Chapter 387: Ocean of Fire

Everyone was filled with doubts as the cable car swayed its way up to the halfway point of the mountain, finally coming to a stop beside the large red sign of the Fire Holy Sanctuary.

There was no reception ceremony at the entrance; the mentor simply led the Rose group into the dormitories of the Fire Holy Sanctuary, settled them in, and informed them about meals, sightseeing, applying for hot springs, and the schedule for tomorrow’s competition before leaving with a nonchalant demeanor.

After tidying up, they went to the canteen next door for dinner. It was peak mealtime, and there were many disciples of the Fire Holy Sanctuary coming and going. Most of them just glanced at the Rose group's attire and gave them a second look, but no one came over to harass or show off.

Everything seemed calm and natural, yet it made the members of Old Wang Squad feel increasingly uneasy.

Choosing a quiet corner, they laid out their abundant and spicy dishes on the table. The red color of the food made everyone break out in a sweat, but it also whetted their appetites.

Fantasy couldn't help but swallow his saliva but didn't dare to start eating immediately. He wasn't afraid of spiciness, but he felt that today's hospitality seemed too good to be true. He whispered, "Is there any poison in this food? Like something that will make us have diarrhea and unable to get up tomorrow..."

At his words, Wu Di and Kela, who had just picked up their bowls, paused involuntarily. If that were the case, they would rather go hungry all night.

Winnie, however, had already stuffed a piece of red mountain beef into her mouth and said, "No way, the people of the Fire God aren't like that."

"What kind of people are they then?"

"Exactly what you saw today." Winnie had already eaten several pieces of delicious food, feeling both the heat and the spiciness, which made her open her mouth to pant and sweat instantly appeared on her forehead: "Let me tell you, don't judge this place by appearances. The people here are really nice, and the Fire God people are known for being straightforward. They say they never do anything underhanded..."

"Sounds good, but I don't believe it." Fantasy said skeptically: "They attacked us over the orc issue on the Holy Sanctuary's Light, but then the mentor just now said they don't discriminate against orcs. Isn't that hypocritical?"

"Who doesn't know what those declarations from the Holy Sanctuary were about?" Winnie rolled her eyes: "They were just following orders from Karida and her political rivals in the Holy Sanctuary... Not every Holy Sanctuary is as fanatical as Mangalam. Often, they can't control their actions."

Fantasy listened half-believing, half-doubting, and also put a piece of spicy mountain beef in his mouth. Living in Aurora City, Asiba usually preferred mild flavors, but since they weren't ordinary people here, their bodies could handle more than regular humans, especially young people who were always interested in various stimulating things. Although he was wincing from the spiciness, Asiba's eyes lit up: "Not bad, really fragrant!"

Winnie ignored him, while Old Wang ate leisurely and flipped through the Holy Sanctuary's Light, which was placed beside the dining table. Despite being on the magic train these past few days, they had stopped at stations along the way, and he still read the Holy Sanctuary's Light every day.

To be honest, although the overall public opinion regarding the Rose group had started to shift, the sharp voices had quieted down for a while after Wu Di's awakening. However, after a few days, the counter-attacks began to come slowly, with both sides holding their own views.

The main point is that Wang Feng is despicable and opportunistic. Although this man has considerable combat power and unique thinking, he indeed won the admiration of many Spirit Beast masters for a few days. However, after several days of failed imitation, it became clear that his methods were not replicable, so naturally, there was nothing worth praising anymore.

Humans have a peculiar commonality: as long as I can use it, no matter how bad it is, I can still say it’s good; but anything I can’t use, no matter how good it is, is just garbage!

With the backlash from the conservatives and the silence or even deliberate defamation of those who once praised Wang Feng, Old Wang found himself back at the center of criticism for being despicable and shameless. Moreover, regarding Wang Feng’s tactics, many people in the Holy Sanctuary's Light expressed their opinions and proposed various counter-strategies, speaking with great confidence, which instantly stripped the Ice Bee of its mysterious allure. After analyzing his combat abilities, they turned to attacking his personal character, directly targeting Mapeier, the big-chested girl who openly massaged Wang Feng’s legs and back in the Beast Holy Sanctuary!

