Talented Martial Hero
Chapter 550 Despair And Hope (Part One)

Staring at the blade and sword cores that glinted with dazzling purple light, Darren could not help but let out a cry of wonder and disappointment.

What would happen if the blade and sword cores of such a high level were affixed to that metal statue? The power the metal statue would obtain would be beyond his imagination!

"Your luck is bad today. Even if it were a cyan core, you would still have a slim chance of winning. Do you want to give up?” the shadow asked with a sigh.

"No, I won't give up just yet,” Darren replied obstinately.

Given the current situation, he knew that surrendering would mean having to stay in the Starry Tower forever, with no chance of escape. Darren was not ready to accept that fate.

"Then there is no way around but to challenge the metal statue guardian. The ensuing fight will be a matter of life and death. Once the battle begins, I will lose all control over the situation. Do you understand?” Thinking that Darren was likely to be slain in the fight, the shadow grew concerned and warned him.

"I understand. I would rather fight to the death than be imprisoned in this hideous place!" Darren persisted.

Now that Darren had made up his mind, the shadow realized that there was no way to dissuade him. "Well, then, I wish you luck. But don't forget what happened here in the past. There was a seven-star grand warrior, who was as resolved as you are right now. Although his strength was in extreme spear skill, he was unlucky enough to encounter a metal statue whose strength was equivalent to that of a warrior at the Holy Realm. Had he given up, he would be breathing now.” The shadow paused, as if lost in thought.

Darren knew that the shadow was speaking about the same cultivator whom Mathew had mentioned earlier.

It was said that in the sixth level test, the metal statue guardian would either be as strong as or exceed the strength of the cultivator who had come to the challenge.

"If I have guessed right, this pair of purple blade and sword cores could provide the metal statue with strength comparable to that of a top-level seven-star grand warrior. Given the situation, you cannot match such a competent opponent in terms of strength. So, I suggest that you think hard and wisely before answering my question. Do you want to stay, or do you want to fight?

It is not that you will have no opportunity to leave this place if you choose to stay now. When you become as powerful as a holy emperor or even stronger, you would have a chance to go outside. This is a rule set by my master. So you don't need to be in haste. What do you say now?"

Not wanting Darren to pick the most perilous way, the shadow tried to rationalize with him. However, without any further thought, Darren insisted on his intention to escape. "I cannot wait any longer. Let us get it over with!" he declared with resolution. Light shone in Darren's eyes as he spoke with the shadow.

"All right then, 1 will respect your choice,” the shadow answered reluctantly before proceeding with the test.

In order to bring the metal human-statue to life, the shadow passed the blade and sword cores into its elixir field. Before long, an eerie Life Formula emanated from his hands and wrapped itself around the metal human-statue. After circling for a while, the Life Formula flowed into the metal statue.

Soon, a cluster of heavy rumbles came from inside the metal statue.

Shock reflected in Darren's expression when he saw the eyes of the statue spring open. In the next instant, even the blade and sword cores in the pond began to tremble violently due to the strong aura.

"The sword intent, and the blade intent, they are indeed incredibly powerful!"

Standing still and rooted with wonder, Darren could not help but experience a great appreciation for the two kinds of intents that spread out from the metal statue.

As if scared, the blade and sword cores inside Darren began to quiver, like an agitated animal that had encountered a powerful wild beast.

After a while, the metal statue rose.

Subsequently, the statue formed a blade in his right hand and a sword in his left. In the darkness, two streams of chilly blue light blazed out from the weapons and filled the air. Soon, the metal statue's gaze fell on Darren, who had been watching him with wide eyes.

As their eyes met, a deep fear coursed through Darren. He couldn't remember ever feeling so wretched before.

He could see that around the blade and sword the statue was holding, layers of the black blade and sword intents crawled and circled like hissing snakes.

Darren believed that nothing could survive being struck by the devastating blade and sword intents. "It is just my luck to have chosen such a terrifying opponent!” Darren mumbled and smiled wryly. Given the circumstance, Darren had no option but to confront the living statue.

The atmosphere was filled with killing intent released by Darren and the metal statue. It was clear that neither opponent would give up until the other one was slain.

To Darren's surprise, the blade and sword intents that wafted around the metal statue gradually grew so dense that they became impossible for him to overcome them.

"Is that extreme sword intent and extreme blade intent? How very formidable they are!" Darren cried in wonder.

Anyone would feel a great sense of helplessness and uneasiness when confronted by such a potent blade intent and sword intent. As for Darren, he could not remember when he faced such a big challenge before.

He perceived that the power of the metal statue exceeded the power of any seven-star grand warrior he had seen so far. He even wondered whether the statue was powerful enough to compete against a cultivator from the Holy Realm.

"As there seems no hope of getting out of here alive, I shall fight till the end of my breath.” Although despaired, Darren now understood that the path that lay before him was extremely dangerous.

The metal statue took a step toward Darren. Although it was only one step, the blade and sword intents that circled his leg stirred like an enormous wave.