"This is beyond the level of ordinary universe-class warriors! Adol's Pale Extreme is terrifying that's the ultimate fusion of ice and wind!"
"Yet Rowen's response was just as brilliant. His mastery of the Fire Principle is no less than Adol's control over ice!"
Rowan stood, eyes fixed on the battlefield. "I've never seen Rowen use a move like that before. When did he reach this level of Fire Principle mastery?"
Thunder God shared his astonishment. "This must be the result of his breakthrough last night. He combined the spatial attributes of his Starshine Rift Blade with the Fire Principle to create a completely new technique that merges offense and defense."
"Creating such a move at a critical moment shows Rowen's battle talent is truly formidable," Hong said in admiration.
The energy clash inside the arena had lasted about ten seconds, the two opposing Principles canceling each other out before falling silent. As the mist cleared, the audience witnessed a breathtaking sight:
The battlefield was split in two. On Adol's side, a thick layer of translucent ice spread across the ground, sparkling like crystal; on Rowen's side, scorched earth remained, dotted with lingering flames. The two extremes met in the center, forming a striking line of contrast.
Even more astonishing, both warriors were still standing. Their breaths were heavy, their energy clearly taxed from the intense confrontation.
Adol inhaled deeply, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "Impressive. Few can withstand even three seconds under my Pale Extreme. You not only blocked it but countered with formidable force."
Rowen withdrew the Starshine Rift Blade from the ground. The blade's glow had dimmed, evidence of the enormous energy he had expended. "Your dual-Principle fusion is indeed at a high level, but my Starshine Rift Blade is no ordinary weapon either."
The two exchanged a knowing smile, seeing the fighting spirit reflected in each other's eyes. Without another word, they moved again.
Adol's form shot forward like a streak of blue lightning, the ice sword in his hand radiating bone-chilling cold as it aimed straight for Rowen's throat. The strike was as fast as lightning, yet carried the full force of freezing power, one of his hidden trump cards.
Rowen pivoted, slicing the Starshine Rift Blade in a graceful upward arc. Flames intertwined with the blade's starlight, forming a fire dragon that soared skyward.
Their weapons collided at the arena's center with a deafening metallic clash, accompanied by the cracking of ice and the roar of flames. The shockwave radiated outward from the collision point, shaking the ground beneath them.
"Incredible speed!" Rowan exclaimed. "Adol's mastery of the Wind Principle is truly formidable. This speed is almost like teleportation."
Thunder God nodded. "Rowen's reaction is equally astounding. He must have predicted Adol's attack trajectory to execute such a precise block."
Hong noticed another detail. "Rowen isn't just defending; he's countering simultaneously. This integrated attack-defense style perfectly suits the Starshine Rift Blade."
The duel had reached a fever pitch. Their figures flickered across the arena as ice and fire collided with each strike, waves of energy rippling through the battlefield.
Adol's attacks grew faster. His ice-blue sword became a series of razor-sharp streaks, forming an almost impenetrable net aimed at Rowen. He launched ice shards and wind blades from multiple angles, targeting Rowen's vital points.
Rowen, at the core of it all, layered Starshine starlight defenses while the Fire Principle conjured a flame shield to counter the ice attacks. He searched for openings while defending, cutting dangerous arcs with the Rift Blade, forcing Adol to split his focus.
Their duel had transcended the level of ordinary universe-class warriors. It was more like a clash between immortals wielding fundamental Principles. The crowd roared in awe, completely captivated by the high-level display.
"These two may already be approaching immortal-level power!" someone shouted. "The Black Dragon Empire and the Pale Star System have produced two extraordinary geniuses!"
The battle raged on for nearly half an hour. Fatigue began to show. Adol's attack frequency decreased, while Rowen's Starshine defenses became less tight. Sustaining such high-intensity Principle usage had drained them both significantly.
"It's time to end this," Adol finally said, halting his assault and retreating to a safe distance. "If we continue, we'll exhaust ourselves completely. Let's settle this with one final decisive strike."
Rowen nodded. "I was thinking the same."
Tension gripped the audience. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the climax of this incredible duel.
Rowan leaned toward the arena. "This final strike will unleash their hidden trump cards and decide the outcome."
Adol inhaled deeply. The cold around him intensified, no longer snowflakes but glittering ice crystals. His ice-blue sword had become crystal-clear yet exuded a deadly chill.
