Scorching flames swept across the stage, rapidly evaporating the moisture in the air.
The spectators felt an unbearable heat, with each breath causing a burning pain in their lungs. They hastily retreated in fear, staring in shock at the gigantic apparition on the stage.
Amidst the raging flames, a bizarre creature with double horns and a blood-red body emerged. It was as large as a house, surrounded by flames, with molten patterns flowing across its skin.
As soon as it manifested, the fire elements in the air nearly boiled, and even the sturdy obsidian began showing signs of melting!
"What kind of technique is this? It's terrifyingly powerful!"
"Madelyn's strength is immense, but this is horrifying. How did she achieve it?"
At this moment, the crowd, retreating like a receding tide, was filled with astonishment, having never witnessed such a technique before!
Among them, some experienced mages seemed to realize something and cried out in shock,
"Transcendent Power!"
"This must be Transcendent Power! Madelyn has surely touched the legendary [Transcendence]!"
Hearing this, the crowd's minds immediately recalled distant legends.
The legends spoke of a level above level 9 in each tier—a level 10 existence.
But this level was ethereal and elusive.
Even the most peerless prodigies, lacking insight and fortune, might never reach it.
Now, the technique Madelyn was using far exceeded the capabilities of a Silver-tier level 9, yet she had not broken through to Gold-tier. This could only mean she had stepped into [Transcendence]!
"It's no wonder Madelyn's strength surpasses her peers; she has stepped into [Transcendence]!"
"It seems Owen has no chance at all. Transcendent Power is something even some Gold-tier mages can't withstand."
"For a Bronze-tier level 9 to fight Madelyn this far is already impressive, but the tier gap is too vast, and the gulf of [Transcendence] is insurmountable."
After their initial shock, many shook their heads, believing the outcome of the battle to be already decided.
From then on, no peer would dare challenge Madelyn again.
This tournament would mark her as one of the legendary figures of the empire.
In the crystal palace, King Aldric showed a rare expression of surprise and said with some envy, "Charles, you have truly raised an excellent daughter. To be involved with the legendary [Transcendence] at such a young age, her future is limitless!"
Receiving King Aldric's praise, Charles nodded with a smile.
Indeed, Madelyn was his pride.
However, his smile soon faded as he looked at Owen with a serious expression.
"Where on earth did this guy come from?"
Owen's earlier evasion of the erupting magma pillars had already left him shocked.
This family skill was remarkably covert and formidable.
Even if Owen were a Silver-tier level 9, it should have been impossible to dodge.
But the reality was undeniable.
He had even forced Madelyn to reveal her hidden techniques, which was simply unbelievable!
However, Madelyn's Transcendent Power was her ultimate move!
Owen would not have another chance!
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Owen looked at the massive Fire Elemental, recognizing the terrifying nature of Madelyn's talent.
Before the Fire Elemental, he felt his body's moisture evaporating, creating an unprecedented sense of danger.
Transcendent Power was indeed a domineering force that defied boundaries.
Even seasoned Gold-tier mages would be on high alert at this moment.
But unfortunately for her, she was facing him!
In this battle, the ultimate winner could only be him!
In the next moment, Owen's mind stirred, and Mana Void activated!
Invisible white waves of light spread from his body like flowing water, expanding in all directions.
As the white waves of light passed, all the mana in the air seemed to be forcefully pulled and drawn towards Owen, frantically converging within him.
Wherever Mana Void extended, it became a mana vacuum!
As Mana Void continued to spread, Madelyn—who had just pronounced Owen's death sentence—suddenly noticed, in astonishment, that the turbulent fire elements around her and the roaring, fierce Fire Elemental had mysteriously calmed down.
Then, they abruptly vanished!
It was as if they had never existed!
In an instant, she couldn't even sense the presence of mana around her!
It felt like an elemental wasteland, a magic-dead zone!
This was a sensation she had never experienced before. She stared wide-eyed, unable to believe it was real.
Meanwhile, Owen's face suddenly turned pale, his eyelids felt heavy, and his head throbbed with dizziness.
Although Mana Void was formidable, absorbing all the mana within its range greatly drained his mental power.
In an instant, it nearly exhausted his mental strength, leaving him feeling as if he hadn't slept for days, fatigued and dazed.
"What's going on? Why did Madelyn's Transcendent Power disappear?"
"No, it looks like the mana around Owen has also vanished!"
As the Fire Elemental on the stage suddenly disappeared, the crowd was stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
They felt as if both fighters had suddenly become ordinary people!
Swish!
In their astonishment, the battle-tested Madelyn stomped the ground and charged straight at Owen. Although she didn't understand why the mana around them had disappeared, her combat experience was extensive.
When it came to pure fighting skills, she feared no one. Moreover, her staff was a deadly weapon in its own right. No matter what happened, she needed to defeat the weakened Owen first!
Madelyn moved swiftly. In a mere breath, she found herself in front of Owen. The mana flowing within her staff made it feel much heavier as she swung it fiercely, the staff slicing through the air with a piercing sonic boom.
Even in the absence of mana in the surrounding area, the staff still contained a significant amount of mana. With its quality, it had the power to shatter rocks effortlessly. If it struck Owen, his flesh-and-blood body would not withstand the blow.
Although Owen had proven to be strange and unpredictable in his methods, Madelyn was confident that she would be the final victor!
"Madelyn truly lives up to her reputation as a battle-hardened warrior, able to maintain her composure and make the best choices amid continuous upheaval," King Aldric observed, nodding slightly in approval.
The disappearance of the mana elements around Madelyn had genuinely startled him. Such an unusual phenomenon was rare, even for a king like him. However, Madelyn reacted immediately and made the correct decision. Regardless of the techniques Owen had just used, if she could defeat him, all his methods would collapse.
Next to him, Charles also nodded in agreement but kept his gaze fixed on Owen. A mana vacuum? How on earth did Owen manage that?!
"This kind of monster was overlooked in the empire," Charles thought, squinting his eyes as he began to take Owen seriously. Even if Owen were to lose to his daughter this time, such talent was worth recruiting.
Almost the moment that thought crossed his mind, a deafening clash of metal echoed from the stage. The obsidian platform trembled and shook, dust rising and momentarily obscuring everyone's view.
In the next instant, a magnificent staff flew off the stage, the resulting gust blowing the dust away like mist. The staff landed heavily in the plaza beneath the stage, quivering with a faint white indentation visible on it.
"That… that's Madelyn's staff, right?!" gasped a voice in the crowd. Seeing the staff caused the audience's jaws to drop in disbelief. For a mage, the staff was their weapon, equivalent to their life in battle. Madelyn had taken the initiative and held the absolute advantage!
It took a moment for the crowd to recover from their shock, their eyes shifting from the fallen staff to the stage. On the stage, Owen stood tall against the wind, now wielding a dark golden greatsword. The sword was pointed forward, its gleaming tip hovering just inches from Madelyn's delicate neck, threatening to pierce her skin with just one more inch.