Sword God in a World of Magic

Shang released a long sigh.

Going through the trial was always filled with stress. Even though his life wasn't technically on the line here, the continuous fights against stronger and stronger opponents sapped his strength by a lot.

"You got thirteen points in the beast category and ten points in the Mage category," the jester said. "That's a total of 23 points without a warrior category."

"It was definitely the right decision to promote you."

Shang didn't answer.

He knew that his power had grown tremendously, but that didn't just occur naturally.

Shang was 85 years old, and he had spent over 50 years in complete isolation.

About 70% of his life had been nothing but training day in and day out in isolation.

Was it easy to do something like that?

Of course not!

Shang also wanted to take breaks.

He also wanted to do something else.

However, he couldn't allow himself to relax.

His goal was too important to him, and any moment that wasn't spent on getting him to his goal was a waste of time.

"What are the rewards?" Shang asked.

The jester smirked.

SHING!

Three small things appeared above his right hand, and Shang looked at them.

One was a small set of armor.

One was a small book.

One was a big question mark.

"I have three things to choose from. You may only take one," the jester said.

At that moment, the little armor floated forward and grew to its normal size.

It looked just like Shang's previous armor.

"The first option: An armor just like your weapon."

Shang took a deep breath as he heard that.

An armor just like Sword?

"So, it regenerates, adapts to my needs, and it grows stronger by giving it ore?" Shang asked.

The jester nodded. "Exactly."

issues with your armor again, just like

closed his right eye in

reward was more

fact, it

was basically impossible in this

of research, and Shang couldn't

would never have to worry about

that hit Shang would

least two additional

get further in future trials, assuming he managed to advance to the

Shang was definitely tempted.

the next

wanted to listen to all the rewards

and he wanted to know if the other two rewards were just as

the jester's hand as the

the jester said. "You can use it as a baseline for all your future techniques. You don't need to study Magic anymore, and its power is greater

to take another deep breath

terrifying something like

technique was essentially only a blueprint. It had certain principles inside it that could

style again and elevate it

technique might even give Shang the inspiration he needed to theorize a way to reach the

save him decades of time

fifth Stage was a monumental task. Shang had to create a path forward

was very possible that Shang wouldn't even reach the Fifth Realm in his life, and

future, he would find a way, but he had already taken several incorrect steps before

even be

of survival several-fold in the future,

forever, while the technique might lose its effects

something even better, which he wouldn't have been

rewards were terrifyingly useful for Shang's

didn't want to give up either of them since

third?" Shang

to the jester's hand, and the question mark

what it

asked. "Why are you even offering it? You know me. I would much rather take something that will certainly benefit me than

jester only grinned. "I'm offering it

raised an eyebrow.

created this thing. Then, they sacrificed a

everything so that, one day, this thing would find its way

and that this thing would eventually

at the jester.

way, it does," he said as he looked at Shang. "Fate is my

did they influence your will?"

not," the jester said with a laugh. "There is no one that can influence my will. This thing

for a while. "Am I the

the jester said with

know

"No."

it be useful for

jester said. "I may enjoy joking around, but I still believe in fair rewards. It will

it more useful than

question mark floated back to

to tempt fate, which is essentially my