Sins in This Age, Merit for a Thousand Autumns

The moon hung high, the wind howled—perfect night for murder!

In the valley west of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, terrain that had once served as a natural barrier against enemy raids had now turned the entire sect into fish in a barrel.

Jiang Mian wore black, followed by a host of experts including Xie Yue, Yan, Hu Liena, Zhu Zhuqing, Bear Lord, and Scarlet King.

Looking at the night sky beneath the bright moon, he said calmly, "What a fine moon. After tonight, the situation across the entire continent will change."

"They've started fighting." Bear Lord looked toward the distant Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. A blaze lit up the sky, illuminating the great sect as brightly as day.

"Spirit Kite Douluo has made her move." Jiang Mian stood with his hands behind his back. At that moment, he was high-spirited, less like a thirteen-year-old boy and more like a battle-hardened general.

"Muddy waters make fishing easy."

"What's happening?!"

Ning Fengzhi rushed out of the house with his cane in hand. The entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had become a sea of flames, with endless screams and wails ringing out.

"We've been ambushed." Sword Douluo Chen Xin hurried over to Ning Fengzhi, looking travel-worn. Frowning deeply, he said, "The enemy numbers are enormous, and they attacked at night. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had no time to prepare the appropriate defenses."

"Go meet the enemy." Ning Fengzhi moved with startling speed. He could no longer care about maintaining a composed demeanor. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda fully enhanced Sword Douluo.

"Mm!"

Chen Xin gave a muffled grunt as his Soul Power surged. As expected of the continent's number one support Martial Soul, its enhancement of Soul Masters could not be underestimated.

"Chen Xin has taken action." Ghost Douluo said hoarsely, "Chrysanthemum Douluo, move!"

"Fifth Soul Skill, Gathering of Cold Primrose!"

A massive petal blade came slashing forward. Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan leaped into the air, intending to kill Ning Fengzhi outright.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo?" Chen Xin was shocked. He had never expected that the ones attacking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be none other than Spirit Hall.

Chen Xin gripped the Seven Kill Sword and split Gathering of Cold Primrose in half with a single strike. Shielding Ning Fengzhi, he tried to force a breakout.

"Fengzhi, go!" Chen Xin grabbed Ning Fengzhi by the arm and retreated like a rainbow streaking across the sky. "As long as you live, we still have hope."

Ning Fengzhi's eyes dimmed. The screams of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's disciples continuously stabbed at his heart, leaving him in agony.

"Trying to run?" Ghost Douluo moved like a roaming dragon, appearing behind Ning Fengzhi in an instant. Darkness bloomed in his hand as he clawed toward Ning Fengzhi's heart.

A crisp metallic clang rang out. Chen Xin spun and sent Ghost Douluo flying with a sword strike. Only then did Chen Xin truly understand what it meant for two fists to be no match for four hands—especially when there were four Titled Douluo here.

"Hahaha!" Spirit Kite Douluo covered her mouth, laughing excitedly. "Burn!"

"Sect Master, the enemies to the west are weak." A disciple whose entire body was burning with flames knelt before Ning Fengzhi. After saying those words, he immediately lost all signs of life.

"No..." Ning Fengzhi collapsed to the ground. Suddenly, blood surged up his throat, and he spat out a mouthful.

"Old Bone, take Rongrong and run!" Chen Xin mobilized his Soul Power and roared, "I'll hold them back!"

Besides his formidable defenses, Bone Douluo Gu Rong's Martial Soul possessed an unfathomable spatial traversal ability. This was the last method Chen Xin could think of.

As long as even one Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciple survived, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul would not be extinct.

Though Gu Rong had been beaten down to the strength of a Soul Douluo by Bear Lord, he had once stood atop the mountain. He could still call upon his own abilities.

"You won't escape." Magic Bear Douluo suddenly unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar. An enormous Blood Demon Mad Bear appeared before them.

Roaring, he rammed into the spatial fluctuations caused by Bone Douluo's movement technique, trying to stop Gu Rong from taking Ning Rongrong out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Myriad Swords Returning to Origin!"

Sword Douluo leaped into the air. Countless Seven Kill Swords appeared behind him and surged toward Magic Bear Douluo in a mighty torrent.

Magic Bear Douluo failed to dodge in time and was nailed directly to the ground by the strike, unable to move. The gap between his strength and Chen Xin's had always been immense, and with Ning Fengzhi's enhancement, being driven back by a single sword was only natural.

"Chrysanthemums wither, the ground is wounded; flowers fall, hearts shatter!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan wiped at his lips as a rain of petals descended from the sky. The sight was both magnificent and bloody.

Chrysanthemum Douluo stood amid it, alluring yet cold. His gaze was frivolous as he looked at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples below, like lambs awaiting slaughter, and felt indescribable delight.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo!" Chen Xin glared at Yue Guan as if blood would burst from his eyes!

