Strength Testing

His training also included integrating his sword intent with his defensive techniques.

The Eclipsing Moon Defense became even more formidable, as his intent could deflect and redirect attacks before they even touched his blade.

He could create barriers of sword intent, shielding himself from harm while preparing for a counterattack.

The culmination of his training came one night when he decided to test his limits.

Standing in the center of his training ground, Ling Tian activated his sword intent to its fullest extent.

The air around him shimmered, the pressure of his intent palpable.

With a fierce shout, he unleashed a barrage of attacks, each strike sending waves of energy rippling out in all directions.

The ground trembled, and the training dummies were obliterated, reduced to splinters and dust.

Breathing heavily, Ling Tian lowered his sword, a look of satisfaction on his face.

"This is what it means to master the second-level sword intent," he said, his voice filled with determination.

"Let's go out and see how strong I am with my current arsenal of techniques."

Deactivating the space-time cube, Ling Tian felt the familiar sensation of space warping around him, transporting him back to the forest.

Four months had passed inside the cube, while only two had gone by in the outside world.

Stretching his limbs and taking a deep breath, Ling Tian felt the surge of power and precision in his movements.

"Now, let's see how these sword techniques fare against the real challenges that await," he said, ready to face whatever came next with renewed confidence and strength.

Ling Tian emerged from his resting place, feeling the profound power and mastery he had gained over the past four months.

His body brimming with energy, and his mind was razor-sharp.

He was eager to test the might of his newly refined techniques and sword intent against a formidable opponent.

His target: a 9th-level Foundation Establishment demonic beast.

The forest was alive with the sounds of nature, but Ling Tian's focus was singular.

He moved through the dense foliage with purpose, his senses alert for any sign of a powerful beast.

It wasn't long before he sensed a formidable aura nearby.

The ground trembled slightly underfoot, signaling the presence of a powerful demonic beast.

Following the tremors, Ling Tian soon found himself facing a Crimson Horned Rhino, a beast known for its incredible strength and resilience.

Its aura was oppressive, a clear indication of its 9th-level Foundation Establishment realm.

The beast's crimson horn glowed ominously, and its eyes burned with a ferocious intensity.

Ling Tian gripped the Tianwu Sword, feeling the familiar weight and balance of the weapon.

He took a deep breath, centering himself and allowing his sword intent to flow through him.

The air around him seemed to hum with energy as his intent spread out, creating an invisible yet palpable aura.

The Crimson Horned Rhino charged with a thunderous roar, its massive body barreling towards Ling Tian with terrifying speed.

Ling Tian stood his ground, waiting until the last possible moment.

Just as the beast was about to strike, he activated the Void Shadow Step, teleporting a hundred meters to the side in a blink with the help of the Space-Time cube.

Reappearing with a whisper of displaced air, Ling Tian swung his sword, unleashing a wave of sword intent that sliced through the air with deadly precision.

The rhino bellowed in pain as the strike cut deep into its flank, blood spraying from the wound.

The beast was pushed back but it came to a halt, momentarily disoriented by the sudden attack.

"Let's see how you handle this," Ling Tian muttered, his eyes narrowing as he prepared his next move.

He combined his Void Shadow Step with his sword techniques, teleporting in rapid succession around the rhino.

Each time he reappeared, his sword struck out with blinding speed, guided by his second-level sword intent.

The Crimson Horned Rhino roared in fury, trying to keep up with Ling Tian's relentless assault.

Its horn glowed brighter, and it unleashed a shockwave of energy in an attempt to shake him off.

Ling Tian, however, anticipated the move.

He executed a flawless Eclipsing Moon Defense, his sword intent forming a barrier that deflected the shockwave harmlessly into the ground.

With the beast momentarily stunned by its own attack, Ling Tian saw his opportunity.

He focused his sword intent into a single, devastating strike.

The Tianwu Sword glowed with an ethereal light as he channeled all his power into the blade.

With a fierce shout, he brought the sword down, cleaving it through the air and into the rhino's neck.

The impact was immense, the force of the strike amplified by his sword intent.

The Crimson Horned Rhino's eyes widened in shock as the blade bit deep, severing vital arteries and shattering bone.

With a final, anguished roar, the beast collapsed, its life force draining away.

Ling Tian stood over the fallen creature, panting but exhilarated.

He had not only defeated a 9th-level Foundation Establishment demonic beast but had done so with a display of skill and power that far surpassed his previous capabilities.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

"This is just the beginning," he said, his voice filled with determination. "With the Void Shadow Step and my second-level sword intent, I can face even greater opponents."

He sheathed the Tianwu Sword and took a moment to collect himself.

The battle had been intense, but it had also affirmed the effectiveness of his training.

Ling Tian felt a renewed sense of confidence as he looked toward the future.

He knew that with his current abilities, there were few limits to what he could achieve.

Ling Tian returned to his secluded resting place, anticipation coursing through his veins.

He had set his sights on the Core Zone of the forest, where Core Formation realm demonic beasts roamed, each more powerful and dangerous than the last.

To face such formidable opponents, he needed to push his limits further.

His immediate goal was to break through to the 11th level in both Qi Refining and Strength Awakening realms.