Godlike: Double Penetration of the Starry Sky! A brutal beating of Ge Xiaolun at the start.

Long Wen tightened his cloak, nodded slightly, and said with a firm gaze, "Don't worry, Zhou Li, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, and I will not give up easily." Although he said this, he knew in his heart that this trial would be no easy task, not to mention the ever-present pressure from Zhou Li's family elders, like a shadowy haze that chilled him to the bone. He subconsciously clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. The surrounding air seemed to sense his tense nerves, gradually solidifying, the tense atmosphere like tangible threads tightly binding the two of them.

Chapter 121 Tampering

"Hmph, this brat really thinks he can easily pass the ultimate trial of Mount Aozang? He's overestimating himself." A deep, cold snort seemed to come from all directions, and it seemed to explode directly in Long Wen's heart. It was the voice of an elder of the Zhou Li family. Although he couldn't see the person, it instantly alerted Long Wen. He knew that this trial had been tampered with from the very beginning.

"Begin." With a command that seemed to come from ancient times, the "647" trial was launched with a roar. In an instant, the roar of the mechanisms shattered the silence of the mountains, and all kinds of deadly attacks came down from all directions. Laser beams, like deadly whips of light, tore through the air and shot out from all directions with scorching heat; huge rocks, like ancient beasts awakened, roared and smashed towards where Long Wen was, carrying immense force.

Long Wen's eyes sharpened, and without hesitation, he summoned the fire elemental power within his body. His palm was instantly enveloped in raging flames. He swung his arm violently, and the flames, as if possessed, roared and pounced on the flying stones. The sizzling sound was incessant as the stones shattered and turned to ash under the intense heat, scattering fragments everywhere.

"You think you can stop it so easily?" The family elder hidden in the shadows spoke again, manipulating the mechanism. The frequency of the laser beams suddenly increased, and the angles became more and more tricky, like an impenetrable net of light, trapping Long Wen inside.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Long Wen's forehead. He quickly switched elements, wind element surging at his fingertips. With his rotation and sweeping, powerful air currents burst forth in spirals, dispersing some of the laser beams. But a new attack followed immediately. A boulder as tall as two people crashed down on him from above with a muffled whistling sound.

Long Wen dodged to the side, the boulder grazing his clothes before crashing to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. He was panting heavily, his hair disheveled, but he gritted his teeth and persevered. At that moment, Xiao, who had been silently observing the battle, stood as upright as a pine tree atop a nearby boulder. His cold, handsome face was sharply defined, his eyes fixed on Long Wen, a barely perceptible hint of admiration flashing within them: "This kid, he does have some tenacity."

"Hold on, Long Wen!" Zhou Li called out anxiously from the side. Her hands were clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white. She wanted to rush forward to help, but she knew that this was a trial that Long Wen had to face alone.

Upon hearing the shouts, Long Wen felt a surge of power within him. His eyes blazed as he dodged the attacks while rapidly searching for a solution in his mind. ... These traps worked together, their attacks growing stronger with each wave. If he continued to passively defend like this, he would eventually be exhausted.

"Hmph, let's see how long you can hold out." The elder's voice was laced with malice, and the attacks from the mechanisms became increasingly violent, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Just as Long Wen was starting to feel the strain and his body was becoming unsteady, a sudden idea struck him. He stopped his frantic dodging, stood firmly on his feet, palms facing upwards, and began to gather the various elemental powers within his body. The heat of the fire element, the fluidity of the wind element, the gentleness of the water element, the weight of the earth element… He closed his eyes tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, focusing all his attention on sensing the rhythm of each element, slowly fusing them together.

The surrounding air seemed to be sucked out, forming a visible energy vortex that spun wildly around Longwen. Rocks and laser beams were swept into and crushed as they approached the vortex.

"This...how is this possible?" The hidden family elder exclaimed, his voice filled with shock and disbelief.

Chapter 122 The Rainbow That Created Heaven and Earth

Long Wen suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze shining brightly like two blazing suns. He roared and unleashed the fused, incredibly powerful energy wave forward. The energy wave was like a rainbow splitting the heavens and earth; wherever it passed, mechanisms collapsed, explosions were deafening, and debris and light intertwined, rushing towards the central energy sphere.

With a deafening boom, the energy sphere shattered under the impact, and endless light, like the breaking of dawn, instantly dispelled the gloom over Mount Aozang. Within the light, Long Wen stood tall and imposing. Though his clothes were tattered and his face weary, he exuded a powerful aura, like a war god returning.

