"Heh, it seems you are truly determined to walk the path of stubborn delusion. Very well, in that case, this humble Daoist shall see just how much you have improved over these years!" Hearing Zhu Rong's lukewarm words, Lu Ya offered a faint smile but said no more. Instead, he took a decisive step forward, walking directly into the center of the Twelve Sky Witches Annihilation Grand Array. Lu Ya was formed from the very first wisp of Li Huo (Separation Fire) between heaven and earth, arguably the true progenitor of all fire. Long ago, Zhu Rong had drawn Li Huo into his body in pursuit of formidable power, eventually achieving his Fire God physique, which meant Lu Ya could be considered his half-teacher.

To see Lu Ya enter the Twelve Sky Witches Annihilation Grand Array without the slightest hesitation stunned everyone present. Was he truly that confident in himself? The Twelve Sky Witches, all at the Yu-level, though lacking that final step, formed an array capable of obliterating any existence surpassing the U-level. Was he not concerned in the least? As Lu Ya stepped into the array, the man radiating a chilling aura made a single gesture, summoning the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls and the Purple-Gold Alms Bowl into his hands. With a mere brush, the restrictions inscribed upon both the pearls and the bowl were utterly pulverized, and a single imprint surged into the artifacts. The instantaneous refining of these treasures startled the onlookers, even causing Yang Jian beside them to feel a pang of surprise. Just who was this individual?

However, the Kongtong Seal and the Five Directions Divine Banners still hovered in the sky. These treasures were forged by the great deity Fuxi, and no one had dared to seize them. Lu Ya made no move, and naturally, Yang Jian would not either. The chillingly cold man also seemed hesitant. As for Jiu Feng and the others, though they longed to possess the banners, the current situation afforded them no opportunity. Seeing Lu Ya enter the array, Jiu Feng and the others showed no sign of elation; instead, their faces were etched with worry. They knew Lu Ya was no fool; his daring to enter the array proved he possessed sufficient confidence to shatter it. Zhu Rong’s figure materialized before Lu Ya. He stood with two fire dragons beneath his feet, his body covered in fiery red scales, layer upon layer of flame igniting around him, while the others completely vanished into the void, poised to deliver their strongest possible attack.

"Heh heh, Chongli, strike as you will. Whether you acknowledge me as your master or not, you are still my most exceptional disciple, my only disciple. I truly wish to see what level of attainment you have managed to cultivate..." Facing Zhu Rong’s towering true form, the oppressive aura of the Grand Array, and the other Sky Witches hidden in the void ready to strike, Lu Ya’s smile remained utterly composed. Seeing the supremely confident Lu Ya before him, Zhu Rong knew that any attack relying on flame would be futile against him; his only chance lay in his own absolute physical prowess. "Go..." A soft hum escaped his lips, and the two fire dragons beneath Zhu Rong’s feet lunged forward, roaring as they transformed into two colossal dragons hurtling towards Lu Ya.

Facing the charging fire dragons, Lu Ya merely offered a faint smile: "Chongli, have you forgotten that I personally captured and presented these two fire dragons to you back then?" As he spoke, Lu Ya pointed a single finger. A flash of crimson light erupted, and the two fire dragons shrieked in agony, their bodies dissolving into scattered flames that scattered outwards, incapable of inflicting even the slightest harm. It was at this precise moment that Zhu Rong’s massive body closed the distance, raising his colossal fist to smash directly into Lu Ya’s heart. The punch came with terrifying suddenness; an ordinary person could not possibly evade it, let alone block it. Yet, a faint smile still played on Lu Ya’s lips. Just as the fist was about to connect, his figure performed an impossible, abrupt contortion, miraculously dodging Zhu Rong’s devastating blow. Instead, Lu Ya lightly tapped a finger onto Zhu Rong’s sternum. Instantly, Zhu Rong’s massive frame was hurled backward, a gaping crater punched into his chest where the impact landed, undoubtedly shattering numerous ribs. Witnessing Lu Ya so easily repulse Zhu Rong, the others were gripped by terror. However, no pain registered on Zhu Rong’s face. His immense body twisted mid-air, transforming into a streak of firelight before vanishing back into the Grand Array.

The moment he disappeared, Gong Gong’s towering form stepped forth, delivering an equally powerful punch towards Lu Ya. Immediately, a monstrous surge of waves formed within the array, pressing down upon Lu Ya. Facing this overwhelming, oppressive blow, Lu Ya remained utterly composed. Water conquers fire—this was common knowledge. But can a single cup of water extinguish a raging inferno? Clearly not. In Lu Ya’s eyes, Gong Gong’s punch resembled a child trying to douse his world-encompassing blaze with a cup of water; there was nothing to fear. Without so much as a gesture, his body erupted into flames. Waves of white fire soared skyward, almost instantaneously igniting the entire heavens. Before Gong Gong could even draw close, he was engulfed by the Li Huo. The colossal wave he had summoned behind him was vaporized instantly by the terrifying flame, and Gong Gong himself was scorched beyond recognition, letting out a great cry before transforming into a streak of blue light and disappearing into the void.

