The mysterious young girl immediately displayed astonishing combat prowess upon her entrance, matching the Black-Clad Maid blow for blow without faltering, stunning nearly everyone present. Even Lin Luo had not achieved such an advantage in his previous battles.

"You're not dead!" The Black-Clad Maid instantly recognized the mysterious girl's identity, not by her words, but by her aura. Everyone possessed a unique aura; while ordinary people couldn't sense it, for the strong, aura perception was indispensable—the most accurate way to recognize someone. The Black-Clad Maid clearly perceived two distinct auras emanating from the person before her. They were precisely the two girls she had instantly annihilated earlier! This discovery greatly exceeded her expectations. Setting aside the miracle of their resurrection, the fact that the two were now merged into one, resulting in an unprecedented surge in combat power, seemed utterly fantastical. Why was this happening? Was there something about them I couldn't see? The Black-Clad Maid felt deeply perplexed, yet her expression remained as impassive and solemn as a mask.

Naturally, the mysterious girl would not divulge her secrets to the enemy. She formed her hand into a claw, snatching at the void, instantly shattering space before bringing the condensed force crashing down upon the Black-Clad Maid. The Black-Clad Maid countered with a punch, and the two collided head-on once more.

Boom!

Amidst the explosion, the Black-Clad Maid’s fist was trapped within the mysterious girl’s five-fingered grip, even crushing the world-destroying Black Flame. Then, with a swift rotation, she delivered a side kick—bang—her right foot slammed heavily into the Black-Clad Maid’s chest, sending her flying backward instantly. In this second exchange, the Black-Clad Maid was actually forced onto the defensive!

The mysterious girl showed no mercy, rushing along the trajectory of the Black-Clad Maid’s flight. The two wings on her back instantly transformed into two giant dragons, one black and one white. Barring their fangs and claws, they ignored the raging Black Flame of Destruction and fiercely latched onto the Black-Clad Maid’s arms. Then, with a sharp crack!

The Black-Clad Maid’s arms were violently torn away. Blood sprayed across the sky. In this situation, it was no longer just an advantage; at this moment, the mysterious girl had completely suppressed the Black-Clad Maid. Watching this scene, everyone, including Lin Luo, was dumbfounded.

"That girl..."

"It must be them; it’s Meng Dream and Mercury Lamp."

Lin Luo moved to the side of the group and stated gravely, even if outward appearances could mislead him, auras never lied. On that mysterious girl, he sensed the auras of both Mercury Lamp and Meng Dream. As for why they had become one person, the only conclusion he could draw was... Fusion! Yes, without a doubt, after their deaths, for some reason, they had not only been revived but had also merged into one. This explained the girl who was both familiar and strange before them. To undergo such a change, and to become so powerful, must be due to the World Heart... Lin Luo thought to himself. Besides the World Heart, he couldn't conceive of any other power capable of bringing them back to life.

While 'one plus one equals two' is a universal axiom, when it comes to defying common sense like two people merging into one, that axiom no longer applied, especially since these two were Hosts. The moment they fused, they had triggered a qualitative transformation, potentially surpassing two, perhaps even ten, or a hundred!

Compared to Lin Luo’s calculations, the others, like Ling Meng, were overjoyed that Meng Dream and Mercury Lamp were alive. Indeed, people they thought were certainly dead had suddenly resurrected on the spot. Nothing could bring greater happiness. However, the battle wasn't over; celebrating now was premature. Soon, they realized the most crucial question.

"How strong... how strong is she now?"

The 'she' they referred to was naturally the combined entity of Meng Dream and Mercury Lamp.

Looking at the two figures locked in an intense struggle across the field, Lin Luo shook his head. "Uncertain power. In this current evenly matched situation, theoretically, she should have already reached the Heavenly Tier. However... I don't feel the oppression inherent to the Heavenly Tier from her."

The most important method for judging the Heavenly Tier is the Worldview. The Black-Clad Maid, despite being Heavenly Tier, couldn't be immune to the Worldview because this world was created by Lin Luo specifically to restrict her. But for the merged entity of Meng Dream and Mercury Lamp, Lin Luo had imposed no restrictions, and the fact that she hadn't exhibited the characteristic abilities of the Heavenly Tier indicated she wasn't there yet. In other words, only her power had reached the Heavenly Tier level?

But how long could this uncertain power be sustained? Had the Black-Clad Maid truly reached her limit? These were the most critical and uncertain factors.

