Shadow Clone

Zhang Ying: Right, Instructor Huang!

Rising amidst the crowd, the young master Zhang Ying, with her usual icy expression and elegant, refined posture, ascends the few steps that will lead her to the arena, holding her beloved sword in her hands. The sword itself appears as cold and elegant as its owner, with a relatively slender hilt and a blade emitting a strange blue glow. As soon as she steps onto the arena, a slight headache occurs, and not only that, but her vision seems to be affected, becoming increasingly blurry, with the colors of things around her constantly changing.

"So these are the effects of this artifact?" - Zhang Ying

Gradually, however, things begin to return to normal, and her headache subsides. However, something different from before stands before her, a being with the exact same silhouette as hers, but completely dark, resembling a shadow of herself or something of the sort, even wielding a sword with a similar shape to hers.

"Hmph, I understand the path this will take, so I won't give it any chance from the beginning." - Zhang Ying

Using her quick and precise footwork, Zhang Ying ruthlessly advances towards the shadow, crossing the large arena while wielding her sword, prepared to launch a swift attack. As she gets close enough, Zhang Ying attempts to strike a blow directly to her opponent's neck, however, unexpectedly, the shadow not only easily blocks her attack but also counterattacks with a direct kick to her belly, throwing her back a little and providing an opening for the shadow to launch its own attack.

A series of blows are exchanged, with both sides defending each other's attacks excellently. Little by little, Zhang Ying begins to feel truly excited to be participating in such a training fight, it's the first time in a long while that someone she goes against has provided her with a challenge in a sword duel.

"Don't think you can defeat me, shadow! Take this!" - Zhang Ying

Changing her strategy a bit, instead of just defending, Zhang Ying decides to try something even bolder, she successfully not only blocks the shadow's sword but also subtly changes the direction of her attack, throwing the sword aside, thus opening up the shadow's defense. Zhang Ying finishes the shadow with a cut to its neck, just as she had planned from the beginning. With a small smile on her face, an expression that surprises everyone watching the "fight," Zhang Ying leaves the arena and returns to her original position.

"That was a fun little fight..."

Zhang Xuan: Sister, are you smiling?

Zhang Ying: Can't I, brother?

Zhang Xuan: Whew, for a moment, I found it strange, but only you could act so rudely.

Impressed by Zhang Ying's display, as if she were truly fighting some kind of ghost, the disciples, one by one, step onto the arena and begin to fight their shadow counterparts, most of them end up losing, but a few manage to surprise their shadows and win the fight with a risky and unexpected move. Until, after several names have been called, it's finally Zhou Long's turn, who is excited to test this magical artifact.

Huang Mei: Young Master Zhou Long, please step onto the arena.

Zhou Long: Yes, Instructor Huang!

"Finally, it's my turn. Let's see how special this artifact really is."

The same effects that happened to Zhang Ying occur this time with Zhou Long. After that, unlike Zhang Ying, who took the initiative to attack, Zhou Long decides to simply wait for the shadow to come to him, he doesn't have to wait long before his wish is granted. Fighting against himself, Zhou Long can predict in certain situations what the shadow's next move will be, as shown when he narrowly avoids being hit by the shadow's kick to his face by simply ducking and then counterattacks with a punch similar to a boxing counter, however, what works for one also works for the other, and without even retracting its leg, the shadow manages to dodge by rotating its center of gravity and sliding a bit to the side, returning to its initial fighting position.

"So, this is how it's going to be..."

Zhou Long takes the initiative and attempts a low kick at the shadow, but it defends by raising its shin and counters with a punch to his abdomen, which Zhou Long also defends by using both arms to shield himself. As both have the exact same fighting style and similar thinking, the fight becomes difficult to progress, with both sides exchanging punches and kicks incessantly, with no significant change in the balance of power. Realizing this, Zhou Long decides it's time to do something different, as continuing like this would lead to him getting more and more tired, potentially being overcome by the shadow in terms of energy.

"Shadow Claws!"

Activating the shadow claws and using a kick as a feint, Zhou Long attacks the shadow with all his might, eventually cutting off its left arm. It's a good outcome, but not what he wanted, as he expected that to be the end. Nonetheless, without wasting time, he continues delivering numerous blows using his newfound ability, forcing the shadow to evade and try to create distance by jumping backward. However, Zhou Long keeps following it, not giving it any opportunity to rest.

"The moment I realized you can't copy abilities, only the physicality and behavior of a person, was the moment your end was sealed, shadow."

With one final blow, decapitating the shadow, it starts to disintegrate completely, vanishing from the ground, including its arm, body, and head, evaporating in front of Zhou Long. As he descends the steps and returns to his original position, he suddenly feels someone observing him intently, looking around, he realizes it's none other than Zhang Ying, who, for some reason, is looking at him differently than how she usually looks at the other disciples.

"Did Zhang Xuan tell her something?"

Several questions arise in Zhou Long's mind, but he decides to put them aside, as it would be a waste of time since he wouldn't be able to find out why anyway.

Huang Mei: Now that I have observed each of your strengths and weaknesses, I will give you martial arts books for daily training. Remember, the books are about swordsmanship since it's the standard of the sect. If you want unarmed combat techniques, come see me after class.

"Finally, I can make use of my sword."

Taking each of the books directly from her own dimensional ring, Instructor Huang Mei hands the martial arts book to each disciple as their names are called. Finally, after all the books have been handed out, the training session comes to an end.

Huang Mei: Except for Zhang Ying, I believe everyone has received the martial arts they will be training with, right? You are now dismissed. Don't forget how brutal this world can be, so train tirelessly every day. I'll see you at the next training session, which will be quite special.

"Silent Demon Swordsmanship?"

[Silent Demon Swordsmanship]

[Grade: Intermediate]

[A swordsmanship created with the intention of giving its user the ability to move extremely subtly and silently, making it a martial art focused on assassins and those who wish to catch their opponents off guard.]

[Learn?]

[Yes] [No]

Looking at the martial arts book in his hands, Zhou Long couldn't help but feel excited about the fact that he could finally begin his sword training, something he had desired ever since he first saw a martial artist. His excitement grows even more when he comes across a new functionality of the System, truly a fortunate occurrence blessed by the god of luck. However, to his dismay, this is not the ideal moment to use an unfamiliar function, especially in front of everyone, therefore, moving on to his next step, Zhou Long sets aside the martial arts book for now and proceeds with the next part of his plan.