The battle at Falling Eagle Ravine had failed to capture Qian Renxue, but it had slain two Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall and gravely wounded the young mistress of Spirit Hall. Without a doubt, it had been a thunderclap that rang across the continent! The final fig leaf between Spirit Hall and the Upper Three Sects and Heaven Dou Empire had been torn away.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family quickly reached a consensus and formed a solid alliance.
Without the slightest hesitation, they launched a sweeping campaign against every Spirit Hall branch within their territory. The purge struck with astonishing speed and force!
Within the Heaven Dou Empire, elite imperial legions and the Royal Soul Master Corps led the charge, supported by powerful fighters sent by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. They launched a devastating assault on hundreds of Spirit Hall branches spread across the provinces and major cities!
Though some branches had Soul Saint- or Soul Douluo-level powerhouses stationed there, they were utterly powerless against the combined might of the three forces.
Those who resisted were killed without exception; those who surrendered had their cultivation crippled and were imprisoned. In a matter of months, the vast network Spirit Hall had spent decades building within the Heaven Dou Empire was uprooted. Countless halls were reduced to rubble in the flames of war, and every flag symbolizing Spirit Hall's authority was burned.
Naturally, this storm stirred Spirit City as well.
The Pope, Bibi Dong, was enraged! She personally led several Spirit Hall elders and the elite of the Hall Guard Knights to the border, hoping to apply pressure—and even willing to start a regional war to save face.
The powerful fighters of both sides faced off along the border, the tension stretched to its breaking point.
Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's leader, went to the front lines in person. He stood before the army, with Sword Douluo Chen Xin beside him, his sword aura soaring into the sky. Facing Pope Bibi Dong, whose oppressive presence weighed upon the entire field, Ning Fengzhi showed no fear. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shone brightly before him.
"Bibi Dong, Spirit Hall has stretched its hand too far!" Ning Fengzhi's voice rang clear, yet carried unquestionable force. "The Heaven Dou Empire isn't Spirit Hall's backyard! Today, I'll show you that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't someone you can push around!"
"Soul Skills: First, Strength; Second, Speed..."
Ning Fengzhi actually struck first! The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda erupted in a dazzling divine radiance unlike anything before. A concentrated, eight-colored beam packed with all-around enhancements to strength, speed, Soul Power, attack, defense, and elemental attributes thundered into Sword Douluo Chen Xin beside him.
With the full force of Ning Fengzhi's ninth Soul Skill boosting him, Chen Xin's aura surged in an instant to an unfathomable level! He seemed no longer a man, but a peerless divine sword capable of splitting heaven and earth!
"Seven Kill True Body! Man and sword as one!"
Chen Xin let out a long cry and merged completely with the Seven Kill Sword, becoming a gigantic blade of light that spanned heaven and earth. Carrying supreme sword intent that could sever karma and shatter all laws, he took the initiative and slashed at Bibi Dong!
Bibi Dong's phoenix eyes flashed with killing intent. She hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi's support to become so terrifying after the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's evolution! She dared not take him lightly. Rakshasa God power surged through her as the terrifying might of both her Death Spider Emperor and Soul Devouring Spider Emperor Martial Souls erupted at once, crashing head-on into that awe-inspiring sword light!
RUMBLE—!!!
A deafening boom, like the birth of heaven and earth, shook the surrounding lands! A terrifying storm of energy swept outward, shaving three feet off the ground along the border! When the light faded, Chen Xin and Bibi Dong had each retreated several paces. The battle had ended in a draw!
Bibi Dong's expression was dark. Though she hadn't gone all out, Chen Xin—with Ning Fengzhi's support—had managed to face her head-on without falling behind! Her wariness of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect deepened further.
In the end, this clash between peak fighters came to nothing, as neither side was prepared for an all-out war. Spirit Hall's army withdrew for the time being, but the seeds of hatred had already taken root. The continent's situation grew ever more treacherous.
While the outside world churned with upheaval, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well Branch Sect remained relatively peaceful.
Lin Yi had heard something of the conflicts outside, but he knew the true storm had yet to arrive. Improving his own strength was what mattered most.
He devoted almost all his time to hard cultivation beside the Ice Spring.
With the double aid of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and the Wisdom Skull, his Soul Power steadily increased from level seventy-three, advancing toward level seventy-four.
His relationship with Xiao Wu also grew deeper in the quiet of their life together. They were constantly at each other's side, whispering and cuddling, already so close they seemed inseparable.
At night, behind the red gauze curtains, a springtime scene unfolded, full of lingering passion.
By day, Xiao Wu either sat quietly beside Lin Yi while he cultivated or practiced on her own. Every so often, she would look up at his focused profile, her eyes filled with tenderness and contentment she could scarcely contain.
She had completely let go of the past, giving her heart entirely to the man who had once coerced her, but whom she now loved to the depths of her soul.
Zhu Zhuqing still followed close behind him, only now she had grown even quieter. She devoted all her energy to cultivation, and her Soul Power rose rapidly.
It was as though she were using relentless practice to suppress the feeling growing ever stronger deep within her—a love doomed to go unanswered. Between her and Xiao Wu, too, a subtle but peaceful understanding endured.
One day, after dealing with urgent sect matters, Ning Fengzhi visited the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well Branch Sect again. When he met with Lin Yi, he brought news that caught Lin Yi somewhat by surprise.
"Lin Yi, to meet the increasingly severe situation, our sect must recruit talented people and strengthen our forces. Recently, I formally invited the Golden Iron Triangle from the former Shrek Academy, along with Immovable King Zhao Wuji, to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as guest elders," Ning Fengzhi said calmly.
"The Golden Iron Triangle? Zhao Wuji?" Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi to act so quickly and bring them into the fold as well.
Ning Fengzhi explained, "Flender is greedy, but he has a gift for management. He can take charge of some of the sect's outside enterprises and intelligence network. Yu Xiaogang's theories are unmatched, and he can greatly benefit our disciples' training. Liu Erlong is strong and fierce-tempered; she's a capable fighter. As for Zhao Wuji, he's a Power Attack System Soul Saint with a straightforward nature—a rare talent. They had no prior ties to Spirit Hall, and Shrek Academy is all but defunct. Recruiting them benefits the sect."
Lin Yi thought it over briefly and understood Ning Fengzhi's intentions. He was steadily building up his own strength, gathering the resources to stand against Spirit Hall.
Though he had plenty of grievances with Tang San and the others from Shrek, he wouldn't oppose Ning Fengzhi's decision. After all, with Spirit Hall as their common enemy, another helping hand was always welcome.
"The sect leader is farsighted. I admire you," Lin Yi said with a nod.
"The continent is in turmoil. You should focus on cultivating here. When you emerge from seclusion, it will be time for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to reveal its sharp blade once more!" Ning Fengzhi patted Lin Yi on the shoulder, his eyes full of expectation.
After seeing Ning Fengzhi off, Lin Yi gazed into the distance, his eyes deep. Spirit Hall's retaliation wouldn't end here. A greater storm still lay ahead. He had to seize every moment and become stronger!
He turned and walked once more toward the frigid Ice Spring, his figure gradually swallowed by the thick icy mist. Xiao Wu watched his resolute back, then silently moved to the side and began her cultivation for the day. As usual, Zhu Zhuqing stood guard at the entrance to the courtyard, like a quiet and loyal sentry.
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