The four of them exchanged glances, and the atmosphere suddenly became subtle and tense.
"Let's talk about that later," Hong said, breaking the silence. "Right now, the most important thing is passing the fifth round."
"You're right." Luo Feng nodded. "Let's prepare separately. See you at the arena tomorrow."
The four left the teahouse and returned to their respective residences. The night had already grown deep, yet the City of the Starry Sky remained lively and bright. Countless contestants were making their final preparations for the battles awaiting them the next day.
After returning to his room, Hong immediately began secluded cultivation. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, a faint glow slowly rose from his body.
"Light energy conversion," he murmured softly. "Thermal energy should be the easiest. After all, light naturally contains heat."
He raised a hand, and a small orb of light appeared in his palm. The glowing sphere gradually transformed. The pure radiance slowly condensed and shifted, turning into a blazing ball of thermal energy.
"It worked." A faint smile appeared on Hong's face. "But this isn't enough. I need more variations."
For the entire night, Hong experimented with different forms of energy conversion. From heat to kinetic energy, from electricity to magnetism, he constantly explored new ways to utilize the origin of light.
At the same time, Luo Feng was studying how to deal with the Flame Demon Prince.
"Demonic flames can melt metal," he muttered while gripping his Black Pattern Blade. The golden runes etched along the blade slowly began to flow with energy. "But if my Law of Gold reaches a higher realm…"
Elsewhere, Thunder God was deep in thought about how to counter the Storm Empress's terrifying spatial tearing ability.
"If I can condense lightning into a physical form," he thought, "maybe it can resist spatial rifts."
He experimented by compressing lightning into a dense layer, forming a solid thunder armor around his body.
Rowan's opponent was comparatively easier, but he did not dare to be careless. He repeatedly practiced various fire techniques, striving for flawless execution.
Dawn gradually approached.
The fifth round of the tournament was about to begin.
The Starry Sky Arena was once again packed with spectators. The entire venue buzzed with excitement as everyone eagerly awaited the clashes between the universe's greatest young geniuses.
"The first match of the fifth round! From the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, Hong versus the Galaxy Empire's Ice Queen, Christina!"
The host's voice echoed across the arena, and the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
Hong stepped onto the battlefield at an unhurried pace. After an entire night of cultivation, his presence had subtly changed. The restrained radiance surrounding him had grown deeper, as if it concealed endless mysteries.
Across from him stood Christina.
She wore the same elegant ice-blue gown, holding a crystalline scepter in her hand. Noble, graceful, and calm, she looked like a queen born of frost itself.
"I've heard your Light Origin is very powerful," Christina said with a faint smile. "But before my Absolute Zero, all light will eventually fade."
Hong said nothing. He simply looked at her quietly.
"Begin!"
The moment the referee spoke, Christina launched her attack.
"Ice Domain!"
A bone-chilling cold instantly enveloped the battlefield. The ground froze over in seconds, and countless ice crystals condensed in the air.
Hong remained standing where he was, allowing the frigid energy to approach.
Just as the audience thought he would soon be frozen solid, an astonishing wave of heat erupted from his body.
"Light Origin. Thermal Conversion."
What should have been pure light energy suddenly transformed completely into thermal energy. Intense heat collided with the icy domain, producing massive clouds of steam.
"Interesting." Christina's eyes flashed with surprise. "But that alone won't be enough."
With a swing of her scepter, countless ice blades shot toward Hong from all directions.
Hong moved instantly, his speed resembling a bolt of lightning.
But this time, his speed did not come from light.
It came from raw kinetic energy.
"Light Origin. Kinetic Conversion."
His body had become like an energy converter, turning light into multiple energy forms. Each transformation occurred at the perfect moment, flawlessly countering Christina's attacks.
In the audience stands, Luo Feng and the others watched with stunned expressions.
"Brother Hong actually did it!" Rowan exclaimed in amazement.
"So this is the true essence of the Light Origin?" Thunder God murmured.
On the battlefield, Christina's expression gradually became serious. She realized that her Ice Law had almost no suppressive effect against Hong.
"It seems I'll have to get serious," she said quietly.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her crystal scepter high.
"Ice Origin. Fifth Profound Meaning. Absolute Zero!"
A terrifying surge of cold exploded outward. The temperature of the entire battlefield dropped to the extreme limit. Even the air began to solidify, and time itself seemed on the verge of freezing.
Hong felt an unprecedented pressure descend upon him.
Yet his eyes remained calm.
"If you've used your ultimate move," he said evenly, "then I won't hold back either."
He brought his hands together as the energy surrounding him began to rotate violently.
