Chapter 130: The Terrifying Destructive Power of the Black Dragon Wave

"Ungh...!!"

"Do not be surprised," Hiei said with a cold sneer, observing the expression on the Martial God's face. "I have forgotten how to wrap these bandages." As he spoke, Hiei unwound the final binding from his arm and cast it to the ground. A black dragon of flame coiled around his right arm, slithering as if it possessed a life of its own.

His entire right arm was now encased in black fire. The terrifying power of the flames radiated outward uncontrollably, filling the air with the stench of scorched earth. It was clear that Hiei had fully mastered the power of the Black Dragon Wave.

Opening his palm, Hiei released a monstrous surge of demonic energy. Unlike his first attempt, this aura was unimaginably vast, flooding the entire arena and suffocating the venue. The atmosphere felt like a volcanic crater, the very air boiling under the intensity of the searing heat.

The arena, now trapped within the incinerating furnace of the black flames, left the spectators drenched in cold sweat. Soon, the cries of the demons began:

"Damn it! It’s too hot! This is like being trapped in a sauna!"
"Cursed Hiei! What is he doing? He’s going to bake us alive!"
"To hell with you, Hiei!"
"Are you trying to roast me into jerky? I’ll haunt you from the grave!"
"Mommy! It’s burning! I need water!"
"Is this even survivable? I can’t take it anymore!"
"Heavens! Someone give me a drink! Any longer and I’ll be a roasted suckling pig!"
"I'm burning up! I can't take it! Get out of my way! Damn you all!"
"I'm finished! I’m getting out of here! I'll fight my way through!"
"Help! I can't take it anymore!"

"It's too hot! Give me water!"
"Hiei, I will never forgive you, even in the afterlife!"
"Help!"
"Ahhhh!!!"

It was like being scorched by molten lava. Weaker demons, unable to endure the heat, scrambled backward, but the stands were packed tight—demon pressed against demon—leaving no room to retreat. To move even an inch had become a luxury.

But there was no choice. Those in the front row, having nowhere to go, cast helpless glares at the sea of demons behind them. Escape was impossible, so they vented their rage at Hiei on the stage; if they were going to die, they might as well let their tongues run wild.

Stronger demons in the stands began to channel their own energy to form a barrier against the heat waves rolling off the stage. They cursed their luck—who knew watching a match could be a death sentence? This was no longer a tournament; it was a gamble with their lives.

Still, there was a glimmer of hope: if they survived, their own power might ascend to a new level. With that, they steeled themselves, clashing their energy against the encroaching inferno. It was a choice between life or incineration.

"Witness the ultimate mystery of the Black Dragon Wave!" Unsealed, Hiei’s hand radiated a terrifying aura. The flames on his arm lashed out as the black dragon began to slither toward his palm.

"Contender Hiei's energy is truly terrifying! I can't take it either! Mom, I'm roasting..." Patting out the flames igniting her clothes, the host, Miss Hoshime, sprinted off the stage at record speed. Staying any longer would surely turn her into a roasted cat.

The searing air currents, propelled by Hiei’s heat, turned the arena into a living lava flow. With every step Hiei took, tongues of fire sprayed outward. Lesser demons in the first row were knocked unconscious by the heat; had it not been for the rows in front of them, they would have been reduced to desiccated husks, their fluids evaporated instantly.

Panic erupted as spectators fought to move back, leading to chaotic shoving. Some, driven mad by the heat, began to attack those blocking their path—better to die fighting than to be baked alive.

"He really has mastered the Black Dragon Wave!" Shirokage stared at Hiei’s right hand, confirming his fears. The energy was ten times stronger than before; this time, there would be no risk of his arm being destroyed by a lack of control.

Ignoring the chaos in the stands, Hiei walked toward the Martial God, the Evil Eye on his forehead snapping open to cast a cold, brilliant glow. Hiei’s lips curled into a faint smile as he observed the Martial God’s focus. He crouched, pushed off the ground, and lunged. "Let's go..."

*Block it, I must block it!* The Martial God’s mind was a taut wire as he watched the charge. *The Ensatsu Kokuryuha is his ultimate technique. If I can defend against this, I win! The reflected dragon will turn on him, and he will be swallowed by his own power! Aaaahhhh!!!!*

"Ensatsu Kokuryuha!"

"Waaahhhhhhh--!!"

A black dragon, exuding a power capable of annihilating the world, erupted from Hiei’s hand. The moment it was released, the arena turned into a hellscape of black fire. The temperature spiked instantly, sending a wave of heat that reduced many low-level spectators to dried husks as their moisture vanished.

Summoning every ounce of his power into his hands, the Martial God let out a thunderous roar. He pushed his energy forward, meeting the dragon’s gaping maw. The sheer impact forced the Martial God backward, tearing the arena floor to shreds. The two forces clashed with a piercing hiss, like water hitting molten iron. The Martial God’s energy was being devoured by the scorching flames. He gripped the dragon’s jaws, pouring his entire soul into the struggle.

The force was overwhelming; the Martial God could not halt the dragon’s momentum. He was pushed back into the stands, bringing ruin to the spectators behind him. As the Martial God was driven through the seating, the dragon swept through the crowd, vaporizing them instantly. They didn't even have time to scream before they were reduced to dust.

Because the stadium was packed, there was no space to flee. The audience watched in horror as the searing flames consumed them, turning the arena into an inferno. In the few seconds the dragon pushed the Martial God through the stands, nearly a third of the audience—nearly twenty thousand people—were incinerated. The massive venue, once holding nearly two hundred thousand, suddenly felt spacious. Survivors scrambled to the exits, desperate to escape.

Yet, many others, trembling and fighting the urge to flee, stood their ground, eyes fixed on the battle. It was a terrifying, exhilarating sight they would only see once in a lifetime. These reckless souls even cheered for the Martial God, praying for the spectacle to continue.

The raw force of the dragon finally drove the Martial God through the stadium’s ceiling, soaring into the sky.

At first, the Martial God had not anticipated such strength. The moment of impact had sent him flying backward. To avoid being burned, he had encased his body in a suit of hardened demonic energy.

But as the push continued, he began to understand the nature of the dragon’s power. Using the momentum of the retreat, he adapted. Though still being pushed, his confidence grew. *It can be done! I can push the Black Dragon Wave back! I know I can!*