"Hmph, cheap tricks," Rahu snorted.
His eyes flashed violet, and a loud crack followed.
CRRRRAAAACK!!
TZZZHHHRRRAAANG—!!
The view in front of him shattered like glass, pulling him back to reality.
"Hmm, was that an illusion? Or did the formation tamper with my mind? No...it’s these stairs," Rahu murmured curiously. The reason he was surprised was that he actually ’felt’ that [Sword Intent], suggesting this was no mere illusion.
Keeping his guard up, he resumed his walking, and now with each step the pressure increased sharply by 30 percent. After a while, he started to feel the abnormal pressure.
"Is this...really supposed to be taken by a Body Structuring Realm cultivator? I’m sure the cultivators in the back cannot withstand the sheer pressure alone."
Rahu can’t help but be skeptical; if not for his strong body, he was sure he would’ve been meat paste by now.
Again, the same burst of [Sword Intent] flashed, this time, Rahu knew it was not a mere illusion, but he didn’t dare reveal the [Sword Aura], he could have ended it in a second, but revealing further would’ve caused some complications.
One, he wasn’t a core disciple yet; second, he had no solid backing, sure he could garner support, and he was sure the sect would nurture him.
But, the thing is, Vivianne had told him that even among the Elders, there are only a few who have mastered [Sword Aura], so we could see how rare it is.
Not to mention its unusual color that screamed evil.
Back to the trials, Rahu swung his sword, meeting it with sheer [Sword Intent] alone.
Again, he returned to the same spot and pressed on. The pressure now was intense enough that he had started sweating, but he did not lower his head, nor his back.
Though a flicker of annoyance did pass in his eyes, the pressure was annoying. It was the first time he was experiencing this.
After countless other ’Illusions’, Rahu finally reached the top; it took him exactly an hour and a half to pass this test.
He sat down, panting, and began to absorb Mana. He was a bit exhausted, you know, after all, he was just a handsome little Body Structuring Realm cultivator.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Elder Thorne standing in front of him with a stunned expression.
"Y-you brat, did you not take the pill?!" Elder Thorne said in a surprised voice, staring at Rahu ,like he’d just spotted a rare animal.
"What? How the fuck should I know what it is? And you never told me what it was for!" Rahu hissed in annoyance; understanding dawned upon him.
Elder Thorne’s eyes twitched, but he controlled his emotions at the blatant disrespect.
"...It was a body-strengthening pill, an advanced one at that, and it also had a mind-calming effect, specifically designed for this [Trial Of Will] and you...completed it without even consuming it!"
Sigh
"No wonder it took me so much effort, Elder. I am finished recovering, let’s move on to the next trial," he said, no need to drag this.
"Sigh, alright, follow me," Elder Thorne flicked his sleeves and started walking.
...
High above in the sect’s main hall, Celestia Blade Peak.
Yueshan stared incredulously at the scene below, not just her, all the Elder’s present there were astonished.
No, not because of his handsomeness, it was the fact that a mere 7th-stage Body Structuring Realm cultivator had completed the 2nd trial without using any mana!
Not to mention, he hadn’t even taken the body-strengthening pill, and his only reaction to this was...annoyance. Yes, this man was so arrogant that he criticised and even cursed in front of Elder Thorne!
"His body...is unusually strong for his level," Yueshane muttered in a silent voice, earning a nod from the Elders sitting nearby.
Even Elder Tristan wasn’t an exception; they were all watching eagerly for his next trials.
...
Both of them reached an enclosed training ground. In the center of the ground stood a puppet.
A dense metallic puppet was standing there like a log. It was tall, rigid, and motionless. He instantly guesses what the trial is going to be. Seeing his expression, the Elder nodded.
"Yes, as you have guessed, you have to fight it for 20 minutes; if you’re still standing, you pass," Elder Thorne said, pointing at the puppet.
"And what if I destroy it?" Rahu asked with a smirk.
"You can’t, you see, it’s made of special metal that couldn’t be broken with your current...cultivation." Elder Thorne chose his words carefully; after all, he couldn’t outright tell him he was weak.
"And?"
"Sigh, you will receive a separate present from the sect master herself," Elder Thorne replied after careful thinking and a sudden message from a certain someone.
"Alright," Rahu grinned, a part of him was thrilled, not for the present but to meet the sect leader. He really couldn’t contain his lascivious nature.
"Let’s begin."
Saying that, a ray shot from his hand towards the puppet.
The metallic puppet shook, its eyes flashing crimson. Rahu, who was halfway drawing his sword, instantly swung his sword back.
Clang!!!
Two swords collided ferociously, sparks flying in the air!
"He’s fast!" Rahu took a few steps back hurriedly.
The puppet followed him with astonishing speed and slashed at his neck. Rahu raised his sword defensively, blocking out the slash.
He spun and kicked the puppet in the stomach.
BOOM
The puppet flew a meter back and stabilised on its feet. Launching yet another strike towards him.
The battle continued back and forth, with Rahu attacking aggressively and the puppet on defense.
Sometimes, the puppet even kicked its legs and tried to punch him in the face. Which Rahu deflected successfully. Though there were some cuts on Rahu’s body, the puppet was not an ordinary one.
And finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rahu managed to cut off his arm using only [Sword Sense], mind you, [Sword Sense], not [Sword Intent].
Not giving a chance to recover, he slashed his blade at the puppet with devastating force. blasting its legs apart.
Just as he was about to end the battle, something astonishing happened. Rahu was dumbfounded.