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."

this armor, you will never have issues with your armor again, just like with

closed his right eye

reward was more than

it was terrifyingly

was basically impossible in this world, and Shang couldn't possibly

research, and Shang couldn't spare any time

with this set of armor, he would never have to worry about such things

any attack that hit Shang would severely injure or

least two additional lives per

allow Shang to get further in future trials, assuming he managed to advance to

Shang was definitely tempted.

the next reward?" Shang

to listen

and he wanted

returned to the jester's hand as

of weapon and Element," the jester said. "You can use it as a baseline for all

to take

knew how terrifying something

only a blueprint. It had certain principles inside it that

transform Shang's fighting style again and elevate it

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

him decades of

had to create a path forward without knowing where he had to

wouldn't even reach the Fifth Realm

would find a way, but he had already taken several incorrect steps before that moment, forever making it impossible to reach

the technique might even be useful

chance of survival several-fold in the future, the second reward would increase Shang's chances of actually realizing that future

armor was useful forever, while the technique might lose

technique might have given Shang enough inspiration to create something even better, which he wouldn't have

were terrifyingly

give up either of

the third?" Shang

to the jester's hand,

telling you what

even offering it? You know me. I would much rather take something that

jester only grinned. "I'm offering

an eyebrow.

the question mark. "Long ago, someone created this

that, one day, this thing would find its way

that this thing would eventually find its

glanced at the jester. "Does fate even

a way, it does," he said as he

they influence your will?"

with a laugh. "There is no one that can influence my will. This thing is in my hands, and I may

remained silent for a while. "Am I the

jester said with

that person know

"No."

it be useful for

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

it more useful than the other

mark floated back

only offering it because I like to tempt fate,