Against an opponent whose attack patterns never changed, experience was undoubtedly crucial.
Dongyang soon figured out that on Hologram IV difficulty, the Crownless phantom's first punch could only be dodged through anticipation. Blocking it was impossible.
The Crownless phantom possessed overwhelming destructive power. Whenever that first punch connected, a barrage of taunts about his defeat followed.
Repeated failures brought out Dongyang's competitive streak. He found the trick and learned to time his dodge just as the Crownless phantom pressed a hand to its forehead.
Sure enough, as Dongyang watched the Crownless phantom's presence gradually weaken, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally... I beat it.
He had cleared Hologram IV difficulty.
Dongyang wearily eyed the darkened Hologram V and Hologram VI options, feeling uncertain.
Hologram IV was already this ridiculous. He could hardly imagine how terrifying the next two difficulties would be.
Maybe I should stop here? Dongyang tried to persuade himself.
But soon, determination gradually returned to his eyes.
He had only just boasted to the junior recruits that he had made it to Hologram VI.
Yet he had only cleared Hologram IV. He was still a long way from his goal.
If word got out, what would become of his reputation?
Steeling himself, Dongyang decisively selected Hologram V difficulty.
The Crownless phantom slowly took shape, radiating pressure that approached Overlord-Class.
Dongyang's expression grew solemn. He dared not let his guard slip in the slightest.
It approached Overlord-Class, but thankfully, it had not reached that level.
Outside the Holographic Projection, Jingming and the recruits watched Dongyang open his eyes again and again, keeping their lips tightly pressed together rather than speaking out of turn.
They were not afraid of retaliation. Dongyang was a good man; they simply feared hurting his pride.
Every time he woke up, it meant the