On the dueling platform.
Chen Xin withdrew his blade, his mind reeling.
He was utterly dumbfounded.
In his own era, his Seven Kill Sword was invincible among his peers, and he alone could crush several Titled Douluos!
Yet today, a Soul Master two levels below him had actually forced him into a head-on stalemate?
On the topmost floor of the Human Emperor Dueling Arena.
There was a secluded private room whose existence no one knew of.
Ji Xuanyuan stood with his hands behind his back, quietly looking down at Chen Xin on the platform, his gaze calm.
"Your subordinate Di Tian welcomes Your Majesty, the Human Emperor, to the Dueling Arena!"
Beside him, Di Tian, dressed entirely in black, spoke with a respectful bearing.
The Human Emperor said nothing.
Di Tian followed the Human Emperor's gaze toward Chen Xin and volunteered a quiet report.
"Your Majesty."
"This Chen Xin recently achieved a breakthrough in his mental state, and his combat strength has improved considerably."
"But in my view, Yang Potian has a better chance of breaking through to Limit Douluo. Becoming a demigod, however, will likely prove difficult."
He did not mention becoming a god.
Though the two were fairly good, even demigodhood was a ceiling they could gaze upon but never reach.
"Mm!"
"Pass down my instructions. Find someone to give Chen Xin a thorough beating."
"The lower the opponent's level, the better."
Ji Xuanyuan nodded and spoke mildly.
"Yes!"
Di Tian bowed to accept the order and respectfully withdrew.
He silently glanced at the bewildered Chen Xin below, a trace of pity flashing through his eyes.
Poor fellow.
Just how blind had this fellow been to offend His Majesty, the Human Emperor?
Only one person remained in the room.
Ji Xuanyuan's gaze returned to Chen Xin, his expression focused.
Ordinary people could not see it.
But he could clearly see the faint Power of Time and Space entwined around Chen Xin.
"Since you enjoy fighting, let the audience from ten thousand years ago see the strength of Soul Masters ten thousand years later while you're at it."
Ji Xuanyuan's gaze was indifferent. He had come here specifically to make use of Chen Xin's duels.
He had improved countless medicinal formulas that could enhance a Soul Master's talent.
Yet the supply of spiritual medicines was ultimately limited, benefiting only a handful of prodigies.
The Soul Skill Cultivation Methods he had invented, however, could indeed be practiced by anyone.
This had also led to one result.
In this world, prodigies skilled in battle were as numerous as hairs on an ox!
Deep beneath the Dueling Arena, in an underground palace.
Thousands upon thousands of light screens hovered in the air, broadcasting the platform battles in real time.
Inside the palace.
A blue-haired youth reclined lazily on a lounge chair, munching on crispy potato chips.
Seven stunning beauties surrounded him. Some gently massaged his legs, others carefully kneaded his shoulders, while beauties danced gracefully before him, their figures enchanting.
He reached out and pinched the tender cheek of the maid beside him, feeling thoroughly content.
"Oh, stop it, Lord Tian Meng! You're so naughty!"
The maid's cheeks flushed as she shyly dodged away, chiding him softly.
"Hahahaha!"
"I'm only giving you a little touch! If I'm happy later, I'll promote you straight to head steward!"
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm laughed heartily and spoke cheerfully.
The maid's eyes instantly lit up before she put on a show of reserve.
"That won't do. Lord Di Tian would have to give his approval first."
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's face instantly darkened.
"Him?"
His face was full of disdain.
"A mere Sixth Divine Envoy dares meddle in the affairs of the Fourth Divine Envoy?"
"Remember this: the one who truly calls the shots in this Dueling Arena is me, Tian Meng! Without me, this arena can't function."
"Di Tian is just an errand boy doing the work. Who does he think he is?"
"Oh? Is that so?"
A bone-chilling voice suddenly sounded behind him.
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm shuddered violently, instantly panicking.
That voice-it was Di Tian!
"Lord Di Tian!"
The maids instantly fell silent and hurried to their feet, not daring to say more.
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm stiffly turned his head and gave an awkward laugh.
"Haha, so it's you, Di Tian. What brings you here?"
He hurriedly waved at the maids, concealing his panic.
"Keep the music playing! Keep dancing!"
Di Tian swept a cool glance over everyone, his tone icy.
"Leave us."
The maids hastily bowed and withdrew from the underground palace.
"Di Tian! Don't get too arrogant!"
"I've already become a god! What's wrong with enjoying myself a little?"
"In terms of rank, a Sixth Divine Envoy like you has no right to boss me around!"
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm immediately grew agitated, his face flushing red.
Di Tian said disdainfully.
"Enough nonsense!"
