[Congratulations! You have mastered this sword technique within one month and have been recognized as a Legacy Disciple.]
[Next, you will undergo a combat assessment. Rewards will vary based on your performance.]
Han Jue paused, confusion flickering across his features.
Why had they jumped straight into the combat assessment? Was he too talented? Had his rapid mastery allowed him to skip the intermediate learning stages entirely?
The answer, he suspected, was yes.
Learning sword techniques had always come easily to him, almost effortlessly so. This unnamed sword technique lacked any inherent Artistic Conception, it was simply an ordinary blade art in that regard, yet it could achieve a maximum power amplification of twenty times while simultaneously enhancing defensive capabilities.
Compared to the highest power multipliers found throughout the universe, which could reach one hundred times, twenty times wasn't particularly impressive. However, it completely eclipsed any sword technique currently available on Earth.
Han Jue didn't know what secret techniques others who'd entered these ruins had encountered, but he was confident none were as powerful as what he'd just mastered. Otherwise, the Nine-Layer Thunder Blade wouldn't hold its position as Earth's most powerful sword technique with its mere nine-times amplification.
With his Six Eyes ability, mastering this foundational skill had posed no challenge whatsoever.
One day.
In just one day, Han Jue had completely mastered the sword technique!
"Come on, then," Han Jue murmured, drawing Frost from his back, his eyes sharp with anticipation as he gazed toward a corner of the white room where a door had suddenly materialized. "Let me see what a real combat assessment entails."
The door swung open with a hiss of pressurized air.
A bronze-colored, streamlined robot emerged from the darkness beyond, its movements fluid and precise despite its mechanical nature.
[The robot's strength equals the trial-taker's current capabilities. Defeat it within one hour. Exceeding the time limit will result in failure and forced expulsion from the inheritance site.]
Didn't Thunder God say you could wait out the time limit? Han Jue thought with mild irritation. Why is there still an elimination clause?
Perhaps the rules changed once you'd successfully learned a technique. Or perhaps Thunder God simply hadn't progressed far enough to encounter this particular restriction.
Either way, Han Jue remained supremely confident.
He was invincible at his level. This robot wouldn't be any different.
The robot's arm transformed seamlessly, morphing into a longsword blade that gleamed with the same bronze coloration as its body. Without warning, it launched forward, unleashing a series of sword techniques that Han Jue instantly recognized as the ones he'd just mastered.
Of course it uses the same technique, he thought wryly. That would be too easy otherwise.
"Clang!"
Frost and the robot's blade collided with explosive force, the impact sending shockwaves through Han Jue's arms. Neither weapon could overpower the other in that initial exchange!
Han Jue took a sharp step backward, reassessing his opponent with analytical precision. The robot possessed greater raw strength than him, that much was immediately apparent, but its movements were slower, more deliberate. Speed was his advantage, and he would exploit it ruthlessly.
"Swish!"
In just five seconds, Han Jue and the robot collided dozens of times, their blades creating a symphony of metallic strikes that echoed through the white chamber.
Neither could gain decisive advantage. They were perfectly matched.
Han Jue's mind raced, calculating countermeasures and testing theories with each exchange. This robot was remarkably resilient. Even employing the twenty-times force amplification technique he'd just learned, what good would it do? His raw strength alone couldn't breach its defenses. The machine's body was too durable, its construction too sophisticated.
What's the solution?
As Han Jue continued fending off the robot's relentless attacks, a growing sense of unease crept through him. Something about this exchange felt fundamentally wrong, though he couldn't quite identify what.
The robot seemed to possess some special form of agility, something beyond mere programming or mechanical precision.
Its movements became increasingly refined with each passing moment, flowing from one technique to the next with liquid grace. It blocked Han Jue's strikes effortlessly, predicting his angles before he committed to them. What had initially been a balanced contest gradually shifted in the robot's favor. Even Han Jue's superior speed was beginning to lose its effectiveness against such precise defensive positioning.
This form of movement seemed specifically designed to complement the unnamed sword technique!
Could this be the true test? Han Jue wondered, his eyes widening with sudden comprehension. Not just defeating the robot, but learning from it?
The realization ignited something within him, that familiar hunger for understanding, for growth, for mastery.
His Six Eyes activated fully, memorizing the robot's every movement with perfect clarity. Each step, each pivot, each subtle weight shift was recorded and analyzed, then replayed within his mind for deeper study.
