However, the scene suddenly grew oppressively dark.
The sky sank beneath a blanket of black clouds.
It was the Soul Hunting Operation that had shocked the entire continent.
Under the cover of night, Spirit Hall's elite army surged around the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect like a rising tide.
Flames blazed through the sect, and the screams of countless disciples rose one after another.
Chen Xin stood alone before the sect's main hall.
Before him stood four Titled Douluo, each radiating a terrifying presence.
They were Spirit Hall's top fighters.
Surrounded by all four, Chen Xin didn't retreat a single step.
The Seven Kill Sword blazed with dazzling light. Each swing sent a rain of blood scattering through the air.
The battle was brutally fierce.
Chen Xin's white robes were already soaked in blood, some belonging to his enemies, some his own.
Suddenly—
A Titled Douluo burst from the shadows, his razor-sharp blade flashing.
Spurt!
Blood sprayed everywhere.
Chen Xin's right arm was hacked clean off and sent flying through the air.
At the sight, countless watching Soul Masters cried out in shock.
But Chen Xin's face showed not the slightest trace of fear.
He caught the falling Seven Kill Sword with his left hand.
It was the ultimate strike he had bought with his life force.
Boom!
The sword's light illuminated the entire night sky.
Of the four Titled Douluo who had surrounded him, three were grievously wounded by that strike. They flew backward, coughing blood, and were rendered unable to fight.
It was only because Chen Xin had held them back in that near-suicidal stand that Ning Fengzhi was able to flee with the remaining survivors of the sect.
The scene shifted to its final image.
A secret chamber.
Chen Xin, now missing his right arm, sat silently on a stone stool.
He stared at his empty right sleeve, a lonely look flashing through his eyes.
But soon, his gaze grew firm again.
He began trying to practice swordsmanship with his left hand.
Once, ten times, ten thousand times.
Amid the agony of his severed arm and his hatred over the sect's destruction, he finally comprehended a sword path of his own.
That night, sword energy soared into the sky.
He broke through the bottleneck that had held him back for years and entered the peak of Level 97.
However, the scene froze there.
Several lines of golden text slowly appeared on the Sky Screen:
[Because of the injury to his severed arm, Chen Xin's meridians were severely damaged, leaving him with permanent injuries. He would never be able to advance any further in this life.]
Heaven Dou Empire, front-line camp.
As they watched the images playing on the Sky Screen, the faces of the Shrek group turned grim.
They gathered around Tang San, their chests heaving.
"Those Spirit Hall bastards are absolutely vile!"
Dai Mubai slammed a fist down on the wooden table beside him.
The sturdy table shattered beneath the blow, breaking into countless pieces.
His eyes blazed with fury.
"They used such despicable tactics and nearly ruined Senior Sword's entire life!"
"If Senior Sword hadn't lost his arm back then, with his talent, he would probably have reached an even higher level by now!"
Oscar, standing nearby, sighed, his expression dark.
"That's right. Senior Sword sacrificed so much to protect Rongrong and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Rongrong's eyes were already red from crying, her delicate body trembling slightly.
Tang San stood off to the side, staring at the words "permanent injuries" on the Sky Screen as his fingers clenched into a fist.
"Spirit Hall must be wiped out."
"Their existence will only fill this continent with disaster and despair."
"This battle isn't just for the Heaven Dou Empire. It's for everyone who has suffered at Spirit Hall's hands."
Just as everyone was seething with anger,
the golden Sky Screen in the heavens changed once more.
The Heavenly Dao's reward for the fifteenth place was finally revealed.
[Peak Powerhouse Ranking, fifteenth place: Chen Xin. The Heavenly Dao bestows the following rewards:] [Reward One: Soul Power Level increased by one, reaching Level 98.] [Reward Two: Martial Soul Evolution. The Seven Kill Martial Soul evolves into the Heavenly Dao Seven Kill Sword.] [Reward Three: A divine-gifted Soul Ring—one Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.] [Reward Four: Physical restoration. All hidden injuries and disabilities within the body will be completely healed.]
Boom!
With the announcement of these four rewards, another enormous wave swept across the entire continent.
"Th-this reward is way too incredible!"
In the Heaven Dou camp, Ma Hongjun couldn't help but cry out.
"Not only does it raise his level, it can even evolve his Martial Soul?"
"And the craziest part is that it can grow his severed arm back?!"
Oscar swallowed, his eyes full of envy.
"So this is what the Heavenly Dao can do?"
"It's practically a miracle!"
As Tang San read the rewards, the gloom on his face vanished in an instant.
A delighted expression spread across his face.
"Wonderful!"
"With these rewards, Senior Sword can not only return to his peak, but go even further!"
"A Level 98 Heavenly Dao Seven Kill Sword, combined with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring—Senior Sword's strength will reach a terrifying level."
"This will be a tremendous help in our plan to wipe out Spirit Hall."
Tang San tightened his grip on the Seagod Trident, his confidence growing.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
In the square before the main hall,
Chen Xin stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at the Sky Screen.
"My injuries... can be healed?"
"I can keep cultivating?"
He had thought that this was as far as he would ever go.
Level 97 was supposed to be his limit.
But now, the Heavenly Dao was telling him that he could not only regain his right arm, but also gain even greater power.
Hum!
Before he could think any further,
a massive golden beam suddenly descended from the depths of the Sky Screen.
The enormous beam engulfed the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Chen Xin stood at its center.
Under the astonished gazes of countless people, dazzling golden light suddenly shone from Chen Xin's empty right sleeve.
Countless mysterious golden patterns spread across his skin.
Then—
The sounds of bones growing and muscles writhing rang clearly through the silent square.
A brand-new right arm, brimming with explosive strength, rapidly took shape within the golden light.
At the same time,
the Soul Power within Chen Xin's body began to surge wildly.
The bottleneck that had held him back for decades broke as easily as a sheet of paper.
Boom!
A violent torrent of sword energy erupted from within him.
His Soul Power instantly crossed the chasm at Level 97 and reached Level 98!
That wasn't all.
A brand-new long sword slowly appeared in his palm.
The character for "kill" that had once been inscribed on its blade was gone, replaced by lines of dark golden Heavenly Dao runes.
The Heavenly Dao Seven Kill Sword!
Next, a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring radiating an eerie red glow slowly drifted down from the sky and merged with his Soul Rings.
Chen Xin stood there, feeling the unprecedented, surging power within him.
He gently clenched his right fist.
The feeling of having both arms again made him want to throw his head back and roar.
"Sect Master Ning, I... did it."
Chen Xin looked at Ning Fengzhi beside him, his eyes glistening with tears of excitement.
Ning Fengzhi's body trembled slightly with emotion.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not doomed!"
He looked at Chen Xin, his eyes brimming with joy.
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