Douluo Continent, the Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong sat on the magnificent Pope throne, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.
Her deep purple eyes were fixed on the sword strike Chen Xin had unleashed in the Heavenly Screen, and she remained silent for Jiujiu.
Both sides inside the hall.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei stood by, and although they also saw the pale blue sword energy that pierced through the clouds, they were somewhat puzzled by Bibi Dong's solemn expression.
"It's just a small wisp of sword energy..."
Gui Mei, hoarse voice rang out, tinged with disdain, " Your His Holiness the Pope, when Chen Xin was on the Douluo Continent, his Seven Kill Sword Intent was far more powerful than this."
"That's right, Your Majesty," Yue Guan echoed.
Bibi Dong shook her head, " Gui Mei, Yue Guan, you've seen wrong."
She slowly rose from the Pope throne. "In the Douluo Continent, Chen Xin's sword intent was boundless because our world's rules inherently permitted such an outward manifestation of power."
"The explosion of Soul Power and the manifestation of Soul Skill aim for both visual shock and tangible destruction."
Bibi Dong walked to the center of the hall, looking up at the slowly healing crack in the Heavenly Screen above:
"But look at his sword strike—it's condensed as if it were solid, yet it breaks the spell without expending a single bit of effort."
The cloud formation was not a natural phenomenon, but rather a manifestation of spiritual energy condensed by the Ten Thousand Swords Hall's array, containing a faint restriction.
Chen Xin's sword strike precisely targeted the pivot point in the cloud's movement, achieving the greatest 'spell-breaking' effect with minimal consumption.
She turned around, her gaze sweeping over the two Titled Douluo: "What does this mean?"
Yue Guan pondered for a moment, "It means... his control over power has reached a level of subtlety that is unimaginable to us."
"That's not all."
Bibi Dong's voice lowered, "Do you all still remember when Chen Xin first entered that world a few days ago, he even had to learn the most basic spiritual energy breathing techniques from scratch?"
How difficult was the process of transforming his Soul Power into that so-called ' Magic Power '?
Gui Mei nodded. "At the time, we even discussed that no matter how high his swordsmanship talent was, under unfamiliar laws, he would have to start from scratch, and he was not a threat in the short term."
"Not worth worrying about?"
Bibi Dong chuckled lightly, but there was no real joy in her laughter. "In just a few days, he not only completed the initial transformation of his power, but also mastered a completely new sword technique to the basics, and can now unleash such exquisite sword intent."
"If the ' Taiyi Light-Splitting Sword Art ' is truly as Ling Jue said, a core secret of the Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion, extremely difficult to master..."
So Chen Xin is displaying now is more than just talent.
"That was a collision and fusion of two world-class sword systems."
A sharp glint flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. "He is using the swordsmanship foundation he accumulated in the Douluo Continent to understand and master the sword techniques of that world."
And as you've seen—he succeeded, and the progress was frighteningly fast.
Yue Guan gasped, " Your His Holiness the Pope means... if Chen Xin returns, even with only his current cultivation level, his Dao Realm will be far beyond what it once was?"
"Exactly."
Bibi Dong closed her eyes, "If I had fought him before he went to the Shrouding the Heavens World..."
"Although his Seven Kill Sword Intent is powerful, it is ultimately confined within the framework of Soul Ring and Soul Skill."
"The changes in sword techniques always follow certain patterns."
She opened her eyes and looked up at the Heavenly Screen again. "But look at his sword strike just now—no moves, no style, just a single stroke with his fingers."
It has no Soul Ring lit up, no Soul Skill names, yet it stands out on its own, perfectly natural.
This represents a shift from 'technique' to 'principle'.
A long silence fell over the hall.
After a long silence, the Gui Mei finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Then we..."
"There's nothing we can do," Bibi Dong calmly interrupted him.
"But that doesn't mean we can only stand by and watch."
Bibi Dong slammed her scepter heavily on the ground. " Chen Xin's experience teaches us one thing: if we remain stagnant and closed off, one day, when the barrier between the two worlds truly breaks down..."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Council Hall.
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong's conversation was interrupted by Chen Xin's sword strike.
