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After defeating the Sword Douluo, Qian Renxue left without a moment's hesitation. She held no particular grudge against the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect—as long as they remained obedient, their sect would be safe.
If they chose not to comply? Well, that would be on them.
The Bone Douluo watched Qian Renxue's departing figure but made no move to pursue her. He had witnessed the battle just moments ago and knew her martial soul countered his own.
Had he recklessly pursued her, he might have been outright killed. Even the Sword Douluo, whom he privately referred to as "Old Scoundrel," had been defeated so decisively—what chance did he stand?
Though the Bone Douluo often verbally sparred with the Sword Douluo, he was well aware of the latter's strength. Especially now that the Sword Douluo had broken through to Level 97, his power far surpassed his own.
There was no denying it.
Three days later, the Sword Douluo finally regained consciousness. His eyes, far from reflecting defeat or despair, were filled with renewed fighting spirit.
"Did you lose your mind, Old Scoundrel? You got beaten up at home, your martial soul shattered, and yet you're still full of energy?" The Bone Douluo couldn't help but think the Sword Douluo must have gone mad.
"Old Bones, you don't understand a thing. Breaking through to Level 97 should have been my limit, but this battle, though lost, opened my eyes to the path ahead.
Yes, my opponent was a young woman at Level 94, but her strength surpasses mine. Even a Level 98 Super Douluo might not stand a chance against her.
And she possesses three hundred-thousand-year soul rings! It seems my previous understanding of the path to becoming a Title Douluo was too narrow.
The peak of soul masters holds endless possibilities."
The Sword Douluo's words left the Bone Douluo stunned. How could someone who had suffered such a crushing defeat achieve enlightenment? Was he the only one lacking insight? Comparing himself to others truly brought frustration.
Ning Fengzhi, seeing that the Sword Douluo was unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief. The relative strengths of Title Douluos didn't concern him—he was merely an auxiliary-type Soul Douluo.
After consuming Qi Luo Pills, evolving his martial soul, and breaking through his bottleneck, Ning Fengzhi had devoted himself to rigorous cultivation. He even invited an alchemist from the Breaking Clan to craft pills that aided in his training.
Ning Fengzhi also absorbed two ten-thousand-year soul bones, enhancing his defensive and evasive abilities. These bones, though modest in function, suited him perfectly. His current strength had reached Level 87.
He was still three levels away from becoming a Title Douluo. Alas, progress at the Soul Douluo stage was painfully slow, and he had already missed the prime years for cultivation. Advancement naturally came at a snail's pace.
Despite appearing in his thirties, he was only a few years younger than Tang Hao. Even his daughter was already twenty.
Ning Fengzhi reasoned that while he was still capable, he should focus on producing more heirs. With multiple wives, he had no shortage of options. Passing down the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda was paramount.
Though the ninth layer of his Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda might remain elusive, passing down the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda was still better than leaving behind the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda.
As for Ning Rongrong bearing children, he couldn't bear the thought. She was his only daughter, and forcing her into motherhood repeatedly would be too cruel. Thus, he resolved to shoulder the burden himself.
Fortunately, over the years, he had fathered two more sons and a daughter. Ning Fengzhi marveled at the vitality and boundless potential he saw blossoming before his very eyes!
...
City of Slaughter, Asura Space
Two figures continued their sword duel.
"Not fast enough!"
"Not precise enough!"
"And nowhere near ruthless enough!"
The Asura God effortlessly countered Li Luochen's attacks and delivered devastating counterstrikes. Li Luochen had already "died" three times.
Li Luochen's swordsmanship training here involved mostly enduring punishment. Learning the Asura God's techniques in the heat of battle was deemed the most effective method by the Asura God himself.
This proved grueling for Li Luochen, who had lost count of how many times the Asura God had struck him down. Yet, his swordsmanship had undeniably improved immensely.
To put it simply, Li Luochen now confidently believed he could defeat the Sword Douluo even with a wooden sword. How could a mere soul master's swordsmanship compare to that of a deity?
