Stella Vermillion vs Fu Xiaoli

Stella Vermillion vs Fu Xiaoli is a fight between the 2nd Princess of Vermillion Stella Vermillion and one of the Four Sages of Shinryuu Temple, Fu Xiaoli. It takes place during Stella's sixth and last day of guarding Edelweiss' home.

Prologue
Stella, during her final day of guarding Edelweiss' home, confronts Fu Xiaoli, who is one of the Four Sages of Shinryuu Temple and a Desperado. Xiaoli explains that she's on the run from the temple, as she has broken three of their "Five Prohibitions", the rules of the temple. Xiaoli wants to show the world Shinryuu Temples true strength, by defeating strong opponents, like Edelweiss. Xiaoli then challenges Stella, as she wants to fight against her too. As Xiaoli is a Desperado, she exerts a powerful aura, which Stella can barely defend against, needing to have faith in her own abilities.

Battle
Stella uses her Noble Art, Satan Fang, launching seven flaming dragon heads at Xiaoli. Xiaoli though easily dodges the attacks with a Shishou martial art move, Seiryuu Type: Ryuusui. However, Stella uses the dragons to surround Xiaoli in a fiery tornado. Xiaoli escapes by burrowing through the earth and strikes Stella from behind. Stella falls to the ground, realizing the strike was imbued with poison. This is an ability Xiaoli copied from Ranbalt Raab, with her own Noble Art, Goheitaishu. Stella though activates Dragon Spirit, healing her poisoning and striking Xiaoli. This launches Xiaoli back, breaking both her arms.

Xiaoli runs away from Stella, with the latter chasing after her. Stella uses Dragon Stomp, causing Xiaoli to lose her balance. Stella attempts to attack Xiaoli, but Xiaoli manages to strike Stella back. It's noted by Iris Ascarid, who is watching the battle with Yui Tatara, that Stella has intentionally lured Xiaoli to an open area, where Xiaoli won't be able to hide from Stella's Noble Art. Stella then uses Katharterio Salamandra, attacking Xiaoli. Xiaoli though copies Stella's ability, gaining resistance to her attacks. She then launches her own version of Katharterio Salamandra, which Stella manages to block. Xiaoli also heals the injuries she has received with Stella's ability.

Despite Xiaoli now possessing Stella's ability, Stella figures that Xiaoli can't be as good with Stella's ability, as she has less experience. Stella then attacks Xiaoli, but her attack is stopped, by Xiaoli, who catches her sword with only two fingers. Xiaoli notes that although Stella is more skilled in using her ability, Xiaoli's martial arts skills easily bridge the gap between them. Xiaoli then strikes Stella with a hard punch, using a martial arts technique, called Genbu Type: Taizan, which gives Xiaoli added strength by holding her feet strongly against the ground. Xiaoli then attacks Stella with more strikes, although Stella is able to heal most of the injuries.

As Xiaoli gains the upper hand, Stella starts to become succumbed by fear, letting Xiaoli's Desperado aura overtake her. Stella attempts to attack Xiaoli, but all her attempts are thwarted, as Xiaoli continually beats her up. Stella uses Satan Fang, which although not doing any damage due to Xiaoli having Stella's ability, momentarily covers her vision, giving Stella a chance to hide herself with Flame Veil. Stella attempts to deliver a surprise attack at Xiaoli, but Xiaoli blocks the attack, having sensed Stella's intentions, and hits Stella away once again. Stella continues to pointlessly attack Xiaoli, only to get beaten back every time. This continues for 10 minutes, with Xiaoli not even being shaken.

Stella is covered in wounds, with her healing ability having been weakened from overuse, but even then still doesn't give up. This confuses Xiaoli, who knows that Stella has no chance of winning, with her attacks actually getting heavier. Xiaoli has also attempted to deliver the finishing blow multiple times, but has been unable to defeat Stella. Xiaoli then hits Stella with 17 continues attacks, which almost knocks Stella out. However, Stella remembers all the people of Vermillion and Cradleland, who love and adore her, and that she needs to protect them no matter what. Stella remains standing, raising her sword, ready to activate Katharterio Salamandra.

Stella's sword begins to shine, with Xiaoli sensing that she's gaining more power. She then activates a secret technique of Shishou, called Kirinkou, which enhances her strength speed and magic for a short time. Xiaoli then charges at Stella, using her own ability against her. Stella clashes with Xiaoli, using Katharterio Salamandra. Initially, Stella's sword begins to crack, but suddenly golden light bursts through these cracks, changing the shape of Stella's Device. This is due to her soul experiencing an evolution and Stella herself experiencing an Awakening, making her a Desperado, which grants her more power. Stella manages to overpower Xiaoli, defeating her and cutting the mountain they are on, in half.

Epilogue
Xiaoli, though injured and defeated, manages to escape, returning to the village to treat her injuries. Stella is confronted by Edelweiss, who is ready to fight with Stella, if she so chooses. Stella though, decides that she has already gained enough power, and doesn't want to risk her life in fighting Edelweiss. Team Vermillion then heads back to Vermillion, where the tournament with Or-Gaule will shortly begin.