"You're the most useless of the Nine Divine Emissaries, and you still have the nerve to say that?"
"His Majesty, the Human Emperor, has ordered you to give Chen Xin of the Chen Clan a proper 'welcome'! The lower the opponent's level, the better."
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was just about to explode, but upon hearing "His Majesty, the Human Emperor," he instantly reined in all his arrogance.
He immediately grew startled and uncertain.
The Human Emperor personally gave the order?
What on earth had a mere Titled Douluo done to make the Human Emperor personally target him?
His gaze swept across the countless light screens before him, and his vast spiritual power instantly spread out to examine them all.
He had become a god as a million-year spiritual-type Soul Beast, attaining the God Position of the God of Spiritual Power.
The entire Dueling Arena's virtual combat system was built within his spiritual environment.
His claim that the Dueling Arena could not function without him really had not been wrong.
A moment later.
A mischievous smile gleamed in Tian Meng's eyes.
"I've got it!"
"I'll pick this ruthless fellow!"
"Hahahaha! This battle will shatter Chen Xin's heart of cultivation completely!"
On the virtual dueling platform.
Dazzling sword light filled the sky.
The Seven Kill Sword fused perfectly with Chen Xin's body, man and sword becoming one.
This was his strongest move, a Self-Created Soul Skill even more powerful than his ninth Soul Skill, God-Demon Dual Slash.
But in the next second.
An incomparably sharp surge of spear force pierced through layer upon layer of sword screens and punched straight through his body!
Pfft!
Light and shadow shattered, and his figure dissolved.
"You have been defeated!"
An icy voice rang out.
In the lounge, Chen Xin's breathing was disordered, his face deathly pale.
He clenched his teeth, unable to believe it.
He had lost.
He, a level ninety-seven Super Douluo, had actually lost to the level ninety-five Yang Potian!
"Grandpa Sword... actually lost..."
Ning Rongrong clamped her hands over her mouth, her eyes reddening.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes were filled with disbelief.
"That was thrilling! Absolutely thrilling!"
"So this is a battle between Titled Douluos? They really are powerful!"
"Watching this Sky Screen duel was so satisfying!"
The Soul Masters of the Douluo Continent, by contrast, were all excited and exhilarated.
In the past, Titled Douluos had been like divine dragons whose heads could be glimpsed but never their tails. When had they ever fought like this before their eyes?
At the Medicine Clan.
Yang Wudi's eyes blazed, and he was incredibly excited.
So!
My Soul Breaking Spear Martial Soul wasn't forever incapable of breaking through the barrier to Titled Douluo.
The Human Emperor World had a way to resolve Martial Soul defects!
He had to go.
He absolutely had to go to the Human Emperor World.
"Yang Potian! Yang Potian!"
Beside him, cheers rose one after another from his clansmen, shaking the courtyard.
Yang Wudi threw back his head and laughed, his eyes brimming with hot tears.
He had seen the Medicine Clan's future.
Ninety-five days.
They only had to wait ninety-five days to welcome a bright future.
At the Speed Clan.
No one spoke.
Tang San and the others all felt their throats go dry, and the place was so silent that a falling pin could be heard.
The atmosphere was very strange.
Tang Hao gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
He knew Sword Douluo's strength, too. Aside from using the Great Sumeru Hammer, he had no way to withstand that sword strike that had just erupted.
Yet he had actually lost?
Didn't that mean he could not defeat Yang Potian either?
How was that possible?
It was merely the lousy Martial Soul of the Medicine Clan, his own subordinates. How could he possibly fail to beat it?
Tang Hao ground his teeth in fury, unwilling to accept this result. He simply lowered his head, not daring to watch anymore.
Flender kept his mouth shut and even breathed cautiously, terrified of provoking this mighty figure.
"Continue matching!"
In the lounge, Chen Xin rose, his expression serious.
He had been too hasty in the previous battle.
Yang Potian's advantage lay in his instantaneous explosive power. If Chen Xin had not competed with him in offense and had instead fought a drawn-out, entangling battle, the outcome would still have been uncertain!
This time, he would never make the same mistake again!
"Match found!"
White light flashed.
Chen Xin stepped into the Virtual Duel Arena once more.
Across the platform.
A black-haired youth wore an unruly expression, a sinister, unrestrained smile curling his lips.
At the sight, the corners of Ji Xuanyuan's mouth lifted slightly.
So it was that kid Chen Xie.
This fellow had been clamoring to become his disciple all along.
His talent was very good, though. With his Twin Martial Souls, the Evil God Sword and the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, he was even better than some of the Nine Divine Emissaries.
After this battle, he would grant his wish and take him as a disciple!
Before you continue