Talented Martial Hero
Chapter 74 Pass The Fourth Test

'What the hell? I just took care of one, and now another showed up. What if I use some secret skillto kill this one? Will another copy with the secret skill turn up? Will the runes keep making copies ofme along with the techniques I use to kill the previous one?’ Darren cursed, studying the replica ofhimself.

'If my assumption is right, I'm as good as dead.

I finally understand why so many geniuses lost their lives here. This is almost like a suicide task.There's no way anyone can keep fighting themselves no matter how strong they are. The runes willjust make another stronger version of you.

In the past thousands of years, approximately 100, 000 talented cultivators had come here, but noone had gotten the so-called inheritance yet. Only a few had managed to get out of here alive. Elsawas lucky to survive.’

Darren started to regret his choices. After he passed the third test, he had the chance to back out,but since he easily passed the previous trials, he thought that he might be able to get through allthe tests. Now, facing another copy of him wielding a sword and a blade, he realized how wrong hewas. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to push through as there was no turning back at this point.He made up his mind to pull out all the stops to defeat his enemy.

Shaking off all the negative thoughts, he got up and fixed his eyes on his opponent—the secondcopy.

Meanwhile, Elsa looked at the lake from time to time, hoping to see a glance of Darren. Sadly, therewas no sign of the man she was looking for, making her extremely worried.

"Sir, please check on Darren and see how he is doing," she pleaded, her eyes filled with concern.

"I told you more than once that I somehow couldn't check on Darren. Perhaps this is master's doing.I can't do anything about it,” Mathew responded solemnly, shaking his head.

“Master has never sent his avatar until now. Does Darren have some special martial skills I don'tknow about? he wondered.

"Please tell me what your master has told you. I'm really worried about my friend," Elsa continuedworriedly, her voice breaking.

"Fine, I will let you know," Mathew said with an exasperated sigh. Even though he was usuallyeasygoing and patient, he grew impatient for Elsa kept bothering him. "Master ordered me to notlet Darren into the Starry Tower before he enters the Wonder Realm even if he passes the fifth trial.”"Why not?" Elsa almost shouted out. She didn't understand why Mathew’s master was trying toprevent Darren from entering the Starry Tower.

"Why are you getting so worked up about it? And how do I know what master is thinking? It's notlike I can read minds. All I know is that master plans to send his avatar to meet Darren after he getsthrough the fifth test. If Darren makes it out of there alive, I'll go ahead and ask master why hemade such a decision,” Mathew said.

"I see. I hope God will bless Darren,” Elsa murmured as she calmed down. She could do nothing butpray and hope Darren would come back safe and sound.

The two fell into silence. After a while, Mathew glanced at Elsa and said abruptly, "If you and Darrenmake it, can you do me a favor?"

"What is it? I will do everything I can to help you. I'm sure Darren thinks the same way," Elsaresponded. She was being sincere. After all, she thought highly of the elder.

"When I died, my soul was destroyed. Once you and Darren become stronger, I hope you could helpme replace my body. Perhaps I could come back to life someday with that,” Mathew answered softly.Having fought several rounds with the fake Darren, Darren had gotten another set of wounds.

On the other hand, even though his replica was covered in bruises, Darren knew that didn't affecthim because he didn't feel any pain or fear. No matter how badly injured the replica was, hecontinued attacking Darren without any hesitation.

“Damn it! Looks like I should activate my demonic internal force, * Darren thought for he felt that hecouldn't keep this up any longer.

'He is as good at sword and blade as I am. If I continue to fight this way, I will get myself killed."

As he concentrated, the demon core in his elixir field started to stir. An enormous demonic internalforce flowed into his meridians, and he felt his strength increasing rapidly.

Once he got enough demonic internal force running through his body, he started to transform.Black scales covered his body like a tough armor.

Darren gave a shrill grow! like a beast.

With bloodthirsty eyes, he walked towards his replica.

Noting that Darren was approaching him, the fake Darren waved his sword and blade and chargedtowards his target with incredible speed.

BANG!

Instead of using his sword, Darren resorted to his fist. He gave his opponent a punch packed with somuch power that his clone was forced to step back.

Having sustained a fatal injury, the replica became weaker. Darren, on the other hand, was able torestore his former strength for he had activated demonic internal force. Through this power, he wassure he could beat his replica.

