"Five Elements Great Seal!"
"Five Elements Roulette!"
Jun Han attacked repeatedly, exerting the power of the five elements to the extreme.
Top-notch martial arts, physical prowess, and magical techniques—all were unleashed.
Yet, no matter how fiercely he struck, the terrifying demon, its body flowing with molten lava, merely grinned as the searing magma erupted from its form like a volcano!
With a deafening boom, the five elements' power was incinerated into nothingness.
Jun Han was sent flying back several steps, his once-pristine white robes now charred black.
The Molten Demon laughed. "Interesting! You're worthy of being called a king among humans to last this long against me! Once I kill you, the capital's resistance will lose its pillar. Let's see how your pitiful forces withstand my Crimson Demon Army!"
With a roar, the demon raised its clawed hand, demonic energy surging as molten lava coalesced into a towering dragon in midair—its maw gaping wide, ready to devour Jun Han whole.
The attack's oppressive force was overwhelming. Even Jun Han felt his breath hitch.
But then—
A golden flame streaked down from the heavens like a falling star.
BOOM!
The molten dragon screamed as the golden fire engulfed it, reducing the magma to lifeless ash in seconds.
"What…?!"
The onlookers gaped. Molten lava, burned away by flames?
Before they could process the impossibility, a familiar aura washed over them.
At the end of the ruined street, a figure emerged.
Clad in robes white as snow, his black hair cascaded freely over his shoulders. His sharp brows framed piercing eyes, and a faint, knowing smile played at his lips.
An ethereal presence clung to him—as though he were a step away from transcending the mortal world entirely.
In the demon-plagued capital, where miasmic haze choked the skies, his arrival was like a lotus blooming untainted from mud.
Unspoiled. Unyielding.
The moment his face became clear, Jun Han and the others lit up with recognition.
"It's him!"
"Senior Brother Chen Ye!"
"The undisputed number one on the Azure Cloud Ranking List!"
"He's here—we're saved!"
Those from the Azure Cloud Sect had witnessed Chen Ye's might before. They knew his Pure Yang Fire was the bane of all evil. His presence now was like a divine intervention, flooding them with inexplicable relief.
Even as the sky seemed to crumble, they felt no fear.
Was this the aura of a true genius?
Jun Han himself was stunned. "During our duel, he never radiated such majesty… What has he achieved in such a short time?"
The demons, however, tensed.
The Molten Demon's molten eyes narrowed. "You incinerated my demonic magma… You're no ordinary human. State your name!"
Chen Ye's reply was a whisper, yet it carried like thunder.
"A dying wretch needs no names."
"ARROGANT!"
The Molten Demon exploded into motion, fists surging with magma as he launched a barrage of searing punches—each capable of melting steel.
Chen Ye didn't flinch.
With a mere flick of his wrist, Pure Yang Fire erupted skyward in a blazing pillar.
Where it passed, lava evaporated. Demonic energy dissolved.
The Molten Demon recoiled in horror. "Pure Yang Fire—the natural enemy of evil! RETREAT!"
He turned to flee, but—
Chen Ye was already in front of him.
"Too slow."
A golden fist, wreathed in flames, shattered the demon's magma-coated skull like glass.
BOOM!
The Molten Demon's body detonated into scattered embers.
Silence.
Then—cheers erupted.
"ONE PUNCH! Senior Brother Chen Ye killed it in ONE PUNCH!"
"He didn't even use his sword!"
Nearby, Xiao Qingluan (formerly Feng Jiuge) cut down another demon, her lips quirking. "Big Brother hasn't even used his Phoenix Sword Art yet… He's toying with them."
Huikong, meanwhile, gulped. Every demon Chen Ye encountered… died instantly.
"Just how strong IS he?!"
Even Jun Han, who'd once dueled Chen Ye, was shaken. "That punch… He was holding back against me in the Seven Sects Martial Competition!"
Azure Cloud's top disciple—no, Azure Cloud's future leader—was a monster among monsters.
The sect's disciples buzzed with exhilaration.
"Senior Brother Chen Ye's cultivation must be near the Martial Sovereign realm!"
"With his Pure Yang Holy Body, who in the younger generation can rival him?"
With Chen Ye leading, the remaining demons were swiftly purged.
Yet amidst the victory, Chen Ye frowned.
"Brother Jun, where are the disciples from the other sects?"
Jun Han clasped his fists. "Senior Brother Chen—"
Chen Ye raised a hand. "You joined decades before me. 'Senior Brother' isn't necessary."
Jun Han shook his head. "The wise lead. From today, you are my senior brother."
Chen Ye exhaled, amused. Times truly change.
As Jun Han briefed him on the capital's dire state, Chen Ye's grip tightened around his sword.
Anger simmered beneath his calm.