Chapter 86: Blue and White Lotus Blossom [Fourth Update]

“One million crystal cores, is it? You may exchange them.”

Luffy had never expected the system to possess such abilities, able to detect the compatibility of the Beast Flame and the Nether Serpent Flame. After fusion, they transformed into an entirely new and monstrous fire—Nirvana Rebirth Flame, an astonishing surprise.

“Ding! Of course. Would you like to proceed with the exchange?”

“Exchange immediately, learn at once.”

Luffy was impatient. The Nirvana Rebirth Flame, it was said, was the fire left behind when the Vermilion Bird rose from the ashes. Accumulating strength over countless years, it grew ever more potent. Those who fully refined it were granted a chance to be reborn through fire—not only returning from death but also altering their innate talent.

It could truly be called a rare, monstrous flame.

“Ding! The item has been transferred to the temporary storage compartment.”

“Ding! One million crystal cores have been deducted.”

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have mastered the Burning Art.”

“Wow, I’ve mastered it so quickly.”

Luffy was elated. When that fellow tried to use the Nether Serpent Flame again, he’d simply absorb it, stripping away any pride the man had in his flame.

Luffy activated the Burning Art, feeling his whole body ablaze. Yet every ounce of fire energy seemed to come alive, granting him ever more nimble control—it was truly marvelous.

“Swish…”

The first and second layers of the Dragon Emperor’s Domineering Art circulated, yet he could still wield the Burning Art. This was wholly unexpected; suddenly, his body was enveloped in dragon aura, and his fire attribute erupted with greater heat.

The male quasi-serpent demon king was utterly shocked. Now, he could no longer discern this youth’s true strength. Earlier, he’d been able to tell Luffy was at the third tier—now it was as if he’d seen a ghost.

The female quasi-cat demon king was equally stunned. What was going on with this boy? How had he suddenly become so unfathomable, impossible for any demon to read?

Their earlier disdain, their dismissal of him, had turned to a wary apprehension. They weren’t sure whether to join forces, for the male quasi-serpent king seemed unable to subdue the youth.

“Let’s attack together. This boy is too strange—we can’t waste any more time. We must eliminate him, then strike the human army from behind for a pincer attack, catching them off guard.”

Her voice was cold as she charged Luffy, wielding a staff, black and white, dazzling in appearance.

The crystal at its center glowed blue, sending ripples of demonic energy. A blue energy sphere formed at the staff’s tip and shot toward Luffy.

The female quasi-cat demon king paid no heed to whether the male quasi-serpent king agreed or not; the boy had to be destroyed.

After all, this youth was too strange—just two moves against the male quasi-serpent demon king and the latter was already at a disadvantage, a terrifying prospect. Should the serpent king falter, the remaining two demons would struggle to defeat the youth.

“You’re being far too cautious. He merely gained a brief advantage, and you want us all to attack!”

The male quasi-serpent demon king was displeased, glaring at the cat king.

“Caution is never wrong,” the female quasi-cat demon king replied gravely.

The blue energy whirled fiercely toward Luffy.

“Boom…”

Luffy’s sword slashed forth, sending a cross-shaped fire blade that cleaved the energy into quarters. He spun and lunged at the male quasi-demon king.

The Burning Art was poised, ready to absorb the Nether Serpent Flame.

“Perfect timing. Behold my strongest move! I won’t fear you, and you won’t survive. Earlier, I was careless and let you push me back a few steps—now I’ll be serious.”

The male quasi-serpent demon king spoke with utmost seriousness. The blazing fire in his hand grew ever brighter and hotter. His other hand ignited with blue Nether Serpent Flame.

Fire in both hands took the shape of a lotus. Blue flames coiled around his body, transforming into a giant serpent. As he thrust forward, the fire serpent opened its fierce maw, lunging at Luffy with terrifying power.

The enormous fire serpent was five meters long, shining brightly in the night, its eerie blue glowing as it roared and surged toward Luffy.

Meanwhile, the female quasi-cat demon king seized the moment, raising her staff high. Blue energy swept out, forming a huge wind, spinning rapidly.

The surrounding debris was sucked in, spinning ever faster.

“Whoosh, whoosh…”

The diameter widened from two meters to three; its height reached seven meters—a veritable tornado.

It swept toward Luffy.

The remaining serpent demon wielded a long pole, swinging it down at Luffy.

Three forces collided at once, all aimed at Luffy.

“Let’s see if you survive—under the combined assault of two quasi-demon kings and a seventh-tier great demon!”

The female quasi-cat king’s voice was icy. She imagined that, no matter how mysterious or powerful, the boy was only sixteen; surely he would perish under their formidable attack, his body obliterated, leaving no trace behind.

“He’s just an empty shell—he’ll die miserably,” the great serpent demon sneered.

Luffy saw the massive fire serpent, his eyes brightening. Dragon aura swirled around him, resisting the tornado and pole attacks. He activated the Burning Art, reaching toward the ferocious fire serpent. A vortex formed in his palm, growing larger and stronger, sucking the fire serpent straight in, as if it had vanished into thin air.

Luffy felt his whole body burning, as though roasted by flames, cold sweat pouring down. He had to resist the tornado, and simultaneously devour the Nether Serpent Flame—leaving him utterly exhausted. Blood spurted from his mouth, but he had to persevere; otherwise, not only would he die, he would fail to save others.

He was like a small boat tossed in a stormy sea, on the verge of capsizing at any moment.

“Swish, swish…”

Luffy sensed two streams of fire battling within him, rolling and clashing. His meridians felt as though they might snap, but the Burning Art repaired them.

“Damn, what’s going on? Where did my fire serpent go?”

The male quasi-serpent demon king was utterly baffled. He found his Nether Serpent Flame growing weaker; he forced it, but only produced a tiny wisp—what in the world was happening?

“That boy…” The serpent demon’s eyes widened, staring toward the storm.

Suddenly—

“Boom!” A deafening explosion. The tornado was blown apart, shockwaves sweeping outward.

The youth’s figure emerged. His upper garment was gone, his body covered in blood, yet his muscles were explosively defined, as if naturally sculpted—truly beautiful.

The youth’s flames, once blue and red, gradually turned blue and white, forming a lotus blossom, astonishingly beautiful, radiating terrifying heat.

The female quasi-cat demon king drew a cold breath.

“No way—how can this be? His flames bear a trace of my Nether Serpent Flame. Did he swallow it? Damn you and your whole family!”

The male quasi-serpent demon king roared in fury.

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(End of chapter)