The moment the pale blue sword energy pierced through the clouds, Gu Rong suddenly turned around by the window, his withered hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
"This sword..." he murmured.
Ning Fengzhi also stood up, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda model he had been playing with hovering in mid-air. " Uncle Jian's sword intent has changed."
"It's more than just change!"
A mixture of shock and excitement gleamed in Gu Rong's eyes. "What has Old Chen pursued all his life? The ultimate swordsmanship!"
In the Douluo Continent, he believed that a level 96 Titled Douluo, having cultivated the Seven Kill Sword to the point of perfect Unity of Man and Sword, had reached its peak.
He strode to the center of the main hall and pointed to the Heavenly Screen: "But look at him now! In just a few days, his sword intent has been completely transformed!"
That sword strike lacked the chilling killing intent of the Seven Kill Sword, but possessed something... I can't quite put my finger on it.
"It is the prototype of 'Tao'."
Ning Fengzhi slowly replied, a wise glint in his eyes, " Uncle Jian once discussed swordsmanship with me. He said there are three realms of swordsmanship: having a sword in hand, having a sword in heart, and having no sword in hand but having a sword in heart. He considers himself to have reached the third realm."
"But now it seems," Ning Fengzhi smiled bitterly, "That world's sword system probably considers his so-called 'third realm' merely a starting point."
The Gu Rong fell silent.
He recalled the scene from decades ago when he first fought Chen Xin.
Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword was always deadly when drawn; his sword intent was sharp and domineering, but he lacked a certain degree of tact.
Over the years, Chen Xin has continuously honed his sword intent, gradually showing signs of returning to simplicity and authenticity.
But it wasn't until he witnessed that sword strike that Gu Rong truly understood what "returning to simplicity" meant.
That's not about concealing one's sharpness, but rather internalizing it, making it a part of the essence of swordsmanship.
The sword is drawn with effortless grace, yet its fall is guided by the laws of nature.
" Fengzhi," Gu Rong suddenly spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse, "Do you think I could withstand a few of Old Chen's sword strikes if he came back now?"
Ning Fengzhi did not answer immediately.
He walked to the window and looked at the disciples who were cultivating inside the sect.
The young Soul Master unleashed their Soul Skill with great effort, their movements dazzling and impressive.
But after witnessing that sword strike in the Heavenly Screen, Ning Fengzhi suddenly felt that the ostentation and flamboyance of these Soul Skill seemed so... naive.
" Uncle Gu," he finally said, "This isn't about taking a few sword strikes."
However, if Uncle Jian truly returns with his understanding of swordsmanship from that world, the entire Soul Master system of the Douluo Continent will likely face a complete upheaval.
Gu Rong took a deep breath. "Just like when the Spirit Hall unified the Soul Master World and established standards for Soul Master ranks and Soul Ring?"
"Perhaps even worse." Ning Fengzhi turned around, his expression serious. "That would be a complete overturning of our understanding of the essence of power."
In an instant, whether it was deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, Sea God Island, Clear Sky Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Sea God Pavilion, Holy Spirit Cult, Body Sect...
Almost every sect with top-tier experts was amazed by Chen Xin's transformation.
And the Shrouding the Heavens World ".
Ling Jue nodded slightly as well. "Not bad."
"Although the sword energy is weak, the sword intent is already showing its initial form."
"What's even more remarkable is the focused mind, unmoved by external things, decisive in sword strikes, and with a clear trajectory."
" Chen Xin, you have indeed not disappointed your master."
"If we continue in this way, diligently practicing and solidifying our foundation, a bright future for swordsmanship awaits."
Chen Xin sheathed his sword and bowed again. "Thank you for your praise, Master and Elders. I will certainly work harder and live up to your teachings."
Ling Jue stroked his beard and smiled, already having made his decision.
This child possesses exceptional talent and temperament, and deserves to be nurtured and cultivated.
There is something right now that might broaden his horizons and benefit his spiritual practice.
He was about to start arranging Chen Xin's next cultivation when he saw Chen Xin hesitate slightly, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.
"Hmm? Is there anything else?" Ling Jue asked gently.
Chen Xin bowed again. "Master, I just heard that you will be going to the Primordial Ancient Mine to attend the ceremony soon?"