The Steward Demonic Emperor

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[If I knew it was going to be like this, I'd have used that tie-breaker. Though I've just learned it and it's still dangerous.]

It was not only dangerous for himself, but for the enemy as well.

[Am I seeking stability too much?]

Seeing the flames right on top of him, Zhuo Fan was filled with regret. Why couldn't he have done like Ye Lin did, and risk his life to unleash all he had?

Alas, it was already too late to do anything…

Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Fan finally decided to face the golden flames head on. He sent the Vaulting Dragon King to coil around him and wrap him in thick azure flames.

This was his last chance, to use the azure flame's quality as a mediator between yin and yang to subdue the golden flame's brutality. But with how the azure flame and golden flame engender each other, it might combine with the golden flame. He had to first wear it down or with how strong the golden flame was, it would simply scatter his aside.

The crux was, after the azure flame was blown away, all that was left was his defenseless dragon soul. This was his last defense. Afterward, his soul might perish.

Outside of using the azure dragon, he had no other way.

That was why he was finally giving his all in this fight.

Frowning, Zhuo Fan glared at the dazzling flames. As they drew closer, his sweat kept pouring out. He offered one last prayer of hope.

[Let this be enough.]

Ye Lin looked on coldly as he gasped, "It's no use. I burned my own soul to unleash this Decimating Golden Flame. A half baked sacred beast inheritor like you stands no chance. Farewell, my fated adversary…"

Bam!

The flames slammed into the azure dragon at last. The powerful force made the dragon shake and howl in pain.

Zhuo Fan's mind was overcome with pain as well. It felt like his head was exploding from the thousands of blades sinking into it. But he held on still. He had the azure flame face the incoming attack, wanting to submerge the golden flames in an ocean of azure.

He had no chance. The long stream of scorching flames was like a needle, piercing the azure flame sea. Even as they touched, the azure flame offered no resistance.

He was lucky enough if his own power wasn't worn out instead.

He had never imagined that Ye Lin's attack would be condensed to such a degree. It was so strong that his last ditch effort was useless.

The azure flame had no way of chipping away at the attack, not a damn use it had. Going at it with such a defense was practically suicide.

If he had known, he would have done that. That was what he should've done from the start…

Suddenly, Zhuo Fan's body shook from endless despair and regret. Unfortunately, it was too late to come out of this one.

Hu~

As the golden flames came closer, a burning storm swept the entire body of the azure dragon and immediately removed its flames.

Before the golden flames reached it, its heat was constantly burning the dragon soul. Zhuo Fan's head was boiling as he spat out crimson blood.

[It's over!]

Once the flames entered the dragon soul, he was a goner.

He had been aware of Ye Lin's power but it seemed that he still underestimated his opponent. Even if he wanted to use a real desperate move now, it was far too late.

This fight was going to take his life away.

Letting out a long breath, Zhuo Fan was overcome with regret. Chu Qingcheng was distraught, her eyes tearing over.

Xuan Shaoyu snickered all the while at his misfortune.

The Exalted Double Dragons were just about to put an end to this fight.

However, a cry pierced everyone's ears. They all saw as purple lightning flickered and a familiar figure floated in front of the dragon soul.

Zhuo Fan squinted and he saw the tens of meters of a big purple bird, Qiao'er.

Did he not tell her to stay clear?

[Why…]

Qiao'er faced the golden flames coming at the azure dragon without remorse.

"Wait, Qiao'er…" Finally dawning on him, Zhuo Fan shouted. But Qiao'er, streaked with purple lightning, had already met the golden flames.

The purple lightning and the golden flames were brutal powers between heaven and earth and as they clashed, it was almost like a resonance, issuing endless explosions.

Maybe Qiao'er had used every ounce of purple lightning she had as the golden flames were stopped.

Even though the mighty flames were stopped, its power was still incredible. The golden flames swallowed Qiao'er in its searing heat, even as her eyes were stubbornly holding on, using every drop of energy she had, even willing to use her life just to stop the flames.

In the clashes between the purple lightning and golden flames, the flames were subsiding, seen with the naked eye.

The purple lightning was like a chisel, chipping away at its power. The golden flame was like a viper, tearing at Qiao'er at every chance it got, burning her plumes.

She did not care, holding on with all she had to crush the golden flames.

Zhuo Fan's heart was in pain. He knew now that Qiao'er was sacrificing herself for his sake.

Finally, the golden flames made a last bang as they dissipated. Qiao'er was now burned all over, the purple flickering on her body long since exhausted. She just plopped on the ground powerlessly.

Zhuo Fan shook all over as he took one hard step after another closer to her. Chu Qingcheng held her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears. "Thank you, Qiao'er…"

"Such a protective spirit animal." Wen Tao sighed.

Xie Tianshang was the most familiar with Zhuo Fan and sighed as well, "Zhuo Fan raised this spiritual beast as his daughter."

"I see. No wonder she's so loyal." Wen Tao gave Qiao'er a long look of admiration.

Xie Tianshang shook his head, "Senior brother, you didn't understand me. I mean to say that now that Zhuo Fan's daughter, Qiao'er, lays dead, he will be truly enraged. The last time that happened, he ate his enemy alive. Just thinking about it gives me the chills."

"But, can he even do it? Ye Lin's power…" Wen Tao frowned.

Xie Tianshang smiled with a shake of his head. "In the Esoteric Debate, he wasn't that guy's match either. Trust me when I say this, those that he wants dead have no chance of living."

Wen Tao's heart shook in shock and looked at Zhuo Fan with a grave face.

"Foolish girl, didn't I tell you to run? Now that you're so big, you won't listen to your dad?"

Slowly walking to Qiao'er, Zhuo Fan bent down, caressing the sizzling body, burned by the golden flames. He felt one last trace of energy in her and rushed to take out a pill to give her, smiling calmly.

Yet that calm hid a dreadful bloodlust. After they heard his words, they all shivered to their bones.

Ye Lin panted from that heavy exertion and shouted, "Zhuo Fan, your spirit animal had saved you from death. But it's only a matter of time now. It shows that I will win by staking it all. While you, who don't have such power, will lose!"

Ye Lin was once again making signs, gathering the same power he used before to unleash it again.

"Wait, junior brother, he doesn't have the spirit animal's help now. You don't have to go that far!" Wu Qingqiu cried out.

Ye Lin didn't even hear him as he kept going, even as his breath grew heavier and face paler.

There wasn't much time and Zhuo Fan was beyond cunning. He wanted to win and that meant he had to use all he had to destroy his opponent and leave no room for error.

This was his beast path. Victory above all else!

Tightening his fists, Zhuo Fan stood up and gnashed his teeth with bloodshot eyes, "You want to stake it all? Ha-ha-ha, you asked for it!"