Seeing that Luo Feng had broken through her illusion, Mel's expression finally turned serious.
"Interesting. Your will is stronger than I expected. But the game has only just begun."
She formed a series of hand seals, the violet aura around her body intensifying. This time, she was no longer holding back.
"Mindstorm!"
At the sound of her incantation, a violent storm erupted across the Illusion Forest. But this was no ordinary storm. It was formed entirely from psychic force. Countless blades of mental energy sliced through the air, each one carrying the power to tear apart a person's consciousness.
The spectators felt the terrifying fluctuations instantly.
"That's Mindstorm! Mel is finally using her true technique!"
"That attack can shatter an entire mental world!"
"Can that Earth warrior really withstand it?"
Luo Feng felt the pressure immediately. Each blade within the storm clawed at his mind, threatening to rip his consciousness apart. A splitting headache surged through him.
But after enduring the trial of the Memory Labyrinth, his understanding of his own will had deepened.
Defense alone would not be enough.
"If you fight with the mind… then I'll answer with the mind."
He took a deep breath and mobilized every ounce of his mental strength. Instead of passively enduring the assault, he began to construct his own domain.
"Blade of Will!"
This was a technique he had forged through long and relentless training. His will condensed into the form of a sword. Invisible, intangible, yet carrying the purest essence of his resolve.
The Blade of Will cut through the raging storm. Though heavily obstructed, it advanced steadily toward Mel.
"What?" Mel's eyes widened in shock. "He's counterattacking… inside my Mindstorm?"
The audience erupted.
"This is unbelievable! He can still launch an attack in the middle of that storm!"
"That sword… it's pure willpower!"
"His mental cultivation is far beyond what we expected!"
In the VIP section, even Zhenwu showed a flicker of surprise.
"This Luo Feng… he's unusual. To counterattack in such a disadvantageous situation, that kind of instinct is rare."
The inspector nodded.
"And his technique is incredibly pure. No tricks, no embellishments. Just raw willpower. That's a very distinct style."
On the battlefield, Mel was forced to divert part of her focus to defend against the incoming blade. The power of her Mindstorm weakened, giving Luo Feng a brief moment to breathe.
"I can't let him keep this up."
Her eyes sharpened with resolve.
"This ends now."
"Mind Palace: Dream Dominion!"
This was her ultimate technique. A secret art capable of dragging an opponent's consciousness into a world entirely under her control. Within that realm, she was absolute. Every rule, every law bent to her will.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Luo Feng felt his awareness being pulled away, dragged into an entirely new space.
When light returned, he found himself standing inside a magnificent palace. Gold and jade shimmered in every direction. Priceless treasures adorned the halls, creating a scene so beautiful it felt unreal.
At the center, Mel sat upon a throne like a goddess. Radiant, untouchable, exuding a presence that compelled reverence.
"Welcome to my Mind Palace," she said softly, her voice as gentle as music. "Here, I am god. I can give you anything you desire. All you need to do… is submit, and this perfect world can be yours forever."
The entire audience held their breath.
"Dream Dominion… she used it!"
"No one has ever resisted this technique!"
"He's finished. No one can stay conscious in her domain!"
Back in the team lounge, Hong, Thor, and Rowan stood frozen, tension thick in the air. If Luo Feng fell here, it would be a devastating blow.
But Luo Feng did not waver.
"Beautiful illusions. Tempting promises. But none of that is what I seek."
His voice was calm.
"What I want is reality. Growth. The strength to protect what matters to me."
He closed his eyes, shutting out the dazzling surroundings, focusing only on his inner truth.
"I am Luo Feng, a warrior from Earth. My path is to grow stronger. My purpose is to protect everything I cherish. No illusion can change that."
As his words fell, the palace began to tremble.
His will stood like unbreakable steel.
"Impossible!" Mel gasped. "No one stays rational in my Dream Dominion!"
"That's because their will wasn't strong enough."
Luo Feng stepped forward, his presence unwavering.
"But I have something I must protect."
The Blade of Will formed again in his grasp, brighter than before. This time, it carried not just power, but conviction.
"Blade of Will: Shatter Illusion!"
He swung.
A streak of light split the darkness, tearing through the palace and striking straight toward Mel's throne. It carried his rejection of falsehood, his pursuit of truth. Its power was several times greater than before.
Mel hurried to defend, but for the first time, she was being suppressed within her own domain.
"How… is this possible? This is my world!"
"Because your world is built on illusion," Luo Feng said as he advanced. "And my will is built on reality."
"Falsehood can never defeat truth."
The palace began to collapse.
Golden halls shattered like glass. Towers crumbled into dust. Even Mel's figure started to blur and fade.
The audience exploded into cheers.
"Incredible! He turned the tables inside her own domain!"
"That level of willpower… it's beyond comprehension!"
"How did he do it? Taking control of the opponent's mental world?"
