Chapter 1 The Test

On the rooftop, as the statue shattered completely, the Temple Knight emerged and approached Shi Feng step by step.

Shi Feng felt the pressure increasing.

If the tests within the temple weren't designed to spare players' lives, he would have already resorted to using Absolute Domain to defend himself.

"Challenger, you have two choices. First, evade all my attacks. Second, surpass me in combat skill. The time limit is three hours. You have three minutes to decide. If you fail to choose within three minutes, you will be automatically teleported out," the Temple Knight stated mechanically, looking at Shi Feng.

"Evade all attacks or surpass in combat skill?" Shi Feng looked at the Temple Knight and said, "I choose the second!"

The Temple Knight was a Tier 4 Sword Emperor.

Even with his level suppressed to match his own, the attacks would be no joke, especially since he was still in a weakened state. Evading a Tier 4 Sword Emperor's attacks would be even more difficult.

His only chance was to bet on the Temple Knight's combat skill.

Generally, when NPCs reach Tier 3, their combat skill is already on par with ordinary expert players. The most formidable could even reach the Realm of Micro, and NPCs inherently have higher attributes than players. Thus, Tier 3 NPCs are much stronger than Tier 3 players.

As for Tier 4 classes, their combat skill is even higher, at least at the Realm of Micro. The most powerful could even reach the Realm of Vacuum. Even top-tier experts would only try to escape and would never dare to entangle with them.

Heroes summoned to guard towns, if they reach Tier 4, all possess the Realm of Vacuum in combat skill. This is why they can guard a city, preventing other guilds from easily taking it over.

Although he was in a weakened state, his combat skill hadn't diminished in the slightest.

Moreover, a purely technical competition with a Tier 4 NPC was a rare opportunity in itself.

NPCs are different from players; their combat is more refined. The techniques they use can sometimes amaze even players. Players might be able to find Tier NPCs to fight, but it is impossible to maintain the same level of attributes.

"Very well, then let us begin the battle. During this time, my base attributes will match yours, and I will also be a Tier 2 class. Neither of us can use any magic skills, and you cannot use any items until you deplete my health. Only then will you have truly completed the test."

The Temple Knight nodded slightly, and the aura emanating from his body steadily decreased, eventually settling at Level 61 as a Tier 2 Swordsman. Shi Feng also felt a wave of suppression, and his system bar turned gray, preventing him from using any magic skills or auxiliary items.

The only fortunate thing was that the Temple Knight's health wasn't high, only one million HP. For a Tier 2 class, even without skill assistance, the battle could be ended quickly.

Before Shi Feng could prepare, the Temple Knight was already in front of him, the golden longsword in his hand transforming into streaks of golden light that rotated and crashed down on Shi Feng.

"So fast!"

Shi Feng, seeing this, abruptly used Sword's Orbit to defend.

The Temple Knight's movements were unwavering, as if everything was instinctual, without any thought. Unlike players who need to consider before acting, this almost instinctive swordsmanship was so fast that it was impossible to actively defend against. He could only use Sword's Orbit, which had almost become second nature.

Clang, clang, clang…

A series of sparks and the sound of blades colliding became the symphony of the rooftop.

If there were any players here, they would be stunned because the movements of both sides were getting faster and faster, smoother and smoother, leaving them completely unable to keep up.

Although the speed of the blade slashes was already very high, the speed of the Temple Knight and Shi Feng didn't come merely from the speed of the blade but from the speed that didn't require thought.

After several minutes of fighting, neither side had managed to injure the other in the slightest.

"As expected of a Tier 4 Sword Emperor. If I didn't use Sword's Orbit and fought him head-on, I'm afraid I would be killed very quickly." Shi Feng couldn't help but smile wryly at the Temple Knight's frantic attacks.

The battle with the Temple Knight once again made Shi Feng realize the pure power of NPCs.

Without any thought, the body moved naturally. Even if their attack speeds were the same, the slight difference in neural reaction meant that he was no match.

"No, I can't keep dragging this on!"

Seeing that he couldn't do anything to the Temple Knight, Shi Feng immediately retreated, trying to find a place where he could use the terrain to his advantage.

Although the Temple Knight's base attributes were the same as his, NPCs had far more stamina and mental strength than players. He didn't think he could outlast the NPC in terms of stamina and mental strength.

As he retreated, Shi Feng noticed some tall trees around the edge of the rooftop.

"That place is not bad." Shi Feng glanced at the grove and went straight for it.

NPCs in God's Domain are different from players. Even if they possess high combat skill, their use of terrain is generally poor, even for Tier 4 NPCs. If he could use the trees to block the Temple Knight's attacks, he could take the opportunity to injure the Temple Knight.

However, as soon as Shi Feng stepped out of the central circular area of the rooftop, the Temple Knight suddenly stopped attacking, leaped backward, disengaged from the battle, and returned to his original position, standing silently as if nothing had happened.

"Damn it! Are you kidding me! Is the system not giving me any chance at all?" Shi Feng was speechless, looking at the Temple Knight who had returned to normal.

Outside the circular area of the rooftop, there was simply no terrain he could use. If he continued to fight like this, he would be teleported out by the system before the three hours were up, or he would die from exhaustion in the battle.

"This is clearly the lowest-level Epic Temple, so why is the test so difficult?" Shi Feng stared intently at the Temple Knight, feeling utterly speechless.

Whether player or NPC, once they reach the Realm of Vacuum, they are fully aware of the movements around them, coupled with the NPC's instinctive fighting style.

He really couldn't think of anyone who could defeat the Temple Knight in combat skill, except for experts who had mastered Domain.

Of course, it wasn't as if there was no way.

That would be if the player mastered advanced attack combat techniques. However, so far, he only knew some basic attack combat techniques. The only two advanced techniques he knew were Void Steps and Sword's Orbit. Void Steps was a movement technique, which was no threat to NPCs and players who had reached the Realm of Vacuum, while Sword's Orbit was a defensive technique and couldn't be considered a true attack combat technique.

"Give up?" Shi Feng couldn't help but ponder.

Being unable to use any magic skills undoubtedly sealed off one of his greatest advantages. He also couldn't use Soul Water and Soul Crystals, which could increase a player's concentration. He had none of the two ways to win. Continuing to drag this out would only be a waste of time.

Just as Shi Feng was checking if there was anything in his bag that could help, he noticed the Dark-Iron Bloodline in his backpack. The time restriction had long been lifted, and players could now use it freely. Moreover, this item wasn't on the list of forbidden items.

"That's right! How could I forget about the Bloodline?" Shi Feng smiled as he looked at the Dark-Iron Bloodline in his backpack.

In God's Domain, the Bloodline's enhancement to players isn't just reflected in their base attributes. Because the Bloodline is an item that improves the life level, the improvement of the life level is comprehensive, including stamina and mental strength.

It also includes the player's neural reaction speed, which can be said to be an essential improvement of the player. This is why the Bloodline is known as the number one divine item for players to advance, and all the super guilds are frantically snatching it.

With that in mind, Shi Feng took out the Dark-Iron Bloodline from his backpack, opened the magic crystal bottle containing the Bloodline, and drank it all in one gulp.