Augmentation

Wriothesley naturally saw Ning Fengzhi's movements, but he was not surprised in the slightest. Instead, a smile rose at the corners of his lips.

He did not care about any of this. If they had to let strength do the talking, then he was willing to see it through!

Ning Fengzhi's expression suddenly turned grave. His hands trembled slightly, and then a dazzling seven-colored radiance surged from his palms, as though the essence of the entire universe had gathered there. He said softly, "Seven Treasures Glazed Tile!"

"Seven Treasure True Body!" he proclaimed, his voice like a clap of thunder echoing through the air. Then his lips moved as swiftly and continuously as a machine gun, clearly reciting the incantation with every word ringing like steel, as if engraved upon the soul: "First: strength. Second: speed. Third... Sixth: augmentation!"

Each of his words summoned power. As the incantation rang out, all the augmentations descended upon Sword Douluo like a surging tide, granting him combat potential beyond that of ordinary men.

Wriothesley stood quietly to one side, his gaze sharp as a torch as he watched Sword Douluo complete everything.

He even retied the bandages around his body during that time.

"Duke, take this move!" Chen Xin shouted, then leaped into the air and charged at Wriothesley.

Whoosh—

The sound of air being torn apart rang out in an instant.

Chen Xin's body left an afterimage in the air. The Seven Star Sword in his hand burst with dazzling brilliance, its golden light illuminating the entire battlefield at once.

"Ling Yun Zhi - Wind Chasing Sword—"

On the ground, not only blades of grass, ice crystals, and sharp stones, but everything was swept up by Chen Xin's Soul Power, forming an enormous greatsword.

Chen Xin moved so quickly that it was impossible to tell real from illusion.

The sharp grass blades and ice crystals swirled around Chen Xin like tangible swords, making him even more dangerous.

The grass blades and ice crystals surrounding Chen Xin formed an enormous sphere that moved continuously through the air.

This was the greatest display of Chen Xin's power thus far. Whether grass blades, ice crystals, or all manner of debris, so long as they came into contact with Soul Power, they would be swept into the sphere and spin rapidly around Chen Xin.

The light upon the sphere grew ever brighter, radiating a terrifying and domineering aura. That destructive killing intent erupted madly, and even the surrounding air seemed to freeze in an instant.

The first six moves combined—the seventh move was the ultimate killing move of the Wind Chasing Sword Technique!

It was the true, complete Wind Chasing Sword Technique!

Mysterious Darkness Guard, Iron Sword Invincible!

Thousands of Swords Concealed for Decades, never drawn from its sheath!

When I turn back, Shooting Star Chasing the Moon, Nineteen States in an Instant!

Slaying gods and Buddhas! Slaying demons and devils!

A thousand generations become marshes, the greatsword closes the rift!

Secluded in one corner, free to wander the Way; crimson seat, disturb me not!

Now, I turn around!

Sword qi stretched across the heavens, cold light spanning thirty thousand li!

At this moment, Chen Xin released his Martial Soul to its utmost limit!

And just as Chen Xin's Martial Soul skill appeared, Wriothesley moved as well.

"Very well, if that is the case—"

As Wriothesley looked at the greatsword before him, the gauntlets on his hands began to creak. The sounds of gears and steam emerged, while the beams of light emitted by the God's Eye behind him grew even more intense.

"Duke, this is my strongest move. Take it!" The moment Chen Xin's words fell, an astonishing presence suddenly descended from the sky, its pressure nearly covering the entire land.

Wriothesley did not answer Chen Xin. Instead, his body suddenly lowered as he shot straight toward him!

Before Wriothesley, the greatsword began to move as well.

There were no flashy techniques. It simply cleaved straight down at Wriothesley.

At the same time, a trace of blackish-red light began to appear in Chen Xin's right hand.

Perhaps Wriothesley did not notice it, but Ning Fengzhi, who had been watching Chen Xin's condition all along, did.

This was a sign of an imminent breakthrough!

Perhaps it was Chen Xin's resolve to face death without fear, or perhaps he had broken through under pressure!

Chen Xin's condition had also undergone an earth-shaking change!

Previously, he had only been increasing his body's strength. Now, while increasing it, he was also enhancing his speed!

Ning Fengzhi noticed Chen Xin's gaze. Though he was not looking in Ning Fengzhi's direction, it was clear that he had already decided the outcome with Wriothesley!

"Seven Treasures are Famous, third: soul!"

The augmenting radiance of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda surged toward Chen Xin once more. This time, the augmentation was enormous.

After level 95 among Title Douluo, each step was like crossing a heavenly chasm. The Soul Power required for every level was even greater than that needed from levels 91 to 95. Throughout history, countless Title Douluo had fallen before the threshold of level 95.

And the chasm of level 97—one step led to heaven, the other to hell.

Having broken through to level 97, Chen Xin had indeed entered a new domain, one higher than level 96.

And now, his strength had risen yet again!

Under Ning Fengzhi's augmentation following his successful advancement, the already massive greatsword instantly grew even larger.

Wriothesley's figure had already vanished within the greatsword.

Boom!

The greatsword crashed down in an instant, striking the ground that could no longer be called grassland.

The greatsword was smashed apart by sheer force, revealing Wriothesley within.

Compared to Chen Xin, who had gone all out, what Ning Fengzhi saw was Wriothesley drawing back his fist.

And a ground covered in ice powder.

That was what remained after the ice crystals had exploded.

Wriothesley's fist was different from before.

Although it appeared much the same as earlier, Ning Fengzhi could sense that its temperature was far higher.

Clearly, Wriothesley had held back.

Even Uncle Jian, who had already advanced to level 97, was no match for the Duke?

And he had done it so effortlessly?

Just what level was he? Even at level 98, it would have been impossible to block Uncle Jian's full-force strike so easily.

Could it be—

No way?

Although Wriothesley never revealed his soul rings when releasing his Martial Soul, that was not strange. There were countless Martial Souls on the Douluo Continent, and there would always be one or two special cases where soul rings could not be displayed after being absorbed. Given the unique nature of Martial Souls, even Ning Fengzhi, a man of great wisdom, did not understand them all. Spirit Hall's archives were updated every year.

Perhaps his peculiarity was that his soul rings could not be displayed?

Or perhaps his Martial Soul was so terrifying that it remained hidden within?

Ning Fengzhi began to doubt himself, but he did not voice it aloud.

"Thank you, Duke." Having just advanced and then fought a battle, Chen Xin was clearly somewhat drained. Even his voice lacked strength, but fortunately, as a Title Douluo, this did not even count as an injury.

"There is no need to thank me. You earned this yourself." Wriothesley smiled at Chen Xin.

"No, thanks are still in order. If not for the Duke, Uncle Jian would not know when he could have taken this step." Ning Fengzhi, standing behind Chen Xin, also cupped his hands toward Wriothesley.

"Haha, I merely happened to be in the right place at the right time. No need for thanks!" Wriothesley waved his hand and walked back.