Chapter 111: The Ghost Peak Lower Levels

'One Finger Suppress the Heavens!'

Rumble!!!

A surge of divine energy flooded the corridor, lightning mingling with his Sword Intent, amplifying his attack. His fingers slashed down, like a tiger's claw tearing through the heavens, cleaving through the fiery fists and landing a direct blow on the general.

The air split with energy, a silver tiger roaring into existence above him, its massive claws tearing into the puppet's defenses. 

"Break!" In one swift motion, Dao Wei surged forward, pressing his advantage with a barrage of finger strikes that cracked the puppet's shimmering form.

Bang!

The puppet plummeted, its form flickering as the impact shattered its defense. Dao Wei didn't stop there—he charged forward, transforming into a streak of light that collided with the general, pushing him back through the curtain of light.

The resulting blast filled the hallway, silver flames, and dark energy colliding in a chaotic inferno. 

As waves crashed outward, Dao Wei cleaved through the saint's fists, striking the figure itself. His opponent staggered, fragments of saintly energy dissipating around them.

"Two Fingers Break the Heavens," he roared, his voice a thunderous echo. Divine thunder erupted from his fingertips, interwoven with lightning and Sword Intent, each strike rippling outward in waves of sheer power.

Boom!

With a loud, resounding rumble, the saint puppets's form shattered into glowing mist, the flames and thunder dissipating into silence.

Dao Wei stood before the door, breathing heavily. His muscles ached, his Qi nearly depleted, but he'd done it.

"This… is definitely no ordinary challenge. What the hell? And that was only the first level," he murmured, catching his breath. With one last glance back, he passed through the light, ready to face the next trial.

"What?"

Outside, murmurs erupted from the guarding elders, and the bell had rang more than twice, signaling that more than two people had passed the first trial—for many, Ghost Peak had become a dreaded symbol, yet today, three youths had dared to challenge it, sparking excitement across the elders and the intensity was only beginning.

Dao Wei had barely stepped past the flaming threshold of Ghost Peak's first level when a new intensity surged around him. He immediately felt the oppressive force in the air—a pressure magnifying with every step, and it wasn't just the weight; the very wind itself felt suffocating.

Crack!

Lu Shen, always calm and stoic, couldn't help but murmur, "He's only been here for what, a month? And he's already passed the first level. Second Brother's perception is truly terrifying."

Wei Jun squinted, his brows furrowing. Thoughts swirled as he recalled their previous duel, and a chilling realization dawned on him. 'Second Brother was far stronger than what he displayed when we fought last night. His rate of improvement is monstrous!'

Their attention was all placed on Dao Wei stepping through the flaming door into the second level of Ghost Peak. 

"Fuck!" The moment he crossed the threshold, he felt the air thicken as the pressure doubled compared to the first level. The winds that once merely howled now blazed, each gust like a searing blade, intent on breaking his defenses.

Dao Wei clenched his jaw, carefully channeling his spiritual and mental power to maintain his balance amidst the storm with a deep inhale. Every step felt heavier as the fiery winds pressed down on him with relentless force, making it nearly impossible to even lift a foot. 

Despite his intense focus, Dao Wei quickly realized that even if he reached the pass at this level, fighting would be impossible under such pressure.

After a moment's contemplation, he muttered, "I can't reach the door even with my Spiritual Power and Mental Will?" He scowled. 

'If I'm barely maintaining balance here, there's no way I'll hold my ground against the next opponent,' as the realization hit him, a menacing smirk appeared on his face.

Within the heart of the second level, Dao Wei fought to keep his balance, using every ounce of his spiritual power and mental will to endure the relentless storm. Despite his best efforts, he struggled to hold steady, let alone prepare for combat.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind as he let out a wry chuckle. "This trial's got something to do with sword comprehension. Let's see if it can handle my Sword Will." 

Dao Wei took a deep breath, allowing his Sword Will to manifest, his form immediately stabilizing.

With a long exhale, Dao Wei activated his Sword Will, allowing it to radiate outward, enveloping him in a wave of refined sword intent. Right then, a new sensation coursed through him, it was like the ground below was responding to his Sword Will, rooting him in place as if they were in perfect harmony as if multiple invisible forces linked him to the very ground he stood on. The once-unsteady terrain now felt solid beneath his feet, allowing him to balance with a newfound ease. 

