The arena trembled as Fang Wu's domain exploded outward.

"Ironblood Domain—Crimson Tyrant Form!"

Crimson energy flooded the platform, thick as molten metal. The phantom rhino behind him roared, its body merging with Fang Wu's form until his armor darkened into a deep metallic red. Every breath he took seemed to bend the air, and each heartbeat sent ripples of power that made the very ground groan.

The audience went silent for a heartbeat, then gasped.

"Another domain?! That's impossible!"

"Two domain users on the same platform? That can't be right—domains are innate abilities awakened only in beasts of Sun rank or higher!"

Elders in the stands exchanged looks, their calm composure slipping.

One of them muttered, "Even among awakened beasts, domain manifestation before the Moon rank is exceedingly rare. Yet both these youngsters—what on earth are we looking at?"

The elder beside him frowned. "Perhaps it's not coincidence. Either the younger generation is changing—or these two are the dark horses."

Down below, Tian Lei's golden aura flared once more, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He could feel the density of Fang Wu's domain—heavy, oppressive, blood-soaked. The Ironblood Domain specialized in pressure and regeneration; inside it, the user's strength multiplied while any wounds began knitting back instantly.

Fang Wu grinned, baring his teeth. "You're not the only one with tricks, Golden Boy. Let's see if your light can melt iron!"

He stamped his foot. The cracked ground liquefied into glowing red metal. Each spear strike that followed carried the weight of a collapsing mountain.

Tian Lei slid backward, deflecting the attacks with controlled bursts of golden energy.

The shockwaves rattled the barrier, golden and crimson lights swirling in violent collision.

To most of the spectators, it looked like a fight between two peak Moon-ranked beast cultivators—both wielding domain abilities beyond their supposed level. The sheer intensity of it was far from normal.

Fang Wu's laughter rang through the chaos. "You're strong, but this field is mine! Inside my Ironblood Domain, even a star would crack!"

Tian Lei's expression didn't change. His palm gleamed brighter, light pooling into focused brilliance.

"We'll see about that."

The air itself seemed to hold its breath.

Golden light surged once more from Tian Lei's core, his false Sun Bird projection expanding behind him until its wings blanketed the arena in radiance. The edges of its feathers bled into streaks of heat and brilliance.

"Golden Dominion—Ascendant Flare!"

The entire platform detonated in gold.

The two domains collided—crimson and gold, molten iron and blinding sunlight. Shockwaves blasted outward, forcing even the barrier formations to flicker and strain. For a few moments, no one could see who was winning.

When the light finally faded, Fang Wu was on one knee, spear driven into the ground to keep himself upright. His armor cracked, his aura sputtering. The Ironblood Domain around him fractured like glass before dissolving completely.

Tian Lei stood amid the golden embers, silent, steady, his false Sun Bird dimming as the illusion dispersed.

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause and disbelief.

"Two domains clashing head-to-head—what kind of monsters are these kids?!"

"Even if those beasts are Moon rank, this level of resonance shouldn't be possible yet!"

Above, the presiding elder's eyes glowed faintly with appraisal light.

"Two domain awakenings in one bracket," he murmured. "you don't see this sight everyday"

And below, Tian Lei exhaled quietly, concealing the flicker of pain that shot through his core.

"I guess I'll have to use stronger spells now," he muttered, raising his hand toward the incoming Fang Wu. A surge of golden light gathered in front of his palm, swirling into form.

"Golden slayer!"

From his hand, a massive golden sword shot forward like a beam of condensed sunlight. Fang Wu snorted, refusing to back down, and charged head-on with his crimson spear blazing.

The collision lasted only a heartbeat—then came a blinding flash.

A sharp, metallic crack split the air. Golden energy pierced through Fang Wu's armor and burst out from his back.

"Gah—!"

Fang Wu coughed blood, his weapon falling from his grip as he staggered. The referee appeared instantly, waving his hand. "Enough! Tian Lei wins!"

The old man placed a glowing palm on Fang Wu's chest, healing the gaping wound. The blood stopped, flesh knitting together rapidly. Within seconds, the hole in Fang Wu's chest with faint crimson light.

Tian Lei watched silently, his golden aura fading. "A seasoned and powerful Earth-rank cultivator," he murmured. "With healers like that, as long as they're not decapitated, even grave wounds mean little."

The audience erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the arena. Tian Lei gave a short bow toward the elders' platform, then turned and walked calmly back to the edge of the stage. The golden shimmer around him dimmed completely as he sat cross-legged at the sidelines, regulating his breath.

The next duel began shortly after, two other contestants stepping forward as the barrier reactivated around them. Blades clashed and spirit light flared, but Tian Lei's focus wavered when he noticed two youths watching him from a distance.

Both wore robes bearing the crest of the Southern Dragon Sect—sleek azure patterns resembling coiled serpents. The older of the two had sharp eyes and an easy smile; the younger, a girl with bright, curious features and long black hair tied with a green ribbon.

"Brother Wu, can you win?" she asked, glancing at the older boy beside her.

Wu Long didn't answer immediately. His gaze remained fixed on Tian Lei, his brow furrowed. Why can't I sense any Spirit Energy from him? he thought. No aura fluctuation at all, yet he moves like someone hiding immense power…

Wu Long hailed from Long Ascend City, ten thousand miles south of here—a place ruled by four ancient families. He belonged to the Wu Clan, renowned for its beast awakenings of dragon bloodline affinity.

At twelve, he had awakened the family beast—the Green-Scaled Flood Dragon. But something went wrong. His dragon's scales turned black, its essence corrupted. The transformation crippled his cultivation and left him shunned within his clan. Cast out, penniless, he wandered for years, surviving on scraps and low-tier beast hunts until, by sheer chance, he discovered a remnant drop of true dragon essence.

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