Although Lin Luo’s explanation wasn't overly detailed, the others could grasp the situation and quickly asked, "Do we... need to go up and help?" As they asked this, all eyes turned to Lin Luo. Clearly, in their minds, only Lin Luo could provide meaningful assistance at this moment; anyone else helping would only be a hindrance.

Lin Luo still shook his head. "It serves no purpose. The current rhythm of the battle only accommodates the two of them. Even if I forcibly joined, given the enemy’s understanding of my abilities, I could at best provide some distraction."

"Distraction isn't enough?"

"Of course not, because it would disrupt her rhythm too."

Lin Luo held up his hand, looking at the Black Flame burning on it, feeling a trace of helplessness. Others might not understand, but he knew too well: once the Black-Clad Maid grasped the rules of destruction for the Heavenly Tier through Equivalent Exchange, his own power became meaningless. Because lower-level mystery could never defeat a higher-level mystery. It was like the ocean meeting a river; the river could never swallow the sea. Therefore, unless he could reach the Heavenly Tier himself, he held no advantage against the Black-Clad Maid. Previously, the only reasons he could hold her off were his control over this world and his ability to create something from nothing. If he teamed up with the fused form of Mercury Lamp and Meng Dream to fight the Black-Clad Maid two-on-one, they might inflict heavy damage initially, but they absolutely couldn't kill her. Moreover, as the fight dragged on, his abilities would be completely absorbed by the Black-Clad Maid; by then, he risked becoming her very blade. So, at this precise moment, this battle no longer needed him. The saying, "The new wave pushes the old wave forward," was truly accurate.

Lin Luo had never imagined that he would one day become the one holding others back. However...

Clenching his fist, the Black Flame on his body completely extinguished, and a smile bloomed on Lin Luo’s face. Whether it was because Meng Dream and Mercury Lamp had returned, or because he recognized his own shortcomings, he was completely clear-headed now. Even if he lost the capacity for a direct confrontation with the Black-Clad Maid, it didn't mean he could only watch idly, because the trump cards he had prepared were far from exhausted! Only he himself had become less effective, but in his initial planning, he hadn't counted himself as the main force. The current turn of events actually brought the derailed rhythm back on track.

"I imagine you all understand the enemy's ability by now..." Lin Luo stopped focusing on the distant battle and turned to face the others seriously. "Equivalent Exchange! Strictly speaking, this is the most terrifying ability I have ever witnessed. As long as that person wills it, she can convert anyone's ability into her own power, even making it stronger than the original possessor. Therefore, if we stick to our original fighting styles, the ultimate result will be us being defeated by our own abilities."

"..." Everyone fell silent. Saint White Lotus was defeated by her ultimate technique; Remilia was defeated by her own ability; even Lin Luo was suppressed by the rules of destruction derived from his own power. Regardless of Lin Luo’s words, they already understood this reality. Under these circumstances, the enemy knew all the characteristics and weaknesses of their side's abilities—they held absolutely no secrets. Meanwhile, the enemy’s power was ever-changing. Even with more people, was victory possible? The terror of Equivalent Exchange was vividly demonstrated.

"However, there is no strongest ability in this world, and Equivalent Exchange is not without its flaws," Lin Luo shifted his tone and continued.

"Flaws?" Everyone was startled. Such a heaven-defying ability had a weakness?

Lin Luo extended his hand, pointing toward the distant battlefield, and laughed, "It's right there. At the very least, Mercury Lamp and Meng Dream have suppressed the enemy now. Logically, shouldn't she be trying to exchange their abilities at this moment? If she did that, relying on her Heavenly Tier realm, she could completely reverse the pressure. But she hasn't done so... No, perhaps she cannot exchange the abilities of the merged Mercury Lamp and Meng Dream!"

Everyone suddenly understood. Indeed, given the Black-Clad Maid's previous performance, she couldn't possibly miss what Lin Luo had realized. But since she hadn't acted, it could only mean she was incapable. Equivalent Exchange also had limits; it wasn't omnipotent!

"If that's the case, do we also have to merge?"

"Certainly not. The fusion was an accident. We can hope for it, but we cannot stake our entire fortune on it. However... even if our people cannot merge, their powers can." As he said this, Lin Luo smiled mysteriously. "The timing is perfect; the first gate has opened!"

"The first gate?"

Everyone blinked, suddenly sensing something, and instinctively turned back. Behind them, everything in Gensokyo was visible within a massive mirror of light.

"Hahaha, is it finally our turn to shine? This thing is actually quite useful, da★ze!"

Marisa’s voice rang out clearly from within the mirror of light.

PS: Status is poor, so writing will take longer. I’ll continue tonight and strive for a ten-thousand-word update tomorrow. (To be continued)