At the sight of the five black rings tinged with red, Flender and Zhao Wuji's mouths twitched.
Even as Soul Saints, they only had three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings.
Comparisons really did make people furious.
What shocked them even more was Qin Jiuxiao's talent.
The best five-ring combination recognized across the continent was yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black.
But Qin Jiuxiao's very first Soul Ring had been black.
The difference between them wasn't just a little.
More importantly, how had he managed it? Wasn't he afraid of exploding from the strain?
Before they could figure it all out, Qin Jiuxiao and the others walked forward side by side.
"Senior Zhao Wuji, I've heard the name Immovable Wisdom King countless times. Today, I'd like to test myself against you."
As he spoke, he drew out the power of his Fourth Soul Ring alone and infused it into Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun.
In an instant, the two felt the same sensation they'd experienced during their Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Qin Jiuxiao that day.
"Zhu Zhuqing, a level 29 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat."
"Zhu Zhuyun, a level 40 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Elder. Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat."
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Nine-Nether Ink Qilin!"
As their voices rang out, they transformed into two streaks of dusky purple light and merged with the power of Qin Jiuxiao's Fourth Soul Ring.
A qilin with a pair of wings on its back appeared before them.
It was nowhere near as powerful as it had been when they fought Tang Hao, but it was still more than enough to hold off a Soul Saint for the time it took an incense stick to burn.
A trace of gravity crossed Zhao Wuji's face, but he wasn't too concerned.
After all, he hadn't earned the title Immovable Wisdom King for nothing.
Back then, when more than a dozen opponents of the same level from Spirit Hall had hunted him down, he'd fought his way free thanks to his peerless defenses.
One Martial Soul Fusion Skill alone wasn't enough to make him flinch.
"Senior, don't be in such a hurry. We're not done yet."
Qin Jiuxiao gave a light laugh, then turned to Ning Rongrong beside him.
"Rongrong, haven't you felt a special connection between our Martial Souls too?"
Ning Rongrong nodded. She'd always thought it was just the flutter in her heart because she liked Qin Jiuxiao.
But he was bringing it up now, in a situation like this. Could it be that she and Qin Jiuxiao also had...
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up.
"Brother Jiuxiao, do you mean we have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill too?"
Qin Jiuxiao nodded, then infused Ning Rongrong with the power of his Fifth Soul Ring.
Ning Rongrong immediately summoned her Martial Soul.
"Seven Treasures, turn and reveal your glaze!"
A delicate, seven-tiered tower, pale blue and crystal-clear, appeared in Ning Rongrong's hand.
Soon, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda lit up and resonated with Qin Jiuxiao's Nine-Leaf Sword Grass.
The two Martial Souls fused together, forming a treasure tower that could trap enemies.
Sword energy swirled around the tower, shielding Ning Rongrong completely.
"Brother Jiuxiao, it really worked!"
"We really have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Dad and the two grandpas will be so happy when they find out."
"Oh, right. This Martial Soul Fusion Skill is called the Seven Treasure Sword Pagoda."
"It can control sword energy to protect me, and it can even trap enemies inside."
"The pagoda has seven levels, and the lower the level, the stronger the sword energy."
"Enemies can only try to climb higher, but every level is swept by sword energy. Unless the gap in strength is overwhelming, it's almost impossible to escape."
Ning Rongrong was thrilled. As the greatest support sect on the continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's disciples had almost no ability to fight on their own.
That was why the sect required every disciple to choose a combat Soul Master as their partner.
As the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong's future partner would have to be a powerful combat Soul Master too.
Now that she had this Martial Soul Fusion Skill, she could fight on her own.
And Qin Jiuxiao had given her all of this.
She'd never regretted giving herself to Qin Jiuxiao.
At the sight of the two Martial Soul Fusion Skills, Zhao Wuji's expression finally changed.
Wait, how were they even doing this?
Two Martial Soul Fusion Skills would've been one thing, but Qin Jiuxiao didn't even need to take part himself.
Did that mean that once he became a Titled Douluo, he could use nine Martial Soul Fusion Skills at the same time?
Who could possibly keep up with that?
Still, no matter what he thought, he couldn't lose face in front of these youngsters.
Zhao Wuji turned to look at Flender, who understood the meaning in his eyes.
Look at that bunch of little monsters. With this kind of strength, you can't expect me to hold back.
When Zhao Wuji turned back, his expression had grown serious.
He pounded his chest twice. Behind him, a golden bear roared up at the sky.
Seven Soul Rings slowly appeared around him.
This was Zhao Wuji's Martial Soul, the Vajra Bear.
The pressure radiating from him made Ning Rongrong and the others grow excited.
This was their first time fighting a Soul Saint.
"Xiao Wu, let's team up and join in too!"
Qin Jiuxiao went to Xiao Wu's side and took her hand.
Xiao Wu had been a little disappointed that she didn't have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but delight instantly surged through her.
She revealed her Martial Soul too.
"Xiao Wu, a level 30 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder. Martial Soul: Soft Bone Charm Rabbit. Please guide me!"
"Qin Jiuxiao, a level 54 Power Attack System Battle Soul King. Martial Soul: Desolate Ten Fiends. Please guide me!"
The air turned taut in an instant.
Tang San, standing to the side, hadn't even had time to join the fray. By the time he realized what was happening, everyone else had already charged in.
"First Soul Skill: Ultimate Power!"
Qin Jiuxiao used his Soul Skill to strengthen himself, then unleashed Teleportation, appearing right in front of Zhao Wuji.
The moment he threw a punch, Zhao Wuji's expression changed drastically.
"First Soul Skill: Immovable Bright King Body!"
"Second Soul Skill: Vajra Palm!"
Zhao Wuji's defenses were formidable. After taking Qin Jiuxiao's punch, he dug long furrows in the ground with his feet.
But in the next instant, he unleashed his Second Soul Skill and struck out with a fierce palm.
Controlling their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun swiftly came up behind him and slammed a palm down.
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Qilin Heaven-Shaking Stride!"
Zhao Wuji's expression changed. He immediately abandoned his attack and spun around.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul Avatar!"
Facing the finishing move of this Martial Soul Fusion Skill, he didn't dare be careless.
As the qilin came crashing down, a giant Vajra Bear appeared behind him.
It raised both paws and took the Martial Soul Fusion Skill head-on.
With a deafening crash,
Zhao Wuji was kicked flying.
Before he could come to a stop, a seven-tiered pagoda rapidly grew in size and dropped from the sky, trying to trap him inside.
"Try my Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"
Ning Rongrong seized her chance to attack.
Zhao Wuji could have escaped, but Xiao Wu darted in front of him.
"Second Soul Skill: Charm!"
The moment Zhao Wuji met Xiao Wu's gaze, he fell under its effect.
Xiao Wu was only level 30, so her mental strength was nowhere near Zhao Wuji's.
But she didn't need to hold him for long. That brief moment of distraction was enough.
Xiao Wu quickly pulled away.
By the time Zhao Wuji snapped out of it and tried to dodge, the Seven Treasure Sword Pagoda had already come crashing down.
Inside the pagoda, the sword energy erupted all at once.
It surged toward Zhao Wuji on the bottom level.
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