Having defeated Gong Gong in one move, Lu Ya reappeared. At this moment, Xing Tian stepped forward wielding the Gan and Qi weapons, raising them both lightning-fast to cleave down at Lu Ya. Simultaneously, Qiang Liang and Xi Zi appeared flanking Lu Ya. Qiang Liang’s body crackled with arcs of lightning as he drove a punch towards Lu Ya’s back, while Xi Zi’s arm was wrapped in electric tendrils as he slapped towards Lu Ya’s crown. Even Ju Mang materialized nearby, his arm transforming into a massive Jianmu tree to sweep towards Lu Ya’s waist. Facing the coordinated assault of the four Sky Witches, Lu Ya’s expression remained unchanged. He simply drew a hand across the void, and a Tai Chi diagram composed of flame materialized above his head, successfully cushioning Xing Tian’s massive axe blow. Lu Ya then flickered forward, directly appearing in front of Xing Tian, and slapped his palm onto Xing Tian’s chest. A jet of white flame shot out, instantly burning a large patch of Xing Tian’s sternum to a charred state.

Even the two eyes that adorned his chest were seared by the white Li Huo. With a massive roar, Xing Tian’s body flickered away, diving into the void. Meanwhile, the attacks from Qiang Liang, Xi Zi, and the others missed entirely. Before the three could retreat into the void, Lu Ya’s form transformed into a stream of Li Huo that instantly enveloped them. Cries of pain erupted from the three as large portions of their bodies were scorched, forcing them to hastily retreat into the void.

At this moment, a massive storm swept in, seemingly intent on scattering the flames, but the power of the Li Huo only intensified, directly igniting the hurricane itself until the entire tempest became a sea of fire filling the heavens. Another cry of pain echoed from the void as Tian Wu’s body descended in weakness. Seeing Lu Ya’s ferocious might, the expressions of the remaining onlookers grew grim beyond measure. "Hmph..." At this point, Hou Tu, who had not yet acted, let out a soft hum. Her body transformed into a colossal mountain, pressing down upon Lu Ya from the sky. "Heh heh, young Hou Tu, you are no match for me either!" Seeing Hou Tu finally compelled to strike, Lu Ya merely chuckled, raising one palm towards the sky. A giant, fiery red palm appeared overhead, slamming fiercely against the thick mountain peak. The seemingly impregnable mountain shattered under the single blow, and Hou Tu’s form reappeared, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Hou Tu!" Seeing Hou Tu wounded, Xuan Ming snarled, unleashing a burst of dark Yin energy, sending a wave of light shooting towards Lu Ya. Lu Ya laughed heartily, bringing his two hands together to crush the light wave directly. But Xuan Ming’s body was already upon him, his entire form releasing bone spurs that shot out like deadly arrows. Even with Lu Ya’s supreme cultivation, he could not withstand such a barrage; almost instantly, his body was pierced by the bone spurs, and a chilling Yin energy flooded into him. The Li Huo surrounding him dimmed noticeably. "Seeking death..." Lu Ya had never anticipated being wounded by Xuan Ming. The composure vanished from his face, replaced by stark rage. But in the instant his anger flared, a black meteor shot toward his heart. Before he could even process the threat, the arrow had plunged into his core... "Ah..." This was the Sunset Divine Arrow of Hou Yi, the very arrow used to shoot down nine suns in ages past. When the ten Golden Crows plagued the world, nine were felled by Hou Yi. Since Golden Crows are bodies of innate Fire Spirit essence, the Sunset Divine Arrow was their ultimate bane.

A cry of immense pain escaped Lu Ya, but his body began to swell rapidly. Clearly, being struck by Hou Yi’s arrow had pushed him past the breaking point of his fury. Waves of white fire surged into the sky, threatening to ignite the entire array. This was the first wisp of Li Huo in existence, the origin point of all light sources, a flame on par with the Flame of Destruction—one of the mightiest flames in the Three Realms. "Crack, crack, crack, crack..." The exceptionally solid Twelve Sky Witches Annihilation Grand Array began to emit sounds of shattering. It was the sound of the Li Huo burning through its structure. Even Jiu Feng’s Chi You Banner caught fire at that moment, a pillar of white flame shooting upward, startling Jiu Feng into immediately casting it away. And just like that, the Twelve Sky Witches Annihilation Grand Array fractured... Towering white flames soared into the heavens, and the expressions of everyone present drastically shifted. Just then, Chi Yi Xiu, who had been steadfastly guarding the women nearby, had his eyes flash with a sharp glint...

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