What a joke, an elite of the Judgment Holy Sanctuary and a dark horse in the Dragon City Illusion, she’s just a little maid by the side of that lecherous man. And Wang Feng, on the path of becoming more despicable, immoral, and lecherous, has no way back!

Moreover, whether one was optimistic or pessimistic about Rose, there was a common target of praise—Winnie Lee. Both sides spared no effort in praising her, believing that Rose’s victory was entirely due to Winnie Lee’s leadership. The ninth miss of the Li family, who came from the ‘Liqibao Witchcraft,’ suddenly became a dazzling and influential new star in the League of Blades, even showing signs of challenging Ye Dun for the position of young leader.

Additionally, there was a completely consistent phenomenon regarding Wu Di’s awakening.

It seems someone put pressure on the Holy Sanctuary's Light, as all news about Wu Di’s awakening disappeared from the Holy Sanctuary's Light. If you wanted to praise Rose for cultivating a beastman, sorry, no publication!

“Once they’re slapped in the face, they just disappear, cowards! These Holy Sanctuaries are all the same!” Winnie said with disdain: “It must be the old stubborn ones in the Holy Sanctuary.”

Old Wang smiled. Most of the time, Winnie only saw the surface. In fact, if it were confirmed that Rose had a method to awaken beastmen, the implications would be too broad. This wouldn’t just be about the face of a few Holy Sanctuaries. Whether conservative or progressive, neither side would want the Holy Sanctuary's Light to widely report on this matter right now.

“Stop blabbering and eat quickly,” Old Wang said indifferently: “I’ve booked a hot spring here. We’ll go soak after dinner! Mixed bathing, of course!”

Everyone was taken aback. Wu Di looked dazed, Mapeier smiled and nodded, Kela coughed lightly, but the fearless Winnie turned bright red. She couldn’t help but glance at Kela’s full chest, feeling a bit uncomfortable, but then she looked at Mapeier’s...

Winnie couldn’t hold it in: “I didn’t bring a swimsuit!”

“What do you need a swimsuit for a hot spring?” Wang Feng said lazily: “Are you afraid, or do you have some strange thoughts about me, Winnie? So shy... Don’t worry, I checked the environment, it’s foggy, you can’t even see faces clearly.”

“Pah! You!” Winnie’s face turned bright red, but hearing that even faces couldn’t be seen clearly, it seemed somewhat acceptable: “Soak we will, who’s afraid of who!”

Kela also heaved a quiet sigh of relief, but beside her, Asiba was in agony.

"Damn it, everyone soaking in the hot springs together? Ah Feng, you should have said that earlier!" Asiba's lips were almost swollen from the spiciness. He rested one hand on the table and clutched his sore bottom, groaning, "Now I believe the Fire Holy Sanctuary didn't poison the food. What kind of poison do they need to use when I can just sleep in the bathroom tonight!"

The mixed bathing that evening left Asiba deeply disappointed. He had come with a full stomach, only to find that the two hot spring pools were strictly separated. The so-called 'mixed' bathing merely meant that the natural water flowed between the two pools.

Looking at the thick wall and hearing the tinkling laughter of Winnie, Kela, and others from the other side, Asiba's impression of the Fire Holy Sanctuary worsened even more!

Everyone in Old Wang Squad was like family, and Asiba wasn't expecting anything to happen, but what about the basic trust between people? Where had it gone? The claim that the people of the Fire Holy Sanctuary were straightforward seemed entirely false. Even a mixed bath couldn't be properly mixed; it was no different from selling dog meat under the sign of a sheep!

Amidst Asiba's deep resentment, Old Wang Squad welcomed their third challenge in the eighth round.

The arena was just an ordinary combat ground of the Fire Holy Sanctuary, oval-shaped and open-air, not very large but capable of holding two to three thousand people. It was the main venue for various internal competitions and activities held by the Fire Holy Sanctuary.