He began imitating the robot's movements, testing them against his own muscle memory and spatial awareness. To his astonishment, he discovered they seemed to conform, however slightly, to the fundamental principles governing the Origin of Space itself!
Of course, the overlap was minimal, barely perceptible. But even that small degree of conformity elevated the robot's agility to a level far superior to what Han Jue had achieved through conventional training alone.
Previously, although his Six Eyes granted him direct perception of spatial law operations, that ability had offered limited practical benefit. As a mere Apprentice-level warrior, he'd struggled to grasp the profound mysteries contained within those geometric patterns of universal truth.
Now, however, Han Jue saw hope, a genuine pathway to harnessing this unique ability for tangible combat advantage!
"Clang!"
Their swords clashed again, but this time the outcome differed. While Han Jue didn't gain the upper hand, he'd regained equilibrium. The balance of power had been restored.
Only a few minutes had passed since the battle commenced. Han Jue still had plenty of strength and stamina remaining.
Through constant combat with the robot, imitating its movements, learning its rhythms, studying how it integrated technique with spatial principles, he systematically refined his own swordsmanship. Each exchange brought new insight, each failed attack revealed another lesson waiting to be absorbed.
The robot adapted as well, its artificial intelligence learning from their exchanges just as Han Jue did. It became faster, more precise, more dangerous with each passing moment.
But Han Jue was learning faster.
Finally!
"Come again!" Han Jue shouted, excitement blazing in his eyes as he swung his sword with renewed vigor.
"Whoosh!"
Wave!
The self-created sword move he'd been refining throughout this entire encounter finally crystallized into perfect form. Combining the unnamed twenty-times amplification technique, principles from the Everlasting Sword Technique, his comprehension of Water's Artistic Conception, and the spatial movement patterns he'd learned from the robot itself, Han Jue had created something entirely new.
After nearly half an hour of fierce combat, constant adaptation, and relentless study, Han Jue had perfected his first truly original sword technique!
This single devastating strike overwhelmed the robot's defenses for the first time, sending it staggering backward. The machine attempted to compensate, to adjust its stance and recover its balance, but Han Jue pressed his advantage mercilessly.
He'd found the opening he needed. Now he would exploit it until victory was absolute.
Meanwhile, in China, in the Three Gorges region where the Yangtze River carved its path through ancient stone, events of equal significance were unfolding far beneath the water's surface.
"War God Han Hechang, it's an honor," a young man said with practiced politeness, bowing respectfully.
Han Hechang acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod, his attention already shifting to assess the three black-clad figures standing in formation behind the young man. Each radiated the controlled power of a trained warrior, their postures speaking volumes about their combat experience.
"These three are from the Glory Legion," the young man explained, gesturing toward the trio with obvious pride. "They are specialists invited by my Wang family and the Xu family to assist with this expedition. In addition, each of our families will contribute one warrior of our own, bringing our total party to six for the exploration of the ancient ruins."
Han Hechang had heard of the Glory Legion, their reputation preceded them. It was a foreign mercenary force, led by a councilor-level powerhouse, and they'd built considerable renown throughout the global warrior community for their professionalism and success rate.
Han Hechang studied the three mercenaries with analytical precision: two mid-level War Gods, their auras stable and controlled, and one high-level War God whose presence carried unmistakable authority. The high-level warrior was likely the team leader among the mercenaries.
Together with the two mid-level War Gods representing the Wang and Xu families respectively, they formed what should be sufficient force for exploring whatever mysteries lay below.
"According to the agreed-upon distribution of findings," the young man continued, his tone shifting to something more businesslike, "you'll receive twenty-five percent of all recovered treasures. My Wang family and the Xu family will each take thirty percent. The remaining fifteen percent will be divided among these three mercenary specialists. Is there any objection to these terms?"
"The arrangement is acceptable," Han Hechang replied, his voice measured and calm. He turned his gaze downward, toward the massive river flowing endlessly past them, concealing secrets that had remained hidden for countless millennia.
The ruins were located deep beneath the Yangtze's surface, a completely enclosed area that defied easy access or escape. A Beast General-level warrior from the Wang family had stumbled into it by accident months ago, barely managing to find his way back out alive. The intelligence he'd brought back had sparked this entire expedition.