Zhou Li's eyes were filled with joy and admiration. She could no longer contain her excitement and ran towards Long Wen, her skirt fluttering in the wind. "Long Wen, you did it! You really did it!" Her eyes reddened, and her voice trembled with a sob.

Long Wen watched Zhou Li run towards him, a relieved smile spreading across his face. He opened his arms and embraced her tightly. At that moment, all the weariness and hardship melted away in this warm embrace.

"Ahem..." A feigned cough broke the warm moment. Zhou Li's family elder slowly appeared, dressed in fine clothes, his face cold and stern. Although there was still a trace of resentment in his eyes, he had to face the facts before him. "Hmph, boy, I didn't expect you to be so capable. Your performance today has impressed me."

Long Wen released Zhou Li, looked at the family elders, and bowed slightly: "Thank you for your recognition, senior. I will definitely continue to work hard and live up to your expectations." His words were neither humble nor arrogant, but exuded confidence and composure.

The family elder nodded slightly: "Hmph, I hope you can protect Zhou Li in the future. If you dare to betray her, you will not be spared." With that, he waved his long sleeves and turned to leave.

The snowstorm on Mount Aozang gradually subsided. Longwen, dressed in somewhat tattered clothes that still exuded a resolute aura, walked side by side with Zhou Li on the mountain path back to Liyue Harbor. Although his face showed some fatigue, the light shining deep in his eyes could not hide the joy that welled up from his greatly enhanced elemental manipulation abilities.

The moment they stepped into Liyue Harbor, the bustling atmosphere enveloped the two. Street vendors hawked all sorts of rare and exotic treasures, while travelers mingled among them, sharing their experiences. Long Wen and Zhou Li were chatting and laughing, envisioning their future adventures, when suddenly, a sharp-eyed servant rushed over, respectfully handing them a letter sealed with wax and bearing a mysterious mark, before quickly retreating.

Long Wen frowned slightly. The moment he took the letter, the curious gazes around him felt like countless searchlights, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. He examined the unfamiliar and somewhat eerie markings on the letter, his fingers lightly tracing the sealing wax, his mind filled with doubt. Seeing this, Zhou Li leaned closer, her gaze also falling on the letter, and softly asked, "What is this?" Long Wen shook his head, carefully breaking the seal and unfolding the letter. Lines of ancient and obscure handwriting came into view, essentially inviting him to a mysterious place to undergo new trials. At the end of the letter, there was only a blurry totem, as if hiding endless secrets. At this moment, the air seemed to become heavy, and a mysterious atmosphere enveloped the surroundings like a haze.

“Let’s go ask Beidou.” Long Wen looked up at Zhou Li, his gaze resolute. Zhou Li nodded slightly, and the two quickened their pace toward the port. Along the way, Long Wen’s palms were unconsciously sweating, the unease brought by the letter following him like a shadow.

Chapter 123 Miss Zhou

Upon arriving at the Southern Cross fleet's anchorage, Beidou's tall and imposing figure stood at the bow, arms crossed, exuding an air of confidence as she directed the crew in unloading cargo. Sensing someone approaching, Beidou turned and saw Longwen and Zhou Li, grinning, "Oh, isn't this our Liyue Harbor's newest adventurer and Miss Zhou? What brings you here?"

Long Wen stepped forward and handed the letter to Bei Dou, saying directly, "Sister Bei Dou, we just received this trial invitation letter, but it's strange, and the markings are unfamiliar. You're knowledgeable, could you please take a look?" Bei Dou took the letter and examined it carefully, her brows gradually furrowing. After a moment, she raised her head, her expression grave: "I'm not sure where this letter came from either, but to act like this in Liyue Harbor, the power behind them must be considerable. And judging from the tone of the letter, this trial is likely fraught with danger."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Li instinctively grabbed Long Wen's arm, her face filled with worry: "Long Wen, this is too risky, perhaps...々〃 ..." Before she could finish speaking, a dignified cough rang out. Everyone turned to see several elders of the Zhou Li family strolling over. The eldest elder, his eyes sharp, swept over the letter in Long Wen's hand and sneered: "Hmph, I thought it was something good. Boy, don't think that you can act recklessly just because you've achieved some success in Mount Aozang. The waters of Liyue Harbor run deep. If you venture into danger too easily, you might lose your life." His warning was like a chilling wind, making everyone's hearts tighten.

