Swordplay with Sword Douluo

Heaven Dou Town, Spirit Hall Branch.

Heavenly Tyrant Douluo Huang Batian sat there at his leisure, sipping tea.

"Big brother, you said A Yi is about to obtain his Seventh Soul Ring. Is that true?" Thunderbolt Douluo Lei Zhenyun asked, incredulity written all over his face.

"I don't know whether it's true. Half a month ago, I received a message from him asking me to wait in Heaven Dou Town for a month. He said he'd become a Soul Saint within that time and would need our help obtaining his Seventh Soul Ring..." Heavenly Tyrant Douluo Huang Batian shook his head and said evenly, "I believe he'll do it. After all, he's accomplished every so-called miracle people have talked about over the years without much trouble."

"True enough. I wonder where he's decided to hunt for his Soul Ring this time..." Thunderbolt Douluo Lei Zhenyun said curiously.

"Old Huang, Old Lei! So this is where you came on leave!" Ling Yuan Douluo walked over, pulling Bibi Dong along by the hand.

"Greetings, Holy Maiden, Lady Ling Yuan," Heavenly Tyrant Douluo and Thunderbolt Douluo said in unison.

"No need for formalities," Ling Yuan Douluo said lightly. "I brought the Holy Maiden to obtain her fifth Soul Ring. We might as well go together."

"Holy Maiden, Lady Ling Yuan, I still need to wait here for my grandson A Yi. I don't plan to enter the Star Dou Great Forest just yet," Heavenly Tyrant Douluo Huang Batian explained.

"That's all right. Waiting a little while won't hurt," Bibi Dong said with a hint of excitement. "My teacher keeps such a tight rein on me. This is the perfect chance to steal a little free time!"

Ling Yuan Douluo smiled at her indulgently.

Inside the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Uncle Jian, sorry for the trouble this time. I'm looking for a defensive Soul Beast between six and eight thousand years old," Ning Fengzhi said steadily.

Chen Xin, who had only just become a Titled Douluo, nodded. "Understood. Don't worry, I'll find you a suitable Soul Beast."

"Big brother, you're too cautious. I want a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast for my fourth Soul Ring. Uncle Jian, make sure you pick the strongest one for me," Ning Fengya declared, brimming with confidence.

"Fengya, your constitution is too weak. A Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast would be too much for your fourth Soul Ring. Stop fooling around," Ning Fengzhi said sternly.

"Is my constitution too weak, big brother, or are you afraid I'll be stronger than you?" Ning Fengya retorted with a sneer.

"Are you two brothers going to argue again?" Sword Douluo Chen Xin asked, rubbing his temples. Ning Fengzhi and Ning Fengya gave him no end of headaches. The eighteen-year-old elder brother was as steady as a little old man, while the sixteen-year-old younger brother was as restless as a seven- or eight-year-old child—even dogs found him tiresome.

This time, Sword Douluo Chen Xin had come not only to protect them while they obtained their Soul Rings, but also to observe them in secret. With his Sword Heart Clarity, he would choose the next sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The three had traveled through the Star Dou Great Forest for most of the day and were about to find a suitable campsite when a delicious aroma drifted over from the distance.

"Smells wonderful..." Ning Fengya ran toward the aroma in excitement. Sword Douluo Chen Xin had no choice but to follow with Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengya spotted a masked Soul Master grilling fish beside a river. He strode up arrogantly, took a fish, and began eating it in great mouthfuls. "Delicious! This is really good..."

When Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi caught up, they saw the masked man pull a maul from his Space Ring.

"I'm the young master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Do you dare kill me?" Ning Fengya tossed aside the half-eaten grilled fish and looked at Huang Tieyi with open disdain.

"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? What's so special about that?" Huang Tieyi swung the maul at him with a look of contempt. Clang! The maul struck a sword.

"Please stay your hand, young friend..." Sword Douluo Chen Xin stepped in front of Ning Fengya. "I'm Chen Xin. He is the son of the current sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Please do me a favor and overlook his rudeness."

"Uncle Jian, you're too timid. Let him swing! I don't believe he dares. What nerve could some dirt-poor nobody have to touch me?" Ning Fengya said with brazen arrogance. "If he lays a finger on me, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will hunt him to the ends of the earth. He won't find a hole deep enough to hide in."

"Chen Xin. You've only just advanced to Titled Douluo, haven't you?" Huang Tieyi put the maul back into his Space Ring and drew a sword forged from fine materials. "Compete with me in swordsmanship. If I lose, I'll let this idiot go. If you lose, I'll kill him, and you may not interfere."

"All right. I accept," Sword Douluo Chen Xin said, looking at the sword in Huang Tieyi's hand with anticipation.

"Sword Douluo, ready yourself. Here I come..." Huang Tieyi charged in, swinging his sword against Sword Douluo's Martial Soul, the Seven Kill Sword. The instant their blades met, Huang Tieyi retreated. His Lingbo Micro-Step carried him like the wind, his movements shadowing Chen Xin as he attacked from every angle.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood there, his expression grave. His eyes could not keep up with Huang Tieyi's speed. Each time, he barely spotted the attack in time to raise his sword and block. He had no chance to counterattack.

"You really are interesting, young friend. Do you think I'm helpless against you just because I haven't used a Soul Skill?" Sword Douluo Chen Xin blocked Huang Tieyi's Heart-Stealing Sword. Sword Qi swirled around him, and countless swords appeared overhead, their points aimed at Huang Tieyi.

"Sword Qi? I have that too!" Huang Tieyi said calmly, gazing at the countless little swords of Sword Qi in the sky. As his words fell, Sword Qi surged around him and formed a giant sword that shielded him.

"Go..." Excitement filled Sword Douluo Chen Xin's voice when he saw Huang Tieyi wrapped in Sword Qi. He swung the Seven Kill Sword in his hand and pointed it at Huang Tieyi.

Countless little swords of Sword Qi shot toward Huang Tieyi and slammed into the giant sword surrounding him. Though it was Qi striking Qi, the air rang with the clang and clatter of colliding metal.

Pfft! One of the little swords of Sword Qi—there was no telling which—finally pierced the giant sword. The Sword Qi protecting Huang Tieyi scattered in an instant.

"Young friend, I never expected you to cultivate Sword Qi at such a young age. It's truly admirable. Shall we leave today's matter here?" Sword Douluo Chen Xin put away his Martial Soul, the Seven Kill Sword.

"Sword Douluo, I truly wish I could do you that favor. But it's too late. He's already dead..." Huang Tieyi pointed at Ning Fengya, who lay on the ground, and spoke with a cold smile.