In the Spirit Hall, Pope Bibi Dong stood on the balcony at the top of the hall, frowning at the distant horizon. "That direction—is it Seven Treasure Mountain? I sense two powers almost reaching godhood, both stronger than I am at present."
She was certain one was Qian Daoliu but had no idea who the other was. So, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had hidden such a terrifying figure.
She realized she had underestimated the heroes of the world; it was no wonder the sect had stood tall for so many years.
She returned to her room and opened a secret passage leading to the Rakshasa Secret Realm. She needed to cultivate and become a god as soon as possible to have enough strength to control the continent.
In the secret realm, a ghostly figure lurked. Unlike Ghost Douluo, he was truly formless and hidden—impossible to see or identify.
"I underestimated Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin. They repelled the soul-hunting and foiled my pawn Xue Beng in the Heaven Dou Empire. Now, they're even fighting the Grand Worship to a standstill!" the shadow muttered. "I'll have to try other methods."
He heard footsteps—Bibi Dong returning—and vanished without a trace. Even she sensed nothing.
Just as Ning Fengzhi suspected, there was a third force within Spirit Hall besides Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong.
…
In the sky above Seven Treasure Mountain, the weather turned ominous.
Sacred, sun-like golden light and indomitable blue sword aura clashed. Two half-god-level powerhouses—just their shockwaves were unbearable for mortals.
Wherever the golden light or sword aura touched, all mountains and vegetation vanished. Strangely, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect itself was unharmed.
This was Chen Xin's sword dao—capable of killing or protecting. As long as he wished it, even the gods could not harm his loved ones.
At this point, even Tianlin could not participate. He used all his remaining soul power to maintain the Flow of Wind and Water array. The two sides were evenly matched, but if Qian Daoliu regained his martial soul true body, level 98 Chen Xin would surely lose.
The Seven Kill Sword, though top-tier, still couldn't compare to the divine-level Seraphim.
"Heh, Chen Xin, you want to fulfill your father's regret? Let me tell you—your boast is laughable. Your strength may surpass your father's, but your sword heart is far inferior." Qian Daoliu taunted. "Your father, Chen Jianjun, fought me openly and lost honorably, using all his strength. But you—you rely on your disciple and Ning Fengzhi's buffs, restrict my martial soul true body, and even use a life-burning technique, only barely matching me. Your resolve is clear, but your sword heart is impure!"
"Are you even a swordsman anymore?"
This question stunned Chen Xin. His greatest wish had always been to defeat Qian Daoliu honorably and redeem his father's defeat. But now, he was cheating—even if he won, he'd lose the swordsman's dignity.
His sword heart wavered, and his sword intent weakened. The pressure of God and Demon Twin Slash was slowly pushed back by Qian Daoliu.
Everyone in the sect heard Qian Daoliu's words and had to admit—even if Chen Xin won this way, it was not an honorable victory.
"That's not true!" At that moment, Ning Rongrong rushed forward, shouting, "Grandpa Sword is my greatest idol. If Dad and Brother Sword raised me, Grandpa Sword is my guardian god—from childhood, there's no safer place than behind him. Because I know, to protect me, his sword will never lose to anyone!"
"Rongrong!" Chen Xin looked back at his beloved granddaughter, always full of admiration and trust, and at his dear friends Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi, and his disciple Tianlin, who risked his life for him. The confusion left his eyes.
"Qian Daoliu, maybe you're right; my sword heart is no longer pure. But I've found something more important than a swordsman's pride. My sword is not an emotionless blade, but one that forges a path for my loved ones. Today, I will win!"
In that instant, Chen Xin's power surged. The Seven Kill Sword's appearance began to change—golden stripes appeared on the blade, a sign of evolution from reaching half-god level.
The Seven Kill Divine Sword grew ever larger, eventually blotting out the sky.
"Qian Daoliu, your soul is mine!" With a roar, the God and Demon Twin Slash broke through all limits.
The sword intent pierced the heavens, cut through clouds, swept the world, and stirred the seas!
Qian Daoliu's golden light was utterly torn apart. As its name implied, the slash could cut gods or demons—none could stand before it.
After a long while, the turbulence in the sky finally faded. Everyone heard a crash—someone fell. They anxiously looked to see who it was.
"Grandfather!!"
Qian Renxue's desperate cry revealed the loser. The invincible, continent-dominating supreme had finally lost—to Sword Dao Chen Xin.
"Cough!" Qian Daoliu spat a mouthful of blood. His chest bore a deep sword mark, his organs ravaged by sword energy, and all his soul power exhausted. He was utterly defeated.
"Master won!" Tianlin, usually calm, cheered loudly. Chen Xin's victory was momentous; from now on, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would enjoy peace for a long time.
Ning Fengzhi, too, lost his usual composure. Since becoming sect master, he had feared Spirit Hall solely because of Qian Daoliu. But today, that mountain was cut down.
As Chen Xin exited the Self-Sacrifice state, Ning Fengzhi withdrew Undying Body and other buffs—the crisis was over. With only Qian Renxue and Snake Lance Douluo, there was no threat; they could finally relax.
But when Ning Fengzhi withdrew all support, they realized that Chen Xin's presence was now even stronger than at his peak with all buffs.
Especially his soul power—it rose steadily, like a thermometer measuring a fever.
Chen Xin opened his sword-like eyes and said to Qian Daoliu, "This battle is my victory. I must thank you for helping me take the final step."
"Now, I am a level 99 Ultimate Douluo—Sword Dao Chen Xin!"