Long Wen bit his lower lip, his heart filled with extreme conflict. On one hand, he knew this trial might harbor hidden dangers, and a slight misstep could lead to annihilation; on the other hand, the desire to improve his strength burned fiercely in his heart, making him unwilling to give up now. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, met the old man's gaze, and said in a deep voice, "Thank you for the reminder, senior, but how can one grow into a true strongman without experiencing trials and tribulations? I want to try this trial." Zhou Li looked at Long Wen, her eyes filled with conflict and reluctance, hesitant to speak. At this moment, the atmosphere was tense, and the surrounding crew members stopped what they were doing, silently watching this standoff, the air thick with tension.

Ultimately, Long Wen decided to accept the trial invitation. For the next few days, he spent his time traveling throughout Liyue Harbor, preparing for the trial. When he visited Gan Yu, she was busy handling official business at the Moonsea Pavilion. The mountain of documents didn't faze her; she remained as gentle and methodical as ever. Upon learning Long Wen's purpose, Gan Yu put down her brush, stood up, and found several ancient books, handing them to him: "These books might contain some clues about the trial grounds. Take a look; hopefully, they can help you." Long Wen was deeply grateful, accepting the books and quickly flipping through them, occasionally exchanging ideas with Gan Yu, filling a notebook with notes.

Ready and prepared, Long Wen, clad in brand-new adventurer gear and carrying a longsword, stood tall at the Liyue Harbor docks. Sunlight bathed him, highlighting his imposing figure, drawing admiring glances from passersby. Zhou Li stood to the side, her eyes filled with adoration and worry. She stepped forward and handed him a carefully prepared package: "There are some healing medicines and provisions inside. Please be careful." Long Wen took it, looking at Zhou Li tenderly, and nodded slightly: "Don't worry, I'll be back."

Chapter 124 A Disturbance

Just as Long Wen was about to board the ship, a commotion suddenly erupted from a corner of the dock. Several burly men with fierce expressions pushed through the crowd and walked straight towards Long Wen. The leader, a man with a face full of scars, roared menacingly, "Kid, I heard you're going to participate in some kind of trial. I think you're tired of living. If you know what's good for you, give me the opportunity, or you'll regret it!" With that, the men rubbed their fists together, ready to fight. The air around them instantly became extremely tense, and the crowd scattered in panic, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

Long Wen's eyes narrowed. He handed the package to Zhou Li, slowly drawing his longsword. The blade gleamed coldly, reflecting his stern face. "You think you're worthy of a trial opportunity? Come at me if you dare!" The burly men exchanged glances and charged forward with a roar. Long Wen dodged a heavy punch from the leader, swinging his sword with a backhand. A sharp sword aura slashed towards the man's waist. The man's eyes widened in terror, and he staggered backward. Another burly man seized the opportunity to attack from behind. Long Wen, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, ducked to avoid the attack, simultaneously kicking the man's knee. The man screamed and fell to his knees.

After a few moves, the burly men were rendered helpless by Long Wen and fled in disgrace. Long Wen sheathed his sword, let out a long sigh, and looked at Zhou Li. Seeing the even greater worry in her eyes, his heart warmed, and he said softly, "Don't worry, they're just a few small fry." Zhou Li nodded slightly, but her eyes were a little red.

Long Wen turned and strode to the bow of the ship, gazing at the shimmering sea in the distance, his heart filled with both trepidation and anticipation. As the sails billowed, the ship slowly sailed away from Liyue Harbor, heading towards the unknown trial grounds. The sea breeze howled, ruffling his hair, but he remained oblivious, his mind replaying fragments of the letter, pondering the challenges that lay ahead. Little did he know what raging storms and deadly dangers lurked in the depths of that vast ocean, all of which subtly foreshadowed the thrilling events of the next chapter.

After sailing for several days, the calm sea suddenly changed color. Dark clouds rolled in like ink, instantly obscuring the sky, creating a suffocating atmosphere. A howling wind swept across the sea, whipping up towering waves several meters high that pounded against the ship. The vessel rocked violently in the waves, as if it might be swallowed by the sea at any moment. The crew cried out in terror, running around trying to secure the sails and repair the damage.

Long Wen gripped the ship's railing tightly, struggling to steady himself, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily. At that moment, he spotted a huge black shadow looming on the distant sea. As the shadow drew closer, he realized it was a sea beast as large as a mountain, its body radiating an eerie blue light. Its gaping maw opened and closed, revealing sharp, knife-like fangs, each gust accompanied by a nauseating, fishy stench.

