“Damn, death is not ideal at all.”
Kent said, now sitting at the edge of the sword bridge. The clone was gone, and he died from the last attack.
“So the clone fights based on the level of skill I am using. But he is much better at using them than me.” Kent wasn’t disappointed. This was an eye-opener.
He saw the nature of the trial and now knew what awaited him.
The clone did the same when he used the [24 String Weaving strike]. But as the swordsman, Kent saw the disparity between their two attacks. The strength and master behind the clone are much more powerful than his.
In fact, he was shocked when he saw just how effortlessly the clone unleashed the subsequent skills until they reached the [72 String Sovereign Strike].
The clone was what one could call the Perfect replica with excellent mastery.
But that wasn’t all. Though the clone attacks are based on the mastery level of Kent, it also has the true level Kent must be when using that skill.
That was what got him killed.
“450 sword arcs from just a single swing.”
He unleashed 230 sword arcs that were not even refined, but the clone unleashed 450, which was the same [Rapid Slash] form of the Annihilation Sword technique.
They both used the [Annihilation Sword] technique, but there was a disparity between them, between heaven and earth.
“That is crazy. To think I was calling myself a genius just because I was able to unleash 230 Arcs at the same time.”
A weak smile appeared on his lips.
“Then this means if I want to have a shot at killing this clone, I must master this technique to the same level as him and even understand it better than him.”
“But is that even possible? I mean, from what I sensed, this clone is the perfect version of me. So, would I even be able to surpass him?”
“Then the only way to win this first trial is to kill him somehow using the [String Weaving Strike] skill. I can only think of that. But who is to say there are no other tricks up his sleeve?
“What if it can use the other skills I have even when I am not using them? Who is to say he wouldn’t go beyond the [Rapid Slash], and who is to say it wouldn’t use some skills I don’t have?”
[You would have to find that one out yourself Master.]
Gaia replied, and Kent knew his thinking was spot on. What he had learned so far was just the smallest there was to know about the trial.
“Tell me everything, Gaia,” He asked, and the Cosmic Loli smiled teasingly.
[The clone is you but also not you. The clone is you in the sense that it’s the perfect Sword Grandmaster version of you, but it’s not you in the sense that the true essence of the Genesis Sword Path is now within him.
This means you will be fighting against a perfect version of yourself who has all your skills and can use them randomly, as well as a perfect version of the true Genesis Sword Path at the Grandmaster stage.]
“Then I am screwed,” Kent said with a weak smile.
[In a way, yes. The trial only grows more harrowing as you progress. But you are also to be applauded for surviving against the clone for 13 whole minutes. I expected you to die within 40 seconds.]
“You know, Gaia, Akira is my favorite,” Kent said, but Akira just blushed and hid her face behind Gaia.
“What was her estimate?” Kent knew the two assistants, who should be rooting for him, were actually placing universal bets on how long he would last.
[23 seconds]
Gaia replied, and Kent could only smile. But they weren’t wrong. He indeed wasn’t meant to survive that long. This could only mean one thing: Kent is now on a different level.
To fight against a perfect version of yourself and a perfect version of the path you are walking, and last that long, was not something to be taken lightly.
“What do I need to do?”
[The master should train more. Master the 10,002 swordplays. Also, engage in more battles. I have a battle doll that can take the same shape and form as you. In a way, it’s my own version of the perfect replica.
You can buy it and train with it. I will be regulating it mid-battle so that the longer you fight with it, the more mastery and closer you will get to the perfect clone.
Though the sword bridge would have been ideal for this. Anytime you die, the difficulty of the trial increases, so you have to make do with this.
Also, you can train more with your master and her sister. They are each suited to bring out your potential. Of course, just another memory of your past, and you will be able to handle the first level of the sword bridge…
And then there is Enlightenment. You can focus on that, and if you manage to gain one enlightenment, that will also push you a step closer to reaching the perfect you.]
“Thanks, Gaia. This is indeed the best way for me to grow. I will train much more and go on more missions. This way, I will be able to grow faster.”
Kent stood up and sheathed his sword. The battle just now showed him what he could become, and for that, he was determined to train.
“Alina is waking up,” Kent said, sensing her inside the Harem Tower.
She had been asleep for 72 days already. That is a long time, but she needed it, considering she had wanted only one thing for 20 years and finally got it. Now, she is free from all her trauma.
So when she passed out, she drifted into a sleep that washed away all forms of trauma she had been through…
[Your master is now in the real world, and the Spear Saintess has also come out of her seclusion and is looking for you.]
Gaia said with a smile.
“What is that smile for?” Kent asked.
[You will find out soon enough. Oh, Uncle Drew and the beautiful sister are also back and are now surveying the sect for reasons I or Akira don’t know.]
“Tsk… I will be going now, and thanks for keeping an eye out on this for me.”
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