This stage took around 31 minutes. I didnt lose a continue but I had alot of lives. Initially I didnt know what to do on the barrier, but Ill explain. For the barrier around the stone that prevents you from progressing to the next area (end of moving platform area), hold the punch button and when its charged, press right. This will shrink the barrier very briefly. Next use right bumper to dash and rapidly punch immediately to take out the stone. Make sure you collected some scrolls so you can use that power to shrink the barrier. I had to suicide because I used my screen clearing power when I didnt know what to do. You have to have some scrolls.
For the main boss use the tornado type move to take down his flame armor, then punch the shit out of him. Repeat aggressively. Up and punch is the tornado move. I got him on the second try, the dragon also wasted one of my lives but is very easy.