📍 Genius Battle – Third Elimination Stage: Mirror Breaker Combat Round
The arena shimmered like cracked glass under a starlit sky.
Participants stood atop floating shards that rotated slowly in a gravity-free void. Above them hovered the title:
"Mirror Breaker Combat – Only Those Who Know Themselves Can Shatter Illusions."
Luo Feng stepped onto his platform. The moment his feet touched, a ripple spread across the mirror-like shard—and from it, his opponent emerged.
But it wasn't just an opponent.
It was himself.
"What...?"
A perfect copy stood before him, dressed in the same armor, holding the same Ghost Blade. Yet the copy grinned smugly.
"You call yourself 'Mad Blade'? Tch. I've already learned everything about you. Your footwork, your breathing, your weak points… I'm a mirror that improves."
"Every move you make becomes mine—only better."
This was Clonex Virel, known throughout the galaxy for the ability to replicate combat styles after watching them once. A terrifying genius who defeated over 30 civilizations' champions.
⚔️ Battle Initiated – Mirror vs Mad Blade
The two surged forward in sync—blades clashing with a thunderclap. Sparks flew as both used the same Nine Phantom Step, the same Shadow Slice, and the same Skyfall Arc.
But with each move, Virel's version sharpened, adapted, evolved.
Within five minutes, Luo Feng was forced back, his breathing shallow.
"He's improving in real time… like a sentient AI with my body."
Spectators murmured.
"Luo Feng's losing ground.""It's over. Even Mad Blade can't beat himself perfected."
🔥 System Notification – Inner Technique Lock Reached
System Alert: Mental State Threshold Reached.Accessing Hidden Talent: Adaptive Instinct Layer – Heaven Vein Spark.
Luo Feng's eyes flickered—then glowed silver.
Time slowed.
He could see his opponent's breath pattern, hear the intent in his sword, and feel the trajectory of the clone's movement before it happened.
"He's not just copying me... he's still me.But I've fought through pain, loss, desperation.That instinct? You can't copy that."
⚡ The Turnaround
Suddenly, Luo Feng did something Virel couldn't anticipate—he dropped his stance.
And closed his eyes.
"Is he surrendering?""No… wait—what's he doing?"
In the silence, Luo Feng let go of techniques and moved purely on instinct—relying on subconscious patterns forged by years of battle, not formalized moves.
Virel hesitated.
In that instant—Luo Feng struck.
A wild, fluid slash that curved at an impossible angle—unreadable, unreplicable.
SHRRRIIIINGGG!
The blade tore through Virel's shoulder. Another two cuts followed—fast, chaotic, unpredictable.
"This… this isn't in your style…"
"That's right," Luo Feng whispered, eyes still closed."It's not about the blade. It's about the madness."
"I am the Mad Blade!"
With one final roar, he slammed the Heaven's Spine Cut through the mirror shard beneath them. The battlefield shattered—symbolizing dominance over the mirror self.
Victory: Luo Feng – Mad Blade
🌌 Post-Battle – Observation Deck
While Earth's camp cheered, a silent observer stood away from the others—Bolan.
He watched Luo Feng, eyes narrowed, calculating.
Then he turned to face the real king—Hong, flanked by Lie Shen and the four guardian beast spirits forming Earth's formation in meditative silence behind him.
🧊 Bolan's Proposal
"You've established fear. Respect. Even awe," Bolan said, stepping forward.
"But Earth lacks influence. You're not in the upper coalition, and your enemies multiply."
Hong didn't respond.
"Join me," Bolan said. "Align Earth's laws under my Cold Strategy System. You'll gain protection, technology, and access to higher-tier cultivation resources. No one will touch your people."
"In return… let me lead your expansion."
There was silence.
Then Hong's voice rumbled:
"Earth bows to no one. Not now. Not ever."
"You seek allies built on contract. I build unity with blood and sacrifice."
"You protect your interests. I protect my people."
"Decline noted," Bolan said coolly.
"But don't forget… sometimes the coldest path is the most survivable."
He walked away.
🌟 System Notification – Branch Timeline Adjusted
Bolan's alliance rejected.Future outcomes split into:
Cold Confrontation Arc – Bolan becomes an ideological rival.
Reluctant Ally Path – May join Earth under specific conditions later.
Law Breaker Outcome – If Bolan violates Earth's zone laws, judgment enforced