"Have you reviewed your opponent's information for today?"
Hong asked calmly, but there was a trace of concern in his eyes.
Rowan nodded.
"I have. My opponent is Deng Long, the 'White Bone Swordsman' from the Temple of Ruin. He controls a rare Bone-type Law that allows him to materialize skeletal weapons at will. He is also a psychic cultivator. While he does not possess a true psychic weapon like I do, his psychic mastery has already reached the peak of the Stellar level."
Hong nodded thoughtfully.
"Bone-type Laws are indeed uncommon. Unlike standard material laws, they exist in a space between life and death. They have unusual resilience and adaptability. This will not be an easy match."
Rowan took a slow breath, resolve flashing in his eyes.
"I will give it everything I have. Watching your match yesterday helped me a great deal. Especially the way you controlled the Law of Light. It gave me new insights into my own Fire Law."
Hong smiled faintly.
"Everyone walks a different path. Do not imitate others deliberately. Fire is a common Law, but if you can fully integrate it with the Starflare Void Cleaver, its power can become extraordinary."
Rowan nodded respectfully.
"I will remember your guidance."
At that moment, Thor's voice rang out from the living room.
"Hey, you two, what are you whispering about in there? Get out here and eat. Today is Rowan's big day."
Rowan and Hong exchanged a smile and walked out together.
In the dining area, Thor was already devouring breakfast with enthusiasm, while Luo Feng sat calmly with a cup of tea. When he saw them, he nodded.
"Ready?" Luo Feng asked Rowan, encouragement clear in his eyes.
Rowan nodded firmly.
"I am ready."
Thor grinned, showing a row of white teeth.
"Relax, kid. That 'White Bone Swordsman' sounds like a poser. You have us backing you. No way you lose."
Rowan looked at the three of them, genuine gratitude in his eyes.
"With your support, I feel even more confident."
Hong spoke softly.
"After breakfast, we will go over the tactics once more. Your strength is sufficient, but thorough preparation never hurts."
After finishing their meal, the four reviewed Deng Long's combat style and potential countermeasures. Time passed quickly, and soon it was time for the match.
The cosmic arena was packed to capacity.
Today marked the beginning of the second round, and the atmosphere was even more intense than the day before. Flags from countless factions waved across the stands. Among them, the Black Dragon Mountain Empire's banner stood out the most, a golden dragon emblazoned on a black field, radiating silent authority.
"Next up is the third match of the second round," the announcer's voice echoed throughout the arena.
"Rowan of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire versus Deng Long of the Temple of Ruin."
Holographic displays lit up, presenting the competitors' information.
Rowan. Son-in-law of the Black Dragon Mountain Emperor. Master of the Law of Fire. Wielder of one of the Nine Psychic Weapons, the Starflare Void Cleaver.
Deng Long. Core disciple of the Temple of Ruin. Master of the Bone Law. Psychic expert. Known as the White Bone Swordsman.
The crowd erupted, especially in the Black Dragon Mountain section.
"Rowan! Rowan! Rowan!"
The Temple of Ruin was not an empire, but a mysterious organization spread across the universe. Their supporters were quieter, but the intensity in their eyes was no less fierce.
Rowan stood at the entrance of the contestant tunnel, making final adjustments.
He wore a combat suit custom-made by the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. Deep blue fabric traced with gold dragon patterns. Elegant, yet practical.
"Do not be nervous," Luo Feng said, patting his shoulder. "Treat this as a learning experience. Win or lose, fight with everything you have."
Rowan nodded.
"I will not let you down."
"Go," Hong said calmly. "Remember our strategy, but adapt as needed."
Thor laughed.
"Show him what you've got. Let that White Bone guy see what real strength looks like."
With their encouragement, Rowan stepped forward and entered the arena.
At the opposite end stood a tall man dressed in a snow-white robe, embroidered with strange runes. A bone mask covered his face, leaving only a pair of deep, unreadable eyes.
"Rowan of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire," Deng Long said, his voice low and metallic. "I have been looking forward to this. I have heard much about the Starflare Void Cleaver."
Rowan inclined his head politely.
"Deng Long of the Temple of Ruin. Your title, the White Bone Swordsman, is well known. It is an honor to face you."
A hint of approval flickered in Deng Long's eyes.
"Proper manners. But on the battlefield, courtesy means nothing. I hope your strength matches your words."
Rowan did not respond. He focused his mind, sensing the strange aura radiating from Deng Long. It was a power balanced between life and death. The Bone Law.
"The match is about to begin," the referee announced.
Rowan inhaled slowly. Psychic energy surged through his body, and the Law of Fire awakened, a faint red glow forming around him.
