The next day.
The first rays of dawn broke.
Luo Mu changed into clean and tidy clothes and walked out of the room.
After breaking through to the True Aperture Realm, his entire aura had changed significantly.
There was a hint of authority in his eyes.
This was the transformation brought about by breaking through a major realm.
Everyone experiences it.
Especially those at the peak of their strength.
The power of their gaze could even shatter mountains and split rivers.
He arrived at the Martial Arts Pavilion.
As it was early morning, there weren't many people.
But the elder was already lying down on his chair.
It was unclear whether he had been there all along, or had arrived early.
"Elder, I'm here to return the secret manual."
Luo Mu took out the secret manual for the "Life-Ending Sword Technique" and placed it on the table.
Upon hearing this.
The elder slowly opened his eyes.
He also glanced at Luo Mu, and his eyes immediately flashed with surprise.
He remembered this young man.
Half a month ago, he had borrowed the "Life-Ending Sword Technique". He remembered that he was only at the Body Tempering Realm, seventh level at the time. But now, he had already broken through to the True Aperture Realm.
It seemed that he had good aptitude.
Without saying anything, the elder picked up the secret manual and looked at it. There was no damage, so he put it away.
A sense of satisfaction flashed through his mind.
He was a sensible young man.
He had returned it after only half a month.
Unlike others, who would bump their heads against a wall for half a year before realizing their pain.
In his opinion, Luo Mu knew he wouldn't be able to learn it, so he returned it so early.
Naturally, Luo Mu had no idea what the elder was thinking.
He continued, "Elder, I want to try the third layer of the formation."
Hearing this.
The elder, who was about to close his eyes, opened them again.
"Are you serious, young man?"
"The third layer of the formation isn't something just anyone can pass. You've only just entered the True Aperture Realm."
"I want to give it a try."
Luo Mu's gaze was firm.
Seeing this, the elder nodded and didn't try to dissuade him further.
As he always did.
Over the years, he had seen so many people.
Those who dared to challenge the formation as soon as they broke through all ended up with their tails between their legs, and no amount of persuasion would work.
But young people, full of vigor, it was normal.
However, his impression of Luo Mu began to decline.
He came to the third layer.
Before him was a wide and long corridor.
It was about twenty meters long.
It seemed to be free of danger.
"When you step inside, you will trigger the formation and enter the illusionary array. Within the illusionary array, illusions will appear, their strength roughly at the True Aperture Realm, first level."
"But there are many of them."
"Be careful, I hope you can pass."
The elder gave him some advice.
But his tone was casual.
He didn't believe Luo Mu could pass.
He had just entered the True Aperture Realm, his foundation was too weak. He might be able to barely deal with one, but there were ten illusions in the illusionary array!
"Thank you for the advice, Elder."
Luo Mu nodded.
His right hand rested on the hilt of his sword at his waist.
It was a new sword.
But it was also a common weapon, he would use it for now.
He then took a step into the corridor.
Buzz~
In an instant.
The surrounding scenery changed drastically.
At his feet was a water surface like a mirror, reflecting his image. Every step he took created ripples.
"So this is the power of the formation."
Luo Mu felt a sense of wonder.
He hadn't had any experience with this before. He only knew that powerful formations could trap people forever.
Gurgling!
Suddenly, the water surface ahead rippled.
One by one, hazy figures appeared.
There were ten in total.
Their auras were also quite strong, all at the True Aperture Realm, first level!
"This number, even a newly-entered True Aperture Realm wouldn't be able to handle."
Luo Mu's eyes were calm.
He would need at least the True Aperture Realm, third or fourth level, to crush them.
But when a True Aperture Realm, third level martial artist came, the strength of these illusions would also increase to the third level.
So the key to passing was one's own foundation.
At least one must have mastered a Human Grade martial art, and then one would have the capital to pass.
Heaven Grade martial arts were precious.
The Academy only passed them down to true elites.
If one couldn't defeat ten, couldn't even handle ten mindless illusions, how could one be called an elite?
"But I'm not an ordinary True Aperture Realm!"
Luo Mu drew the long sword from his waist.
The back of his right hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, also slowly revealed itself.
Hiss!
The ten illusions suddenly opened their icy eyes and charged towards Luo Mu.
Their claws were incredibly sharp.
They were like blades.
Once the "Life-Ending Sword Technique" reached perfection, its power was no weaker than a Heaven Grade, lower-class martial art at the small achievement stage.
"Life-Ending!"
With a low shout, Luo Mu also charged forward with his sword!
The Life-Ending Sword Qi surged out from the seal, covering the blade and extending to ten meters!
Strike!
Luo Mu dodged all the illusions' attacks, brushing past them.
While the Life-Ending Sword Qi directly sliced across their waists.
The next second.
Gurgling!
All the illusions were cut in half.
They dissipated into mist.
At the same time, the surrounding scenery began to shatter like bubbles.
Outside.
The elder was timing him.
To see how long Luo Mu could hold on, or how many breaths he would be knocked out in.
Seeing ripples in the corridor.
The elder knew it was over.
Then the corner of his mouth twitched.
It had only been five breaths.
It was over already?
Couldn't he have failed a little slower?
Those who had just entered the True Aperture Realm in the past could at least hold on for ten breaths.
This young man looked strong and upright, but he was a straw that would break under the slightest pressure.
All bark and no bite.
He was the weakest one he had seen in years.
Soon.
Luo Mu's figure appeared in the corridor.
The elder was just about to go and help him up.
But his pupils contracted, and his eyes gradually widened in disbelief.
In his mind, Luo Mu should be lying on the ground.
But it was the complete opposite.
Luo Mu was still standing, slowly sheathing his sword.
And there was still a strong sword Qi surrounding him.
A hazy gray!
That was...Life-Ending Sword Qi!!!!
"You!"
The elder couldn't believe it, he even rubbed his eyes.
When he saw the dark sword mark on the back of Luo Mu's right hand, he was completely certain it was Life-Ending Sword Qi!
This boy had actually mastered the "Life-Ending Sword Technique" to perfection!
But how was that possible?
This boy had only taken the "Life-Ending Sword Technique" half a month ago.
Did that mean he had mastered it to perfection in half a month?
The elder felt like his cognition had been violently impacted.