The chaotic winds slowed, and the storm of fiery blades, once so daunting, softened. Dao Wei chuckled.

"So, that's what this is all about?"

With a focused smirk, Dao Wei stepped forward, his movements smooth and fluid as he neared the second pass. 

Gush!

The windstorm parted as he approached the second door, which opened with a bone-chilling creak.

The door creaked open, releasing a chilling gust, and a Sword Puppet emerged from the darkness, its form solidifying into a humanoid figure with sharp, cold eyes, shimmering and floating in the air. It was still a peak Nascent Spirit realm with sharp eyes and a semi-transparent body. 

However, this one was unlike the last: its ethereal form now had solid bone structures visible beneath, giving it an eerie sense of life and power. It looked directly at him, and a cold voice echoed.

The puppet's eyes narrowed as it spoke in a deep, resonant voice, "Defeat me, and you may proceed."

Dao Wei didn't hesitate. He unleashed his Sword Intent, and his aura blazed with intensity. His Sword Avatar appeared behind him, holding onto a colossal blade. Channeling the Flowing Mirage Sword Art, he unleashed the Eighth move—Raven's Dance. 

"Die!"

Dao Wei's entire being seemed to shift as dark, glimmering shadows swirled around him, coalescing into ravens, each feather glinting with black-gold flames. 

He stopped using the sword intent to maintain balance, but instead, he used it to amplify the attack.

He advanced, every raven a potential death strike, and with a fierce cry, the spectral birds swept toward the puppet in an endless stream.

Hrgh!

A primal roar echoed from the puppet, but didn't flinch; its cold gaze remained steady. The air thickened as it countered with the ninth move of the Flowing Mirage Sword Art—Tiger Reaches the Sky.

Bang!

The sword print shattered the incoming ravens as if they were mere illusions, each dark feather dissipating in a flash of silver light. 

The impact jarred Dao Wei's Sword Avatar, which vibrated violently before dissipating back into his body. Dao Wei himself staggered, his knees buckled, his body overwhelmed by the puppet's terrifying counter. His form trembled as if his whole skeletal structure had fallen apart as he struggled to catch his breath.

The ground beneath him shook, echoing with an ominous rumble. "How… how is this even possible?" Dao Wei murmured, stunned. 

Rumble!

On the side of the second level, Lu Shen watched Dao Wei's struggle with a mix of awe and concern, noticing Dao Wei's shaky stance. "Ghost Peak's trials really are merciless," he muttered to himself.

Wei Jun, who was also watching with sharp intensity, commented, "This is weird. That puppet feels like it's alive."

Dao Wei clenched his jaw, sweat beading on his forehead. His heartbeat thundered in his ears as he readied himself. "It can actually perform the advanced moves of the Flowing Mirage Sword Art…"

Rumble!

Before Dao Wei could even steady himself, another flash of blinding light cut through the air—the puppet struck again, its next attack barreling toward him with the force of a sword-tipped mountain. 

Dao Wei's vision dimmed, his world darken, his muscles freezing as if paralyzed by the sheer pressure that pressed as if the very sun, moon, and stars had fallen upon him. It felt as if the entire universe bore down on him, pressing his bones to the brink of shattering. 'If I back down now, I won't get past this trial,' he thought, fighting to stay focused.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, he brought his hands together, focusing his arcane energy into a concentrated slash. 

Whoosh!

With a fierce cry, he unleashed it, a purplish void crack slicing through the puppet's strike. The reprieve was short-lived; before he could even catch his breath, the puppet's blade came crashing down again, slamming against his chest with unstoppable force, sending him hurtling backward.

Dao Wei was sent flying, the impact resonating through his bones. He rolled to a stop, his chest heaving as he steadied himself, his gaze fierce. 'The farther I go, the stronger the puppets become,' he noted. 'And they'll possess advanced techniques, right.'

Realizing this, Dao Wei allowed his energy to settle, his aura calming into a controlled, deadly stillness. 'No more holding back.'

Knowing he could hold nothing back, Dao Wei steadied his stance, his aura sharpening like the edge of a blade. "Come again," he growled.

With a fierce glint in his eyes, he released his Sword Avatar once more, unleashing a Saber Shadow cloaked in Thunderous Sword Essence.