The most eye-catching part of him was his hands. From the wrists to the tips of his fingers, they were completely covered in a layer of crystalline frost. Under the arena lights, they reflected a chilling, heart-stopping brilliance. This was the origin of his title, the Frost Hand.
"Four. Three. Two."
Valendo's gaze met Rowan's. In that brief moment, both men saw the same deep caution in each other's eyes. As a veteran powerhouse, Valendo never underestimated any opponent, especially a young prodigy like Rowan who had already begun to shine in the tournament.
"One. The match begins."
The instant the system's voice faded, the arena environment transformed. The once flat ground rose into countless rocky platforms of different sizes, their heights ranging from one meter to more than ten. Together they formed a complex three-dimensional battlefield. Between the platforms, the gaps turned into bottomless abysses. Although the system guaranteed that contestants would not truly fall, a single misstep meant immediate elimination.
The stage had been set. The duel between two powerful fighters was about to begin.
Valendo moved first. He did not rush to attack. Instead, he raised his right hand, palm facing the sky.
"Frost Domain. Activate."
His voice was low and steady, as though it echoed from the depths of some distant glacier.
As his words fell, the temperature across the arena dropped sharply. White frost spread outward from his body, rapidly covering the surrounding stone platforms. Everywhere the chill touched, a thick layer of ice formed. The once rough surfaces became dangerously smooth.
"Battlefield control," Hong said sharply from the audience. "Valendo is reshaping the environment to gain an advantage."
Rowan had expected this. He lifted his right hand calmly. Tiny flames flickered at his fingertips.
"Touch of Fire. Warmth."
Threads of flame flowed from his fingers like living serpents, gliding across the platforms around him. Wherever they passed, the frost melted quickly, revealing the original stone beneath.
"Interesting." A faint smile appeared at the corner of Valendo's lips. "Young man, your Law of Fire has real substance. But…"
He stepped forward suddenly, both hands thrusting outward.
"Frozen Expanse!"
A dazzling blue light shot from his palms, transforming into countless ice needles that surged toward Rowan like a raging blizzard. Their speed was terrifying, their angles unpredictable. Every possible path of escape seemed sealed.
Rowan remained unhurried. His right hand brushed the black case at his waist. The case opened with a soft sound. A flash of silver appeared, and a uniquely shaped blade flew out, floating before him.
This was the Starshatter Blade, a high-level spiritual weapon that only those with powerful mental force could wield.
The weapon was entirely silver-white. Tiny star-like lights covered its surface, each glowing with a different color. The blade itself appeared half-transparent, as if forged from condensed energy rather than metal.
Rowan released his mental power. His consciousness resonated with the weapon, and the starlike lights flared to life.
"Starlight Barrier."
The blade spun rapidly, forming a curtain of silver light. Every incoming ice needle shattered upon contact, falling as glittering fragments.
This first exchange ended in a draw.
A trace of admiration flashed in Valendo's eyes. "You handle your spiritual weapon well. But this is only the beginning."
He stomped forward. His body turned into a streak of blue lightning as he leaped toward Rowan.
Instead of retreating, Rowan advanced. Guided by his mental force, the Starshatter Blade shot forward like a silver comet. The blade collided with Valendo's Frost Hand, erupting in dazzling light and thunderous sound.
Clang!
The two men were pushed back several steps.
Rowan frowned slightly. A thin layer of frost had formed on the blade. Although it melted quickly under the influence of his mental power and fire law, it proved that Valendo's mastery of ice had reached an extraordinary level.
Valendo steadied himself, rolling his wrist. Surprise appeared on his face.
"Fascinating. Your weapon can resist my Frost Hand. It seems the rumors were true. A remarkable young talent has emerged."
The audience was already electrified. Tens of thousands watched the two fighters, whispers rising in waves.
"Incredible. He can fight Valendo head-on without losing ground."
"The Starshatter Blade truly lives up to its reputation."
"This might be the most exciting match of the round."
