As Lin Yun drew his treasured sword, the vast inner energy within him surged instantly. Under the transformation of the Ultimate Dragon Art, golden light flashed across his body, and faint dragon roars echoed from within.
The four silver-armoured statues stood outside the circle, watching the spectacle.
“Lin Yun just came out of the Thousand Mechanism Chamber and immediately launched a challenge. Does he really think he can pass?”
“Relying solely on the opportunity from the Thousand Mechanism Chamber to pass the advanced test in one go? Impossible!”
“Well, that’s true. He’s only at the third stage of the Myriad Things Realm. Even with reduced difficulty, the gap is too wide.”
The silver-armoured statues discussed and speculated among themselves.
Inside the circle.
“Captain, here I come!”
Ocean Form!
Lin Yun’s sword flashed like lightning, his physical strength and divine sense erupting and infusing the strike.
Facing the incoming sword, the black mist figure swiftly waved its hand, condensing a black mist whip that lashed out.
“Crack!”
A deafening sound rang out as the powerful shockwave from the clash rippled through the air.
“Lin Yun, your strength hasn’t changed much. If you rely on these moves to win, it’s far from enough,” the black mist figure said calmly, standing its ground.
“Then let’s get serious.”
Heaven-Slaying Seal!
Lin Yun formed a seal with one hand, instantly condensing five blood seals on his chest, his aura surging noticeably.
“Dragon God Claw!”
Lin Yun twisted his sword-wielding right arm, which became covered in dragon scales. A destructive, terrifying force radiated from it.
Now trained to the sixth claw, the Dragon God Claw was far more powerful than before.
“Captain, take this!”
Lin Yun moved like a darting rabbit, his sword transforming into a massive ocean wave, enveloping the black mist figure.
Dragon Emperor Bone, activate!
A burst of azure light flashed within Lin Yun, and a surge of immense power poured out, further amplifying the sword’s might.
Against the black mist figure’s formidable strength, Lin Yun had to unleash all his techniques rapidly.
“You’ve gotten much stronger!”
A flicker of surprise passed through the black mist figure’s eyes. It waved both hands, and a powerful black mist surged from its body, forming a towering wave that crashed forward with overwhelming force.
Boom!
The two forces collided in a dazzling spectacle, shaking the entire temple.
The black mist wave trembled violently under Lin Yun’s sword’s power, then shattered with a boom, the residual force surging toward the black mist figure.
Under the onslaught, the black mist figure was forced back over ten steps.
Lin Yun didn’t pause, charging forward with his sword, its astonishing power enveloping the black mist figure again.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Fierce clashes erupted continuously.
Lin Yun even held a slight advantage.
Compared to his last challenge, the enhanced Dragon God Claw had shifted the battle’s dynamics.
But the advantage was still slim.
Lin Yun wasn’t rushed; he was waiting for the perfect moment to unleash his Lingyun Sword Technique to secure victory in one strike.
“Lin Yun, you’ve improved, but this progress still isn’t enough to knock me out of the circle. As I said, you can’t pass the advanced test now. Go back, train for a few more years, and try again,” the black mist figure said while countering Lin Yun’s attacks.
“Captain, no need. Today’s the day!” Lin Yun’s lips curled into a smile.
His sword trembled, and the full power of the origin-grade weapon erupted.
Lingyun Sword Technique!
Whoosh!
The sword spun and twisted, forming a massive air vortex, blending strength and softness to convert his power into even greater force.
This strike carried all of Lin Yun’s strength and techniques.
“What?”
Sensing the power in this strike, the black mist figure’s expression changed drastically.
“Dark Essence Shield!”
The black mist figure instantly conjured a massive black mist shield, frantically pouring black mist to reinforce it.
Lin Yun’s sword, carrying a colossal vortex wave, sliced through the air at astonishing speed, striking the black mist shield.
Boom!
A thunderous roar echoed as a terrifying wave swept out like a tsunami.
The black mist shield, frantically reinforced, held for only a moment before shattering with a boom. The unstoppable force surged toward the black mist figure.
Under this onslaught, the black mist figure was sent flying uncontrollably, soaring hundreds of metres.
It was out of the circle!
The black mist figure stabilised itself, now standing outside the circle.
“Phew, I won.”
Lin Yun exhaled, a smile spreading across his face.
In his previous advanced test, even unleashing the sword soul’s power of his origin-grade weapon had only pushed the black mist figure back a dozen metres.
This time, with the enhanced Dragon God Claw and his improved swordsmanship, these advancements had finally secured his victory.
Before starting the challenge, Lin Yun knew that if these two enhancements still couldn’t win, passing the advanced test might take an unknown amount of time.
“This guy… he actually knocked the captain out!”
The four silver-armoured statues watching had exaggerated expressions, clearly stunned by the outcome.
“Even though the captain suppressed his strength by a realm because Lin Yun is at the third stage of the Myriad Things Realm, winning like this… it’s just absurd, isn’t it?”
“This guy is incredible. With the resources of this world, achieving such strength at the third stage of the Myriad Things Realm makes him a true prodigy!”
When the four statues looked at Lin Yun again, their gazes had changed.
In the arena.
“Captain, I passed the advanced test, right?” Lin Yun sheathed his sword, smiling at the black mist figure.
“You’re something else, kid. You actually did it,” the black mist figure said, its face showing a hint of shock.
“Captain, you flatter me. In a real fight, I probably couldn’t perform like this, especially since you suppressed your strength,” Lin Yun said with a grin.
Lin Yun could tell that throughout the advanced test, the black mist figure had focused on defence, not actively trying to defeat him.
“Passing the test at the third stage of the Myriad Things Realm is already remarkable. Congratulations, you’re promoted to Heavenly Fire Leader. You’re now the second Heavenly Fire Leader in this continent, on the same level as Mo Bai and me. No need to treat me as a superior anymore. Just call me Old Black,” the black mist figure said.
