Long Ge cursed internally. Even taking a single step, Dao Feng could send him flying. When Sister Ren charged over that long distance, the momentum multiplied several times over. Before she even reached him, waves of alarm bells sounded within Long Ge’s mind. He knew this surge of force was no small matter, but it was too late for him to generate power now. He could only grip the hilt of his sword with both hands, channeling all his mental power to meet the charge head-on.

Three swords clashed, followed by another tremendous sound, even louder than their previous exchange. This time, Dao Feng was fully prepared; not only did he not retreat a single step, but he sent Long Ge flying back heavily once more. Simultaneously, he shifted his stance, ready to press the advantage and pursue.

“Long Ge is suffering far more from this exchange than the last time. Hmph, serves him right. It would be best if he were beaten to death!” aboard the Star Singer vessel, a young Star Singer girl clapped her hands in delight at Long Ge’s disadvantage.

“Xin Nipo, you shouldn't speak like that. If Long Ge is killed in the Solar System, things will blow up. Even the Kustar people, just to save face, would have to react somehow, and then the ones who suffer will be the Earthlings.”

Jia Youna stood beside the Star Singer girl named Xin Nidi. Seeing her speak so carelessly, she offered a caution.

Xin Nipo waved her hand casually, “Don’t be so tense. Of course, I know that. I was just speaking off the cuff, not actually wishing for it to happen. Even if I did, do you think Dao Feng would do such a thing?”

“Probably not.”

“There you go. These Kustar people are so detestable; what’s wrong with venting a little spite? You young girl always makes a fuss over nothing,” Xin Nidi adopted an older sisterly tone to lecture her.

As the Star Singer Ambassador to the Solar System and a Level Three master, Jia Youna, upon hearing the admonishment, did not show displeasure but instead appeared genuinely like a younger sister, a blush of embarrassment spreading across her face.

The floor beneath the two young Star Singer girls’ feet was transparent, making them appear as if they were standing in mid-air. They had an unobstructed view of the duel taking place below.

“Time for a test,” Xin Nidi said with a smile. “I’ll quiz you. During that last clash, when Dao Feng and Long Ge collided, what did you see?”

Jia Youna recalled the moment, her tone slightly uncertain: “At the moment of collision, things between them were somewhat blurry. It seemed like they attacked each other simultaneously, exchanging perhaps three moves. But I couldn't make out the specifics. Xin Nidi, hurry up and tell me—you’ve trained under Grandma to the peak of Level Three, you must have seen more than I did.”

She stepped forward, took Xin Nindi’s hand, and shook it twice.

“Fine, listen closely.” Xin Nidi pointed below. “Long Ge is worthy of being one of Kala Gunisi’s most cherished disciples. During that collision, they didn't exchange three moves; they exchanged seven. But their movements were too fast. If a Level Two mentalist were watching, they too would think Dao Feng simply knocked him away. How could they know that so many maneuvers fit into that single instant?”

Jia Youna protested, “Why do you only talk about how formidable Long Ge is? Didn’t Dao Feng also deliver seven moves on his side? He’s just as strong, no—even stronger.”

“Oh? Even stronger?” Xin Nidi leaned in close, as if intending to examine every inch of Jia Youna’s body thoroughly.

Jia Youna felt flustered by the intense gaze and took half a step back. “Xin Nipo, what are you doing? Your look is awfully unnerving.”

“I’m wondering if there’s a deeper reason why you speak up for Dao Feng so much,” Xin Nipo stretched out her words, her tone laced with teasing amusement.

“No!” Jia Youna denied immediately. “I’ve only exchanged a few words with him when I passed by; we’re just somewhat familiar. He was only Level Two back then!”

“Really?” Xin Nipo moved closer to her ear, whispering conspiratorially, “Don’t worry, just tell me, it’s fine. I’ll keep it a secret for you.”

“It’s absolutely true! If you keep this up, I won’t talk to you anymore!” Jia Youna pushed her away decisively.

Just then, the commotion below intensified once more. The movements of the two battling figures were incredibly swift. A mass of blue-white lightning and a blaze of crimson fire darted and weaved across the ground. In the blink of an eye, they traversed hundreds of meters, their high-speed movement interspersed with fierce exchanges. The scene was exceptionally perilous.

Wherever the two figures passed, the previously flat ground was shattered, becoming pitted and uneven, with gravel flying like bullets. If this location hadn't been a boundless desert but a city, such intense combat would have inevitably led to severe consequences.

The lightning and the firelight closed in again. Golden light swords hacked at each other with sizzling sounds. Dao Feng, enveloped in lightning, grew more and more exhilarated as he fought. The lingering questions from his recent cultivation period were being tested one by one in actual combat—something practice with clones could never replicate. Clones, after all, operated based on Yang Ying’s own thought patterns; if a concept couldn't be grasped, it remained elusive. Only by engaging in practical combat with other masters could he gain insight and resolve these uncertainties.

