5 Inferno (2/2)

”Give it up, brat. I admit you're skilled but you need 10 more years before you can challenge me”, Da Lan taunted as he perceived his victory in the near future.

Shen responded with a chuckle and a menacing grin.

[Sword B+ Upgraded to A(-2500)]

The consistent sparring and training with a.s.sa.s.sins had drastically improved his Sword skill. Going from C+ to B+ took a while so he had finally decided to use the system to gain an edge.

”I believe you mean 10 seconds”, Shen retorted before he thrust the blade towards Da Lan.

He prepared to block but Shen had already created a gash in his shoulder.

The gash was deep enough to cut bone but Lanye had been used to worse pain.

To his astonishment, Da Lan found that Shen had become more proficient in a matter of seconds. His swordplay rivaled his, reaction time surpa.s.sed his, and his sword could no longer reach him.

He literally did improve in a matter of seconds, Da Lan thought. Truly a demon.

On the battlefield, the battle soared in intensity. Da Lan's elites would decimate many of Xin's soldiers but they also would succ.u.mb to fatigue overtime. During these crucial moments, they would either be s.h.i.+elded by an ally or struck down to eternally rest.

Having decapitated another enemy, Xin rushed towards the palace. The situation was getting dire and only their General's death would demoralize them.

Unlike Shen, Da Lan did not have the advantage of Vitality and eventually ran out of stamina. Shen might've had a few bruises from before upgrading, but they were minor compared to Da Lan's.

His clothes were slightly shredded, a few severe wounds littered his body, and his breaths became irregular.

”You're good, really good. But you fought the wrong person. There's a reason the emperor didn't chase after me”, Da Lan smirked before saying, ”He thought I was dead”

He then poured the contents of the entire vial in his mouth. Both collapsed as excruciating pain racked their bodies. Even with pain reduction, Shen felt as if his his bones were being crushed. Blood began to flow from bloodshot eyes and his vision began to blur.

Da Lan laid motionless on the floor. He could be presumed dead if not for the phantom flame which started to emerge.

”HAHAHAHAH!! A MERE MORTAL CANNOT MATCH THE PHOENIX!”

He rose while enveloped in flames. Lifting his arm, he commanded the inferno to incinerate Shen.

Awaiting the pain, Shen sighed internally. He had failed this time but he would probably not get something as good as the Phoenix Heart again.

Suddenly, a shadow descended over Shen and the flames dissipated.

”Get up! I know benefactor is stronger than this”

Shen glanced up casually but was surprised to see Xin.

He had activated Tempered Skin and blocked the flames. Although dragon scales were protective, the flames eventually started to have an effect.

The scales had began to char and Shen knew that Xin was going to run out of time.

[Strength B+ Upgraded to A(-2500)]

”You're right. A mere mortal can't match the phoenix”

Xin's face contorted into one of confusion but turned into one of surprise right after.

Shen grabbed Xin and threw him across the palace and back on the battlefield. This action would've killed Xin but he had Tempered Skin activated. The force of the hurl had crushed many people and crippled Da Lan's second-in-command.

Shen rose and to Da Lan's surprise, spontaneously combusted. Two gigantic flames soared into the sky with one of a crimson color while the other being blue. The sight caused the armies to pause and stare in awe. Their General, the Phoenix had truly met his match.

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