"Pale Star System Master Technique Freeze Everything!"
Adol transformed into a blue streak of light, moving at a speed barely visible to the naked eye. His sword, infused with the ultimate fusion of wind and ice, aimed directly for Rowen's heart. This strike combined all his mastery of Principles and battle techniques, approaching the full power of an immortal-level attack.
Rowen remained calm, planting his feet firmly. He slowly raised the Starshine Rift Blade, starlight coalescing along the blade while Fire Principle energy surged in.
"Starshine Rift Blade Falling Star Flame!"
As Adol neared, Rowen struck. The seemingly simple slash contained the Rift Blade's spatial cutting power and the extreme heat of the Fire Principle, merging into a blazing rift in space, meeting Adol head-on.
The ultimate strikes collided at the arena's center, unleashing blinding light and a deafening explosion. Energy waves shook the protective barrier, forcing the audience to shield their eyes from the glare.
When the light faded, the battlefield was scarred with the chaotic remnants of fire and ice. Adol knelt, his clothes shredded, clearly injured. Rowen still stood, panting heavily, his Starshine Rift Blade's glow nearly extinguished.
"Admit defeat," Rowen said slowly. "You don't have the strength to continue."
Adol lifted his head, defiance burning in his eyes. "I… am not defeated!"
He rose suddenly, cold energy radiating from his body. "Ice Principle Core Ignition!"
"Insane!" one observer exclaimed. "Channeling the Core's power like that, even a victory would leave him severely drained!"
A circle of ice-blue energy formed around Adol, as he unleashed every ounce of his Ice Principle power. The temperature plummeted, frosting the arena's protective barrier.
"In that case…" Rowen drew a deep breath and released his full strength. "Fire Principle Bloom!"
Boom!
Two overwhelming forces collided, far surpassing anything before. The arena trembled violently, the barrier groaning under the strain.
"Strengthen the barrier!" the referee shouted. Dozens of lord-class warriors intervened, containing the blast within the battlefield.
When the dust settled, Adol lay defeated, utterly powerless. Rowen still stood, but barely, the Starshine Rift Blade retracted as he teetered from exhaustion.
"Winner, Black Dragon Empire, Rowen!" the referee announced.
The arena erupted in cheers.
"Incredible!"
"No wonder he's the dark horse of the genius battle! The Fire Principle execution was phenomenal!"
In the Black Dragon Empire's viewing area, Lord Brolin stood in excitement. "Well done, Rowen!"
Thunder God grinned. "I told you, the kid has real skill!"
Hong nodded approvingly. "His understanding of the Fire Principle is at an impressive level. Even I feel humbled."
Rowan smiled. "He's made astonishing progress. But now it's my turn."
Across the arena, the Pale Star Empire's viewing area was subdued.
"Adol gave it his all," their leader sighed. "I never expected Rowen to be this strong."
"Next, it's my turn," said a young woman, rising. Clad in snow-white armor and wielding an ice crystal spear, she was the Pale Star Empire's second prodigy the Ice Princess, Christine.
Meanwhile, medics helped Adol off the battlefield, and Rowen followed, supported by staff.
"Good work," Rowan said, handing him a recovery potion. "Next, it's my turn."
Rowen nodded. "Be careful. The Ice Princess is not to be underestimated."
In the rest area, Thunder God analyzed the battle with excitement. "That last move of his was incredible! Compressing the Fire Principle to its extreme, then releasing it as a Starfire Blaze. It had explosive force and mobility like the wind!"
Hong added, "And his control over the psychoweapon reached a new height. The Starshine Rift Blade is no longer just a weapon it's become a conduit for Principle energy."
"However, the cost was enormous," Rowan noted calmly. "He exhausted about eighty percent of his mental power in that fight. If Adol hadn't gambled everything in the end, the outcome could have gone either way."
Rowen slowly returned to the viewing area, sweat beading on his forehead. The fight with Adol had drained him, yet excitement still sparkled in his eyes.
"Well done!" Thunder God was the first to greet him, clapping heavily on Rowen's shoulder. "That final Starfire Blaze move even made my blood pump faster!"
"You flatter me," Rowen replied, drinking the energy potion Hong handed him in one gulp. "Adol was truly strong. If he hadn't risked everything with his Core Ignition, the outcome would have been uncertain."