Frost gathered around Xue Lan's feet, spreading outward in a slow, circular pattern that shimmered like liquid glass. The entire floor beneath her began to freeze, the thin layer of ice reflecting her silver aura in fractured brilliance.

Huo Ren cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as crimson flames wrapped tighter around his body. "You're not the only one with a final card to play," he said with a toothy grin. "Crimson Pyre—Core Eruption!"

The ground split open beneath him, molten fire surging up in coiling streams. His aura expanded like a living inferno, his eyes glowing with primal intensity. Even through the barrier, the audience could feel the wave of heat crash against them.

Xue Lan didn't move—not yet. Her breathing slowed, her fingers tracing a faint circle in the air. A single snowflake drifted from her fingertip and landed before her boots.

Her falcon's voice echoed faintly in her mind. Now.

Her lips curved slightly. "Blizzard Step—Final Flare!"

In an instant, she vanished. The air exploded with a rush of cold wind—dozens of streaks of white light tearing across the arena like falling stars. Each afterimage of her delivered a strike, light and precise, carving frost trails into the flames that filled the stage.

Huo Ren roared, swinging through the barrage, his fists igniting shockwaves. "Burn through it!"

The entire arena shook as fire and frost collided again and again—each impact bursting into a flash of steam and light. The crowd could barely follow the movements; all they saw were streaks of red and white colliding in the chaos.

Then, amid the storm, Xue Lan appeared right in front of him—eyes sharp as a blade.

"Moonlight Feather—Severing Sky!"

Her strike landed straight on his chest. A ripple of energy burst outward, a perfect ring of frost and wind that shattered his flaming aura like glass. Huo Ren's eyes widened as his knees buckled, the strength in his limbs faltering under the sudden drain.

He let out a low, breathless laugh. "Heh… guess speed does beat strength."

The last ember of his aura flickered out as he collapsed to one knee, steam rising from his shoulders.

The referee raised his hand. "Winner—Xue Lan!"

The crowd erupted again, voices shaking the stands. Cheers filled the air like thunder as Xue Lan stood in the center of the frozen field, her Snow Falcon materializing above her once more in a swirl of white light.

Her aura slowly faded, the ice under her feet melting into mist.

From the pavilion, the sect leaders exchanged knowing looks.

"She's refined," said Sect Leader Bai, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "That level of control at Earth Stage is rare."

"Control?" snorted Sect Leader Ye from the Tyrant Dragon Sect. "She's fast, I'll give her that—but she lacks the raw presence of a true dragon-type cultivator."

Sect Leader Mu chuckled softly, tapping her chin. "And yet, she won. Sometimes, grace wins where power stumbles."

Down below, Xue Lan gave a short bow toward her opponent before walking off the stage, her falcon letting out a single, satisfied cry.

"She's good," Tian Lei murmured. Xue Lan's spirit energy was flowing more cleanly now—her strikes sharper, her speed noticeably higher. "She knows how to use the elemental powers granted by her beast," he added, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her movements.

Beside him, Su Liyue glanced his way, lips curving into a faint pout. She didn't say anything at first, just crossed her arms. Then, with a low huff, she muttered, "I'm better than her. You just haven't seen me fight yet."

Tian Lei blinked, caught off guard by her tone. He gave a small nod, more out of confusion than agreement, wondering why she suddenly seemed so annoyed.

The announcement echoed soon after.

"The finalists have been decided!" the elder proclaimed, his voice booming through the arena. "Tian Lei of the Golden Sun Bird and Xue Lan of the Snow Falcon—prepare for the championship match!"

The arena grounds trembled as the four smaller platforms—gold, silver, bronze, and iron-grey—began to shift and rise. Runes along their edges glowed brightly, merging together until they formed a single grand stage shimmering with layered spiritual light.

The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices shaking the air. Disciples leaned forward from every tier of the stands, excitement surging like a wave. This was it—the final match, the clash between speed and flame, winter and sun.

At opposite ends of the massive golden arena stood Tian Lei and Xue Lan. Both looked calm, but their auras told a different story. Tian Lei's body radiated faint gold fire, the air around him shimmering with heat. Xue Lan stood opposite him like a streak of winter, frost swirling at her feet, her falcon perched behind her, wings half-spread.

The elder raised his arm, voice ringing out across the stands.

"Final round—begin!"

The moment the word left his lips, the crowd roared, and both Tian Lei and Xue Lan launched forward, their powers igniting the battlefield in light and frost.

Tian Lei's figure blurred first, golden flames flaring at his feet as he shot across the arena like a comet. The air rippled behind him, heat distorting the ground he passed over. His Golden Sun Bird spirit flared above him, a radiant silhouette spreading wings of blazing light.

Xue Lan didn't flinch. She slid backward, the frost beneath her boots blooming outward in layered rings. Her Snow Falcon cried sharply, and the temperature plummeted—steam rising where fire met cold.

When they clashed, the sound was deafening. Tian Lei's fist, wreathed in molten gold, met Xue Lan's palm coated in crystal frost. The impact cracked the ground beneath them, waves of heat and snow spiraling into the air.

"Fast," Tian Lei muttered, his eyes gleaming with respect.

"Hot," Xue Lan replied coolly, breath visible in the freezing air.

Then they moved again—faster this time. Xue Lan's steps became a blur of white light, each movement leaving afterimages. Tian Lei matched her, flames roaring higher with every strike. Punches, kicks, and bursts of elemental force collided midair, scattering sparks and snowflakes across the arena.

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