Ever since Ignis was publicly rebuked by Wu Liang for her "worthless pride," a fire had been smoldering within her.
She watched as Alesha, Suina, and even Florgloria—whom she used to look down upon—all continued to shine brilliantly.
Meanwhile, she and her Ember Tribe warriors seemed to have become the most "useless" group, doing nothing but daily patrols and training.
This caused the intensely proud Ignis to feel an unprecedented sense of frustration and anxiety.
Her pride stemmed from her combat prowess and the ferocity of the Ember Tribe.
But now, there was no war in the Tribe; where was she to display her martial valor?
Must she really wait until the enemy beat down their door to prove her worth?
What irritated her even more was that the friction between her and Akomann of the Bloodfang Tribe was becoming increasingly frequent.
As the Chief Instructor of the Black Rock Army, Akomann was fierce and direct, and Ignis possessed an equally explosive temper.
The two often argued incessantly over trivial matters like the use of training grounds or the distribution of supplies, and several times they had nearly come to blows.
This afternoon, on the training grounds.
Ignis had just finished a high-intensity combat session. She was soaked in sweat, her clothes half-wrapped around her, revealing a large expanse of snowy-white, full skin.
Her fiery red hair was tied loosely behind her head, making her look like a female leopard ready to pounce.
She flicked her spear, sending her opponent's weapon flying, her gaze as sharp as a blade.
"Next!"
She growled.
However, the surrounding warriors all took a step back in fear; no one dared to step forward.
Everyone knew their leader was in a terrible mood today; whoever went up would be in for a bad time.
Just then, a lazy voice drifted over from not far away.
"What's this? Since no one dares to fight you, you're here bullying your own clansmen?"
Ignis whipped her head around to see Wu Liang leaning against a nearby weapon rack with his arms crossed, watching her with composure.
The moment she saw Wu Liang, the fire in Ignis's heart flared up instantly.
She slammed her long spear into the ground with a heavy thud.
"What are you doing here? Come to laugh at me?"
Her tone was sharp, like a cat with its fur standing on end.
Wu Liang didn't get angry; he just walked slowly toward her.
He looked her up and down as she panted heavily and gave a faint smile.
"What's so interesting about your joke?"
"I'm just curious how the once-proud leader of the Ember Tribe has turned into a mad dog who can't find a fight, snapping at everyone she sees."
"You!"
Ignis was instantly enraged. She yanked out her spear and pointed the tip directly at Wu Liang's throat.
"Who are you calling a mad dog!"
The spear tip was less than a finger's width from Wu Liang's skin; the sharp wind even caused the stray hairs on his forehead to flutter slightly.
But Wu Liang's expression didn't change in the slightest; he didn't even blink.
He simply extended two fingers and gently pinched the sharp spear tip.
Ignis felt as if her spear had struck an indestructible rock; no matter how much force she applied, she couldn't move it forward even a fraction.
She looked at Wu Liang in shock.
She knew Wu Liang was strong, but she hadn't expected him to be this powerful.
A thrust she had poured all her strength into was actually stopped so easily by him with just two fingers?
This had already exceeded her understanding of power.
"What, you want to fight me?"
Wu Liang applied a slight pressure with his fingers, and with a 'crack,' the spear tip forged from refined iron was snapped off by him.
Ignis watched the broken spear tip fall to the ground, her pupils shrinking as she instinctively took a step back.
Her heart was in a state of upheaval.
How much strength did that require? Is this guy even human?
"If your pride is only used to act tough toward your clansmen and your man, then it truly is worthless."
Wu Liang casually tossed away the broken spear tip, his tone flat.
Ignis's face flushed red and white; humiliation and anger made her body tremble slightly.
She gritted her teeth and stared fixedly at Wu Liang.
"Then what do you want from me? To be hesitant like Alesha, kneeling at your feet?"
"Or to be like Suina, hammering away in a workshop?"
"Or like Florgloria, circling you every day like a tail-wagger?"
"I'm telling you, Wu Liang! I, Ignis, am a warrior of the Ember Tribe! My value lies only on the battlefield!"
"The battlefield?"
Wu Liang scoffed.
"With just this bit of skill, you're worthy of talking about the battlefield?"
"What do you mean!"
Ignis was thoroughly enraged.
The greatest insult to a warrior was to question their martial prowess.
"My meaning is simple."
Wu Liang's gaze suddenly became sharp.
"The strength and combat techniques you're so proud of are, in my eyes, full of holes and utterly fragile."
"Bullshit!"
Ignis roared, threw down her broken spear, and charged at Wu Liang with her bare hands.
She struck out in fury, her punches whistling with a scorching aura.
However, in Wu Liang's eyes, her movements were like a slow-motion movie.
He easily stepped aside to dodge her straight punch, grabbed her wrist, and pulled hard.
Ignis felt an irresistible force pull her, and she lunged into Wu Liang's embrace against her will.
She tried to struggle, but Wu Liang's other hand had already clamped onto the back of her neck like lightning, holding her firmly in place.
"Too slow, and your force is too scattered."
Wu Liang whispered in her ear, his voice cold.
"This is the combat power you're so proud of?"
The warm breath on her ear made Ignis's body shudder.
But what terrified her even more was Wu Liang's power, which had completely subdued her with such nonchalance.
She struggled frantically in his arms, her legs kicking back wildly, trying to attack Wu Liang's lower body.
But Wu Liang's legs were like iron pincers; with a simple squeeze, he rendered her legs immobile.
No matter how she channeled the power within her, it was like a clay ox entering the sea—completely ineffective.
In this moment, Ignis finally understood what absolute suppression of power felt like.
All her pride and all her confidence were crushed to dust before this man.
"No... impossible..."
She muttered to herself, dazed.
"Nothing is impossible."
Wu Liang released her and pushed her back.
Ignis stumbled a few steps, barely managing to stand firm.
She looked at Wu Liang, her eyes filled with shock and indignation.
"Now, do you still think your pride has any meaning?"
Wu Liang asked.
Ignis didn't speak; she just bit her lip hard, nearly drawing blood.
Seeing her unyielding appearance, Wu Liang felt a stir in his heart.
He knew that with a woman like this wild horse, mere suppression wasn't enough; she also needed a goal.
"However,"
Wu Liang changed his tone.
"Your talent isn't bad; you're worth cultivating."
Ignis snapped her head up, a flash of bewilderment in her eyes.
"Want to prove your worth?"
The corners of Wu Liang's mouth curled into a slight arc.
"It's simple: defeat me."
"As long as you can win against me once in any fair duel, I will acknowledge your strength."
"And I will hand over the Tribe's most elite warriors to you to form an Ember Assault Squad, making you the Tribe's sharpest blade."
"But!"
Wu Liang's gaze became playful.
"If you lose..."
"What if I lose?"
Ignis asked instinctively.
Wu Liang walked slowly to her and tilted her chin up.
"If you lose, you and your Ember Tribe will have to burn for me, just like your name."
"I want you to be just as... ferocious under my command as you are on the battlefield."