SFS 53. Martial Arts Verification
53. Martial Arts Verification
The half-hour rest passed in the blink of an eye.
The hundred or so martial artists who had passed the first trial of the illusionary realm, led by disciples of the Seven Absolutes Sect, left the secluded Trial Hall and continued upwards along the mountainside. After passing through a pine forest shrouded in mist, a vast training ground suddenly appeared before them.
The training ground was paved with massive bluestone slabs, weathered by time, their smooth surfaces covered with fine engravings, testifying to countless martial arts exchanges and trials that had taken place here. Around the edge of the ground stood racks of various weapons—swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks—all gleaming coldly. To the north of the training ground stood a high platform, upon which sat several large rosewood chairs. Elder Han, who had presided over the first trial, along with several other elders of profound aura and varied attire, were already seated; clearly, they were all highly respected figures within the Seven Absolutes Sect.
The martial artists stood still in the arena, feeling the scrutinizing gazes cast upon them from the high platform, and the atmosphere became tense once again. Those who could pass the test of willpower were all people of unwavering determination, but this second test, "Martial Arts Verification," tested their solid martial arts foundation, comprehension, and potential, which was completely different from the mysterious test of willpower.
Elder Han rose again, his gaze sweeping over the hundred or so martial artists in the arena. His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority: "Congratulations on passing the first test. Next is the second test, 'Martial Arts Verification'."
He pointed to one side of the training ground, "Over there on the weapon rack, there are all kinds of weapons commonly seen in the martial arts world, as well as some unusual weapons collected by my Seven Absolutes Sect. You may choose freely, or you may use your own preferred weapon."
He then pointed to the central area of the training ground, where dozens of circles, each about ten feet in diameter, were carved into the ground. "The rules of this challenge are simple. You must enter the circles, where you will be faced with my Seven Absolutes Sect's 'Martial Arts Puppets.' These puppets are made of special materials and mechanical devices, making them exceptionally sturdy. Their moves mimic the basic martial arts of my Seven Absolutes Sect, but their power and speed will adjust automatically according to the strength of the intruders."
"You must withstand the puppet's attacks for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. During this time, you must not step out of the circle; otherwise, you will be considered to have failed. Passing the test is merely considered passing." Elder Han's tone shifted, becoming more serious. "However, if you can demonstrate a unique understanding of martial arts during the test, or show insight or innovation on the spot, or even defeat the puppet by using skill to overcome brute force, you will be evaluated more highly. Our Seven Absolutes Sect recruits guest elders based on potential and comprehension, not simply on the depth of internal strength or proficiency in techniques."
These words elicited varying reactions from the audience. Some breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that enduring the time it takes for an incense stick to burn seemed easy; others frowned, realizing that "demonstrating insight and innovation" was the key, which was far more difficult than simply enduring it.
"The assessment begins now! Those whose names are called, please enter the examination room!"
A steward from the Seven Absolutes Sect, holding a roster, began calling out names. The martial artists whose names were called, some confident and some slightly apprehensive, stepped into the circle.
As the martial artists entered the arena, several specific stone slabs at the edge quietly slid open, revealing humanoid puppets. These puppets were dark blue, with flexible joints, wielding wooden or unsharpened metal weapons, and their eyes were inlaid with some kind of crystal that shimmered faintly. Once a martial artist entered their sensing range, the puppets would immediately activate, unleashing various basic attacks—fists, feet, swords, spears, and clubs. Although the moves were simple, they were fluidly executed, powerful, tireless, and fearless.
For a time, shouts and the clash of weapons filled the training ground.
Most martial artists chose to play it safe, relying on their cultivation and familiar techniques to maneuver and dodge within the circle, striving to survive for the duration of an incense stick burning. Those who could come here were no ordinary fighters, and initially, no one was quickly defeated. However, demonstrating "comprehension" or "innovation" in defense was easier said than done. Most simply followed the established methods, occasionally displaying brilliant responses, but few could be considered outstanding. The elders on the platform mostly watched calmly, rarely showing any emotion.
The young master surnamed Zhao, who had previously provoked Lin Mo, also took to the stage. He wielded a remarkably sharp swordsmanship, his blade flashing as he deflected the attacks of the knife-wielding puppets one by one. He even managed to launch a few counterattacks, leaving shallow marks on the wooden puppets, drawing cheers from the onlookers. After holding the position for the duration of an incense stick burning, he sheathed his sword with a hint of smugness, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, seemingly searching for Lin Mo.
"Next, Lin Mo!"
Upon hearing his name called, Lin Mo remained calm, stepped out from the crowd, and casually chose an empty circle to walk into.
A sword-wielding puppet was immediately activated, its eyes glowing with crystals. It approached with steady steps, its unsharpened iron sword gleaming as it thrust out the "Welcoming Pine Tree" move, a basic technique from the Seven Absolutes Sect. The sword strike was upright and peaceful, yet it contained a lingering, powerful force.
Lin Mo did not immediately draw his sword, but instead focused on observing the puppet's movements. In his eyes, while the basic sword moves were standard, they lacked rigidity and the fluidity and versatility a true swordsman should possess. His perspective as a top expert in his previous life allowed him to easily see through the essence and flaws of these moves.
