Liu Fei initiated the attack, her movements swift as she executed a series of precise strikes. Her swords weaved patterns of light as she aimed for Lei Ming''s vital points.


    Lei Ming barely moved, effortlessly dodging her attacks with minimal motion. "Too slow," he taunted, his eyes shing with disdain.


    Frustration flickered across Liu Fei''s face. Gathering her remaining strength, she unleashed the "Radiant Lotus Dance," her most refined technique. Petals of light spiraled toward Lei Ming, each one carrying radiant energy.


    He yawned mockingly. "Let me show you real power."


    Raising his hand, Lei Ming summoned crackling arcs of lightning. "Thunderbolt Chain!"


    A searing bolt of lightning shot toward Liu Fei. She attempted to evade the attack, but the lightning was far too fast for her to react.


    The bolt struck her side, sending her sprawling across the arena floor.


    Gasps erupted from the spectators.


    Wan Ling sped her hands to her chest. "Senior Sister!"


    Struggling, Liu Fei pushed herself up. Her determination remained unwavering; she prepared to continue the fight.


    Lei Ming shook his head. "Stubbornness will be the end of you." Read exclusive chapters at empire


    He extended both hands upward. "Thunder Forming Art!"


    Dark clouds swirled above the arena, thunder rumbling ominously. From the churning skies, a barrage of lightning bolts rained down toward Liu Fei.


    With limited options, she crossed her swords in front of her. "Light Barrier!"


    A shield of radiant energy formed around her, but the relentless assault of the thunder overwhelmed her defenses.


    The barrier shattered, and she was thrown backward,nding hard on the ground.


    Elder Yun Lan immediately stepped forward. "This match is over! Lei Ming is the victor."


    Disciples rushed to attend to Liu Fei.


    Lei Ming scoffed, turning his disdainful gaze toward the Radiant Lotus Sacred Sect''s side. "Is there no one worthy enough to fight with me?"


    Shen Yuan''s eyes shed with suppressed anger. He stepped forward, his voice steady. "No need to bark here; I will take care of you."


    The crowd buzzed with excitement.


    Lei Ming assessed him with a cold smirk. "Anothermb to the ughter?"


    Elder Yun Lan ced a hand on Shen Yuan''s shoulder as he passed. "Be cautious. He is much stronger than any of the ones we have faced before."


    He gave a reassuring nod. "I will, Elder."


    Stepping into the arena, Shen Yuan faced Lei Ming. The atmosphere became heavy with tension.


    The referee looked between them before signaling the start of the match.


    Without warning, Lei Mingunched his attack. "Thunderbolt Chain!"


    Multiple lightning bolts arced toward Shen Yuan, each one charged with lethal intent.


    Shen Yuan remained calm, merely looking at the advancing attack, and at thest moment, he activated "Thunderbolt sh Step," his form dissolving into a sh of lightning.


    He reappeared a short distance away, unscathed.


    Lei Ming raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You can use lightning movement techniques as well?"


    "You''re not the only one skilled in lightning arts," Shen Yuan replied with a smirk.


    He retaliated with "Heavenly Thunder Palm," his palm radiating concentrated lightning Qi as he thrust it toward Lei Ming.


    Lei Ming met the strike head-on with his own thunder art, their energies shing violently midair.


    Sparks flew as the force of their confrontation sent ripples through the arena.


    "A worthy foe," Lei Ming admitted, a hint of excitement evident in his tone. "But let''s see how you handle this."


    He leaped into the air, his hands weavingplex signs. "Thunder Forming Art!"


    The sky darkened once more as thunderclouds gathered. This time, Lei Ming intensified the thunder, aiming to overwhelm Shen Yuan with sheer power.


    Shen Yuan looked up unfazed. "Two can y at that game."


    He formed his own hand signs. "Storm Summoning Art!"


    The clouds above responded to his call, merging with Lei Ming''s storm. Lightning shed erratically as the two storms vied for dominance.


    The audience watched in awe as the entire sky above the arena became a battleground of elemental forces.


    Lei Ming''s eyes narrowed. "You''re meddling with my storm?"


    Shen Yuan smirked. "I thought we could make things more interesting."


    "Arrogant fool!" Lei Ming snarled. "Feel the wrath of the heavens! Heavenly Thunderfall!"


    A massive bolt of lightning, thicker than any before, descended toward Shen Yuan with destructive intent.


    Shen Yuan focused intensely; time seemed to slow down as he sensed the immense energy. At that moment, a realization struck him like a thunderbolt.


    The elements around him resonated with his entire being, and he felt a deeper connection to the lightning around him—he hadprehended Level 1 Thunder Intent.


    His eyes shimmered with electric light. "About damn time. Let''s see how you handle true thunder."


    He raised his hand skyward. "Lightning Barrier!"


    A dome of pure lightning energy formed around him, absorbing the colossal bolt. The barrier remained standing, the absorbed energy coursing through him.


    Lei Ming stared in disbelief. "That''s impossible!"


    Shen Yuan seized the moment. He transformed the absorbed energy into his next attack.


    Switching weapons, he drew a slender sword from his storage ring. The de hummed with electric arcs.


    "Thunder God''s de!"


    He dashed forward using "Thunderbolt sh Step," appearing directly in front of Lei Ming. With a swift sh, he unleashed a crescent of concentrated lightning.


    Lei Ming hastily raised his arms to defend, but the attack sliced through his guard, sending him reeling backward.


    Fury contorted Lei Ming''s features as his face turned red. "I won''t lose to you!"


    He began to channel a dangerous amount of energy, his body crackling violently. "I''ll obliterate you! Forbidden Technique: Wrath of Thunder!"


    Elder Yun Lan''s eyes widened. "He''s risking self-destruction!"


    Shen Yuan smirked. "Hah! Pathetic. Delusional bitch, you think your life is equal to mine?"


    The expressions of the Ironwood Mountain n elders turned ugly as they began to panic about the fate of their n if anything happened to Lei Ming.


    "Shit, shit, shit! How will we exin this to the Thunder Cloud Sect?" one of the elders cursed, looking worriedly at Lei Ming.


    Shen Yuan didn''t bother to think much as he began harnessing his Thunder Intent. He brought out his Crimson Devourer sword and began charging it with thunder.


    BOOM!!


    Thunder rumbled over the skies as Shen Yuan''s aura rapidly began to increase. Even the berserk energy of Lei Ming''s self-destruction seemed tamepared to the monstrous energy that Shen Yuan was emitting.


    "Heaven and Earth Severance: Thunder Cleaving," he softly muttered as his hand slowly rose. All the thunder flying around rapidly began to gather around his sword.


    Lei Ming felt his heart stop; his legs began to tremble as the might of this attack seemed to surpass anything he had faced before.


    "Impossible! How can he wield such power?" Lei Ming stammered, fear evident in his eyes.


    Elder Yun Lan watched with a mix of awe and concern, worried he might be overexerting himself like Lei Ming. "Shen Yuan, be cautious!" she called out.


    Shen Yuan''s gaze disdainfully looked at Lei Ming. "Anyst words?" he asked.


    He swung his sword downward, releasing a colossal arc of concentrated lightning energy that tore through the air, heading straight for Lei Ming.


    Lei Ming tried to muster his remaining strength, channeling all his energy into a desperate defense. "Thunder Cloud Shield!" he screamed, forming a barrier of crackling electricity around himself.