Star Luo City.
Baptized by the fires of war, the sounds of the soul master legions charging and clashing echoed without end.
Behind the battlefield, a lone figure with a sword advanced slowly, step by step.
"Senior Sword Douluo, please help us break through Star Luo City!" A desperate cry came from an officer of the Tian Dou Empire's central army.
On the towering city walls, hidden weapons rained down like a storm of pear blossoms, accompanied by rolling boulders, massive logs, and the relentless pounding of Hao Tian Hammers.
Any soldier who ventured into the enemy ranks was destined to be crushed into pulp.
However, Chen Xin did not respond. Instead, he tightened his grip on the Seven Kill Sword in his hand.
His gaze was sharp, focused on a single target—Tang Xiao atop the city walls.
Chen Xin took each step forward, his mind swirling with thoughts.
A true swordsman must sever worldly attachments and focus solely on the path of the sword.
Ning Tianchen had achieved this, but he himself had never fully managed to.
Ning Tianchen had slain Tang Hao alone and eradicated Tang Chen.
Today, the fame of the Seven Kill Sword on the continent surpassed even that of the Hao Tian Hammer at its peak.
Ning Tianchen embodied the true essence of the Seven Kill Sword—its emergence unleashed murderous intent, its presence commanding awe, and its visage akin to the ferocious mask of Asura.
But this was not Chen Xin's sword.
"I am the Sword of Protection, guarding the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. In doing so, I abandoned the edge of my blade."
And yet...
The Sword of Protection was not without its merits.
Today, his target was Tang Xiao.
Not for any other reason, but to prove something to himself.
Tang Xiao atop the city walls seemed to notice his gaze, pausing his movements. His Hao Tian Hammer rested at his side as his eyes burned with intensity.
"Sword Dao Chen Xin, I once believed you stood on the side of justice. Never did I imagine you would stoop to allying with the Spirit Hall. Your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has truly fallen."
Chen Xin did not reply.
Not far away, Chen Huayu, his heart racing, wanted to step forward and challenge Tang Xiao to a true man's duel.
"Fatty, change your target. Don't provoke Tang Xiao."
From an unknown distance, Ning Tianchen's voice pierced directly into his mind.
Chen Huayu froze for a moment, noticing the intense gaze exchanged between Chen Xin and Tang Xiao. He swallowed hard and decisively shifted his focus.
At the same time, he made up his mind—no one was to interfere in their duel.
…
"Come, Chen Xin. Between the Hao Tian Hammer and the Seven Kill Sword, there must be a final battle."
Tang Xiao moved first, his Hao Tian Hammer channeling the ninth technique of the Hao Tian Nine Absolutes: Break Technique.
With overwhelming force, it surged forth to shatter all in its path.
The heavy hammer flew toward him, but Chen Xin remained unfazed.
His right hand formed a sword finger, the Seven Kill Sword hovering before him, poised to pierce through everything.
The Seven Kill Sword Art: Piercing Technique.
A single point piercing through a surface, the sword qi enduring endlessly.
The Seven Kill Sword soared like a dragon, slicing through the clouds, colliding head-on with the Hao Tian Hammer.
The clash between two peak-level Douluos sent shockwaves that effortlessly caused the city walls to collapse.
"Exhilarating! Again!"
The moves of the Hao Tian Hammer were grand and sweeping. With his martial soul's true form unleashed, Tang Xiao swung his hammer, casually killing his own soldiers in the process!
The true form of the Seven Kill Sword also emerged.
Behind Chen Xin, multiple sword shadows appeared.
As he swung the Seven Kill Sword in his hand, the sword shadows followed, each forming the character "kill."
Looking closely, there were nine of them!
This strike pushed the Seven Kill Sword Art to its absolute limit.
"Ninth Soul Skill: Roaring Heaven Cloud-Piercing Strike!"
Tang Xiao raised the Hao Tian Hammer above his head, channeling the ninth technique of the Hao Tian Nine Absolutes: Killing Technique.
This was Tang Xiao's self-created ultimate technique, unmatched by ten thousand foes!
The Hao Tian Hammer, empowered by the ninth soul skill, unleashed a force comparable to the explosive power of the Great Sumeru Hammer detonating eight spirit rings!
Hammer met sword, and everything around them seemed to freeze in place, silent and still.
