"This woman's presence… it's overwhelming," Thor muttered, lowering his voice. "When she looked at me just now, I felt as if the tip of a sword were pointed straight at my heart."
Rowan nodded in agreement. "Her spiritual strength is formidable. That gaze just now… it wasn't casual. It was a test, probing my mental state."
"It's no simple matter," Hong said seriously. "Rowan, you need to be careful. Her words earlier seemed polite, but they were a subtle probe of your mindset."
Rowan drew a deep breath, closing his eyes to feel the surging power of the Fire Principle coursing through him. Half a month of intense training had deepened his understanding of fire. It was not merely destruction; it was creation. Not just fury, but also tenderness.
"Attention, all contestants. The match is about to begin. Please make your final preparations," announced the system of the virtual universe.
Rowan opened his eyes, a determined light blazing within them. "It's time."
He raised his right hand, letting his telekinetic energy flow into his palm, shaping it into a dazzling crimson blade. This was his telekinetic weapon the Starflare Rift Blade. Its sleek surface was etched with star-like patterns, each line infused with the essence of the Fire Principle.
"Starflare Rift Blade, fight with me once more," Rowan murmured, running a hand along the blade as if speaking to an old friend.
Around him, other contestants made their own preparations adjusting weapons, attuning themselves to their principles, or warming up. The atmosphere in the staging area thickened with tension, every heartbeat anticipating the forthcoming clash.
"The first match: Rowan versus Princess Elia Silvermoon. Contestants, please enter the teleportation zone," the system announced again.
Rowan cast a glance at his teammates. Each nodded, eyes filled with trust and encouragement.
"Go with confidence," Hong said, patting his shoulder. "Remember, you are not fighting alone."
"Take her down!" Thor shouted, clenching his fists. "Show these universe geniuses what Earthlings are made of!"
"Believe in yourself, and in the support your comrades give you," Rowan's mentor, Ro, said calmly, his voice firm.
Rowan nodded and strode toward the teleportation platform. At the other end, Princess Silvermoon approached as well, her steps light yet unwavering, each movement perfectly measured, elegant and rhythmic.
They met at the center of the teleportation zone, locking eyes. Though the battle had not yet begun, an invisible pressure radiated between them.
"Ready?" Princess Silvermoon asked, slowly drawing the longsword at her waist.
The sword was breathtaking, gleaming silver like moonlight. Etched along its blade were intricate runes, each holding the secrets of the Wind Principle. A sapphire embedded in the hilt reflected the lights above, sparkling like a fragment of the night sky.
"Anytime," Rowan replied. His Starflare Rift Blade trembled in his grip, eager to test itself against the legendary sword.
"Teleportation commencing. Battle arena: Starfield Colosseum."
In a flash of white light, both disappeared from the teleportation zone.
When Rowan's vision cleared, he found himself standing amid an endless starfield. Around him stretched the infinite void of space, dotted with brilliant nebulae and twinkling stars. Below, a transparent platform of pure energy held him aloft. This was the Starfield Colosseum, a battlefield specially prepared by the virtual universe company.
Princess Silvermoon appeared at the opposite end. Starlight glinted off her silver armor, giving her a sacred aura. The longsword in her hand caught the light like a rising moon.
"What a beautiful battlefield," she murmured, voice soft, almost poetic. "Fighting here… it's like a dance, a poem in motion."
Rowan nodded. Indeed, the arena inspired openness, a sense of merging with the cosmos itself. He inhaled deeply, feeling the Fire Principle awaken within him.
"Begin!"
At the system's command, Princess Silvermoon moved first. Her form was ghostlike, gliding through the void, a single thrust of her sword piercing forward. The blade carried the lethal precision of wind itself, aiming straight for Rowan's throat. Its speed was such that even space seemed to tear.
Rowan was ready. He swung the Starflare Rift Blade across, fire energy surging along the blade to meet the attack.
"Clang!"
The clash of metal echoed across the starfield. Fire and wind collided in a dazzling display of energy, scattering brilliant sparks across the void.
"Quick reflexes!" Silvermoon exclaimed, spinning fluidly. She unleashed seven consecutive strikes, each closing off a potential escape route.
Rowan advanced, not retreating. His blade flashed like a constellation, blocking each of her attacks with precision. Their forms wove across the starfield platform, each collision of fire and wind erupting like fireworks.
"Silvermoon Sword Technique, First Form Moon Rising in the East!" she cried. Her blade shot upward, bathed in silver light, as if the moon itself ascended. The surrounding winds intensified, forming razor-sharp gusts that swept toward Rowan from all directions.
Rowan felt unprecedented pressure. This attack exceeded anything he had faced before. He drew a deep breath, channeling all his power into the Fire Principle. The lines on his Starflare Rift Blade began to glow, each like a burning star.
