Chapter 0381: The Difficulty of the 20th Level

As the trio ascended to the 20th level, the faint green mist immediately started to move, blowing towards a single spot. A few moments later, a figure walked out of the hazy agglomeration.

They watched the figure warily.

This one was different from the other absinthe puppets that they had faced. There was a layer of green wooden armor that glowed with some sort of mystical reinforcement. The same light was present on its wooden spear.

This was an advanced absinthe puppet, and they could feel the pressure of the fight. This was a far more formidable opponent compared to the other minions.

"Should be a Second Changing."

Li Luo noted calmly, eyes narrowed as he judged the energy flows around the puppet.

Both Xin Fu and Bai Mengmeng paled slightly. They had guessed as much, but as a Third Pattern and Second Pattern, the disparity was still extremely daunting.

"Phew! Lucky it's not Third Changing."

Li Luo said with a happy sigh. His teammates stared at him.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Carry on with the bragging, leader," Xin Fu urged him. "A few more times, and I might even believe it myself."

"Leader, you always make us feel safe in times of danger," Bai Mengmeng giggled behind her hand.

Li Luo waved modestly. This wasn't really bravado. After all, he had mostly faced Evolving Resonance tier opponents in the Golden Dragon Dao Fields. Both Zhao Ziyang and Gu Ying had been Second Changing, just as strong as this absinthe puppet. However, back then he had only been a Third Pattern, and already able to put up some resistance and pose a threat.

Now he was a full-blown Fifth Pattern.

The increase in strength meant that he wouldn't be fumbling around like he did previously.

In truth, he was itching to test himself out against a Second Changing. What would be the outcome?

Even if the advanced puppet in front of him was only a puppet without too much intelligence, it was still a good enough target.

"Leader, if the 20th level is just one measly advanced absinthe puppet, we've hit the jackpot!" Xin Fu exclaimed happily. Li Luo was inclined to agree. Three of them against a Second Changing was not difficult. But then it struck him that there was still a lingering patch of mist behind the advanced absinthe puppet. As that faded, he saw a few more figures walking forwards.

Xin Fu's expression froze.

Six more absinthe puppets. Although they were not as strong as the Second Changing advanced absinthe puppet, but the leader of the six was a First Changing, while the other five were either Third or Fourth Pattern.

"Jackpot?! This is a pisspot!" Li Luo said, bonking Xin Fu on the head in disgust.

Xin Fu was on the verge of tears himself. This 20th level was a huge step up in difficulty. One Second Changing alone was difficult enough to deal with. But the puppet had brought a whole host of puppet baby brothers with it.

The advanced absinthe puppet didn't give them much time to commiserate. The green spear was leveled forwards as it charged with a low, dull roar.

Behind, the First Changing absinthe puppet and its friends followed suit.

Shing!

Li Luo's swords flashed out of his scabbard. He took a deep breath. "The situation has changed. Follow Plan Two and move accordingly."

He took a quick step to his right, while Xin Fu adn Bai Mengmeng took a corresponding one to the left, creating some distance.

The advanced absinthe puppet adjusted its course accordingly towards Li Luo without hesitation, sensing that he was the strongest.

The First Changing puppet and its other friends moved towards Xin Fu and Bai Mengmeng.

Li Luo did not let Xin Fu and Bai Mengmeng's situation distract him. They might be slightly weaker, but playing off each other's strengths would allow them to buy some time. Time that he would spend - preferably as little as possible - in taking down the advanced absinthe puppet. Otherwise they would fail this level.

Failure wasn't the end of everything. They could always try again tomorrow, but it would be a waste of absinthe energy quota for both today and tomorrow.

Perhaps the breakthrough to the Evolving Resonance tier just waited on the opposite side of this level?

Cultivation was like that - an accumulation of effort.

The advanced absinthe puppet was already in attacking range, beryl-green light forming a green bird that flew towards him, wings outstretched.

Dang!

Li Luo's two rivers of energy merged within him, blue and green on his blades as he blocked the attack from the advanced absinthe puppet.

Tang tang tang!

Sparks flew, as they reported on the fury of the energy that was being traded.

The pair clashed dozens of times in a few short but breathless moments.

Although Li Luo's frame was shaken with each blow, but his feet stood firm. He smiled grimly. This advanced absinthe puppet could not compete with Second Changing elites like Zhao Ziyang. Still, from this clash he understood that he could stand up against some Second Changings now.

"If that's the case, this is going to be easy..."

Li Luo adjusted his grip on the hilts. His resonant bubbles had already increased in number from four to seven, and the additional booster was much more significant than before.

Dang!

This time when their weapons clashed, it was the advanced absinthe puppet that staggered backwards, its spear bouncing off.

Li Luo let the impact of their clash push him back as well, skidding backwards in a controlled manner. Suddenly there was a watery light on his sword. "I've just mastered a new skill," he said softly to himself. "I'd appreciate some... feedback!"

Splash! Roar!

The roar of a wave accompanied his sword as he slashed a crescent of power that was several meters wide. Like a moon of water, it whistled through the air towards his opponent.

Like a water-cutter, the velocity of the water screamed through the air.

Even the Violet Vibrance mentors stared in surprise.

"That's... the advanced form of Water Edge Art... Thousand Watery Knives art!"