"Prepare for battle!" the captain shouted hoarsely. The crew hastily grabbed their weapons, their eyes filled with despair yet unwilling to give up. Long Wen took a deep breath, channeling his elemental power, his hands glowing faintly. He decided to take the initiative and fight for the ship's survival. Just as the sea monster was about to pounce on the ship, Long Wen leaped forward, riding the waves, charging towards the monster. His longsword, imbued with elemental power, stabbed fiercely into the monster's eye. The sea monster roared in pain, shaking its head wildly. Long Wen dodged, using the force to retreat back onto the ship.

Chapter 125 Arm Slash

However, the sea monster did not give up. It attacked the ship even more violently, repeatedly ramming its massive body against the hull, the sound of breaking planks echoing everywhere. Long Wen fought alongside his crew, dodging the sea monster's attacks while searching for its weaknesses. During this time, he was accidentally scratched on the arm by the sea monster's claws, blood staining his clothes, but he gritted his teeth and persevered, repeatedly retaliating with his sword.

At the critical moment, Long Wen noticed a slightly duller-colored scale below the sea monster's neck. An idea struck him, and disregarding the danger, he rushed forward. As the sea monster lowered its head to attack again, he mustered all his strength and plunged his longsword beneath the scale. The sea monster struggled in agony, its body gradually going limp, and it slowly sank to the bottom of the sea.

The crew collapsed onto the deck, panting heavily, overwhelmed with the joy of surviving a close call. Long Wen looked at his own wounded body and the exhausted crew, a mix of emotions swirling within him. After a short rest, the ship continued its journey, overcoming numerous obstacles, and finally arrived at the trial grounds—a mysterious valley located on a deserted island.

A thick fog shrouded the valley entrance, its stillness chilling to the bone. Long Wen jumped off the boat, took a deep breath, and steadily stepped into the valley. As soon as he entered, a sinister chill washed over him; jagged rocks surrounded him, and eerie sounds echoed from time to time. He proceeded cautiously when suddenly the ground trembled violently, and several golems formed from solidified rock burst forth from the earth. Their eyes glowed red, and they wielded thick stone arms, attacking Long Wen.

Long Wen swiftly drew his sword, dodging an attack from a puppet and slashing at its leg joint, causing the puppet to falter. However, other puppets followed in quick succession, and he gradually became overwhelmed, sustaining several more wounds. Long Wen was frantic, suppressing his panic and concentrating on manipulating elemental power. He discovered that the surrounding rocks contained abundant elements, and attempted to guide these elements into his attacks. His hands moved swiftly, elemental light blazing forth, and spikes of rock shot from the ground, piercing several puppets, which crashed to the ground, turning into piles of rubble.

Continuing deeper into the valley, Long Wen arrived at a cave. A faint light emanated from within. He cautiously approached, and the moment he stepped inside, a powerful suction force swept over him, drawing his body uncontrollably into a mysterious magic circle within the cave. Instantly, countless illusions flashed before his eyes: his past failures, the disappointment of his loved ones, the betrayal of his friends—each scene like a sharp blade, piercing his heart. Long Wen tightly closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and resisted the encroaching illusions with unwavering willpower. He silently repeated his initial adventurous aspirations, and gradually, the illusions began to dissipate.

·· ····Request flowers··· ·····

... ... ...

When Long Wen opened his eyes again, he found himself in a vast stone hall. In the center stood an ancient statue, holding a precious orb that emitted a strange light. Just as he approached the statue, preparing to take the orb, a mysterious voice echoed through the hall: "To obtain the orb, you must pass the final test." Before the words had even finished, a group of guards dressed in black robes, their faces grim, surrounded Long Wen, wielding sharp blades.

Long Wen gripped his longsword tightly, his eyes resolute; a fierce battle was inevitable. He moved nimbly among the guards, his sword flashing, leaving streaks of blood. But the guards were well-coordinated, their offense and defense orderly, and Long Wen gradually felt his strength waning, his wounds multiplying.

Chapter 126 Elemental Power

At the critical moment, he recalled the moments he had spent with everyone in Liyue Harbor, Zhou Li's expectations, Beidou's trust, and Gan Yu's help, and a surge of power welled up from the bottom of his heart. He unleashed the elemental power of his entire body, unleashing an unprecedented ultimate technique. In an instant, the light was dazzling, and the guards fell one after another.

