Space-Time Storm?

The four looked at one another, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

"We’ll talk about that when the time comes," Hong said, breaking the silence. "What matters most now is getting through the fifth round."

"That’s right." Luo Feng nodded. "Let’s prepare separately for now. See you in the arena tomorrow."

The four left the tea room and returned to their lodgings. It was already late at night, yet Starry Sky City remained exceptionally lively. Countless contestants were making their final preparations for tomorrow’s battles.

The moment Hong returned to his room, he began secluded cultivation. Sitting cross-legged, a faint glow radiated from his body.

"Light energy conversion," he murmured. "Heat energy should be the easiest, since light itself contains heat."

He extended his palm, and a small sphere of light appeared above it. The sphere began to change, gradually transforming from pure light into a blazing ball of energy.

"Success." Hong revealed a slight smile. "But this isn’t enough. I need more variations."

Throughout the night, Hong experimented with all kinds of energy conversions. From thermal energy to kinetic energy, from electrical energy to magnetic energy, he continuously explored new applications of the Light Source.

At the same time, Luo Feng was also studying ways to deal with the Flame Demon Prince.

"Demonic Flame can melt metal, but if my Gold Law reaches a higher realm…" He tightened his grip on the Dark-Veined Blade as the golden patterns across its surface began to flow.

Thor, meanwhile, was considering how to counter the Storm Empress’s spatial tearing ability.

"If I can condense lightning into a physical form, perhaps I can withstand spatial tearing." He tried compressing lightning, forming a sturdy set of Thunder Armor.

Luo Wen faced a comparatively easier opponent, but he did not dare let down his guard. He repeatedly practiced various fire-element techniques, striving to leave no room for error.

Dawn gradually approached, and the fifth round was about to begin.

The Star Arena was packed once again, with everyone eagerly awaiting the clash between these top geniuses.

"First match of the fifth round: Hong of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire versus Ice Queen Christina of the Star River Empire!"

The host’s voice echoed throughout the arena, and the audience erupted in deafening cheers.

Hong slowly stepped onto the battlefield. After a night of cultivation, his aura had changed subtly. The previously restrained radiance around him had become deeper, as though it contained endless mysteries.

Across from him, Christina still wore a long ice-blue dress and held a Crystal Scepter, looking noble and elegant.

"I heard your Light Source is very powerful." Christina smiled. "But before my Absolute Zero, all light will be extinguished."

Hong said nothing and merely looked at her calmly.

"Begin!"

The instant the referee spoke, Christina launched her attack.

"Domain of Ice!"

Bone-piercing cold instantly enveloped the entire battlefield. The ground froze rapidly, while countless ice crystals condensed in the air.

Hong stood where he was, allowing the chill to invade him. Just when everyone thought he was about to be frozen, astonishing heat suddenly erupted from his body.

"Light Source: Heat Energy Conversion!"

The energy that should have been light was now entirely transformed into thermal energy. The high temperature collided with the frost, producing massive clouds of steam.

"Interesting." Surprise flashed through Christina’s eyes. "But it’s not enough."

With a wave of her scepter, countless ice blades shot toward him from every direction.

Hong moved, swift as lightning. Yet this time, his speed did not come from light, but from pure kinetic energy.

"Light Source: Kinetic Energy Conversion!"

His body seemed to have become an energy converter, transforming light energy into various forms of energy. Every conversion was perfectly timed, flawlessly countering Christina’s attacks.

In the audience, Luo Feng and the others stared in stunned disbelief.

"Brother Hong actually did it!" Luo Wen exclaimed.

"Is this the true essence of the Light Source?" Thor murmured.

On the battlefield, Christina’s expression grew grave. She discovered that her Ice Law had almost no restraining effect on Hong.

"It seems I’ll have to get serious." She took a deep breath. "Ice Source: Fifth Profound Meaning: Absolute Zero!"

Terrifying frost erupted as the temperature across the battlefield instantly fell to its limit. Even the air began to solidify, as though time itself was about to freeze.

Hong felt unprecedented pressure, but his gaze remained calm.

"Since you’ve used your ultimate move, I won’t hold back either."

He pressed his palms together, and the energy around his body began circulating madly.

"Light Source: Ultimate Profound Meaning: All Things Return to One!"

Every form of energy fused at that moment—light, heat, electricity, magnetism—all condensed into a single point. That point erupted with unimaginable power, directly tearing apart the seal of Absolute Zero.

Boom!