Darren dashed forward as fast as lightning and made his punch rain on his opponent's chest. Hedidn't stop until he could feel his fist tearing the fake's flesh and crushing his ribs. As a result, hisreplica got a big hole in his chest.

The fake Darren lay on the ground groaning as if he was unhappy with the result.

Since he didn't feel any pain, he was able to stand back on his feet almost immediately. He thensoared into the sky and the sword intent emanating from him formed a gust of strong wind."Profound Nine Sword Skills! Grand Thirteen Blade Skills!" the fake Darren thundered as he floatedin mid-air, ready to use his best technique.

"That's a really good move. I would have done the same if I were in his shoes. He is as persistent as Iam. No doubt a perfect replica,” Darren murmured, lifting the corners of his mouth.

He released another wave of demonic internal force, sword intent, and blade internal force at thesame time. Without wasting a second, he shot towards the gust.

A brilliant light filled the sky as Darren destroyed his replica's sword intent. He then kept punchinghis replica until the latter fell to the ground, creating a pit of at least thirty feet deep on the ground.Darren heaved a long sigh and landed on the ground.

After retrieving the demonic internal force and storing it back to his elixir field, he returned to hishuman form.

“Now I can transform freely. That's great,” Darren said in relief.

He then decided to walk towards the crater in the ground in an attempt to check his enemy, but ashe took the first step, the fake Darren leaped into the air.

He was covered in blood and it was obvious that he was dying, but having no thoughts of his ownand no feelings, he didn't care. He only had one mission, and that was to end Darren's life. Thereplica looked at Darren with cold eyes.

"I turned 'myself' into this, yet I strangely feel good about it. Am I... a freak?” Darren muttered inastonishment.

"I'll send you to our Creator!" Darren swung his arm to give his opponent a final blow afterappreciating him for a moment.

He leaped and charged towards his target. Before he could land his fist on him, though, he stoppedhimself in mid-air.

'Wait, I was wrong. If I murder him, there's a big chance that the old bell will just create anotherclone and copy my abilities yet again. If that happens, it'll be over for me, * Darren thought as hecarefully analyzed the situation and the possible consequences.

I'm glad I didn't let myself get carried away. Otherwise, I will have to face another replica, and I'msure I won't be able to survive when that happens.’

He thought about just ignoring the fake Darren. "He is too weak to fight, anyway. He is no longer athreat to me, * he concluded.

“Perhaps the key to pass this test lies on that old bell."

Darren made his way to the bell and stared at it carefully.

After studying it for a while, he didn't replace any suspicious sign on the bell. Growing impatient, heraised his hand and hit the bell, hoping to see some kind of reaction.

The mysterious runes glowed and instantly repelled his hand as though there was an invisible forcefield protecting it. The power Darren had unleashed bounced back to him. He spat out blood as heclutched his body tightly. He felt great pain inside him, almost as if his internal organs ruptured.Though he paid a hefty price, Darren had discovered something.

'l used all my strength to hit the bell, but it didn't make a sound at all. That is so strange, * hemused, furrowing his eyebrows.

He had a bold guess.

'I see. I think I know how it works, ' Darren thought, his eyes lighting up in joy. “Perhaps the test isnot just about defeating yourself, but also making this bell ring. If I succeed, I'll be able to pass it."Convinced with his theory, he smiled bitterly. “Ring the bell, and the participant can get through thetest. It sounds easy, but in reality, it's a lot harder than it looks. I mean, who would pay attention tothe bell once replica turns up? It's easy to overlook. After all, the participant's first response is todefeat the replica.

But once he does, another one will show up. I guess majority of the participants were able to kill thefirst replica, but not the second one. They must have died trying.

Only those powerful cultivators who were wise enough to conceal their best skills could defeat theirsecond replicas.

But when they were able to take out their second replicas, they would be murdered by the thirdone. It is a never-ending cycle.

This test is too difficult. If I had been reckless, I would have destroyed my second replica and diedby the hands of the third." Darren shivered at how differently things could have gone.

A few moments later, he went back to the old bell. He concentrated demonic internal force, bladeinternal force, and sword intent on his palm and hit the bell with it.

CLUNG!

A crisp, loud sound reverberated throughout the place.

As the bell rang, an amazingly strong sword light flashed in the sky, tearing it open. The avatar ofMathew's master came down.

"The next test is to fight me."

His voice was icy and emotionless, sending chills to Darren's bones.