===========================
[>>[INFORMATION]<<]
Challenger Ji Wuye,
Congratulations on successfully clearing the sixth floor!
===========================
===========================
[!] The way you handled the army of fallen warriors has impressed and shocked all the gods, resulting in your incredible achievement!
===========================
===========================
[!] You easily overpowered and defeated one of history's most famous and strongest warriors, achieving an extraordinary feat!
===========================
===========================
[!] The gods widened their eyes in disbelief as they witnessed you clearing the challenge and turning all those fallen warriors into your soldiers!
===========================
===========================
[>>[REWARD]<<]
The gods, having been astounded multiple times, have generously rewarded you with 50,000 TOG Coins!
===========================
Standing before the stabbed, blackened stone slab, Ji Wuye narrowed his eyes against the ethereal glow emanating from the transparent screen hovering from his face. The faint blue light cast harsh shadows across his angular features as his lips curled into a knowing smirk.
'As expected,' he thought, his thumb absently tracing the jagged edge where the banner pierced the monument. 'From the way that ghost army appeared to the point where even the ghost I dueled managed to regain his consciousness... it's all too deliberate.'
A gentle breeze stirred his hair, carrying the distant echoes of battle that still seemed to resonate throughout the valley.
It wasn't a coincidence—or rather, it had been orchestrated by the gods. But that didn't bother him. Instead, he tilted his head thoughtfully and murmured, "Which means this won't be the last, nor was it the first."
He gazed at the black-clouded sky, now pierced by golden light that spilled through the fracturing darkness like molten metal through cracks in a forge.
The sudden brightness made him squint and raise a hand to shield his eyes as the illumination swept across the entire valley. The dark clouds dispersed with an almost audible sigh, receding like reluctant sentinels called back to their posts.
"But isn't this reward a bit stingy?" he said aloud, still staring up at the sky while spreading his arms in a theatrical gesture of disappointment.
His voice echoed slightly in the now-quiet battlefield, carrying a hint of challenge beneath its casual tone. "Just some coins? No level-ups, no stats?"
The silence that answered him was profound. Ji Wuye's shoulders rose and fell in a resigned shrug, knowing there would be no response—nor had he expected one.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
Then, he wrapped his fingers around the embedded Soul-Forged Banner in the blackened stone slab. With a swift motion that betrayed his strength, he pulled the banner free, the stone releasing it with a sound like a final exhalation.
The instant he did, another transparent screen materialized before his eyes while his body began to dissolve into countless shimmering cubes
===========================
[!] You will now be immediately transported back to the Challenger Private Lobby!
===========================
…
Once again, countless blue light cubes began to materialize in the air. The cubes danced and flickered like sapphire fireflies, swirling in a precise geometric pattern before gradually coalescing into form.
First came the outline of Ji Wuye's white martial robe, the fabric taking shape thread by ethereal thread, its blue stripes materializing with the precision of a master weaver's touch.
His long white hair took shape next, strand by luminous strand, flowing down like a waterfall of moonlight.
His facial features crystallized with meticulous detail—high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and lips pressed into a neutral expression as the process continued downward, completing his limbs and torso.
Throughout the materialization, his crimson eyes remained closed, eyelids formed but unmoving, as if he were in deep meditation rather than mid-creation.
Finally, with the last cube settling into place at the tip of his left foot, Ji Wuye opened his eyes. The crimson pupils, deep as freshly spilled blood and just as vibrant, adjusted to the light before glancing methodically around the familiar cubic room.
The next moment, a soft greenish light began envelop his entire body. The light carried tangible properties—a soothing warmth that penetrated beyond his skin and into his muscles, unwinding knots of tension and refreshing his thoughts.
===========================
[!] All temporary injuries have been healed!
===========================
===========================
[!] You have 30 minutes remaining before being transported back to your world!
===========================
The moment the healing process was complete, Ji Wuye immediately opened his stats.