A massive explosion rang out, and the entire battlefield trembled. When the dust settled, Hong was still standing, while Christina was half-kneeling on the ground, her Crystal Scepter already shattered.

"The winner is Hong of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire!"

The entire arena erupted. This battle between light and ice had ended with Hong’s victory.

"That was incredible!" Countless spectators rose to their feet and applauded.

"Brother Hong is amazing," Luo Wen praised sincerely.

"Yeah. His understanding of the Light Source has reached a whole new level." Luo Feng nodded.

"Now it’s our turn." Thor cracked his knuckles. "I’ll show the Storm Empress what real lightning is!"

Second match of the fifth round: Thor of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire versus Storm Empress Alicia of the Storm Empire

"It’s my turn." Thor stood up, rolling his wrists as lightning flickered across his body. "Let’s see just how formidable this Storm Empress is."

"Be careful of her spatial tearing," Hong reminded him. Having just left the battlefield, he still looked somewhat exhausted. "The Storm Empire’s people excel at combining Wind Law with Space Law."

"Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing." Thor grinned and strode toward the battlefield.

At the same time, a figure slowly emerged from the contestants’ passage on the other side. Storm Empress Alicia wore a dark-purple battle robe embroidered with countless golden wind patterns that fluttered gently with her steps. Her long silver-white hair danced in the wind like a pouring galaxy.

Most eye-catching of all was the scepter in her hand—the Storm Scepter. The entire scepter was forged from some transparent crystal, and countless miniature tornadoes seemed to whirl within it. A purple gemstone embedded at its peak emitted a mysterious glow.

"Thor of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire." Alicia’s voice was cold and carried a hint of arrogance. "I heard your Thunder Law is quite strong?"

"It’s decent." Thor rested the Thunder War Hammer on his shoulder. "I hope your storm can give me a good fight."

"Arrogant." A chill flashed through Alicia’s eyes. "You’ll soon learn that before a true storm, lightning is nothing more than child’s play."

"Begin!"

The instant the referee spoke, Alicia raised the Storm Scepter.

"Wind Domain!"

In an instant, violent winds engulfed the entire battlefield. Unlike ordinary wind, these currents contained the power of space, each strand as sharp as a blade.

Thor felt as though he had been thrown into a gigantic meat grinder, with countless Wind Blades attacking him from every direction.

"Thunder Armor!"

Dazzling electricity erupted from his body, forming a thick suit of lightning armor. The Wind Blades struck it with piercing scraping sounds, but could not break through its defense.

"Not bad defense." Alicia nodded slightly. "But this is only the beginning."

She lightly waved her scepter, and the Wind Domain suddenly changed. The previously chaotic winds began spinning in an orderly manner, forming a massive tornado.

"Eye of the Storm!"

A pitch-black void appeared at the tornado’s center. It was the trace of space being torn apart. A powerful suction force surged from the void, trying to pull Thor into it.

"Trying to send me into another dimension?" Thor sneered. "Not that easily!"

He planted his feet deeply into the ground and raised the Thunder War Hammer overhead.

"Thunderous Onslaught!"

Countless bolts of lightning descended from the sky, bombarding the tornado like a torrential downpour. Lightning and storm collided, erupting with deafening roars.

Yet to Thor’s surprise, the lightning was swept into the tornado the instant it made contact, vanishing into the spatial rift.

"Useless," Alicia said proudly. "My Eye of the Storm can devour all energy. No matter how powerful your lightning is, it will only nourish my storm."

"Is that so?" A crafty glint flashed through Thor’s eyes. "Then try this!"

He abruptly changed tactics. Rather than releasing lightning, he condensed all his thunderous power into the War Hammer. The hammer began emitting a piercing hum, its entire body turning a dazzling blue-white.

"Thunder Strike: Sky Piercer!"

Thor violently hurled the War Hammer, aiming directly at the tornado’s core. The hammer transformed into a bolt of lightning, moving at an extreme speed.

Alicia’s expression changed slightly as she sensed the threat of that strike. She rapidly swung the Storm Scepter, and the tornado’s rotation suddenly accelerated.

Boom!

The War Hammer collided with the tornado, producing a violent explosion. Shockwaves covered the entire battlefield, and even the protective barrier developed cracks.

When the smoke cleared, the tornado had vanished, but Thor’s War Hammer had also been blasted away and was embedded in the distant ground.

"You have some skill." Alicia wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. "But now that you’ve lost your weapon, what will you use to fight me?"

