Thick black mist rose from the southwest of Qingce Village, threatening to engulf the entire place.
However, a resounding phoenix cry pierced the clouds. Fiery sunset clouds ignited in the twilight sky, occupying the heavens and turning into a magnificent spectacle.
The moment the black mist appeared, it was dispersed.
"Roar—"
A demonic, ghostly howl rang out. A dragon-shaped monster soared into the sky, wantonly releasing its aura in midair.
Its scales were razor-sharp, glinting coldly. A hundred-meter-long body coiled in the high heavens, forming a stark contrast with the crimson sky.
Jun Bai stood firmly on the ground, gazing up at the dragon-shaped monster in the sky that rivaled a god in presence.
Back then, Chi only had the combat power of a god but lacked a god's authority, so he couldn't truly be considered a god. But that was old history from when Rex Lapis slew him.
During Jun Bai's first Nirvana, Chi's remnant soul was awakened by the Dream God's lingering thoughts. After the Dream God's thoughts were defeated, Chi revived by devouring them.
At that time, Chi not only successfully revived but also gained part of the Dream authority—calling him a incomplete god was no problem.
If at that moment Chi had also devoured Jun Bai, he would have returned in an even stronger form.
But that was only an "if." In reality, Chi was jointly slain by Jun Bai and Jun Mo Li, his lingering thoughts returning to the ley lines. Now he could only reappear in the world by taking advantage of the ley line chaos caused by Osial.
Because it was merely a ley line reappearance, the revived Chi's combat power had not increased compared to three thousand years ago.
That mere hundred-meter-long body was proof.
[The oppressive feeling is definitely there, but something feels off. Isn't this size a bit wrong?]
[Not even as big as Osial. Plus it's a dragon-shaped body—Ziwei Star Palace could probably just suppress it directly.]
[Come on, Jun Bai—transform into a phoenix!]
"Get down!" Jun Bai said coldly, then swung Phoenix Perches toward the sky. A blade of flame burst from the spear edge.
The newly revived Chi was struck head-on, nearly losing control of his body and falling from the sky.
"Roar—"
Chi roared in fury and dove straight down toward Jun Bai.
Jun Bai stood motionless, spear in hand.
The instant Chi closed in on Jun Bai, black mist rose from the dragon-shaped body and dissipated. The hundred-meter-long form suddenly vanished—Chi transformed into Qingyuan's appearance and threw a punch at Jun Bai.
Fist and palm collided; both sides retreated simultaneously.
Qingyuan threw a charged punch and took three steps back.
Jun Bai hastily swung a palm and took ten steps back.
This scene caused a cold sneer to curl at the corner of Qingyuan's mouth.
Jun Bai merely raised an eyebrow, then spread his flame wings. Divine armament manifested on his body, and Phoenix Perches transformed into Fangtian Huaji.
[Ultimate move opener—to show respect.]
[Bad news: Jun Bai's strength is weaker than Chi's. Good news: It's only physical strength that's weaker.]
Jun Bai dashed forward in an instant, flame wings flapping behind him. He arrived in front of Qingyuan and swung Fangtian Huaji, unleashing a series of continuous slashes.
Qingyuan refused to yield, using his hands as weapons, pitch-black scales covering his body.
Halberd edge clashed against palms, raising shocking shockwaves.
Both sides steadied their footing, then gradually increased their power in the deadlock.
The ground began to crack centered on the two combatants, gradually sinking under the force of their power.
Flames and black mist intertwined, mixed with life force and mind-beguiling power.
When the power reached a certain level, the flames suddenly exploded. Jun Bai suppressed Qingyuan's hands, and the flame-wreathed halberd edge slashed across Qingyuan's chest.
[Jun Bai: I was being polite with normal form earlier. Now going straight to enhanced form—what are you going to do?]
[Jun Bai really never disappoints.]
Qingyuan retreated continuously, black mist rising around him to condense a longsword. He quickly closed in on Jun Bai and swung the blade.
"Pathetic."
Jun Bai raised Fangtian Huaji, using the shaft to block Qingyuan's sword edge, then kicked the wound on his chest.
"How dare thou look down on me."
Qingyuan roared in fury, unleashing chaotic sword strikes toward Jun Bai—but unfortunately, not a single attack landed.
Jun Bai merely swayed his body simply, enough to make all of Qingyuan's attacks miss. Holding the spear in one hand, he extended his free palm and directly seized the sword from Qingyuan's hand.
"You didn't think that just because Second Brother could use a sword to turn the tables and heavily wound you back then, that your own level could do the same thing, did you?"
"Truly arrogant."
Jun Bai gripped the longsword condensed by Qingyuan, raised it in reverse, and slashed down on Qingyuan's scales—sparks flying everywhere.
Qingyuan retreated to open distance, then his expression darkened. The blade seized by Jun Bai turned back into black mist.
[Jun Bai: I'll only teach you once—this is how you use a sword. Hand it over—let me demonstrate for you.]
[Hey Qingyuan, Jun Bai is going to teach us swordsmanship. Guess who the teaching material will be?]
Having lost his weapon, the momentum of attack and defense reversed—now it was Jun Bai's turn to take the initiative.
Fangtian Huaji swung back behind him. Jun Bai leaned forward, flames coiling around his body. Then his flame wings flapped, and holding Fangtian Huaji he charged toward Qingyuan.
The tip of Fangtian Huaji carved a path of flames. Jun Bai's figure grew larger and larger in Qingyuan's eyes.
(Full-health revived Stelle: Flame Lance, charge!)
(March 7th: Why did you suddenly scare me like that!)
(Stelle: Watching this animation segment, I feel like I should shout this—it fits the scene, right?)
(Firefly: It does seem like that. But Stelle shouting that line also feels really fitting—very imposing.)
Jun Bai and Qingyuan's figures crossed each other. The next moment, fierce flames erupted from Qingyuan's body.
"Ah—"
Qingyuan knelt on the ground, full of pain.
Three thousand years ago, he had suppressed Jun Bai, forcing Jun Bai to watch his two older brothers fall before him.
And now, three thousand years later—the Jun Bai who was once suppressed had already gained power surpassing Chi at his peak. (Not yet fully recovered.)
"Chi, you're really weak."
Jun Bai carried Fangtian Huaji and walked in front of Qingyuan. With one kick he knocked Qingyuan down, then stepped on him.
"Your defeat in the Archon War doesn't seem to have been a coincidence." Jun Bai's face was expressionless as he stepped on Qingyuan's body, preventing him from getting up.
Just like three thousand years ago, when Chi had stepped on Jun Bai.
"Damn it… don't think thou hast won just like this!" Qingyuan glared furiously at Jun Bai and activated the Dream authority.
The target was not Jun Bai—because it wouldn't work.
The ones Qingyuan put to sleep were the three in the spectator seats!
Lumine, Paimon, and Yiya never expected the ones spectating would be sneak-attacked. Caught off guard, they fell into slumber.
However, from Lumine and Yiya's furrowed brows and struggling movements, it could be roughly guessed that the dream couldn't control these two for very long.
But as long as it could control them at all, it was enough.
Monsters appeared out of thin air, manipulated by the Dream authority, and walked toward the sleeping trio.
"You can only play these little tricks."
Jun Bai's body coiled with flames—he was about to use his authority to send these monsters back to the ley lines.
But the next moment, his movements paused.
Sensing danger, Lumine and Yiya suddenly woke up and were about to grab their weapons to attack the monsters.
However, a flash of sword light passed. The monsters in front of Lumine and Yiya collapsed instantly.
The longsword returned to its sheath. What appeared before the now-awake duo was a black hem fluttering in the wind.