The arena barrier rose again as the next match began.
"Seraphine Valeris versus Ren Kairo!"
Excitement spread through the entire stadium.
Unlike Kael, Seraphine was already famous within the Iron Flame Sect.
She was ranked 4th among the Inner Disciples and was widely considered one of the sect's most talented cultivators.
Ren Kairo, her opponent, stepped into the arena cautiously.
He was tall and muscular, with heavy armor wrapped around his arms. His cultivation technique specialized in earth-based defense.
Ren cracked his neck slightly.
"Well… looks like I got unlucky."
Seraphine stood calmly across from him.
Her long silver hair moved gently in the wind.
Her expression remained completely relaxed.
"Are you ready?" the referee asked.
Both fighters nodded.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Ren immediately stomped his foot into the ground.
"Stone Guard!"
Thick layers of hardened earth rose around his body, forming a defensive armor.
"Let's see you break this!"
Seraphine didn't move at first.
Instead, she lifted one hand slowly.
The air around her began to hum.
A faint crackling sound echoed through the arena.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"That sound…"
Electric sparks appeared around Seraphine's fingertips.
The sparks quickly grew into streams of lightning.
Several disciples gasped.
"Lightning element!"
Ren's confident expression faded slightly.
Lightning was one of the most destructive Aether elements.
Seraphine pointed forward calmly.
"Lightning Strike."
A bolt of pure lightning shot across the arena.
BOOOOM!
Ren barely raised his arms before the lightning slammed into his stone armor.
The impact shook the entire battlefield.
Cracks appeared across the earth shield instantly.
Ren staggered backward.
"What the—?!"
Seraphine moved.
Her speed was sudden and frightening.
In the blink of an eye, she appeared directly in front of him.
Electricity surged around her arm.
"Thunder Palm."
CRACK!
Her palm struck Ren's chest.
The remaining stone armor exploded apart.
Ren flew backward across the arena floor and crashed into the barrier.
Silence filled the stadium.
The referee quickly checked him.
Ren was conscious but completely unable to continue.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner!"
"Seraphine Valeris!"
The crowd erupted with cheers.
"That was only two moves!"
"Incredible!"
Kael watched quietly from the sidelines.
Lightning energy was still flickering faintly around Seraphine's body.
Her control over Aether was extremely refined.
Seraphine turned slightly.
For a brief moment, her silver eyes met Kael's.
She smiled faintly.
"You're watching carefully."
Kael nodded.
"Of course."
Seraphine tilted her head.
"I look forward to our match."
Then she calmly left the arena.