"Mental attacks are always tricky," Thor warned, stretching his shoulders. "Be careful."
Rowan nodded in agreement. "Mel might not be among the absolute top-tier fighters, but her mental techniques are unusual. From what I've heard, she specializes in creating illusions to disrupt her opponents."
"I know," Luo Feng replied calmly. "But I trust my mental defenses. I've also prepared a strategy specifically for this."
Hong stepped forward and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Go fight without hesitation. We believe in you."
At lunchtime, the four of them headed to the restaurant prepared by the Virtual Universe Company. The place was filled with prodigies from across countless star systems. The atmosphere buzzed with tension and excitement.
"That's the Earth team?" one participant from a distant region whispered, pointing toward them. "I heard the one named Hong put on an incredible performance this morning."
"Yeah. That technique, Bearing All Things, is already being talked about everywhere," another replied. "Earth is quite an interesting planet. Producing warriors like that…"
"But their opponent this afternoon isn't simple either. The mental controller Mel is not someone to underestimate."
Hearing the murmurs around them, the four felt both pressure and pride. They were not just fighting for themselves, but for the reputation of their home.
After lunch, they returned to their lounge and continued studying Mel's information.
She came from a psychic race at the edge of the galaxy, specializing in mental attacks, particularly illusion crafting.
"Her fighting style is quite different," Rowan analyzed. "Unlike most mental fighters who attack directly, she prefers to manipulate perception through illusions."
Hong added, "It's not immediately lethal, but extremely troublesome. Once you fall into her illusions, it's easy to make fatal mistakes."
Thor frowned. "So how do you deal with that?"
"The key is staying calm," Luo Feng answered. "Don't let external illusions shake your mind. My plan is to use my mental strength to break through her illusions and end the fight quickly."
"Good approach," Hong said with approval. "Mental fighters usually have weaker physical defenses. If you break through her mental layer, you can win fast."
Soon, the afternoon matches began.
Luo Feng stepped forward as Earth's representative.
The arena filled once again. Hong's earlier battle had drawn attention, and many were eager to see what Luo Feng would bring.
"That's Luo Feng?" a spectator asked, watching him walk toward the teleportation zone. "He looks young."
"Being young doesn't mean weak," another replied. "Look at his eyes. That's not someone lacking confidence."
"But his opponent is Mel. Mental fighters are always difficult to deal with."
In the VIP section, Zhenwu and the Overseer observed quietly.
"There's something unique about this Luo Feng," Zhenwu said. "Young, but there's a certain presence about him."
The Overseer nodded. "He's quite well-known among Earth's talents. But whether he's ready for Mel's mental attacks remains to be seen."
At the teleportation area, Luo Feng met his opponent.
Mel was slender, with silver-toned skin and violet eyes that shimmered with an eerie depth. Her presence felt mysterious, almost dangerous. Her attire was simple, but her gaze alone seemed capable of piercing through one's thoughts.
"So you're Luo Feng from Earth?" Mel's voice was soft, carrying an almost hypnotic rhythm. "I heard your team performed well today."
"Thank you," Luo Feng replied politely. "Your mental techniques are renowned across the galaxy. I'm sure this will be an exciting match."
Mel smiled faintly, her expression tinged with mystery. "I hope you won't be disappointed."
"Teleportation initiated. Battlefield: Illusion Forest."
A flash of white light swallowed them both.
The next moment, Luo Feng found himself standing in a strange forest.
Ancient trees towered overhead, their branches twisting like living sculptures. Vines coiled through the air, and exotic plants bloomed in unnatural colors. A soft mist drifted through the forest, giving everything a dreamlike quality.
"An interesting choice of battlefield," Mel said, appearing at the far end. "The Illusion Forest suits my style perfectly."
Luo Feng scanned his surroundings, alert.
This environment clearly favored her abilities.
"Then," Mel raised her hands, her violet eyes glowing faintly, "let us begin this contest of the mind."
"Battle… begin!"
The mist thickened.
Luo Feng remained vigilant, carefully observing every detail. Across from him, Mel stood still, her glowing eyes like distant stars piercing through the haze.
"Mental Domain, activate."
Her voice carried a quiet power.
A faint violet light radiated from her body. The forest shifted subtly. The mist began to swirl into spiraling patterns, distorting perception.
The spectators immediately sensed the change.
"A mental battle has begun!"
"Her domain formed quickly. This is going to be interesting."
"Can that Earth fighter handle it? Mental attacks aren't something you can just block physically."
