Temptation

A giant hand of fire extended from the magic array, tightly gripping Xia Lun’s body.

It was an entity formed from pure fire elements. Every finger was clearly visible, with blazing flames flowing and rolling between the knuckles, emitting a suffocating wave of heat.

Mian clenched his teeth, his right hand stretched forward, forming a grasping gesture toward Xia Lun, but his arm trembled uncontrollably.

He wasn’t really worried—Mian knew in his heart that nothing could happen to Xia Lun.

But even as he pushed his magical power to its limit, an invisible repulsive force prevented him from clenching his fist. It was as if he wasn’t trying to grab a person but some terrifying ancient beast.

Suddenly, Mian’s five fingers snapped open, and before him, Xia Lun broke free from the Ash Grasp.

Nothing turned to ash—not even the trousers on Xia Lun’s legs remained undamaged.

After Xia Lun broke free, the Ash Grasp didn’t immediately dissipate. Mian struggled to control the giant flame hand, attempting to seize Xia Lun again.

Xia Lun stomped hard, and the remaining viscous, liquid-like flames scattered. Mian staggered backward a few steps.

“An interesting spell,” Xia Lun said thoughtfully, his lips still holding an easy smile. “Did Wolund teach you?”

“My teacher is Professor Enles, Mr. Xia Lun.” Mian took a deep breath, calming the turbulent magic within him, and replied.

This spell was something he had taught himself by browsing through the magic tomes in the library.

The Ash Grasp was already a fairly advanced and complex spell. Without guidance from others, learning it on his own was an extremely difficult feat. That Mian had achieved this was quite an impressive accomplishment.

The Ash Grasp combined powerful control with lethal force. Even in battles faced by seasoned adventurer teams, it was the kind of spell that could change the course of a fight, and it was highly effective against large monsters.

A mage capable of using this spell would be a hot commodity even among experienced adventurer teams.

This was also the most powerful spell Mian could unleash.

Yet in Xia Lun’s eyes, it only earned an “interesting” comment, as if it were nothing more than a trick to amuse a child.

Even though Xia Lun had promised he wouldn’t get hurt, cold sweat still broke out on Mian’s forehead.

Truly an opponent beyond the norm.

But even now, Mian had no intention of giving up.

“Compared to mages, warriors have to endure more pain and shed more blood to grow stronger through training… it’s so unfair,” Mian had once lamented in front of Enles.

The professor had been puffing on his pipe at the time, a meaningful smile on his face. “But there’s one thing warriors possess that most mages lack.”

“What?” Mian had asked, confused.

Through the haze of smoke, Enles’ eyes grew deep. “That’s an indomitable spirit and perseverance.”

“Do you mean willpower and soul strength?” Mian scratched his head. “But mages seem to have stronger mental fortitude…”

“You’ll understand one day, Mian,” Enles had replied without further explanation, blowing a faint ring of smoke.

And now, Mian might have begun to grasp that lesson.

Even if the odds of victory were slim, even if his opponent was so powerful it was despairing, a certain flame still burned in some corner of his heart, clinging to a sliver of hope.

One step…

If he could just make Xia Lun take one step… that would satisfy him.

Mian picked up the longsword again, adjusted his breathing, gathered all his strength in his legs, and then shot forward like an arrow from the bowstring, charging at Xia Lun without hesitation.

“Good spirit.” Xia Lun’s eyes lit up. The young man before him had surprised him again, as if he saw his own youthful self in him.

Facing Mian’s fierce horizontal slash, Xia Lun didn’t dodge or avoid it. Instead, he met it head-on with the wooden sword in his hand.

To Mian’s shock, the sharp longsword began to cut into the wooden blade from the tip, slowly sinking in until it was stuck fast, unable to advance any further.

Xia Lun twisted his wrist lightly, and the two locked swords flew out of their hands together, landing to the side.

“Continue,” Xia Lun said sharply.

Mian snapped out of his daze without a moment’s hesitation, launching a storm of attacks with both fists and feet.

Xia Lun kept his left hand behind his back and effortlessly deflected every strike with his right hand alone, movements as fluid as flowing water.

“Bang—”

A palm struck Mian’s chest, and his body flew backward lightly like a feather, landing without any pain. Xia Lun’s control over power was simply astonishing.

Mian summoned his breath and charged in again.

A straight punch aimed at Xia Lun’s face—Xia Lun blocked it with his palm, then grabbed Mian’s wrist and pressed it downward. Mian lost his balance. But in that split second, Mian used his other hand to push off the ground and delivered a sharp kick aimed at Xia Lun’s chest.

Xia Lun remained composed, sidestepping slightly, and caught Mian by the calf, flinging him away like a sack.

Mian adjusted midair and landed steadily, dizzy but still unharmed.

It was so much fun…

A strange joy spread through Mian’s heart. To spar like this with a master like Xia Lun, to receive such hands-on guidance from a legendary figure—Mian felt immensely benefited…

A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

Mian sprinted toward Xia Lun again, the hair on his forehead slightly covering his eyes.

A glint of bloodlight flashed in Mian’s gaze.

When he was just a few meters away, an unfamiliar force suddenly awakened within him. His speed surged dramatically, erupting with astonishing velocity, and a black, eerie dagger appeared in his hand. This time, Aise had taken over Mian’s body without Mian even noticing. A fierce desire to win fused their thoughts in an instant.

“Ha ha…”

Aise wore a fierce grin as the longsword shrouded in chaotic dark energy swung down at Xia Lun. “Father!”

“I’ve been waiting for you, Aise.”

Xia Lun’s gaze sharpened. Flames burst forth in his hand, instantly forming a fire blade that clashed with Aise’s ominous black dagger.

Blazing fire and dark ripples spread out, shaking the surrounding space.

Aise’s body flew backward continuously.

Xia Lun knew well that Aise wouldn’t miss this opportunity. His sparring with Mian was precisely meant to lure this entity out.

Xia Lun vanished from where he stood, reappearing before Aise in the next instant.

Aise needed time to take over Mian’s body… and likewise, he needed time to return control to Mian. Xia Lun had noticed this earlier.

And in that fleeting moment lay Xia Lun’s only chance to slay him!