Solar Blood Masters (147)

Chapter 147 - Oceanic Devastation

THUD!

Pam Long appeared on the stage with a burst of his Solar Essence. He landed heavily, cracking the already damaged platform further, sending a few shards of those crystals towards the spectators that glowed menacingly, but they were too preoccupied with their burnt fur or those feathers that had caught fire from that earlier wave of hellfire unleashed.

He glanced down at Akai Kage's ashes. “Don’t worry old friend, I’ll avenge you.”

BOOM!

Then… a dark Solar Consciousness emerged, and he immediately devoured it!

Pam Long’s body shuddered.

He grinned as he felt a surge of power flow through his veins!

His cultivation level… skyrocketed! He was now at the 6th Layer Nightmare Calamity Stage!

His horn elongated.

And most shocking of all…

A magnificent pair of butterfly wings sprouted from his back.

“Fairy wings…?” He looked at them with a puzzled expression. “Hmmm, so the sleeping gene of that Fairy Queen’s soul has finally awakened? Yes! I can feel it! My invincibility… it’s even STRONGER now!”

To test his newfound strength, he casually thrust a fist forward. It was a simple motion, yet…

BOOM!

Twenty meters away, Lu Ruby was slammed towards the edge of the platform with a bone-jarring impact that shattered stones and sent cracks radiating outward!

She coughed blood. “How…?” She was stunned. He’d barely even moved!

“Hahaha!” Pam Long relished his newfound power. “You are NO match for me now, princess! You can burn as hot as the sun… My invincibility… It’s absolute! If I had also consumed Carpus’s soul, then my power would have…” He trailed off and showed a sinister smile as he contemplated the possibilities.

On the Ho Eastern platform, Lord Lingshi watched with narrowed eyes. “Oh dear. This isn’t going to end well for our princess. A Devil Horn Rhino who possesses the invincibility of the Fairy Queen… what a bizarre, and dreadful combination.”

Hellphet and Splinter Roc exchanged worried glances. Lu Ignis’s wrath was legendary, and should anything happen to his daughter… well, they didn't want to be around to witness the consequences.

Lu Ruby, however, was undeterred. “So what if you’ve gained wings? I’ll burn you to ash, just like that pathetic friend of yours.” She spat, and the saliva evaporated before it even left her mouth. The Ignitor Sun Cycle’s power was taking its toll, she could feel her own essence draining. She had to end this quickly.

With a furious roar, she unleashed her attack.

“SOLAR BEAM!”

A blinding beam of blazing energy shot forth from her Sun Cycle. It slammed into Pam Long…

But he was unharmed! Not a scratch!

The audience gasped.

How was this possible?

Pam Long’s butterfly wings were positioned protectively before him. His hands pushed forward as he met the Solar Beam head-on.

He smiled smugly.

“Snake, you have NO idea just how dreadful the Fairy Queen’s powers truly are. It took seven hundred THOUSAND of us to raid her sanctuary and eliminate her. In the end, I ALONE survived. This proves that fate itself is on MY side. I have greater things to accomplish! And until then… NO ONE can KILL ME!”

His wings expanded. They had an array of colors as if a thousand rainbows had converged upon their delicate frame.

“Let me give you a taste of the Fairy Queen’s power! Heavenly Gate – TORII!”

WHOOSH! CRACK!

From the sky above, a massive, glowing golden gate descended. It slammed into the Solar Beam, pinning it in place! Then, more Torii gates materialized! Dozens upon dozens! They rained down on Lu Ruby, pinning her massive form to the ground! She struggled, but those gates were as heavy as mountains so she couldn't budge.

Pam Long absorbed the Solar Beam into his wings. They glowed brighter.

He then strolled over to Lu Ruby like he had won already.

“How does it feel to be bowing before this mighty one, little snake? Even your divine Sun Cycle can’t save you!”

He raised a foot and placed it on her snout.

The crowd gasped.

This blatant act of humiliation had many wondering if this rhino had a death wish. How dare he disrespect Lu Ignis’s daughter?!

Every eye in the arena turned towards the Emperor’s platform.

Even Pam Long glanced upwards.

And he was met with Lu Ignis’s burning glare.

