In the aftermath of Mira and Zaria's duel, the air was thick with anticipation. Whispers filled the grand clearing as disciples debated and speculated about the next match-up.
Seraphina, with her radiant azure hair cascading down her back, stepped into the arena. The aura she radiated was like an imposing mountain. Her 7th Stage of the Soul Transformation Realm cultivation and Leviathan Bloodline put her at the top of the list in terms of strength.
Across from her stood Laela, a statuesque woman with fiery red hair and piercing emerald eyes. Known for her tenacity and prowess in battle, she was at the 6th Stage of the Soul Transformation Realm with an affinity for Fire and Earth. Her chosen weapon was a set of twin chakrams, each adorned with blazing gems that resembled molten lava.
The barrier enveloped the two as the atmosphere grew electric. Seraphina calmly assessed Laela, drawing her sword and shield. With her Metal and Water affinity combined with her bloodline, she was able to comprehend a series of techniques in the Secret Realm called "Leviathan's Embrace" - an integration of hard-hitting metallic strikes and fluid water movements.
Laela, smirking confidently, began twirling her chakrams, creating fiery trails. She was renowned for her "Vulcan's Wrath" techniques, which combined the ferocity of fire and the solidity of the earth.
"Begin!" Aelina's voice boomed.
Without hesitation, Laela launched her first attack. "Vulcan's Eruption!" she cried, slamming her chakram into the ground—a massive pillar of fire and rock shot towards Seraphina.
With a swift motion, Seraphina raised her shield, invoking, "Leviathan's Barrier!" A torrential downpour emerged, quenching the fiery onslaught and turning it into harmless steam.
Seeing her initial attack thwarted, Laela quickly followed up, spinning her chakrams and summoning, "Lava Laceration!" Fiery discs shot out, flying in complex patterns toward Seraphina.
But the latter was prepared. With a flourish of her sword, she unleashed [Leviathan's Dance!] Creating a swirling vortex of water and metal shards, she deflected the fiery chakrams, making them sizzle and hiss upon contact with the water.
The two clashed repeatedly, each trying to overpower the other. Seraphina, taking advantage of her water affinity, attempted to drench Laela, aiming to limit her fiery techniques. "Tidal Wave Strike!" she shouted, bringing forth a massive wave.
Laela countered with "Earth Fortress!" raising rock barriers to divert the water. But Seraphina was relentless. Merging her Metal and Water techniques, she invoked, "Leviathan's Fang!" Turning her sword into a liquid metal, she sent it snaking towards Laela, attempting to bind and restrain her.
Laela, gritting her teeth, countered with, "Molten Chains!" Drawing upon her Fire and Earth affinities, she ensnared the liquid metal with her fiery chains, leading to a spectacular display of steam and sparks.
It was clear that while Seraphina had the upper hand in raw power, Laela's resourcefulness and speed were her strong suits.
With a fierce cry, Laela unleashed her most potent move, "Vulcan's Descent!" The skies above darkened momentarily as meteors rained down, each glowing with fiery intent.
Seraphina, realizing the danger, invoked her shield's defensive prowess, [Leviathan's Bulwark!] A massive dome of water and metal formed around her, deflecting the raining meteors.
Laela, not one to be outdone, rushed forward, her chakrams ablaze. "Twin Phoenix Strike!" she shouted. Firebirds emerged from her weapons, circling and diving towards Seraphina.
But Seraphina was prepared. With a graceful swing of her sword, she called upon [Leviathan's Maelstrom]. A whirlpool formed beneath her, drawing in the firebirds and neutralizing them.
Seeing an opening, Seraphina launched her final move, Leviathan's Wrath! Combining her sword and shield, she created a massive water dragon with metallic scales. It roared and lunged at Laela, intent on ending the match.
Laela, running on fumes, tried to counter with [Vulcan's Shield], but the dragon's might was overwhelming. With a final, resounding crash, Laela was pinned down, her head spinning, signaling the end of the match.
"Winner – Seraphina!" Aelina's voice echoed, and the crowd erupted into applause, appreciating the sheer talent displayed by both combatants.
As Seraphina helped a dazed Laela up, the two shared a moment of mutual respect.
"Good try. You were a lot stronger than I thought you'd be." Seraphina smiled, lifting Laela off the ground.
Laela returned a wry smile through deep, heavy breaths. She had expended almost all her energy in that fight just to contend with Seraphina. She didn't think it'd end that quickly. "...Thanks, but it seems I still have a way to go."
Seraphina chuckled and gave her a few pats on the back. "Don't be so down. I was just lucky. If it were before we invaded the beasts, the match would've been much closer."