When Old Wang and the others arrived, the arena was already packed with people, and more disciples of the Fire Holy Sanctuary were still entering. By the time they stepped inside, the place was teeming with spectators.

The stands were a sea of 'fire,' with the uniform, exquisite fire patterns on the red uniforms creating a stunning effect. Each one seemed to emit a faint glow as if real flames were dancing on them. When two to three thousand disciples sat together, the entire stand appeared to be ablaze, with the intense fire elements permeating every corner of the venue. The temperature was higher than the already scorching outside, making it feel as though a box of matches would spontaneously ignite if dropped on the ground.

The pervasive fire elements clearly favored the fire witches, much like how ice witches could perform beyond their usual level in the Ice Spirit Kingdom. The Fire Holy Sanctuary had already gained a significant geographical advantage before the match even began.

"I told you these people of the Fire Holy Sanctuary were deceitful and not straightforward, with ulterior motives, but you didn't believe me!" Asiba said agitatedly, still upset over the mixed bathing incident from the previous night. It was a sham, a false sanctuary!

"Calm down," Old Wang chuckled, "It's just their home-field advantage."

Winnie's face, however, was filled with excitement: "Who says? I use fire too, so this is my home field as well!"

As they entered the arena, a gentle voice announced with a smile: "The challengers have entered, from the Rose Holy Sanctuary, Old Wang Squad!"

The speaker was a beautiful senior disciple standing in the center of the arena, her voice clear and bright. She wore a short, fiery-patterned outfit that exposed her navel and long, shapely legs, topped with a small sun hat, looking refreshingly sexy.

Such attire is quite common in Fire Mountain. When they entered the city yesterday, Kela and the others were mostly admiring the unique architecture and mountain scenery, while Fantasi couldn't take his eyes off the people... Ever since he broke up with Rachel, this guy has been completely unrestrained, genuinely fond of Famier, yet his eyes still wander freely. As he puts it, this is called being a playboy without being vulgar. Old Wang, however, seriously doubts whether this golden phrase was stolen from his own sleep-talk.

"Captain of the Old Wang Squad, Wang Feng..." The cool and fiery little senior sister introduced the members of the Old Wang Squad, and the buzzing noise in the stands immediately diminished. One pair of eyes after another turned to look at Wang Feng and his team, their gazes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

There was no applause, but as challengers who came to disrupt the event, the lack of loud disturbances, insults, or booing was already quite surprising.

"There must be a conspiracy! Or they're just pretending!" Fantasi, still harboring resentment over yesterday's spicy food, gritted his teeth and said, "Just wait and see. Once we beat them, these fake prudes will surely change their faces, revealing their true colors!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the introduction of the Old Wang Squad was complete. The beautiful little senior sister then changed her tone from gentle to passionate, exclaiming, "Next, please welcome our star captain, the most handsome brother Varaloka!"

Rustling...

With Varaloka's entrance, all two to three thousand disciples in the stands stood up in unison. The uniformity of their actions reminded Old Wang vaguely of a scene where 'the evil god is respectfully welcomed.'

"Heaven-granted divine fire, burning away the world's filth, refining my mortal body, forging my divine armor, victory for the Fire God!"

"Honor the invincible war god, Brother Varaloka!"

After the uniform chants, thunderous applause followed. Not only the disciples in the stands, but even the alluring senior sister instantly turned into a fan girl, her eyes shining as she watched Varaloka lead the way into the arena.

Six members of the Fire God Squad steadily walked in from the back.

The leader, carrying a long sword, had a moderate build, sharp eyebrows, and a calm expression. He was none other than the Flame Demon Master Varaloka Kevin, the captain of the Fire Holy Sanctuary, ranked twenty-ninth individually in Dragon City. His nickname, which sounds like a profession, comes from his dual cultivation in soul and martial arts.

