Theory, However Perfect, Could Not Withstand the Test of Actual Combat

Chapter 285: Theory, However Perfect, Could Not Withstand the Test of Actual Combat

After a brief exchange, the two entered combat once more. This time, Molte changed his strategy. Rather than using wide-range flame attacks, he condensed his power into dozens of fist-sized fireballs. They hovered around him, ready to launch precise strikes at any moment.

"True Flame: Ember Thousand Kill!"

At Molte’s command, the fireballs seemed to come alive. Each locked onto a different part of Luo Feng’s body and attacked him from every direction. Not only were they incredibly fast, but they also adjusted in real time according to Luo Feng’s movements, making it nearly impossible to evade them all.

Luo Feng swiftly assessed the situation and knew he had to change his defensive approach. His Metal Storm was of limited use against such precise attacks, and there were simply too many fireballs to intercept them all.

At that crucial moment, Luo Feng recalled an important concept he had learned while sparring with Luo Wen—energy counteraction. Different types of law energy interacted with one another. If he found the right method, he could even use his opponent’s energy to strengthen himself.

Luo Feng formed a hand seal, simultaneously mobilizing his psychic power and Gold Law energy. "Psychokinetic Golden Body: Energy Reversion!"

A golden ripple of energy spread from Luo Feng’s body, forming a special energy field. When the fireballs entered it, they slowed down. Some even stopped in midair, as if restrained by an unseen force.

"This is…" Molte stared at the scene in surprise, clearly not expecting this.

Luo Feng did not explain. Instead, he continued increasing his energy output. The restrained fireballs began to tremble, then unexpectedly changed direction and flew back toward Molte.

"Energy counteraction," Luo Wen explained from the spectator stands, his voice carrying a hint of surprise and approval. "By combining special psychic power with the Gold Law, Luo Feng created a field capable of capturing and reflecting energy. This technique is extremely difficult and requires a profound understanding of the nature of energy."

Faced with the rebounding fireballs, Molte had no choice but to temporarily abandon his attack and focus entirely on defense. He quickly formed a hand seal. "True Flame: Phoenix Rebirth!"

Molte’s body was suddenly wrapped in a layer of orange-red flames, taking on the shape of a phoenix. The reflected fireballs struck the flames without causing any damage. Instead, they were absorbed, making the phoenix form brighter and more distinct.

"Useless," Molte’s voice came from within the phoenix, tinged with smugness. "My flames absorb any fire-element energy. They will only make me stronger."

Luo Feng was not discouraged. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face. "Who said I was only going to reflect your flames?"

With that, Luo Feng suddenly dismissed the Energy Reversion field and thrust both hands forward. "Psychokinetic Golden Body: Gold Insight!"

An invisible wave of energy shot from Luo Feng’s hands straight toward Molte’s phoenix flames. It had no visible effect, but the instant it touched the phoenix flames, their form became unstable and began to fluctuate violently.

"This is…" Molte watched in shock as his phoenix flames began spiraling out of control. "What did you do?"

"The Gold Law is not merely about controlling metal," Luo Feng explained calmly. "At a more fundamental level, it controls the structure of matter. Through Gold Insight, I analyzed and disrupted the energy structure of your flames, causing them to lose stability."

His words shocked not only Molte, but everyone in the spectator stands as well.

"I never expected Luo Feng’s understanding of the Gold Law to have reached such a level," Luo Wen praised. "This is no longer a simple application of techniques. It is a grasp of the very essence of the law."

Molte’s phoenix flames could finally no longer hold together. They collapsed into countless sparks that scattered across the ground. Molte himself turned slightly pale from the energy backlash, clearly suffering internal injuries.

However, as a genius of the Bauhinia Empire, Molte’s strength and willpower were anything but ordinary. He quickly recovered, and an even fiercer fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

"Interesting. Very interesting." Molte’s voice turned low and dangerous. "It seems I’ll have to show my true strength."

With that, Molte crossed his hands before his chest, then flung them outward. "Law of Fire: True Flame Unification!"

An astonishing surge of energy erupted from Molte’s body. The temperature throughout the arena soared abruptly, and even those in the stands could feel the blistering heat. Molte’s body began to change. His skin became dark red like molten lava, his eyes resembled two burning fireballs, and most striking of all, two pairs of wings made of pure flame sprouted from his back.

