"BOOM!"
The first explosion of the battle shook the ground. Xiao Yan, surrounded by blazing blue flames, struck first. He unleashed a wave of fiery energy roaring toward his opponent, creating a deafening howl of wind as the fire surged with lethal power. The sky above grew darker, as if the world itself anxiously observed this duel.
The man in black robes, unfazed, waved his hand with a casual motion. The Dark Soul Flame materialized around him, shadow-like and alive, moving with eerie agility to counter Xiao Yan's attack. When the blue flames collided with the dark shadows, an explosion of energy rippled in all directions, shattering boulders and causing the ground to quake like an earthquake.
The Dark Soul Flame moved like a giant serpent, coiling and encircling Xiao Yan, attempting to engulf him in a venomous dark cocoon. The air grew heavier, the dark energy siphoning oxygen from the surroundings, creating a suffocating atmosphere. Xiao Yan gritted his teeth, fighting back the overwhelming pressure by focusing the Flame King's power within him. The brilliant blue flames radiated heat intense enough to melt stone, forcing the dark shadows to retreat momentarily.
The man chuckled darkly, his laugh resonating like the echo of destruction. "The Ancestral Flame you possess is but a fragment of true power," he said, his glowing red eyes burning with terrifying intensity. "Darkness will consume everything, including you."
With a single leap, the man unleashed a new wave of attacks. The Dark Soul Flame transformed into sharp spears that shot toward Xiao Yan with incredible speed. The spears left trails of black smoke in the air, as if burning the very fabric of space. Xiao Yan quickly formed a barrier of blue flames, but the impact of the spears was so strong that he was pushed back several steps. His feet scraped against the ground, leaving deep grooves.
But Xiao Yan did not relent. He leaped into the air, his right hand gathering an even greater fiery force. "You're wrong to think this fire is weak!" he shouted, releasing a massive burst of flames toward the man. The wave of scorching energy vibrated the air, creating a thunderous boom like a lightning strike.
The man in black robes raised his hand, summoning a wall of dark shadows to block the attack. When the two forces collided, a massive explosion ensued, tearing the ground apart beneath them. Dust and shards of rock were thrown into the air, creating a small storm that momentarily obscured the view.
As the dust began to settle, Xiao Yan noticed something strange. The Dark Soul Flame seemed more intense, as if it was absorbing energy from the destruction around them. The man stood tall amidst the thickening shadows, a cold smile adorning his face. "This Dark Soul Flame is not merely destructive," he said. "It is regenerative. Every destruction only makes it stronger."
Xiao Yan realized he couldn't fight as he normally would. Direct attacks would only strengthen his enemy. He closed his eyes briefly, recalling the teachings of the Guardian of the Ancestral Flame: fire is not only for destruction but also for creation and protection. Taking a deep breath, he centered his thoughts, accessing the core of the Flame King's power within him.
When he opened his eyes, the blue flames surrounding him transformed. From a wild blaze, the fire now appeared as a soft, pure light, yet the energy it radiated was far more potent than before. "I will not let you win," Xiao Yan declared firmly. "This fire isn't just for fighting; it's for protecting this world from your destruction."
He raised his hands, creating a circle of blue flames around him. The circle expanded rapidly, forming an energy field that repelled the darkness. The Dark Soul Flame tried to penetrate it, but every attempt weakened and dissipated. The man looked surprised, his expression shifting from confidence to confusion.
"What are you doing?" he shouted, his voice filled with rage.
"This is the true power of the Flame King," Xiao Yan replied. "The power to balance, to create, and to protect. Your darkness cannot overcome it."
With a loud cry, Xiao Yan unleashed all the power he had gathered. The blue flames erupted in a wave of energy that swept across the battlefield, engulfing the Dark Soul Flame and forcing the man to retreat. The ground trembled violently, as if the world itself was reacting to the clash of these extraordinary forces.
When the light finally dimmed, the man in black robes staggered, his strength seemingly drained. He looked at Xiao Yan with disbelief. "Impossible... how could your power defeat me?" he murmured before collapsing to the ground, powerless.
Xiao Yan stood amidst the ruins, his breath heavy. He knew this battle was only the beginning. On the horizon, the dark clouds began to fade, but he could feel that an even greater threat awaited. Yet, with his newfound strength and unwavering determination, Xiao Yan vowed to protect this world from any darkness that might come.