Used Too Much Strength

Looking at the white figure in the sky, the current Sword Douluo did not know what words to use to describe his state of mind.

Excited?

Certainly.

After all, being able to witness the strongest ancestor in history display the Seven Kill Sword Path was undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity for him.

Furthermore, after this sword strike, he would be able to seize the chance to gain insights and reach a higher realm.

But, at this moment, there was more complexity in Sword Douluo's heart.

He was wrong, Shield Defender was wrong, and the Sect Master was wrong.

They, who had assumed this genius was already within their grasp, had never imagined that Ning Huan was holding such a trump card.

That was an ancestor who, ten thousand years ago, had willingly fought to the death for the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, the Seven Gods, and even the entire continent!

Perhaps history and the past had long been buried in the river of time.

But as disciples of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, they were required to read history books thoroughly from the moment of their initiation.

Especially the part concerning the Battle of Jialing Pass, which they were strictly ordered to keep in their hearts.

In other words, in the minds of many disciples and elders, apart from that ancestor who had already become a god, Ning Fengzhi and the two elders, Sword Douluo and Gu Rong, were the most respected.

From certain perspectives, it would not be an exaggeration to say these three ancestors had been deified.

Yet, this very ancestor who wrote such legends was now being summoned in public by a mere Soul Ancestor disciple from an external branch.

And to make matters worse, he had actually responded!

It was a pity that their Sect Master had been indecisive, thinking of holding out for a better price.

They could have opened the back door and saved themselves a lot of trouble.

But now, Ning Huan had simply flipped the table and refused to play along.

Deliberately hiding his talent?

Unknown origin of resources?

Cultivation progress beyond reason?

With this ancestor as his backing, none of these suspicions were problems anymore!

No one within the sect would dare to take the initiative to stir up trouble over these points!

By the same token, as long as Ning Huan did not commit any principled errors or harm the interests of the sect, even the Sect Master himself would have to treat him with kindness.

After all, the situation of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect was quite similar to Shrek, in that they used past glory to guide their disciples to work together.

Destroying one's own foundation was a major taboo; only a fool would do that.

On the other side, Ning Hao's expression shifted repeatedly, yet there was not a hint of regret for his miscalculation.

To him, nothing was more important than revitalizing the sect.

Moreover, as the Sect Master, he knew more than the average disciple or elder.

If Ning Huan could gain the approval of His Excellency Chen Xin, it was equivalent to the former having no ill intentions toward the sect.

Since that was the case, why bother with calculations that would only invite resentment?

He would be better off using that energy to think about how to deepen the connection between the disciples and the sect.

At the very least, the method of cultivating ordinary disciples would no longer work.

Thinking of this, Ning Hao cast a seemingly casual glance at his daughter's expectant eyes, and then at the red-haired girl beside her whose eyes were burning with fire, a look of deep thought crossing his face.

At the same time, Chen Xin was carefully sensing the changes in himself.

An illusory spirit body that was not flesh and blood, yet his internal soul power was quite full.

The experience of being summoned for the first time was very novel to him.

A moment later, he lowered his head slightly and looked around, his gaze sweeping over Ning Hao, Wind Douluo, and Sword Douluo.

Finally, he curled the corners of his mouth imperceptibly and fixed his gaze on Ning Huan below.

They say that with age comes wisdom.

Having seen his fair share of treacherous schemes and intricate plots, how could he not understand the situation before him?

The junior who contracted him wanted him to help clear his name and sweep away obstacles.

The descendant of the Sect Master on the high platform hoped to keep this once-in-a-millennium genius.

Though he had been dead for ten thousand years, if he could use this remnant power to do something more for the sect, why not?

Besides, when his spirit body dissipated after completing its task, he would have something to talk about when he met Fengzhi and that scoundrel Gu Rong.

However...

"This kid is good in every way, except he's a bit too calculating, just like Feng Zhi."

"He even dares to scheme against this old man; that's not good."

"But with everyone watching, I can't ruin his plans. Hmm, I'll just give him a little scare."

As a swordsman, one should act on one's impulses.

Chen Xin allowed a rare, mischievous smirk to grace his face.