"This is…" Luo Wen’s expression became grave. "One of the highest realms of the Law of Fire—True Flame Avatar. He has completely fused himself with the Law of Fire, gaining traits nearly identical to an elemental lifeform."

Luo Feng also felt pressure unlike anything before. Molte’s aura had completely changed, and the pressure stemming from the source of the law itself was enough to make one’s heart tremble. Yet he did not retreat. Instead, his determination to win only grew stronger.

"Then I won’t hold back either." Luo Feng formed a hand seal, and the golden glow around his body became even more dazzling. "Psychokinetic Golden Body: Gold Origin Return!"

Luo Feng’s body began undergoing a similar transformation. His skin took on the texture of metal, but unlike his previous Diamond Body, this change was far more complete. Even his hair became fine metallic strands that swayed gently in the wind. Most astonishingly, his eyes turned pure gold, like two golden gems shining with the light of wisdom.

This was Luo Feng’s highest comprehension of the Gold Law—Gold Origin Return. He had completely merged himself with the source of the Gold Law, gaining unprecedented control.

The two law avatars faced one another in the center of the arena. The collision between fire and gold was about to erupt. Tens of thousands in the stands held their breath, even breathing softly for fear of missing this magnificent moment.

Molte’s flame avatar resembled a deity from hell. The surrounding air warped under the extreme heat, and every step he took left behind a scorching footprint, turning the metal floor red-hot. The four flaming wings on his back danced ceaselessly, radiating suffocating waves of heat. They were manifestations of true flame, containing pure Law of Fire energy.

Luo Feng’s Gold Origin avatar, on the other hand, resembled an ancient metal Wargod. His entire body emitted a restrained yet powerful golden radiance. Every movement he made was fluid and precise, without a trace of waste, displaying the unique precision of metal. Even more peculiar, countless fine metal particles floated in the air around him, glittering like stars and forming a complex metal nebula.

"My true flame can melt all metal." Molte’s voice had become hoarse and powerful due to his flame avatar. "No matter how strong your Gold Origin avatar is, it cannot escape being melted."

Luo Feng did not answer immediately. His golden eyes quietly watched his opponent, as if analyzing something. Then he spoke. His voice was calm, yet it carried a metallic quality that echoed clearly throughout the arena.

"Fire can indeed melt gold. That is a natural law. But you have overlooked one thing—the essence of the Gold Law is not merely the manipulation of metal. It is control over the structure of matter."

Molte sneered. "No matter how perfect the theory, it cannot withstand the test of actual combat. Let’s see whether your Gold Origin avatar is stronger, or whether my true flame is superior!"

The moment he finished speaking, Molte charged at Luo Feng. He was so fast that he crossed the distance between them almost instantly. His hands transformed into two giant flaming swords made of true flame and cleaved down at Luo Feng’s head.

"True Flame: Inferno Slash!"

The flaming giant swords slashed toward Luo Feng with the force to destroy everything. The air let out a piercing shriek beneath the intense heat, and even the arena’s energy barrier rippled faintly from the energy fluctuations of the strike.

Facing such a fierce attack, Luo Feng neither chose to withstand it head-on nor evade it. Instead, he made an unexpected move—he extended his right hand, palm facing upward, and said softly:

"Gold Origin Nebula: Attraction."

All the metal particles floating around Luo Feng suddenly gathered in his palm, forming a metal sphere roughly ten centimeters in diameter. Just as the flaming giant swords were about to strike him, the sphere erupted with brilliant golden light, creating a golden shield that covered Luo Feng’s entire body.

"Boom!"

The flaming giant swords collided with the golden shield in an earth-shaking blast. A powerful shockwave spread in all directions, stirring ring after ring of energy ripples. To everyone’s surprise, the golden shield blocked the attack completely intact, without showing the slightest sign of melting.

"How is that possible?" Molte stared at the scene in disbelief. "My true flame should be able to melt any metal!"

The light of wisdom flickered in Luo Feng’s golden eyes. "Ordinary metal would indeed be melted by your true flame, but my Gold Origin Nebula has transcended the realm of ordinary metal. Through the Gold Law, I reorganized the molecular structure of the metal and created an entirely new metallic form. Its melting point far exceeds that of ordinary metals, enough to withstand your true flame."