Moreover, Li Luochen initially assumed the Asura God's style was merely broad and forceful. He was mistaken. The Asura God's overwhelming strength meant battles ended in just a few strikes.
Having lived for countless millennia, the Asura God's swordsmanship had long since reached perfection. Opponents were often obliterated by his sword qi before his true skills were even tested.
In truth, this trial was the Asura God's way of passing down his swordsmanship. This successor was indeed exceptional—a flawless gem worth polishing.
However, Li Luochen didn't stop at mastering the Asura God's techniques. He sought to transcend them, creating his own unique style of swordsmanship while also elevating his staff techniques to the same level.
Thus, within this space, Li Luochen aimed not only to refine his swordsmanship but also his staff techniques—a formidable challenge, though one he believed could certainly be overcome!
"Lord Asura, let's go again! I've found my rhythm!"
"Very well!"
Clang—the duel resumed.
...
Sea God Island
All members of Shrek Academy, except Dai Mubai, were enduring the relentless pounding of ocean waves.
Through months of accumulated training, the relentless waves had significantly strengthened the Shrek group. Their physical bodies had undergone the most dramatic improvements.
Oscar had now broken through to the Soul Douluo level and absorbed a hundred-thousand-year divine-bestowed soul ring.
Zhu Zhuqing and Bai Chenxiang had both reached the Soul Sage level. Bai Chenxiang, in particular, had shown the greatest progress during her time on Sea God Island. However, having already absorbed one divine-bestowed soul ring, she currently lacked a second and was stuck at Level 70.
Nearly a year had passed since they began their body-forging trials in this place. The Shrek group had all made remarkable strides. In just two more days, they would complete their trial.
Bo Saixi had been closely observing the Shrek group, deeply impressed by their talent and perseverance.
Two days later.
Dugu Yan had entered a deep state of closed-door cultivation. Everyone else had completed their trials and received their rewards, but Dugu Yan remained in a peculiar state. Bo Saixi instructed the others not to disturb her.
Dugu Yan's head suddenly appeared translucent, revealing a faintly glowing blue skull beneath.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud before her gradually shrank until it was no larger than an egg. It then shot toward Dugu Yan's forehead, merging seamlessly into her trident mark.
At that moment, the golden trident mark on her forehead lit up. A square-shaped screen of light erupted from her forehead, shattering with a resounding explosion before dissolving into countless star-like fragments that reabsorbed into her body.
[Exceeded trial expectations. Spiritual awakening achieved under the influence of vast spiritual energy. Head soul bone forcibly evolved with special energy infusion, preventing its destruction.
Third Trial: Tidal Body Training exceeded expectations. Sea God Affinity increased by 15%, total affinity now at 30%.]
Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes. Her irises had turned a deep blue, and the world before her had transformed. Everything now appeared layered and multidimensional.
This wasn't just a change in vision—it was a shift in perception. Her spiritual energy seemed to merge with the ocean itself.
Simultaneously, Dugu Yan's spiritual energy condensed into vivid images, most of which depicted conversations with Li Luochen.
"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud has fully merged with my Demon-Breaking Skull, forming the Vast Sea Skull. My spiritual energy has surged dramatically, reaching its limits.
Chen once said that when spiritual energy manifests as a domain, it enters the Spirit Domain Realm. At this stage, memories can materialize through spiritual energy. So it is true.
The next step is transforming spiritual energy into divine awareness—the Divine Origin Realm."
Dugu Yan murmured to herself, recalling Li Luochen's theories on spiritual energy. Though Li Luochen's understanding was vague, he had drawn upon future knowledge to outline these stages of spiritual advancement.
Dugu Yan also noticed that the various skills of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud had integrated into her head soul bone. Even her Demon-Breaking Divine Light seemed to have undergone changes.
The newly formed Vast Sea Skull promised untold surprises, but Dugu Yan would need to explore its full potential through future combat and cultivation.
This head soul bone had surpassed even the hundred-thousand-year tier in quality.
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