Feng Zikang watched the emerald green flames, nodding in appreciation. "The Fire of the Love Demon, its power is truly formidable!"

He looked on at the spectacle with the delight of a craftsman admiring the perfect results of his arduous refinement. Fang Tian’s transformation into the Love Demon was utterly complete, a thoroughness that even surprised Feng Zikang himself.

"These infatuated lovers, they truly possessed genuine affection," Feng Zikang sighed faintly, recalling the image of Su Huijuan from that day.

Fang Tian had escalated matters severely this time!

Xuan Ye’s face was ashen. He had not anticipated Fang Tian’s terrifying strength. Although the outer sect disciple who had just attacked was only at the late stage of Qi Induction, he was still a disciple of a renowned sect and undoubtedly possessed several lethal techniques. Yet, he never even got the chance to strike before Fang Tian cut him down on the spot.

As a consequence, Fang Tian had undoubtedly forged an irreconcilable, deep enmity with that sect. However, since the murder occurred within the bounds of the Xuan Tian Sect, how could they avoid being held accountable? A host of troubles were now inevitable.

Yet, his immediate concern remained the present impasse. This Fang Tian had clearly not yet established his Dao Foundation, so why possessed such incredible divine abilities? That sinister, jade-green flame was horrifying; even Xuan Ye himself couldn't guarantee victory against it.

"What? Old Man Xuan, Xuan Shaoyuan? Are you scared? Where has all your former arrogance gone? Come out and fight your Grandpa, this good-for-nothing! Am I not trash? Didn't you claim you could crush me with a single finger? Where are you? Afraid to show yourselves?"

Fang Tian roared with mad laughter, and suddenly, he flicked his finger, sending another plume of green flame soaring. A Xuan Tian Sect disciple screamed, incinerated instantly, turning to ash, while countless others nearby were utterly powerless to intervene!

Xuan Ye could no longer endure it. Although he still didn't know this brat’s true origins, if this continued, even if he and his son survived the day, the foundation of the Xuan Tian Sect could not be maintained!

"Insolent fool! Come to your end by my hand!"

Xuan Ye sprang into the air. Xuan Shaoyuan tried to follow, but a sharp glare from his father forced him obediently back to the ground. The green flame was so potent that Xuan Ye himself lacked complete confidence. Sending his low-cultivation son up there would simply be suicide.

Fang Tian laughed uproariously. "Old thief, you finally come! Prepare to die!"

His body blazing with emerald flame, he transformed into a fire dragon and lunged straight toward Xuan Ye. Xuan Ye dared not meet the attack head-on; he conjured a golden shield to block the assault, but it was quickly melted by the flames. Aghast, he dared not hold back, summoning his natal magic weapon—a jade tablet—which he projected into the air, barely managing to fend off the encroaching green fire.

However, this strategy of pure defense offered no path to victory, and to all onlookers, it was the ultimate disgrace: the Sect Master of Xuan Tian Sect was cornered and rendered helpless by an unknown nobody.

Xuan Shaoyuan’s face was bloodless as he stared in disbelief at Fang Tian, who moved like a swimming dragon in the sky. "Impossible! Impossible! How can he be this powerful? We crippled him! How is this possible?"

He clearly remembered ordering men to secretly pierce several of Fang Tian’s vital acupoints, ensuring that no matter how he cultivated, his true energy would leak out faster than he could absorb it. No matter how talented Fang Tian was, he should never have been able to cultivate again, let alone reach this level! What incredible fortune had he stumbled upon?

Xuan Shaoyuan glared at the triumphant Fang Tian, his eyes filled with venomous hatred. Suddenly remembering something, he spun around and kicked Su Huijuan hard in the chest, spitting out a curse: "It's all your fault, you vile woman!"

Su Huijuan cried out and collapsed to her knees. Already pale and utterly demoralized, this blow to her heart sent her spiraling; she involuntarily vomited a mouthful of blood.

"Young Sect Master Xuan, please, let's discuss this calmly..."

Su Huijuan's father started forward to mediate but was kicked away by Xuan Shaoyuan. "You old fool aren't any better! If you hadn't birthed such a depraved daughter who seduced a lover to cause trouble, none of this would have happened!"

Su Fu was sent flying by the kick, his nose and mouth bleeding, suffering immense pain.

Just then, Su Huijuan gasped and slumped to the ground. Fang Tian let out a muffled groan, and the circling fire dragon seemed to momentarily weaken.

"An opening!"

The cunning old Xuan Ye seized the chance to counterattack, gradually forcing the battle into a stalemate!

"It's this woman!"

Xuan Shaoyuan suddenly realized that whenever he struck Su Huijuan, Fang Tian’s fire dragon attack faltered slightly. Could it be that this damned boy still held some lingering affection for Su Huijuan, a reluctance to harm her?

"Hmph, hmph! Then don't blame me for what happens next!"

Xuan Shaoyuan delivered another kick, sending Su Huijuan flying high into the air. Simultaneously, Fang Tian’s offensive slowed further, and Xuan Ye managed to strike him with a surprise blow from the jade tablet on the shoulder. Fang Tian staggered, his face turning even paler.

Believing he had found the crucial leverage, Xuan Shaoyuan laughed maniacally and grabbed Su Huijuan by her hair, hauling her up.

"Fang Tian, are you unwilling to let this slut go? If you surrender obediently, I'll release her. Otherwise, I'll slice her in half!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Tian slowly retracted the fire dragon, keeping it only as a protective barrier around himself, his expression grave as if deep in thought. Xuan Ye, seeing his son gain control of the situation, couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his brow, though he knew today's victory would depend on holding the talisman as a hostage!

"If I surrender, you will release Huijuan?" Fang Tian’s voice suddenly carried a hint of tenderness.

"Naturally."

"What if I still decide to fight?"

"Then I will kill her!" Xuan Shaoyuan thrust Su Huijuan forward, his face vicious.

Fang Tian sneered, then let out a long, mournful sigh, appearing ready to extinguish the fire dragon completely. Xuan Ye was overjoyed and