Long Wen, this young man who has become increasingly resolute on his adventure, has experienced many twists and turns, and his relationship with Zhou Li has gradually solidified through shared hardships. Now, standing at the foot of Guyun Pavilion, he looks up at the towering stone pillars that appear and disappear amidst the swirling mist, seemingly a path to the mysterious unknown, or a silent giant guarding Liyue, exuding an aura of awe.

The sea breeze howled in, carrying the salty, damp, and biting chill of the ocean, making his clothes flutter loudly. Long Wen took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart, but the oppressive feeling that permeated the air followed him like a shadow, weighing heavily on his heart.

"Long Wen, you must be careful." Zhou Li stepped forward, her beautiful face filled with worry. Her usually icy eyes seemed to melt with tenderness, filled with lingering concern. She gently straightened Long Wen's wind-blown collar, her movements gentle, her eyes overflowing with reluctance and concern.

Long Wen grasped her hand, squeezed it slightly, and gave her a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, Li'er, this is just another trial. I will definitely return safely." His voice was steady and powerful, full of confidence, but deep down he knew that this trial at Guyun Pavilion was likely to be a matter of life and death.

Releasing Zhou Li's hand, Long Wen resolutely turned and stepped into the mysterious and unpredictable training ground. The moment he landed, an unimaginably powerful current of air rushed towards him like a surging tide, as if an invisible giant hand was trying to overturn him. Long Wen swayed, forcefully pushing off with his feet to steady himself in a horse stance, his knees slightly bent to resist the impact. His hands instinctively gripped his weapon; the familiar touch brought him a slight sense of reassurance, but fine beads of sweat already appeared on his forehead. Tension, like threads, coiled around him, layer upon layer.

The surrounding environment grew increasingly eerie and terrifying, with mist swirling and billowing beneath their feet, as if countless ghosts were lurking within. In the distance, strange, faint sounds occasionally drifted by, like the roars of giant beasts or the wails of vengeful spirits, sending chills down one's spine... Long Wen warily surveyed his surroundings, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, not missing a single movement.

"Hmph, you think you can scare me? Not so easy!" He gritted his teeth and muttered to himself, trying to bolster his courage.

Suddenly, the brief silence was shattered by the roar of machinery; the trial's mechanisms were triggered and activated instantly. A series of cold flashes appeared, and sharp spikes burst forth from the ground, spreading rapidly like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, heading straight for Long Wen. Long Wen's eyes sharpened, and without hesitation, he used his elemental manipulation abilities. His hands moved swiftly, and he chanted incantations, instantly gathering earth element to form a thick wall in front of him, barely blocking the 3.5th wave of spikes.

"Good heavens, they're coming at us fiercely!" Long Wen thought to himself. Before he could even catch his breath, the mechanisms seemed to come alive, reacting intelligently to his movements. Just as he dodged to the left, the mechanism on the right immediately adjusted its direction, firing a dense barrage of crossbow bolts. Long Wen flashed through them like a ghost, his sword flashing so fast it was impenetrable, deflecting the bolts one by one.

Chapter 127 His Attack

However, just as one problem was resolved, another arose. While he was fully focused on dealing with the traps, some mysterious black figures silently emerged from the mist, approaching him without a sound. These figures were elusive and moved with strange movements, occasionally extending their withered claw-like hands to grab at Long Wen's vitals. Long Wen felt a chill run down his spine, a coldness rising in his heart. He whirled around, swinging his sword at the black figures, only to find that the blade seemed to strike thin air; the figures easily evaded his attack.

"What the hell is this thing?" Long Wen frowned, a sense of powerlessness rising in his heart. At this moment, he was overwhelmed and exhausted.

High atop a distant mountain, Zhou Lixin watched anxiously. Her hands were clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms, drawing crimson blood, yet she remained oblivious. Her eyes were fixed on Long Wen's figure, filled with worry and anxiety, as she murmured repeatedly, "Long Wen, you must hold on..." Every time she saw Long Wen in peril, her heart felt as if it were being violently clenched, the pain making it hard to breathe.

At this moment, the battlefield atmosphere beneath Lonely Cloud Pavilion was extremely tense. Shouts of battle, the roar of mechanisms, and the eerie howls of shadowy figures intertwined, like a death symphony. Amidst this chaos, Long Wen struggled fiercely, sustaining several wounds that stained his clothes with blood.

