The arena trembled as Kael rushed forward.
Golden energy surged around his arm, the power of Origin Energy vibrating through his muscles.
The icy battlefield beneath his feet cracked slightly with each step.
Han Miren reacted instantly.
"Ice Wall!"
A massive wall of crystal ice erupted from the ground, blocking Kael's path.
The wall shimmered with condensed Aether, thick enough to stop most physical attacks.
But Kael didn't slow down.
"Origin Strike!"
His fist slammed into the wall.
BOOM!
The impact echoed like thunder.
Cracks spread across the frozen barrier, spreading outward like spiderwebs.
Han Miren's eyes widened.
"That much power…?"
CRASH!
The ice wall shattered into hundreds of fragments.
Kael burst through the frozen debris, appearing directly in front of her.
Han Miren jumped backward and swung her arm forward.
"Ice Spear Barrage!"
Ten sharp spears formed instantly and launched toward him.
Kael twisted his body, dodging most of them with swift movements.
One spear grazed his side, slicing his robe.
But he kept advancing.
Closer.
Closer.
Han Miren quickly formed another technique.
"Frozen Binding!"
The ice beneath Kael's feet suddenly erupted upward, trying to trap his legs.
Kael reacted immediately.
"Origin Pulse!"
A wave of golden energy exploded outward from his body.
The ice restraints shattered instantly.
Han Miren felt the shockwave and stumbled backward.
Kael stopped a few meters away from her.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Han Miren stared at him.
"You're… not using Aether."
Kael smiled slightly.
"No."
The arena fell silent again.
Even the spectators realized something strange.
Every cultivator relied on Aether.
But Kael's energy was completely different.
Above the arena, Elder Taron frowned thoughtfully.
"That power…"
Beside him, another elder whispered.
"I've never seen energy like that."
Back in the arena, Han Miren exhaled slowly.
Then she smiled.
"Interesting."
Cold air gathered around her again.
"Then I'll show you my real technique."
She raised both arms.
"Frozen Lotus Domain!"
The entire arena froze instantly.
A massive lotus-shaped ice formation appeared beneath her feet.
Cold mist spread across the battlefield.
Kael could feel the temperature drop sharply.
This was no ordinary technique.
This was a Domain Ability.