83: Only those who cultivate the Tao know the true depth of the struggle between immortals and gods.

Taklamakan Desert, Temporary Command Center.

On the massive main screen, satellite footage and drone perspectives switched back and forth, finally freezing on that patch of sand soaked by rain, leaving behind two giant glass craters.

The battle was over.

However, the atmosphere inside the base was even more frozen than during the battle.

"That lightning! We captured its peak energy; it exceeded the total instantaneous power generation of the Three Gorges Dam! But it was... split down the middle by a sword?"

"And those plants! Their growth speed surpassed the physical limits of cell division! DNA analysis shows their genetic chains underwent millions of years of accelerated evolution in the instant they were stimulated!"

...Various cries of disbelief and reports rose one after another.

This command center, which gathered the top minds in China, had turned into a massive scene of collapsing worldviews.

In the center of this chaos, Chen Jianguo and Zhang Ruoxu stood facing each other in silence.

Zhang Ruoxu looked at the scientists who were nearly losing their composure because their understanding of reality had been overturned, his eyes filled with a complex sense of emotion.

As a Celestial Master who had practiced the Dao for a lifetime, he had truly had his eyes opened today.

Chen Jianguo's face was as calm as water. He pulled a thermos from his pocket, unscrewed it, and silently took a sip of scalding hot goji berry tea.

After a long while, he finally put down the cup and issued orders in an unquestionable tone.

"Technical team."

"Present!"

"Take all video materials, environmental data, and energy readings obtained today, apply the highest level of encryption, and list them as supplementary files for 'File A-001'."

"Yes, sir!"

Chen Jianguo then turned to the pale-faced experts.

"Professors, thank you for your hard work."

"Next, I need every one of you to submit a detailed report within twenty-four hours."

...Ten thousand miles away, Rome, hotel suite.

Jiang Ming sat up straight on the soft sofa.

The "spectating screen" constructed by the soul link in his sea of consciousness slowly dissipated. Every detail of that earth-shattering duel in the desert was clearly imprinted in his mind.

"Evenly matched?"

Jiang Ming shook his head, talking to himself.

He knew very well that Mirror Image No. 1 had been suppressed from start to finish.

Whether it was changing the weather, summoning the shadow raven army, or stimulating the forest—it looked grand and world-shattering, but all of it was effortlessly neutralized by Li Bai one by one.

In fact, from beginning to end, Li Bai had only used two moves.

No, they weren't even moves; he had just recited two lines of poetry.

"Truly a monster."

With a thought, Jiang Ming pulled up the status panel he had originally set for Li Bai.

Lines of golden text surfaced clearly before his eyes.

【Servant: Li Bai (Courtesy Name: Taibai)】

【Class: Saber】

【Region: China · Great Tang】

【Height: 183cm】

【Weight: 72kg】

【Parameters】

【Strength: B】

【Endurance: C】

【Agility: A+】

【Mana: A】

【Luck: B】

【Noble Phantasm: A++】

【Class Skills】

【Magic Resistance: A】

As the reincarnation of an immortal, he possesses a natural resistance to magecraft. Unless it is highest-tier Age of Gods magecraft, it is difficult to cause him harm.

【Riding: B】

Though he prefers traveling on foot, he can skillfully handle various mounts. Notably, he can "ride" his own poetic verses to achieve short-distance flight when necessary.

【Immortal Manner and Daoist Bones: EX】

A trait as the "Poet Immortal," he possesses a spiritual rank close to a true immortal. He has extremely high resistance to mystery-based attacks and can perceive the flow of mana in his surroundings.

【Chinese Martial Arts (Sword): A+++】

The ultimate martial art that fuses immortal sword techniques with mortal swordsmanship. Every strike contains poetic sentiment, and every form aligns with the Heavenly Dao, reaching the supreme realm of "the sword is the poem, and the poem is the sword."

【Personal Skills】

【Green Lotus Sword Song: A】

A sword style created by Li Bai, integrating the rhythm of poetry into sword forms.

Reciting different verses will trigger different sword intents. For instance, "Its torrent dashes down three thousand feet" can transform into an unstoppable slash, while "Raising my cup, I invite the bright moon" can form a defensive barrier. The power of the swordsmanship is proportional to the emotional investment during recitation.

【Immortal in Wine: B】

A profound state entered after consuming alcohol.

In this state, his perception becomes exceptionally keen, allowing him to foresee the opponent's next move.

Simultaneously, his swordsmanship becomes even more ethereal and unpredictable, as if he has already defeated the enemy invisibly while in a drunken haze.

However, excessive drinking leads to a decline in judgment.

【Unrivaled in Poetry and Sword: A】

When he recites a complete poem, supernatural phenomena occur.

