My Ultimate Sign-in System Made Me Invincible Chapter 474 Ten Thousand Blade Grotto Trial (2)

Suddenly, the shadowy form lunged forward unexpectedly, bridging the gap in one burst of speed, its sword slicing toward Two's neck with astonishing swiftness and accuracy.

Before Two's mind could fully process, his body moved on instinct. He lifted his sword to block, the edge clashing against the oncoming blow, pushing the energy aside from his vital area.

A crisp, piercing sound from the impact reverberated through the vacant area.

Without a moment's hesitation, the form shifted its deflected slash into the next one right away, the sword whipping back in a compact curve from an entirely new direction toward Two. Strike after strike followed, each linking fluidly to the previous in an unending barrage that allowed no chance for retaliation.

Two retreated step by step, his footing precise to keep stability while widening the space. His blade never rested, blocking unavoidable hits, turning away others, and sometimes pulling off a partial dodge that changed a fatal strike into a close shave.

The form's style showed no mercy. Each action had intent, every blow opened paths for the following one, and the spiritual power surging along the sword boosted every assault with sword Qi that made the surrounding air push back against Two's guards.

After the eighth clash, Two spotted the rhythm. The form employed twists on the seven-step pattern he'd recently picked up from the wall carving. It drew from the core ideas, yet wielded them with such versatility and adjustment that it surpassed simple copying.

This went far beyond repeating a learned or mimicked form. It came from deep mastery of the basic truths, allowing endless creativity while preserving the essential power of the pattern.

A change sparked in Two's mindset from that insight.

He quit focusing solely on blocking and began to dissect. His Dao Array Eyes switched on, dismantling each approaching slash into its parts. Data rushed into his senses quicker than the blows landed, offering a tiny edge in foreseeing the next move.

The form stabbed ahead, a direct pierce targeting Two's midsection. Two shifted sideways, the blade grazing mere inches from his side, and struck back with a cut tracing the second step of the seven-pattern—the upward slice that smoothly changed from dodging defense to aggressive push.

His sword struck the form's shoulder, or it should have, but the form spun at the final second, converting a firm connection into a light skim that bounced away with no real harm.

Yet it counted as touch. The initial effective riposte since their fight started.

The form halted briefly, like it was reevaluating its strategy. Then the barrage picked up once more, though with quiet changes. The blows arrived from wider ranges and the rhythm grew harder to anticipate. The form was evolving, countering Two's shown skill by ramping up the intricacy of its tactics.

A grin crossed Two's face. This was the very reason he'd entered.

He started weaving more of the seven-step pattern into his counters, not only for protection but blended into his overall combat approach. A block set up the third step's slanted cut. A dodge led into the fifth step's rotating slash.

Now the moves connected more smoothly, his form absorbing the ideas his thoughts had grasped from the carving.

Every revelation got boosted by the Myriad Armament Constitution. Each proper use of a move strengthened his grasp of its effectiveness. Each miss exposed flaws to fix. The growth unfolded live, squeezed into moments of fierce fighting that might normally demand months of training.

The form launched an elaborate combo—three quick hits from varied sides, then a fake-out and a stab. Two identified it midway. It twisted the first and fourth steps into an advanced chain that set traps to exploit blocks.

Rather than guard, Two advanced into the onslaught.

This step went against every urge to pull back from threatening edges, but his Dao Array Eyes revealed the flaw. It was an exact instant when the form's sword locked into one path and couldn't swiftly alter course.

Two's blade swung in a close loop, tracing the sixth step's route, and snagged the form's sword during its shift.

Vibrations raced along both swords from the hit, yet Two kept his drive, shifting straight into the seventh step—a dropping slash that exploited the foe's fixed stance for added force.

The form broke away, pulling back three paces to reestablish separation.

For the initial time in the skirmish, a break extended beyond one breath. The fighters faced off, weapons poised, each sizing up the other anew.

The form's blurry face hid any emotion, but its stance had altered. Gone was the total assurance from earlier. Now it stood as if meeting a true rival.

Two's breaths stayed even and calm. His cultivation level matched Fourth Stage Golden Core Realm masters, and the form's power equaled it, thanks to the sword array.

The form struck once more, yet the assault's style had transformed. Previously a nonstop crush to overpower, it now felt calculated, more strategic. The form tested, probing key parts of Two's form, seeking core flaws in insight over mere slip-ups.

Two noted the change and adapted. It transcended basic guarding. It involved proving his insight—revealing he grasped not only the steps but the truths powering their strength.

He started altering his use of the seven-step pattern, picking responses that weren't the best yet highlighted his command of the basics.

Facing an clear gap from the form, Two bypassed it for a precise reply that displayed advanced planning. Against a move usually countered by a set block, Two chose another method reaching the same goal via distinct means.

The sword meetings slowed from wild to purposeful. Every blade contact held deeper meaning past brute force—they formed dialogues of metal, queries and replies voiced via positions and pace.

The form performed a flawless run of the seven-step pattern, gliding through all parts with perfect poise. It posed a dare, or maybe a nudge of the benchmark.

Two countered with his version of the full pattern, but key tweaks marked it. He added minor refinements to each step, honing the form to suit him. It remained the original technique, yet now it belonged to him beyond rote imitation from the wall.

That seemed to signal what the array awaited.

The form dropped its sword, its hostile stance melting into what could pass for esteem if its face allowed such display. It moved away, and the surrounding void faded like fog vanishing in dawn light.

The cavern reshaped around Two, with the still cultivators returning to view.

Two remained in his spot from entering the array's boundary, sword out, fingers faintly trembling from echoes of actions in a false realm that felt utterly genuine.

A few trapped cultivators started to rouse from the array's hold, rubbing eyes, regaining bearings after their personal trials. Others simply stood motionless, devoid of any life spark.

They appeared utterly lifeless.

This sight startled Two. In that realm, the form had never struck to slay, or so it never seemed to him.

Curiosity stirred in him strongly, yet he chose to suppress it and press ahead.

With a fluid motion, he returned his sword to its sheath. His spiritual energy remained mostly untouched after the prolonged duel.

Of greater note, his mastery of the seven-step pattern had advanced greatly. The wall's lesson offered conceptual knowledge. The array's duel provided hands-on expertise.

The Myriad Armament Constitution took in all lessons, fused all ideas, polished all motions. He could now perform that form with the effortless grace of natural breath.

Two gazed at the tunnel plunging further into the cavern. Sword Qi from there pulsed far more potently than in this room, hinting at tougher trials and richer prizes for those who ventured on.

A number of cultivators moved that way already, shaking off their array ordeals quicker than the rest while still breathing.

Two merged with the group advancing into the mountain's heart, departing the room of etched walls and its trial array.

The tunnel before sloped steadily down, delving into the cavern's core. Glowing rocks thinned out, casting spots of light amid bands of deep shadow that demanded cautious progress.

With every descent, sword Qi grew heavier, thick enough that Two sensed it pressing on his flesh, akin to wading through ever denser liquid.