Felix charged forward, sliding into the sword stance Seris had taught him again and again. His hand shot out, aiming to strike the statue's neck with a powerful palm strike. He expected to crack it apart.
But the statue moved.
Its arm blocked the strike, fast as a living warrior. A loud thud echoed as their blows met. Sparks flew. Then a sudden force hit Felix's chest like a hammer, throwing him backward. He hit the floor hard and slid several feet, gasping for air.
He pushed himself up, coughing, arms numb. His eyes narrowed.
"That wasn't just a statue…"
It moved like it had thoughts. Like it had instincts.
Felix growled. "You're copying me."
He activated his cultivation. Awakening Realm—mid stage.
Power surged around him. His body glowed faintly, wrapped in a pale flame. His muscles tensed, sharper and faster than before. He stepped forward, cracking the floor beneath him.
This time, he went for speed.
He twisted low, faked high, and slammed his elbow into the statue's head. It was one of Seris's moves—called Echo Spiral.
The statue copied it.
Their elbows smashed into each other, sending a shockwave through the room. Dust burst into the air. Felix jumped back. The statue did too.
They attacked again.
Fist met fist. Felix ducked under a blow, planted his foot, and quickly pulled out a talisman.
"Binding Seal!"
He threw the talisman at close range. It glowed and released a whip of energy, aiming to tie the statue's legs.
But the statue didn't dodge.
It stepped into the strike.
The whip wrapped around its legs, but it kept moving—falling forward with all its weight—and headbutted Felix hard in the stomach.
Felix gasped in pain, thrown back across the floor. The talisman snapped apart. The statue broke free with pure strength. The paper burned away.
"It doesn't use talismans…" Felix panted. "Just its body. But that's enough."
He quickly pulled another talisman—Fire Serpent Seal.
He slapped it on the ground and jumped back.
Fire burst from the seal and coiled around the statue. Flames licked its stone body.
But it didn't stop.
It walked through the fire like it didn't care.
Felix circled to the side, tossing one talisman at the statue's chest and placing another under his feet.
"Swiftness Array!"
His body blurred.
In a blink, he appeared behind the statue. He attacked the joints—knees, elbows, neck. Weak points.
But the statue saw it all. It blocked every hit. Even when Felix used moves he made up himself, not ones Seris had taught him.
It still copied him.
It was like the statue was reading his mind.
Felix's heart pounded.
"It's not just copying my movements… it's copying me."
He pulled out his last talisman. His strongest one.
"Spirit Burst Seal!"
The paper glowed like the sun.
He threw it with everything he had.
It flew through the air—spinning—and exploded.
BOOM!
The ground shook. Stone cracked. Smoke filled the room.
Felix crouched, breathing hard, eyes wide, watching the smoke.
It cleared.
The statue was still standing.
Its arms and chest were cracked, glowing faintly. But it didn't fall.
It walked toward him.
Crack… crack…
Its steps echoed.
But its glowing eyes weren't angry.
They looked… sad.
Felix's whole body hurt. His energy was low. He stood with effort, barely holding his stance.
The statue stopped right in front of him.
It raised its arms.
Feet apart, one palm open, one fist closed.
Seris's stance. His stance.
Felix stared.
"This… this really is me…"
He attacked again—not to win, but to understand.
Fist met fist. Kick met block. Blow after blow, they fought fast and hard.
Felix gave everything he had.
But the statue matched him, perfectly.
Then something changed.
It slowed.
Just a little.
Felix feinted to the left—and this time, the statue didn't move.
He stopped, panting, blood dripping from his face.
The statue didn't attack.
It stood still.
And something on the wall caught his eye.
He stepped back, watching the statue, and turned slightly.
There were carvings—hard to see at first. Faded, dusty, almost hidden.
He looked closer.
A child, sitting alone under a tree.
Adults walking away.
Fire burning his robes.
A hand raised in anger.
A talisman ripped in half.
The child's eyes… glowed with the same blue light.
Felix's heart ached.
He looked at the statue again.
"…What are you?" he whispered.