BOOM!

A wave of potent Solar Pressure slammed into his soul!

He coughed blood.

‘What the…? He can injure my soul… from THIS distance? That bastard Lu Ignis… Just you WAIT! One day… you WILL be licking the dirt from my heel!’

With a final, defiant glare at the Bronze Serpent Emperor, Pam Long removed his foot from Lu Ruby’s snout and canceled his ‘Heavenly Gate – Torii’. He then turned to Muburt,

“I YIELD!”

“Lu Ruby… WINS! The Crimson Slithers have advanced to the next round! Undying Death… has been eliminated from the Tournament of Calamity!”

Muburt quickly announced with a hint of relief. This fight had been… intense, and he didn't fancy being turned to ash by Lu Ruby’s Ignitor Sun Cycle.

…

Raphael shook his massive head, still marveling at the spectacle he’d just witnessed. “Wow… Akai Kage and Splinter Roc! That was intense! I didn’t expect that rhino to actually… evolve! Those fairy wings… and that ‘Heavenly Gate - Torii’ technique… What a surprise!”

He glanced at Thienika. "Grandma, why did Pam Long give up? He had Lu Ruby pinned! He could have easily won."

Thienika smiled gently. "His evolution was still unstable, Raphael. Had he continued fighting, he might have suffered a backlash. It was a wise decision to withdraw. He didn’t lose much, in fact he only gained during this Great Divine Tribulation. This too is a strategy."

Raphael pondered her words. “So he gambled with his newly acquired power and choose safety over glory? That’s actually smart!”

Muburt’s booming voice cut through their quiet contemplation, “The next match! Jingling Ocean versus Kongming Mountain! The Aqua Depth versus… The Big Boss!”

Two teams materialized with flashes of light upon the central platform.

Aqua Depth:

Kralaton, a hulking male with vibrant turquoise skin, a massive tail fin, and glowing blue tattoos that resembled ancient ocean currents. His imposing form radiated power as he cracked his knuckles and those tattoos began glowing with an intensity that seemed to mirror the vast oceans. He was a 2nd Layer Nightmare Calamity, a being whose strength was both subtle and deadly, his blows almost as fluid as water itself.

Lingdon, a gorgeous female with long, flowing hair the color of seafoam and scales that glowed like a thousand pearls. She possessed a subtle yet undeniable power, a 9th Layer Calamity whose aura was serene yet chilling, capable of manipulating currents and waves with ease.

Shark Junior, radiating with the boundless energy of the deep sea, was a muscular male with sharp teeth, keen eyes, and scales as smooth as polished jet. A 9th Layer Calamity, whose very presence sent a chill through the arena.

Menta Squid, with a sinister, yet charming smile and a form that glowed ominously, radiated a terrifying charisma. A 7th Layer Calamity, whose intelligence and cunning were matched only by his mastery of ink and illusions.

Big Boss:

Sly Ringtail, the mischievous lemur, with streaks of black lightning in his fur and a long, ringed tail that swished impatiently. A cunning warrior with quick reflexes, who loved chaos, he was a 1st Layer Nightmare Calamity, a being capable of deceiving even the most seasoned fighters.

Ma Osu, a rodent-like creature with bushy eyebrows and a long white beard, radiating an aura that made those near him tremble, he wasn’t simply wielding his swords. He was a vessel for centuries’ worth of collected experience, and the wisdom that came with a thousand defeats. A 1st Layer Nightmare Calamity.

Ge Vanisher, a magnificent yet ominous chameleon whose scales could shift through a thousand colors. His eyes, empty of pupils, radiated an ancient power. As a 9th Layer Calamity, his skill was unsurpassed. He could vanish and reappear with blinding speed.

King Wa, a hulking monkey with enormous muscles that rippled, and his aura had the very air itself trembling before his power. He was a 9th Layer Calamity.

“Begin!”

Muburt vanished offstage.

Sly Ringtail grinned at his opponents. He was eager to showcase his power and end this quickly.

“Three Calamities and a measly Nightmare Calamity? This will be over in a flash! Wukong – Banana Scythe!”

His spear transformed into a massive, crescent-shaped blade radiating potent energy. He lunged straight for Kralaton!

