"Senior, be careful!"
Just as Chen Xin hesitated, the soul rings beneath Qin Xiao's feet appeared all at once.
Then, his third soul ring lit up, and his entire figure vanished from where he stood.
It was none other than his third soul skill: Teleportation!
"Such a crafty kid!"
Chen Xin was astonished by Qin Xiao's grasp of the combat timing.
Without a doubt, the moment he had just fallen into a trance was indeed the optimal window for an attack.
"However, you are at level ninety-two, and I am at level ninety-six. Let alone letting you strike first, what would it matter even if I gave you three moves?"
Chen Xin possessed his own pride.
The next instant, his second soul ring lit up. Planting the Seven Kill Sword into the ground, a massive phantom emerged behind him.
Simultaneously, formidable sword qi formed a defensive barrier that enveloped him within.
"This is my second soul skill, Sword Spirit Protection, capable of withstanding three attacks from a ninety-fifth-rank Titled Douluo."
"You don't need to hold back or conceal anything-just attack directly!"
Chen Xin said with utter confidence.
"Haha, since Senior put it that way, if I didn't accept, wouldn't that be showing you no respect?"
Qin Xiao's voice rang out from directly above Chen Xin.
At the same time, his sixth soul ring lit up.
Thunder God Explosive Annihilation!
Qin Xiao called out sharply, raising both hands high above his head.
Rumble!
A thunderclap resounded, and a giant hammer formed entirely of condensed lightning unexpectedly appeared in Qin Xiao's hands.
"This momentum... seems no weaker than a ninety-fifth-rank?"
Chen Xin frowned slightly at the sight, instantly feeling that his previous words might have been a bit careless.
Yet, who was he?
He was none other than the dignified ninety-sixth-rank Titled Douluo, an elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, known across the Douluo Continent as Sword Dao Chen Xin...
To take back what he had just said would truly be rather shameful.
"Never mind, what does ninety-fifth-rank combat power matter? It won't necessarily shatter my Sword Spirit Protection in a single blow!"
Chen Xin thought to himself.
Swish.
The next moment, Qin Xiao descended from the sky. His speed was simply too fast.
It far surpassed the speed of sound.
He looked precisely like a stray meteor from beyond the heavens.
It was unimaginable what kind of destructive force was contained within this single strike.
Yet, in the very next instant, Qin Xiao swung the lightning-condensed giant hammer, crashing it heavily onto the barrier before Chen Xin.
Crack.
A sound akin to shattering porcelain echoed out, and the sword qi barrier in front of Chen Xin instantly disintegrated into nothingness!
"It's this powerful?"
Chen Xin was slightly startled, refusing to underestimate this hundred-year soul skill of his.
What he had said earlier-that it could withstand three attacks from a Titled Douluo below level ninety-five-was not a lie in the slightest.
"First soul skill: Long Sword Unsheathed!"
Chen Xin stepped back half a step, the Seven Kill Sword carrying an intense, piercing edge as it fiercely thrust toward the lightning giant hammer in Qin Xiao's grasp.
Boom!
Another deafening explosion rang out.
Sword qi surged crosswise and lightning arcs flashed everywhere.
An invisible blast wave erupted, centering on Qin Xiao and Chen Xin. Within a radius of a hundred meters, vegetation was utterly obliterated.
Stagger, stagger, stagger...
Immediately afterward, both Qin Xiao and Chen Xin retreated several steps before steadying their stances.
Chen Xin frowned, looking down at his right hand gripping the Seven Kill Sword.
Flickering electric arcs could still be seen dancing and dying out along the length of the long sword.
Moreover, they sent a tingling numbness coursing through him.
"Haha, Senior, you broke your word."
Qin Xiao laughed heartily. "You said you'd grant me three moves, but after merely a single move, you struck back at me..."
What?!
Hearing this, Chen Xin's old face flushed red.
How awkward!
However arrogant he had been a moment ago was precisely how hard he was slapped in the face now!
Who could have imagined that a sword qi barrier capable of withstanding three unbroken attacks from Titled Douluo below level ninety-five would shatter in a single blow before a ninety-second-rank Titled Douluo?
It was simply preposterous!
He had to admit that Qin Xiao's performance exceeded his expectations.
He had originally thought he was giving Qin Xiao enough importance, but he hadn't expected that he had still overestimated himself.
"Heroes truly come from the youth!"
"I underestimated you!"
Chen Xin was no ordinary person, fully demonstrating what it meant to know when to yield and when to stand tall...
"This old man takes back his previous words. From now on, I shall regard you as an opponent of my exact rank. Little friend, be careful!"
Chen Xin's voice carried a few more shades of solemnity.
"Alright..."
Before Qin Xiao could finish speaking, he noticed that the fourth soul ring on Chen Xin's body had already lit up.
Killing Intent Unleashed!
The long sword in Chen Xin's hand slashed out streaks of sword qi, assaulting Qin Xiao.
"Crackling!"
Soul power gathered around Qin Xiao, forming a soul power barrier in front of him.
However.
He discovered an anomaly.