"...That means you still think I didn't stand a chance against you."
"..." Seraphina could only look away awkwardly, as what Laela said was true. She was confident of her victory, just from a sheer defensive standpoint, against her. She was almost a perfect counter to all of Laela's techniques. All she had to do was defend and end things when she ran out of energy.
"Ahahaha~ Well, I won't deny that, but you shouldn't downplay your strength. There aren't many people in the Sect who could win against you."
"..."
Laela didn't say anything and just waved at Seraphina as she walked off, lost in thought. What could the latter say to that? That she should see Mira and upgrade her bloodline? Maybe find a way to obtain a new and better physique? In the end, she just shook her head and walked away, looking forward to the next match: Nova vs. Calla.
As the aftermath of the last duel settled, the audience's energy seemed to spike once again. It was time for another showdown, and this time, it was between the Ouroboros and the Enigma.
Nova, with black flames wisping around her, stepped into the arena. Her Ouroboros Bloodline had given her a unique aura, and her now fiery black eyes seemed to pierce through everything.
The spear she carried had undergone several modifications since she acquired the bloodline and entered the Secret Realm, as it was now more suited to her powers. She had also changed her renowned [Sunfire Spear] techniques to the [Eclipsed Spear] series. Not quite as catchy, but she wasn't willing to give up the name.
The techniques she once used had been altered to complement the devouring nature of her black flames.
Opposite her was Calla. Petite and nimble, with silvery hair that seemed to move like liquid mercury, her presence was deceivingly gentle.
However, those who had seen her in battle knew better. With the Ethereal Mirage Bloodline she had obtained in the Secret Realm by upgrading the one Mira created, her figure constantly shimmered, giving off a mirage-like effect.
In her hands were twin fans adorned with reflective mirrors and razor-sharp edges. With her Wind and Light affinities, she could blend attacks and illusions seamlessly, making her a formidable opponent.
The protective barrier rose, encapsulating the two.
Nova took her stance with her spear pointed at Calla. The black flames that coiled around it were lit ablaze, threatening to destroy the arena. The modified [Eclipsed Sphere Spear Shot] was ready to be unleashed.
Calla, on the other hand, began twirling her fans, creating a series of mirror images around her. "Mirage Dance!" she announced. Suddenly, multiple Callas seemed to spread out in all directions.
Nova's eyes narrowed. She knew better than to be fooled by mere illusions. With a swift movement, she released [Ouroboros Blaze], a whirlwind of black flames aiming to consume everything.
But Calla was quick, her figure darting between the illusions, making it hard to discern which was real. "Glimmer Gale!" She countered, using her fans to send a burst of blinding light and razor winds, extinguishing a section of the black flames.
Nova frowned. Even though she had the upper hand in terms of raw power, Calla's elusive techniques were troublesome. Charging forward with "Eclipsed Spear Surge," she aimed to end things quickly.
However, Calla was prepared. "Illusionary Vault!" she called out, using her Wind affinity to launch herself into the air while leaving an afterimage in her previous position. The spear went through the illusion, missing the real Calla by mere inches.
From above, Calla smirked. "Lustrous Rainfall!" she yelled, releasing a barrage of light-infused projectiles.
Nova responded with [Black Starfall], sending an array of flaming black meteors toward the descending projectiles. The collision resulted in a burst of light and shadow.
But Calla wasn't done. Using the blinding explosion as a cover, she closed in, fans slashing with deadly precision. "Reflective Onslaught!"
Caught off-guard, Nova barely managed to raise her spear in defense, the fans grazing her arm. The Ouroboros Bloodline activated instinctively, black flames trying to devour the fans, but Calla retreated just in time.
Feeling the sting of the attack, Nova's demeanor changed. "Enough games," she muttered. Focusing her energy, she invoked "Eclipsed Descent", a black sun materializing above her, casting the battlefield in an eerie darkness.
Calla knew she had to act fast. "Prismatic Cyclone!" she called forth, merging light and wind to create a spiraling vortex, attempting to dissipate the overwhelming darkness.
The two forces clashed, but the black sun's sheer power began to overwhelm Calla's cyclone.
Sensing her disadvantage, Calla played her trump card. "Ethereal Swap!" In a blink, Calla's position swapped with one of her illusions, moving her out of the immediate danger zone.
Nova, realizing the switch, immediately changed her attack direction. The Eclipsed Spear shot out like a comet, heading straight for the real Calla.
Despite her best efforts, the spear's speed was too much. It struck, sending her crashing to the ground. Nova hurried over, her feet lighting ablaze, and pushed her spear against Calla's neck.
"I win."
"Winner – Nova!" Aelina announced, ending the battle.
