Du Chengfeng wasn’t particularly surprised that the Bronze Halberd knew he would come beforehand.

After all, he had experienced similar feelings before. As long as he kept fighting, and the Bronze Halberd kept fighting, unless they bizarrely died due to their own reasons, they would inevitably face each other again on the road to the pinnacle.

This reminded Du Chengfeng of the past, when he first arrived in this world and faced the man named He Xiqing. He had considered running away—but at that time, he could also feel that running away was meaningless. As long as he lived in this world, as long as he wasn’t dead, He Xiqing would eventually catch him.

Later, Du Chengfeng wondered whether he might have been overly sensitive. If he hadn’t chosen the path of combat and instead lived quietly in the safer south, would things have been different?

But recently, after attempting to communicate with the spirit within using Yin rites, he realized that nothing would be different.

It’s not some mystical perception, or a destiny decided by gods and ghosts, but rather an objective inevitability. He, with his unique identity, couldn’t truly be content with ordinariness despite his poor background, and He Xiqing, inherently extraordinary, ensured that they would cross paths again as long as they continued climbing upward.

Just like now.

He knew clearly that the Bronze Halberd was indeed waiting for him, and the Bronze Halberd knew for sure he would come.

Even though they had never made any agreement, they just knew.

Perhaps to outsiders, this seemed like sensing a fated destiny?

But to them, it was merely recognizing reality.

"I heard you recently need someone to bear witness?"

Watching as the blazing fire blade was easily dodged, Du Chengfeng frowned slightly.

"That’s not a good idea. Have you really lost confidence to this extent?"

"The birth of a deity naturally requires the people’s testimony. Since they don’t want to be warriors, being believers might be a good thing for them."

Seeing the blazing fire blade instantly extinguish, the figure with the Yue Saber nailed to the chest frowned slightly.

"Also, stop trying to disturb my reactions with trash talk. It’s also a sign of lacking confidence... but being able to do this already makes you a qualified warrior."

With these words, the figure with the Yue Saber nailed to the chest charged forward fiercely.

"Name yourself. I’ll inscribe your name on the cauldron after you die."

"You’re really despicable."

Facing an opponent who also chose to attack while talking, after slicing and sweeping them aside, Du Chengfeng decided to reveal his true name.

In the past, he might have used the name of an enemy as a scapegoat or simply used trash talk like "your father" to dodge the question. But this time, Du Chengfeng suddenly felt that this "name yourself" action might truly have significance.

Just like the Bronze Halberd said, he should at least know how to address the opponent he killed.

"My name is Du Chengfeng, and yours?"

"Wu Zhao, remember this name, it will be the one to kill you... huh?"

Before the figure with the Yue Saber could finish speaking, the original intent to charge again was suddenly halted.

Because, from the blind spot in its vision, a Bladeless Strange Sword had emerged from the originally smooth ground, its tip hovering in the air, ready to be collided with its chest.

This made it grit its teeth.

"Petty trick..."

Kicking the Bladeless Strange Sword away, it flew forward once more.

This made Du Chengfeng raise an eyebrow.

"It didn’t fall for it?"

This was unexpected for Du Chengfeng; he thought the creature claiming to be Wu Zhao would instinctively grab that sword—and afterwards, the young Ruan Shantao fused with the Rectangular Sword would deal Wu Zhao a heavy blow, at least leaving him disoriented for a while.

However, unfortunately, Wu Zhao did not fall for it, and the opponent displayed considerable competence and skill, leaving no openings for Du Chengfeng to exploit.

"It seems you think I’m not very skilled."

At this moment, Wu Zhao’s heavy fists slammed onto the thick blade.

"Then prove it! You are nothing special!"

Bang—

With a crisp sound, the originally sturdy double-handed sword instantly shattered into two pieces!

However, after this success, Wu Zhao’s face showed no triumphant joy but instead drastically changed expression.

Because the flying half of the broken blade was spinning back.

"Buzz—"

Two glaring fire columns cut through the air, crisscrossing, bringing a burnt hair scent.

But, it was only a burnt hair scent.

"Running real fast..."

Seeing Wu Zhao already flashing to a nearby spot, Du Chengfeng’s expression turned somber.

Fighting expressively against an unarmed opponent, and achieving this result spoke volumes about the difference in strength between them.

Strictly speaking, this battle hadn’t benefited Du Chengfeng much.

But he had anticipated this outcome, given his own lack of improvement in strength; whereas his opponent, the self-proclaimed Wu Zhao’s Bronze Halberd, had undergone evident progress in recent days of rituals, gaining smoother control over the body and greater agility, further supporting Wu Zhao’s earlier claim that he hadn’t used full strength before.

Nonetheless, Du Chengfeng had his tactics.

These were newly conceived moves he grasped after communicating with the spirit within.

"If you’re fast, try this instead."

Saying this, Du Chengfeng raised his hand, and the originally smooth ground swelled up once more—just as Wu Zhao prepared to charge once again, the ground, under obscure control, was compressed into rows of solid columns.

The rigid earth intersected and stretched vertically and horizontally, forming an encirclement.

"Do you think you can hold me with this?"

Wu Zhao scoffed, finding the fragile cage something it could break physically without attack.

But soon, Wu Zhao found itself not quite laughing.

Because from the encirclement, fierce flames began to blaze.