After the stone enveloping the Shrine Knight shattered on the platform, it started to move towards Shi Feng .
As the situation developed, the pressure Shi Feng felt continued to build .
Had Shi Feng not known that the Shrine's trials wouldn't kill the challengers, he would've likely used Absolute Domain to defend himself .
"Challenger, you have two choices . The first is to dodge all of my attacks; the second is to surpass me in combat standards . Your time limit is three hours . You have three minutes to consider . If you do not decide in three minutes, you'll be forced out of the Shrine automatically," the Shrine Knight mechanically explained .
Dodge all of his attacks or surpass him in combat standards? Shi Feng took a closer look at the Shrine Knight before him . After a moment of consideration, he declared, "I choose the second option!"
The Shrine Knight was a Tier 4 Sword Emperor .
Even if the NPC were the same level as Shi Feng, its attacks wouldn't be a trivial matter . Furthermore, Shi Feng was still in a Weakened state . That would make it even more difficult to dodge every one of the Sword Emperor's attacks .
Competing against the Shrine Knight in combat standards was his only chance to clear the challenge .
Normally, after NPCs reached Tier 3, their combat standards would be on par to ordinary expert players . Some powerful Tier 3 NPCs could even reach the Refinement Realm . Including NPCs' superior Attributes, Tier 3 NPCs were generally far more powerful than Tier 3 players .
Even the weakest Tier 4 NPCs' combat standards were at the Refinement Realm, and the more powerful ones could even reach the Void Realm . Not even Tier 4 peak experts would have dared to provoke Tier 4 NPCs in the past .
As for the Heroes who were summoned to protect towns and cities, those capable of reaching Tier 4 had no issue reaching the Void Realm . This was precisely why they could summon towns and cities .
Although Shi Feng bore a Weakened state, his combat standards weren't affected .
Moreover, competing against a Tier 4 NPC via techniques was a rare opportunity .
Unlike players, an NPC's combat techniques were far more refined . Their application could even stun players .
"Excellent . Let's start the battle, then . During this time, my Basic Attributes will drop to match yours . I will also be set at Tier 2 . Neither of us will be allowed to use any Skills or Spells during this fight . You're also prohibited from using any tools . You will only complete the trial after depleting my HP completely," the Shrine Knight said, nodding . His aura then began to weaken as the Shrine Knight fell from a Level 100 Sword Emperor to a Level 61 Sword Master .
For a brief moment, Shi Feng felt restricted . A notification then appeared, telling him that he was temporarily barred from using Skills, Spells, or tools .
Shrine Knight now had 1,000,000 HP remaining . It was entirely possible for Shi Feng to end this battle quickly, even while relying on his combat techniques .
Before Shi Feng could prepare, the Shrine Knight appeared before him, its golden greatsword transforming into a streak of golden light that struck at Shi Feng repeatedly in quick succession .
So fast!
Shi Feng promptly executed Sword's Orbit as the Shrine Knight's blade descended .
There wasn't a shred of hesitation in the Shrine Knight's movements . It seemed as if the NPC moved on instinct rather than rational thought . He was unlike players, who usually thought before taking action . The near-instinctive movements allowed the Shrine Knight to execute attacks that were so fast that Shi Feng couldn't preemptively defend himself . As a result, Shi Feng had to rely on passive defense techniques like Sword's Orbit to protect himself from the incoming attacks .
Dang… Dang… Dang…
Metallic clangs echoed across the platform as dazzling sparks lit the air .
If other players saw this, they'd be dumbfounded . As time passed, both fighter's movements became faster and smoother, and any ordinary expert would be overwhelmed by the scene .
Although Shi Feng and the Shrine Knight's swings were incredibly fast, their speed wasn't a result of high Attack Speed . Rather, it was due to their instinctive execution .
Even after exchanging blows for several minutes, neither side had dealt any damage .
As expected of a Sword Emperor; if I don't rely on Sword's Orbit to block his attacks, he'll likely kill me very quickly . Shi Feng could not help his bitter smile as he deflected the NPC's frenzied attacks .
Fighting the Shrine Knight reminded Shi Feng of how powerful NPCs were .
Despite their equally high Attack Speeds, the Shrine Knight overwhelmed Shi Feng due to the difference in their reaction speeds .
This won't do . I can't allow this to drag on . Realizing that none of his attacks reached the Shrine Knight, Shi Feng retreated to search for more favorable terrain .
Although the Shrine Knight had the same Basic Attributes as Shi Feng, NPCs had far more Stamina and Concentration . Shi Feng did not doubt for a second that the Shrine Knight could outlast him in a battle of endurance .
As Shi Feng retreated, he soon discovered a small grove of tall trees near the edge of the platform .
That should work . Shi Feng immediately made his way towards the small grove .
Unlike players, NPCs weren't good at taking advantage of their surroundings . This fact even held true for Tier 4 NPCs . If he used the trees to block a portion of the Shrine Knight's attacks, he would have more opportunities to deal damage .
However, as soon as Shi Feng left the platform's central area, the Shrine Knight stopped his attacks and leaped backward, withdrawing from the battle . The NPC then turned and walked back to his original position .
Crap! Is this for real?! The system won't even give me a chance of winning?! Shi Feng was speechless when he saw the Shrine Knight recover to his original state .
If he could not fight outside of the platform's central area, he wouldn't be able to take advantage of the terrain . If he continued to exchange blows mindlessly with the Shrine Knight, he would exhaust himself and die before his three hours were up .
Why is this trial so difficult even though it's the lowermost Epic Shrine? Shi Feng felt a wave of frustration wash over him as he stared at the motionless Shrine Knight .
Whether it was players or NPCs, as long as they reached the Void Realm, they would have a clear grasp of movement around them . In addition, the Shrine Knight could execute near-instinctive attacks .
Aside from Domain Realm experts, Shi Feng doubted that anyone was capable of beating the Shrine Knight's combat standards .
Of course, there was one way that Void Realm players could defeat an NPC like the Shrine Knight .
An Advanced Offensive Combat Technique . But even now, Shi Feng had only learned Basic Offensive Combat Techniques . He had only learned two Advanced Combat Techniques, one of which was Void Steps, while the other was Sword's Orbit . Void Steps was a footwork technique, and ineffective against Void Realm NPCs and players . As for Sword's Orbit, it was mainly a defensive combat technique . It could not be considered a true offensive combat technique .
Is giving up my only choice? Shi Feng took a moment to consider the situation .
Without being able to use his Skills and Spells, he had lost one of his major advantages . He couldn't use the Soul Water or Crystal of Souls he had produced with the Soul Orb to enhance his focus, either . Without these options, he had no hope of defeating the Shrine Guard . If this continued to drag on, he'd only waste his precious time .
As Shi Feng searched his bag for any items that might help him, he came across the Dark Iron Bloodline . The restriction period had already ended, and he could now use the Bloodline . Fortunately, this didn't count as a prohibited item .
That's right! How could I forget about the Bloodline?! Shi Feng laughed as he gazed at the Dark Iron Bloodline in his bag .
When consumed, Bloodlines improved a player's Life Rating . When a player's Life Rating in God's Domain increased, every aspect of their being improved . Reaction speed, Stamina, and Concentration were just a few of these aspects .
Shi Feng retrieved the Dark Iron Bloodline from his bag . Removing the crystal bottle's lid, he consumed the pitch-black liquid contained within .
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