Ariel only felt her head spinning, her body still completely empty.
At this moment, she was sprawled atop a scorching brown rock, waves of heat washing over her face again and again.
For ordinary people, the temperature on Huoyun Island could roast them in a matter of minutes.
But for a mage like Ariel, who specialized in fire elements, this place was nothing short of paradise!
So warm… I wish I could stay here forever… Ariel let out a long sigh.
It was the first time since her soul had been extracted that she felt such comfort, filling up the emptiness in her body.
If only the distant rumbling and sounds of fighting weren’t so ear-piercing—she couldn’t ignore them, and they gradually pulled her mind back to clarity:
“Right, the Blood Demon and Heavenfire Lord!”
Ariel sat up with a start from her dying state, only now remembering that after she tearfully signed the contract earlier, she had told Truth many things about Heavenfire Lord.
And to avoid being recognized by Huoyun Island’s facial recognition, Truth had even directly possessed Ariel’s body.
Because Truth’s possession was so overpowering, Ariel’s consciousness had been squeezed to the side, forced to watch as her body was wantonly manipulated by another.
On the way to Huoyun Island, Truth had even tugged at her collar and skirt hem:
“Eh? Not as bad as the White Tiger.”
Wait, commenting on my body now?! Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in my body? And what does “White Tiger” mean?!
Although she didn’t know the meaning, she could sense the disdain in Truth’s tone.
To think her figure would be looked down on by a little brat who barely reached her chest—unbelievable!
I admit I can’t beat you, but you have to admit you’re not taller than me!
“So where did Truth go? And where is Heavenfire Lord?” Now more collected, Ariel slowly sat up.
She only remembered that after arriving at Huoyun Island, Truth had left her body, and then she blacked out.
Boom!
Just then, a deafening explosion came from afar, a powerful shockwave sweeping across the floating island.
Amidst the sky-darkening dust, Ariel could vaguely make out two gigantic figures entwined in battle!
One of the figures had a bizarre, abstract shape, as if several chunks of liquid were melded together.
The other bore massive pincers and a terrifying scorpion tail over a meter thick.
It was Heavenfire Lord’s true form! She was fighting Blood Demon—Truth!
“That’s great!”
Ariel couldn’t help but cheer, clasping her hands and earnestly praying in Heavenfire’s direction.
She hoped Heavenfire Lord would quickly finish off this unreasonable, disastrous Blood Demon and return her freedom!
The battle grew ever more intense, the two sides’ fearsome roars shaking the skies.
Ariel merely looked at the Fire Prison that enveloped the island, and smiled smugly.
She never thought Truth, this Blood Demon, would dare come alone to challenge Heavenfire Lord.
Heh, just a high-ranked demon—who gave it the nerve to mess with a King-ranked Heavenfire’s will?
All right, now you’re trapped on Huoyun Island, there’s no escape.
As a devout follower of Heavenly Fire, Ariel could recognize Heavenfire Lord’s Fire Prison at a glance.
Whenever Heavenfire Lord used this move, the believers all knew it was time for her to “shut the gates and beat the dog.”
Beaten to death, that is~
“So go for it, my proudest faith!”
Ariel shouted again toward Heavenfire, unable to wait to see that brat Truth revert to his real form and cry for forgiveness, tugging at her skirt before her!
“Hiss!”
Right after, the Heavenfire Scorpion in its true form also let out a roar, seemingly responding to Ariel. This made her even more excited.
But just as she was about to cheer again, another powerful shockwave scattered the dust, letting Ariel finally see the Heavenfire Scorpion and Blood Demon clearly, and she froze all over:
“Eh?”
From beginning to end, the scene Ariel imagined was Heavenfire Scorpion completely overwhelming Blood Demon—forcing it to retreat, begging for mercy. But reality was quite different.
“How could this be…”
Seeing the scene, the light faded instantly from Ariel’s eyes. She simply couldn’t understand why the King-ranked Heavenfire Lord—
Was actually being suppressed by a high-ranked demon!
Completely unlike her imagination, in the distance, the Heavenfire Scorpion, crimson and burning with Heavenly Fire, was being continually forced back by the Blood Demon.
Its massive pincers were tangled by the Blood Web shot from the Blood Demon, and the Scorpion Tail was pressed down by several fearsome claws!
“Lowly crawling species!”
Truth’s hoarse, mocking voice taunted Heavenfire as he shoved her with full force toward the volcano behind him.
Realizing her strength was no match for Truth, Heavenfire flexed her mandibles and began to gather power.
In the next instant, a beam of Heavenfire that could melt anything shot from her mouth!
But just as the beam was about to strike Truth, he made use of his liquid body, opening a gaping hole through which the beam passed harmlessly!
Even though I’m a whole Rank above this Heavenfire, my health bar is still too fragile—better not take a direct hit from a Ten-Rank Penetration Skill.
“Hiss!”
Heavenfire reacted swiftly, twisting her body in an attempt to sweep the beam sideways and bisect Truth, but before she could move, Truth saw through her intent.
Six blood tentacles transformed into various piercing weapons and stabbed straight into the Heavenfire Scorpion’s mouthparts!
“Pathetic!”
Although the tentacles were quickly melted by the scorching beam, Heavenfire couldn’t really harm Truth either.
In the end, she was knocked against the volcano.
Rumble!
The volcano at the island’s center collapsed in an instant.
Heavy rocks crashed down on Heavenfire, who howled in pain.
Meanwhile, Truth scattered himself into countless tiny blood threads weaving between the falling rocks, probing Heavenfire’s weak points with blood spikes:
“Utterly foolish!”…
Faced with Truth’s torrential assault, Heavenfire’s heart changed from initial shock and disdain to an unprecedented terror.
She was actually being suppressed in a head-on duel… by an Assassin!
And Truth’s scolding was justified—Heavenfire really had acted a bit foolishly.
Just after recovering from the damage of a Stealth Strike, she had charged at Truth, without a thought for her remaining health.
She was afraid Truth would go stealth again, or worse, ambush her and flee Huoyun Island.
But even after the Fire Prison was cast, Truth showed no sign of escaping.
He even revealed his true form, eager for a direct confrontation!
So arrogant?!
Thus, Heavenfire also assumed her true form to clash with Truth—Tank Mage versus classic Assassin, the advantage was hers!
But after the first clash, Heavenfire realized this Blood Demon’s strength actually matched her own!
“How is that possible?!”