The attacks flew between them like fire and thunder. The surrounding smoke had completely dissipated, and space itself was fracturing into countless pieces.

With the dream as their battlefield—a place already ephemeral by nature—the terrifying attacks made this void even more unstable.

Although Long Yan was locked in a life-or-death battle with Shen Bai, a sliver of doubt began to surface in her mind.

She raised her long spear, pausing her assault. Her limpid eyes glinted with cold, murderous intent.

"You’re facing certain death, yet you’re so composed. Why is that?"

She couldn’t understand why Shen Bai’s expression was so tranquil.

Even the most composed person would show at least some fear when faced with death.

If he felt no fear, there could only be one other explanation: Shen Bai was confident he could defeat her.

Long Yan couldn’t fathom what gave Shen Bai such confidence.

’So what if he’s capable of Overcoming Adversity and Attacking Upward?’

’After all, she was two realms higher than Shen Bai.’

’Her Actor’s Method might not be as combat-focused as some other paths, but a two-realm gap is a massive, unbridgeable divide.’

’A leap like that—Overcoming Adversity and Attacking Upward—was utterly impossible.’

Shen Bai held Cold Moon at an angle and said nonchalantly, "Two Grand Realms higher than me, yet so cautious. You truly live up to your reputation, Landlord Long. But it seems you’re overthinking things. You’re two whole Grand Realms above me. What power could I possibly have to turn the tables?"

Long Yan shook her head. "If it were anyone else, I might not be concerned. But you’re different."

"And how am I different?" Shen Bai asked with a smile.

Long Yan’s eyes grew cold. "There’s you, and then there’s everyone else. Your strength and your methods surpass every member of the younger generation I’ve ever known. Compared to you, the so-called geniuses of the Great Zhou Country are nothing but ants. I’m already treating you as my equal."

"Well, I’m truly honored." A hint of mockery glinted in Shen Bai’s eyes. "To be seen as a threat by a Landlord of the Fenglin State Observatory... If word of this got out, it would be enough to make me famous throughout the entire state."

Long Yan’s brow furrowed even deeper.

Her conversation with Shen Bai had been an attempt to trick him into revealing his plan.

But Shen Bai was a cunning fox. His replies were all perfectly noncommittal, offering no useful Information whatsoever.

Around them, the white mist continued to spread.

Long Yan’s brow smoothed out.

Seeing this, Shen Bai commented, "It seems Landlord Long has come to a realization."

"It doesn’t matter if I’ve figured it out or not." Long Yan shook her head. "In the end, only one of us will walk out of this duel alive. Since we’ve already started, we might as well see it through to the bitter end."

She had been letting herself get sidetracked.

It didn’t matter whether Shen Bai had a trump card or not; it would be useless against her.

This was a duel between the two of them. The outcome was already set in stone. All that remained was to fight with absolute focus.

With that said, Long Yan spoke no more. She didn’t want to give Shen Bai any more time to recover.

The Flower Spear in her hand became a blur in the air, creating countless afterimages. Behind each one, a phantom figure materialized.

The phantoms coalesced into mounted Generals, ten thousand strong.

Each one radiated a chilling, murderous aura, charging Shen Bai like a grand Military Array poised to strike.

Shen Bai’s eyes widened slightly, the sense of mortal danger in his heart intensifying to an extreme.

He tightened his grip on Cold Moon and licked his slightly dry lips. "As expected of a Landlord. There’s always a higher mountain to climb."

The ten thousand phantom Generals, coalesced from her Flower Spear, were a product of her Actor’s Method—and her single most powerful attack.

Facing the ten thousand phantoms, Shen Bai pushed the Qi within him to its absolute limit, causing it to swirl around his body.

Various Divine Powers blazed like fire, coalescing upon his fist and his sword.

He struck out with his sword. Blood-red Sword Qi surged forth with unstoppable momentum, condensing in midair. It formed a great net woven from a thousand strands of Sword Qi, which spread out to envelop everything before him.

The phantom Generals dissolved into nothingness the moment they touched the great net of Sword Qi.

But more phantom Generals charged toward Shen Bai.

Shen Bai clenched his left fist. The Vajra Dharma Aspect behind him erupted with light, shining as brilliantly as a scorching sun.

As he threw the punch, his Dharma Golden Body raised its arms like celestial pillars propping up the heavens.

Endless Buddha’s Light spread outward. Amidst the violent tremors of the surrounding Space, another large swath of phantom Generals was obliterated by Shen Bai.

But immediately after, the remaining half of the phantom Generals completely encircled Shen Bai and dove down upon him.

The terrifying Evil Qi, combined with the heart-stopping stench of battlefield carnage, made Shen Bai’s breath catch in his throat.

The glow of his Bright Jade Evil Body blocked the first wave of attacks, but the white light began to tremble violently.

Under the terrifying assault, cracks finally appeared on the Bright Jade Evil Body.

The jade-like white light was swallowed up as if by a merciless tide.

At the critical moment, Shen Bai executed Divine Hundred Miles, transforming into a blur as he rapidly retreated.

But more phantom Generals swarmed in from all directions, cutting off his escape.

"BOOM!"

A tremendous roar echoed as Shen Bai’s figure was sent flying backward, but he landed steadily on his feet.

At that moment, a trickle of blood flowed from the corner of Shen Bai’s mouth.

"You’re injured. If you keep fighting, you’ll just be a spent force." Long Yan’s face was a little pale, but she quickly recovered her composure.

"I was already surprised you could withstand my strongest attack," she said. "But if this continues, your death is certain."

That attack had taken a heavy toll on Long Yan as well.

Fortunately, it had been highly effective.

Even though she was now controlled by a Heart Demon, the admiration for Shen Bai in her eyes was completely unconcealed.

Though her mind was being controlled, Long Yan held a deep appreciation for Shen Bai as a person.