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And we have reached second world there, it being Cultivation Online.
***
[ 3rd Trial of the All Knowledge Cave ]
[ Defeat the opponent using only Magic ]
[ Restrictions: Physical attacks and non-magic skills are sealed ]
[ Rewards: All Magic-related skills increase by 1 level ]
Alan read it quietly.
"…Magic this time."
Before he could think further—
The runes on the ground began to glow brighter.
From the center platform, light gathered and took shape.
A figure appeared.
A humanoid construct, made entirely of condensed mana. Its body flickered between solid and transparent, with streams of energy flowing through it like veins. In its hand, a staff formed out of pure light.
Alan watched it carefully.
"…So this is my opponent."
Another notification appeared.
[ Mana control and spell casting efficiency will determine the outcome ][ Imagination and understanding will affect spell quality ]
Alan smiled as he read the notification. This trial suited him. Mana gathered around him naturally, flowing smoothly thanks to his control and regeneration. More importantly, his magic had no limits—anything he imagined could take form.
The construct moved first, forming a magic circle as a beam shot forward. "Shadow Wall." Boom. The attack crashed into the barrier and dispersed. Alan stepped in immediately. "Flame Spear." A fire spear shot forward—Boom. Blocked.
Without pause, the construct cast "Arc Light Barrage," dozens of projectiles raining down. "Ice Field." Crack… shatter… The ice slowed most of them, and Alan avoided the rest with small movements. "Shadow Bind." Dark tendrils rose—only to be shattered instantly. "…Not that easy."
The construct gathered more mana. "Light Cannon.""Flame Burst. Wind Cannon."BOOM—! The spells collided, sending a shockwave through the chamber as Alan slid back slightly before steadying himself.
"…Alright."
His mana gathered again—denser, cleaner. "Shadow Step." He vanished as a beam passed through his previous position, reappearing at the side. "Lightning Arc." Crack—! The construct blocked, but its barrier cracked—then shattered into fragments of light.
It reacted immediately. "Radiant Pulse."Boom—! A wave of light burst outward.
"Shadow Veil." Darkness wrapped around Alan, dispersing the force as the ground beneath him cracked.
He stepped forward again. Mana condensed in both hands. "Flame Lance."Boom. The impact pushed the construct back half a step.
"Wind Edge."Slash—! Invisible blades struck, spreading more cracks across its defense.
The construct raised its staff, forming multiple circles. "Prism Rain." Beams fell from above.
"Shadow Step." Alan moved through them with minimal motion as explosions echoed—Boom. Boom. Boom.
He reappeared closer.
Too close.
The construct reacted, but—
"Lightning Arc."Crack—! This time the strike landed directly, making its form flicker and destabilize.
Alan stepped in again.
"Flame Burst."BOOM—! A point-blank explosion forced it back, its body flickering violently as light scattered from it.
Still—
It didn't fall.
It raised its staff again.
It raised its staff again.
The light around it surged.
Multiple circles overlapped, rotating at different speeds.
"Judgment Ray."
A concentrated beam shot forward—faster than before.
Alan lifted his hand.
"Mirror Field."
A thin layer of mana formed in front of him.
Boom—!
The beam struck—
Then bent.
Redirected slightly to the side, tearing across the floor instead of hitting him directly.
Alan stepped forward through the fading light.
"Shadow Spear."
A dark projectile formed and shot straight at the construct.
Boom.
It struck, forcing the construct back again.
But it didn't stop.
The staff moved again.
"Radiant Chains."
Lines of light shot out, wrapping toward Alan from multiple directions.
He shifted his stance.
"Wind Step."
His movement became lighter as he slipped through the gaps, the chains missing by inches before crashing into the ground.
He raised his hand again.
"Frost Lance."
A sharp spike of ice shot forward—
Crack—!
It pierced into the construct's shoulder.
The form flickered.
Light scattered from the impact point.
The construct responded immediately.
"Pulse Break."
Boom—!
A burst of mana exploded outward, shattering the ice and forcing Alan to slide back slightly.
He steadied himself.
Then stepped forward again.
No pause.
"Lightning Arc."
Crack—!
Another strike landed, hitting the same area.
The flickering intensified.
Cracks of light began to spread across its body.
The construct raised its staff once more—
But slower.
The circles formed—unstable.
"Prism Burst."
Several beams shot out in different directions.
Alan moved between them.
"Shadow Step."
He appeared directly in front of it.
Close enough.
Mana gathered in his hand.
Compressed.
"Piercing Bolt."
A thin line of lightning formed—
Then shot forward instantly.
CRACK—!
It pierced straight through the construct's core.
For a moment—
Everything froze.
The staff slipped from its hand.
The light within its body flickered wildly.
Then—
Cracks spread across its entire form.
Shatter.
The construct broke apart into fragments of mana, dissolving into the air as the light faded.
Silence returned to the chamber.
Alan let out a slow breath, lowering his hand.
"…I've never used spells like that in a row before," he muttered.
The continuous casting had drained focus more than mana, but his control had held steady.
A notification appeared in front of him.
[ You have cleared the 3rd Trial of the All Knowledge Cave ]
[ All Magic-related skills have increased by 1 level ]
Alan glanced at it.
He frowned slightly.
"Why was the first trial reward so much better…" he murmured to himself.
After a moment, he shook his head.
"…Doesn't matter."
He turned and walked toward the next door.
The final door.
Without hesitation, he pushed it open and stepped inside.
The space beyond was larger than all the previous rooms combined.
Dark.
Then—
Rumble…
Three figures stood ahead.
The knight from the first trial.
The Iron Golem from the second.
And the mana construct from the third.
Alan stopped.
"…All three?"
A notification appeared.
[ Final Trial: Boss Room ]
[ Defeat the Guardian of the All Knowledge Cave ]
Before he could react—
The three figures began to move.
Their bodies started to glow.
Light, metal, and mana merged together, pulling toward a single point.
Boom—!
The ground trembled.
The three forms fused into one.
A massive figure took shape.
Twice the size of the original knight.
Heavy dark armor covered its body, reinforced with metallic plating. Veins of glowing mana ran across its form, pulsing like energy channels. In one hand, it held a massive greatsword. In the other, a staff formed from pure light.
Its presence alone was overwhelming.