Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Iron Puppet Array, Shangguan Yan
A whole month?
Shi Xiaole didn’t have any urgent matters to attend to, but to make him stay in Will City for a month, and not even know if he could meet Shangguan Xing, that was indeed a problem.
"May I know what the test of your sect is?"
Hearing Shi Xiaole’s words, the two master guards exchanged a glance, both revealing a mocking smile.
"Young master, I advise you to go back and wait for news."
The thin-faced man shook his head, not wanting to say more.
Since he took on the role of a guard, he had seen countless martial arts masters and talents from the Martial World, even well-known figures. Yet how many could truly pass the trial?
Most people feigned a desire to join their sect merely as a pretense to become famous overnight. They underestimated the trial set up by the Will Sect - wasn’t that laughable!
"Gentlemen, is this how the Will Sect treats its guests?"
Seeing the two repeatedly belittle him, Shi Xiaole’s voice gradually hardened.
"You..."
Just as the thin-faced man was about to reprimand him, he was stopped by the other guard, who said with a smile to Shi Xiaole, "If you’re so insistent, after half a quarter of an hour, we’ll switch shifts. We can take you to participate in the trial by then."
By this point, the thin-faced man had finally cooled down, sneering inwardly.
These arrogant and self-deluded newcomers in the Martial World thought they were the best, but once they felt the true blow, they would comprehend the depth and height of the world.
Within less than half a quarter of an hour, two master guards came to change shifts.
Shi Xiaole followed the two previous guards, descending down another set of stone stairs, and ended up in a small man-made valley.
Inside the valley, many people were gathered, standing opposite a mountain wall, looking quite excited.
"Senior Brother Liu is really strong, he has already reached the third level of the Iron Puppet Array. I heard that normal Qi Absorption four-stage masters can’t pass this level."
"Senior Brother Liu looks at ease, he must have more potential."
Most of the crowd were wearing the same long robes, looking young and appeared to be disciples of the Will Sect.
The thin-faced man glanced at Shi Xiaole, cleared his throat, and said with a smile: "The trial here is called the Iron Puppet Array, which is divided into seven levels. Typically, Martial World masters at Qi Absorption six-stage can only pass the third level. To meet the Sect Master, you must pass the fourth level."
He said, giving Shi Xiaole a sideways glance, seeing his blank expression, he quickly withdrew his gaze.
Keep your act up, I’ll let you continue playing.
In the thin-faced man’s mind, there was no such person as Shi Xiaole among the rising stars of the Martial World. With Shi Xiaole’s age, to pass the fourth level of the Iron Puppet Array, he would have to possess a talent higher than most of those exceptional individuals.
It’s a pity, those types of people aren’t cabbages, unlikely to just bump into one.
Arriving at the outskirts of the crowd, Shi Xiaole looked over and found that the so-called Iron Puppet Array was just a surrounding formation composed of mechanical men known as puppets.
However, the mechanical puppets here were different from those encountered in the Bloody Red Altar, not only were they larger in size but their material appearance looked a lot sturdier, they would definitely be much more difficult to deal with than those in the Bloody Red Altar.
According to the thin-faced man’s introduction, Shi Xiaole knew that the first level of the Iron Puppet Array had two puppets, the second level had four, and the third level had eight, and so on.
In other words, if he wanted to pass the trial, he would have to face sixteen puppets at once.
Just as Shi Xiaole was pondering, the crowd suddenly erupted into screams. The Liu family junior who had just passed the third level was preparing to challenge the fourth level.
Clickety clack.
mechanical puppets were evenly lined up on both sides of a large circular stone plate. When the Liu family junior stepped onto the stone plate, eight puppets each from both sides walked out.
"I wonder if Senior Brother Liu can pass?"
Some girls clasped their hands in anticipation.
As one of the top disciples in the Right Sect of the Will Sect, Liu Mingqi’s talents were well recognized.
At only eighteen years old, he already peaked at the second stage of Qi Absorption, and had easily passed the third level just now, this had clearly shown that his strength was on par with the top talents in the Floating River Area.
Mingqi Liu’s handsome looks made it hard for his female fellow disciples not to pay attention to him.
Ping!
In the midst of collisions, Liu Mingqi broke into a pack of sixteen puppets, his sword sparking off their bodies.
"Indeed, the puppets here move more flexibly, making them harder to attack. I’m afraid the fighting power of a single puppet is equivalent to two from the Bloody Red Altar."
After a long observation, Shi Xiaole concluded that to force your way through the trial, your strength would have to be at the peak level of Qi Absorption in the sixth stage.
Unless you could find exploits in the complex and ever-changing movements of the puppets.
"Senior Brother Liu is amazing, he has pushed back six puppets."
"Keep going, it’s not impossible to pass the level."
The female disciples cheered.
The Will Sect was divided into the Left and Right Sect. With a pool of talent, the Left Sect was outshining the right. Besides Senior Sister Shangguan Yan from the Right Sect, there were hardly any disciples who could compete with those from the Left Sect.
If Liu Mingqi could pass the third level, it would undoubtedly boost the standing of the Right Sect.
Shi Xiaole shook his head.
This Liu Mingqi had great momentum, but limited stamina. Moreover, those puppets that were repelled did not stop attacking, it was likely the array initially restricted their attacks.
As expected, a few moments later, the repelled puppets suddenly attacked, finding a gap and aiming at Liu Mingqi. The latter had just exhausted his moves, failing to dodge, and with a ’pu’ sound, he was knocked off the stone plate.
