Enlightenment

Mana domains was a powerful ability in the Realm of spirituality possessed by powerful Tier 4 Emperors. It was a method of using ambient Mana to suppress all hostile forces. Allies on the other hand would receive boons in their basic attributes and combat power as long as the domain is active. This Mana domain is one of the key factors in deducing the strength of an Emperor. A Tier 4 Emperor who had mastered the ability could effortlessly annihilate a group of Emperors who had not. Even a Tier 3 King could clash against a Tier 4 Emperor if he could cast a Mana domain.

The strength of a Mana domain also depends on the mastery of the caster over Mana because some Domain masters could only manipulate ambient Mana a few yards around themselves while some powerful Masters could suppress hostile units within hundreds of meters around them.

Being the only one around, the Twilight Emperor was able to concentrate the intensity of his Domain on Xuanyuan alone making him face stronger suppression than usual.

But the Twilight Emperor only possessed Mana control at Tier 4 intermediate standard. For Xuanyuan whose control standard was at the Tier 5 Basic standard, the suppression didn't affect him in the least. Looking a Xuanyuan who stood still, the Emperor had a smug look on his face believing that he'd finally suppressed him.

Xuanyuan on the other hand was currently immersed in his thoughts. Rather than trying to counter the Mana domain, he allowed himself to be suppressed because he had a flash of realization as he felt the suppression...

Currently he was within the Mana domain casted by the Twilight Emperor so he was temporarily unable to manipulate ambient Mana to his advantage. But surprisingly, he could still perceive the infinite elements of Mana. In this state, he could vividly perceive how each elements moved and worked.

'That's it!' Xuanyuan exclaimed within himself. 'I had been using the elements the wrong way!'

Although Xuanyuan could control Mana, he only achieved that by forcing Mana and its various elements with his will. Meanwhile each elements moved and worked in a unique way different from that of other elements. For example, Xuanyuan sometimes manipulate the power of fire to cast a flaming sword to attack his opponents. This boosts the power of the sword by only a small margin because while the power of sword was meant to cut through things, fire was meant to burn things!

Coating his sword in flames only gave it the appearance of a flaming sword. It never really possessed the power of fire. That was why when Xuanyuan attacked his opponents with sword covered in raging flames, it only dealt sword damages not fire damage.

The elements of Mana could be combined to deal powerful damages. But this requires deep understanding of how each element worked. Each elements worked in a different manner only slightly similar to some other elements and completely different to others just like how fire and water stood at opposite ends. This similarity between these elements provides an opportunity to combine them.

Xuanyuan eyes shone brightly once he realized this. This time he completely let go of whatever control he had over Mana. Instead he allowed Mana to control him instead. He closed his eyes and began perceiving how each of the elements of Mana moved among other elements...

Fortunately, during his moments of realization, the Emperor watched him silently as if indulging himself in the pleasure of watching Xuanyuan struggle to break free. But when he didn't see what he expected, he got bored and attacked Xuanyuan wanting to end things quickly.

He appeared in front of Xuanyuan and raised his sharp claws to strike Xuanyuan. As a Tier 4 Emperor, his physical body had underwent a qualitative transformation and even his claws were as sharp as daggers. If the claws were to strike the defenseless Xuanyuan, he'd suffer a heavy injury if he didn't die in one hit...

The Emperor was surprised as his claws tipped closer to Xuanyuan's neck. He had personally clashed against Xuanyuan and knew the latter was beyond ordinary. Even if he couldn't cast a Mana domain and facing a huge suppression, with his strength he could counter the suppression to a large extent and moving won't be a difficulty. But the current Xuanyuan appeared as if he was completely surprised like a ram waiting to be slaughtered. This was too good to be true.

And this was proven true when his claws went through Xuanyuan unhindered.

"Afterimage!" The Emperor exclaimed and instinctively activated one of his lifesaving spells to protect himself.

"Clang!" was what rang out when a sword collided with the flame wall he'd casted.

"You're not supressed?" The Twilight Emperor muttered when he felt the power behind Xuanyuan's strike which was supposedly stronger than the previous strikes. Thank God he'd casted a Defensive spell in time or he'd lost a lot of HP during that exchange.

"Your petty Mana domain isn't enough to stop me!" Xuanyuan replied as he raised his sword and struck down the next moment shattering the wall protecting the Emperor as if it was made of soft cotton.

The Emperor hurriedly used a movement spell to widen the distance between Xuanyuan and himself.

But Xuanyuan wasn't going to give the Emperor a breather. He dashed forward and reappeared in front of the Emperor who tried to escape again but found out he'd been rooted in one spot. That was a Tier 1 Curse, <Dark Freeze> But in the hands of Xuanyuan, it behaved like a typical Tier 4 curse.

The Emperor who couldn't avoid Xuanyuan's sword in time suffered a heavy injury thar wiped away 15% of his HP.

Before the Emperor could recover himself, Xuanyuan had already stabbed him with his other sword claiming another 15% of his HP. In just two exchanges, Xuanyuan had whittled away 30% of the Emperor's HP...