A Spar Between Two

Witnessing Ma Mingshan's earth-shaking transformation and explosive surge in combat power, everyone in the hall was filled with amazement.

A single Divine Seal Throne had not only eradicated years of chronic illness and rebuilt his cultivation foundation, but had directly created a Super Douluo. Such a thing was rare even through the ages!

Qian Xunzong nodded slightly, his gaze shifting as he calmly suggested:

"You have only just obtained the Divine Seal Throne and are still unfamiliar with controlling its laws. This is the perfect opportunity to temper yourself and become familiar with the throne's divine might.

"Mr. Mo, your cultivation is profound and your foundation deep. Why not spar with Ma Mingshan and test the throne's true power? It will also help him fully integrate it and gain control over its divine strength."

Mo Hengchuan smiled calmly at those words and cupped his hands. "I shall obey your orders, Young Master. This old man will gladly serve as a sparring partner and test the power of this supreme Guardian Throne."

Ma Mingshan's battle intent also surged. Newly reborn power filled his body, and he urgently needed a battle to adapt to and master it. He immediately bowed.

"Please enlighten me, Elder Mo!"

The two needed no further words. Their bodies rose into the air at the same time, shooting out of Heavenly God Palace in an instant and standing above the clouds at an altitude of ten thousand zhang.

Above Heavenly God City stretched an endless sky. The sea of clouds was clear, the heavenly winds vast, and the boundless void made the perfect battlefield for their sparring match.

All the disciples and elders within the city raised their heads to watch, their eyes fixed tightly on the sky.

On one side stood a newly ascended holder of a Divine Seal Throne, a level ninety-five peak Super Douluo. On the other stood a Limit Douluo at the very peak of the continent.

Above the sea of clouds, Mo Hengchuan stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering. His Confucian aura was warm and restrained. He appeared utterly ordinary, without the slightest pressure leaking from him, yet he concealed the supreme foundation of a continental Limit Douluo. Every movement carried the rhythm of heaven and earth.

Ma Mingshan hesitated no longer. After cupping his hands in salute, he shot forward in an instant as blazing Soul Power erupted around him!

"Senior, forgive my offense. Nine Heavens Phoenix, Martial Soul Possession!"

Boom!!

Extremely scorching crimson-gold flames erupted, sweeping across the endless sky! A phantom of the Nine Heavens Phoenix appeared behind Ma Mingshan, its wings covering the heavens and divine flames coiling around it. Its cry shook the clouds, while tyrannical, pure, top-grade fire-attributed Soul Power ravaged the surroundings. Even the thick sea of clouds high above was instantly vaporized by the searing heat, and the entire sky was engulfed in crimson divine fire.

After several decades, he had finally unleashed his peak combat power once more. His Martial Soul origin showed not the slightest sluggishness, and his power was vast and surging, far surpassing his former peak. Every wisp of flame contained top-grade Soul Power tempered to the extreme.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Nine Heavens Phoenix Assault!"

"Fifth Soul Skill, Heaven-Burning Phoenix Wings!"

"Seventh Soul Skill, True Form of the Nine Heavens Phoenix!"

A chain of Soul Skills erupted instantly. Crimson-gold divine fire covered the sky and burned through the void. Countless phoenix-fire feathers transformed into lethal blades, carrying an overwhelming, savage might as they blasted toward Mo Hengchuan from every direction!

The flames filled the heavens and boiled the seas, while the feathers tore through the air and shattered the clouds. The onslaught was violent and razor-sharp, capable of destroying heaven and earth and easily crushing the vast majority of Titled Douluo on the continent.

Ma Mingshan held nothing back, revealing every trump card and pouring out the full strength of a level ninety-five Super Douluo. His attacks layered upon one another without end, displaying the ultimate fiery might of the Nine Heavens Phoenix to the fullest.

Yet in the face of this ultimate offensive capable of burning mountains, boiling seas, and annihilating everything within a thousand li, Mo Hengchuan remained standing with his hands behind his back. He stayed where he was, calm and composed, surrounded by a warm Confucian air. He had not even activated his Martial Soul, relying solely on his physical foundation and righteous aura.

The violent phoenix flames, sharp feathers, and raging fire all came to an abrupt halt when they approached within three feet of Mo Hengchuan, blocked completely by an invisible, formless wall of Righteous Confucian Qi!

Boom boom boom—!!