Varaloka became famous for his soul beast at a young age. When he was only five or six years old, his family spent a great deal to buy a spot at Vern's 'Pairing Festival.' At that festival, the young Varaloka directly claimed one of the two ghost-level potential soul beasts, thus gaining fame. After several years of seclusion in the Fire Holy Sanctuary, he gained renown in martial arts during the last two Hero Tournaments, undefeated with his flaming sword, and was hailed as one of the dark horses most likely to challenge the top ten. Unfortunately, due to the Fire Holy Sanctuary's overall strength failing to break through its limits, they were eliminated in the round of sixteen in both tournaments, depriving him of the chance to challenge top-tier warriors, and preventing his ranking in the Holy Sanctuary from rising.

This time, during the Dragon City Illusion Journey, he was among the few who emerged unscathed and independently defeated a genuine strong opponent ranked within the top hundred at the Nine Divine War Academy. Although this achievement pales in comparison to the insane records set by Hei Wukai and Wang Feng, it is still incredibly impressive across the entire Holy Sanctuary.

It's worth noting that he also comes from a very powerful family, the Kevin Family, which actually controls the Fire Holy Sanctuary, similar to the relationship between the Rose and Lei families in Aurora City.

A true rich and handsome man, a disciple of a prominent family, under his presence, the other members of the Fire God Team seemed somewhat overshadowed.

Amidst the cheers of the Fire Holy Sanctuary disciples and the admiring gaze of the young referee, Varaloka seemed to be well accustomed to all this. He walked straight up to Wang Feng and extended his left hand: "Captain Wang Feng, I have heard much about you."

Meeting someone polite for the first time, Old Wang shook hands with him and said with a smile: "No need to be too formal, otherwise, I'll feel bad about beating you guys later."

"We'll see if you have what it takes." Varaloka smiled slightly, not engaging in verbal sparring, but simply said: "Let's begin."

A straightforward person, Old Wang smiled: "Fantasy!"

The Fire Holy Sanctuary's data had been studied beforehand. To be honest, apart from Varaloka, the other regular main players from previous Hero Tournaments were only at an ordinary elite level—neither weak nor particularly strong, ranking around four hundred in Dragon City. Compared to Rose's current strength, everyone felt this might be the easiest match.

"Watch me!" Ashiba jumped out with a loud thud. During the Beast Holy Sanctuary match, he was benched by Feng, and he had been itching to get into action. This first victory was his to take, to make a name for himself and to avenge the emotional deception from yesterday's mixed bath!

Varaloka casually pointed: "Shin Kyung."

Behind him, a man in a leather jacket stepped forward. Shin Kyung, a seasoned player from Fire God Mountain, came from a family with considerable power and influence in the region. However, Shin Kyung's own strength was not particularly outstanding. Nevertheless, his moderate build, handsome features, and flowing middle part hairstyle made him a classic pretty boy, quite famous among women in past Hero Tournaments.

At this moment, both sides had moved back to clear the arena, and Fantasy narrowed his eyes as he sized up his opponent.

Fantasy had read his profile and had seen him in Dragon City before. To be honest, with a ranking over four hundred, this pretty boy was no match for the current him. Moreover, it seemed that he had injured his right hand in Dragon City, which was now heavily bandaged. How could a martial artist fight with an injured right hand?

Ashiba was a bit disappointed. Mangalam had just toyed with a weakling; was he going to do the same? Or worse, toy with an injured weakling! Life was truly as lonely as snow; couldn't they send a stronger opponent?

Boom!

Fantasy's entire aura surged, and the enhanced Tiger Peak aura suddenly pressed down on his opponent. His eyes were like lightning, and even without transforming, there was a faint tiger roar-like presence about him. The powerful aura was like a strong wind, making the opponent's clothes flutter dramatically, swaying in the breeze.

Since awakening the Tai Chi Tiger, Ashiba's demeanor had improved significantly, firmly grasping the essence of confidence. This stemmed partly from his strength and partly from his self-assurance.

