The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1230: Second Trial

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“Thank you, senior, for your guidance!”

Zhuo Fan bowed to the big man, no longer trying to assess the other’s identity.

The big man walked closer, “Extreme power leads to violence, extreme violence leads to tyranny. Being tyrannical can break anything, even the world, but such a rampage will always come to an end, reaching exhaustion. The exhaustion of power marks the end of the road. Thus, the source of all tyranny is tranquility. Calm as water and relentless like a storm when in action. Once the unrest passes, peace is restored. Do you understand what I’m saying?” 

“Bursts of brutality in a sea of tranquility. The storm always passes, while the breeze is eternal. The true path of tyranny isn’t destruction, but world peace.” Zhuo Fan nodded. 

The big man laughed, “Indeed, one’s insight is always better than the ramblings of an old man. This is the proof you passed the trial. Go!” 

The big man touched Zhuo Fan’s forehead with two fingers, a prismatic glow flashing for a blink. 

Zhuo Fan shuddered, his mind empty as all the insights made his heart grow once more.

“Senior, which way is the second trial?” Zhuo Fan stilled himself and asked.

The big man smirked, grabbed his shoulder and threw him, “Allow me, ha-ha-ha…”

Whoosh!

“Ahhhh!”

As Zhuo Fan’s wailing faded in the distance, the big man nodded, just as an old man appeared behind.

He was the same old guy Zhuo Fan met on the Nether Sea shore.

“The Demon Transformation Art didn’t reject it. He has only begun stepping on the path of tyranny, but he did receive it.” The big man sighed.

The old man nodded, “This way, our plan is finally showing hope…”

Boom!

A huge explosion happened above the Nether Sea, causing it to roil.

The two exchanged a glance and turned grave, “A Heavenly Sovereign!”

In the gloom of the seabed, something smashed into a two-meter-tall wooden gate, turning it into splinters.

“Where am I?”

Zhuo Fan stood up, dusting himself off and looked at his surroundings.

Hu~

A black smoke rose, shooting before him, “After all these eons, I finally get to see someone reaching the second trial, ha-ha-ha…”

Zhuo Fan jumped in fright, putting a hundred meters between them. Looking back, he only saw black mist.

“Senior, are you the second guardian?”

Thinking he was renowned as well, Zhuo Fan gave a deep bow, sizing the hidden figure and the ruined gate, “That’s the second trial’s gate? Did I just cross it?”

The black mist cackled, “Hi-hi-hi, of course. What else would you call smashing straight through the gate?”

“Uh, what next, senior? How do I pass the trial?”

“Beat me.”

“Just like the first trial?” Zhuo Fan shouted.

The black energy mocked, “He-he-he, I’m not so honest and kind like that yokel to give you a warm up. I’m more blunt. In this trial, your life’s at stake. You either pass or be buried here.”

Zhuo Fan shuddered in shock.

Having passed the first trial, he knew the guardians were great men. The big man had no intention of killing him, instead guiding him on a new path.

This man, however, went straight to a deathmatch. 

[I know nothing about him. How do I win?]

“Uh, senior, are there any rules? Will you stay as Spirit King when fighting?”

“Ha-ha-ha, you’re overthinking things. I’m not as chatty as that yokel, going all out. Ha-ha-ha, take this!”

Whoosh!

The black mist turned into an arrow and shot for Zhuo Fan.

It caught him by surprise and pierced through him. Black mist began seeping out of him, with a black figure leaning on his back. 

Zhuo Fan was utterly confused, but just to be safe, he jumped away from that man. What he saw from afar made him gasp.

“Y-you…”

“He-he-he, yes, I’m you.”

The shadow turned around as well, showing Zhuo Fan a familiar face, his.

The shadow turned into another him, copying not just the features, but mannerism as well. Zhuo Fan felt he was looking in the mirror.

Zhuo Fan smirked, “Senior, w-what is this?”

“This is the second trial, know thyself.”

The shadow snickered, “I won’t go hard on you, using only your strength to fight you. One would argue that you know yourself best, but with me being you, I also know you. Who do you think will win? Ha-ha-ha…”

Zhuo Fan calculated, his mind calming.

It was baffling fighting himself, but at least they should be evenly matched. A little strategy should bring him success.

Against the strange old man, however, if he went all out, he had no chance of winning.

This made this trial way easier than the first.

Zhuo Fan raised a hand, “After you.”

“Quite calm, I see.”

The opponent smiled, “You must think the fight’s in the bag. Ha-ha-ha, well I say that everyone ends up losing to themselves. Throughout life, no matter the strength one has, their true opponent is no one but themselves!”

The man’s eyes shone and waved a finger at Zhuo Fan, “Apocalyptic Sword!”

Whoosh!

A black sword wave shot straight for Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan panicked.

[He copied my skills too? The Apocalyptic Sword Art only came to be from the insights in the other five sword arts.] 

He only just grasped it. Even if the other was at Sword Sovereign’s level, even he would need time to learn it.

This was impossible. 

[One’s sword is built on their insights, how can…]

He had no time to answer all these questions, for the deadly wave was upon him. He extended two fingers and retaliated with the Apocalyptic Sword Art as well.

Bam!

The deadly attacks rumbled the world around them on contact, making the sea boil.

Zhuo Fan staggered back twice, while the other stood still.

“How is that possible?!”

Zhuo Fan gasped, “Isn’t his strength the same as mine? Why did he win that exchange?”

The man snickered, “They say you know yourself best, but you’re the most oblivious of yourself as well. Zhuo Fan, do you still think you can win?”

Zhuo Fan grew grave, his eyes cautious.

His arts were copied, his strength too, but what was worse, he knew him better than himself.

[Winning won’t be easy.]

Zhuo Fan found his greatest opponent.

Whoosh~

The copycat vanished, appearing behind him.

Zhuo Fan was nervous, for the copycat had a golden halo in his right eye.

[Even the Divine Eye of the Void…]

The glow turned into two rings while the left eye flared with the black thunderflame.

[Curses, it’s my Thunderflame Void Annihilation!]

Zhuo Fan was soaked in sweat, his heart racing. He never thought he’d see the day that his invincible skill would be set on him.

The copycat snickered, showing the same cruel gaze he himself used on his enemies…