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Boom!
The small black thunder flame struck like lightning. It entered Ye Lin’s flames then exploded into nothing.
Yet it just kept on going, right for Ye Lin!
[What?! A mere thunder flame is so strong?]
Squinting, Ye Lin now witnessed its power while also feeding his fears. That thing was incredibly deadly, no matter how tiny it looked.
Ye Lin backed away, now soaked in sweat. He rushed to make signs and ignite his soul to bolster the golden flame around him. He formed around himself a dazzling barrier of flames which made him very pale.
He knew better than anyone just how powerful his flames were. Even so, he knew the tiny thunder flame had to be even worse.
Ye Lin gnashed his teeth, but his body kept on shaking.
Wu Qingqiu was filled with worry. It was the first time he saw his prideful junior brother so afraid…
Exalted Bai Mei was stupefied as the flames were gone in a blink. The thunder flame was even stronger than he thought.
The black flame shouldn’t have been able to do that, since the golden flames were unleashed through Ye Lin’s burning of his soul. It’s power was just short of blowing one’s soul up. Yet even so, it still did it.
[Thank god, that old timer is going, or Ye Lin might be a goner.]
Seeing the black thunder flame shot forward, Exalted Bai Mei gasped.
The audience was simply slack jawed. None saw Zhuo Fan’s comeback to be so utterly overwhelming. He didn’t just turn the tables, he even forced the enemy to face death.
It was only made more apparent after Zhuo Fan and Qiao’er barely managed to stop the attack last time.
Wen Tao was dumbfounded and sighed, “Tianshang, I think I get what you mean. Brother Zhuo isn’t one to be messed with. I never thought that angering him would result in taking out that deadly thing. I bet Ye Lin must be feeling the worst right now. He’s facing something that shirked off his attack that he burned his soul to unleash!”
“Ugh… I didn’t know he was hiding this either…”
Xie Tianshang shook his head, “Zhuo Fan’s bag of tricks is bottomless. No one ever knows what his final ace is. All the mystery revolving around him is what makes everyone fear him. Only when fighting him for real, will people feel true terror.”
Wen Tao gave him a look and then nodded.
Ye Lin’s devotion to his path was strong, but even deadlier was Zhuo Fan, who had endless tricks up his sleeves.
[Then the outcome…]
Whoosh!
A crisp sound entered the people’s ears and the thunder flame was right at Ye Lin, cracking space on its way.
Zhuo Fan stared with a smile. The people were tense and excited. Exalted Bai Mei was frowning in worry.
[What’s taking that old coot so long?]
But no one was more frantic than Ye Lin, having to face the thunder flame.
His face hardened and his brow knitted as his hands made a sign, shaking as he stared at the deadly thunder flame.
The golden flame around him was everything he had put out. All his power was now on display, focused on defense.
He had given all he had and now he was pale. Yet even this was of no comfort to him, feeling not even this was enough in this matter of life and death.
But that was all he could muster.
The two thus unleashed their very last drop of power, the outcome about to be decided in this final clash.
The two looked grave, waiting for this to end.
Whoosh~
The black thunder flame finally struck Ye Lin’s flaming defense.
Ye Lin’s heart tightened and the golden flames erupted. The audience looked on, tense.
Zhuo Fan’s face fell as he glanced at the unconscious Qiao’er, waiting for the finale…
Bam!
The loud explosion destroyed Ye Lin’s wall. He shook from the blow and spat out blood, but kept his fearful eyes forward.
The black thunder flame snake was coming for him.
[I’m done for…]
Ye Lin felt crushed in the face of such terrible power.
“Junior brother!”
Wu Qingqiu cried out, without any use. He wouldn’t be able to help even if he got there.
The others looked on tense. Exalted Bai Mei frowned harder.
Only Zhuo Fan had on an evil smirk, his eyes glinting with joy.
[That’s what you get for harming my daughter, you prick!]
“Seizing Dragon Claw!”
An aged voice gave signal to the appearance of a faint dragon claw, grabbing the thunder flame snake and stopping it from skewering Ye Lin.
The thunder flame halted on the spot and Ye Lin could breathe easy at long last.
[I’m saved!]
Zhuo Fan frowned and saw an old man approaching.
The people looked on in shock.
[What’s Exalted Hei Ran doing there?]
Then it was made obvious as he saved Ye Ling.
[Ye Lin must be somebody to get an Exalted to save him.]
Exalted Bai Mei eased a breath at Exalted Hei Ran’s success.
[Thank god he made it, or Zhuo Fan would’ve finished Ye Lin off.]
“What’s the meaning of this, Exalted Hei Ran? Is the time up yet?” Zhuo Fan glared at the old man in a foul mood.
Exalted Hei Ran shook his head, “Kid, the outcome is obvious. What does it matter now?”
“Double Dragon Gathering has rules. Unless one side admits defeat or is crushed can the other win. Exalted should be more clear on this than me!” Zhuo Fan huffed, “Exalted, the western lands are watching. You can’t go about doing what you will, you’ll damage Double Dragon Manor’s name…”
Exalted Hei Ran’s face twitched.
[The brat is so stubborn. I get you want Ye Lin’s head on a platter but must you mock me with the competition?]
Exalted Hei Ran knew Zhuo Fan’s anger came from his hurt spirit animal. He would need to be diplomatic in this if he wanted to appease him. So he gave Ye Lin a look.
[Call it quits already, boy. Face the facts. Besides, you already won by getting saved.]
Getting his hint, Ye Lin turned to Zhuo Fan yet he couldn’t for the life of him open his mouth. As a sacred beast inheritor, there were no quitters, only dead ones who lost.
The golden flames around Ye Lin were still shielding him, his eyes still thirsting for battle.
Exalted Hei Ran sighed.
[Pigheaded!]
A bang sounded just then and Exalted Hei Ran’s claw made the thunder flame snake explode.
The thunder flame snake was soon reduced to nothing, yet a sliver of black slipped through, shooting for Ye Lin.
It entered his body in that instant.
Explosions came one after another, followed by flashes of lightning. After a long torrent of blood was spewed out, Ye Lin looked on with wide and incredulous eyes as he feebly said, “That thing is… brutal. I can’t fight it even if I stake my life. Master… I lost!”
Plop!
Ye Lin fell in his own blood, shocking everyone. Exalted Hei Ran’s hand shook, his face a mask of shock.
Even though it was under his control, a bit escaped and entered Ye Lin.
[What is that thing?]
Exalted Hei Ran glanced at Zhuo Fan in fear…
