The face was a roiling, twisted mass of bloody light.

Where its features should have been were two empty sockets, still dripping with gore.

It made no sound.

But an ironclad, murderous aura instantly enveloped the entire hall.

A thought crossed Han Feng’s mind.

[All Things Identification]! 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

[Target: Illusion Realm War General (Energy Body)]

[Information: A special Mind Body formed from the power of the ’Blood Sea Illusion Realm,’ capable of inflicting both physical and spiritual damage.]

[Energy Intensity: Tier Two Middle Stage]

The Illusion Realm War General locked onto the only person left standing in the hall.

Its hollow face turned toward Han Feng, and it pointed its Long Halberd at him.

"Kill!"

A hoarse, chilling command exploded directly in Han Feng’s mind!

At its command, a dozen illusory soldiers wielding Blade Shields marched out from the roiling blood mist behind it, charging forward in silent, lockstep formation.

Each one radiated the aura of a Tier One Peak.

Far from being alarmed, Han Feng actually smiled.

’Perfect. A chance to test my strength after my promotion.’

’And a chance to see just how this newly unlocked "Foundation Establishment Empowerment" energy bar fills up.’

His mind stirred.

In his Sea of Consciousness, the formless Three-Inch Heart Sword slashed out without a sound!

PFFT!

The forward charge of the lead illusory soldier came to an abrupt halt.

Its body instantly disintegrated, dissolving into a wisp of pure, blood-red energy.

Drawn by some force, the energy was about to fly back into the Illusion Realm War General.

’Nutrients delivered right to my mouth, and you think you can run away?’

Han Feng activated the absorption function of his [Innate Sword Body].

A tyrannical suction force appeared out of thin air, intercepting the wisp of blood-red energy just as it was about to return to its source and devouring it.

A cool stream of energy entered his body and was swiftly converted by his Sword Bone.

[Ding! High-purity Illusion Realm Energy absorbed. Foundation Establishment Energy +1]

[Foundation Establishment Energy: 1/10000]

’It works!’

Han Feng’s eyes lit up.

’These aren’t enemies.’

’They’re clearly energy packs, delivered right to my doorstep!’

He no longer hesitated. The brand-new Dao Vein inside him rumbled to life.

Silvery-white Sword Essence surged into his legs like a bursting dam.

[Body Technique·Spiral Charge]!

His body became a silver whirlwind that tore through the air. Instead of retreating, he advanced, charging head-on into the soldiers’ formation!

SCHLICK!

SCHLICK!

Now at the Mastery Level, Spiral Charge was incredibly powerful.

He didn’t even need to draw his sword.

The cyclone of Sword Essence generated by his high-speed rotation alone was like a merciless meat grinder.

Any illusory soldier he so much as grazed was torn to shreds, dissolving into the purest form of Illusion Realm energy.

[Ding! Foundation Establishment Energy +1]

[Ding! Foundation Establishment Energy +1]

...

The series of system prompts brought a smile to Han Feng’s face.

In just over ten seconds, he had cleared out all the illusory soldiers.

The Foundation Establishment Energy bar had also steadily risen to [13/10000].

"ROAR!"

The Illusion Realm War General, seemingly enraged, let out a roar that shook the very soul.

It raised its Long Halberd high and brought it down in a vicious chop!

A ten-meter-long, blood-red halberd arc tore through the air with a piercing shriek, cleaving straight down!

The power of this strike far surpassed that of any Demon Beast he had faced before.

Han Feng’s pupils constricted, but he showed no intention of dodging.

[Body Technique·Reversal of Heaven and Earth]!

His body folded in mid-air at an angle that completely defied the laws of physics.

Like a windswept piece of paper, he grazed past the edge of the halberd arc by the narrowest of margins.

At the same time, the Black Tungsten Gold Longsword at his waist was already unsheathed.

The blade, suffused with silvery-white Sword Essence, projected a tangible, half-foot-long Sword Aura of unmatched Sharpness.

"Shatter!"

He closed in on the Illusion Realm War General and executed a horizontal slash!

CLANG!

A loud clang of metal on metal rang out.

The Illusion Realm War General reacted with incredible speed, blocking the strike with the shaft of its halberd.

A tremendous force traveled up the blade, making the web of Han Feng’s thumb ache as he was sent flying backward.

’Such immense strength!’

Han Feng stabilized himself, the fighting spirit in his eyes burning even brighter.

This Tier Two Middle Stage general was far more difficult to handle than any Demon Beast of the same tier he had ever encountered.

Not only did it possess immense power and swift reflexes, but it also retained the combat instincts of a seasoned veteran.

Having gained the upper hand, the Illusion Realm War General gave Han Feng no room to breathe.

Its Long Halberd danced like the wind, creating a sky full of blood-red afterimages that completely enveloped Han Feng.

For a moment, the hall was filled with the flashing of sword and halberd, a tempest of roiling energy.

Han Feng pushed his two Mastery Level Body Techniques to their absolute limit.

He weaved through the impenetrable storm of attacks. It seemed he would be struck at any moment, yet he always managed to turn peril into safety at the most critical instant.

He no longer rushed to attack. Instead, while dodging, he constantly harassed his opponent with the [Three-Inch Heart Sword].

PFFT!

An invisible Heart Sword precisely pierced the Illusion Realm War General’s body.

The general’s movements stiffened for an instant, and the bloody light radiating from its body dimmed slightly.

The change was fleeting, but Han Feng’s keen senses caught it.

[Ding! Three-Inch Heart Sword (Entry Level), Skill Proficiency +1]

’It’s working!’

Han Feng was completely relieved.

’This thing’s physical attacks are formidable, but it’s fundamentally an Energy Body. Spiritual Attacks are its bane!’

The rest of the battle became a complete game of cat and mouse.

Han Feng circled the Illusion Realm War General at high speed, occasionally striking out with his sword to draw its attention.

His true killing blow, however, was the invisible, formless, and indefensible Three-Inch Heart Sword.

Under the repeated spiritual assaults, the bloody light around the Illusion Realm War General grew increasingly dim, and its movements gradually became sluggish.

Finally, after Han Feng struck with his seventeenth Heart Sword, the Illusion Realm War General’s massive body collapsed and dispersed.