Chapter 40: Battle Sword Douluo Chen Xin (Part 2)

The sword light flashed through the air, clashing against Chen Xiaoming's Azurewood branches. Countless tendrils shimmered with blood-colored patterns, their seemingly fragile appearance belying a steel-like resilience as they resisted the force of the sword energy.

"Puff, puff, puff, puff, puff…"

The sword light, enhanced by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, was indeed formidable. However, it still had to sever nearly a third of the branches before its power diminished and dissipated entirely.

Following closely behind, Sword Douluo Chen Xin's expression shifted slightly. He hadn't anticipated that a hundred-thousand-year soul ring could be this terrifying.

But his surprise lasted only a moment before it was replaced by an unwavering, razor-sharp sword intent.

His blade shot forward, slicing along the opening created by the sword light, aiming directly at Chen Xiaoming. Behind him, Ning Fengzhi, having witnessed the might of a hundred-thousand-year soul skill, hesitated only briefly before sending another streak of radiant energy from his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the sword.

"Of the Seven Treasures, the Sixth: Enhancement!"

The deep glow of a black ten-thousand-year soul ring flickered as Ning Fengzhi pushed his soul power to its peak, activating his strongest ability short of his seventh soul skill.

The moment the radiance merged with the blade, a black halo flowed over it, instantly melding into the sword. Its silver glow intensified, and its sharpness surged dramatically.

"Swish!"

The sword streaked forward, piercing through the oncoming branches enhanced by the first soul skill, Whiplash, as if it were a meteor cutting through the night. In the blink of an eye, it had bypassed the tangled defenses and arrived before Chen Xiaoming.

Chen Xiaoming was slightly startled. This Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is truly powerful. The augmentation abilities seemed to counter his own abilities to a degree. His martial soul, the Azurewood Tree, had incorporated a trace of bloodline essence, but only a trace—he had yet to fully grasp its power.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword was already an exceptionally sharp top-tier martial soul. With the additional enhancement, its edge had become even deadlier, posing a greater threat to Chen Xiaoming than even the Clear Sky Hammer.

As the blade rapidly expanded in his vision, Chen Xiaoming's second soul ring flared with light. The next moment, countless branches surged forth, wrapping around him in an instant. A crimson glow flashed.

"Second Soul Skill: Tree Shadow!"

"Swish!"

The sword cleaved through the branches, slicing the wrapped figure cleanly in two. Yet, as Chen Xin's gaze flickered toward the severed figure, he found it empty. His expression hardened just as he sensed movement beneath him—countless branches erupted from the ground, crimson halos pulsing as they surged toward him, forming an inescapable encirclement.

"Tap."

Chen Xiaoming landed lightly some distance away, his gaze falling upon the now-trapped Sword Douluo Chen Xin. He chuckled softly.

"Can you show me your real strength now? If this is all you have, the two of you might not be able to leave here at all."

Chen Xiaoming knew exactly how strong Sword Douluo was. Beyond his soul power, he possessed the Seven Kill Domain and the unique soul skill Man and Sword as One, which had even allowed him to clash head-on with gods.

Though he ultimately fell to the newly ascended Goddess Bibi Dong, his strength was undeniable.

"Young friend, this is merely a spar. Must you take things so far?"

Even in this predicament, Ning Fengzhi remained composed, his gaze steady as he addressed Chen Xiaoming.

"If it's a spar, wouldn't you want to know my true strength?"

Chen Xiaoming remained indifferent, though his attention was more focused on Sword Douluo. Ning Fengzhi was merely a support; the real challenge lay in the swordsman before him.

"You are a Super Douluo. Don't you wish to see the gap between yourself and a Limit Douluo?"

The moment these words fell, the previously composed Sword Douluo Chen Xin raised an eyebrow. His gaze sharpened instantly, and a piercing sword light flashed within his eyes.

"You… are a Limit Douluo!"

He spoke in a low voice, his tone laced with a hint of disbelief. But even as he spoke, a unique domain surged from his body, instantly expanding to cover a thirty-meter radius.

The Seven Kill Sword—Sword Douluo Chen Xin's domain, the Seven Kill Domain!

Now fully aware of Chen Xiaoming's true level, Sword Douluo no longer held back. Though he had reached Rank 97, the power gap between him and a Limit Douluo was enormous—nearly 70% in terms of soul power.

After Rank 95, each increase in level was a significant hurdle.

From 95 to 96, spirit power increased by 20%.

From 96 to 97, another 20% increase.

From 97 to 98, a 30% increase.

From 98 to the pinnacle of 99, a staggering 40% increase.

Even with Ning Fengzhi's support, which could temporarily boost his soul power by 70%, the presence of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring on his opponent still made Sword Douluo feel immense pressure.

However, at his level, the opportunity to fight a Limit Douluo was exceedingly rare—a challenge he welcomed.

"I will give my all. Please grant me your guidance."

Sword Douluo Chen Xin spoke solemnly. Chen Xiaoming's expression shifted subtly—this was a true warrior, one devoted solely to the path of the sword. Unfortunately, he lacked the fate of a protagonist.

The branches restraining Sword Douluo slowly withdrew. Against such a formidable opponent, Chen Xiaoming could no longer take things lightly.

"Ning Sect Master, please use your Martial Soul True Body and grant him the full 70% soul power boost."

Chen Xiaoming's voice carried across the battlefield. Facing Sword Douluo, his own fighting spirit blazed brightly.

Ning Fengzhi was momentarily taken aback, his gaze drifting toward Sword Douluo. He saw the fervent battle intent in Chen Xin's eyes—an unspoken challenge that needed no further words.

Realizing the weight of the moment, Ning Fengzhi did not hesitate. Though he didn't fully grasp the meaning of a Limit Douluo, he had never seen Sword Douluo like this before.

His seventh soul ring glowed, the deep black light merging into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. A brilliant, multicolored radiance flared as the pagoda expanded, enveloping Ning Fengzhi in its glow.

Seven soul rings surged forth, fusing into the towering pagoda. Layers of shimmering light pulsed along its surface.

Nearby, Ning Rongrong and the others, who had just arrived, gasped at the scene. Ning Rongrong, in particular, covered her mouth in astonishment.

"Seven Treasure Avatar!"

The ultimate technique of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's seventh soul skill—the Seven Treasure Avatar, which enhanced all other soul skills while reducing energy consumption.

But the shock had only just begun. As soon as Ning Fengzhi activated his Martial Soul True Body, his third soul ring glowed, sending a streak of purple light into Sword Douluo.

"Of the Seven Treasures, the Third: Soul!"

As his soul power surged, Sword Douluo felt an unprecedented increase—his strength nearly doubled. His Seven Kill Domain expanded wildly, his Seven Kill Sword floating before him.

In an instant, Sword Douluo underwent a complete transformation. The very air around him seemed to sharpen, distorting as if it would slice everything to shreds.

This aged swordsman, honed through years of battle, had finally unveiled his peak form.

Chen Xiaoming smiled. Now this… this is a worthy opponent. His eyes gleamed, his battle soul igniting.

"Come, show me the power of Man and Sword as One!"

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