The ground trembled beneath the Abyssal Venommaw Beast's steps. Its obsidian scales gleamed under the filtered sunlight, each movement sending venomous mist rolling out like a death fog. Its violet eyes never left Tianyan, as if sensing a danger far beyond the realm of comprehension.
Tianyan didn't flinch.
He stepped forward, the half-manifested blade of the Primordial Dragonflame Sword flickering in his grip. His azure flame pulsed faintly, illuminating the poisonous air with divine heat.
Without warning, the beast attacked.
Its tail lashed through the air, a blur of destruction. Tianyan's body twisted just in time—dodging it by a hair's breadth. The force of the strike shattered the stone platform behind him, debris flying into the woods like shrapnel.
Tianyan raised his hand and unleashed a burst of azure fire.
The flame met the mist.
Hissssss.
The fire burned through the poison—but not fast enough. Some of the black mist still slipped past and brushed Tianyan's shoulder. His robes corroded instantly. Pain flared.
"Venom… this concentrated?" he muttered, gritting his teeth.
The beast charged.
Its claws raked down with brutal force. Tianyan caught the blow with his forearm, azure fire wrapping around his limbs in defense, but even that wasn't enough. He was thrown backward, crashing into a boulder and spitting blood.
"Your flame's not ready yet," the Azureflame Dragon said within his soul. "But if you delay, you'll die."
Tianyan didn't argue.
The beast came again.
Its fangs snapped down, aiming for his chest. Tianyan rolled aside, dragging the tip of his flaming blade across its flank. The flame bit deep into its flesh—yet it roared and fought harder, as if the pain only enraged it more.
Black blood splattered the ground, boiling everything it touched.
The dragon within spoke again, sharper now.
"Let me lend you my essence flame. Once. But beware—it'll burn you as well."
"I accept," Tianyan whispered.
A sudden surge of heat erupted within his core.
His azure flame blazed to life—brighter, deeper, purer.
The Primordial Dragonflame Sword fully manifested, its body wrapped in nine tiny flame strands, only one of which glowed brightly. The pressure shifted. The trees trembled. Even the core disciples fighting the other beasts turned to look.
Chen Xuanming's eyes narrowed. "That flame…"
But Tianyan had no time to explain.
He dashed forward, his sword cleaving through the black mist like divine fire. The Venommaw Beast recoiled, roaring, but Tianyan was relentless. Slash after slash cut deep into its hide, burning through the venomous aura.
Then—
The beast opened its mouth wide.
A beam of black energy condensed in its throat. It launched forward like a cannon.
Tianyan's eyes widened. He crossed his arms, flame swirling to form a barrier.
The blast struck.
The ground exploded beneath him. The protective flame shattered, and his body was sent flying, blood trailing through the air.
He hit the earth hard, coughing violently.
His entire right arm was scorched. His robes hung in tatters. His skin was burned in places, and dark veins had begun to spread from a poisoned scratch near his shoulder.
"I can't take another hit," he muttered.
But the beast was wounded too.
Its chest bled heavily, and its movements slowed. The azure flames were eating away at its resistance.
And then…
Tianyan closed his eyes.
He called upon his bloodline.
Inside his soul, the Azureflame Dragon roared.
A phantom dragon shadow formed behind him, vast and coiled, eyes burning with primal light. The pressure of the ancient dragon bloodline descended on the forest.
The Venommaw Beast halted.
Its body trembled.
Then, it lowered its head.
The killing intent in its eyes wavered.
"Now," Tianyan whispered.
He raised his hand, flames spinning around his blade.
Dragonflame Sword – Heavenpiercing Slash!
The final strike came down like a falling star.
The sword cleaved through the beast's skull, severing its soul.
The Abyssal Venommaw Beast let out a final, pitiful cry—and collapsed.
The mist dispersed.
The forest was still again.
Tianyan stumbled back, knees giving out. He fell to the ground, panting, covered in blood and burns. Poison still coursed through parts of his body, but his flame slowly began purging it.
The core disciples hurried over, shocked.
Chen Xuanming looked down at the corpse, then at Tianyan.
"You… did this alone?"
Tianyan didn't respond. He simply stared up at the sky, the shadow of the dragon behind him slowly fading.
In that moment, even the heavens seemed to grow quiet