Lin Yun knew clearly that this situation was vastly different from the last time a beast tried to assassinate him.
Back then, even if he couldn’t win, he only needed to hold out briefly for reinforcements to arrive, without needing to defeat the enemy.
This time, to pass the trial, Lin Yun had to defeat and kill the beast!
The battle was deadlocked, with neither side gaining a clear advantage.
If this dragged on, once the Heaven-Slaying Seal’s duration ended, Lin Yun would fall into a weakened state, ensuring his defeat!
The worst part was that Lin Yun had already exhausted all his techniques!
If he were at the Second Layer Mahayana realm, he could break the stalemate and secure victory, but if he came to this trial at that level, the beast would likely be even stronger.
As the final trial before the endpoint, Lin Yun truly felt its difficulty.
Even with his strong ability to fight above his level, it was this challenging; for others, it would be far worse!
“It’s time to try it!”
After another clash, Lin Yun quickly withdrew, pulling out the Nine-Star Pagoda from the previous trial.
Since this was a life-or-death battle, unlike a standard arena match, fairness wasn’t a concern.
No rules prohibited its use, so Lin Yun had no worries about breaking them.
As the Nine-Star Pagoda appeared, Lin Yun swiftly formed a connection with it and infused his inner energy to activate it.
Boom!
A dazzling, radiant light surged from the pagoda, instantly sucking the charging beast inside.
Lin Yun followed, entering the Nine-Star Pagoda.
Inside the Pagoda.
The pagoda formed its own small world, spanning tens of thousands of square metres.
Red light permeated the space, and upon entering, Lin Yun felt lighter, undoubtedly making him more agile.
The beast, however, was immediately suppressed by the pagoda, its condition noticeably weakened.
“Damn it, what is this place?”
The celestial beast looked around, clearly feeling the strong suppression.
“Just a change of venue. Now, let’s fight again!”
With a shout, Lin Yun’s sword struck out, enveloping the beast.
Fierce combat erupted inside the pagoda.
Both sides unleashed their full power.
With the pagoda’s support, Lin Yun gained the upper hand, as the beast’s strength and speed were noticeably reduced under its suppression!
Boom!
After another clash, Lin Yun’s sword grazed the beast’s surface, cutting through its fur and leaving a wound.
But the shallow wound closed and healed in the blink of an eye.
During the fight, Lin Yun had landed multiple wounds, but none caused significant damage.
“Sly human, even if you have the advantage, so what? You still can’t kill me!” the beast roared shrilly.
“Then let’s go again!”
Lin Yun charged forward once more.
Though he appeared dominant, Lin Yun knew his attack power was still insufficient to truly kill the beast!
Boom, boom, boom!
Their fierce clashes produced deafening roars.
Lin Yun’s greatest worry was that, despite his advantage, he couldn’t end the fight. If it dragged on until the Heaven-Slaying Seal’s duration ended, he’d fall into a weakened state.
“I have to try it!”
Lin Yun suddenly halted his attack, retreating to create distance, closing his eyes and recalling the relic master’s sword practice he had witnessed.
Seeing this, the beast leapt up furiously, diving with its massive claws aimed at Lin Yun.
Just as the beast neared, Lin Yun’s eyes snapped open, his sword glowing with concentrated light.
“Shadow Sword Art, Twelfth Form!”
The sword flashed, its power gathered at the tip through intricate movements, striking out like a dragon emerging from water!
This strike’s power far surpassed any of Lin Yun’s previous attacks!
As the sword neared the beast, Lin Yun twisted his wrist, altering its trajectory.
Boom!
The beast’s massive claw struck Lin Yun directly.
But Lin Yun’s sword pierced the beast’s chest, its formidable power cutting through fur and hitting the heart precisely!
“You… you actually…”
The beast’s eyes widened, staring at Lin Yun in disbelief.
It never expected Lin Yun to do this.
“I said, if one of us must die today, it will be you!”
With those words, Lin Yun withdrew his sword.
The celestial beast collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Before the battle, the beast had considered self-destructing if it couldn’t win, taking a human with it to make its death worthwhile.
But Lin Yun’s unexpected strike took its life before it could act.
“Pfft!”
After withdrawing his sword, Lin Yun spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest bloodied and mangled.
That move was a case of killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of his own.
Other immortals wouldn’t dare attempt it, but Lin Yun, with his formidable physical body, had the capital to do so!
After resting briefly, Lin Yun stood up.
Watching the relic master’s sword practice had given him insights, and executing the Twelfth Form of the Shadow Sword Art came naturally.
He also verified the Nine-Star Pagoda’s effectiveness, which was impressive!
“Now, I’m in a weakened state, but fortunately, passing this trial means reaching the endpoint,” Lin Yun said, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
His heart surged with excitement.
What opportunities awaited at the endpoint?
Reaching it should unravel the relic’s many mysteries, right?
Carrying the beast’s corpse, Lin Yun left the pagoda’s space, returning to the arena.
As he returned, a figure appeared in midair.
“Your ability to fight above your level is impressive,” the figure said.
As its words fell, the surroundings shifted, and the arena vanished.
Lin Yun found himself on a small hill, facing a massive stone stele.
“Where is this?” Lin Yun looked around.
Having passed the trial, shouldn’t there be a reward? Why was he sent here without mention of one?
Lin Yun was puzzled.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
The stele suddenly glowed.
A white-robed figure appeared before it.
“Who are you?” Lin Yun’s gaze fixed on the figure.
He could sense this figure was extraordinary, far different from the array-formed figures he’d encountered.
Though just a remnant, this figure exuded immense pressure and an unfathomable aura.
“Young one, reaching this point proves your excellence in every aspect,” the white-robed figure said.
Then, its tone shifted: “But that’s all.”
“Who might you be, senior?” Lin Yun couldn’t help but voice his curiosity.