"No, these sword qi beams are mostly slashing toward my surroundings?"
Qin Xiao's pupils constricted slightly.
There was something fishy going on here!
In the flash of lightning and flint, his mind raced at top speed. Within a mere tenth of a breath, he analyzed Chen Xin's intent.
"Are you trying to block my escape routes and launch a frontal assault?"
Qin Xiao looked at Chen Xin and said.
"Haha, your perception is quite sharp. I just discovered the mysterious shifting ability you displayed-it can practically be called teleportation."
"However, I surmise that soul skill cannot be used when the space around you is unstable, right?"
Chen Xin smiled faintly.
"Indeed so!"
Qin Xiao nodded candidly.
Teleportation was not without its limitations; when space was unstable, his body turned into lightning molecules and could not reassemble.
Of course, wanting to churn up space without attack power above level ninety-five was also impossible.
Yet today, Qin Xiao's opponent was the ninety-sixth-rank Chen Xin, and achieving this was not difficult.
"Haha, that's enough!"
At this moment, Chen Xin laughed heartily. "Just now, I took a hammer from you; now you take a sword from me."
Qin Xiao even acutely sensed that Chen Xin's fifth soul skill was lighting up.
"It must be Might Shakes the Four Directions, a soul skill with extremely formidable offensive power!"
He instantly recalled the effect of this soul skill of Chen Xin's.
Furthermore, Chen Xin had laid down so much groundwork precisely to execute this soul skill, evidently holding extreme confidence in it.
"You want to instantly kill me with your fifth soul skill? Naive!"
"I won't even give you the chance to cast it!"
Detecting Chen Xin's intent, Qin Xiao's reaction speed was even faster.
Before anyone knew when, the ten fingers of his hands had already pressed against one another.
At the same time, his second soul ring had already lit up.
Second soul skill: Thunderclap Shockwave.
Effect: Upon activation, thunderous sounds burst forth from the palms, and all life within the coverage of the ripples will suffer varying degrees of stunting dizziness.
Naturally, those with weaker power might even be instantly blasted to death by the shock.
At this moment, his hands slammed together horizontally!
Rumble!
A thunderclap instantly echoed across the arena.
Simultaneously, an invisible ripple radiated from Qin Xiao as the center, engulfing the area within Chen Xin's range in less than the blink of an eye.
"Hum..."
The next instant, Chen Xin felt his ears go deaf and his vision turn black.
The fifth soul skill he had yet to unleash instantly dissipated!
Wake up!
Yet, he was a powerhouse of the ninety-sixth rank after all, and he devised a countermeasure in an instant. He bit the tip of his tongue to jolt himself awake.
Yet, where was there still any sign of Qin Xiao before his eyes?
"Fourth soul skill: Thunder God's Wrath!"
At that moment, a voice came from the sky.
Chen Xin looked up to see Qin Xiao suspended mid-air. He also noticed a pitch-black cloud that had somehow appeared directly above his head.
"This thing doesn't look like a good omen at all."
A bad premonition arose in Chen Xin's heart.
Crack!
Just as he hesitated, a bolt of lightning descended.
"What kind of ghost is this?"
Chen Xin was stunned. This bolt of lightning was exceptionally thin, perhaps no thicker than an embroidery needle.
"Could this be a taunt skill? Who are you looking down on?"
Chen Xin casually slashed out with the Seven Kill Sword to intercept it.
However.
A bizarre thing happened-it passed right through?
The lightning still struck him accurately and without error.
The next moment, Chen Xin's entire body stiffened, and a wave of numbness left him utterly unable to muster any strength.
"What kind of soul skill is this again? It actually attacks the soul."
Chen Xin let out another exclamation of shock.
Fortunately, his soul was incomparably powerful, and this effect lasted for less than half a second before passing.
"Thunder God's Wrath summons formless lightning to directly assault the soul."
"Senior's cultivation is indeed profound. If this were replaced by an ordinary Titled Douluo, you probably wouldn't have any resistance left!"
Qin Xiao couldn't help praising.
"Humph! Kid, this old man cannot be compared to ordinary Titled Douluos. Let alone one hit, what would it matter if another came?"
Chen Xin snorted coldly. Seeming to feel that saying this wasn't imposing enough, he added, "I could accept three more hits."
"Is that so..."
Qin Xiao counted on his fingers. "Thunder God's Wrath has a total of nine attacks. Subtracting that last one, there are still eight left. Senior, be careful!"
What the heck?
That freakish lightning from just now had nine more rounds?
Damn it, this skill was simply too bizarre!
Hearing Qin Xiao's words, Chen Xin's face turned green immediately.
If nine bolts of soul-attacking lightning truly rained down, even he would be in for a rough time.
"Crack."
However, without giving him any further chance to complain, another feeble bolt of lightning descended.
"I can't afford to take the hit, but can't I hide from it?"
Faced with soul attacks, Chen Xin was somewhat at a witt's end.
"Third soul skill: Sword Wings Like Flight!"
He pointed a finger, and the Seven Kill Sword landed beneath his feet, its speed surging abruptly.
