"Your shadow?"
"You think far too highly of yourself."
However, not only did the shadow refuse to agree with Chu Feng's words — it was visibly offended.
Swish—
And so, mid-conversation, the dark figure lunged at Chu Feng once more.
By that point, the Blue Jade Mandarin Duck Sword had long since materialized in Chu Feng's hand.
He did not retreat. Instead, he swung the Blue Jade Mandarin Duck Sword and met the shadow head-on.
The more they clashed, the more certain Chu Feng became that this opponent was indeed his own shadow.
Every technique Chu Feng possessed, the shadow wielded as well. And beyond those techniques, the shadow had not demonstrated a single ability that Chu Feng did not already have.
Even the fighting style and combat instincts were identical to his own.
If this wasn't his shadow, then who could it possibly be?
"My shadow — if I defeat you, does that mean I can claim the God of Battle Halberd?" Chu Feng asked between strikes.
"Let me repeat myself — I am not your shadow. My identity far surpasses yours."
"Besides, you could never defeat me."
"Your life is in my hands," the shadow declared.
"I may not be able to defeat you, but you can't defeat me either. Since you claim to be my shadow, how about we make a deal — you take it easy on me?" Chu Feng suggested.
"Ha ha ha ha…"
Chu Feng's words were met with a burst of manic laughter.
"You think you can take shortcuts against me? Foolish."
"A fool like you deserves to die right here."
With those words, the shadow's attacks grew ever more ferocious. This was no longer a simple sparring match — it was a genuine attempt to take Chu Feng's life.
"Damn it."
Under these circumstances, Chu Feng could not afford to be careless.
The shadow's attacks were terrifyingly real. One slip, and Chu Feng would be defeated.
Losing to someone else would be one thing — but losing to his own shadow? That would be far too humiliating.
"Chu Feng, you must end this quickly. The longer this drags on, the more danger you're in."
Just then, a voice suddenly echoed in Chu Feng's ears. It was the voice of the old Taoist with the crooked nose.
"Senior?"
Hearing the old Taoist's voice, Chu Feng immediately looked around, searching for him.
But after a careful scan of his surroundings, Chu Feng realized the old Taoist was nowhere to be seen.
"Don't bother looking — I'm not in your world."
"You are currently trapped inside an illusion created by the God of Battle Halberd."
"You have the time it takes for a single incense stick to burn. If you cannot defeat the God of Battle Halberd within that time, it will unleash its true power. And when that happens, you will have no way to resist."
The old Taoist's voice rang out in Chu Feng's ears once more.
His tone was deadly serious, making it clear to Chu Feng that this was no joke.
"So the thing in front of me isn't my shadow — it's the God of Battle Halberd?" Chu Feng asked.
"You could say that."
"When you first entered, the God of Battle Halberd was able to replicate all of your power — including every treasure and weapon you possess. In short, anything you can do, it can do."
"But that only covers the abilities and strength you had before entering."
"So if you want to defeat it, you must surpass your former self. You should know what that means."
At this point, the old Taoist's once-clear voice began to grow faint and distorted.
"Chu Feng, remember — you only have one incense stick's worth of time, and only one chance. You must defeat it, or your life may be at stake."
The old Taoist poured every last bit of strength he had into those words.
And once they fell, his voice vanished entirely.
It seemed that even the old Taoist could no longer communicate with Chu Feng in his current state.
"Surpass my former self?"