Deng Long also unleashed his power. Pale light enveloped his body as the Bone Law manifested. A powerful psychic field spread outward, forming an invisible domain.
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
"Begin!"
The instant the signal sounded, Deng Long struck first.
He raised his right hand. His fingers elongated grotesquely, transforming into five razor-sharp bone blades that shot toward Rowan.
Rowan reacted instantly, retreating several steps as he swept his hand forward. A wall of flames surged up in front of him.
"Flame defense. A good choice," Deng Long said calmly. "But one trait of the Bone Law is that it does not fear fire."
As he spoke, the bone blades pierced straight through the flames and continued forward.
Rowan's heart tightened. He immediately shifted tactics. Psychic force exploded outward, forming an invisible barrier that stopped the blades mid-air.
In the same motion, he turned his wrist.
A blade shimmering with starlight appeared in his hand.
The Starflare Void Cleaver.
Constructed from pure psychic energy yet solidified through advanced techniques, its surface sparkled like compressed constellations, radiating terrifying power.
"There it is," Deng Long said, excitement flashing in his eyes. "So you finally reveal it."
Rowan answered with action.
He vanished in a flash, appearing in front of Deng Long and slashing toward his chest.
Deng Long advanced instead of retreating. His right arm stretched unnaturally, transforming into a long bone sword that clashed with the Starflare Void Cleaver.
A sharp ringing sound echoed across the arena as sparks flew.
The crowd gasped.
"That is the Starflare Void Cleaver?"
"Look at that light."
"No wonder. One trump card after another."
In the contestant area, Hong and the others watched closely.
"Rowan's psychic control has become very precise," Luo Feng said. "The energy flow is extremely stable."
Hong nodded.
"Yes. But Deng Long is equally dangerous. His integration of Bone Law and psychic power is highly unconventional."
Thor clenched his fist.
"That's it. Keep pushing him."
On the arena floor, the two exchanged dozens of blows.
Deng Long's Bone Law was eerie. He reshaped his skeleton freely, forming weapons and armor at will. Even when struck, his bones reassembled almost instantly.
Rowan countered with seamless coordination between the Starflare Void Cleaver and the Law of Fire. The blade moved unpredictably under psychic control, while his flames were no longer simple bursts of heat. He precisely regulated temperature and combustion, interfering with Deng Long's Bone Law.
"You are stronger than I expected," Deng Long admitted. "Not just because of that weapon, but because of your mastery of fire."
Rowan's expression remained steady.
"You are strong as well. But I can tell you are not fighting at full strength."
Deng Long's eyes narrowed, then he smiled behind the mask.
"Perceptive. Very well. I will stop holding back."
He leaped backward, creating distance, then formed complex hand seals. Pale light engulfed him completely.
"Ultimate Art. Legion of Ten Thousand Bones."
The arena trembled.
White bones erupted from the ground, assembling into countless skeletal warriors. Armed with various weapons, they charged toward Rowan with chilling precision.
Rowan's face darkened. Their individual strength was limited, but their numbers were overwhelming, and they were guided by fragments of Deng Long's psychic will.
"Fire Domain. Scorching Heavens."
Rowan raised both hands.
A sea of flames engulfed the arena. The skeletons disintegrated on contact, turning to ash.
Deng Long remained untouched, shielded by an invisible barrier of Bone Law.
"Fire is useless against me," he said confidently. "My Bone Law has reached the point where no elemental attack can harm it."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"Is that so?"
He flicked his wrist. The Starflare Void Cleaver left his hand, tracing a graceful arc through the air.
At the same time, a pure flame ignited in his left palm. He hurled it toward the flying blade.
The flame was absorbed instantly.
The Starflare Void Cleaver transformed. Starlight and fire merged, creating a blade wreathed in blazing constellations.
"Starfire Flow Blade."
Rowan's psychic power surged as he guided the weapon forward.
The blade pierced straight through Deng Long's Bone barrier, heading for his throat.
Deng Long's eyes widened. He raised his arm, forming a massive bone shield.
A thunderous explosion followed.
When the light faded, the crowd stared in shock.
The bone shield had been cleaved open.
The Starflare Void Cleaver hovered in the air, blazing with starfire.
"How is this possible?" Deng Long muttered. "My Bone Law should not fear any elemental force."
Rowan spoke calmly.
"Ordinary fire would not affect you. But my Fire Law has reached the level where it burns the soul. Combined with psychic amplification, Starfire Flow Blade cuts both matter and spirit. Your Bone Law exists between life and death. It cannot remain unaffected."
Shock flashed through Deng Long's eyes, followed by deep caution.
"I underestimated you," he said slowly. "Your understanding of fire has surpassed my expectations."
The battle was far from over.
But the balance had already begun to shift.