"What just happened?" Lin Daozi asked, noticing the blood seeping from the tear in Ye Ruozai's coat, which dripped onto the arena, momentarily losing track of the changes on stage.

"This move Flamel clearly knew about or had heard of; when the three sword qis were about to merge into one to attack him, he cleverly opened a spatial rift at the merging point, redirecting one sword qi to Ye Ruozai's back, while using magic guidance to divert the other two sword qis, and then used some method I couldn't detect to restrict Ye Ruozai's movement, forcing him to withstand his own attack." Ning Quanchen, who had recently been nurtured by Lin Ruxue to become a Child of Origin, was focused on watching the match and provided Lin Daozi with an explanation, then shook his head with a wry smile as he gazed at the arena, "I heard your conversation earlier, and your analysis is correct except for a small discrepancy. It's not that Pei Yan or Ye Ruozai lack battle experience, but rather that the foundational plane blockage by the four major planes resulted in a lack of depth and insight."

Lin Daozi, always open to suggestions, nodded in agreement after listening to his companion, "You're right, but this blockade is mutual; we are also unclear about the details of the foundational plane. It's like when facing Pei Yan, his methods always catch us off guard, and now Ye Ruozai uses our moves. It might enhance his capabilities, yet he fails to understand that the Daoist Realm and Magic Realm have been in contact for so long. Even if Flamel doesn't know the operational principles, he surely knows the trajectory from the summaries of predecessors. If he plans to rely on this tactic to win the match, he's miscalculated."

Would Lin Junzhao, the Lord of the Foundational Plane, make this mistake? Lin Daozi wondered as he looked at the arena.

Flamel, on the stage, clearly shared the same thought as Ning Quanchen, looking at the lingering damage inflicted on Ye Ruozai. His rage began to subside, and he regained his usual flair, taunting Ye Ruozai spiritedly, "You've learned a bit of the Daoist Realm and flaunt it before me; it's merely the Heart Sword Sect's body technique. I expected something extraordinary. Using Daoist Realm moves with a Magic Realm facade—it's absurd. Though I don't know how you absorb magic elements, do you think you're the only one with this capability? Every mage should at least master one element effortlessly. Do you think a mage like me, who can perform multi-element forbidden magic, can't redirect attacks incorporating magic elements? Such ignorance, prepare to use your life to prove you and Pei Yan's foolishness and arrogance."

"Hoo!" Facing Flamel's scornful arrogance, Ye Ruozai didn't retort; compared to Pei Yan's sharp tongue, he preferred letting strength speak! After exhaling deeply, he forcefully tore off his tattered coat, removed the cumbersome sword sheath from his waist, tossing it aside, holding the sword single-handedly while slowly drawing a dagger from his waist behind him.

Pei Yan, previously slightly worried about Ye Ruozai, now became intrigued—he'd never seen Ye Ruozai use a dagger before. Ye Ruozai fought with the same poise and grace he displayed normally, calm and elegant, rarely engaging in close combat. Clearly, Flamel's insults had touched his pride. Anticipating a thrilling bout, Pei Yan ignored his yet-to-heal injuries, his eyes wide with excitement, eagerly awaiting the unfolding drama.

"Hoo!" Another breath escaped as Ye Ruozai's silhouette disappeared from his spot swiftly, though not at Pei Yan's lightning speed; hence most spectators could follow his figure. Despite this, the momentum he generated was no lesser than Pei Yan's, with each step causing small saplings to sprout through the stage's seams. As Ye Ruozai closed in on Flamel, the once empty arena transformed into an ancient forest of towering trees, Ye Ruozai's ghostly figure weaving through the foliage.

"Hmph, Nature's law! Boring!" Flamel remarked disdainfully at the astonishing scene. With a snap of his fingers, several blazing fire dragons erupted, rushing from his fingertips, turning the dense woods into a blazing inferno.

As the crowd exclaimed, Ye Ruozai emerged from the raging flames unscathed, his presence bolstered instead. As his sword swung, the surrounding flames died instantly, converging like a swarm into his sword. When Ye Ruozai was before Flamel, his sword aimed like a red-hot iron towards Flamel's throat.

"Earth Magic. Armor Condensation Technique!"

Clink! The sword struck Flamel's throat without evasion. Enshrouded by magic enhancement and blessings from various churches, Flamel caught Ye Ruozai's blade tip between his chin, mocking, "Failed at distance, trying close combat to end it? You think I'd fall like a regular mage... cough!"

"Force Penetration!" Before Flamel could finish, a gleam of coldness flickered in Ye Ruozai's eyes, speaking in a low tone. Immediately, Flamel coughed blood, struggling for breath. Seeing his sword unable to finish his opponent, Ye Ruozai didn't falter; his dagger swiftly twisted, slicing down diagonally at Flamel.

Clink! Another sharp collision sounded, as the dagger sliced against Flamel's lifted arm, marking a white scar.

"Nature's Path, Absorption!" Ye Ruozai didn't relent this time, continuing to press his dagger downward. Meanwhile, the dagger emitted a faint yellow glow. Flamel's Armor Condensation Technique dulled under its pressure, its magic elements absorbed into the dagger. It left only the original vital energy protecting him.

Yet, even after breaching this barrier, Ye Ruozai couldn't harm Flamel's body, for beneath the thin vital energy shield, a gentle white glow still guarded his form.