Xu Nian had once again exchanged a few blows with the Xu Nian in white before him, resulting in the same outcome as before.
Both men had similar levels of strength, comprehension, and even physical robustness.
"Ha ha, you can't defeat me. On the contrary, you will ultimately lose to me. Haven't you realized that your power is continually draining during the battle, whereas mine isn't?" the Xu Nian in white laughed heartily as he spoke.
Xu Nian paused slightly.
It seemed to really be the case.
The white-robed Xu Nian's power hadn't diminished since the beginning, while Xu Nian himself had depleted some Spiritual Energy and Gang Qi due to the previous fights.
If this continued, wouldn't the gap between them keep widening?
That would be extremely disadvantageous for him.
"Ha ha, it looks like you've figured it out. Yes, it's because of the Great Formation. My power comes from the Great Formation. As long as the Great Formation exists, my power can continue endlessly, but yours will gradually deplete and you will finally lose to me," the white-robed Xu Nian laughed loudly again.
Upon hearing this, Xu Nian's expression grew more serious.
Indeed, the second level's test was not as simple as he had thought; it was even harder than he had imagined.
"Humph, just wait to die. Only I am the true Xu Nian, and I will complete everything you're supposed to do," the white-robed Xu Nian said sharply, a black sword appearing in his hand.
Yes, even the weapons were exactly the same.
"Die!" the white-robed Xu Nian bellowed, slashing his sword at Xu Nian.
Wind's Absolute Kill, Fierce Blade Dance.
Countless Wind Blades suddenly poured down like a waterfall from the heavens, utterly crushing Xu Nian into fragments.
Xu Nian's arm trembled, and the Black God appeared in his hand as well.
Fierce Blade Dance as well.
With one slash, Sword Qi poured out, clashing against the numerous Wind Blades.
The Wind Blades collided, ultimately exploding into a storm.
The scattered fragments of the Wind Blades fell onto the surrounding floor and walls, leaving behind trail after trail of sword marks.
Xu Nian's robe was shredded in several places by the Wind Blades, leaving numerous slashes on his body.
However, Xu Nian didn't care, for he noticed that the white-robed Xu Nian had disappeared.
At that moment, a terrifying Sword Qi poured forth from behind him, seemingly ready to split the space into two halves.
A massive Wind Blade, like the arc of a moon, split the air, slashing towards Xu Nian with an incredibly fierce aura.
Xu Nian frowned; he could handle others' moves with ease.
Facing his own, however, was quite a headache indeed.
This Wind Blade Kill was indeed a highly lethal move.
"Break for me," Xu Nian finally grew angry.
Green Spiritual Energy surged in his hands, his robe rustling like the roar of tigers and dragons.
"I refuse to believe you know this move too," Xu Nian scoffed, his eyes flashing with disdain.
The sound of a dragon's roar burst forth from within him.
Two Sleeves Green Dragon burst forth, Sword Qi extending in all directions.
With one slash, the Sword Qi soared like an Azure Dragon, slaughtering for thousands of miles.
The Azure Dragon Sword Qi roared, instantly shattering the crescent formed by the Wind Blade Kill, heading straight for the white-robed Xu Nian.
The white-robed Xu Nian's face changed, quickly turning his sword into a fist, deploying the Dragon King Fist.
The Azure Dragon Fist Force collided with the Azure Dragon Sword Qi, emitting a deafening sound, causing the entire Sky-reaching Tower to tremble.
Outside the Sky-reaching Tower, everyone was shocked.
Staring blankly at the second level of the Sky-reaching Tower.
What kind of battle took place inside the Sky-reaching Tower to cause such a commotion?
"It seems he has entered into a tough battle, defeating others is easy, but defeating oneself is hard!" the tower guardian spoke again.
The Artifact Refining Sect Master laughed, "Great Elder, why not make a bet? I wager that Xu Nian will reach the third level within two hours, betting your piece of Fire Separation Demon Gold."
"Two hours? Impossible, I'll take that bet. If you lose, your Purple Phoenix Blood will belong to me," the tower guardian stated confidently.
"A deal is a deal, no regrets," smiled the Artifact Refining Sect Master.
The tower guardian huffed lightly, not believing he would lose.
"Hmph, last time it was Xu Nian's luck. He won't be able to pass the second level this time; he might even die inside the Sky-reaching Tower," Nangong Qing said coldly, looking toward the direction of the Sky-reaching Tower.
The elite disciples around nodded in agreement or maintained a skeptical attitude.
Yann Hong and Yann Xi looked toward the second level, their faces tense and they remained silent.
Xu Nian in white breathed heavily, glaring fiercely at Xu Nian.
That last sword strike had nearly taken his life.
Even so, his sleeves were gone, and his arms were covered with dense sword marks.
One Sleeve Azure Dragon?
It was entirely formed by numerous Wind Blades condensing into a dragon shape, more lethal than Wind Blade Kill.
"When did you learn this move?" the white-clothed Xu Nian asked with a dark look in his eyes.
Xu Nian revealed a cold, arrogant smile.
"Since you are my shadow, you should understand that my true strength lies in improving constantly. You may be my shadow, but your combat power remains at the moment I entered the Great Formation. Now, I am no longer who I was at that time," Xu Nian said arrogantly.
The white-clothed Xu Nian's expression turned grave.
It was apparent to Xu Nian that this move was something he had comprehended during the fight.
And as his shadow, he simply lacked such powerful comprehending ability.
"I can't accept this, I must kill you," the white-clothed Xu Nian roared, as the Meteorite Iron Hammer appeared in his hand.
A powerful aura burst from his body, enhancing the Meteorite Iron Hammer with the mighty mountain's force.
It was as though the white-clothed Xu Nian was not swinging a hammer, but a majestic mountain.
However, Xu Nian's face bore a light smile, with no trace of fear in his eyes.
Defeating oneself is hard, but overcoming one's past self is not so far out of reach.
"It's time to end this, a shadow is merely a shadow, you will always live under my shadow," Xu Nian's eyes sharpened, and a Kingly Aura erupted from him.
The Meteorite Iron Hammer appeared.
It too was like a meteor.
But now, the mountain force in Xu Nian's hands was even more substantial, its presence even more majestic.
Xu Nian roared loudly, swinging his hammer to collide with the white-clothed Xu Nian's hammer.
The ground instantly cracked, the fissures spreading like a spider's web.
And under the terrifying force of the mountain-like blow, the white-clothed Xu Nian was completely shattered.
The crushing force of the mountain was enough to flatten a person into a pancake.
This battle, Xu Nian was victorious.
From the second level, he ascended to the third level.
Outside the Sky-reaching Tower, everyone watched the suddenly lit-up formation of the third level, their faces filled with immense surprise.
Xu Nian had actually passed the second level and moved to the third.
Seeing this scene, the tower guardian felt both anger and joy.
The Artifact Refining Sect Master laughed heartily, feeling extraordinarily refreshed all over.