"Start a war? Hardly." A trace of amusement colored Gu Rong's voice. "We're only here under orders to invite His Highness the Holy Son to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The sect master said His Highness the Holy Son was exceptionally gifted and that he wanted to meet him."
Chrysanthemum Douluo gave a cold laugh. "A visit? You block the road with a Titled Douluo and call that an invitation?"
Bone Douluo shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Sword Douluo hadn't said a word from beginning to end.
His gaze remained fixed on Gu Qingshan, his eyes devoid of emotion. They made the skin prickle.
Gu Qingshan stood behind Chrysanthemum Douluo, chewing Blue Silver Leaf. His expression was so calm, you'd never think he was facing a blockade by two Titled Douluo.
Gu Rong watched him and shook his head.
The boy probably still didn't understand what a Titled Douluo meant.
A twelve-year-old Soul Saint was indeed a monstrous talent, but talent wasn't the same as strength.
Between Level 70 and Level 90 lay a chasm, a gulf—the difference between mortals and gods.
The boy probably thought that his little retaliatory ability would let him gain an advantage against a Titled Douluo.
A newborn calf wasn't afraid of tigers. How naïve.
Just then, Sword Douluo spoke.
"Holy Son?"
"I'll be blunt. Join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect today and sever your ties with Spirit Hall and Bibi Dong. That's your only way to survive."
"As for Ju Huaguan, you're going to die today."
Gu Rong nodded.
Once Ju Huaguan was dead, nobody would know what had happened today. The two of them could join forces and kill a Level 95 Chrysanthemum Douluo in the time it took to brew a pot of tea.
As for this Holy Son...
Once he was at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he'd be at their mercy.
They had plenty of ways to make him obedient: drugs, control, psychological suggestion, and prolonged brainwashing.
How much resistance could a twelve-year-old boy offer?
Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't mistreat him.
A genius with such outstanding talent would be of immense benefit to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, even as a "stud."
Pair him with the sect's exceptional female disciples, have them bear gifted descendants, and optimize their bloodline generation after generation. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's future would be limitless.
Gu Rong's smile deepened.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression changed completely as his Martial Soul burst into full release.
The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum unfurled behind him with a thunderous roar. Its golden petals layered over one another, gleaming blindingly in the sun.
Nine Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet: two yellow, two purple, and five black.
The aura of a Level 96 Super Douluo erupted without restraint.
"Impudent! Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
Sword Douluo looked at him, and at last, a flicker of emotion stirred in his hollow eyes.
"Oh? Ju Huaguan, you actually broke through? So what?"
In his eyes, there was no essential difference between Level 95 and Level 96.
"Level 96 or not, you'll still die."
This wasn't arrogance. Sword Douluo Chen Xin had wielded a sword all his life and believed in it all his life. His sword could sever anything.
He could kill a Level 95 Chrysanthemum Douluo with one strike.
A Level 96 Chrysanthemum Douluo would take two strikes. Just one extra strike.
Gu Rong was brimming with confidence too. Two against one, and victory was ours!
Seeing Gu Rong look him over like merchandise, Gu Qingshan felt anger rise in his heart.
He smiled.
"Heh."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
"Only you two bumpkins think it's worth anything."
Gu Rong's expression changed. The smile froze on his face.
"Ning Fengzhi is an even bigger jumping clown!"
Sword Douluo didn't seem angered by Gu Qingshan's provocation.
"Bold words. We'll kill Ju Huaguan first, then take you back."
With a fight about to break out, Chrysanthemum Douluo glanced at Gu Qingshan and said in a low voice, "Your Highness the Holy Son, once the fighting starts, go first. I'll hold them off."
Gu Qingshan didn't answer.
He stepped out from behind Chrysanthemum Douluo and stood in the middle of the main road, facing the two Titled Douluo.
A dark gold greatshield appeared in front of his left arm. The thorn patterns on its face all lit up, and dark red light flowed along their grooves.
Six Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.
One purple, five black.
One purple and five black—that Soul Ring Configuration was simply unbelievable.
Gu Rong's smile vanished completely.
He stared at the six rings and the twelve-year-old boy, his pupils shrinking.
He'd lived for most of his life and seen countless geniuses, but he'd never seen a Soul Ring Configuration like this.
How had he managed it?
Sword Douluo's gaze finally changed.
"Well done, lad!"
He reached out, and a four-foot-three-inch-long sword appeared in his hand, its entire body clear blue as crystal.
The Seven Kill Sword was drawn.
Gu Qingshan looked at the shining sword and at Gu Rong's livid face. The corner of his mouth curled slightly.
"Elder Chrysanthemum."
"I'm here."
"Once we start fighting, don't worry about me. Focus on Sword Douluo."
Chrysanthemum Douluo paused. "And Bone Douluo..."
"I'll take care of Bone Douluo."
Chrysanthemum Douluo stared at Gu Qingshan's back and fell silent for a moment.
"Good!"
Sword Douluo's shining sword took full form. Seven killing intents flowed along its blade, shredding the air around them.
Gu Rong's Bone Dragon phantom fully appeared. The massive Bone Dragon coiled behind him, its gray-white bones gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
The four faced off.
The battle was about to begin.
Moments later, Chen Xin struck first.
Without warning or preparation, he merely swept the Seven Kill Sword in his hand lightly toward Chrysanthemum Douluo. The sword, formed from light, turned into a streak of blue lightning that ripped through the air and shot straight for Chrysanthemum Douluo's throat.
Fast—faster than anything.
Gu Qingshan's spiritual power caught only a fleeting afterimage. The sword's edge had already reached a point three feet in front of Chrysanthemum Douluo.
The strike was faster than the reaction limit of an ordinary Titled Douluo.
But Chrysanthemum Douluo wasn't ordinary. The instant the sword's edge arrived, his body shifted half an inch to the left. The sword's light skimmed past his neck.
Chrysanthemum Douluo grabbed with five fingers. Five golden beams shot from his fingertips like golden serpents, winding toward Sword Douluo's body from different angles.
This was another use of Golden Stamen Flowing Rosy Clouds. The golden beams looked soft, but were razor-sharp. Once they wrapped around someone, even a Titled Douluo's protective Soul Power wouldn't last three breaths.
Chen Xin's body left an afterimage in place as his true form retreated more than thirty yards.
The five golden threads wrapped around the afterimage and shredded it into countless flecks of light.
"Not bad."
Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't respond. The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum behind him spun wildly, and its golden petals shot out like a rainstorm. Each one carried enough force to pierce metal and stone.
Sword Douluo drew a circle in the air with his right hand. Following his gesture, the shining sword traced a perfect arc. Everywhere the arc passed, the golden web was torn apart and the golden petals deflected. All the attacks were shredded by invisible sword energy three feet from his body.
"Ju Huaguan, you're a good deal stronger than the rumors said."
Chrysanthemum Douluo gave a cold laugh, the curve of his lips sharp as a blade.
"People change. After three days apart, you should look at them with new eyes. Chen Xin, you've grown old."
Before you continue