Countless violent attacks exploded, shaking the void. Firelight filled the sky and shattered clouds scattered everywhere. Yet no matter how fierce the attacks or how tyrannical the Soul Power, they could not break through that thin righteous barrier in the slightest, much less touch even the corner of Mo Hengchuan's robes.

All the energy attacks missed their mark, leaving behind only earth-shaking explosions.

Below, every spectator trembled inwardly, their faces filled with shock as waves of astonished exclamations quietly rose.

"Elder Mo truly is a Limit Douluo! His foundation is simply terrifying!"

"Clan Master Ma is now a level ninety-five peak Super Douluo. He has revealed all his trump cards and attacked with full force, yet he still cannot break through even three feet before his opponent!"

"..."

Ma Mingshan's expression grew solemn, his heart filled with amazement. He knew exactly how powerful he was. In his peak state, he could roam the continent unchallenged.

Yet before Mo Hengchuan, he was like a child playing around, utterly incapable of withstanding a blow. The gap between their realms was far beyond his imagination.

Knowing that ordinary Soul Power attacks were completely useless, Ma Mingshan no longer hesitated. His eyes narrowed as he shouted in a deep voice, "Divine Seal Throne, appear!"

Buzz—!!

High above the sky, the Throne of Guardian and Mercy appeared once more. Endless holy guardian light burst forth, instantly enveloping Ma Mingshan. Vast and heavy protective power spread out in layer after layer, merging into his body and Martial Soul.

In that instant, a vast, majestic, boundless power of protection flooded Ma Mingshan's entire body! His aura surged severalfold at once, while his body, Soul Power, and soul underwent a complete transformation and enhancement.

The aura around him became vast and heavy, as stable as heaven and earth. His presence, which had originally been worlds apart from Mo Hengchuan's, rapidly closed the gap and faintly caught up to Mo Hengchuan's Limit Douluo level!

The situation in which he had been completely suppressed was instantly overturned! Under the Divine Seal Throne's enhancement, his defense, endurance, Soul Power reserves, and physical strength all doubled. The divine might of protection, impervious to all methods, swirled around him.

A trace of approval flashed through Mo Hengchuan's eyes. At last, he stopped holding back, slowly raising a hand as he shouted, "Myriad Books!!"

Rustle—

Endless Righteous Confucian Qi erupted from his body. Countless ancient books appeared between heaven and earth, their pages fluttering as ink-like charm surged through the sky and righteous energy filled the entire firmament.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, red, red—nine Soul Rings pulsed, revealing the full power of a Limit Douluo.

With a raise of his hand, countless books opened and closed, condensing into thousands of sharp Confucian swords and righteous saber lights. Dense and boundless, they crushed toward Ma Mingshan from every direction. Sword qi ran rampant, saber light pierced the sun, and their might was terrifying beyond measure.

Facing the righteous weapons raining down from the sky, Ma Mingshan remained calm and fearless as he shouted in a deep voice:

"Upon the throne, no blade or weapon may touch my body!"

In an instant, the Throne of Guardian and Mercy erupted with golden divine light stretching ten thousand zhang. A vast, heavy, flawless golden energy barrier spread out at once, completely enveloping Ma Mingshan.

Sacred protective power flowed without end, as the force that sheltered all living beings erupted to its utmost limit.

Bang bang bang—!!

Thousands of Confucian swords and righteous saber lights struck the golden protective barrier, unleashing thunderous explosions that shook heaven and earth. The void cracked layer by layer, and light and shadows filled the sky. Yet they could not breach the barrier in the slightest. Every sharp attack was dissolved, neutralized, and reflected by the barrier, leaving no threat behind.

The ultimate divine might of that defense shocked everyone. The spectators below were already dumbfounded, having fully witnessed the invincible defense of the Divine Seal Throne!

After blocking Mo Hengchuan's attack, Ma Mingshan did not stop. With a thought, he activated the throne's power again and shouted deeply:

"Divine Seal—armor manifestation!"

Buzz!!

The phantom Guardian Throne floating in the void suddenly broke apart. Countless divine runes and endless holy light instantly contracted, pouring into Ma Mingshan's body like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

In the blink of an eye, a sacred suit of armor covered his entire body. It was milky white with gilded edges and engraved with endless divine runes of protection!

The Divine Seal Armor's patterns were intricate and exquisite. Every inch of it flowed with indestructible guardian light. Its pauldrons were imposing, its breastplate heavy, and its battle skirt solemn. It carried the supreme pressure of a barrier protecting all living beings, pushing Ma Mingshan's physical defense to its ultimate limit!

