"Funny, it's really funny. Two people I loathe merging into one can be dealt with all at once by me. Why wouldn't I laugh at such a funny thing?" Pei Yan straightened up from his laughter and looked at Shitang Longsi, who was staring at him with venomous hatred, and sighed, "Shitang Longsi, are you really willing to let your body be possessed just to deal with me?"

"Pei Yan, you don't seem qualified to mock me for this, do you? Didn't you also rely on the Power of Origin to possess your body to get to this point?" Shitang Longsi scoffed disdainfully.

"True enough." Pei Yan nodded, not denying this, then asked, "Let me put it this way: do you think being possessed by this fool will allow you to defeat me?"

"At least he once pushed you to the brink of death! At least he gave me the capital to battle you!" Shitang Longsi clenched his fists, his breath growing heavy with excitement.

"Ah, I almost forgot since you didn't mention it. So are you calling out to me now to show off? To provoke me? Do you think hiding among the Blood Demon troops in this setting leaves me helpless against you?"

"Pei Yan, the competition must proceed; please don't delay our time any longer." Nero had been displeased with Shitang Longsi when he privately provoked Pei Yan without permission, but due to Shitang Longsi's importance to the Candle Dragon, he tolerated his behavior without punishing him. However, sensing the killing intent in Pei Yan's words, he urgently warned.

"Whew!" Warned by Nero, Pei Yan exhaled slowly and closed his eyes, his previously apparent murderous aura and momentum gradually dissipating, transforming Pei Yan into an ordinary, unremarkable person.

As everyone thought Pei Yan was calming his emotions and that this crisis was about to dissolve, Nero's sharp intuition again detected the danger and decisively commanded, "Protect Shitang Longsi, everyone else retreat quickly."

His words were too late; quicker than his warning were Pei Yan's teammates, Gu Shenghui, Pei Jin, and Ye Ruozai, who pierced into the Blood Demon ranks like sharp daggers, successfully isolating the Three Tyrants Ivan, Nero, and Di Xin from their group.

On the other side, Pei Yan used supernatural speed to arrive in front of Shitang Longsi. Shitang Longsi had faced Pei Yan many times and was familiar with his unpredictable methods. Thus, he was prepared for battle when he initially provoked Pei Yan. In his view, with his increased strength and multiple strong allies present, Pei Yan could not execute him in one strike. Once the battle became fierce, the event's host would inevitably prevent this commotion from escalating, resulting in Pei Yan humiliating himself.

Therefore, when Pei Yan appeared before him, Shitang Longsi felt not fear but excitement, facing a composed Pei Yan with unwavering emotions. He launched a strike which had been ready to unleash.

Swoosh! The deadly aura, enhanced by Six Paths Origin Qi, was menacing upon release from Shitang Longsi's palm. However, as it touched Pei Yan, the entire force dissipated instantly, and the airflow generated by Shitang Longsi's punch passed harmlessly on both sides of Pei Yan.

"How is this possible?" Shitang Longsi watched his confident strike get effortlessly neutralized, and his remodeled and boosted confidence shattered.

The next moment revealed a more intolerable truth. As Pei Yan extended his arm to grip Shitang Longsi's wrist, Shitang Longsi felt all defenses bolstered upon his body dissipate.

In terror, Shitang Longsi attempted to break free and instinctively prepared to draw his knife for defense. Two figures arriving pronounced his fate conclusively.

"Urgh—Oh!" With a gravitational field created by Xia Yu's power successfully isolating the Blood Demon members except for the Three Tyrants, Zheng Jia Ru's iron fist slammed into the undefended body of Shitang Longsi, prompting Thanatos within him to feel his soul almost knocked out, as the sound of ribs cracking triggered a muffled grunt from Shitang Longsi, spraying fresh blood onto Zheng Jia Ru's face.

"Bah, unlucky!" Zheng Jia Ru wiped his face and intended another strike, but Pei Yan stopped him.

This was not due to Pei Yan's mercy; both Shitang Longsi and Thanatos stirred his urge to kill them. However, Thanatos currently possessed Shitang Longsi's body, which was crucial for Lin Junzhao's next plans.

If it wasn't for this fool confronting him today, Pei Yan wouldn't have troubled him lately. Given Shitang Longsi's provocation and Pei Yan's vengeful nature, letting him off lightly might evoke suspicion. Hence, Pei Yan seized the opportunity to teach him a lesson, warning him not to dare challenge him again shortly.

"Whew!" Releasing another breath, with his tranquil state shattered, Pei Yan's subdued aura reemerged. He sighed, rubbing his forehead, showing helplessness. As Lin Junzhao pointed out, the purifying Power of Origin was too domineering; its use required emotional adjustment first. In combat, opponents wouldn't grant such time, but it was a good aid for allies to launch attacks.

"You couldn't resist my power; you don't possess the root Power of Origin. Seems you're not highly valued by your Master Candle Dragon, are you!"

Pei Yan clutched Shitang Longsi's neck, lifting his body. Shitang Longsi immediately began healing his injuries as his internal energies flowed freely again, while his unconquerable spirit surged, preparing for a counterattack.

"Don't move! Don't try any tricks in front of me! I can subdue you once, and I can subdue you a second time! Let me sense your internal energy stirring even slightly, and I'll choke your neck as I would any Deputy Commander. You can bet on whether I'll dare!"

Facing Pei Yan's emotionless, eerie eyes and recalling his past glory deeds, Shitang Longsi succumbed at this moment.

He dared not gamble with his life, for he had lost to Pei Yan too many times.

Seeing Shitang Longsi's aura weaken, Nero closed his eyes in disappointment while Pei Yan laughed approvingly, saying, "You know how to gauge the situation. Alright, everyone stop. Now, after I ask a few questions, this farce can end."