Chapter 943 - 420: Instinct Is God! (Part 2)
Xu Ran, who noticed something was amiss, looked again at the dozens of shadow figures sweeping towards him.
The shadows’ sword techniques seemed chaotic, yet they concealed a certain rhythm, with each blade trajectory precisely blocking any escape route.
Moreover, the energy of each figure appeared clear, and none of the power carried by a single figure could inflict any damage on Xu Ran.
However, these powers could combine and amplify with an effect far greater than the sum of their parts!
His fighting instincts told him that if he didn’t escape quickly, even worse things might happen!
"To break free from this situation, the first thing we need to do is to crack their sword techniques!"
Xu Ran had deciphered others’ cultivation techniques multiple times upon entering the Nine-Layered Giant Tower. Even at such a crisis, when his thoughts felt frozen, he chose to rely on dissecting the shadow figures’ sword techniques to make judgments.
In the next moment, Xu Ran bit his tongue to bring clarity, his pupils reflecting the paths of thirty-eight blade lights. These trajectories detailed all the recent movements and energy flows of the shadow figures.
Despite the numerous shadow figures, their sword techniques were not too complex or difficult to understand but rather simple.
Yet these simple sword techniques, when combined, presented an effect that greatly exceeded the sum of their parts!
"Haha, found it!"
Within a short period, Xu Ran identified the anomaly. After all, the sword techniques themselves weren’t difficult, and he had previously decomposed extremely challenging techniques.
Therefore, this task was not hard for him!
He discovered that when all shadows swung their blades, their wrist bones trembled three extra times.
These additional tremors subtly merged the seemingly mundane sword techniques, transforming the surrounding environment.
"Interesting!"
After breaking down the multiple shadow figures’ combined sword technique, Xu Ran’s interest surged.
As one might guess.
The dozens of shadow figures’ sword techniques appeared ordinary, simple swings, chops, slashes...
Despite the simplicity, discovering such a bizarre combined skill within these techniques truly makes him a genius!
The bald spectator sneered upon seeing Xu Ran’s seemingly sluggish movements.
"Can’t even crack such a simple combined skill, yet dreaming of clearing it in a day? Fool!"
The bald man’s tone was full of derision.
His confident expression stared directly at Xu Ran, his gaze cold, as though looking at a stranger beyond concern, devoid of any emotion!
Confronting dozens of shadow figures using the combined skill, Xu Ran ignored the bald man’s words, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes, as he focused on his actions!
Then.
Xu Ran, while pondering, parried the shadow figures’ sword attacks.
Since he successfully deciphered their sword techniques, the sudden icy atmosphere dispersed, eliminating the vibrating sensation.
Xu Ran now faced only the simplest sword techniques.
For someone like Xu Ran, who had already cleared several trials as a young Divine King, this was no challenge?!
When the dozens of shadow figures’ thirty-eighth blade light brushed past his ear, Xu Ran, who had been on the defensive, finally swung his first blade.
This strike was exceedingly simple, just one of the most basic sword techniques—a cross chop!
The Ring-Headed Saber in Xu Ran’s hand cleaved through the thin mist in the air, revealing three shadow figures within.
The three shadow figures simultaneously raised their Ring-Headed Sabers, ready to slash forward.
The bald man, observing this, instantly tensed, his eyes fixated on Xu Ran’s move.
Watching this first offensive from Xu Ran, the three senior martial siblings outside the arena looked on with anticipation.
"Whish--"
In the next moment.
A sound pierced through the arena air.
Xu Ran’s blade cut smoothly along the trajectory of the three shadow figures, incredibly seamlessly, altering its path at the collision’s instant, fluid like water penetrating sand.
Next moment, the three shadows emitted shrieks like vengeful spirits, their weapons, and blades shaken from their grips.
Without their Ring-Headed Sabers, the figures seemed like weaponless infants, defenseless.
Xu Ran, despite being new to sword techniques, effortlessly sliced through the three shadows, turning them into mist!
The other shadows, witnessing the disappearance of the three figures in the arena, halted their actions collectively, afraid of being felled by Xu Ran’s blade.
"Interesting!"
The bald man, surprised by the sudden occurrence, examined his Ghost Head Saber carefully.
The blade of the Ghost Head Saber was exceptionally smooth, reflecting the fierce scars on his body.
While his actions seemed in control.
His heart was likely in turmoil!
He never expected a child who never learned sword techniques could not only learn from dozens of shadows in such a brief period but also detect the flaws in their combined skill!
Being Xu Ran’s adversary now, he somewhat wanted to applaud him!
"Only such a genius deserves to be my opponent!"
After speaking, the bald man waved his large hand.
The remaining shadows, who froze in place, raised their Ring-Headed Sabers and slashed towards Xu Ran.
This time, these shadows did not reuse their prior combined skill sword technique.
Freed from the combined skill, they seemed unleashed in their primal nature.
Wielding their Ring-Headed Sabers, they recklessly slashed at Xu Ran.
Even with Xu Ran’s resilient physique and exceptional talent.
Facing such numbers, facts are, not much can be done except to defend passively, awaiting the right timing, seizing the opportunity, and then striking decisively!
This was what Xu Ran thought and, indeed, what he did.
But in reality, the process wasn’t difficult!
Without the combined skill’s constraint, these remaining shadows fought recklessly with Xu Ran, exchanging damage for damage.
The sword techniques wielded lacked any pattern and aesthetic, focused only on chopping the child in front into minced meat!
The reality confirmed it.
At that moment.
Xu Ran’s clothing had been slashed into dozens of cuts, all inflicted during the assault.
Yet, no blood flowed from the cuts.
Not blood, not even a scar!
This manifested his body’s power, the reason he dared to exchange damage---a powerful body recovery!!
Meanwhile.
The muscle memory for wielding the Ring-Headed Saber in Xu Ran’s grip increased visibly.
Each swing to block was a fraction faster than the previous.
Each clash produced clear sounds from the Ring-Headed Saber colliding.
"Can Xu Ran hang on?"
At this moment, the young disciple sister, observing Xu Ran’s trial, felt worried seeing him besieged by numerous shadows.
Because.
This was the sword technique trial in the Nine-Layered Giant Tower, and Xu Ran previously had no experience using sword techniques.
Even now, as he swung the Ring-Headed Saber increasingly skillfully, it didn’t indicate that Xu Ran could genuinely withstand the long-lasting pressure from the ordinary, but persistent shadows!
Additionally, from the blurred badges hanging at their waists, they likely were part of a sword unit from some army.
Military sword techniques have one goal: kill the enemy.
Thus, every slash was full force!
Moreover, any army selected by the Nine-Layered Giant Tower speaks volumes of its terrifying nature.
Under such conditions, claiming Xu Ran would certainly win isn’t assured!