Luo Feng clenched his fists, sweat forming on his forehead. He believed in Rowan's strength, but Valendo had lived for more than three hundred years. His hidden techniques could not be so simple.
On the battlefield, Valendo also realized that ordinary methods would not suffice. He inhaled deeply. Ice law energy surged within him.
"Myriad Ice Manifestations. Form."
Moisture in the air condensed instantly, creating dozens of crystalline constructs. Some resembled beasts, some birds, and others pure geometric shapes. They circled him, glowing with cold blue light.
"Attack."
At his command, the constructs rushed toward Rowan. Each followed a different trajectory, forming a dense three-dimensional net of destruction.
Rowan's expression sharpened. Pure defense would no longer be enough.
"Fire Intent. Wildfire."
He formed hand seals. A ring of orange-red flames spread outward from his feet. The temperature soared. The constructs at the front melted instantly, dissolving into mist.
But more approached from every direction. Several broke through the defense and aimed for his vital points.
At the critical moment, the Starshatter Blade split into streaks of light, intercepting each attacker with perfect precision. Ice shattered into sparkling fragments that filled the sky.
The scene stunned everyone, including Valendo.
Rowan displayed not only mastery of fire, but astonishing control over his mental weapon. The blade moved as if it were part of his body.
"Remarkable," Valendo said sincerely. "Your control has reached an extraordinary level. No wonder you made it to the third round at such a young age."
Rowan remained silent, alert.
Valendo's eyes hardened. "Then let me show you the result of three hundred years of cultivation."
He raised his hands slowly.
"Ice Intent. Endless Frost."
An invisible domain spread. There was no obvious visual effect, but the cold pierced the soul. The arena temperature dropped below freezing in an instant. Ice crystals formed in the air, creating a miniature blizzard.
More terrifying, the cold affected thought itself.
Rowan felt his mental force slow. The Starshatter Blade reacted sluggishly.
"This…" His brows tightened.
"The core of Ice Intent," Valendo said, stepping forward, leaving frost with every step. "It freezes matter, energy, even thought."
Rowan tried to intensify his flames, but the effect was limited.
In the audience, Luo Feng stood anxiously. "He's in trouble."
The Thunder God looked worried as well. "His control is weakening."
Hong remained calm. "He still has hidden strength."
Valendo seized the moment.
"Ice Annihilation!"
Countless ice blades shot forward, splitting midair into dozens of angles.
Rowan knew he could not intercept everything.
He changed his approach.
"Fire Intent. Nirvana."
His voice became calm. His body shone with orange light like a rising sun. This was not ordinary flame, but a deeper essence of fire.
The impossible happened. Cracks appeared in the ice domain. Floating crystals melted. The cold retreated.
Valendo stared in shock. "Impossible. Your fire has reached this level?"
Rowan focused.
The Starshatter Blade merged with fire. The starlight turned orange-red.
"Starlight Wildfire!"
A blazing ring spread outward. Every ice blade turned to vapor. The domain collapsed.
The audience erupted in cheers.
"Amazing!"
Luo Feng shouted with excitement. "His fire has improved so much!"
The Thunder God laughed in disbelief. Hong smiled faintly.
On the battlefield, Valendo grew serious.
"Few have pushed me this far."
He removed a blue bracelet from his wrist.
The moment it came off, the air froze.
"That is…" Rowan narrowed his eyes. "A law suppressor?"
Valendo nodded. "Yes. I normally limit my power. But you are worthy."
His aura transformed. His skin glowed blue. His eyes became pure ice. His arms crystallized.
"Ice Origin. Manifest."
The world distorted.
The rocky platforms vanished, replaced by endless ice fields beneath a violet sky.
"Law illusion," Rowan murmured.
Hong explained to Luo Feng and the Thunder God that within such a space, the creator's power multiplied while the opponent was suppressed.
"Can Rowan still win?" they asked.
Hong's expression was grave.
"If he can find and destroy the core, the illusion will collapse. But first… he must survive."