Virtual Reality Cultivator-Chapter 29: The Final Trial

Ethan stood in the middle of the training room, his body still sore from the long training session. Yet, beneath the exhaustion, there was something new—awareness.

He no longer relied solely on his eyes or ears. Now, he could feel the Qi around him. The sensation was still faint, but enough to give him an edge in battle.

Lazarus looked at him with sharp eyes. "Now, we've reached the final test for the first stage of your training."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "The final test?"

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Claire crossed her arms. "Until now, you've only fought us in training. Now, it's time for you to face an opponent who won't hold back."

Ethan's heart began to race. "Who's my opponent?"

Lazarus smiled faintly. "Not who. But what."

The Unexpected Challenger

Claire pressed a button on the wall panel.

BZZT!

The floor of the room began to vibrate, and from the opposite side, a massive steel door slowly creaked open.

Ethan tensed as he saw what emerged from behind the door—

A two-meter-tall combat android, armored and with glowing red eyes.

"Damn..." Ethan muttered.

Adrian whistled. "Oh, you really brought that out? I thought this was just a regular training session."

Claire glanced at Ethan. "This is a Zenith combat drone prototype we stole during one of our operations. We've modified it so it won't be lethal, but its attacks will still hurt. If you don't fight seriously, you'll lose—and get badly injured."

Ethan clenched his fists. "So, this is my first real fight."

Lazarus nodded. "Consider this a test to see how far you've come."

Ethan took a deep breath and calmed his mind. "Alright. I'm ready."

The Fight Begins

BZZT!

The android's red eyes blinked, and in an instant—BOOM!

It surged forward with astonishing speed!

Ethan had only a fraction of a second to react. He immediately used the Shadow Wind Step to dodge, and just as he jumped to the side—

CRASH!

The floor where he had been standing shattered from the android's powerful punch.

"Crazy! Its speed and strength are way above an ordinary human's!"

Ethan knew he couldn't fight head-on. If he took even one hit, his body might get crushed.

"Use strategy. Find the opening!"

Ethan moved quickly, circling around the android, trying to read its attack pattern.

However, the android gave him no opportunity.

BZZT!

Suddenly, its arm transformed, and—

Swoosh!

An energy blade shot out from its arm, slashing toward Ethan!

"Damn!"

Ethan leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the blade that passed just centimeters from him.

Adrian shouted from a distance. "Come on, Ethan! If you keep dodging, you won't win!"

Lazarus added. "Use your Qi! Feel the opponent's movements!"

Ethan clenched his fists. "Right... I have to trust my instincts!"

He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the Qi in his body to flow more calmly.

And when he opened his eyes again—the world seemed to slow down.

He could feel the flow of energy around the android. He knew its next move even before it made it.

"Now!"

As the android launched its next attack, Ethan didn't panic and dodge like before.

Instead, he waited... read his opponent's movements... and at the last moment—

Swoosh!

He darted to the side perfectly, dodging the attack by mere millimeters!

Claire raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. He's really starting to understand his Qi Awareness."

Ethan didn't stop there. Now, it was time to strike!

He activated the Advanced Soul Breath Technique, gathering Qi into his hands.

"Blade's Cry!"

Although he wasn't holding a sword, he used his technique to attack with his fist, empowered by Qi!

BOOM!

Ethan's fist struck the side of the android with tremendous force!

CRACK!

For the first time, the android was pushed back, leaving a scratch on its metal plating.

Adrian was surprised. "Wow, he actually hurt it!"

But the fight was far from over.

BZZT!

The android reacted, sparks flying from its body as it adjusted its systems.

And then—

Two energy blades shot out from its arms!

Ethan tensed. "This is bad."

The Battle to the Peak

Now, the android moved twice as fast.

Ethan could only dodge and search for an opening.

But he knew if he just kept defending, he would lose.

"I have to end this now!"

He took a deep breath, gathering Qi throughout his body.

I only have one chance.

Ethan pretended to jump to the left—

The android reacted and slashed in that direction.

However, Ethan suddenly turned to the right at full speed, channeling Qi into his legs for one last leap!

"Destroy!"

BOOM!

With one full Qi-powered strike, Ethan hit the android's neck—its weak spot!

In an instant, the android's red eyes flickered—

And finally, its body fell to the floor with a loud thud.

The fight was over.

A New Beginning

Ethan stood, gasping for breath, his body drenched in sweat.

But he had won.

Lazarus approached, looking at him with a satisfied expression. "Good. You've passed the first stage."

Claire smiled faintly. "You've proven you're more than just a regular VR player. Now, you're truly on the path of cultivation."

Ethan clenched his fists.