Chapter 221: fire phoenix

Lady Spring Rain wanted to say something, but Eileen pulled her back. "Who wins or loses is not certain. Rayan always creates miracles and surprises for us, doesn't he, Phoenix Lady?"

A faint trace of panic flashed across Phoenix Lady's delicate face, but it quickly disappeared. Eileen's words made her feel more powerless than ever.

Indeed, Rayan was a man who could create miracles. This fact made her both joyful and hateful. Joyful because the man she had her eyes on was extraordinary, hateful because this man always did unexpected things, rendering her clever plans useless.

However, since she had already bet on Rayan losing, there was no turning back. She smiled faintly, gently waving her black silk fan, and elegantly said to Eileen, "We each support our own people. Arguing is useless. Let's just wait and see."

After saying this, the three women simultaneously focused their gaze on the arena.

In the arena, Imperius's Battle Qi had reached its limit. The Phoenix Ring on his finger emitted a heat so intense that even he found it hard to endure. It felt as if he was holding a miniature sun in his hand.

Although this Enchanted equipment was excellent, Imperius felt it was not suitable for him. To use the Phoenix Ring and unleash its power, he had to both increase his Battle Qi to activate the ring's magic and enhance his Battle Qi defense to withstand the nearly scorching heat.

He couldn't help but speculate that the magician who crafted this Enchanted ring must have been a top-tier fire mage; otherwise, how could even an Intermediate Hero like him find it hard to bear?

His lungs were filled with the taste of ashes, his eyes bloodshot, lips cracked, and throat extremely dry. If there was a cup of water in front of him now, he would have thrown away the Phoenix Ring without hesitation to drink it—but there was no water, only Rayan with a calm expression.

Why wasn't Rayan afraid?

This puzzled Imperius. Perhaps Rayan didn't know the power of the Phoenix Ring, or maybe Rayan was just bluffing.

Imperius gritted his teeth, his wrinkled face as resolute as old tree roots. Seeing Rayan's relaxed demeanor, he silently vowed that even if his fingers were burnt, he would activate the ring's magic and let Rayan taste the flames!

Under the push of Battle Qi, the heat from the Phoenix Ring quickly spread to the audience, causing many, including those in the noble stands, to wipe the sweat from their foreheads.

Some noblewomen were drenched in fragrant sweat, losing their composure. Even the always graceful and virtuous Lady Spring Rain had to wipe her sweat with the back of her hand multiple times, while Phoenix Lady remained calm, fanning herself with a black silk fan she had prepared in advance.

Eileen sneered, "So the Phoenix Lady's fan was prepared for this moment. How thoughtful."

"It was just a coincidence," Phoenix Lady smiled. "But unfortunately, I only have one fan. My dear Spring Rain, would you like to sit here and enjoy some coolness with me?"

"No need!"

Before Lady Spring Rain could reply, Eileen spoke up. "A mere fan can't compare to the magic of my Holy Light Sisterhood."

She pinched her right hand, and a dazzling frost ball appeared at her fingertips. With a muttered incantation, the frost ball formed a barrier, enveloping herself and Lady Spring Rain.

The surrounding nobles immediately crowded near the frost barrier, cooling off with the frost's temperature.

The frost barrier was completely transparent, not obstructing the view of the arena. As the barrier formed, Lady Spring Rain felt an icy coolness, even her breath turning into frost.

"It seems... a bit... too cold," Lady Spring Rain whispered.

Eileen laughed, "Don't worry. After Rayan and Imperius fight, the outside temperature will be even hotter. Then it won't be so cold."

Lady Spring Rain nodded, refocusing on the arena through the cold barrier.

In the arena, Rayan also felt the heat and realized Imperius's intent.

Logically, he should quickly gather his Battle Qi and sword gang power to counter the ring's magic with Twin Crows Dance to avoid being hurt by the magic—after all, magical damage was different from ordinary damage and couldn't be blocked with weapons or armor.

However, facing the Phoenix Ring's heat, Rayan remained relaxed. He knew that regardless of the ring's magic, it would be fire magic. And with his fire spirit affinity and revered reputation, he could automatically shield against eighty percent of fire damage. The remaining twenty percent wouldn't pose any real threat to him.

