Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The Sword Puppetâs test was simple. They just needed to block the sword strikes thrust at them. The sword would attack them from both the left and right sides, and the contestant would have to discern where it would come from.
Even if they made a mistake and were struck by the sword, their injuries wouldnât be fatal. However, if any disciple made more than three mistakes, they would end up failing.
Regardless if one just listened to it or observed it, the test would still seem simple. Still, the expressions on the special-grade students were quite unsightly.
The Sword Puppetâs sword moves seemed mediocre and ordinary, but they were actually quite profound and mysterious. It would sometimes come at them from the left side. However, when the puppet lowered its sword, it would seem like it came at them from the right side.
The reason behind that was the Sword Puppetâs perfect manufacturing, which made it able to move nimbly and freely. Even more critical was its shining eyes. They were made out of Martial Soul Stones and able to discern a studentâs skill with a single glance.
Lin Xuanâs test ended up after he reached the 50th sword move. He had made two mistakes, so his achievement was acceptable. He let out a breath. His forehead was filled with sweat, but he was still satisfied with his results.
This was the difficulty that all special-grade students must face. The students below the special-grade were all overjoyed because it seemed to them that once it was their turns, they would need to face just 10 sword moves.
âWho will go first?â the Deputy Pavilion Master asked.
The Sword Puppet wouldnât force one to use oneâs Sword Domain or Sword Soul. It tested a personâs overall skill, and its test was more accurate than the Sword Doctrineâs test.
âWho will go first among you?â The Deputy Pavilion Master looked at the seven special-grade students.
The seven students exchanged glances. One among them immediately stepped out. It was a student that Lu Ping had seen several times but had never spoken to.
That student was quite solemn as he tightly held his sword. He realized how powerful the Sword Puppet was. The test wouldnât give regard to his feelings.
The Sword Puppetâs eyes lit up. It locked onto the student and instantly thrust its sword.
After a short while, the students who had assumed the Sword Pavilion lowered the difficulty were all dumbfounded. This studentâs performance was completely different than Lin Xuan.
He ended up in a sorry state when he faced the first 10 sword moves. When he reached the 12th sword move, he made a mistake and felt even more pressure. He ended up making another mistake while facing the 14th sword move. He made a third mistake while facing the 20th sword move and was eliminated.
This student was stunned and looked quite dejected. He wanted to say something, but he quickly recalled the difficulty of special-grade studentsâ graduation exams. He understood the reason behind his failure. As he thought back to Lin Xuanâs performance, he was astonished.
Lin Xuan raised his head proudly and enjoyed the crowdâs gazes.
âItâs unknown how many times this guy practiced in the Sword Tower,â Lin Shuangyue said in a low voice. âIf that wasnât the case, he wouldnât have the gall to show off here,â
Lu Ping also felt like that was the reason behind it, but he didnât bother commenting on the matter.
âThe Sword Puppet possesses a simple mind,â Xia Yi said. âOnce the first mistake is made, it will adjust the difficulty. If a mistake is not made, the Sword Puppetâs sword strikes become more merciless.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Even though she shared the Sword Puppetâs special traits, nothing would change. That knowledge wouldnât be of any help to the students.
âI will go,â Shi Xiao said.
He felt like it would be better to get the test done early and walked toward the Sword Puppet. Regardless of whether test changed or not, he didnât hold any expectations for it.
Everyone before who attempted to condense a Sword Soul or Sword Domain ended up failing. However, Shi Xiao still had a performance better than all disciples who passed the test before him. The reason was perhaps because his mentality had slightly changed.
It was during the 27th sword move that he made his third mistake. The Sword Pavilionâs students started discussing the Sword Puppet.
âThis isnât any easier than the Sword Doctrineâs test.â
âIt seems like itâs difficult to join the Sword Tower.â
âIs it possible that they are making it difficult for us on purpose?â
Upon hearing their discussions, Xia Yi disdainfully expressed her opinion. âIf you were in the Sword Tower, you would only be qualified enough if you could block a hundred sword moves.â
The higher the number of sword moves, the greater the difficulty. The sword moves wouldnât be more simple just because they were allowed to make up to three mistakes.