Lin Mo only slightly shifted his body when the sword tip was about a foot in front of him, just in time to avoid the blade, while his right hand flashed to the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"Clang!"
The longsword was drawn, its sound like a dragon's roar. He did not use any of the world-shaking skills from his previous life, but instead combined the essence of the evasion of a relatively unorthodox movement technique called "Flowing Cloud Step" known from his previous life with the force-dissipating techniques of a common martial arts sword technique called "Wind-Sweeping Willow Sword," in a way that no one present could understand.
His feet moved swiftly, like clouds and mist, his figure becoming unpredictable, dodging the puppet's sword strikes at the last second. The sword in his hand was even more unpredictable; it never clashed head-on with the puppet, but rather grazed its spine or arm, seemingly effortless, yet always managing to subtly deflect the puppet's weight at crucial moments, or strike at the barely perceptible point of hesitation during a change of attack.
"Huh?" On the high platform, an elder who had been meditating with his eyes closed and an ancient longsword hanging at his waist suddenly opened his eyes and stared sharply at Lin Mo's movements. He was an elder of the Seven Absolutes Sect's Sword Hall, surnamed Feng, and was extremely accomplished in the art of swordsmanship.
"This child's footwork seems to be 'Flowing Cloud Steps,' but it has a more ethereal and ever-changing quality; his sword moves seem to be 'Wind Brushing Willow,' but his method of exerting force is completely different, focusing more on interception and guidance... Strange, very strange!" Elder Feng murmured, his body unconsciously leaning forward slightly.
In the arena, the puppet was "tired" by Lin Mo's unprecedented fighting style. Its attacks either missed or were deflected, leaving it with no way to use its strength. The buzzing sound emitted by the core of the mechanism even seemed to carry a hint of "anxiety".
Lin Mo, however, grew increasingly composed. He wasn't simply trying to pass the test; he was using this opportunity to test some of his ideas. Since his rebirth, he had been contemplating how to better integrate his martial arts knowledge from his previous life with his physical condition and the martial arts system of the current world. This puppet was the perfect testing ground.
The time it takes for an incense stick to burn quickly passed, and Lin Mo was still unharmed, with no sign of his breathing becoming disordered.
"Simply providing support is already quite remarkable. But if it stops there, it's not enough to be called 'comprehension'," Elder Han said, stroking his beard, his eyes filled with anticipation.
As if hearing his inner thoughts, Lin Mo's eyes narrowed and his aura suddenly changed.
He was no longer satisfied with dodging and guiding. When the puppet thrust its sword "White Rainbow Piercing the Sun" straight at him again, Lin Mo did not dodge this time. Instead, he flicked his wrist, and the longsword drew a mysterious arc, striking first despite being behind. The tip of the sword accurately touched a certain joint of the puppet's wrist holding the sword!
This seemingly simple point embodies his unique understanding of "breaking a move" after integrating his experiences from two lifetimes. It does not rely on brute force or faster speed, but is based on a precise judgment of the puppet's structure and the root of the move's power.
"Click".
A slight click of a mechanism was heard. The puppet's thrusting motion suddenly stopped, and its right arm holding the sword seemed to lose all strength in an instant. The iron sword clattered to the ground.
The puppet's eyes flashed rapidly with crystal light, and it tried to attack with its left arm, but Lin Mo had already approached like a ghost, and with the hilt of his sword, he pushed forward and gently struck a core mechanism in its chest and abdomen.
"Buzz..."
The puppet shuddered, the light in its eyes dimmed rapidly, and it stood frozen in place, no longer moving.
beat!
The entire training ground fell silent for a moment.
Previously, everyone, including that young master Zhao, had only managed to get through the level; no one could truly "defeat" this tireless martial arts puppet whose strength changed with the enemy!
Lin Mo not only held out for the time being, but also, in full view of everyone, in a way that they could not fully understand, full of ingenuity and insight, directly rendered the puppet unable to move!
"Brilliant!" Elder Feng couldn't help but slap the table in admiration, his face full of excitement. "Not bound by the superficial appearance of the moves, but directly targeting the root of the flaws! This young man's understanding of martial arts has reached the level of 'skill approaching the Dao'! His last finger strike and sword strike just now were not from any existing martial arts routine, but were his own creation based on his own on-the-spot integration!"
Elder Han and the other elders exchanged nods, their eyes filled with amazement and satisfaction.
"This child is a prodigy!"
"With a heart as firm as a rock and such extraordinary comprehension, if he could enter my Seven Absolutes Sect, given time, he would surely achieve great things!"
The other martial artists below were dumbfounded, their gazes towards Lin Mo filled with shock, admiration, and even a hint of awe. The young master surnamed Zhao's face turned pale and then red, finally lowering his head completely, no longer daring to have any thoughts of comparison.
Lin Mo sheathed his sword, bowed slightly to the platform, and calmly walked back to the area for those who had passed through, as if he had just done something insignificant. Only he knew that this "martial arts verification" had given him new insights into the fusion of martial arts from his two lifetimes.
He not only passed the second test, but also attracted the attention of the Seven Absolutes Sect's higher-ups in a stunning way.