Stabilizing the Situation

The battle at Falling Eagle Ravine, while failing to claim the life of Qian Renxue, resulted in the slaying of two Martial Soul Hall Title Douluo and left the young mistress of Martial Soul Hall severely wounded—a thunderclap that echoed across the entire continent! This act completely tore away the final veil of pretense between Martial Soul Hall, the Upper Three Sects, and the Heaven Dou Empire.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, and the Heaven Dou Empire royal family quickly reached a consensus, forming a formidable alliance.

Without a moment's hesitation, a Thunderbolt clearing operation was launched against every branch of Martial Soul Hall within their spheres of influence, unfolding with astonishing speed and intensity!

Within the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire, led by the empire's elite legions and the Royal Soul Master Corps, and assisted by the powerhouses of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, a devastating strike was simultaneously launched against hundreds of Martial Soul Hall branches located in various provinces and major cities!

Although these branches were guarded by experts at the Soul Saint and Soul Douluo levels, they were utterly incapable of resisting the crushing pressure of the three allied forces.

Those who resisted were executed without mercy; those who surrendered had their cultivation crippled and were taken into custody. In just a few short months, the vast network that Martial Soul Hall had spent decades building within the Heaven Dou Empire was uprooted, countless halls were reduced to ruins in the flames of war, and the banners symbolizing the authority of Martial Soul Hall were burned to ashes.

This storm naturally alarmed Martial Soul City.

Pope Bibi Dong was furious! She personally led several elders of Martial Soul Hall and the elite of the Palace Guard Knights to the border, attempting to exert pressure and even risking a regional war to salvage her reputation.

On the border line, the powerhouses of both sides stood in a standoff, the atmosphere tense to the point of snapping.

Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, arrived at the front lines in person. He stood before the military formation, flanked by the sword-aura-soaring Sword Douluo Chen Xin. Facing the Pope Bibi Dong, whose presence dominated the entire field, Ning Fengzhi showed no fear, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda spinning with flowing radiance before him.

"Bibi Dong, Martial Soul Hall has overreached!" Ning Fengzhi's voice was clear and resonant, yet carried an unquestionable power. "The Heaven Dou Empire is not your Martial Soul Hall's backyard! Today, I shall let you see that my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not something you can knead at will!"

"Soul Skill, First, Power; Second, Speed..."

Ning Fengzhi actually struck first! The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda erupted with an unprecedented, brilliant divine light. An eight-colored beam of light, condensed to the extreme and containing comprehensive buffs for power, speed, soul power, attack, defense, and elemental attributes, roared into the body of the Sword Douluo Chen Xin beside him!

Bolstered by the full-force Ninth Soul Skill of Ning Fengzhi, the aura around Chen Xin instantly surged to an unfathomable realm! He no longer seemed like a man, but a peerless divine sword capable of cleaving heaven and earth!

"Seven Kill True Body! Man and Sword as One!"

Chen Xin let out a long roar, merging completely with the Seven Kill Sword. He transformed into a massive sword beam that spanned the heavens, carrying a supreme sword intent capable of severing karma and shattering all laws, and took the initiative to strike at Bibi Dong!

Bibi Dong's phoenix eyes flashed with malice. She had not expected Ning Fengzhi's support capabilities to be this terrifying after the evolution of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda! Daring not to be careless, she channeled the divine power of the Rakshasa God. The terrifying might of both her Death Spider Emperor and Soul Devouring Spider Emperor martial souls erupted simultaneously, colliding violently with that heaven-shaking sword beam!

BOOM--!!!

A deafening roar, as if the world were being torn asunder, shook the wilderness! A terrifying energy storm swept outward, shaving three feet off the ground along the border! As the light dissipated, Chen Xin and Bibi Dong each retreated several steps—it was a draw!

Bibi Dong's expression was incredibly grim. Although she hadn't used her full strength, the fact that her opponent could stand toe-to-toe with her under Ning Fengzhi's support made her fear the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect even more.

In the end, this peak confrontation fizzled out, as neither side was prepared for an all-out war. The Martial Soul Hall army retreated for the time being, but the seeds of hatred had been deeply sown, and the situation on the continent became even more treacherous and unpredictable.

Just as the outside world was in turmoil, the branch sect at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well remained relatively tranquil.

Lin Yi had heard of the conflicts outside, but he knew well that the true storm had yet to arrive; increasing his own strength was the foundation of everything.

He devoted almost all his time to his bitter cultivation beside the Ice Spring.

His level 73 soul power was steadily rising under the dual assistance of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and the Wisdom Skull, pushing toward level 74.

His relationship with Xiao Wu also grew increasingly profound amidst this quiet life of cultivation. The two were inseparable, spending their days and nights together, intimate and sharing everything.

At night, behind the red silk curtains, the air was filled with the beauty of spring and endless lingering affection.

During the day, when Lin Yi cultivated, Xiao Wu would either sit quietly by his side or practice herself, occasionally lifting her gaze to look at his focused profile, her eyes filled with an unmelting tenderness and contentment.

She had completely let go of the past, tethering her heart entirely to this man who had once coerced her, but whom she now loved to the bone.

Zhu Zhuqing remained like a shadow, only becoming more silent. She poured all her energy into cultivation, and her soul power also increased rapidly.

It was as if she were using her grueling training to suppress the feelings that grew within her heart, even though they were destined to be hopeless. She and Xiao Wu maintained a subtle and peaceful relationship.

On this day, after Ning Fengzhi finished handling urgent sect matters, he arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well branch again to meet with Lin Yi, bringing news that caught him by surprise.

"Lin Yi, to cope with the increasingly severe situation, our sect must recruit widely to strengthen our power. Recently, I have formally invited the Golden Iron Triangle of the former Shrek Academy, as well as the Immovable King Zhao Wuji, to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as guest elders," Ning Fengzhi said in a calm tone.

"The Golden Iron Triangle? Zhao Wuji?" Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi to act so quickly, absorbing them into the fold.

Ning Fengzhi explained, "Although Flender is greedy for money, his management skills are outstanding; he can be responsible for some of the sect's external industries and intelligence. Yu Xiaogang has unparalleled theoretical knowledge, which is of great benefit to the cultivation of disciples. Liu Erlong has impressive strength and a fiery temperament, making her a formidable combatant. As for Zhao Wuji, he is a Power Attack Soul Saint with a straightforward personality, also a rare talent. They have no prior ties to Martial Soul Hall, and since Shrek Academy exists in name only, recruiting them is beneficial to the sect."

Lin Yi pondered for a moment and understood Ning Fengzhi's deep intent. This was about continuously strengthening himself and accumulating the capital to contend with Martial Soul Hall.

Although he had grievances with Tang San and the others from Shrek, since Ning Fengzhi had made the decision, he would not oppose it. After all, in the grand premise of opposing Martial Soul Hall, having more strength was always a good thing.

"The Sect Master is far-sighted; this disciple admires you," Lin Yi nodded.

"With the current turmoil on the continent, you should just cultivate here with peace of mind. The day you emerge from seclusion will be the time when the sharp sword of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect shines once more!" Ning Fengzhi patted Lin Yi on the shoulder, his eyes filled with expectation.

After seeing Ning Fengzhi off, Lin Yi looked into the distance, his gaze profound. The retaliation of Martial Soul Hall would never stop here; a greater storm was yet to come. He had to seize every moment to become stronger!

He turned and walked back toward the chilling Ice Spring, his figure gradually swallowed by the dense icy mist. Xiao Wu watched his determined back, then silently walked to the side and began her own cultivation for the day. Zhu Zhuqing, as always, stood guard at the entrance of the courtyard like a silent and loyal sentinel.