eyes betrayed his unease.
"So, you're Jose?" Su Yan asked, his tone flat.
Jose smirked darkly. "And you're Makarov's lapdog. I'll admit, I underestimated you. But it's a pity your talent is wasted in that trash guild of his. Killing you will hurt Makarov more than anything."
Su Yan ignored Jose's taunts and glanced back toward Magnolia. "The old man will be here soon. Let's finish this before he arrives."
"Om—!"
Without warning, Su Yan's Conqueror's Haki erupted.
The ground beneath him cracked as his immense power rippled outward.
"Ahhhhhh!"
The Four Elements and Gajeel cried out as the pressure slammed into them. They were knocked back, their bodies hitting the ground with bone-rattling force.
Jose staggered, his feet skidding backward as the ground beneath him shattered. His expression turned from disdain to shock.
Jose's Counterattack
"Dark Spiral!"
Jose raised his hand and unleashed a spiraling wave of dark energy at Su Yan.
"Boom!"
Su Yan raised his palm and effortlessly blocked the attack.
From the side, Gajeel lunged. "Iron Dragon Club!" His arm transformed into a thick iron rod, hurtling toward Su Yan's head.
Su Yan's left hand darkened as Armament Haki coated it. He struck the iron rod with a swift punch.
"Crack!"
The iron rod splintered under the force, and Gajeel was sent flying.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Gajeel crashed through several walls before collapsing, groaning in pain.
"Gajeel!" Juvia of the Four Elements cried out, her eyes wide with worry.
She raised her hands, summoning a torrent of water. "Water Cutter!"
The high-pressure jets of water shot toward Su Yan, but they disintegrated on contact, not even scratching his skin.
"Impossible!" Juvia gasped.
Su Yan's gaze locked onto her.
"Om—!"
The oppressive force of his Haki surged again.
"No!" Juvia tried to move, but the overwhelming pressure froze her in place. She collapsed, groaning as the power washed over her.
The Fire Element's Last Stand
Totomaru, the Fire Element, saw his chance and launched his strongest attack.
"Seven-Colored Flames!"
A roaring blaze of multicolored fire surged toward Su Yan, its intense heat warping the air around it.
Su Yan scoffed.
"Om—!"
With a wave of his hand, his Conqueror's Haki formed a colossal palm that slammed into the flames.
"Boom!"
The flames dissipated instantly, unable to withstand the pressure of Su Yan's attack.
"No!" Totomaru screamed as the massive palm continued toward him.
His legs trembled as the shadow of the palm engulfed him.