Within the Star River.
A figure stood not far in front of Ning Xuan.
A closer look revealed that the figure's face was identical to his.
And that was not all.
Even its clothes and weapons were exactly the same, as though they had been cast from the same mold.
"Your greatest enemy is yourself!"
"Only by defeating yourself can you earn the right to reach the pinnacle!"
An indifferent, mechanical voice rang out through the Star River.
Ning Xuan's heart sank slightly.
Defeat myself!
He had to admit that the scene before him went well beyond his expectations.
Ning Xuan had originally thought that, however difficult the ninth floor might be, it would perhaps only pit him against a cultivator two minor realms higher.
After all, the fifth floor had featured a genuine sixth heavenly being opponent.
The sixth through eighth floors had also featured sixth heavenly being opponents, each merely a little stronger than the one on the floor below.
They were sixth heavenly beings in name.
But their strength already rivaled ordinary seventh or eighth heavenly beings.
Ning Xuan had even imagined that an eighth heavenly being, or perhaps even a ninth heavenly being expert, would be waiting for him on the ninth floor.
Yet he had never expected this.
The opponent on the ninth floor was a replica of himself.
Still.
Until they actually fought, Ning Xuan could not be certain whether his opponent could truly replicate his strength perfectly.
Achieving that would be far too difficult.
Even though his own master had refined the Treasure Pagoda, he could scarcely believe it.
Suddenly.
The puppet moved, drawing the sword at its waist three inches from its sheath. Razor-sharp sword energy shot out of the scabbard, tearing through the air in an instant.
At the sight.
Ning