"Senior Brother Liu."
The crowd shouted, many showing expressions of disappointment.
"Sigh, Senior Brother Liu was so close, I believe that with another three or four years of hard work, he should have a chance to pass the trial."
"Three or four years? It’ll be cold as a daisy by then."
A few disciples from the Left Sect mocked, drawing angry glares from many.
"Pff!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Mingqi vomited blood, his handsome face paled.
Just then, a long-lasting internal power surged from his back into his heart, quickly soothing his surging Qi. He turned his head to see a cold, noble, and beautiful face.
"Senior Sister!"
Liu Mingqi felt both grateful and ashamed.
"Junior Brother Liu, don’t take such matters to heart. Among the young generation in the Floating River Area, there aren’t many who can pass the fourth level on their first try."
The woman was the top disciple of the Right Sect of the Will Sect, the daughter of the Sect Master, known as the ’Lone Star Swordswoman’, Shangguan Yan.
Seeing Shangguan Yan, the disciples of the Right Sect seemed to have found their backbone. And those disciples from the Left Sect no longer dared to utter a word.
Not only was Shangguan Yan the Senior Sister of the Will Sect, but she was also recognized as the rising star in the Floating River Area, ranking among the top ten in strength amongst all elites.
Withdrawing her hand, and ignoring everyone else, Shangguan Yan gracefully landed on the stone stage.
"Is Senior Sister going to challenge the array?"
"The previous four trials have always been passed by Senior Sister in one attempt. Could she be attempting the fifth level today? That’s not possible, right?"
The fifth level of Iron Puppet Array corresponds to the eighth and ninth stage of Qi Absorption. Not to mention the disciples from the Left Sect, even those from the Right Sect didn’t believe that Shangguan Yan could succeed.
Klang, Klang, Klang...
Amidst the sparking collisions, Shangguan Yan fought with no less than thirty-two Iron Puppets. The swords and blades coming at her from all directions almost obscured her graceful figure.
After forty-three moves, Shangguan Yan leaped away, exiting the stone stage.
She didn’t come here with the aim of passing the level; she simply wanted to accumulate more experience and take the opportunity to temper her swordsmanship.
After all, even Shangguan Yan knew that to pass the fifth level, she would need at least two to three years of effort.
"Amazing! The power of those thirty-two Iron Puppets is no weaker than a full-strength attack from a martial artist at the seventh stage of Qi Absorption. Senior Sister has managed to resist so many moves."
"With Senior Sister’s current level of strength, she could probably rank in the top five among the elite."
Shangguan Yan’s ease in dealing with the array left many in awe. Some were delighted, while others were surprised.
Even Shi Xiaole had to admit that she had extraordinary abilities.
"Young man, are you going to take your turn? If you change your mind, we won’t force you."
Awaking from the shock created by Shangguan Yan’s performance, the thin-faced man smiled at the deep in thought Shi Xiaole.
He was somewhat impressed by him now.
Seeing the severity of the Iron Puppet Array, yet still able to remain so calm - did he really have the skills? Astonished, the thin-faced man immediately dismissed this thought.
In the past there had also been many who just pretended to be tough. They were clearly terrified, but still felt the need to put up an act.
Not knowing if he had done it intentionally, the thin-faced man’s voice was very loud, causing many nearby people to look round.
"Who is that? He seems unfamiliar."
"The ones next to him are assistants Ma and Sun. He probably came from the Martial World, wanting to challenge the Iron Puppet Array of our Will Sect."
"Again, one of those trying to build their reputation, dull."
Many disciples of the Will Sect shook their heads, evidently having seen this many times. Besides disdain, a faint anger was visible.
As a renowned orthodox sect, the Will Sect naturally wouldn’t expel people. But what is it with everyone trying to face the Iron Puppet Array? Win, and they raise their reputation. Lose, and there’s no significant damage. What are they treating their property as?
"I want to see how many moves he can last."
"A sword and a saber, haha, could he be practicing both? I bet he won’t last more than twenty moves."
"Twenty moves? Don’t make such stern remarks. What if he only wants to get through the first level? After all, completing the first level still counts as a completion. It’s a brag-worthy feat in the Martial World."
Many were standing with arms crossed, deciding to stay and enjoy the show.
The female disciples, on the other hand, lacked any mockery.
Because Shi Xiaole was tall and slender, with glowing skin and a beautiful yet not feminized face, he was an exceptional handsome man, even surpassing Liu Mingqi.
"Hm?"
Shangguan Yan halted her steps to leave.
Between masters, there always tends to be a mutual sense of the other’s presence.
A sixth sense told her—this unfamiliar young man in green seemed to be somewhat extraordinary.
"Young man, are you sure you want to challenge the fourth level?"
The thin-faced man stood on the left side of the stone stage, smiling.
Shi Xiaole nodded.
He initially wasn’t interested in challenging the Iron Puppet Array. But after his previous observation, he discovered that the array could greatly temper a martial artist’s techniques and reflexes, making it worth a try.
"Hmph, don’t regret it."
The thin-faced man scoffed and activated the mechanism.
Click, click.
The cold and ruthless figures of sixteen Iron Puppets walked out from two rows, their bodies reflecting a gleam under the sun.
Shi Xiaole leisurely stepped onto the stone stage, walking towards the sixteen Iron Puppets.
