Reincarnated as a Wandering Swordsman in a World of Magic and Murim

Ren steadied his breath as the spectral warriors surrounded him, their translucent forms flickering like candlelight. Each warrior bore the armor of a forgotten sect, their weapons shimmering with ethereal energy. The weight of centuries of combat experience pressed upon him—this was not a trial he could overcome with raw strength alone.

The first warrior lunged, its blade slicing through the air with unnatural speed. Ren sidestepped, barely avoiding the attack, and countered with a swift slash of his own. His sword passed through the warrior's form, meeting no resistance. His eyes widened. It was as if he had cut through mist.

A second warrior struck from behind, forcing Ren to roll forward. He sprang up and took a defensive stance, his mind racing. How do you fight something without a body?

The warriors advanced again, their movements synchronized. Ren dodged, weaving between strikes, but he was on the defensive. He needed a new strategy—one that didn't rely solely on physical attacks.

Then, he remembered Lady Kagura's lesson on Soulfire. Your spirit is your blade. Wield it as you would your sword.

Ren took a deep breath and centered his energy. He channeled his Soulfire into his blade, causing it to glow with a deep blue aura. When the next warrior attacked, he met its strike head-on. This time, when his blade connected, the spectral warrior recoiled, its form flickering violently before dissipating into a wisp of smoke.

A surge of understanding coursed through Ren. These warriors are bound by spirit. Only spirit can harm them.

With renewed focus, Ren dashed forward, engaging the remaining spectral warriors. His sword, now an extension of his soul, cut through them one by one. They faded into nothingness, leaving only silence in their wake.

As the last warrior fell, the mist around him cleared, revealing a stone archway at the far end of the chamber. A voice echoed in his mind—a whisper from the Keeper itself.

"The body is but a vessel. To transcend, one must wield the spirit as a blade."

Ren sheathed his sword and stepped toward the archway. He had passed the Trial of the Body. Now, the final trial awaited—the Trial of the Soul.