160: Chapter 16 Dream Realm, Guidance!

The first match of the semi-finals was an internal battle within the Donghuang First Team, Zhou Heng vs Bai Qianer!

Almost everyone considered this match-up to be a foregone conclusion.

Zhou Heng's strength was evident to all, and he was widely regarded as the biggest favorite to win the championship in this tournament.

Although Bai Qianer had ridden her illusions like a dark horse all the way into the top four, her chances of victory against a monster like Zhou Heng, who had no weaknesses, were extremely slim.

However, when the two stood on the stage, the atmosphere wasn't as one-sided as imagined.

Zhou Heng put away his usual playful smile, a trace of seriousness and encouragement in his eyes.

The way he looked at Bai Qianer was more like an elder brother looking at a younger sister striving hard to prove herself.

Bai Qianer's face was tense, her silver teeth lightly clenched, and her hand gripping the [illusionary light butterfly fan] was slightly pale from the force.

She knew the odds of winning were minuscule, but she didn't want to admit defeat easily!

She wanted to show Brother Zhou Heng, to show everyone, her growth and effort!

'Qian'er, go all out. Let me see just how powerful your illusions have become.'

Zhou Heng said with a gentle smile.

'Brother Zhou Heng, I will give it my all!' Bai Qianer took a deep breath, her gaze becoming resolute.

'The match begins!'

As soon as the referee's voice fell, Bai Qianer moved!

She knew full well that against Zhou Heng, seizing the initiative was crucial!

'Illusion Dance·Mirror Flowers, Water Moon — Life is but a Dream!' Bai Qianer shouted, her S+ grade Divine Mark, [Spirit Butterfly Illusion Heart], operating at full power!

She waved her butterfly fan, and countless seven-colored light butterflies fluttered out, instantly weaving a magnificent and hazy dream-like domain across the entire stage!

[Illusionary Dream Domain] deployed!

In an instant, the scene on the stage became bizarre and kaleidoscopic!

The space around Zhou Heng seemed to transform into a constantly shifting kaleidoscope; the boundary between reality and illusion blurred!

Seductive music sounded in his ears, and familiar or unfamiliar phantoms appeared before his eyes, attempting to disturb his mind and drag him into a dream!

'Oh? A Heaven-grade illusion technique? A domain?' A flicker of surprise and praise passed through Zhou Heng's eyes.

'This girl Qian'er has made quite some progress.' He could feel that this Illusionary Dream Domain didn't just affect vision and hearing; it was even beginning to affect his spiritual perception, trying to distort his sense of space and time!

'Illusion Blade Dance·Butterfly Shadow Thousand Slash!' Bai Qianer's figure merged into the Illusionary Dream Domain, flashing like a phantom!

Her butterfly fan opened and closed, the edges of the fan ribs gleaming with a sharp, cold light.

Countless tangible and intangible butterfly blades shot silently towards Zhou Heng from every tricky angle!

These butterfly blades were condensed from pure spiritual power, possessing both physical cutting force and mental impact!

Facing these attacks that blurred the line between real and illusory, making them hard to guard against, Zhou Heng did not choose to directly tear apart the domain with his violent lightning.

He wanted to see Bai Qianer's limits, and also take this opportunity to give her some guidance.

[Omniscient Eye] quietly activated, calmly analyzing the energy flow of the Illusionary Dream Domain and the attack trajectories of the butterfly blades.

His feet stepped out with [Wind Thunder Illusion Steps], his figure drifting like willow catkins through the dense swarm of butterfly blades, narrowly avoiding each attack by a hair's breadth.

His movements didn't seem particularly fast, yet carried a mysterious rhythm, as if he had already predicted the landing point of every attack.

'Qian'er, the concept of your Illusionary Dream Domain is clever, but the distribution of energy nodes isn't uniform enough. The southwest corner is weak and vulnerable to a breakthrough.'

Zhou Heng commented like a mentor while dodging.

'The speed and concealment of the butterfly blades are good, but the mental impact is too dispersed, not concentrated enough. Try focusing your spiritual power on a single point at the blade's tip.'

Bai Qianer's heart shook. Brother Zhou Heng had already seen through the weakness of her domain in such a short time?!

She didn't dare be negligent, immediately adjusting the domain's structure according to Zhou Heng's hint while also concentrating the mental impact of her butterfly blades!

Sure enough, her subsequent attacks became even more fierce and difficult to defend against!

The approval in Zhou Heng's eyes deepened. 'Good! You learn quickly!'

'However, I believe the highest realm of illusion techniques isn't to make people unable to see clearly, but to make them 'think' they see clearly.'

'Try nesting a more concealed layer of illusion within a real attack.'

Bai Qianer seemed to gain some insight. As she waved her fan, her offensive changed again!

Several seemingly fierce butterfly blades attacked head-on. Just as Zhou Heng was about to dodge,

[Omniscient Eye] keenly detected that a faint energy fluctuation from the side and rear, almost completely merged with the Illusionary Dream Domain, was the true killing move!

'Now this is getting interesting!' Zhou Heng laughed, his body shifting slightly.

He seemed to barely avoid the frontal butterfly blades, but in reality, he had already predicted the real attack.

With a light flick of his finger, a wisp of fine lightning precisely shattered that concealed butterfly blade!

'Your movement technique, combined with illusions, could be bolder. Use illusions to create afterimages and fake short-distance teleportation to confuse your opponent.' Zhou Heng continued his guidance.

Bai Qianer's eyes lit up as she listened. Each of Zhou Heng's words was like a revelation, deepening her understanding of illusion techniques!

