He's alone, but he's a tomb raider!

Hong Bin broke free of his restraints, stretched his wrists, and looked disdainful.

A hint of approval flashed in Zhuge Qing's eyes, and he nodded slightly in appreciation.

"Well done, little Vulcan. You changed your body temperature, disrupted the airflow, and broke my wind ropes."

The methods of the Huode Sect are indeed unique!

Since being reprimanded by Lao Hu and learning the truth that heroes are as numerous as carp crossing a river, Zhuge Qing is now able to recognize the strengths of others.

The previous compliments were no longer just empty words.

"You clever fox, you're quite the smooth talker. No wonder you can win over young girls."

I'm not good at anything else...

Hong Bin grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, then pointed to himself with his thumb, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

"When it comes to playing with fire, I consider myself superior to everyone else!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he stomped his foot and charged straight at Zhuge Qing like a cannonball!

His fists were wreathed in flames as he engaged in close-quarters combat, each punch landing squarely—a fight utterly reckless.

Zhuge Qing remained calm and raised his hand to respond.

……

The fat man sighed, "This little fire god is something else! He burned Zhuge Qing so badly that he was running around all over the place. It makes me want to go down and spar with him!"

But it's no wonder he dislikes Zhuge Qing so much. He's handsome, rich, and a good fighter—who wouldn't like someone like that?

Qin Yun patted the fat man on the shoulder, thinking it was a gesture of comfort.

"It's alright, you're rich and capable, you have two of those qualities!"

While you're young, it's fine to have fun, but when you get older, to put your mother's mind at ease, you should settle down and find a good girl!

Furthermore... on the contrary, only someone who doesn't take their opponent seriously at all would use such casual movement techniques.

Among experts of this caliber, a true contest can be decided in an instant!

……

"Damn it, you stinking fox, you're really good at dodging! Take this Fiery Palm!"

"Dui Character - Black Glazed Glass!"

A dark, lustrous sheen spread along Zhuge Qing's arms, transforming his hands and even his entire arm into a hard, glassy texture, as solid as black iron.

With his arms hardened by black glass, he met Hong Bin's fiery fist head-on. The sound of metal clashing against metal was deafening, and sparks flew everywhere.

The two engaged in close combat on the ring, exchanging punches and palm strikes, their battle proving evenly matched.

Hong Bin's punches were scorching hot, as if they were about to ignite the air itself.

Zhuge Qing's black glass arms are indestructible, combining offense and defense, and neutralizing the opponent's attacks one by one.

"asshole!"

Hong Bin grew increasingly alarmed as he fought, "Your arm has turned into glass? Let's see how long you can last!"

"His black glass is almost melting; just how hot are his palms?"

While Zhuge Qing was puzzled, Hong Bin suddenly pushed the Fire Virtue Sect Qi within his body to its limit. The temperature of the flames on his fists surged, turning from orange-red to crimson, radiating terrifying heat.

When the black glass came into contact with such high temperatures, fine cracks began to appear on its surface, and it gradually melted and softened at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Zhuge Qing raised an eyebrow, no longer putting on a brave front. He swayed and quickly retreated, creating distance between himself and the enemy.

The luster of the black glass faded, and his arms returned to normal, except that the cuffs were scorched and painful from the high temperature.

"The temperature is definitely high!"

Zhuge Qing shook his hand and chuckled softly.

Seeing that Hong Bin's offensive had not diminished and that he was throwing fireballs at him again.

With a slight shift in his steps and a change of position, Zhuge Qing raised one hand, and a crystal-clear water ball condensed at his fingertips.

"Kan Character - Water Bullet!"

The water balloon burst through the air and shot towards Hong Bin.

Seeing this, Hong Bin sneered and neither dodged nor avoided the attack.

"This little bit of water? You think you can take me down? It'll evaporate in an instant—"

Before he could finish speaking, the water ball shattered the fireball and flew past his face, causing a stinging sensation on his cheek.

puff!

"impossible!"

Hong Bin's expression changed drastically as he stared incredulously at the water bullet hurtling towards him.

"This little bit of water should have evaporated instantly! Why...?"

He frantically channeled his Qi, trying to reignite the flames, only to be horrified to discover that the power of his Fire Virtue Sect technique had been weakened!

With the same output of Qi, the temperature and intensity of the flames were significantly weaker than usual!

Hong Bin wasn't stupid; after a brief moment of shock, he immediately realized what was happening.

"It's not that you've gotten stronger..."

Hong Bin raised his head and stared intently at Zhuge Qing opposite him, his eyes filled with resentment and anger.

"I've become weaker; my power is being suppressed here!"

……

Qin Yun: "It seems the little fire god has figured it out!"

"Understand? Understand what?"

Because she had not been to the capital before and had never witnessed the Wuhou Qimen, Liu Yanyan did not know much about it, which is why she had such doubts.

After all, she was his mistress, and for her sake, Qin Yun was willing to waste some words on her.

"From the very beginning of the competition, Zhuge Qing had unknowingly set up the Wuhou Qimen formation with himself as the center!"

In other words, this arena has long since become his home ground!

The closer they got to Zhuge Qing, the more their Huode Sect's magic was suppressed, and its power was greatly reduced.

Why were Hong Bin's previous fireballs ineffective? And why weren't the water bombs instantly evaporated?

All of this was because he was trapped within Zhuge Qing's Qimen Formation, and despite possessing all his skills, he couldn't even utilize five or six tenths of them!

"So that's how it is!"

I never imagined there could be such amazing methods in the world!

If I encounter Zhuge Qing again, it seems my only option is to release Ao Bai!

Seeing Liu Yanyan's rather serious expression, Qin Yun couldn't help but shake his head.

I'm a numbers freak; I always feel like I'm invincible!

……

"Wuhou Qimen...not satisfying!"

Hong Bin gritted his teeth and said each word slowly and deliberately, his chest feeling so tight it felt like it was about to explode.

His most prized flame was mostly suppressed on this arena.

This feeling is like a fierce tiger being locked in a cage, possessing immense strength but unable to use it at all.

"This isn't satisfying!" Hong Bin slammed his fist on the ring, sending dirt and stones flying. "It really isn't satisfying!"

He kicked the ring twice more, leaving two shallow dents in the bluestone floor, but he still wasn't satisfied, so he simply lowered his head and slammed it hard against the ring!

Boom!Boom!Boom!

Three muffled thuds rang out, and the earthen and wooden structure of the arena was cracked, with rubble falling down in a flurry.

Hong Bin raised his head, his forehead flushed red, but he didn't seem to notice. He just looked at Zhuge Qing with a frustrated expression and said in a muffled voice.

"Zhuge Qing, you're the first opponent who's both formidable and yet impossible to ignite my fighting spirit in!"

He sighed and waved his hand dismissively.

"You magicians are infuriating! Fighting you is pointless, and you can't even set things on fire!"

As Hong Bin spoke, he also pointed his finger and walked around cursing.

When Zhuge Qing first encountered an opponent from the Huode Sect, he originally wanted to spar and learn more.

However, when Hong Bin's foot suddenly appeared in a certain position...

Qin Yun, Lao Hu, and Zhuge Qing...

The three of them narrowed their eyes instantly!

Zhuge Qing: "Not satisfied? Then I'll make you feel better!"

"The character 'Separation,' the crimson serpent!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the spell was unleashed, and a blazing flame ignited from Zhuge Qing's hand!

"Use fire? You actually think you can defeat me with fire?"

As if he had been insulted, Hong Bin, who was originally just unhappy, suddenly became furious!

"Then try this... Golden Crow Blaze!"