"Ninth Soul Skill, God-Demon Dual Slash!"

This was Sword Douluo Chen Xin's strongest attack, gathering supreme sword intent capable of instantly killing a Titled Douluo.

"Dodge!" Ghost Douluo's expression changed drastically. He rushed to Chrysanthemum Douluo in an instant, and the two pressed together as they unleashed the Two Extremes Stillness Domain.

Boom!

The heavens and earth seemed like a massive pane of glass, letting out a crisp cracking sound as it shattered. Chen Xin's sword actually cleaved apart the Two Extremes Stillness Domain.

Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo fell straight to the ground like two meteors. Their injuries did not appear light.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin's Ninth Soul Skill possessed world-shaking killing power, only

after that sword strike, he would be unable to fight again for a short time.

"Go!" Sword Douluo dragged Ning Fengzhi and ran toward the due west.

"Spirit Kite, Magic Bear, go after Bone Douluo. Don't let him escape!" Ghost Douluo roared. "Leave the cleanup to us."

"Yes." Spirit Kite Douluo and Magic Bear Douluo turned into two streaks of light, tracking the spatial aura Gu Rong had left behind.

Ghost Douluo struggled to his feet, clutching his chest. He walked over to Yue Guan and slapped him on the head, saying angrily, "Chrysanthemum Douluo, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"Old Ghost..." Chrysanthemum Douluo's gaze darted away, his expression like that of a child who had made a mistake.

"Enough. Jiang Mian is blocking the west, so it's no longer our concern." Ghost Douluo folded his arms and looked at the Spirit Hall Soul Masters who were still slaughtering everyone. "Remember to finish them off. Don't let any fish slip through the net."

Chrysanthemum Douluo had somewhat recovered his composure. Looking conflicted, he muttered, "Old Ghost, do you think what we're doing is right or wrong?"

"Sins in this age, merit for a thousand autumns." Ghost Douluo helped Chrysanthemum Douluo up and said calmly, "The Upper Three Sects have controlled Soul Master resources for far too long. When have ordinary Soul Masters ever had a chance to rise?"

"Our Her Majesty the Pope's ambition is truly unprecedented." Chrysanthemum Douluo could not help but sigh.

"Jiang Mian's ambition surpasses even Her Majesty the Pope's." Ghost Douluo said calmly, "I have a feeling that if Jiang Mian one day truly reaches that height we don't even dare imagine, it should be a good thing for the world—and for us."

"Yes." Yue Guan said, "A child who reached the Soul King level at thirteen, with so many peerless powerhouses following behind him... I'd be surprised if he didn't reach that height."

"Enough. Once we finish cleaning up, we'll go back for wine and meat." Ghost Douluo patted Chrysanthemum Douluo on the shoulder and turned to harvest the remaining Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples.

"Leave a few alive," Chrysanthemum Douluo reminded him. "Her Majesty the Pope doesn't want the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul to die out."

In truth, Bibi Dong's plan was even more sinister. She intended to keep several disciples with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and force them to breed the next generation for Spirit Hall. That way, such a powerful support Martial Soul would be entirely at Spirit Hall's command.

The benefits of handling it this way were far greater than simply exterminating the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

In the western gorge, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi led the way, followed by a mere dozen or so Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples who had escaped death.

If possible, Sword Douluo Chen Xin would have wanted to perish together with Spirit Hall's people. But he did not dare. Ning Fengzhi was still alive, and he had to ensure the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect still had an heir in this world.

As long as Ning Fengzhi lived, the roots of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would remain. They would still have a chance!

After all, some disciples were away on missions and not in the sect. They too were a considerable force. Chen Xin thought that as long as he could save Ning Fengzhi, then with the Heaven Dou Empire's strength behind them, Spirit Hall would not dare do much.

But he was far too naïve. Since Spirit Hall had acted, how could they fail to understand the principle of cutting weeds out by the roots?

"Attack!"

Jiang Mian had long been waiting atop a stone peak beside the gorge.

Bear Lord and Scarlet King occupied the stone peaks on either side. They struck at the same time, and countless falling rocks came down like a torrential downpour, completely sealing off Ning Fengzhi's path.

"Watch out." Chen Xin seized Ning Fengzhi and instantly retreated. Several disciples failed to evade in time and were crushed and buried alive beneath the rocks.

"Who's there?!" Sword Douluo Chen Xin scanned his surroundings and immediately locked onto Bear Lord and Scarlet King.

"Sword Douluo, Sect Master Ning, Jiang Mian has been awaiting you for quite some time." Jiang Mian's voice echoed throughout the gorge. Ning Fengzhi's heart turned cold. His body trembling, he shouted, "Jiang Mian, have you forgotten the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's grace in raising you? For the sake of our past bond, spare our lives."

"When you sent people to assassinate me, where was that bond?" Jiang Mian seemed to have heard the greatest joke in the world. "When you diverted disaster toward me and had Spirit Hall hunt me down, where was that grace?"