The instant the armor took shape, Ma Mingshan's aura surged once more. The power of protection and his fiery Soul Power fused perfectly, making him both offensively and defensively unmatched!

"Nine Heavens Phoenix Flame!!!"

Ma Mingshan shot forward, clad in Divine Seal holy armor and stepping through divine fire that filled the sky. Carrying the supreme divine might of the Guardian Throne, he launched himself at Mo Hengchuan! Ultimate firepower fused with supreme protective strength, uniting offense and defense as its might soared to the heavens!

"Book Words, Myriad Transformations, Righteous Qi!!"

A sharp gleam flashed through Mo Hengchuan's eyes. Holding a book scroll, he condensed the power of countless Confucian paths and calmly met the attack. Righteous energy collided fiercely with divine fire and protective power. The sky trembled, the sea of clouds collapsed, and the peak battle between two top-tier experts instantly entered its most intense stage!

One was a Limit Douluo, whose Confucian Martial Soul stood unrivaled beneath the heavens, and whose righteous power could suppress mountains and rivers and shatter all methods.

The other was a holder of a Divine Seal Throne, wielding the world's ultimate defensive throne, possessing both offense and defense and a vastly enhanced foundation.

This time, the two were evenly matched, worthy rivals!

Mo Hengchuan's countless Confucian swords could not break Ma Mingshan's Divine Seal holy armor, while Ma Mingshan's phoenix-fire attacks were blocked layer upon layer by the wall of Righteous Confucian Qi. They traded blows without end. Light and shadows intertwined in the sky, divine might surged, and their battle darkened the heavens and changed the winds and clouds.

After dozens of exchanges, neither could determine a victor. The ultimate clash of offense and defense left everyone in the city exhilarated and boiling with excitement.

Seeing this, Qian Xunzong spoke calmly, his voice piercing the sky and reaching both of them clearly.

"That is enough. Your current strengths are nearly equal, so it will be difficult for either of you to determine a victor."

As his words fell, the might of their clashing attacks instantly subsided. The turbulent void slowly stabilized, and the scattered sea of clouds gathered once more.

Hearing him, the two withdrew their power at the same time. Each retreated and stood at opposite ends of the sky, their breaths steady and expressions composed.

After that fierce battle, Ma Mingshan's control over the Guardian Throne had become increasingly proficient. The power within his body flowed freely, and he had fully adapted to his newly reborn divine strength and cultivation.

The two descended from the sky together and returned to the plaza before Heavenly God Palace.

Ma Mingshan immediately stepped forward and deeply bowed to Qian Xunzong, who sat upon the throne. His attitude was devout and respectful, his voice filled with endless gratitude.

"Thank you, Lord, for granting me this opportunity. This subordinate swears to serve you unto death for the rest of my life and never betray you!"

Mo Hengchuan nodded slightly from the side, approval in his eyes as he sincerely commented:

"The Throne of Guardian and Mercy is truly worthy of being the ultimate defense in this world!"

Qian Xunzong smiled, then said, "Pass down the order. From this day onward, Ma Mingshan, you will be the City Lord of Heavenly God City. You will oversee all affairs within the city and guard Heavenly God Prefecture. Mo Hengchuan, you will serve as the president of Zhuolu Academy and take charge of the academy's affairs."

"Ma Jinyan, you will command the Judgment Knight Corps and take responsibility for Heavenly God City's initial defenses. Yun Yan, you will be responsible for establishing arrays throughout Heavenly God City. Kong Deming will oversee the Soul Tool Research Institute within Heavenly God City and focus on researching Soul Tools."

"We shall obey the Lord's command!"

Everyone cupped their hands in response.

"Shen Ye, have the Embroidered Uniform Guard notify Shen Wansan and He Shen. Have them quickly open sea routes between Heavenly God Prefecture and the continent, and establish trade!" Qian Xunzong continued.

"Yes, Lord!"

Then Qian Xunzong looked at Gui Mei and Yue Guan, who were filled with anticipation. After thinking for a moment, he said, "As for you two... ah, go to the Flood Giant Crocodile Tribe and have them properly guard the waters around Heavenly God Prefecture. Any vessel that does not belong to Heavenly God City is forbidden from entering the Yunhan Sea!!"

"Yes, Lord!"

Gui Mei and Yue Guan hurriedly agreed, only to suddenly realize that something was wrong.

Wait!

They were going to find a bunch of crocodile uncles!!

Holy shit!!