In response to Atez’s provocation, Daniel’s face broke into a faint smile.
Just moments ago, using his Eye of Insight, he had already seen through all of Atez’s hidden trump cards.
Atez was indeed a fairly powerful Fake God, but that was all he was—merely "fairly powerful."
When compared to Faer, who had once been at the same Fake God level, Atez’s strength barely reached half of what Faer had been capable of.
However, this was still quite impressive.
"Atez, have you ever fought against your father?" Daniel asked.
Atez froze for a moment when he heard the question, before shaking his head and frowning as he spoke.
"My foolish father always refuses to engage in a battle with me," he replied.
"But in my opinion, he’s just afraid of embarrassing himself in public."
"After all, I now possess all of his knowledge and have reached the limit of my own path," Atez continued with confidence. "So, even if Faer stood before me, I have full confidence that I could defeat him."
Seeing Atez’s overflowing self-assurance, Daniel couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
After thinking for a moment, Daniel finally spoke up.
"Though I don’t know where your confidence comes from, I must tell you that when Faer was a Fake God, he was far stronger than you are now."
"If he wanted to, he could easily defeat you with a single strike."
"This world is far more dangerous than you think, so I advise you to have a clear understanding of your own strength."
Facing an opponent like Atez, Daniel couldn’t summon much interest.
He was well aware that with just one use of a God Rank Skill, he could easily crush Atez.
But since this was Faer’s request, Daniel decided to offer some guidance. After all, it was for old times’ sake.
On the other side, Atez’s expression darkened the moment he heard Daniel’s words.
"What are you saying? Do you think I’m weak?"
"Since that’s how you feel, then I’ll show you my true power."
After saying this, Atez quickly unleashed his Fire Domain.
In the next instant, the sky above the City of Elements seemed to be engulfed in flames, with the blazing inferno bringing about a terrifying level of heat.
Yet Daniel remained standing in place, not even moving an inch.
He glanced towards Atez, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said, "Since you’re so confident in yourself, I’ll just stand here and let you attack."
"If I take even one step, then this match is yours."
Atez’s anger became even more apparent when he heard Daniel’s words.
In his mind, Daniel was deliberately provoking him.
"Damn it, it seems you don’t take me seriously at all," Atez muttered.
"Well then, I’ll make sure to teach you a lesson."
With that, Atez, at the center of the fiery eruption, summoned a violet-red fire lotus that quickly took form.
The moment the fire lotus appeared, the overwhelming heat immediately made the surrounding space tremble with intensity!
"Take a taste of my attack!"
"Lotus Flame Hell!"
The next instant, the fire lotus enveloped Daniel entirely, flames raging so fiercely that Daniel’s figure was almost completely obscured.
Still, Daniel stood unmoving, his clothes undamaged by the searing heat, not even the faintest singe.
"So, is this all you’ve got?" Daniel asked as he looked at Atez with a faint touch of derision in his eyes.
Atez, whose prideful nature had been stoked by Daniel’s provocation, grew even more furious. His fiery form suddenly grew several times larger!
"You’ve really angered me now!"
"Since that’s the case, let me show you the true power of fire!"
With a roar, Atez unleashed an even more violent torrent of flames, waves of fire crashing down on Daniel in an all-consuming fury.
Despite the terrifying spectacle before him, Daniel did not open his domain.
He simply gazed at Atez with calm mockery in his eyes.
"It seems you still haven’t grasped the situation," Daniel remarked.
"You have no idea how strong your father really is. Based on the strength you’ve shown, you’re nowhere near his level."
"Right now, I’ll only show you your father’s power. Pay attention and feel it for yourself."
With that, Daniel slowly raised his palm.
The next moment, his Infinity Domain was unleashed, and Atez’s Fire Domain was shattered almost instantly.
The immense disparity between their powers left Atez completely dumbfounded, unable to speak.
"How... how is this possible? How did you do that?"
Daniel sighed softly, a look of pity in his eyes as he gazed at Atez.
"Truthfully, I didn’t even need to activate my domain to easily defeat you."
"What you just witnessed was merely the strength your father possessed. Even with only that, I could easily kill you."
"Now, do you understand how powerful your father really was?"
Atez’s face grew pale, the realization dawning on him that the father he had always looked down upon was far more powerful than he had ever imagined.
However, just as this thought crossed his mind, Atez’s eyes suddenly filled with doubt and astonishment.
"Then what about you? Are you even stronger than my father?"
"Don’t forget, my father reached the level of a True God."
Daniel nodded gently before snapping his fingers, instantly retracting his domain.
For someone like Atez, who had been spoiled his whole life, Daniel only needed to break his confidence. That alone was enough.
He wanted Atez to understand that there were always greater forces in the world, that no matter how powerful one became, there was always someone stronger.
This was precisely what Faer had hoped Daniel would accomplish.
"Your father is indeed very powerful, and I am not his match."
"But think about this carefully: why is it that, throughout history, only I have been able to leave my name on the Fate Stone?"
Atez fell into silence. Though incredibly proud and often dismissive of others, Atez was far from a fool.
On the contrary, he possessed considerable potential, and thus he quickly understood the hidden meaning in Daniel’s words.
Just then, a bolt of lightning struck from the sky, landing right at Atez’s feet.
The sheer destructive power radiating from the lightning made Atez freeze in place, unable to move.
It was only now that he truly realized the extent of the power wielded by the Crossbridge Monarch standing before him.
Daniel no longer paid Atez any mind, turning his gaze towards Mihani.
"I think this is enough. If I push him any further, I’m afraid this child will collapse entirely."
Mihani, her expression complex, nodded in agreement.
"I believe that should be enough."