"No, I can't just sit here and wait to die!" Long Wen gasped for breath. On the verge of death, the experiences from his previous trials suddenly flashed through his mind. Those hardships and difficulties he had endured were like guiding lights, illuminating his path in the darkness. He forced himself to calm down, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and quickly sorted out a plan of action in his mind.

A moment later, Long Wen suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze shining brightly, like a war god reborn from the brink of death. He decided to go all out, skillfully combining earth and wind elements. His hands moved even faster, his incantations growing louder, and the surrounding earth and rocks gathered, forming huge stone spheres in the air. A howling wind swirled around them, carrying the stone spheres like cannonballs towards the mechanisms and the shadowy figures.

This powerful attack instantly reversed the situation. Wherever the stone ball went, mechanisms were smashed to pieces, and the dark shadows were torn to shreds by the gale. Long Wen seized the opportunity, his sword slashing like a dragon emerging from the sea, precisely severing the remaining threats. His figure weaved through the ruins, each swing of his sword filled with an unwavering determination to win, each dodge displaying remarkable agility and nimbleness.

With the last mechanism destroyed and the mysterious shadows completely repelled, Long Wen stood on the ruins after the battle, leaning on his sword, panting heavily. His face was full of exhaustion, but he couldn't hide the pride shining in his eyes. At this moment, he was like a phoenix reborn from the ashes, stronger than ever after all the hardships he had endured.

Seeing Long Wen escape danger from afar, Zhou Li's worry was instantly replaced by joy and admiration. Overjoyed, she burst into tears, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks, her tearful appearance breathtakingly beautiful. Lifting her skirt, she disregarded the rugged mountain path and ran downhill towards Long Wen.

"Long Wen, I'm so glad you're alright!" Zhou Li ran to Long Wen's side and threw herself into his arms, her voice trembling with tears. She hugged him tightly, as if she wanted to merge him into her own body and never be separated again.

Chapter 128 Zhou Li's Deep Affection

Long Wen gently patted Zhou Li's back, comforting her, "Li'er, I'm alright. I told you, I would definitely return safely." His voice was tender and affectionate, filled with the relief of surviving a disaster and deep love for Zhou Li.

The two embraced for a moment, then Long Wen slowly released Zhou Li. Looking around at the ravaged battlefield, he knew this was only the beginning of the trial. Sure enough, at that moment, a mysterious light shone in the air, transforming into a line of flashing text that hovered before Long Wen's eyes—a hint for the next stage of the trial.

Long Wen, the adventurer who had overcome numerous hardships and was now close to completing all the trials, stood tall beside the Terminal Machine. His eyes revealed determination and resolve, and his black outfit fluttered in the wind, the hem of his clothes rustling as if echoing the surging elemental energy around him.

Looking up, the sight before him made his heart clench. A giant formed from pure elemental power stood before him, towering like a mountain, radiating a suffocatingly powerful pressure. Light swirled around the giant, sometimes flashing with violent flames, sometimes exuding a deep, icy aura, and sometimes surging with mysterious lightning—a terrifying power emanating from the intertwining and fusion of multiple elements. The surrounding air seemed to be compressed by this pressure, becoming viscous and heavy, almost solidifying.

Long Wen took a deep breath, trying to calm his turbulent emotions. His hands instinctively gripped the sword at his waist, his palms already sweating. He knew this was the ultimate duel, a crucial step towards a new realm, and he couldn't afford to lose. "Come on!" he hissed softly, as if encouraging himself, or declaring war on this formidable opponent.

Meanwhile, Bennett and Fischl, who were not far away, heard about the epic duel taking place and rushed over with great curiosity. Bennett, the unlucky yet perpetually optimistic boy, jogged along, his face beaming with excitement. Despite occasionally tripping over stones, his enthusiasm remained undiminished. His fiery red hair danced wildly in the wind, seemingly burning with a thirst for adventure. Fischl, on the other hand, walked with an elegant yet slightly haughty gait, dressed in magnificent and mysterious attire, wearing a headdress symbolizing her "princess" status. Her purple eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement as she muttered to herself, "Hmph, I'll definitely see this so-called ultimate duel today. It's probably just a small episode in this princess's legendary adventure."

The bells of the duel tolled loudly in this world brimming with elemental energy. The giant struck first, raising its mountain-sized fist, wreathed in raging flames, and with a whooshing sound that seemed to tear the air apart, it slammed down towards Long Wen. The flames scorched the air, the surrounding temperature instantly soared, and waves of heat rolled in.