Even the psychic races were stunned.
"This kind of mental strength… it defies age. Luo Feng is a true prodigy."
When the Mind Palace completely collapsed, both fighters returned to the Illusion Forest.
Mel's face was pale, her mental energy nearly depleted. Luo Feng was also exhausted, but his eyes still burned with determination.
"How… did you do it?" she asked, disbelief in her voice.
"Because I know what I want," Luo Feng replied calmly. "And why I fight."
"No illusion can shake that."
Mel fell silent for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"I concede. Your will is stronger than mine."
"The match is decided," the system announced. "Winner: Luo Feng."
Thunderous applause erupted across the arena.
"That was incredible! The best psychic battle of the tournament!"
"His willpower is unbelievable!"
"The Earth team is terrifying. Every member is exceptional!"
In the VIP section, the inspector turned to Zhenwu.
"This Luo Feng is worth watching."
Zhenwu nodded.
"Not just his strength. His mindset is even more remarkable. To possess such unwavering will at his age… his future is limitless."
Back in the lounge, the three erupted with excitement.
"Luo Feng won!" Thor shouted. "He beat a psychic specialist in her own field!"
Hong smiled, clearly satisfied.
"That wasn't easy. To defeat someone like Mel… he exceeded all expectations."
Rowan nodded.
"This victory means a lot. It proves we're not just strong physically. We can stand our ground mentally as well."
On the battlefield, Luo Feng and Mel stood facing each other.
Though they had been opponents, there was now mutual respect in their eyes.
"That was an incredible fight," Mel said, extending her hand. "Your will is admirable."
Luo Feng shook her hand.
"Thank you. I learned a lot too. There's still a long road ahead in mastering the mind."
Night fell.
Stars shimmered across the virtual sky.
Inside the team's residence, the four sat around a large round table, projections of battle data and schedules hovering above its surface.
Fresh from recovery, Luo Feng looked fully restored. Though the mental battle had drained him, the system had quickly brought him back to peak condition.
"How are you feeling?" Hong asked.
"Completely fine," Luo Feng replied, stretching his wrist. "Today helped me understand mental combat on a deeper level. Mel's illusions were incredible. If I hadn't broken through at that critical moment, things could have gone very differently."
Thor laughed, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Come on, we knew you'd win. That Blade of Will was insane. Turning the tables inside her own mind? I wouldn't even dare try that."
Rowan nodded.
"Impressive, no doubt. But now we need to focus on tomorrow. Thor, how are your preparations?"
Thor's expression turned serious. He pulled up a detailed profile.
On the screen stood a towering mechanical warrior, silver metal gleaming, arcs of blue electricity crackling across its body.
"Cybertron. A mechanical race 'Thunderframe' unit," Thor read. "Three point two meters tall. Around two tons. Built with high-strength alloys and advanced combat systems. Specializes in lightning attacks. Supposedly powerful enough to pierce ten centimeters of steel instantly."
Hong studied the combat footage.
"Mechanical fighters are predictable, but extremely stable. Their durability is high. A direct clash will be troublesome."
"That's exactly where I have the advantage," Thor said confidently. "Their lightning comes from technology. Mine comes from natural law. In purity and explosive force, I have the upper hand."
Luo Feng added, "The key is avoiding a drawn-out fight. They don't tire. If it becomes a battle of endurance, you'll be at a disadvantage."
"That's my thinking too," Thor agreed. "I'll go all out from the start. Break his rhythm, then finish it in one strike."
Just as they continued discussing tactics, the communication system chimed.
A message from the Virtual Universe Company appeared, leaving all four stunned.
"Attention contestants. Due to schedule adjustments, Thor's match against Cybertron will take place in the morning. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated battle between Rong Jun and Elia Silvermoon will be held in the afternoon at the same time. Both matches will be broadcast in the main arena."
They exchanged glances.
"Simultaneous broadcast?" Rowan frowned. "That means both matches are considered major highlights."
Hong's expression turned serious.
"More importantly, the winner of Rong Jun versus Princess Silvermoon is likely my next opponent."
Thor scratched his head.
"So we need to prepare for my match… and study theirs carefully?"
"Exactly," Luo Feng said. "That match might be even more important. It determines Hong's next challenge."
Hong exhaled slowly.
"Looks like we're in for a long night."
They shifted focus immediately, pulling up detailed profiles.
Rowan began with Rong Jun.
"Rong Jun. Barbarian race. Twenty-five years old. Three point five meters tall. Over five hundred kilograms. Raised in the harshest environments of his home starfield. At fifteen, he could kill warlord-level beasts barehanded. Reached war god level by twenty. That same year, he comprehended the Law of Strength."
Thor stared at the data, whistling softly.
"Three and a half meters tall. Five hundred kilos. And it's all muscle. That's not a person. That's a living beast."