The disparity in strength was evident to the naked eye, yet no one on the Huoshenshan team was moved. Captain Varaloka remained unperturbed, while his opponent, Rengei Shiba, merely smiled.

He did not channel his soul power to unleash an aura to counter Fantasi; instead, he calmly and slowly unwrapped the long bandages around his palm.

"Underestimating your opponents was the mistake made by Yushou and Mangalam, which is why you won. But now, it's your turn to make a mistake," Rengei Shiba said quietly. "It's not only you who can transcend in Dragon City; we can too!"

As the outer layers of the bandage were removed, it became clear that there were over a dozen layers. With the outer concealing bandages undone, the inner layers were no longer plain white but inscribed with intricate, pale golden runes.

"A seal?" Old Wang squinted his eyes, sensing that as the pale golden rune bandages were opened, a spark seemed to ignite and rapidly grow stronger on the field.

Boom~~

When the bandages were completely removed, a blazing red flame suddenly appeared in his raised right palm.

Fantasi was taken aback.

A wizard? Isn't this guy a martial artist?

"The Rengei family has been one of the strongest in Huoshenshan since ancient times," Rengei Shiba's aura was rapidly rising. The flame in his palm grew hotter, emitting a bright light, making him seem more vibrant. "In my generation, I failed to awaken the Rengei power for a long time, which once troubled me greatly. But the journey to Dragon City awakened me!"

Snap!

The flame in his hand had reached its peak brilliance when he suddenly clenched his fist tightly. The intense light dissipated, and the burning flame seemed to be absorbed into his body through his palm.

Boom!!

In that instant, his pores opened wide, and a fierce stream of flames erupted from every pore and limb, engulfing his body, transforming him into a man of fire!

Only then did everyone notice that the 'leather jacket' he wore was specially made, resistant to fire, and even emitted a faint glow, enhancing his fiery power even further.

"And you!" Raging flames enveloped Rekka Shiba, his eyes wild with fury. His right leg bent slightly as he roared excitedly, "Will be the first opponent to test my Rekka power!"

*Bang!*

He kicked off suddenly, hurtling towards Fantasi like a blazing fireball.

Fantasi’s eyes narrowed slightly, but instead of fear, there was joy. Over the past two days, the Holy Sanctuary's Light had been evaluating Wang Feng, Winnie, and even Wu Di before, yet not a single word about him. He had won a match too, so why the silence? It was because his opponent was too weak! But now, this Flame Battle Mage who had broken through his shackles was no pushover. The intense heat from the oncoming flames alone brought a powerful sense of pressure, which only made Fantasi more excited. His earlier anxiousness vanished, and his fighting spirit awakened in an instant.

*Bang!*

The invisible aura around him changed in that moment.

The Tai Chi Tiger has two states; the ultimate state is transformation, but even in its normal state before transformation, it can awaken the Tai Chi Tiger will.

At this moment, Fantasi’s hair and beard stood on end, his bright eyes narrowing to slits, much like those of a feline. His mental willpower became exceptionally strong in that instant.

Though the opponent’s speed was fast, to Fantasi, it seemed almost in slow motion. Of course, his own movements had also slowed, but this slower pace was precisely what suited Fantasi best.

Without needing to think, Fantasi took a slight step back with his left leg. Rekka Shiba’s burning fist grazed his chest, hot and searing, but under the protection of his abundant soul power, the impact was negligible.

Fantasi raised his left arm, deflecting Rekka Shiba’s right jab. However, at the same time, a burning sensation spread across his abdomen. True to his martial arts background, as his right arm was deflected, Rekka Shiba’s body spun, and his left hook came up fiercely from below.

The left fist was now ablaze, the gathered flames forming the shape of a snake.

Snake’s Kiss!

The intense fire energy converged, making Fantasi feel as if his entire crotch was about to catch fire. The opponent’s combo was too fast. Fantasi drew a deep breath, and his plump belly suddenly tightened, moving in sync with his defensive stance, allowing the inevitable punch to graze past his skin.