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As Arthur released his spirit power the entire scene became much clearer to him.

'My perception is enhanced!'

Arthur could now sense the attacks of the Sword Puppet and its attacks became much slower in his perception.

*swoosh!*

With that, he was able to maneuver his way out of the tight spot he previously was.

He stepped back and put some space between him and the puppet and waited.

'Come on, attack me first...'

The sword puppet didn't disappoint and activated its sword intent and ran towards Arthur. As it came closer it began to send multiple energy attacks faster than it previously did.

'I can see them clearly now!'

Arthur wasn't fazed any longer and did something unpredictable.

*Crack!*

Arthur dipped the tip of his shoes with strength into the floor and shot his leg forward.

*swoosh!*

A piece of stone flew with great speed at the puppet, and Arthur dodged its attack.

The puppet didn't foresee such an attack from Arthur and had to block it hurriedly.

'Now!'

'Speed Intent...Rank-8!"

Arthur had a big speed boost again and arrived before the puppet just as it deflected his previous attack which was just a distraction.

Before the puppet could swing its sword at Arthur, he grabbed its head and once more did something he was beginning to like.

"Smash!"

Arthur bashed it on the floor, creating a large crack from the collision.

*Boom!"

The puppet was incapacitated after that.

"Damn, that felt good!" Arthur grinned, thinking of doing that again.

"The whole test is going to be getting amped up from here on out. Being restricted in my attack methods is going to be a challenge, but..."

Arthur placed his hand on his neck and tilted his head causing a slight cracking sound.

"...that makes things interesting."

'And besides, I am getting more skilled in using my power.'

Arthur had not been able to use the intents that he had comprehended in battle and this test was helping him understand what he could do.

David and Sophia looked at Arthur's display with surprise once more.

"Well, that was an unexpected turnaround. But weirdly enough, I kind of expected him to win in the end?" David felt like Arthur had left a great impression on him that he can not forget.

"Trust me, you are not alone on that..."

Outside the Sword Tower, the number displayed changed again.

[28]

"Look, he has advanced again!"

"Wait how are we sure that it's a 'he'?"

"Yeah, it could be a female disciple for all we know!"

"What do you mean 'a female disciple'! It is definitely a guy up there!"

"Are you looking for a fight?!"

A commotion was raised as people began to argue if the person who ascended the highest floor was male or female.

And before the Elders could react, it developed into a full-blown debate on how female cultivators are often underestimated in the cultivation world.

Only the Guardian Elders knew who was on the highest floor, but they would not be saying anything.

"What the hell is this?"

The Elders couldn't think of what to do in this situation until one Elder spoke.

"I think it should be a male disciple. Men are more powerful after all."

"Yeah, you hear that ladies?! Even the Elders are in support!" A male disciple shouted with great vigor.

"That would be going overboard no? There have been legendary female cultivators that have made history on the continents that even you men can only look up to!" A female Elder said with slight discontent.

"That's right, who can say cultivators like the Night Star Empress, or the Red Sun Queen were weak huh? I dare you!" A female disciple supported the female Elder.

Just like that, the voices of the crowd filled the place as they argued and temporarily forgot about the Sword Tower.

"What's wrong with these people?" The Left Guardian Elder, Ashina asked.

"Didn't see that one coming," The Right Guardian Elder, Majin shook his head.

"Should we tell them to shut it?"

"No need, they'll stop on their own."

Above the crowd, the Supreme Guardian and Old Man Whitebeard were discussing something else entirely.

"At this rate, this youngster might just clear all 33 floors of the Sword Tower," the Supreme Elder said with expectation and some doubt.

"Might?... If you ask me I'll say he will definitely pass all floors," Old Man Whitebeard had full confidence in Arthur.

"You are so sure of him. Well, I guess we only have to wait and see then."

"Yes, that's right. By the way, does that law still stand?"

"Which law?"

"Come on old friend, don't play dumb with me. I know the rule that your Sect Founder set, before he left to Heaven knows where," Old Man Whitebeard snickered.

"I know what you mean. To answer your question yes, the law still stands."

"That means as long as he clears all floors he will become the Prime Disciple of the sect and the next to succeed the Sect Leader?"

"Apparently, but not everyone will want to follow that old rule. So things might not be as smooth," the Supreme Elder frowned a bit.

"I understand, yours is not the only sect that has different factions with different interests. No power is truly united in its ways."

"We'll see how the Sect Leader handles it then..."

While All this was going on, Arthur had cleared the 28th floor and arrived on the next floor.

[29!]

"He advanced again!" A male disciple shouted at the top of his lungs.

"I already told you, the person might be a girl!" A female disciple beside him knocked him on his head.

"Ouch! Okay then, let me rephrase that...look, 'he or she has advanced again!"

"Oh heavens..." The girl face-palmed.

'This sect is filled with idiots!'

Within the tower, Arthur noticed that the sword intent of the puppet on this floor is at the 8th rank.

The sword of the puppet glowed and essence energy began to surround the sword in a spiraling manner.

"Okay, this is new."

Arthur took a battle stance and released more of his spirit power, and used the enhanced perception it gave to prepare.

'I should attack first, but I also want to see what technique it is about to use.'

*Clank!*

The Sword Puppet took a step forward and drew its sword backward with its tip facing Arthur.

The glow of the sword intensified and Arthur could see it vibrate from where he stood.

The vibration of the sword was so great that his spirit power was being pushed back a bit.

*Clank!*

The puppet took another step forward and sent its attack at Arthur.

'Shit, dodge!'

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----------End of Chapter--------------

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A/N: A thank you to everyone who has been voting for this story.

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