This explanation stunned not only Molte, but also everyone in the stands.

A trace of approval flashed through Luo Wen’s eyes. "Luo Feng’s comprehension has reached an entirely new level. He is no longer limited to the superficial applications of the Gold Law. He has penetrated to the fundamental level of material structure. This understanding is already close to the realm of Minor Achievement in the law."

Thor’s eyes widened in amazement. "So Luo Feng can now create entirely new metals?"

Luo Wen nodded. "More than that. He can reorganize the structure of metal at the molecular level and alter its physical properties. The practical value of this ability in combat is immeasurable."

In the arena, Molte was not discouraged by the failure of his first attack. Instead, it only ignited his fighting spirit further. He stepped back several paces, rapidly forming hand seals before his chest. His flame wings spread wide like a phoenix about to soar into the sky.

"True Flame: Phoenix Nirvana Flame!"

Molte’s body suddenly transformed into a massive fire phoenix. It spread its wings and let out a cry that shook the heavens. This fire phoenix was much larger than the previous one, occupying nearly a quarter of the arena. The heat it radiated even caused faint distortions to appear across the surface of the energy barrier.

The fire phoenix dived toward Luo Feng, its enormous body carrying an unstoppable momentum. This was no longer a simple fire-element attack, but a manifestation of will, containing all of Molte’s understanding and control of the Law of Fire.

Luo Feng knew that defense alone would not be enough this time. He had to reveal his true strength and confront it head-on.

"Gold Origin Nebula: Gold Dragon Manifestation!"

All the metal particles around Luo Feng gathered in an instant, forming a gigantic golden dragon. Its entire body shimmered with brilliant golden light, its scales clearly visible, and its eyes gleamed like two bright stars, lifelike in every detail. Countless tiny fragments of metal swirled around the dragon’s body, as dazzling as a nebula.

Luo Feng himself stood atop the golden dragon’s head, becoming the core and commander of this colossal energy construct.

The golden dragon and fire phoenix met in the air. The clash between the two law manifestations unleashed an unprecedented energy storm. Gold and fire intertwined in the center of the arena, forming a massive energy vortex. Powerful shockwaves spread outward in rings, and even those in the stands could feel the vibrations of that energy.

The two colossal beasts battled in the air. The golden dragon’s claws and fangs continuously tore at the fire phoenix’s body, while the fire phoenix scorched the golden dragon’s scales with blazing flames. Though they appeared solid, they were actually manifestations of law energy, representing the two contestants’ understanding and control of their respective laws.

"This is unbelievable!" the commentator in the stands exclaimed excitedly. "We are witnessing history! Two young law wielders are displaying comprehension and application of the laws far beyond their age!"

Indeed, even in the history of the Virtual Universe Company’s Challenge Tournament, such a battle was rare. Manifesting laws to this degree usually required decades, or even centuries, of cultivation and accumulation.

The battle between the golden dragon and fire phoenix grew ever fiercer, and the energy fluctuations intensified. The arena’s energy barrier began to tremble faintly, forcing the system to increase its energy supply to maintain stability.

Luo Feng and Molte were both controlling their law manifestations with everything they had, and the consumption was immense. Molte’s flame avatar began showing signs of instability. Its flaming wings alternated between bright and dim, making it clear that his energy reserves were nearing their limit.

But Luo Feng’s situation was no better. The glow of his Gold Origin avatar began to weaken, and the golden dragon’s movements became somewhat sluggish. The two were engaged in a prolonged battle of will and energy, testing who could endure until the end.

Amid this intense confrontation, Molte suddenly changed tactics. Rather than continuing to battle the golden dragon head-on, the fire phoenix abruptly broke apart, turning into countless tiny fireballs that attacked Luo Feng himself from every direction.

It was a dangerous gamble. Molte abandoned control over the fire phoenix and concentrated all his energy into this final attack. If it succeeded, it would directly crush Luo Feng. If it failed, he himself would be defeated once his energy ran dry.

Faced with this sudden change, Luo Feng did not panic. He formed a hand seal, and the golden dragon broke apart as well, returning to a metal nebula that surrounded him and formed multiple layers of defensive barriers.