“WATER SHIELD!” Shark Junior reacted instantly. He was faster than even the others who’d tried to protect Kralaton due to his proximity.

A wall of swirling water materialized before Kralaton, deflecting the blow! But the force of the impact sent tremors across the platform, causing the Aqua Depth team to stumble.

“Tsk, you’re in the way, fish!” Sly Ringtail snarled as he leapt back.

Seizing the opportunity, King Wa and Ma Osu charged with those shouts of bloodlust.

“Iron Fist Barrage!”

“Dual Blade Cyclone!”

King Wa’s fists carried the force of a collapsing mountain! They struck with pinpoint accuracy, targeting Lingdon and Menta Squid who were closest to him, those who’d tried to capitalize on Sly’s earlier attack.

Ma Osu’s swords flashed, creating a whirlwind of razor-sharp steel! He danced through his opponent’s formation and slashed at Shark Junior, whose water shield faltered under the relentless assault.

And Ge Vanisher darted around the platform, disorienting his opponents with his speed and unpredictable movements, creating openings for his teammates with each feint and distraction. His Solar Essence was a blend of trickery and raw power.

“This is too easy!” Sly Ringtail laughed. He watched as his teammates pressed their advantage and forcing the Aqua Depth team back towards the platform’s edge; each step an inch closer to elimination.

“Two down!” He'd seen Lingdon and Menta Squid knocked off-balance by those brutal blows. They vanished with screams of frustration, leaving their other members behind. Such a swift victory!

“King Wa! Ma Osu! Finish the other one! I’ll deal with their leader! Hahaha!”

He lunged toward Kralaton while directing power into his Banana Scythe.

But then…

Kralaton’s tattoos glowed! Brilliant blue light pulsed across his skin, and with a roar that echoed through the arena,

"Wave Ignition!”

WHOOSH!

Water burst upward, engulfing the entire platform in a torrent! It wasn’t simple water, but a potent blend of his Solar Essence and the very ocean itself, it was heavy, thick and it had Sly Ringtail and his companions gasping as the world around them transformed into a liquid nightmare.

“What the…?” Sly Ringtail’s Banana Scythe sputtered and shrank. He tried to regain his footing, but the water resisted his movements.

“This water… It’s draining my essence!” Ma Osu coughed, spitting out salty water. His swords felt heavy and useless.

King Wa roared while trying to unleash his ‘Iron Fist Barrage’, but his fists moved slowly due to the dense liquid. He was drowning!

Even Ge Vanisher, usually so swift and elusive, found himself struggling. His movements were sluggish. The water distorted his vision. His ability to vanish and reappear was faltering.

Kralaton smiled. Within his oceanic domain, he was a god!

His power amplified and he darted through the water, unleashing a barrage of attacks!

Each blow sent shockwaves rippling outwards, those very currents now resembled whips that had Sly Ringtail and his team scrambling for purchase, for a lifeline that wouldn’t save them, for their Solar Essences were their anchors now and these anchors were dragging them deeper into their doom!

“Wave Ignition – Oceanic Devastation!”

His fists were striking with pinpoint accuracy!

Sly Ringtail was the first to be hit. He was sent flying out of bounds with a scream of outrage and disbelief. His tail trailed behind him like a broken flag as he crashed into something solid.

Ma Osu and King Wa pushed their efforts. However, their resistance was futile, their struggles were mere ripples in Kralaton’s watery domain, gone they were also.

And lastly, Ge Vanisher, whose scales shifted desperately from one color to another in a final attempt to blend with his watery grave, was ejected out of bounds.

The water receded.

Kralaton stood triumphant. Shark Junior, who was a 9th Layer Calamity like the others he fought, emerged beside him.

They had won!

Sly Ringtail landed heavily outside the arena. He was soaked, his fur matted, and his once smug grin was replaced by a scowl. He glared up at the Emperor's platform, where his father, Julian Ringtail, watched with a mixture of amusement and disappointment.

He felt a wave of shame wash over him. He had failed. He’d been humiliated, not simply before his father, but before the entire Yama Yaguai.

This defeat… he wouldn't forget it.