The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon burst from the dust, glaring at Chen Tian with furious intent, as if Chen Tian were his sworn enemy. The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's anger stemmed from the feeling that the consciousness within its body was accelerating its recovery. This was not the sole reason for its rage.
What truly infuriated it was that the opponent's awakening was directly linked to its own previous loss of power. How could this not enrage it? The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon had always suppressed that consciousness, absolutely unwilling to let it recover, lest it be expelled. This was not what it desired.
It still wished to complete its master's mission and could not afford to fail.
Feeling the power draining from its body, the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon began to spin, its form enveloped by a terrifying vortex, transforming into a cocoon. Chen Tian understood the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's intentions and did not interfere.
The opponent sought to shapeshift to control and suppress the consciousness within. While resisting the digital assault, Chen Tian had used his administrative privileges to review the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's data. During this review, he discovered that the uncorrupted consciousness of the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon still existed, albeit suppressed.
Chen Tian immediately altered the settings of the suppressed consciousness. Since it was dormant, Chen Tian decided to awaken it. Chen Tian could discern that the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon was in a state of corruption; this form was not its own.
This form was a manifestation of being corrupted by malevolent spiritual energy. Thinking of it this way, it was no wonder the authorities had sealed it away.
Malevolent spiritual energy could assimilate and infect all living beings. The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon was initially just a virtual boss. Who knew that malevolent spiritual energy could even assimilate and corrupt such a virtual entity? The authorities, unable to resolve the situation, could only seal it away in helplessness.
Because the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's consciousness was virtual and had been modified once, it was resistant to assimilation. The malevolent spiritual energy only occupied its body. As long as the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's original consciousness fully awakened and expelled the malevolent spiritual energy, victory would be achieved.
Cracks slowly appeared on the colossal cocoon, spreading across its entire surface. The cocoon then exploded, and a figure emerged from the blast. The newcomer was an elegant youth with pitch-black eyes. Two dragon horns protruded from his forehead, dark and sharp.
This person was the shapeshifted Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon. To suppress the internal consciousness during battle, the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon needed to split its focus. Its true body was too massive, and dividing its attention would be disadvantageous to its primary combat. By transforming into a human-like form, it could divide its attention and react swiftly, avoiding attacks.
Chen Tian had anticipated this turn of events. However, Chen Tian felt no fear. He activated his highest combat mode, his entire body undergoing a transformation. In the game, Chen Tian also had combat tiers. His strength was categorized into three levels.
Chen Tian activated the highest tier. His hands morphed into dragon claws, covered in lifelike, iridescent scales. A phoenix feather cloak unfurled behind him, wreathed in flames. His body was clad in elemental armor, making him appear like a nine-colored war god.
Chen Tian took a step, and his figure vanished, dissolving into countless afterimages. His movements were like the wind, his steps like light. In an instant, the clash of attacks erupted. The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon merely raised its arms slightly, perceiving a fierce assault before it. The sound of impact reverberated ceaselessly.
Chen Tian’s figure suddenly appeared behind the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon. He unleashed a punch, imbued with thousands of phantom strikes. One punch thrown, ten thousand punches unleashed.
The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon clenched its fists, and with a single punch, the world fell silent. Chen Tian's myriad phantom strikes were all extinguished by the residual force of this blow.
Chen Tian and the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon stood facing each other. Chen Tian’s wings unfurled behind him, his speed pushed to its absolute limit. The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon dared not delay, eager to defeat his opponent and suppress the consciousness within.
The two figures transformed into streaks of light, colliding endlessly in the sky. The sky was filled with the infinite symbol formed by their luminous trails. The clash between Chen Tian and the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon was exceptionally fierce.
Watching from below, Huo Mie's mouth hung open. "Chen Tian is so strong. Why is he so strong? Is his strength boundless?"
"Um, um, is Chen Tian always this strong?"
Huo Mie looked at Shu Zi, who replied calmly, "You'll get used to it. This isn't even his strongest state yet."
This statement left Huo Mie speechless. This wasn't even his strongest state? He had already surpassed so many players. Could he still become stronger? This...
Huo Mie was at a loss for words. Only Shu Zi knew the true extent of Chen Tian's strength, as Shu Zi understood Chen Tian far too well.
High in the sky, Chen Tian and the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon retreated a few steps. The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon couldn't comprehend how this human ant could contend with him for so long. Its hands transformed into dragon claws, unfurling with immense sharpness. With a single claw strike, the heavens were rent with long gashes.
Chen Tian, seeing the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon employ its dragon claws, transformed his own hands into Ancestral Dragon claws and struck out. Two distinct claw marks collided, resulting in a massive explosion. Shockwaves of energy rippled outward, but Chen Tian and the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon remained in their positions, allowing the waves to wash over them.
Cracks appeared in the sky. Their mere ordinary collisions nearly overwhelmed the heavens. Chen Tian's expression turned slightly grim. He had underestimated the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's strength. Even with its mind divided, its power was comparable to his own at his highest tier.
In Chen Tian's estimation, the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's full power was at least 30% diminished. With such a deficit, it could still fight him on equal footing at his peak. It had to be said, the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon was formidable. An ordinary player would likely be annihilated in a single breath.
Alas, he, Chen Tian, was no ordinary player. Chen Tian's dragon claws gathered immense elemental power, concentrating on his claws. He charged directly at the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon. The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon, seeing Chen Tian charging, had the same thought.
Both surged towards each other. Dragon claws met dragon claws, Ancestral Dragon claws versus Demonic Dragon claws. They were evenly matched.
This was still with the effect of Chen Tian's Ancestral Dragon bloodline suppressing the opponent. Otherwise, Chen Tian would not be the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's match, given the vast difference in level.
Chen Tian retracted his dragon claws and threw a punch. A nine-colored light illuminated the surroundings. The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon swung its dragon claws, and Chen Tian's punch was sent flying by its arms. Chen Tian then unleashed a side kick with his right leg. The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon glanced at it, and with a raise of its right arm, Chen Tian's attack was blocked. Chen Tian shifted his right leg’s trajectory. As if sensing Chen Tian's intent, the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon decisively retreated.
Chen Tian had to abandon his attempted feint. As the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon retreated, Chen Tian pressed his attack, his dragon claws striking repeatedly like a thunderous drum, "Dong, dong, dong, dong!"
The dragon claws and arms clashed, producing a deafening roar.
After unleashing hundreds of consecutive punches, the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon found an opening in Chen Tian's offense and decisively spun its left leg forward in a kick. Chen Tian looked to his left, abandoning his two-fisted offense. This kick was aimed at his head. Chen Tian changed his move, grabbing the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon's left leg with his arms. Chen Tian then threw him, sending the Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon flying.
The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon steadied itself and met Chen Tian's gaze. Chen Tian's mind raced, calculating, with solutions ready for every scenario.
The Star Phoenix Demonic Dragon couldn't fathom how troublesome Chen Tian was, seemingly without any weaknesses. They were locked in an even match for the moment.