The key detail that had convinced the families to organize this dangerous venture: even a Beast General-level warrior hadn't faced mortal peril within those ancient halls. For War Gods like themselves, the risk should be manageable, or so they hoped.
According to the Beast General's report, he'd discovered numerous precious medicinal herbs growing within the ruins. The environment had contained what appeared to be Spirits of Plants and Trees, though he'd been unable to bring any samples back with him. That tantalizing discovery had led to speculation that the area might be an ancient pharmaceutical research facility from before the Great Nirvana, a place where precious resources might still be cultivated after all these years.
After nearly an hour of final preparations and equipment checks, the young man returned with specialized diving gear designed for extended underwater operations. Behind him came the War Gods representing both families, their expressions focused and determined.
"Honored warriors," the young man announced, distributing the equipment with practiced efficiency, "once you've donned your gear, you may prepare to enter the water."
He held up one of the oxygen tanks for emphasis. "These systems contain sufficient oxygen for twelve continuous hours of underwater operation. That should provide more than adequate time for your exploration."
His expression grew more serious. "Good luck to all of you. May fortune smile upon this expedition."
The strongest member of their party was undoubtedly Han Hechang, whose reputation and combat prowess made him the natural choice for team leader. The others accepted his authority without question, when facing unknown dangers in ancient ruins, you followed the most powerful warrior present.
All six of them entered the water simultaneously, their enhanced physiques allowing them to descend rapidly despite the river's powerful current.
The monsters dwelling in these depths immediately retreated from their presence, instinctively recognizing predators far more dangerous than themselves. The creatures scattered into the murky darkness, unwilling to challenge War Gods unnecessarily.
Laser cannons had been positioned along the shore as a precautionary measure. As long as no King-level monsters appeared to threaten the expedition, the automated defenses could eliminate any lesser threats that dared approach!
The team descended deeper, the light from the surface fading with each meter until they activated their equipment's built-in illumination systems. Their lights cut through the darkness like searchlights, revealing ancient sediment and submerged stone formations.
Soon, far sooner than expected, they reached the river's bottom and discovered what they'd come seeking.
A massive bronze city appeared before them, emerging from the darkness like something from a fever dream.
The architecture was utterly alien, following design principles no human civilization had ever employed. Towering structures rose from the river bed, their bronze surfaces somehow untouched by corrosion despite what must have been millennia of submersion. Intricate patterns covered every surface, geometric designs that seemed to shift and flow when observed directly, as if the metal itself was alive.
What is this place? Han Hechang wondered, his analytical mind struggling to comprehend the scale of what they'd discovered. And what civilization could have built something like this?
The ruins were far more extensive than any of them had anticipated. This wasn't just a pharmaceutical facility, this was an entire city!
The six warriors exchanged glances, their earlier confidence tempered by the magnitude of what they'd uncovered. Whatever secrets this bronze city contained, they would require extraordinary caution to uncover them safely.
Han Hechang gestured for the team to form up, then led them toward the nearest structure, his senses alert for any sign of danger lurking within those ancient halls.
"Hah!"
Han Jue released a long breath, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he lowered Frost to his side. His muscles burned with exertion, but satisfaction flooded through him, drowning out any physical discomfort.
On the pristine white floor, the robot lay in two pieces, its bronze torso severed cleanly along a diagonal line that exposed delicate mechanical components within. The machine twitched sporadically, its systems attempting to compensate for catastrophic damage before finally falling still.
[Time elapsed: 41 minutes and 7 seconds. Performance rating: Excellent.]
[Trial participant, congratulations on officially becoming a Legacy Disciple of this inheritance, now eligible to receive the final inheritance package!]
Han Jue smiled with genuine satisfaction.
Relying on his perfected Wave technique and the spatial movement principles he'd learned from studying the robot's combat style, he'd successfully defeated his mechanical opponent. More importantly, through that intense battle, he'd deepened his understanding of Water's Artistic Conception considerably, laying an even more solid foundation for his eventual advancement to Planetary level.
The combat assessment had proven far more valuable than simply testing his abilities, it had become a profound learning experience that would serve him well in the challenges ahead.
Now, Han Jue thought, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as new text began materializing in the air before him, let's see what this 'final inheritance' actually contains.
Whatever knowledge or treasures awaited him, he was ready to claim them.