"Blazing Starstorm!" he shouted, swinging the blade. Streams of fiery telekinetic energy erupted like a meteor shower, colliding fiercely with Silvermoon's wind slashes.
The battle intensified further, the platform cracking under their forces, starlight flickering with each exchange.
In the observation area, countless spectators held their breath. Rowan's Earth teammates watched anxiously.
"Rowan's control over fire has improved dramatically," Hong analyzed. "Look at that last strike both the quantity and intensity of his fire attacks have increased since just half a month ago."
"But Princess Silvermoon isn't an easy opponent," Thor frowned. "Her swordsmanship is top-tier, and she's clearly holding something back."
Ro observed closely. "The key here is her mastery of wind. Everyone knows wind fuels fire but it can also extinguish it. This match will be decided by who can better manipulate the interplay of the elements."
The fight reached a fever pitch. Silvermoon's swordplay flowed like clouds across the sky, each strike imbued with profound mastery of the Wind Principle. Rowan's approach was more direct, the wild force of fire under his command controlled with uncanny precision.
"You're stronger than I expected," Silvermoon said, retreating slightly with a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "But now… I'll get serious."
At her words, the winds around her became violent. Razor-sharp gusts swirled, forming a massive wind domain with her at its center, absolute in control.
"Silvermoon Sword Technique, Third Form Moon Full over the West Tower!"
Her form vanished, replaced by countless duplicates, each wielding the silver sword. These were not illusions, but real constructs shaped by the Wind Principle.
A dozen Silvermoons struck simultaneously, silver blades like cascading starlight, an attack impossible to evade.
Rowan faced the onslaught, but instead of fear, he smiled. The half-month of training had led to this moment.
"So be it. Let me show you my true strength!"
He lifted the Starflare Rift Blade overhead. The Fire Principle within him erupted, his body radiating heat and light like a miniature sun. The blade's star patterns flared to full brilliance, a fiery river of stars.
"Fire Lotus Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source!"
This was his ultimate technique, fusing explosive fire with precise control of his telekinetic blade. The Starflare Rift Blade split into countless fiery swords, each burning with pure Fire Principle energy.
The fiery blades formed a massive lotus in the void, and as it bloomed, thousands of fiery spears shot outward, meeting Silvermoon's attack head-on.
Fire and wind collided with earth-shattering force. The entire starfield trembled, cracks spreading across the platform as if it might collapse at any moment.
When the dust cleared, both combatants remained standing, though clearly exhausted. Silvermoon's silver armor bore scorch marks; Rowan's clothes were torn.
"Incredible!" she said, wiping blood from her lips. Her fighting spirit burned brighter than ever. "It's been ages since I've fought so freely. But the outcome isn't decided yet. Let's continue!"
Rowan nodded, reforming the Starflare Rift Blade. "Agreed. A rare opponent like you is not to be taken lightly."
Once again, their forms crossed the starfield, fire and wind clashing in dazzling arcs. The battle had entered its most intense phase, each strike holding spectators in rapt attention.
In the viewing areas, prodigies from across the cosmos were captivated.
"This Earthling is stronger than I anticipated," a burly giant from the distant Stone Star System murmured. "His control of fire rivals even the Flame Elders of my people."
Beside him, an elf with pointed ears and emerald hair nodded. "And his use of telekinetic weapons… that Starflare Rift Blade is no ordinary tool. It has become a vessel for his deep understanding of the Fire Principle."
"Impressive indeed," said a cloaked, mysterious figure. "But Princess Silvermoon isn't weak either. Her Silvermoon Sword Technique is a centuries-old royal secret. Few have ever mastered the third form."
Back on Earth, Hong, Thor, and Ro tensed further, sweat on their palms.
"Rowan's energy output is immense," Hong analyzed. "Repeatedly unleashing high-level fire attacks consumes tremendous mental energy."
Thor clenched his fists. "But look at him! His attacks are only getting stronger! And see that? Silvermoon is backing up!"
Ro studied carefully. "No, she's not retreating. She's waiting for an opening. Watch her stance it appears defensive, but she's actually setting up."
As Ro predicted, after several rounds of defense, Princess Silvermoon suddenly shifted her strategy.
"It's time to reveal the true power of the Silvermoon royal sword technique," she murmured. Though her voice was soft, the Starfield Colosseum carried it clearly to all.
She crossed her longsword in front of her chest and began chanting an ancient incantation. The wind around the battlefield surged violently, as if awakening an ancient force.
"Silvermoon Sword Technique, Ultimate Secret Moon Sinks, Stars Descend!"
Her voice rang like celestial music across the void. The starfield dimmed, every star's light drawn into her blade. A brilliant glow erupted, as if a real moon were descending from the heavens.