At the epicenter of the collision, a blinding white light erupted, and a mushroom-shaped fire cloud rose into the sky.
The immense power annihilated everything nearby on the battlefield.
Even from a great distance, the shockwave easily overturned the siege engines.
…
"Who will win?"
After dealing with their own troubles, Feng Xiaotian and the others gathered together.
"It's obviously Grandpa Sword." Ning Rongrong didn't hesitate, smiling lightly.
From childhood to adulthood, every time she faced trouble, Chen Xin had always resolved it effortlessly.
Now, as a level ninety-eight peak Douluo, his strength could certainly suppress Tang Xiao, who was at level ninety-seven!
However, they were all mistaken.
When the smoke cleared, Chen Xin, despite being level ninety-eight, had not gained the upper hand and was instead defeated by Tang Xiao.
Tang Xiao hoisted his Hao Tian Hammer, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Chen Xin, when your grandfather fell to my grandfather's hands, he should have foreseen this day."
"The Hao Tian Hammer is not something the Seven Kill Sword can defeat!"
With nearly a roar, he raised his Hao Tian Hammer, preparing to deliver the final blow to Chen Xin.
Was it over?
Chen Xin gazed at the sword in his hand, his heart sinking to its lowest point.
The Seven Kill Sword was celebrated across the continent—it wasn't his Seven Kill Sword but Ning Tianchen's.
Had he chosen the wrong path? Was it because he had suppressed the edge of the Seven Kill Sword that it had lost its former glory?
Behind him.
Ning Rongrong noticed the situation and was shocked. "Grandpa Sword, no!"
Feng Xiaotian and the others were rushing to support him with all their might.
The familiar voice caused Chen Xin's body to tremble. "Rongrong!"
His thoughts drifted, as if returning to more than a decade ago.
In that moment, he saw the laughing Ning Rongrong and faintly recalled the smile his father had never shown.
It was in that moment that he had solidified his resolve to protect.
Even if it wasn't for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, he would protect the innocence of Ning Rongrong!
The next second, a fierce glint appeared in his eyes as the Seven Kill Sword Domain activated instinctively.
An explosive surge of soul power actually forced Tang Xiao back.
"My father once said, the essence of a swordsman lies not in the shell but in the heart of the sword."
"To kill does not mean one cannot protect those I love."
Perhaps no longer caring about his own life, Chen Xin unleashed the full edge of the Seven Kill Sword, attacking without defense.
The sharp sword qi intertwined, weaving into a Great Wall of Swords.
With a deadly weapon in hand, the will to kill naturally arose!
The Seven Kill Sword hovered behind him, man and sword becoming one.
In this moment, Chen Xin truly achieved unity between man and sword.
Man and heart as one, sword and spirit as one.
A massive humanoid shadow appeared, wielding the razor-sharp Seven Kill Sword, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
"What kind of joke is this!"
Tang Xiao went berserk, swinging his Hao Tian Hammer with the burning soul power of a level ninety-seven Douluo.
Chen Xin's eyes opened calmly, now sharp and piercing.
"Father, Grandfather, is this the pinnacle of the Sword Dao?!"
With a single slash, Chen Xin's soul power no longer overflowed chaotically but became controlled and refined.
Returning to simplicity, the ultimate state of a soul master!
The sword let out a long cry as it struck, then returned to its sheath in silence.
Tang Xiao's body was obliterated, not a single intact fragment remaining.
…
With the loss of their core leader, the resistance in Star Luo City gradually faded. The soldiers laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Tian Dou army.
The setting sun bathed the battlefield in blood-red light as the war, akin to a meat grinder, finally came to an end.
Chen Xin looked far into the horizon, as if he could see his grandfather and father standing atop the clouds.
They raised their swords and laughed, their eyes filled with satisfaction.
It was as if they were praising him, telling him that the strike he had just delivered would be worthy of being recorded in the family annals.
Chen Xin smiled with relief, muttering to himself, "Finally, I've broken free of my inner demons and ascended to the true pinnacle of the Sword Dao."
Level ninety-nine—a realm once thought unattainable—had been reached today, surging upward in one breath and breaking through!
Chen Xin turned his back to the setting sun.
His first half of life would end with the twilight of Star Luo City.
His second half of life would write a new chapter.
Perhaps it was time for him to seek a new purpose.
The Seven Kill Sword—the legend never fades.
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