========================
STATUS SCREEN
========================
Name: Ji Wuye
Level: 26
========================
ATTRIBUTES
========================
Strength: 190
Agility: 184
Qi: 284
========================
SKILLS
========================
- Quick Adaptation (B)
- Deflecting Blows (B)
- Feline Reflexes (C)
- Slash Breaker (C)
- Qi Training (???)
========================
MARTIAL ARTS
========================
- Pressure Form Perfection Style (4th) (B)
- Healing Art Primer (3rd) (D)
- Cloudsoaring Steps (2nd) (E)
- Pulse of Blade Sword Art (2nd) (??)
- The Unbreakable Vajra Form (2nd) (C)
- Heavenly Dragon Fusion Gongfa (3rd) (C)
========================
COPIED MARTIAL ARTS MOVES
========================
- Thunder Dragon Dance (1st) (B)
- Twin Phoenix Dance (Final) (C)
- Hundred Steps (Final) (C)
- Kunlun Aura Ascension (1st) (2nd) (B)
- Black Thunder Doctrine (1st) (2nd) (3rd) (??)
- Sky Demon Blade (3rd) (B)
- Venomous Beast (1st) (B)
- Taiyi Divine Sword (2nd) (??)
- Wallace’s Sword Techniques (1st) (2nd) (3rd) (4th) (Final) (??)
========================
Of course, Ji Wuye's immediate focus was on the ‘Wallace’s Sword Techniques’ that had been fully registered. Not just the final move, but the entire set of moves—complete and intact.
"Beautiful," he murmured, a wide smile spreading across his face as his eyes narrowed in satisfaction.
There was absolutely no reason for him to choose the first path, Path of Honor, to inherit the spirit or ghost technique. His Quick Adaptation skill alone was far more than sufficient.
This was more than enough to serve as a remarkable reference for the further development of his Eternal Blade Art. And that wasn’t even considering the fact that he had yet to test the rest of the copied martial artists’ abilities. "Now’s the time," Ji Wuye said to himself.
But before proceeding, he signaled, "Shop."
===========================
[*] SHOP
===========================
[>] Skill [<] || [>] Items [<]
===========================
"Skill," Ji Wuye commanded without hesitation, immediately navigating to the skill section.
===========================
[*] SKILLS || TOG COINS: 50,000
===========================
Lionheart's Valiant Strike (B) - 50,000 coins
Heaven-Shattering Palm (B) - 48,000 coins
Berserker’s Wrathful Charge (B) - 46,000 coins
Thunderclap War Stomp (B) - 38,000 coins
Seven Shadows Sword Dance (B) - 36,000 coins
Demon-Slaying Arc Slash (B) - 34,000 coins
Storm King's Spear Thrust (B) - 32,000 coins
Steel Fang Piercing Strike (C) - 30,000 coins
Thousand Lotus Palm (C) - 28,000 coins
Warrior’s Mountain Stance (C) - 26,000 coins
Tempest Fang Blade (C) - 18,000 coins
Iron Fortress Guard Stance (C) - 16,000 coins
Serpent’s Venomous Fist (C) - 14,000 coins
Raging Bull Shoulder Bash (C) - 12,000 coins
...
===========================
As Ji Wuye scanned the list of skills, many of them appeared either familiar or unfamiliar to him. However, what truly caught his attention was the quality.
"All of them are either B or C grade," he murmured with a frown, noticing that every skill was priced at over 5,000 coins.
‘Is this what those who achieved incredible feats felt back in the previous timeline?’ he thought to himself.
But just as that thought crossed his mind, Ji Wuye’s eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he closed both the skill list and the shop screens.
‘I almost forgot about the challenge on the 10th floor,’ he muttered inwardly, shaking his head. A moment later, a transparent screen popped up before him.
===========================
[!] With 20 minutes remaining, are you certain you wish to return to your world at this moment?
===========================
It was a pity that he hadn’t purchased anything with the amount of coins he had available. But Ji Wuye consoled himself, "At least I gained something."
Without hesitation, he confirmed, "Yes."
