The Azure Dragon roared, its claws slicing the sky apart. The moment it moved, the entire arena trembled. Azure wind blades mixed with torrents of water, converging into a spinning vortex that lunged straight toward Tian Lei.

"Azure Dragon Storm!" Wu Long shouted, his voice echoing like thunder.

The spiraling storm struck with frightening speed, splitting into a hundred wind-water fangs. Each fang hissed through the air like a living beast, aiming to tear Tian Lei apart from every angle.

Tian Lei didn't flinch. His hand lifted, golden runes flashing between his fingers. "Golden Domain—Holy Barrier."

A radiant wall of light burst forth, encasing him in a cocoon of molten gold. The first barrage slammed into it, exploding in a series of violent impacts that shook the stage and sent waves of heat and mist rolling outward.

But the barrier held.

Wu Long's eyes narrowed. "You really think defense will save you?" he growled. His Azure Dragon Spirit coiled around him, its body dissolving into energy that wrapped his limbs like armor. Azure light surged from his fists as he blurred forward—fast enough to leave a trail of afterimages.

He appeared right in front of Tian Lei. "Too slow!"

His punch crashed into the golden barrier—and shattered it. The impact sent Tian Lei sliding backward, his boots grinding against the stone floor. Wu Long didn't stop; he spun midair, kicking down a crescent of compressed wind that slammed into the ground, tearing a trench straight toward his opponent.

The crowd gasped, unable to even follow the motion.

Golden light flared again. Tian Lei's hand pressed to the air, and a brilliant sword of condensed light materialized in front of him—its edge humming like a divine chant.

"Golden Dominion—Radiant Slash!"

He swung once. The golden blade cut straight through the incoming wind crescent, splitting it in two before racing onward toward Wu Long.

The Azure Dragon behind Wu Long roared again, wrapping its spectral body around him like a living shield. The golden slash struck its side, scattering sparks and light, but the dragon held firm.

The two forces met—gold and azure intertwining in a shockwave that burst outward, cracking the arena floor and forcing both fighters back several meters.

Wu Long wiped a streak of blood from his lip and grinned. "Not bad. But I'm not done yet."

He raised his hands, and the Azure Dragon's body dissolved into mist before reforming high above him, massive and solid. The creature opened its maw, gathering a sphere of condensed wind and water energy that grew brighter by the second.

"Azure Dragon—Heavenfall Roar!"

The sphere detonated, releasing a massive beam of spiraling energy that crashed down toward Tian Lei like a falling waterfall of pure destruction.

Tian Lei's expression hardened. "You're not the only one with range."

He clasped his hands together, golden runes swirling around him like a storm of light. His aura expanded, pushing back the violent gusts around him as he chanted under his breath.

"Golden Dominion—Solar Burst!"

From behind him, the Golden Sun Bird screeched, wings unfolding in a blinding flare. A beam of pure golden light erupted upward to meet the descending azure energy head-on.

The collision was deafening.

Gold and blue intertwined, forming a massive sphere of light suspended in midair. The explosion that followed sent tremors across the entire barrier of the Golden Arena, forcing protective formations to flare to life.

When the light faded, both fighters were still standing—breathing heavily, their domains flickering, but their wills unshaken.

Wu Long's armor of azure scales cracked slightly, and Tian Lei's golden aura dimmed, sparks flickering off his shoulders.

The audience was silent.

Then, Wu Long chuckled. "Looks like this might actually be fun."

Tian Lei smirked faintly. "Took you long enough to realize that."

Both of them moved at the same time—one wreathed in holy gold, the other in azure wind and water. Their silhouettes blurred, clashing again and again in a storm of light and sound that no ordinary eye could follow.

Each strike sent arcs of energy rippling outward. Golden spears clashed with azure claws. Holy radiance met draconic might. The stage beneath them fractured with every blow.

Then, in one final exchange—both unleashed their strongest blows.

"Solar Wing—Divine Descent!"

"Azure Dragon—Tidal Devastation!"

Golden wings of flame collided with a roaring dragon of water and wind, their power spiraling upward in a column of light that split the clouds above the arena dome.

When the smoke cleared, both stood at opposite ends of the field—breathing hard, blood on their lips. The arena floor between them was scorched gold and silver-blue, cut straight down the middle.

A long silence followed.

Then, Tian Lei took a single step forward. Wu Long's body trembled before collapsing to one knee—his azure domain finally fading.

The elder's voice rang through the arena like a hammer strike.

"Winner—Tian Lei!"

The crowd erupted. The sound of cheering rolled like thunder through the stands.

Wu Long looked up at Tian Lei and gave a crooked grin. "Guess I underestimated you."

Tian Lei offered a faint nod. "You fought well."

The cheers didn't die down for a while. The whole arena was buzzing, the sound of excitement shaking the air like a storm of voices. Disciples shouted Tian Lei's name, some still in disbelief that he'd actually won.

Down below, as the medics helped Wu Long off the field, Tian Lei exhaled slowly, wiping the blood from his lip. His body ached, but his eyes still burned with quiet focus.

From the raised pavilion, the leaders of the great sects watched closely. One of them—an old man in golden robes with scales faintly visible on his neck—let out a low grunt.

"Hmph. So the Golden Sun Bird cultivator wins after all," he said, voice rumbling like thunder. "Looks like I misjudged him."

He was from the Tyrant Dragon Sect, and until now, he'd been certain Wu Long would take the match. The defeat clearly didn't sit well with him. His brows furrowed, and a faint ripple of dragon aura escaped his control before he calmed himself.

Another elder chuckled from the side, stroking his silver beard.

"Old Fang, seems even dragons can't always predict the winds of battle," he said. "That boy's fire isn't just bright—it's disciplined. He's no ordinary seed."

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