An odd look appeared on Lin Xuanâs face. It was obvious that he didnât have any assurance of reaching the 100th sword move.
âContinue,â the Deputy Pavilion Master said.
Xia Yi didnât give regard to an elder like the Deputy Pavilion Master. She looked at Lu Ping and asked, âHow long you will wait until taking it?â
She had come to the testing because she heard that a youthful genius able to create his own Sword Doctrine had appeared, which was an extremely rare feat. Every genius needed to accumulate enough experience and cultivate for a long time to achieve it. One had to first get a Sword Doctrineâs inheritance and comprehend a Sword Spirit before gradually changing it. That was the path most people took.
âWhy are you so anxious? You didnât say that we had to take it in turns.â Lin Shuangyue was annoyed by Xia Yiâs attitude and revealed her fiery temper once again.
Everyone who knew her well realized that she was helping Lu Ping. She was speaking for him because she considered him a friend.
âOur time is precious, and we donât have enough free time to waste here,â Xia Yu said with a hint of displeasure.
âHehe, you are really amusing,â Lin Shuangyue said. âDid anyone block your path and stop you here?â
âYou!â A fiendish look appeared in Xia Yiâs eyes.
âShuangyue, why is your temper so bad?â Lin Xuan asked. âYou should behave better.â
If Lin Yue wasnât there, Lin Xuan wouldnât have simply said those words. He would have started reprimanding her long ago.
âSomeone here is completely unreasonable, yet you are still helping an outsider,â Lin said as she strode toward the Sword Puppet humming a song. âLu Ping, you can stay idle while I go there.â
Lin Shuangyue was loitering on purpose. She didnât even unsheathe her sword. She just walked in circles around the Sword Puppet. She walked around it two times. The Sword Puppet didnât take any actions then because Lin Shuangyue didnât take out her sword.
Xia Yi and her companion were infuriated, but they didnât dare assault her.
Most of the Sword Pavilionâs students took Lin Yue as a youngster from the Sword Tower. Some of them were aware of some secrets. If they observed carefully, they would realize that the formation had never appeared before.
âFine, fine.â Lin Shuangyue shrugged her shoulders and stopped stalling for time.
She put her hand on her sheath. The Sword Puppetâs eyes shone brightly. It locked into Lin Shuangyueâs aura and quickly used a sword move.
The careless look on Lin Shuangyueâs pretty face disappeared and was replaced by an earnest expression. She was better than the previous two people. It seemed like she had an imposing aura similar to Lin Xuan.
Lin Shuangyue didnât make a single mistake while facing the first 16 sword moves. It was only in the 20th sword move that the sword changed its path and deceived her eyes. It was then that she made the first mistake.
One could clearly see that sweat was on her forehead. It didnât seem to affect her. During the 36th sword move, she made her second mistake. She had a single opportunity left.
âHumph, luck doesnât play a role in the Sword Puppetâs test,â Xia Yi said. âAll sword moves above the 40s will be more difficult.â
It was true. Lin Shuangyue was caught off-guard when she faced the 40th sword move. She almost ended up making another mistake. It seemed from her current appearance that it would be more difficult for her to block the next 10 sword moves.
As she was becoming restless, a sound transmission reached her ears. âA spirit sword is hidden inside the box. It has both a Doctrine and oneâs feelings. As long as one Sword Heart doesnât disappear, one wonât need a divine destiny.â
The person speaking didnât leave her enough time to ponder such a statement and immediately spoke in a sharp tone, âConcentrate fully, and donât let yourself be distracted.â
It seemed like this voice possessed magical power. It helped Lin Shuangyue calm down. It was like his voice was a bright mirror illuminating her mind and scattering the fog engulfing it.
The sword in Lin Shuangyueâs hand started intensely shaking.