Kevin and Rowan arrived at the spectator area just as Rowan's match was about to begin. Kevin took a seat near the front while Thunderbolt settled beside him, constantly keeping a watchful eye on his condition.
On the arena floor, Rowan already stood atop the teleportation platform, ready to face his opponent in the fourth round.
The Central Arena of the Virtual Universe Corporation was grand and magnificent, capable of holding hundreds of thousands of spectators. The fourth-round matches today had drawn elite warriors from across the star systems.
Kevin, Thunderbolt, and Hong were already seated in the best viewing section, reserved exclusively for participants.
"Rowan looks strong," Kevin observed as Rowan entered, nodding slightly. "He was training the Fire Principle in the cultivation chamber last night. Looks like he made some breakthroughs."
Hong flexed his hands in anticipation. "His opponent is Adal from the Pale Star System. They say he grasped both the Ice and Wind Origins in just three thousand years. He's not someone easy to deal with."
Thunderbolt analyzed calmly. "But Rowan's Stellar Rift Blade has reached a formidable level. Coupled with his recent progress with the Fire Principle, he may not lose."
Kevin turned his gaze to the opposite entrance. "Here comes the opponent."
Adal from the Pale Star System entered the arena, moving with a measured grace. He had a tall, slender frame, his skin shimmering with a faint silvery-blue glow like the legendary moonstone. Long silver hair fell loosely around his shoulders, and his eyes were pale violet, pupil-less, giving him an aura of deep mystery.
He wore the Pale Star System's signature combat uniform, thin as mist yet brimming with protective power. At his waist hung an ice-blue short sword that emitted a faint whispering sound as he walked.
The crowd erupted into cheers and excited chatter.
"That's Adal from the Pale Star System!" someone shouted. "I heard he can wield both Ice and Wind Origins. What an incredible talent!"
"But don't forget, Rowan from the Black Dragon Mountains Empire is a master of the Stellar Rift Blade!" another voice called out.
The referee hovered above the arena's center. He was a high-level immortal from the Violet Flame Clan, his body wreathed in pale purple flames.
"The fourth-round match: Rowan of the Black Dragon Mountains Empire versus Adal of the Pale Star System!" His voice carried across the arena through special amplification. "Prepare yourselves. The match is about to begin!"
Rowan and Adal moved to the center of the arena and bowed to each other.
"I've long heard of your reputation, Stellar Controller of the Black Dragon Mountains Empire," Adal's voice was cold like a winter wind, polite yet distant. "I hope to witness the true power of your Stellar Rift Blade today."
Rowan gave a slight smile. "I look forward to facing the dual-origin prodigy of the Pale Star System."
They retreated to opposite ends of the arena, awaiting the starting signal.
The referee raised his right hand. "Rules are standard: touch points only. Do not harm your opponent's life. Violators will be disqualified and held accountable." He scanned the crowd. "Prepare begin!"
At that moment, the arena's protective barrier lit up, isolating the battlefield from the spectators. Gravity and spatial rules subtly shifted within the area to accommodate high-intensity combat.
Adal did not rush. He slowly drew his ice-blue short sword, and with the motion, the surrounding temperature plummeted. Frost began forming across the arena floor.
"Cold Wind Nine Techniques, First Form: Frostfall."
The instant his voice fell, countless tiny ice crystals appeared on the blade, creating a mist of ice that surged toward Rowan. The temperature dropped sharply, and water vapor in the air instantly froze into needles of ice.
Kevin squinted from the stands. "Starting with a finisher, no wonder he's the Pale Star System's prodigy."
Hong nodded. "This combination of ice and wind has reached a remarkable level. Let's see how Rowan responds."
Rowan's lips curved into a faint smile as he faced the incoming ice mist. He flipped his right hand, summoning the Stellar Rift Blade. Its surface shimmered with starlight, reflecting the arena lights.
"Stellar Flow."
Rowan's voice rang out as he swung the blade in a complex arc. A half-circular protective barrier of starlight formed around him. When the ice mist collided with it, a harsh scraping sound rang out. Most of the ice shards melted or were deflected by the Stellar energy.
Adal's assault was not finished. From the mist, dozens of ice blades separated and attacked from different angles. They moved with blinding speed, their erratic paths clearly influenced by the Wind Principle.
"Truly a dual-origin genius," Rowan thought, his hands never stopping their motion.
The Stellar Rift Blade seemed alive in his grasp, slicing through the air with precision. Rowan blocked most of the ice blades, but three still slipped past, heading toward his shoulder and leg.
"Fire Principle Ignite!"
At the moment the ice blades were about to strike, Rowan's body erupted in searing flames. Pure Fire Principle manifested, instantly vaporizing the ice blades upon contact.
A roar of cheers echoed from the stands.
"Impressive!" Kevin clapped excitedly. "Rowan's mastery of the Fire Principle has improved yet again!"
Thunderbolt smiled. "Last night's breakthrough clearly worked. He's fusing the Fire Principle perfectly with the Stellar Rift Blade's energy."
"But Adal hasn't gone all out yet," Hong said calmly. "This match has only just begun."
Adal's eyes showed appreciation as he assessed Rowan's defense. "The Fire Principle truly counters Ice. Impressive, Rowan of the Black Dragon Mountains Empire."
He lightly tapped his feet and moved forward with ghostlike speed, leaving barely visible traces.
"Cold Wind Nine Techniques, Third Form: Eye of the Storm!"