"Want to race against lightning in speed?"
"Even if your speed were multiplied tenfold, it probably wouldn't work."
Qin Xiao shook his head slightly.
He simply stopped paying him any mind and began preparing his next attack.
Seventh Soul Skill: Thunder Emperor True Body!
Eighth Soul Skill: Thunder Beast!
Meanwhile, Sword Douluo, who had fled into the distance, let out a howl of pain.
There was no helping it.
He could not stop himself. After all, being struck by lightning was hardly a pleasant experience.
"Boy, you've succeeded in making me angry!"
"Seven Kill True Body!"
As his voice fell, Sword Douluo took the Seven Kill Sword into his hand once more.
Only now, the Seven Kill Sword was considerably larger, and its sharp sword energy had grown even more powerful.
At the same time, all of Sword Douluo's attributes received an enormous boost.
Crack!
Another bolt of soul-attacking lightning struck.
This time, however, Sword Douluo merely gave a muffled grunt.
It fully demonstrated just how terrifying his current state was!
What terrifying soul skill is this brat preparing now?
No! I can't let him succeed again.
Strike first and seize the advantage; strike late and suffer disaster. I can't keep staying on the defensive!
Sword Douluo made his decision in an instant, and his Eighth Soul Ring lit up.
"Move Mountains and Fill Seas!"
He gave a sharp cry, wildly swinging the Seven Kill Sword in his hand.
In the blink of an eye, he unleashed twelve slashes!
Twelve streaks of sword energy, each several meters long, hurtled toward Qin Xiao in midair.
At that moment, Qin Xiao also moved, thrusting both hands toward Sword Douluo.
Nine balls of lightning transformed into nine ferocious Thunder Beasts and charged toward the sword energy.
This attack is already comparable to level ninety-six!
This brat really is a monster!
Feeling the pressure Qin Xiao brought to bear, Sword Douluo was still deeply shaken.
His attack was probably on par with that of Yue Guan, an elder of Spirit Hall.
He was only eighteen. What would his future hold?
After unleashing those slashes, Sword Douluo did not strike again.
He believed that, now that he had used his eighth soul skill, Qin Xiao had no chance of winning.
Unless there are twelve Thunder Beasts, they won't be enough to withstand my sword energy.
That was what he thought.
And indeed, that was exactly what happened.
Crack, crack, crack...
The sword energy collided with the Thunder Beasts. Streaks of sword energy were continually extinguished, while Thunder Beasts dissipated as well.
In the blink of an eye, only three of the twelve streaks of sword energy remained.
But not a single one of Qin Xiao's Thunder Beasts was left.
Sword Douluo truly lives up to his name. A level ninety-six Titled Douluo in peak condition really isn't someone the sickly Tang Hao can compare to.
Qin Xiao was not particularly surprised to see his soul skill defeated.
"Thunder Emperor Armor!"
At last, his ninth soul skill lit up, and countless bolts of lightning enveloped Qin Xiao.
The lightning blazed so intensely that even Sword Douluo found it difficult to keep his eyes open.
Finally using your ninth soul skill?
Let's see what tricks you have left after this.
Rather than alarmed, Sword Douluo was delighted. He knew Qin Xiao had reached the end of his tricks, like the donkey of Guizhou.
Crack, crack, crack!
The next moment, Qin Xiao appeared before Sword Douluo, clad in the Thunder Emperor Armor.
Holding his fingers together like a blade, he delivered three consecutive chops, shattering the three remaining streaks of sword energy from Sword Douluo's eighth soul skill.
The only price he paid was a slight dimming of the armor on his body.
"What a powerful aura!"
Sword Douluo was slightly startled as he looked at Qin Xiao, who had reappeared before him. "This is truly astonishing. Right now, you feel no weaker than me. In fact, your soul power is even stronger!"
"You're too much of a monster. I really want to know how you grew this strong!"
Sword Douluo shook his head repeatedly.
The youth before him was simply too astounding!
Compared with him, all those years Sword Douluo had lived might as well have been wasted on a dog.
"Senior, shall we continue our contest?"
Qin Xiao asked, his gaze blazing.
"Why wouldn't we?"
"Boy, I admit you're strong, but I still have a trump card I haven't used!"
Sword Douluo snorted irritably. "Even I'm afraid of my ninth soul skill when I use it. You'd better be careful, brat."
"To tell you the truth, ever since I first made my name, no one except Old Bone has seen my ninth soul skill and lived."
"But I can give you a chance. If you can't hold on, speak up!"
"Huh?" Qin Xiao froze, then gave a wry smile. "Then please show mercy, Senior."
Sword Douluo was getting far too carried away...
"Don't worry. I'll do my best not to kill you!"
Sword Douluo shouted in a deep voice, "God and Demon... Twin Slashes!"
Boom!
The next moment, a Seven Kill Sword over ten meters tall tore through the heavens and descended.
Then a giant even taller than the sword reached out and grasped its hilt.
I'm going out for drinks, so there's no time to split this into chapters.
Happy National Day, everyone.
Before you continue