In the end, Jiang Yan spent one million at the weapon shop on a Horizontal Saber of exceptional quality.
A small amount of rare Radiant Gold had been mixed into the blade, guaranteeing absolute quality. It was also far heavier than his previous saber, making it feel far more imposing when swung.
Jiang Yan weighed the Horizontal Saber in his hand and found it more satisfying the longer he looked at it.
The blade carried the faint metallic gleam unique to Radiant Gold. It was narrow, long, and straight, growing razor-sharp toward its tip. The flattened round hilt was wrapped in special material, ensuring the best possible grip.
With a few light flourishes through the air, several faint whistling sounds followed.
"A fine saber!"
You got what you paid for. To Jiang Yan, money was nothing more than an external possession.
After messaging Uncle Wang to let him know he was safe, Jiang Yan strode into the Wilderness.
Ruins No. 56 in the Wilderness—the territory of Fierce Beasts, a paradise for slaughter, the homeland of the brave.
Ten days later.
"Battle Saint Armor!"
"You successfully blocked an attack from the Void-Rending Weasel. Blade Bearer triggered Rebound." "You heavily injured the Void-Rending Weasel. Your comprehension of saber techniques has slightly improved."
Inside the Combat Space.
Jiang Yan panted as he watched the injured Void-Rending Weasel flee into space. Holding his saber, he stood ready and vigilant, preventing it from launching another sneak attack while he was unprepared.
Jiang Yan had already suffered losses more than once.
Whenever the Void-Rending Weasel was injured, it burrowed into space to hide, then waited for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow. It was truly impossible to guard against.
After countless exchanges with the Void-Rending Weasel, Jiang Yan had already figured out how to deal with it. He would use Blade Bearer and the Battle Saint Armor talent to endure one strike head-on, then use Rebound to return the damage.
But this method had a flaw: the Void-Rending Weasel's reactions far surpassed his own. Sometimes, before he could block in time, he would die beneath its claws.
The Void-Rending Weasel possessed ultimate speed and ultimate offense.
Jiang Yan dared say that not a single third-rank Fierce Beast outside could compare to even one of its hairs.
Yet that only stirred Jiang Yan's desire to fight. Only after countless failures could he comprehend the true meaning of battle.
"You died beneath the Void-Rending Weasel's claws for the thousandth time. Congratulations, you triggered Heaven Rewards Diligence and obtained the Orange Trait Moment of Truth."
Moment of Truth: You had comprehended the true meaning of life through countless deaths. When you suffered a fatal attack, your body had a chance of entering a state of absolute defense.
Jiang Yan said, "Did I just farm myself a famous blade?"
He immediately entered battle and engaged the Void-Rending Weasel in a fierce fight.
"You suffered a fatal strike from the Void-Rending Weasel." "You triggered Moment of Truth. Congratulations, you successfully negated this attack."
Jiang Yan simply stood still.
"You suffered a fatal strike from the Void-Rending Weasel." "You died."
"Not enough samples. Again."
That was right—Jiang Yan was using death to test the activation chance of Moment of Truth.
"You suffered a fatal strike from the Void-Rending Weasel. You died." "You suffered a fatal strike from the Void-Rending Weasel. You died." "You suffered a fatal strike from the Void-Rending Weasel. Congratulations, you successfully negated this attack." "You suffered a fatal strike from the Void-Rending Weasel. You died." "You suffered a fatal strike from the Void-Rending Weasel. Congratulations, you successfully negated this attack."
After his two-hundredth death.
Jiang Yan began organizing the experimental results. His scientific spirit was truly admirable.
"Successful negations: 57. Direct deaths: 143. Looks like Moment of Truth only has around a 25% chance of triggering."
The odds were not high. It relied a little too much on dogshit luck.
"Maybe it can save my life at a crucial moment, but ordinarily, I should still avoid trying it."
Jiang Yan continued fighting the Void-Rending Weasel.
Another day passed. Jiang Yan's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the Void-Rending Weasel, which was already on its last legs.
The Void-Rending Weasel had no revival mechanism, while Jiang Yan could revive infinitely. In terms of stamina alone, Jiang Yan already had the upper hand.
The previous successful Rebound had already severely injured the Void-Rending Weasel. As long as Jiang Yan kept at it, he would eventually grind this beast to death.
A shameless tactic.
Gravely wounded, the Void-Rending Weasel no longer dared to fight. It knew Jiang Yan possessed a skill that could return damage, so it simply refused to attack and give him an opportunity. It only relied on its ability to travel through space to wage guerrilla warfare against Jiang Yan.
But the Void-Rending Weasel's spatial talent was not inexhaustible!
"Take my saber!"
Jiang Yan gathered Blade Momentum as Nine Consecutive Steps, which had reached Subtlety proficiency, erupted in an instant.
His figure transformed into a streak of white light that pierced through the Void-Rending Weasel's body.
"Congratulations, you successfully killed the Void-Rending Weasel." "Congratulations, your realm has broken through to Blood Coagulation Late Stage." "Unfortunately, you failed to obtain a Trait." "Congratulations, you triggered the guaranteed reward from Heaven Rewards Diligence and obtained the Purple Trait Demon's Scale."
Demon's Scale: After use, your other attributes would be converted into Strength.
Looking at Demon's Scale's description, Jiang Yan could not help clicking his tongue. "Good heavens, what an extreme Trait. But it may prove highly useful at a critical moment."
His luck was not bad today. He had obtained two Traits in succession, and with his realm breakthrough, the current Jiang Yan could now utterly crush the Jiang Yan of a few days ago.
He exited the space.
Inside an abandoned building, Jiang Yan opened his eyes. His black pupils blended perfectly into the night.
Outside, the strange cries of Fierce Beasts drifted over from time to time, adding several shades of eerie gloom to the pitch-black night.
Jiang Yan was within Ruins No. 56. He hunted monsters during the day and farmed dungeons at night, living a tightly packed life.
He opened his Status Panel.
Host: Jiang Yan Talent: Battle Saint Armor Realm: Blood Coagulation Late Stage Martial Techniques: (Unranked) "Basic Saber Technique" Perfected (Yellow Grade Low Rank) "Fierce Bull Strength" Perfected (Yellow Grade High Rank) "Explosive Step" Perfected (Mysterious Grade High Rank) "Nine Consecutive Steps" Subtlety Traits: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Innate) Desperate Truth (Blue) Swiftness (Blue) Wind Rider (Blue) Blade Bearer (Purple) Moment of Truth (Orange) Demon's Scale (Purple) Special: Blade Momentum (Can break through into Blade Intent)
Jiang Yan half-closed his eyes, enjoying the finest hour before dawn.
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