Infinite simulation in soul land

Chapter 5: The Eternal Duel

When Long Tian opened his eyes, he found himself standing in a vast, barren wasteland. The skies above were a swirling mix of red and black, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to pulse with an eerie, rhythmic energy.

> "Simulation #3 initiated."

Objective: Defeat the Eternal Duelist and claim their legacy.

Time Limit: None.

Special Condition: Time in the simulation is frozen. Your body will remain unaffected in the real world.

Long Tian's eyes narrowed as the system's voice faded. The setting was different from the previous simulations—this time, there was no group, no forest, only silence and a sense of overwhelming pressure.

A figure emerged from the distance. Clad in dark silver armor that gleamed ominously, the man carried a massive two-handed sword that seemed to distort the air around it. His face was obscured by a helmet, but the crimson glow of his eyes pierced through the shadows.

> "I am the Eternal Duelist," the figure spoke, his voice echoing as if coming from all directions. "Those who dare to challenge me seek power beyond imagination, but few survive. Are you ready, challenger?"

Long Tian gripped his Celestial Dragon Spear tightly, his resolve firm. "I'm ready."

---

The First Clash

The duel began without warning. The Eternal Duelist moved faster than Long Tian anticipated, closing the distance in an instant. His massive sword came down with a force that seemed to split the air itself.

Long Tian activated Shadowstep, narrowly evading the attack. The ground where he had stood moments before was obliterated, leaving a deep crater.

"Fast and powerful," Long Tian muttered, his heart racing. "But I have infinite energy. Let's see how long you can keep this up."

He counterattacked, thrusting his spear forward and unleashing a torrent of flames. The Eternal Duelist raised his sword, the flames dispersing harmlessly as he parried the strike.

"Impressive," the Duelist said, his tone almost amused. "But raw power will not be enough to defeat me."

The fight escalated, both combatants exchanging blows at a blinding speed. Long Tian used every skill at his disposal—Celestial Flame Dragon Technique, Shadowstep, and even the newly enhanced abilities granted by his ten-thousand-year spirit ring.

The Duelist, however, matched him blow for blow. His movements were precise, his strikes unrelenting.

---

A Test of Endurance

Hours turned into days as the battle raged on. Neither combatant showed any signs of exhaustion—Long Tian because of his unlimited soul energy, and the Eternal Duelist because of his seemingly boundless strength.

Long Tian began to notice patterns in the Duelist's attacks. His sword swings, while devastating, followed a rhythm. With each exchange, Long Tian grew more confident, dodging and countering with increasing precision.

"I see through you," Long Tian said after deflecting another strike. He thrust his spear forward, aiming for a gap in the Duelist's armor.

The blow landed, but instead of flinching, the Duelist laughed. "You're learning, but you've only scratched the surface of my power."

The crimson glow of his eyes intensified, and a wave of oppressive energy radiated from his body. The wasteland trembled, cracks spreading across the ground as the Duelist unleashed his full strength.

---

Breaking the Limits

Long Tian gritted his teeth, his spear trembling under the weight of the Duelist's aura. "You're strong," he admitted. "But you're not unbeatable."

Drawing on his infinite energy, he activated his techniques simultaneously. Flames erupted from his spear as he used Shadowstep to close the distance, aiming directly for the Duelist's core.

The Duelist swung his sword to intercept, but Long Tian anticipated the move. At the last second, he altered his trajectory, striking the Duelist's unguarded side.

The impact sent the Duelist stumbling back, his armor cracking. "Well done," he said, his voice tinged with approval. "You've forced me to acknowledge you as a true opponent. But can you handle this?"

The Duelist raised his sword, and the skies darkened further. Lightning crackled across the blade as he unleashed an attack that seemed to tear through reality itself.

Long Tian braced himself, channeling all his energy into his spear. Flames and shadows combined as he thrust forward, meeting the Duelist's attack head-on. The resulting explosion shook the simulation, the shockwave flattening everything in its path.

---

Claiming Victory

When the dust settled, Long Tian stood victorious. The Eternal Duelist lay on the ground, his armor shattered and his sword embedded in the earth.

"You've done what few have," the Duelist said, his voice weak but filled with respect. "You are worthy of my legacy."

The Duelist's body began to dissolve into light, which flowed into Long Tian's spear.

> "Congratulations, Host! Simulation complete."

Rewards:

1. Eternal Blade Technique – A sword-based martial art adapted for spears. Increases attack speed and power exponentially.

2. Eternal Duelist's Aura – Grants immense pressure in battle, weakening opponents' morale and focus.

3. Spirit Power Boost: +3 Ranks – Host is now Rank 44.

Long Tian felt the surge of power coursing through him. His spear was heavier, its edge sharper, and his very presence seemed to radiate authority.

---

A Growing Threat

As he exited the simulation, Long Tian couldn't help but smile. His strength was growing at an astonishing pace, and the rewards from the simulations were becoming more and more valuable.

But as he stepped out of the cave, he felt a disturbance. The skies above the Star Dou Forest were darker than usual, and an unnatural stillness hung in the air.

Far away, in the depths of the forest, a massive shadow stirred. A being of unimaginable power had awakened, drawn by the waves of energy Long Tian had unleashed.

"This... this is only the beginning," Long Tian said, gripping his spear tightly. "If the world wants to challenge me, I'll face it head-on."

With infinite energy and the Eternal Duelist's legacy, Long Tian was ready to confront whatever lay ahead.