He raised his right arm slightly, the tip of his Seven Kill Sword Qi hanging low, yet his momentum grew increasingly sharp.

"Young man, watch this sword closely!"

As the words fell, Ning Huan, who had been smiling confidently, suddenly felt that something was terribly wrong and hurriedly tried to call for a stop.

Alas, the sword was in the other's hand; his mouth opened, but the speed of his voice could not keep up with Chen Xin's sword swing.

"No~ don't~"

"Eighth Soul Skill, First Form!"

"It's over..."

As the words faded, nine giant swords, each four feet and three inches long, instantly manifested and lined up neatly behind Chen Xin.

An overwhelming surge of Seven Kill Sword Qi erupted, ravaging the sky, so sharp it seemed as if it would shred space into pieces.

Ning Hao: ∑(O_O;)

Such sword might...

Something seems wrong here!

What kind of ancestor uses their full strength to strike their own descendant!

This can't be real, right!

Besides, does this kid even have enough total soul power to withstand half of your Eighth Soul Skill!

Sure enough, by the time Ning Hao reacted, Chen Xin had just drained the last trace of soul power from Ning Huan's body.

As he collapsed to the ground, limp and weak, the Eighth Soul Skill—the very one that had once forced Ghost Douluo and the Chrysanthemum Douluo to retreat—finally finished charging.

"Mountain Shifting!"

Only now did Ning Huan truly understand what it meant to lift a rock only to drop it on one's own feet.

He had only intended for Chen Xin to appear and block some unnecessary trouble for him.

He had expected, at most, an opening move like Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect, which might not even have been fully unleashed.

It would have saved soul power and remained within a reasonable range.

Who would have thought this old guy would start with an ultimate move!

Now, he was completely hollowed out, and those old guys up there clearly hadn't recovered their wits yet.

They had no intention of stepping in to stop it!

He didn't mind; with the soul power recovery provided by the Spirit Bestowal Platform, he would be back to normal in less than an hour.

But these guys in front of him were in for a miserable time.

Making a group of Soul Elder and Soul Grand Master rankers face a half-form soul skill with power comparable to a Soul Emperor...

This is just bullying!

Seeing this, Ning Huan lay on the ground, his face full of despair.

Ning Hao, having finally reacted, couldn't care less about elegance and uncharacteristically cursed out loud.

"Damn it!"

"Uncle Feng, quick! Hurry!"

Wind Douluo shuddered the moment he heard this.

He immediately abandoned all thought, rushed straight to the sky above the arena without a word, and erected several layers of wind-attribute soul power defenses.

The next second, the nine giant swords plummeted from the high altitude at extreme speed.

The moment the sword tips touched the soul power shield, they sent out ripples.

The sharp, explosive screech caused by the friction of soul power made everyone present cover their ears tightly, fearing their eardrums would burst.

Seeing that his descendant had decent strength, Chen Xin, who had intended to end it there, suddenly became interested.

Unfortunately, the weak contractor clearly couldn't support his refined interest.

"Second Form, Fill..."

"Hmm? Not enough soul power..."

Chen Xin muttered to himself.

"Young man, you still need more practice~"

The extremely dissatisfied complaint was enough to make Ning Huan lose his breath, and he fainted on the spot.

As the contractor lost consciousness, Chen Xin immediately felt the faint gravitational pull emanating from the Spirit Bestowal Platform.

Knowing he was about to dissipate, he couldn't help but heave a long, resonant sigh before turning to look at Ning Hao, saying softly:

"Sect Master of this generation, this youngster's talent is unprecedented. I entrust him to you now; please... treat him well."

Ning Hao dared not act presumptuously upon hearing this, and without a moment's hesitation, he bowed slightly.

"As the ancestor has spoken, I, Ning Hao, shall certainly spare no effort, even unto death!"

Chen Xin nodded in satisfaction, his figure slowly fading away.

"Mm, I hope your generation can truly fulfill the lifelong wish of Feng Zhi."

With those words, the white figure, whose sword intent had soared to the heavens, vanished completely from everyone's sight.

Left behind was only a scene of utter devastation, and the crowd, each harboring their own thoughts, remained lost in silent contemplation.