Boom!
A fist roared through the air!
Dozens of phantom images of different fist techniques appeared on the massive fist energy as it smashed forward like a storm toward the Copper Man Formation ahead.
Bang!!!
With a deep, thunderous crash, the Eighteen Copper Men Formation instantly shattered. The eighteen copper men were sent flying, crashing heavily into the walls.
Whoosh...
Cao Youqian let out a long breath and muttered, "That felt good. It's been a long time since I had such a satisfying fight."
He didn't withdraw his fist. Instead, his gaze fell on the eighteen copper men lying on the floor.
Their bodies were covered in cracks, as if they would break apart with the slightest touch.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed through the attic.
"Congratulations, trial taker, for passing the eighth level. Do you wish to proceed to the ninth level of the trial?"
"Yes."
As soon as Cao Youqian spoke, light descended. When the brilliance in front of him faded, he found himself in the empty ninth level.
This time, there were no copper men. Only an empty room.
Huh...
He scratched his head in confusion. This wasn't what he had imagined.
At the same time, outside the trial tower, everyone who saw the ninth level light up let out cries of surprise.
"Who made it to the ninth level of the trial tower? Was it the genius from the Blood God Cult or that black-robed brute?"
"Whoever it is, they must be a top prodigy from one of the Ten Great Holy Lands."
"..."
Inside the trial tower, just as Cao Youqian was about to sit cross-legged due to the silence in the ninth level, he suddenly sensed a strange feeling—like he was being watched.
Then, a figure emerged from the wall.
Hmm?
Looking at the figure in a black robe whose aura was identical to his own, Cao Youqian's eyes filled with doubt.
"Who's pretending to be spooky here?"
"You really want to know?"
The black-robed man spoke in exactly the same voice as Cao Youqian. Even though Cao Youqian had encountered many bizarre things, this still made his hair stand on end. Instinctively, he clenched his fists.
"You're afraid."
The black-robed figure pressed forward step by step, as if trying to shatter Cao Youqian's mental defenses with words.
"Hmph, I've never feared any opponent in my life!"
Cao Youqian quickly assumed a fighting stance. No matter what was under that black robe, he was ready to show it the might of his fists.
"Is that so? Then I'll push your fear to its limit."
As he spoke, the black-robed man removed his cloak and peeled off his mask, revealing a face identical to Cao Youqian's.
That gaze, aura, even the subtle gestures—it was like he had been carved from the same mold. If Cao Youqian didn't know he was an only child, he'd have thought this was his long-lost twin brother.
Cao Youqian would be lying if he said he wasn't shaken, but he had more faith in his iron fists.
With a deep voice, he said, "You bastard, impersonating me? Let me tell you—maybe you can copy my face, but you can't copy my fists!"
With that, Cao Youqian lunged forward in a lunge step and threw a powerful punch at the imposter.
The imposter responded with the exact same technique.
Crack!!!
As their fists collided, a sharp cracking sound rang out. Cao Youqian felt a numbness in his arm—the opponent's strength was even greater than his own.
The imposter chuckled and said, "Now, do you still think I can't use your fists?"
"I don't believe it. There's no way you know everything I do!"
Cao Youqian unleashed every single one of his fist techniques, but the more he fought, the more shocked he became. The imposter before him countered each strike with the exact same technique.
Not only that, each punch the imposter threw was stronger than his own. If it weren't for the fact that Cao Youqian was a body cultivator who had also awakened a divine body, he would've already lost.
Bang!
After one exchange, Cao Youqian narrowed his eyes, staring coldly at his opponent as he asked, "Who exactly are you?"
The imposter smiled and replied, "Aren't I you? To be precise, I'm your illusion—a simulated projection created by the trial tower, based on your strength and techniques. And I'm twice as strong as you."
Cao Youqian's face lit up with sudden understanding. "So the ninth floor's trial… is to overcome oneself."
"That's right. Unfortunately, it seems you don't have the strength to pass it. Now that you've figured it out, this trial should come to an end."
As the illusion spoke, its aura continued to climb, breaking through the True Fate Realm and stepping into the Heaven Origin level.
But Cao Youqian smirked.
"A fake is still a fake. Looks like you don't know what my strongest asset really is."
As soon as he finished speaking, a violent surge erupted from his body like a volcanic eruption. A powerful aura burst forth, and in that instant, he activated his divine body. An overwhelming pressure swept across the ninth floor of the tower.
"Divine body?"
The illusion's eyes finally revealed a rare trace of shock.
"Correct. But too bad there's no reward. Extreme Dao Divine Fist!"
Cao Youqian threw a fierce punch. This punch didn't just carry the intent of the Extreme Dao Divine Fist—it also bore the essence of every fist technique he had cultivated during this time.
The intents didn't merge into the Extreme Dao Divine Fist. Instead, they were layered atop the fist energy.
Sensing dozens of fist intents embedded in the punch, the illusion instinctively retaliated while cursing aloud, "Madman! You're a complete lunatic!"
Who could possibly comprehend that many fist intents in one body? Could that little frame of yours even handle it?
Boom—boom—boom!
The two fist energies clashed once again in mid-air, erupting like a miniature mushroom cloud. The massive shockwave engulfed both Cao Youqian and the illusion.
A long while later, Cao Youqian waved away the lingering energy. Looking around at the now-empty ninth floor, the corners of his mouth curved up with satisfaction.
"Nothing special."
"Congratulations, trial taker, for completing the ultimate trial of the trial tower. You may now comprehend the Dao inside the tower for eighty-one days."
As the voice fell, a ray of light descended on Cao Youqian's body.
For some reason, he suddenly felt a profound and mysterious sensation in his mind.
Bathed in that light, he began cultivating the remaining techniques among the hundred arts.
Within the tower, the tower spirit's attention had been locked on this ferocious man.
In all its years as a tower spirit, it hadn't seen anyone capable of overcoming themselves in countless eras.
Yet this genius… was actually cultivating a trash technique? What in the world was going on in this kid's head?
Everyone else came to the tower to comprehend profound techniques, and this brat was seriously practicing this?
Cao Youqian was completely unaware that someone was watching him. He was fully immersed in cultivation.
He discovered that within this light, his comprehension seemed significantly enhanced. Originally, it would have taken him several days to fully master a technique—but now, he could complete it within just a few hours.
'This trial tower is truly a great treasure. This time, I'll definitely take my strength to the next level!'
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