"Who said I need a weapon?" Thor grinned as lightning surged across his body. "I myself am the strongest weapon!"

He pressed his palms together, and the lightning power within him began circulating wildly.

"Thunder Law: Fourth Profound Meaning: God of Thunder Descent!"

Rumble!

Dark clouds gathered overhead as countless bolts of lightning rolled through them. Thor’s figure began to change. His already burly body grew even larger, completely enveloped by dazzling lightning.

"This is…" Alicia’s pupils contracted. "Law manifestation?"

"That’s right." Thor’s voice boomed like thunder. "In this state, I am the incarnation of lightning!"

He raised a hand, and a thick pillar of lightning descended from the sky, striking directly at Alicia.

Alicia did not dare be careless. She rapidly swung the Storm Scepter.

"Storm Shield!"

Countless Wind Blades formed a spherical shield around her. The lightning pillar slammed against it, erupting with blinding radiance.

"Can you still block this?" Thor sneered, pressing his palms together again. "Nine Heavens Divine Thunder!"

Nine bolts of lightning in different colors descended from the sky, each containing a different attribute. Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, black, and white—nine-colored lightning intertwined into a gigantic net, completely enveloping Alicia.

"Damn it!" Alicia gritted her teeth. "Looks like I have no choice but to use that move."

She took a deep breath and raised the Storm Scepter over her head.

"Storm Law: Fifth Profound Meaning: Space-Time Storm!"

In an instant, the space across the battlefield began to twist. Countless spatial rifts appeared, and violent storms surged from every one of them. Unlike ordinary wind, these storms could tear through space-time and distort reality.

The nine-colored lightning was torn apart the instant it came into contact with the Space-Time Storm, dispersing into the void.

"Space-Time Storm?" Luo Feng’s expression turned grave in the audience. "I never expected her to have mastered power of this level."

"Thor is in danger." Hong frowned. "The Space-Time Storm can distort reality. Ordinary attacks simply won’t work."

On the battlefield, Thor also felt tremendous pressure. His God of Thunder state appeared somewhat powerless before the Space-Time Storm.

"Interesting." Not only did Thor refuse to retreat, his fighting spirit grew stronger. "Since ordinary lightning won’t work, then let’s try this!"

His eyes suddenly turned pure white, and the lightning power within his body underwent a qualitative transformation.

"Thunder Law: Hidden Profound Meaning: Chaos Lightning!"

Gray lightning poured from his body. It appeared unremarkable, yet it contained the power to destroy everything.

"Chaos Lightning?" Alicia was greatly shocked. "That’s impossible! How could you possess such power?"

Chaos Lightning was the ultimate form of Thunder Law. It was said that only Domain Lord level experts could comprehend it. It could ignore all laws and attack the source directly.

The gray lightning collided with the Space-Time Storm. Not only was it not torn apart, it began eroding the storm’s source.

"This is bad!" Alicia’s expression changed drastically. She could feel her Storm Law being devoured by Chaos Lightning.

"It’s over," Thor said coldly. "Chaos: Thunder Judgment!"

A gigantic gray pillar of lightning descended from the sky, carrying the might to judge all things. The Space-Time Storm was like paper before it, instantly collapsing.

Alicia tried to evade, only to discover that Chaos Lightning had locked onto her. She could not move at all.

Boom!

The lightning pillar struck accurately, and the entire battlefield was engulfed in gray lightning.

When the glow faded, Alicia had collapsed on the ground. The Storm Scepter had broken in two, and her battle robe was in tatters.

Thor also released his God of Thunder state, panting heavily. Using Chaos Lightning had consumed an enormous amount of his strength. If he had not comprehended that move at the critical moment, the outcome would have been uncertain.

"The winner is Thor of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire!"

The entire arena fell silent before erupting in earth-shaking cheers.

"Chaos Lightning! He actually comprehended Chaos Lightning!"

"That’s terrifying! It’s legendary power!"

"The Black Dragon Mountain Empire truly has produced an abundance of talent this time!"

Luo Feng and the others in the audience were equally stunned.

"Chaos Lightning…" Hong murmured. "I never expected Thor to break through during battle."

"It seems we all underestimated him." Luo Wen sighed. "Thor’s talent may not be beneath any of ours."

Thor dragged his exhausted body back to the audience and dropped heavily into a chair.

"I almost lost there." He smiled bitterly. "If I hadn’t comprehended Chaos Lightning at the last moment, I probably would’ve lost to that woman."