Chapter 14: The Infernal King's Flame-Slaying Sword

Zhang Bo was deeply astonished by the sudden eruption of black flames from Han Feng’s body. He had never expected that the young man before him would also possess supernatural abilities.

Judging by the speed Han Feng displayed in dodging his vine attacks and the power he had shown earlier by slicing through the helicopter cockpit with a single stroke, Zhang Bo had been convinced that Han Feng was a typical martial artist.

As a D-rank plant-type esper, Zhang Bo had always believed that dealing with a young martial artist like this would be a simple matter. Plant abilities excelled at control, and could be used both offensively and defensively, achieving a balance of attack, defense, and control.

The control aspect of plant abilities could effectively restrict a martial artist’s movements, making it easier to launch attacks. Yet now, this supposed martial artist was suddenly wreathed in pure black flames—flames of a color Zhang Bo had neither seen nor heard of, and whose heat was so intense that even his vines, reinforced with psychic energy, could not withstand it at all and were instantly reduced to ashes.

It was common knowledge that plants were afraid of fire, and even more so such flames of extreme temperature. Zhang Bo’s ability level was not high enough to ignore Han Feng’s fire.

Han Feng still held onto ten skill points, having not yet spent them to upgrade the combat skills on his skill tree. For now, all his power came solely from the card system.

Although the level of his card system didn’t correspond to the conventional superhuman ranks of E, D, C, B, or A, based on his previous experience in games and the attribute bonuses granted by the two cards currently equipped, his actual combat strength should now be on par with a D-rank superhuman.

Plant-type abilities allowed one to manipulate the vegetation in a wide area, scatter seeds to make them sprout instantaneously for further control, and, by carrying different seeds, gain many tactical variations. The vines Zhang Bo used to attack Han Feng were grown rapidly from seeds he carried with him.

Yet such powers were no threat to Han Feng. His flames completely countered them. What would be a formidable challenge for others was to him utterly negligible.

Zhang Bo, manipulating the vines at his feet, quickly put distance between himself and Han Feng. From a pocket at his waist, he pulled out a handful of red seeds and scattered them with a wave.

Empowered by his supernatural ability, the seeds swelled upon contact with the earth, sprouting madly. In two or three seconds, they grew into towering, crimson, sword-thorned vines. These molten sword-thorn vines, normally found growing near volcanic craters, were highly fire-resistant and heatproof, their skins hard as armor, studded with sharp thorns like a multitude of blades—a veritable array of spiked whips.

"Forest of Vines—Pierce!"

Under Zhang Bo’s control, the sword-thorn vines shot toward Han Feng like countless lances.

Han Feng’s movements were as elusive as a butterfly weaving through a storm of sword-thorned strikes. His evasive speed was astonishing, but the sheer number of attacking vines was overwhelming. The razor-sharp thorns tore his clothes and left bloody rents across his body.

Han Feng raised his longsword, and silver alloy blade burst aflame with raging black fire, the heat so intense it seemed to ignite the very air.

Wreathed in black flames, his sword swung through the air, each arc leaving a trail of shadowy brilliance. Even the heat-resistant, fireproof molten sword-thorn vines could not withstand this infernal blaze from the demon realm!

Though the molten vines did not instantly disintegrate to ash like ordinary plants, they were still hewn into fragments by Han Feng’s flaming sword.

Yet, the growth of these sword-thorn vines seemed endless, a ceaseless tide surging forth.

Cutting and weaving through the onslaught, Han Feng drew nearer, closing to within five meters of Zhang Bo. He ducked beneath two slashing vines, pushed off with his feet, and leapt into the air, his black-flamed sword cleaving toward Zhang Bo with lightning speed.

"Evil King’s Flame-Slaying Sword!"

"Forest of Vines—Shield!"

Zhang Bo had anticipated Han Feng’s charge. As he retreated, he manipulated scores of molten sword-thorn vines to form thick, layered barriers before him.

Han Feng’s blazing sword swept forth in a whirlwind, striking eighteen times in quick succession and shattering the vine shields layer by layer!

With the final blow, he pierced through Zhang Bo’s protective psychic field. The sword tip grazed past, leaving a scorched, blackened mark across Zhang Bo’s chest.

A cold sweat broke out over Zhang Bo’s body. The chill wind made his chest and back feel ice-cold.

"Forest of Vines—Bind!"

Just as Han Feng was about to press the attack, countless sword-thorn vines twisted and coiled toward him, seeking to ensnare and halt his advance.

His longsword flashed again and again; no matter how heat-resistant the vines, they remained plants, and the blade, shrouded in searing black fire, cut through them as though clearing brush.

Zhang Bo was just within reach!

Suddenly, the hair at Han Feng’s nape stood on end—a surge of danger crashed over him!

This sense of peril forced him to swing his sword, originally aimed at Zhang Bo, sharply to the right.

A metallic clang rang out—the unmistakable sound of steel striking steel. Two azure scythes, gleaming cold, crashed down upon Han Feng’s sword!

But these scythes did not end in handles as one might expect; instead, they were extensions of two cyan arms. The blades themselves grew directly from the arms!

Using the recoil of the clash, Han Feng twisted his waist, spinning into a backflip to put distance between himself and the assailant. He focused on his attacker.

A beast warrior!

Wang Ye was a beast warrior!

Beast warriors awakened the latent power within their bloodlines, gaining the abilities of certain creatures, and could wield and develop this power in combat, even transforming parts of their bodies—or their entire forms—into those of the corresponding creature.

Judging by the dual scythes that had sprouted from his arms, it was clear that Wang Ye had activated the mantis bloodline.

Han Feng glanced toward Ye Tianyi; her hands were tied behind her back, her mouth gagged with a torn glove. She shook her head at Han Feng, indicating she had no idea Wang Ye was a beast warrior.

"You hid that well," Han Feng remarked, hefting his sword and mocking Wang Ye. "So nobody but you knew you were a beast warrior?"

"You’re right. No one but myself knew. I hadn’t planned on revealing it, but our backup helicopter will arrive soon, and this old man is taking too long to deal with you. To avoid any unforeseen complications, I have no choice but to handle this myself," Wang Ye replied coldly.

"Don’t underestimate this young man—he’s tricky," Zhang Bo said with lingering dread, moving to Wang Ye’s side. If Wang Ye hadn’t intervened, Zhang Bo might already be dead.

"Shut up," Wang Ye snapped, casting Zhang Bo a frosty glare.

"You—!" Zhang Bo nearly choked with rage. If not for his son, he would never have endured such humiliation from Wang Ye.