The poetic verses turn into materialized characters flying in the air, each character imbued with mana, capable of attacking enemies or assisting allies.

At its peak, it can even temporarily change the "concept" of the battlefield, such as rewriting the concept of "Battlefield" into "Peach Blossom Spring."

【Noble Phantasm】

【First Noble Phantasm: Green Lotus Sword Song · bring in the wine】

【Rank: A+】

【Type: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm】

【Range: 1-50】

【Maximum Targets: 100 people】

【Description: Reciting "bring in the wine" triggers a storm of sword qi, where every line of poetry transforms into lethal sword qi. When the final line "And with you, I shall dissolve ten thousand years of sorrow" erupts, all enemies within range suffer dual mental and physical damage that ignores defense.

Power increases by 50% when in a drunken state.】

【Second Noble Phantasm: Ballad of Lushan · Its Torrent Dashes Down Three Thousand Feet】

【Rank: B++】

【Type: Anti-City Noble Phantasm】

【Range: 1-99】

【Maximum Targets: 1000 people】

【Description: Materializes the artistic conception of the Lushan Waterfall, summoning a torrential waterfall formed of pure sword qi.

It not only possesses powerful physical impact but also contains the immortal intent of "Wondering if the Silver River has fallen from the ninth heaven," capable of washing away the enemy's mana defenses.】

【Third Noble Phantasm (True Name Release): Venus · Descent of the Evening Star】

【Rank: EX】

【Type: Anti-World Noble Phantasm】

【Range: ——】

【Maximum Targets: ——】

【Description: The awakening of Li Bai's true power as the reincarnation of Venus (the Great White Venus).

For a short duration, he gains power nearing that of a true immortal, with all parameters rising to EX rank, allowing the use of true immortal arts rather than just sword qi.

However, using it results in a prolonged state of weakness.】

Jiang Ming looked at that A+++ Chinese Martial Arts (Sword) and the EX-rank Anti-World Noble Phantasm, knowing very well in his heart.

Although Mirror Image No. 1 possessed the two super abilities [Raven Summoning Technique] and [Child of Weather], he was essentially still a "mage." More fatally, he had no actual combat experience.

In a true life-and-death struggle, Li Bai wouldn't even need to use a Noble Phantasm. With just that A+++ rank "sword is poetry" swordsmanship, he could shatter all of Mirror Image No. 1's tricks along with the man himself within ten moves.

Of course, if it were his original body, possessing even more broken abilities like [Innate Domain], [Mirror Puppet], and [Artifact Crafting], sweeping through wouldn't be much of a problem... Desert Base.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1, who had turned into a flock of ravens, re-condensed his form inside the command center.

He nodded slightly to Chen Jianguo, his expression carrying a perfectly timed hint of fatigue.

"Director Chen, I've made a fool of myself. It seems I still have a lot of room for improvement."

Chen Jianguo gave him a deep look and patted his shoulder.

"You've already done very well. Go rest; we'll handle the follow-up."

"OK."

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 responded and walked into the temporary lounge prepared for him under the complex gazes of the Ninth Bureau members.

Shortly after, Zhang Ruoxu and Li Bai also boarded the return flight, leaving the desert that had witnessed a miracle.

As soon as they left, the gentleness on Chen Jianguo's face vanished instantly.

"Everyone, attention!"

"Convene the post-battle review meeting immediately!"

After the review meeting, this complete combat video was also transmitted to the highest levels in Kyoto through a top-level encrypted channel... Ten thousand meters in the air, on the private jet returning to Longhu Mountain.

Zhang Ruoxu looked at the churning sea of clouds outside the window, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

Is this the conflict between immortals and deities?

He had originally thought that as Li Bai's Master, he was already standing on the threshold of this struggle.

It wasn't until today that he realized the waters of this world were much deeper than he had imagined.

That official consultant, Jiang Ming, was actually a transcendent with unfathomable strength as well.

Zhang Ruoxu was filled with curiosity, but he immediately suppressed it.

The other party was an official person. Getting too involved would not benefit the Daoist sects.

Better to have one less thing to worry about than one more.

He turned his head and looked at Li Bai, who was resting with his eyes closed beside him.

"Taibai."

Li Bai opened his eyes.

Zhang Ruoxu weighed his words and asked.

"In today's battle, you didn't seem to use your full strength."

"If it were a life-and-death struggle, what would be the odds of victory between you and that Consultant Jiang?"

Li Bai picked up the wine gourd at his waist and tilted his head back for a drink.

He didn't answer directly, but merely looked at the clouds outside the window, a free and easy smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

A moment later, he calmly uttered two words.

"I win."