Thus, he stood nonchalantly before Imperius, smiling calmly at Imperius's pained expression.

"Keep going," Rayan encouraged. "You're almost there."

"Rayan, you brat!" Imperius roared angrily. "Don't get cocky. When the Phoenix Ring unleashes its power, you won't even have bones left!"

Rayan shrugged indifferently. "Instead of wasting energy talking, you'd better put more effort into it."

In the noble stands, Lady Spring Rain anxiously asked, "Why isn't Rayan using Twin Crows Dance? How will he fight Imperius?"

Though she knew little about combat, after watching several matches, she had learned a bit. Battle Qi defense was ineffective against magical attacks, but finishing moves produced by Battle Qi and sword gang power could counteract magical attacks. Yet Rayan did nothing, worrying Lady Spring Rain deeply.

"I can't figure it out either," Eileen shook her head.

Phoenix Lady frowned. Although she didn't know Battle Qi magic, she understood that if Imperius activated the magic skill and Rayan didn't counter with a finishing move, he would get hurt—she wanted Rayan to submit, not to disfigure his handsome face.

At that moment, Imperius roared in the arena, and the Phoenix Ring burst into bright red light, igniting. After a high-pitched phoenix cry, a large fire phoenix spread its wings and flew out from the ring.

The phoenix was engulfed in bright orange flames, its feathers blazing. Its appearance raised the arena's temperature by dozens of degrees. Its massive wings stirred, causing smoke and sparks to fill the sky, igniting the air itself.

Everyone present, including the audience in the stands, the Black-armored guards below, the recovering Trevor, and those in the noble stands—Phoenix Lady, and even Eileen and Lady Spring Rain within the frost barrier—were forced back by the heat. The frost barrier began to emit wisps of steam.

Except for one person who remained unscathed—Rayan.

Rayan took a deep breath of the scorching air, nodded slightly, and said, "Nice."

Imperius looked like a spent force. He steadied himself and aimed the Phoenix Ring at Rayan, roaring, "Surrender, Rayan! Kneel at my feet and beg for mercy, and I might spare you!"

Rayan smiled lightly, squinting at the flaming phoenix in the arena. "I want your ring..."

Imperius felt a continuous surge of anger. He had heard of Rayan's notorious "robber" reputation, where anything he fancied he would take. He hadn't expected Rayan to arrogantly try to rob his ring now! This was his master's ring!

"I've given you a chance to live, but you insist on seeking death! Fine, I'll grant your wish!"

Imperius shouted, and the flaming phoenix in the arena responded to his command, flying directly at the defenseless Rayan.

The audience gasped, and Lady Spring Rain and Phoenix Lady stood up simultaneously in the noble stands—

"Boom!"

The massive wave of fire shook the ancient arena.

After the impact, the arena was filled with billowing smoke, scattered flames, and intense heat.

Imperius tried to distance himself from the flames, coughing and trembling, but maintained a victorious smile.

However, this smile lasted only a few seconds before freezing on his bark-like face.

As the smoke cleared, the audience was astonished to see Rayan standing unscathed in the center of the phoenix's ashes. Only the edges of his clothes and hair were slightly singed, his icy-cold face wearing a composed smile, looking heroic.

Imperius gaped, unable to believe what he saw.

Everyone present forgot to breathe.

Lady Spring Rain clutched her pounding chest, trembling slightly.

Phoenix Lady stood at the front of the stands, unsure whether to fear losing the bet or to rejoice at Rayan's safety, her mind blank.

"How... how is this possible?"

Imperius grabbed the flaming long spear, but the heat made it impossible to hold.

Rayan walked out of the phoenix's ashes, stopping in front of Imperius.

Imperius tried to gather Battle Qi for an attack, but his Battle Qi was depleted. Unwilling to concede, he roared and swung his fists at Rayan's chest.

Rayan easily deflected Imperius's attack with the Crow Sword, then swiftly struck Imperius's side, breaking through his Battle Qi defense and cutting through his armor, causing blood to flow.

Imperius groaned, attempting to grasp the scorching spear again, but the heat hindered him. Before he could grip the spear, Rayan's Crow Sword was at his throat, forcing him to kneel with the pressure of Battle Qi.

"Admit defeat," Rayan said coldly.