She immediately tried it, her figure becoming even more elusive within the dream, sometimes leaving several afterimages, making it hard to distinguish the real from the fake!

On the stage, a peculiar scene unfolded:

Zhou Heng, like a patient teacher, strolled leisurely amidst theSky phantoms and butterfly blades,

continuously pointing out the shortcomings in Bai Qianer's techniques and suggesting directions for improvement.

And Bai Qianer, like the most diligent student, exerted herself to the fullest,

immediately incorporating Zhou Heng's suggestions into actual combat, her illusion techniques visibly becoming more exquisite and troublesome!

In the spectator stands, everyone was stunned.

'Is... is this a match or a teaching session?'

'Is Zhou Heng too monstrous? Teaching while fighting?'

'Bai Qianer's illusions seem to have gotten stronger! Improving during actual combat?!'

'Is the Donghuang First Team always this harmonious internally? Love it!'

Deputy Director Lu Mingyu and several instructors also looked at each other, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

This kid really never misses a chance to show off, no matter where he is.

In the Donghuang First Team rest area, Lu Chenxin, Ji Cang, and Chen Ye watched with similarly speechless expressions.

'Old Zhou, this guy... has turned showing off into an art form.' Lu Chenxin facepalmed.

'But Qian'er has indeed benefited greatly.' Ji Cang offered an objective evaluation.

A trace of a smile also appeared on Chen Ye's cold face.

He knew Zhou Heng was using this method to help his teammate grow.

On the stage, Bai Qianer had already pushed the Illusionary Dream Domain and Butterfly Blade Dance to their limits, even performing beyond her usual level!

But no matter how hard she tried, Zhou Heng could always effortlessly resolve her offensives and offer suggestions for further improvement.

After nearly ten minutes of high-intensity spellcasting, Bai Qianer's spiritual power was heavily depleted.

Her face began to pale, and she was drenched in sweat. She knew she had reached her limit.

She stopped attacking, the Illusionary Dream Domain slowly dissipating. Panting slightly,

she looked at Zhou Heng, her eyes filled with gratitude and a trace of unwillingness. 'Brother Zhou Heng... I... I've lost. Thank you for guiding me.'

Zhou Heng walked up to her, ruffled her silver hair, and said with a smile:

'Qian'er, you were already amazing! Your talent for illusions is very high, and your future is limitless. Remember what I said today, practice diligently, and you will surely shine brightly at the World Championship!'

Bai Qianer nodded vigorously, her small face flushed from excitement and exhaustion. 'Yes! I will definitely work hard!'

The referee promptly announced, 'The first semi-final match, Zhou Heng wins, advances to the finals!'

Zhou Heng advanced easily, and although Bai Qianer was defeated, she gained tremendously and walked off the stage, heart satisfied.

After a short break, the second semi-final match began: Lu Chenxin vs Ji Cang!

This was the real clash of titans!

Sword Heart Clarity vs White Tiger Blade Soul!

Their strengths were on par, and they knew each other inside out!

Without any extra words, the two stepped onto the stage. Their gazes met, and their fighting spirit soared to the heavens!

'Brother Lu, please!'

'Brother Ji, please!'

'The match begins!'

Boom!

The two erupted almost simultaneously!

Lu Chenxin deployed his [Piercing Clouds Sword Domain], azure sword aura piercing the clouds!

Ji Cang activated his [White Tiger Slaughter World Blade Domain], platinum killing aura soaring skyward!

'Piercing Clouds Sword Art, Third Style — Sudden Rain Striking Duckweed!' Lu Chenxin's sword shot out like lightning, countless dense and swift sword lights pouring down like a torrential rain, enveloping Ji Cang!

'White Tiger Slaughter World Blade·Tiger Hunt!' Ji Cang swung his long blade, the blade light transforming into a ferocious white tiger that roared and pounced, tearing through the rain of swords!

The two instantly became entangled! Sword light and blade shadows collided frantically, the sounds of explosions unceasing! The stage's protective barrier fluctuated violently!

Lu Chenxin's sword was agile, elegant, precise, and sharp, specializing in exploiting weaknesses! Ji Cang's blade was domineering, fierce, powerful, and heavy, using strength to break through finesse!

'Thousand Clouds, Layered Peaks!' Lu Chenxin's sword momentum changed. The sword aura layered upon itself like rolling clouds, each wave stronger than the last!

'White Tiger Roars at Heaven!' Ji Cang roared. The white tiger phantom let out a soul-shaking, awe-inspiring tiger's roar!

Sound waves mixed with blade intent directly assaulted Lu Chenxin's soul! Simultaneously, the blade light surged, fiercely cleaving through the layered cloud of sword momentum!

Both pushed their signature skills to the limit. The intensity of the battle far surpassed the previous match! This was a comprehensive clash of will, technique, and foundation!

Finally, after nearly a hundred exchanges, Ji Cang, relying on the mental impact of [White Tiger Roars at Heaven], seized a momentary hesitation in Lu Chenxin and stopped his blade at Lu Chenxin's shoulder.

'I've lost.' Lu Chenxin sheathed his sword calmly. Although defeated, his eyes were bright; this battle had taught him a great deal.

'I concede!' Ji Cang sheathed his blade, his breathing also somewhat ragged. Defeating Lu Chenxin had cost him no small price.

'The second semi-final match, Ji Cang wins, advances to the finals!'

The finals match-up was finally set!

Zhou Heng vs Ji Cang!

The Captain and Vice-Captain of the Donghuang First Team would compete for the championship of this Individual Ranking Tournament!