"Jiang Mian!" Chen Xin rebuked furiously. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has already been destroyed. What more do you want?!"

"If you don't pull out the roots, spring winds will bring new growth." Jiang Mian said calmly, "Even children understand that."

"You shattered Rongrong's state of mind and crippled Old Bone's arms." Chen Xin burned with rage as he shouted through the air, "Now you've destroyed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect too. Isn't that enough?!"

"Hahaha." Jiang Mian clenched his fists, his face full of disdain. "Not enough!"

"Why waste words with him?" Bear Lord unleashed his true form. A colossal Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, its body like a mountain range, appeared in the center of the gorge. Like a city wall, he completely blocked off the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's last hope of survival.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Myriad Swords Returning to Origin..."

Sword Douluo Chen Xin forcibly mobilized the Soul Power he had only just recovered, intending to fight to the death. Thousands of flying swords poured toward Bear Lord like a vast river.

Yet the powerful Soul Skill that had nailed Magic Bear Douluo to the ground now seemed like nothing more than ordinary raindrops against Bear Lord's inconceivable defense.

"Trying to scratch an itch for me?" Bear Lord scratched his stomach and said disdainfully, "Do you have anything stronger? If not, you can only die."

"Ninth Soul Skill..."

Before he could finish, Sword Douluo's face instantly turned pale. Holding his sword, he dropped to one knee. He had clearly overdrawn himself and could no longer summon even the slightest trace of Soul Power.

"Uncle Sword." Ning Fengzhi curled up beside Sword Douluo, supporting Chen Xin with despair filling his eyes.

Bear Lord extended one finger and casually unleashed a teasing Sky Rend Claw. Blood spilled from Chen Xin's lips as his eyes turned red. He swung his sword and barely blocked the attack.

However, the backlash also sent him crashing to the ground.

"Do not humiliate Sword Douluo," Jiang Mian said. "Sect Master Ning, for Sword Douluo's sake, how about I give you a choice?"

"Have your surviving disciples spar with the people behind me. Best two out of three. If you win, I'll let you go. How about it?"

"Fine!"

Did Ning Fengzhi have any other choice? Refusing Jiang Mian meant certain death. He might as well take a gamble—perhaps Jiang Mian was a man of his word.

"Who wants to give it a try?" Jiang Mian looked behind him. Xie Yue and Yan both wore eager expressions, clearly wanting to step forward. Opportunities like this were rare.

Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing looked calm, especially Zhu Zhuqing, who seemed long accustomed to such scenes.

"Yan, you go first." Jiang Mian chuckled. He could not send out the strongest fighters right away and crush them like fish in a barrel. That would be far too boring.

"Sure." Yan leaped down and landed before Ning Fengzhi. "Which one of you will fight?"

"I will." A disciple in ragged clothes, several patches of skin burned black by fire, limped up to Yan and said, "Tian Jiahong, Level 58 assault-type battle Soul King. Martial Soul: Giant Rock Dragon."

"An outer sect disciple?" Jiang Mian clicked his tongue in wonder. As expected, those who had escaped possessed considerable cultivation. Yan had a tough bone to chew this time.

"Yan, Level 47 assault-type battle Soul Ancestor. Martial Soul: Flame Lord."

"An eleven-level gap. Can Yan handle it?" Xie Yue frowned slightly and asked nervously, "What if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wins two matches? What do we do?"

"You're joking." Jiang Mian leaned close to Xie Yue's ear and laughed softly. "We made the rules. We have the final say in interpreting them. Understand?"

"That doesn't seem right," Zhu Zhuqing said.

"Zhuqing, rules are made by the strong." Jiang Mian said calmly. "Only those with strength have the right to speak. If we were the ones down there today, do you think they would spare us?"

"Besides, what if Yan loses?"

Jiang Mian smiled mysteriously and said calmly, "Don't we still have Bear Lord and Scarlet King holding the line?"

"Interesting." Xie Yue's lips curled upward. "Look, it's begun."

"First Soul Skill, Hellish Magma Charge!"

Yan pressed both hands against the ground. Scalding magma instantly erupted, and tremendous heat surged toward the outer sect disciple.

"Second Soul Skill, Giant Rock Shield."

Tian Jiahong held his hands horizontally before his chest. The surrounding rocks immediately gathered around his arms. Magma and the giant stone shield collided, yet for the moment, Yan could not break through his defense.

"Even with serious injuries, an eleven-level difference is not so easily overcome." Hu Liena rested her chin on her hand and analyzed carefully.

"Don't worry." Jiang Mian's brows twitched as he looked toward Sword Douluo Chen Xin. Though Chen Xin stood beside Ning Fengzhi, his eyes were tightly shut, as though he were making a breakthrough!

"Scarlet King, stop Chen Xin!"