Chapter 44: Embers of Mastery
The Berserk Inferno Rhino bellowed, its deep, guttural roar shaking the very air. It could feel it—an ominous premonition of destruction radiating from the young woman before it. A primal instinct screamed at it to not let her complete her attack.
The beast's entire body glowed brighter than ever, veins of molten fire coursing beneath its obsidian-black hide. Dark flames erupted around it like an infernal storm. Then—
"Inferno Burst!"
The Inferno Rhino exploded forward, its massive form propelling through the air like a living meteor, a tidal wave of fire and brute force heading straight for Xiao Rongyu.
But she was already ready.
Her golden aura exploded, flames spiraling wildly around her. A majestic phantom of a Golden-Winged Sparrow emerged behind her, its magnificent wings spreading wide with divine brilliance. Her amber eyes burned with radiant golden light as she softly whispered:
"Burning Blade, Third Form—Phoenix Rebirth."
A single blazing slash—
A golden inferno erupted from her blade, forming a titanic phoenix wreathed in celestial fire. The mythical avian screeched, soaring forward with unstoppable force, crashing head-on against the charging rhino.
BOOOOOM!
The earth trembled violently. The Inferno Rhino was sent hurtling backward like a shattered meteor, its colossal form slamming into the ground with enough impact to sink deep into the hardened soil. A shockwave erupted, splitting the earth, sending cracks racing outward.
Dust and smoke billowed into the air, veiling the battlefield in an eerie haze. But Xiao Rongyu did not lower her sword.
She stood tall, her Golden-Winged Sparrow phantom still soaring beside her, illuminating her figure with an ethereal golden halo. Her grip tightened on her blade as she waited, eyes locked on the dissipating smoke.
Then—
"ROOOOAARRR!"
A furious, battered figure burst forth from the haze, charging at her with reckless abandon. The once-imposing armor of molten lava that covered its hide had lost its luster, its once-impervious defenses reduced to cracked, blackened remnants. Blood seeped from the deep gashes lining its body, staining the already-scorched earth.
Yet it refused to fall.
Xiao Rongyu's eyes flashed coldly.
"Flare Dodge!"
With a graceful step, she vanished from the rhino's path, her movements leaving behind shimmering golden embers in the air. She was faster now—her Martial Spirit Halo amplifying her speed beyond her previous limits.
The Inferno Rhino roared in frustration, its molten eyes searching wildly for its target.
But before it could react—
"Burning Blade, Third Form—Phoenix Rebirth!"
Once again, golden flames combusted around her, forming a second, even more radiant phoenix. With a flick of her sword, she unleashed the devastating technique once more.
BOOOOOM!
The Inferno Rhino crashed violently to the ground, its body convulsing. The deep crimson horn on its head splintered in two, the once-indestructible beast now lying in a charred, broken state. A gruesome wound gaped along its massive torso, smoldering embers flickering within the deep gash.
The phantom of her Golden-Winged Sparrow slowly vanished, the golden flames around her dissipating as her eyes returned to their original amber hue. Yet she barely paid attention to her surroundings—her gaze burned with exhilaration.
Her heart pounded. She had done it.
A bright, joyous smile broke through her usual calm demeanor as she clenched her fist.
"Small Mastery! I've finally achieved Small Mastery in my Burning Blade technique! I can finally unleash its Fourth Form!"
Her excitement faded as she turned her gaze back to the fallen beast.
The Inferno Rhino's massive frame twitched weakly, its body barely clinging to life. Thick smoke rose from the surrounding battlefield, the bushes and grass burnt to nothing but ash. The air was heavy with the scent of charred flesh and molten earth.
Xiao Rongyu exhaled softly.
"I must thank you."
Her voice was calm, almost gentle, as she gazed at the defeated beast. It had pushed her to new heights, helping her break past her previous limits. A worthy opponent.
"But it's time to put you out of your misery."
She shifted into a graceful stance.
"Vermillion Steps, Third Form—Magma Sprint!"
An intense burst of speed propelled her forward, her movement leaving behind a trail of glowing embers. The Inferno Rhino let out a weak, pitiful roar—
But it was already over.
"Blazing Slash."
A single arc of golden fire—swift, precise, merciless.
Her sword cleaved clean through the Inferno Rhino's thick skull, splitting it in two with brutal finality. A grotesque crack echoed in the silent clearing as the beast's colossal form collapsed.
The battle was over.
With an air of unshaken composure, Xiao Rongyu slowly retracted her blade, storing it back into her spatial ring. She took a single step forward, bending down ever so slightly—
And carefully plucked a gleaming crimson core from the lifeless remains of the Inferno Rhino.
The Infernal Core was large—about the size of a grown man's fist—and glowed with a pulsating crimson light. Patterns of molten lava swirled within its depths, shifting hypnotically, almost as if the essence of the Inferno Rhino still lived inside it.
Holding the core with an elegant poise, not a single stain of blood touched her delicate fingers.
She studied the core, watching as it pulsed rhythmically—brimming with raw energy. For a long moment, she merely observed it in silence.
Then, with a small smile, she tossed it into her spatial ring.
Her previous cold, serious demeanor melted away, replaced by a bright expression of satisfaction.
"Brother Chen was right," she murmured, stretching her arms lazily. "That was an interesting fight."
A soft breeze brushed through the scorched battlefield.
And just like that, the embers of battle faded into the wind.
"Brother Chen!"
Xiao Rongyu's cheerful voice rang out as she rushed toward the tree where Xiao Chen sat.
The large tree was half-charred, its once-vibrant leaves now singed and withered from the fierce battle. Mistshadow, her silver-furred companion, lay beside the tree, her massive body sprawled across the ground in visible exhaustion. It was as if the battle had reshaped her understanding of the world, leaving her mentally drained.
Upon seeing Xiao Rongyu, Mistshadow let out a low, tired howl in acknowledgment before falling completely silent, her sharp eyes losing their usual vigilance.
Xiao Rongyu smiled and gently patted Mistshadow's soft silver fur, her touch calming and affectionate. But her gaze never wavered from Xiao Chen's tranquil figure.
He sat there completely still, his breathing smooth, his expression serene—as if nothing in the world could disturb him.
A hint of disappointment flickered in Xiao Rongyu's golden eyes. With a small sigh, she pouted slightly and murmured:
"Brother Chen, you said you would watch..."
Her words carried a trace of grievance, but she did not disturb him further.
Instead, she let out a soft exhale and settled down beside Mistshadow, leaning against her companion's warm fur. The exhaustion from battle, the rush of adrenaline, the lingering embers of her triumph—all faded into a quiet moment of peace.
And so, the scorched battlefield fell silent once more.