It was just a casual strike, but she was a sacred beast, so all her strikes contained a lot of energy. If this man could fend it off so easily, she would start doubting her power.

How annoying!

This man must be very capable but managed to hide his real strength. That was why she suggested the fight. She wanted to find out the man’s real capability.

“Alright, but you’re in the sky the whole time. Am I going to fight you in this way?” Himmel Soan asked.

“That’s my advantage. Can’t I use it? Alright. I’ll make it easier for you.”

The fire phoenix turned into a woman and landed on the ground. She was as pretty as Firey, if not better. She also resembled Gina a little.

Himmel Soan watched her face in astonishment. His lips trembled, and he couldn’t speak a word. Tears were glistening in his eyes.

The fire phoenix was dumbfounded. Wasn’t it supposed to be a competition? Why was the man suddenly crying?

Sensing something was off, Firey took Himmel Soan’s hand and stood in front of him.

“Master, are you alright?” Firey asked.

She looked at the fire phoenix, alarmed.

The fire phoenix shrugged. She hadn’t done anything yet, but he was already crying! It wasn’t her fault. She was confused, too.

Earlier, the man was so calm that nothing could affect him. All of a sudden, he started crying without rhyme or reason. She wondered if he was shocked by her beauty.

“Firey, it’s alright.” Himmel Soan took a few deep breaths. “Alright. Let’s begin. Firey, move aside.”

Firey glanced at him before stepping aside. She was very sensitive to changes in Himmel Soan’s emotions and knew when he was affected.

Himmel Soan slowly calmed down. He was still a little excited, but it wasn’t enough to affect him.

“You look like her, but you’re not her.” The fire phoenix was confused.

Only Firey knew what it meant. She immediately understood why Himmel Soan lost his composure earlier.

The fire phoenix was utterly confused. Was that a riddle?

“I don’t look like anybody! I am unique!” The fire phoenix snapped.

“I have one more condition. If I win, you’re coming with me.”

Himmel Soan made a decision. It wasn’t impulsive or anything. He had made up his mind after thinking it through.

He had a few reasons. First of all, the fire phoenix was a sacred beast and knew a lot of things. If she came with him, she could tell him many things he needed to know.

Secondly, the fire phoenix might lead them to Gina.

Last but not least, Himmel Soan had a personal reason: the fire phoenix looked a lot like Gina.

Maybe she knew her. Even if she didn’t, he could still bring her along. Maybe something interesting would happen when he found Gina.

“Coming with you?” The fire phoenix frowned.

She liked her freedom and didn’t want to follow anybody.

But would she lose? Never!

Even if she lost, she could always go back on her words.

The fire phoenix made up her mind and agreed to Himmel Soan’s terms.

“My name’s Phoe Zimmer. Be careful!”

Phoe launched her attack right away.

She wanted to strike the instance she said her name, thinking Himmel Soan’s guard would be down and that she could defeat him with a single strike.

That way, she wouldn’t need to go with him. These three would become her toys.

Bang!

There was a loud noise. Sensing something awry, Phoe quickly fell back. She stopped after a few dozen meters.

“How’s that possible?!”

Himmel Soan didn’t move an inch, yet he didn’t have a scratch on him.

She used 50% of her power in her earlier strike. Why wasn’t he injured at all?

The trees around the man all fell to the ground. The broken twigs and branches were reduced to ash from the impact.

“Why are you still alright? This can’t be happening!

“I don’t believe it!”

Phoe struck again.

This time, she appeared behind Himmel Soan and punched him with 80% of her power. Immediately after that, she flew into the sky and spat out a large ball of fire.

She resumed her human form and returned to her original spot. She made another strike with 80% of her power.

All of this was done in an instant.

Three attacks containing 80% of Phoe’s power came toward Himmel Soan at the same time. She was sure no one could withstand that kind of force.

“Have I gone too far? I hope I don’t blast him into pieces.

“Sister Zimmer told me not to kill anybody. Have I broken my promise?

“What am I going to do?

“It’s not my fault. It’s an accident! I’m sure Sister Zimmer won’t be angry with me!” Phoe mumbled.

She did everything on instinct. After the strikes, she began to worry if Himmel Soan could withstand the attacks. If not, she would have killed someone!

That was the last thing she wanted to see.

She could only pray Himmel Soan could withstand the attacks.

Thump!

Dirt filled the air after the explosions.

“It’s so dusty!” Firey didn’t like it at all.

She took a fan out of her ring. With a few swipes, she cleared the dust in the air. Only then did Phoe see what was going on.

Himmel Soan still stood where he was without moving an inch while Firey was flapping a fan. Rustam was sitting on the ground, recovering from his injury.

The area around them still had an even ground. They were surrounded by deep pits.