On the floating continent, Yang Ying had left six of his current twelve clones behind to process the real-combat experience Dao Feng was gaining. Whenever he gleaned a little insight, he would initiate a simulated drill to quickly absorb and integrate that newfound knowledge, transforming it into his own innate understanding, which he would then deploy through Dao Feng to verify against Long Ge.

Because Dao Feng’s mental power was profound and his foundation exceptionally solid, the cultivation bore fruit more easily. Any technique he comprehended could be utilized effortlessly.

In this duel, Dao Feng was not fighting alone; he was fighting as a multitude!

After dozens of rounds, as Dao Feng continually refined his swordsmanship and spell techniques, he had forced Long Ge to reveal several of his life-saving maneuvers. Long Ge felt his opponent growing stronger with every exchange. Where he could previously hold a rough parity, he now felt every sword strike aimed directly at his weaknesses, making defense increasingly difficult.

“What an astonishing Dao Feng, to be able to see through an opponent’s moves in real combat, integrate their strengths, and exploit their weaknesses. This combat talent is truly terrifying.”

The Nianeng Temple sent Master Tu Xin as their representative to observe this duel. He could clearly perceive Dao Feng’s current state, yet it shattered his conventional understanding. To simultaneously deal with an enemy while discerning their techniques and adapting—using multiple cognitive functions—was only possible if one party was vastly superior to the other. Yet, the initial gap between Dao Feng and Long Ge was not that large. Tu Xin could find no explanation other than Dao Feng possessing an overwhelmingly potent real-combat talent.

Master Tu Xin was unaware that Dao Feng was backed by a support group of peak masters whose minds were in complete mental resonance, helping him process various streams of information. Juggling multiple mental tasks was not just possible; it was routine.

On the ground, Dao Feng continued his steady, deliberate advance. Although he could now end the fight within a hundred moves, he was in no hurry to conclude the battle because he sought a broader understanding of Kustar battle techniques.

Any peak Level Three master was comparable to a Grandmaster. At this level, most were broadly knowledgeable, familiar with various methodologies—each was a living encyclopedia. And Long Ge, as a disciple of Kala Gunisi, was the very epitome of orthodoxy, likely familiar with every Kustar combat skill.

Dao Feng struck at Long Ge, applying immense pressure but never pushing him past the breaking point. He meticulously controlled the flow of the battle, letting Long Ge believe he still held a chance to win, coaxing him into deploying all his prized techniques one by one, displaying them for Dao Feng.

The airborne observers, Master Tu Xin and Xin Nidi, had both discerned Dao Feng’s intentions. However, Long Ge, caught up in the heat of the moment, had fallen into Dao Feng’s trap and failed to realize his defeat was certain.

“This Dao Feng is truly a wicked one, but I like it,” Xin Nidi’s eyes shone with excitement.

“Yes, this is good. It seems the victory in this duel is secured; we can notify Jin Sai Le to start preparations,” Master Tu Xin smiled slightly and sent a message using a communicator.

But Long Ge was no fool. He gradually perceived Dao Feng’s strategy and roared internally, “This scoundrel actually looks down on me so much! Not only is he distracted during the fight, but he dares to play games with me!” What was even harder for him to accept was that Dao Feng’s trickery had succeeded—which meant he was far inferior to Dao Feng!

“Ah!!!” Long Ge let out a massive roar, his entire body erupting in flames that spread in all directions.

Dao Feng shifted his stance, dodging the burst of flame, and was about to press forward again.

“Stop!” Long Ge shouted. “I concede this match!” He deactivated his golden light blade and retracted the hilt into his sleeve, signaling his cessation of combat.

Dao Feng paused his advance and chuckled, “You surrender just like that? Not going to try a few more moves?”

Long Ge sneered, “Do you think I’ll fall for your tricks again? My skill is inferior; continuing would only bring more humiliation.”

“Then what about the wager for the duel?”

“Of course, I won’t renege. The Kustar delegation leaves the Solar System today!”

Long Ge thought, The Star Singer people are watching now. I can sense a peak Level Three master aboard that Star Singer vessel. If I go back on my word here, and the Star Singer people spread the news, I will lose all face.

“Very well,” Dao Feng retracted his two light swords and hung them at his belt.

At that moment, Master Tu Xin’s voice echoed throughout the Nianeng Temple vessel overhead: “Today’s duel concludes with the victory of the Earth side’s peak master, Dao Feng!”

Immediately, celebratory shouts erupted from various vessels, whether Earthling or Kustar. Everyone was happy about the outcome of the duel. The most relieved were the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; they could finally bid farewell to the Kustar visiting delegation.

Long Ge did not wish to linger for another moment. With a cold huff and a grim face, he flew into the air and returned to the Kustar vessel. The Kustar ship then turned and shot out into space, plunging into hyperspace beyond Mars.