The seconds of the magic suppression ticked by, and outside the magic formation, Shui Se Qiang Wei and the others grew increasingly tense.
They never imagined entering the Ancient City would be so terrifying.
Once the magic suppression ended, let alone what would happen after, the three Trial Shadows had only used the Domain of Suppression. The remaining two Trial Shadows could use it again.
When that time came, Shi Feng would be facing three Trial Shadows capable of using Skills, while he himself couldn't use any, drastically reducing his combat power. It would be certain death.
He watched as the three Trial Shadows relentlessly swung their twin swords, slashing around him. Not only were their base attributes a tier above his, but each Trial Shadow possessed absolute Insight. Every sword strike was devoid of wasted motion, reaching peak speed. Fighting in unison as one, they covered each other's defensive weak points, doubling their combat effectiveness.
"There's no choice but to risk it all!"
Shi Feng knew the consequences of the magic suppression ending. Gritting his teeth, he endured injury, forcing his way through the dense web of attacks to slash at the Trial Shadow already struck five times.
Sword Trajectory!
If he could eliminate one Trial Shadow, then after the suppression lifted, facing two of them would at least give him a sliver of a chance. If he didn't do this, once time ran out, it was certain death with no hope whatsoever.
Though Shi Feng fought desperately, the Trial Shadow seemed to understand the situation too. The corners of its mouth curled into a smirk as it mercilessly thrust toward the blind spot behind Shi Feng's defense.
Shi Feng didn't bother dodging either. He swung his blades without hesitation toward the Trial Shadow that couldn't parry in time.
One strike... two strikes...
It was a pure exchange of wounds.
The injuries mounted—two... four... six...
"Faster! Faster still!"
Shi Feng swung his swords like a maniac, his concentration reaching an unprecedented level, completely losing himself in the battle.
Despite his frenzied assault, the Trial Shadow still had two "health points" remaining, just like Shi Feng.
Just as Shi Feng's swords were about to cleave through the Trial Shadow, the two others—one behind him and one at his flank—simultaneously thrust at his defensive blind spots.
"It's over," Teluoke sighed softly.
Only a hair's breadth away. If Shi Feng had managed to eliminate one Trial Shadow, he would have had a considerable chance to pass the Shura-level trial. Unfortunately, that tiny gap was like an abyss.
"Is this it?" Shi Feng's senses clearly showed the two long swords about to pierce him. He lacked the power to change anything now, at best taking a Trial Shadow down with him.
He watched the blades draw ever closer to his heart and his flank.
The scene felt utterly familiar.
Just like when he faced Rhinebeke, the vice-commander of the Sea God Temple's aura squad, facing an onslaught he simply couldn't withstand, watching his own defeat unfold without the power to do anything.
"Rhinebeke?" Shi Feng suddenly recalled his battle with Rhinebeke, and a light flashed in his eyes. "That's it! The fighting style! My fighting style!"
In that instant, Shi Feng's feet pushed off with explosive force. He leaped into midair, spinning with the turn. The Holy Sword in his grip, Shi Lei, followed the motion, its speed suddenly increasing dramatically as it transformed into a streak of azure light, meeting the Trial Shadow attacking from his flank.
Clang!
A crisp, clear ring echoed through the forest.
At the last possible moment, Shi Feng blocked the flank attack with Shi Lei. Meanwhile, the Abyssal Blade, Abyssal, grazed the shoulder of the Trial Shadow in front of him. He leaped eight yards away, bracing with one hand as he rolled twice before stabilizing on the ground.
"He's not dead?" Shui Se Qiang Wei and the other experts widened their eyes in disbelief at what they saw.
Shi Feng had used an inconceivable movement technique to escape a mutual destruction scenario.
"That's..." Nearby, Teluoke stared in astonishment at the living Shi Feng. "How is this possible! His comprehension of the Principle has actually reached the realm of Mastery."
Simply reaching the level of Initiate in the realm of Principle was already exceptionally rare in a kingdom. Even in the Ancient City, Masters were few and far between.