Victory, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling

Lu Yan moved like Gui Mei, leaving dazzling afterimages across the arena.

Zhao Long's heavy, powerful saber technique, honed over many years, could not even touch the corner of his clothes.

"How is that possible?!" Zhao Long was utterly shocked.

The Crescent Moon Saber Technique had been tempered through every strike and form in battle. Even an Agility Attack System Soul Master could not possibly dodge so effortlessly.

And... and this Dream Master was becoming even more elusive as they fought.

Was this... talent?

The blade swept past him again. Lu Yan bent at the waist, easily evading it and using the momentum to close in.

His palm glowed with a jade-like sheen, then curled into a fist as he struck straight at Zhao Long's chest.

"Not good!"

Zhao Long was broad and immensely strong.

But the crescent moon saber was a heavy weapon. Once a strike missed, it was difficult to immediately withdraw it for defense. He could only hastily turn the shaft sideways and take the punch head-on.

"Bang!"

A tremendous force struck him. Zhao Long staggered back several steps, secretly alarmed. What incredible strength. Though it is still inferior to mine, it absolutely cannot be underestimated.

Lu Yan watched him.

It had to be said that Zhao Long was an exceptionally effective whetstone. After only a few minutes of fighting, Lu Yan's understanding of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track had already risen to another level.

But it was time to end this.

At Lu Yan's feet, his Second Soul Ring suddenly lit up, its radiance flowing.

Dream Projection, activate!

Zhao Long reacted swiftly. His gaze locked onto Lu Yan, every muscle in his body tensed as he prepared for this unknown Soul Skill.

The next moment, a sudden change occurred!

A towering, mountain-like phantom with indistinct features appeared without warning one meter in front of Lu Yan.

"Roar—!"

The phantom let out a deafening roar. The sound waves spread like something tangible, making everyone's eardrums ache.

Before the roar faded, the phantom's palms abruptly swelled, turning into Sharp Claws that gleamed with a chilling light. Carrying an ancient, savage aura, they lunged at Zhao Long.

"What kind of Soul Skill is this? It can actually summon a helper?"

"It looks terrifying, but its aura doesn't seem as solid as Overlord Saber..."

"Could Overlord Saber really capsize in a ditch?"

Cries of alarm erupted from the stands.

The spectators' hearts leaped into their throats. Almost no one wanted Lu Yan to win—they had placed heavy bets on Zhao Long!

"Pretending to be a god or ghost. Watch me break it with one strike."

Though startled, Zhao Long remained calm, his spirit soaring.

How could an illusory thing block the edge of his Overlord Saber?

Second Soul Skill: Overlord Saber Slash.

As his Second Soul Ring shone brilliantly, Zhao Long's Soul Power surged around him like boiling water. The muscles in his arms, which tightly gripped the crescent moon saber, bulged and knotted. Veins protruded like pythons, and his breathing grew heavy like a bellows.

Saber energy gathered along the crescent moon saber's edge, its blade light flickering and sending chills across everyone's skin. Its might far surpassed the earlier Blade Drag Slash.

Not only that, the crescent moon saber seemed to become as heavy as Qian Jun. A fierce, tyrannical aura erupted outward from Zhao Long, and the invisible pressure on the arena suddenly intensified, as though even the air had turned thick.

"Break—for—me!!"

Zhao Long let out a beast-like roar. Swinging both arms in a full arc, he brought down the crescent moon saber with the force to tear apart everything in its path.

An incomparably condensed, dazzling silver saber energy burst from the blade like a heavenly river cascading from the skies, slashing straight at the phantom.

At the same time, the phantom's millstone-sized bear paw struck at the blade with an irresistible force capable of shattering gold and jade.

Layers of airwaves surged outward.

The crescent moon saber and bear paw collided violently.

"Clang—!"

The piercing clash of metal rang throughout the arena. The shockwave produced by the collision of Soul Power swept fiercely in every direction.

Overlord Saber was ultimately stronger. The blade split open the bear paw and severed the phantom.

He had won this exchange, but he had lost the entire battle.

Zhao Long looked up to see the youth already hovering in midair, his First Soul Skill from the beginning unleashed once more.

This time, he had neither the strength to dodge nor the time to defend.

That strike had not only consumed a great deal of Soul Power, but also left his muscles temporarily unable to exert force.

Yet he refused to concede, desperately trying to escape the range of the light specks. But speed was never the strength of a Power Attack System Soul Master, so how could he evade Lu Yan's pursuit?

The light specks entered his body. Only moments passed.

"Clang—"

The crescent moon saber fell to the ground.

Zhao Long also toppled straight down, unable to rise.

The entire arena fell silent.

Everyone stood frozen, staring at the youth flying in the air.

For a long while, they could not recover their senses. Many had faces as pale as death—they had lost a fortune.

The youth they had least favored before the battle had unexpectedly defeated Overlord Saber.

"The result has been decided. This battle truly produced one surprising move after another. Let us congratulate contestant 'Dream Master' on winning this match." The host announced with a beaming smile.

The Soul Fighting Arena had made a fortune from this battle, and his commission would naturally be substantial as well.

Afterward, Lu Yan fought another two matches in succession.

He won them all.

The effects of the Tang Sect Unique Skills were ultimately no weaker than Soul Skills.

Lu Yan returned home, dragging his exhausted body behind him. His body fell asleep, but his mind wandered through dreams.

The Overlord Saber he had encountered tonight could become a mainstay of future Dream Projections.

That strike had truly been stunning.

Few Soul Grand Masters could receive that strike head-on.

From that day onward, Lu Yan had another task: participating in Soul Fighting Competitions.

Only battle could test one's strength.

Half a month passed like this before two women entered Heaven arm in arm.

One wore a veil, giving her an air of mystery. Her plain white long dress accentuated her cool, detached temperament, making her resemble a budding begonia blossom.

The other had purple hair falling to her shoulders and strange emerald-green eyes. Her legs were long and straight, wrapped in exquisite purple stockings, while her engraved High Heels made her seem even more elegant.

"What do you two need?" Lu Yan studied the striking pair.

He had already guessed their identities—Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling of the Heaven Dou Team.

"Little shopkeeper." Dugu Yan released her best friend's hand and stepped forward, unable to hide the expectation in her voice. "Can you really... let me see Dad and Mother again?"

"That depends on you." Lu Yan answered gently. "All I can do is guide out the desires hidden deep within your heart. If you truly wish to see them, then you will certainly see them."

"Of course I do. I think about them every moment of every day." Dugu Yan suddenly grew emotional.

She had not even been able to see her Parents one last time.

"Yanyan, don't rush." Ye Lingling gently held her best friend's hand and soothed her softly. "Take your time."

"This young lady is right." Lu Yan nodded. "If your emotions are too agitated, it will instead become harder to enter the dream."

Dugu Yan took a deep breath and gradually calmed down.

She directly chose the most expensive Deep Dream service—as the granddaughter of a Titled Douluo.

She was not short of money.

When the dream ended, Dugu Yan woke up crying.

"Shopkeeper... thank you." Her voice Choked Up as tears continually slid down her cheeks. "I really... really saw them again..."

In Dreams, her Parents had never left. They were still living happily together, and every detail felt so real.

She remembered everything from the dream.

"This is what you deserved. They are what you think of, long for, and seek in your heart."

Dugu Yan wiped away her tears and smiled sincerely. "My name is Dugu Yan, shopkeeper. I will come again."

She remembered the gentle youth before her.

"My name is Lu Yan." Lu Yan remained gentle.

"I will be waiting anytime."