A mechanical spectator adjusted its sensors. "Mental wave intensity rising rapidly. Her psychic strength is considerable."
A winged observer nodded. "And this environment enhances her illusions. She has a natural advantage."
On the battlefield, Luo Feng felt the pressure immediately.
The world around him became unstable. Trees twisted unnaturally. The ground seemed to blur and shift.
"So the illusions have begun."
He focused his mind, trying to see through the distortions.
Mel's voice echoed from all directions.
"Welcome to my world. Here, everything you see may be false… and everything you believe may deceive you."
In the next instant, dozens of Mel's figures appeared throughout the forest.
Each one looked real.
Each one spoke at the same time, their voices overlapping into an eerie harmony.
"Guess which one is me."
The audience erupted again.
"That's her signature move, Thousand Shadow Projection!"
"These aren't simple illusions. Each projection carries mental force and can attack!"
"That Earth fighter is in trouble. It's almost impossible to distinguish real from fake."
Yet one observer pointed out, "Look at his expression. He's cautious, but not panicking."
Indeed, Luo Feng remained composed.
He closed his eyes.
Instead of relying on sight, he turned inward, using his mental perception to search for the truth.
"Trying to sense me with your mind?" Mel's voice whispered. "Then go ahead."
All the projections attacked simultaneously.
Waves of mental force surged toward him. Some were direct psychic strikes. Others disrupted thought patterns. Some even induced fear.
The pressure was immense.
Luo Feng raised his mental defenses.
"Mental Barrier!"
A protective layer formed around him, shielding his consciousness.
The spectators were impressed.
"His mental defense is solid!"
"To stay stable under that kind of assault… his foundation is strong."
"But defense alone won't win this. He needs to counterattack."
In the VIP area, Zhenwu nodded slightly.
"His mental cultivation is better than I expected. To remain calm under her illusions… not easy."
The Overseer added, "Mel is still holding back. She's likely wearing him down before delivering a decisive strike."
On the battlefield, Mel watched his defense with a hint of approval.
"Not bad. But this is only the beginning."
She waved her hands again.
The forest vanished.
In its place stretched an endless desert.
The blazing sun scorched the land. Heat pressed down like a suffocating weight.
"Environmental Shift!"
The audience reacted immediately.
"She's altering the battlefield!"
"This isn't just visual. Temperature, humidity, even gravity can change!"
"If your will isn't strong enough, you'll believe it's real."
Luo Feng felt it too.
The heat, the dryness, the burning sunlight.
But he remained calm.
"This is an illusion."
"The real battlefield is still the forest."
But Mel was not finished.
"Memory Labyrinth."
As she spoke, her most dangerous technique took hold.
Suddenly, Luo Feng found himself somewhere else.
Earth.
His childhood home.
Familiar streets. Familiar buildings. Familiar faces.
He saw his parents.
His childhood friends.
Memories he had long buried resurfaced vividly.
"Is this… my memory?"
Confusion flickered in his eyes.
"But that's impossible. I'm supposed to be in the competition…"
The spectators grew tense.
"This is bad! He's trapped in the Memory Labyrinth!"
"That's one of her most dangerous techniques!"
"If he gets lost in it, he'll lose himself completely!"
Back in the lounge, Hong frowned.
"This technique targets the softest part of the heart. Logic alone can't resist it."
Thor clenched his fists. "If it were me, I'd just charge through! I hate this kind of fight!"
Rowan narrowed his eyes. "Look closely. He's confused… but not completely lost."
Inside the illusion, Luo Feng heard a voice.
"Luo Feng… stay here."
It was Mel's voice, now gentle and soothing.
"This place holds your happiest memories. You don't need to face danger anymore."
It was temptation.
A quiet, insidious pull.
If he accepted it, the battle would be over.
But then, another voice rose from within him.
His own.
"What is your purpose? Why do you seek strength?"
Memories shifted.
He saw Earth's struggles.
His comrades.
Everything he fought to protect.
"No!"
His voice rang out, firm and resolute.
"This is all false!"
"My path lies ahead, not in the past!"
With that declaration, his will surged like a rising storm.
The illusion shattered.
Childhood memories dissolved like mist.
The desert twisted and collapsed.
The Illusion Forest returned.
The audience erupted into applause.
"Incredible! He broke the Memory Labyrinth with sheer willpower!"
"That kind of resolve is rare!"
"Every member of that Earth team… their minds are unshakable!"
Even the psychic race spectators were stunned.
"To retain your sense of self within the Memory Labyrinth… that requires extraordinary will."