Adal's short sword shattered into countless ice crystals, forming a rotating storm around him. He became the eye of the storm, charging toward Rowan.
Rowan's expression darkened. He could feel the immense power in the technique. The Wind Origin added blinding speed and penetration, while the Ice Origin delivered freezing destruction. Anyone caught in it would suffer severe injuries, even if they survived.
"Stellar Rift Blade Galactic Severance!"
Rowan gripped the blade with both hands. Its light exploded like a river of stars flowing in his hands. Fire Principle surged through him, fusing perfectly with the Stellar energy. A faint red glow enveloped the blade's edge.
He slashed, and the air itself seemed to tremble. A wave of energy surged forward, meeting the incoming ice storm.
The collision shook the arena, fragments of energy and steam scattering in all directions. Visibility dropped sharply as mist filled the space.
The crowd gasped, rising to their feet.
"Incredible clash!" someone shouted. "So this is the power of the Nine Mental Weapons! Terrifying!"
"The dual-origin fusion from Adal isn't far behind either!"
Kevin's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Rowan's Stellar Rift Blade is approaching mastery. The spatial slicing in Galactic Severance is terrifying."
Thunderbolt nodded. "And he cleverly infused Fire Principle into it, enhancing his power and countering Adal's Ice Principle."
"But Adal is no ordinary fighter," Hong said gravely. "Though his Eye of the Storm was countered, he hasn't exhausted his energy."
The mist gradually cleared, and both fighters remained standing. Their positions had shifted, adjusted by the recoil of the previous collision.
Adal raised his hand. The scattered ice crystals reformed into his ice-blue short sword. A faint smile touched his lips. "Interesting. It's been a long time since someone blocked my Eye of the Storm."
Rowan met his gaze calmly. "Your dual-origin fusion is exquisite, but it's not enough to defeat me."
Adal's smile widened. "Is that so? Then let's raise the stakes."
Suddenly, his figure blurred, splitting into three identical copies, each wielding an ice sword, attacking from different angles.
"Clone technique?" Rowan frowned and realized immediately. "No, this is an advanced Wind Principle application light refraction illusions!"
Adal had twisted the light around him, creating two nearly perfect illusions. Ordinary fighters would struggle to identify the real one.
Rowan was no ordinary fighter.
"Stellar Perception!"
He closed his eyes, using the Stellar Rift Blade as a medium to emit a psychic wave. It pierced the illusions, clearly revealing the real Adal the left figure.
Rowan's eyes snapped open, the blade pointing at the true opponent. "Got you!"
The blade's light flared. Fire Principle surged, forming a dragon of flame around the Stellar energy, amplifying the strike.
Adal's surprise was fleeting, but as a prodigy, his reflexes were astonishing.
"Cold Wind Nine Techniques, Fifth Form: Ice Wall Wind Shield!"
Adal pointed his sword, and a massive ice wall rose from the ground. Wind Principle formed an invisible shield around him, creating dual defenses.
Rowan's Fire Dragon Stellar Slash struck the wall, cracking its surface as melted water ran down. But Adal's defense was formidable; the ice wall held.
"Not enough!" Rowan shouted. The Fire Principle surged further, heating the blade and melting the ice wall more rapidly.
Adal sensed the wall's imminent collapse and retreated swiftly. As he moved back, the wall shattered into countless shards.
The arena erupted in cheers. The fierce clash left everyone breathless.
"Amazing! Rowan's Fire Principle fused with Stellar energy is unstoppable!"
"Adal's response is also top-tier. If he hadn't retreated, he would have been severely injured!"
"Two prodigies facing off it's worth the trip!"
Kevin exclaimed. "Rowan's progress exceeds my expectations. He's fusing the spatial energy of the Stellar Rift Blade with Fire Principle perfectly."
"His battle awareness is key," Thunderbolt noted. "To identify Adal's true self so quickly requires perception and judgment beyond ordinary limits."
Hong added, "Notice how Adal's retreat seemed unusual. He's preparing a stronger attack."
Sure enough, Adal stopped at a safe distance. He formed hand seals. The temperature around him plummeted, and snowflakes began to fall from the air.
"You've forced me to show my true power, Rowan," Adal said seriously. "Now witness the ultimate secret of the Pale Star System Cold Wind Nine Techniques' final form!"
His violet eyes glowed intensely, his aura rising, slightly distorting the arena space.
"Pale Extreme: Frozen Thousand Miles!"
Adal spread his hands. Terrifying cold radiated from him, sweeping outward. This was no ordinary Ice Principle it was a perfected fusion of Ice and Wind Origins, producing a unique Pale Force.
Temperature in the arena dropped below freezing instantly. The ground, air, and even space itself seemed affected. Frost spread rapidly, freezing everything in its path.
"This is…" Rowan's expression hardened. The attack's power was overwhelming. Any direct hit would freeze him, rendering him unable to fight.
With no time to hesitate, Rowan made a bold decision.
"Stellar Rift Blade Rhythm of Flames!"
He drove the blade into the ground, channeling Fire Principle through it. Flames surged upward from intricate patterns etched in the earth, forming a massive magical array around him.
This was a new technique Rowan had been refining, fusing Fire Principle with the spatial energy of the Stellar Rift Blade to counter large-scale attacks.
Flames erupted, colliding with Adal's Pale Extreme. Fire met ice with violent energy waves, filling the arena with mist, cracking ice, and roaring flames.
The crowd's cheers turned into astonished gasps. No one had expected the match to reach such intensity.