"Light Origin. Ultimate Profound Meaning. Unity of All Phenomena."
At that moment, every form of energy fused together.
Light, heat, electricity, magnetism. Everything condensed into a single point.
That tiny point suddenly exploded with unimaginable power, instantly tearing apart the Absolute Zero barrier.
Boom!
A tremendous explosion shook the entire battlefield.
When the smoke cleared, Hong was still standing.
Christina, however, had fallen to one knee. Her crystal scepter had shattered into fragments.
"The winner is Hong of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire!"
The arena erupted.
The battle between light and ice had ended with Hong's victory.
"That was incredible!"
Countless spectators rose to their feet, applauding wildly.
"Brother Hong is amazing," Rowan said with genuine admiration.
"Yes," Luo Feng agreed. "His understanding of the Light Origin has reached a completely new level."
"Next it's our turn." Thunder God cracked his knuckles, lightning flickering across his body. "I'll show the Storm Empress what true thunder looks like."
"The second match of the fifth round! From the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, Thunder God versus the Storm Empire's Storm Empress, Alicia!"
"My turn." Thunder God stood up and stretched his wrists, arcs of electricity dancing across his body. "Let's see how powerful this Storm Empress really is."
"Be careful of her spatial tearing ability," Hong warned. He had just returned from the battlefield and still looked slightly fatigued. "The Storm Empire's fighters are known for combining wind laws with space laws."
"Relax. I know what I'm doing." Thunder God grinned as he strode toward the battlefield.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side, a figure slowly emerged from the contestant's corridor.
Storm Empress Alicia wore a dark purple battle robe embroidered with golden wind patterns that fluttered gently with each step. Her long silver hair streamed behind her like a flowing galaxy.
The most eye-catching feature, however, was the staff in her hand.
The Storm Scepter.
The weapon appeared to be crafted entirely from a transparent crystal. Inside it, countless miniature tornadoes spun endlessly. At the top of the staff rested a glowing purple gem that radiated a mysterious light.
"So you are Thunder God from the Black Dragon Mountain Empire," Alicia said coldly, her tone tinged with arrogance. "I've heard your Lightning Law is quite powerful."
"Not bad," Thunder God replied casually, resting his Thunder Warhammer on his shoulder. "Hopefully your storms can make this fight interesting."
"How arrogant."
A cold gleam flashed in Alicia's eyes.
"You'll soon realize that before a true storm, lightning is nothing more than a small disturbance."
"Begin!"
The referee's command had barely ended when Alicia raised the Storm Scepter.
"Wind Domain!"
In an instant, violent winds engulfed the battlefield.
But these were not ordinary winds. Every current carried traces of spatial power, each gust sharp as a blade.
Thunder God felt as though he had been thrown into a gigantic meat grinder, with countless wind blades slashing toward him from every direction.
"Thunder Armor!"
Dazzling electricity erupted from his body, forming a thick layer of lightning armor. The wind blades scraped against it with harsh screeching sounds but failed to break through.
"Impressive defense," Alicia said with a small nod. "But this is only the beginning."
She waved her scepter lightly.
The Wind Domain changed instantly.
The chaotic winds began to rotate in an organized pattern, forming an enormous tornado.
"Eye of the Storm!"
At the center of the tornado, a dark void appeared. It was a spatial rift. A powerful suction force erupted from it, attempting to drag Thunder God into another dimension.
"Trying to send me into another space?" Thunder God sneered. "Not that easy."
He planted his feet firmly into the ground and raised his warhammer high.
"Heavenfall Thunder!"
Countless bolts of lightning rained down like a storm, striking the tornado repeatedly.
Thunder crashed violently as lightning collided with the storm.
Yet something shocking happened.
The moment the lightning touched the tornado, it was sucked inside and vanished into the spatial rift.
"Useless," Alicia declared proudly. "My Eye of the Storm can devour all energy. No matter how strong your lightning is, it will only nourish my storm."
"Is that so?" Thunder God's eyes flashed mischievously. "Then try this."
He suddenly changed tactics.
Instead of releasing lightning outward, he condensed all his thunder power into the warhammer itself.
The weapon began to vibrate violently, glowing with blinding blue-white light.
"Thunder Strike. Void Break!"
Thunder God hurled the hammer directly at the tornado's core.
The weapon transformed into a streak of lightning moving at unbelievable speed.
Alicia's expression shifted slightly. She sensed the danger and rapidly spun her Storm Scepter, accelerating the tornado's rotation.
Boom!
