Exchanging death for injury—this obviously couldn’t be called a victory.
Her body was restored by the white light, and Jiang Ke’er pressed on without pause.
She gradually understood the opponent’s offense and defense focus: everything hinged on the word “change.”
It was an exquisite and flawless adaptability, every choice perfect without a single flaw.
But this change only existed in the first round.
Because she only needed to adapt randomly in that first round; as for the following battle… the outcome had already been calculated the moment she made her choice.
Like an invincible chess master, from the moment the first piece was placed, everything that followed was under her control.
To defeat her, one either had to possess stronger computational power or overwhelm her with speed and strength.
Stubborn Jiang Ke’er chose the most difficult path.
The frantic calculations gave her splitting headaches, and repeated failures severely wounded her confidence, as if a stone was lodged in her chest… but Jiang Ke’er had no other strong suits except stubbornness.
She was determined to surpass the opponent in computational ability before giving up.
“Shh—”
Another death, another clash. Suddenly, a thunderous boom exploded in Jiang Ke’er’s mind, as if breaking through some shackles. The pain disappeared, replaced by a newfound clarity!
Her spiritual power exploded and circulated at an unprecedented speed! Her previously stagnant divine sense wildly condensed once more, solidifying and nourishing her brain, fatigued and damaged from overthinking!
Jiang Ke’er couldn’t see her own back, but she could feel something opening its eyes on the far side of the void, transmitting power into her body!
Behind her, two Dharma Aspects opened their eyes.
One was a massive nine-tailed fox, its ethereal foxfire radiating a pressure that could burn all things, the fiery longbow in its hand blazing like the scorching sun! Its appearance was exactly the same as the dummy Jiang Ke’er had been battling!
The other was formless and intangible, a body as vast as the starry river, with a dark, hollow core like a black hole, exuding an ominous force eager to devour everything! It wielded boundless power and infinite desire; with a wave of its hand, entire worlds rose and fell!
Infinite devouring power flowed from the Nebula Dharma Aspect, allowing Jiang Ke’er to perfectly learn and imitate the dummy’s techniques in front of her.
Meanwhile, the Nine-tailed Dharma Aspect released thousands of runes that flooded Jiang Ke’er’s mind, enhancing her calculation ability so she would understand not just the “what,” but the “why.”
These two Dharma Aspects seemed to be competing for dominance over Jiang Ke’er’s body. Although they didn’t fight openly, they were almost as incompatible as water and fire—clearly distinct.
Yet their purpose was the same—to help Jiang Ke’er grow, each in their own way!
Jiang Ke’er was completely unaware of this; she only felt that when countering moves, she was no longer so powerless. Countless imaginative responses constantly burst forth in her mind.
“Ding—”
With a sword clashing against the opponent’s dagger, Jiang Ke’er seized the initiative!
This was the first time she had taken control in battle against the dummy!
Jiang Ke’er didn’t use Sword Intent or Swiftwind Sword Dao techniques; she fought with basic tools and skills, just like the opponent… Her strike landed, sword light counterattacking and slashing toward the dummy’s throat!
The dummy indeed leaned back to dodge, but before it finished retreating, Jiang Ke’er suddenly changed her move.
She stepped forward desperately, rushing into the dummy’s embrace, and drove the sword tip down through its chest!
“Puchi—”
The Phantom Dummy dissolved into white light.
【Training Ground System Prompt: Stage Cleared!】
【Congratulations on successfully clearing Level 1 Training Ground—Advanced Stage—Yuan Realm Phantom Dummy! Completion Rating—SSS—Technical Breakthrough!】
【Awarded SSS-level clearance reward—Nether Blade】
A small black glowing orb descended from the sky, slowly landing in Jiang Ke’er’s hands.
Jiang Ke’er cupped the orb, which then expanded, transforming into a dagger as dark and secretive as the night.
Identification.
【Nether Blade: Blade of Death. Any living being slain by this blade will have its soul sealed within the dagger.】
She hadn’t expected to receive a reward after clearing the stage.
Jiang Ke’er joyfully held the dagger, sheathing it and securing it at her waist.
During the battle with the dummy, Jiang Ke’er had also developed a deep fondness for the dagger—a weapon both agile and deceptive—and learned many dagger techniques from the opponent… Using it suddenly in battle would definitely be a decisive Assassin’s Trump Card!
“Not bad, you basically have kindergarten-level skills now.” The Incarnation Dummy nearby suddenly spoke, showing Jiang Ke’er a look of approval.
Hmm? Kindergarten?
Jiang Ke’er blinked, then furiously flared up.
What’s with that attitude? I just clearly defeated you in technical skill, you bastard!
【Training Space System Prompt: “Simulation Ability Dummy with One Millionth Computing Power” defeated. Due to SSS rating, hidden stages unlocked—“Super Dual Polarity Stage Simulation Ability Dummy with Two Millionths Computing Power” and “Ultimate Three Talents Stage Simulation Ability Dummy with Four Millionths Computing Power.”】
Jiang Ke’er opened her mouth in shock.
One… one millionth?!
The dummy she had painstakingly defeated had only used one millionth of its computational power?
Jiang Ke’er was on the verge of tears.
Wuwu, training is so hard! I don’t want to practice anymore! I want to go home and play trash mobile games! I want to be a Chaff Fish, hiding in bed playing games all day.
Looks like I’m too stupid. Cultivation isn’t for me QAQ!
【Continue to higher-level training?】
“Yes.”
【Please select level.】
“Ultimate, Three Talents Stage.”
【Selection successful. Dummy generated.】
“Shh—”
The system’s voice had just fallen when Jiang Ke’er felt a gust of wind blow past her, then she was revived by white light.
Just as she revived, another gust of wind swept through, and white light once again enveloped her body…
In just ten seconds, Jiang Ke’er died twenty times.
She didn’t even get a clear look at the opponent’s shadow; even with dynamic vision enabled, she could barely catch afterimages.
At this point, the Dharma Aspects had long since dissipated, and Jiang Ke’er had left that learning state. On top of that, the consecutive days of battle had left her utterly exhausted.
No matter how she resisted, she couldn’t escape instant death from a single strike.
“Sorry! I’m out of your way!”
Tears streaming, Jiang Ke’er quit the cultivation space, filled with crushing defeat and despair.
“I’m too weak wuwu!”
At dawn, Mu Guoguo, who had just gotten up to prepare Jiang Ke’er’s nutritious breakfast, saw Jiang Ke’er burst into her room, clutching her and burying her head in tears.
“…What’s wrong?” Mu Guoguo asked, stunned.
“Nothing, I just suddenly feel so sad. Like I’m a useless Chaff Fish, trash no matter how hard I try, not even one-millionth as good as others!”
Mu Guoguo twitched her mouth: “If you say that, then we must be dust that’s not even one ten-millionth as good.”
“Seems like it… looks like we’re both trash!”
Mu Guoguo’s nose went sour, and she too couldn’t help but feel sorrowful: “That really is the case!”
The fox and dog embraced and wept together.