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."

you will never have issues with your armor

closed his right eye in

reward was more

fact, it was

already confirmed that getting better armor was basically impossible in this

like that required decades of research, and Shang couldn't spare any time for

with this set of armor, he would never

armor, any attack that hit Shang would

the armor, he would get at least two additional lives per battle. Maybe

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

Shang was definitely tempted.

next reward?"

he wanted to listen

far more than Shang had expected, and he wanted to know if the

returned to the jester's hand

for all your future techniques. You don't

had to take

terrifying something like

only a blueprint. It had certain principles inside it that

could completely transform Shang's fighting style again and elevate it

even give Shang the inspiration he needed to theorize

decades of time

Stage was a monumental task. Shang had to create a path forward without knowing where he had

Shang wouldn't even reach the Fifth Realm in his life,

way, but he had already taken several

even be useful in

future, the second reward would increase Shang's chances of actually realizing that

while the technique might lose its

to create something even better,

terrifyingly

of them since

the third?" Shang

returned to the jester's hand, and the

what it

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

grinned. "I'm offering

an eyebrow.

ago, someone created this thing. Then, they

that, one day, this thing

that they have succeeded and that this thing would eventually find

the jester. "Does fate

it does," he said as

did they influence

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

while. "Am I the

the jester said with a

person know me?" Shang

"No."

it be useful

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

it more

floated back to the

only offering it because I like to tempt fate, which