The legendary warrior

Whistling a low tune, Ricky regarded his enemies with slightly raised brows. "So, this is the third challenge for us, huh? Luckily, there are only ten bronze men in the array. We'll surely win against them in no time!" He let out a chuckle filled with uncertainty, trying to ease up his nerves while he examined his opponents tactically changing their positions in lieu of the incoming menace.

Despite his initial positivity, his eyes narrowed in unbridled focus as he assessed the scene before him with a seriousness only veteran warriors could exhibit during battle. He clenched his teeth, knowing that his prior words were a mere attempt to diffuse the high difficulty of the trial they were to face. The strengths of their adversaries were not to be taken lightly. He knew how much of it could potentially damage his own body the moment he exerted his internal strength as a test to see the extent of their prowess. It was borderline startling how they were more powerful than fifty wooden men. He felt intimidated and alarmed, even with their few numbers. He could see by now that he would be entering a brutal zone.

He gripped his long saber, a steely gaze gauging the capabilities of both teams. He had to have firm will and determination to win in order to have a chance at defeating the bronze puppets. No pure and unabashed might would be enough to take them down; he needed to enact a clever plan.

"Hey, Agnes. Do you know any of their weaknesses?"

Ricky asked, his mind turning its gears as he struggled to concoct a flawless strategy to take advantage of their frailer sides.

Agnes shook her head in dismay. "I'm afraid not. The Trio Array was introduced into the competition four years ago. During that time, only the men of the Sage Faction succeeded in reaching this level. Contenders from the Purity Faction and the Groom Faction have not even seen it in the past; let alone attain any knowledge of their weakness." Ricky's face scrunched up with worry.

"Well, it appears that we're going to have to face a really difficult problem."

She looked back at him and nodded, sensing his apprehension.

"Yes, I'm ready for that."

Metallic screeches scraped against the other and created high-pitched noises that hurt the pair's ears.

The horde was starting to move at a fast pace, their tumultuous steps creating a barricade that soon encircled them.

They had no time to react from the ambush, only able to tense up in defense as brass bars suddenly manifested from their foes' hands while dashing towards them in an organized manner.

Strikes and lashes released from the collision of opposing forces signified the beginning of the long exhausting warfare. Agnes did not dare take leisure in blocking their attacks, not with their power carrying the level of Blood Purification. She was able to resist the aggressiveness of one or two tools, but she had to put her life on the line if she were to combat them all.

Ricky glanced at her in between his own engagements, uneasy with the thought of her getting beaten badly. He acknowledged that Agnes was more than capable of handling herself but he believed he had a responsibility to avoid on any fatal injuries to befall on his companion. They only had each other to depend on after all, and so, he willingly took the majority of their rivals head on.

Flames licked at the metal of his blade and emitted a heat only he could take. He maximized its power; parrying the flurry of russet arms threatening to incapacitate him. He swung and dodged until he managed to receive a momentary break from the ruthless scuffle. Heaving deep breaths to regain his composure, he winced when he felt his chest tighten uncomfortably, making him nauseous and wary of the ominous urge to vomit out blood from his damaged core.

They had successfully made it through the first wave of assailments.

Agnes returned to stand beside Ricky's form, not letting her guard down as she talked to her partner, "Ricky, I can fight two guys at most. That way, you won't have to push yourself too much in taking them all at once. I'll buy you some time so you can figure out their weakness."

"Are you sure? If you fail, our teamwork would break. Do you understand the risks?"

Agnes' offer was something that was not merely backed up by empty promises.

his underlying meaning, she wordlessly released her full energy. A boom shook the ground from the force of her power as steam raised high to the ceiling due to the heat wave pulsing around her form.

power of

enormously under drastic speeds that chased away any trace of

obedience from her subjects, the pressure flowing out of her in multitudes coaxing lower beings

"Th-this is incredible!"

back in shock upon seeing

knew that Agnes' power could only be attained through inheritance from one's own lineage. It was a skill that was passed down generations to generations from the first warrior who

all the descendants that undeniably had the ancestor's blood

were granted to assume the blood power

they would achieve the level of demi-immortal if they were to continue their relentless

are the odds… Someone from the Shui Clan really made it to the innate spirit!"

power to compete with the other disciples

me now?" Agnes smirked as she

by her domineering position when a wayward bronze

hip and flashed a faint smile at her. He could no longer deny her mastery, but he knew it would be idiotic of him to be swept away by carelessness. He had to

be a piece

brimmed with confidence, putting all her faith in the gift left by her ancestor

I'll deal with the remaining eight within that

relief

statement marked the end of their allocation. He straightened his posture and closed his eyes momentarily, intending to mimic Agnes' unabashed display of talent earlier. He let the simultaneous warmth and coldness lick across his flesh as he activated the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula to the Second Degree. In a blinding flash, the

the Light Apperception to support the duo's command over the battle, they completed

in his grip, buzzing with unrivaled vitality that signified its own alertness. He was

of the match was met with outcries of awe and fascination from

powers!" They gaped, watching

"That girl

a spiritual meridian that carried

as much information as they could from the

their adversaries and

with his wild charges; a cunning scheme to seek out their

a puppet: the brain, chest, stomach, and shoulders, in hopes of demolishing

of evidence from the dolls tiring out anytime soon confused and despaired Ricky. If he were to continue at this pace,