The hammer collided with the tornado, producing a massive explosion. Shockwaves swept across the arena, even cracking the protective barrier.
When the smoke cleared, the tornado had vanished.
But Thunder God's hammer had also been blasted away, embedded deep in the ground far in the distance.
"Not bad," Alicia said while wiping a trace of blood from the corner of her mouth. "But now you've lost your weapon. How will you fight me?"
"Who said I need a weapon?"
Thunder God grinned as lightning surged violently around him.
"I am the strongest weapon!"
He clasped his hands together as the thunder power within his body erupted.
"Lightning Law. Fourth Profound Meaning. Descent of the Thunder God!"
The sky darkened as massive storm clouds gathered overhead.
Lightning roared within the clouds.
Thunder God's body began to transform. His already massive frame grew even larger, his entire form wrapped in dazzling lightning.
"So this is…" Alicia's pupils shrank. "Law Manifestation?"
"That's right," Thunder God replied, his voice rumbling like thunder. "In this state, I am the incarnation of lightning."
He raised a hand.
A massive lightning pillar crashed down toward Alicia.
She reacted instantly, spinning the Storm Scepter.
"Storm Shield!"
Countless wind blades formed a spherical barrier around her.
The lightning pillar slammed into the shield, releasing blinding light.
"Still holding on?" Thunder God sneered as he brought his hands together again. "Then take this!"
"Nine Heavens Divine Lightning!"
Nine bolts of lightning descended from the heavens, each carrying a different attribute.
Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, black, and white.
The nine-colored lightning intertwined into a massive net, trapping Alicia completely.
"Damn it!" Alicia gritted her teeth. "Looks like I'll have to use that technique."
She raised the Storm Scepter high above her head.
"Storm Law. Fifth Profound Meaning. Space-Time Storm!"
In an instant, the entire battlefield twisted.
Countless spatial rifts appeared everywhere. From each rift surged violent storms capable of tearing apart space and distorting reality itself.
The moment the nine-colored lightning touched the Space-Time Storm, it was shredded apart and vanished into the void.
"Space-Time Storm?" Luo Feng's expression turned grave in the audience. "I didn't expect her to have mastered such a level of power."
"Thunder God is in danger," Hong said with a frown. "That technique can twist reality itself. Ordinary attacks won't work."
On the battlefield, Thunder God felt the immense pressure as well.
Yet instead of retreating, his fighting spirit grew stronger.
"Interesting," he said with a grin. "If ordinary lightning doesn't work… then let's try this."
His eyes suddenly turned pure white.
The lightning within his body underwent a terrifying transformation.
"Lightning Law. Hidden Profound Meaning. Chaos Lightning!"
Gray lightning surged from his body.
It looked ordinary at first glance, yet it carried the terrifying power to destroy everything.
"Chaos Lightning?" Alicia cried out in shock. "Impossible! How can you wield that power?"
Chaos Lightning was the ultimate form of the Lightning Law. It was said that only Domain-level experts could comprehend it.
It ignored all laws and struck directly at the source.
The gray lightning collided with the Space-Time Storm.
Instead of being torn apart, it began devouring the storm's origin.
"This is bad!" Alicia's face turned pale as she felt her Storm Law being consumed.
"It's over," Thunder God said coldly.
"Chaos Lightning Judgment!"
A gigantic gray lightning pillar descended from the heavens.
The Space-Time Storm collapsed instantly under its overwhelming power.
Alicia tried to dodge but found herself locked in place by the Chaos Lightning.
Boom!
The pillar struck.
Gray lightning flooded the entire battlefield.
When the light faded, Alicia lay on the ground, her Storm Scepter broken in half, her battle robe torn and battered.
Thunder God also reverted to his normal form, breathing heavily.
Using Chaos Lightning had drained nearly all his strength.
If he had not comprehended that technique at the final moment, the outcome of the battle might have been very different.
"The winner is Thunder God of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire!"
The arena fell silent for a moment before erupting into thunderous cheers.
"Chaos Lightning! He actually mastered Chaos Lightning!"
"That's legendary power!"
"The Black Dragon Mountain Empire truly has produced extraordinary talents this time!"
In the audience stands, Luo Feng and the others were equally stunned.
"Chaos Lightning…" Hong murmured. "I didn't expect Thunder God to break through during the battle."
"It seems we underestimated him," Rowan said with admiration. "Thunder God's talent might rival any of ours."
Thunder God dragged his exhausted body back to the spectator seats and collapsed into a chair.
"That was close," he said with a bitter laugh. "If I hadn't awakened Chaos Lightning at the last moment, I might have lost to that woman."