I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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In just a fleeting moment of dizziness, Yang Xiong's expression turned ferociously fierce.
At this moment, Yang Xiong recalled his lifelong struggle and relentless pursuit of strength. To grow stronger, he had spared no effort, using every possible means at his disposal.
He had acquired countless resources, pushed his body to its limits through grueling training, constantly teetered on the brink of life and death, and repeatedly broken through his own boundaries.
Whether it was the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, the Blood River in Slaughter City, or the tidal training on Sea God Island, he had faced countless dire situations, moments of near-collapse, and even times when his body felt like it would melt away.
Yet, Yang Xiong had endured each time, forging the power he now possessed—the true strength to resist fate.
All along, Yang Xiong had been unwilling to accept his role in the Douluo world. Tang San was the undisputed chosen one, while Qian Renxue bore godlike talent. Everyone else, including those from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, were merely pawns.
Yang Xiong refused to be a pawn, refused to resign himself to a life of being manipulated by others. Not even the gods could stop him from growing stronger, nor could they dictate his fate.
With a roar of defiance, Yang Xiong declared: What of the gods? If he was strong enough, if he broke through his limits endlessly, he could surely match the gods with his mortal body.
In that instant, Yang Xiong's mind flashed back to the memories of Slaughter City—the red light of the Asura God, the Asura God's every move, and the heaven-shattering sword strike against the Dragon God.
In terms of raw power, the Dragon God could crush the five God-Kings effortlessly, with the Asura God appearing as insignificant as an ant before him.
Yet, the Asura God had not given up. He unleashed the strongest sword strike in existence—a blow that pierced the heavens and earth, a blow that echoed through the ages, a blow that seemed to reshape the order of the world.
At this moment, Yang Xiong was filled with defiance, channeling all his strength into the Asura Demon Sword. With every ounce of his might, he unleashed his ultimate sword strike. This strike carried all of Yang Xiong's killing intent, all of his indignation, his challenge to the gods, and the Asura God's resolve to uphold order—an act akin to a mortal challenging the divine.
Unbeknownst to Yang Xiong, as he poured all his focus into the attack, the crimson shadow behind him began to change, becoming identical to the Asura God he had once seen in the Asura Shrine.
The moment this ultimate sword strike was unleashed, the world fell silent. Even Qian Renxue's Angel's Judgment was instantly nullified. A blood-red light locked onto Qian Renxue, threatening to shatter her, the inheritor of the Angel God, into fragments.
This was Yang Xiong's ultimate strike—the second technique of the Asura God inheritance: Asura Divine Annihilation.
Under this blow, Qian Renxue's Angel's Judgment was shattered, and the colossal Six-Winged Angel was reduced to pieces. The heavens and earth trembled in this instant, as if countless voices were roaring in anger, as if countless people were challenging the gods.
The massive Six-Winged Angel was obliterated in an instant, and Qian Renxue spat out blood. Yet, even so, she was now filled with terror, teetering on the edge of life and death.
At this critical moment, Yang Xiong's longsword shifted slightly at the last second, narrowly avoiding Qian Renxue's vital points and instead severing the wings of the Six-Winged Angel.
Yang Xiong's voice echoed across the sky.
"You've lost!"
Qian Renxue, who had once stood high and mighty, was struck down by Yang Xiong like a falling meteor. Her body was covered in horrific wounds, her golden armor stained crimson with blood, which pooled around her.
In that final moment, Qian Renxue seemed utterly defeated. Yang Xiong's final strike had crushed her confidence, shattered her once-lofty words, and destroyed the pride she had carried throughout her life.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong gradually regained his composure. The desperate aura from earlier had completely dissipated, and the Asura Demon Sword returned to its sheath.
Looking at Qian Renxue's pitiful state, Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head. He sat cross-legged on the ground, beginning to recover his strength.
In this battle, Yang Xiong had pushed his abilities to their absolute limit. In the final moment, he had even comprehended the second form of the Asura God inheritance: Asura Divine Annihilation.
This technique surpassed the original Asura Judgment, being far more powerful and domineering. If mastered to its peak, Yang Xiong suspected it could slay even gods.
However, only at the last moment did Yang Xiong understand the meaning of the Asura God's inheritance—and the significance of this trial.
The Asura existed to end violence through violence, maintaining the fairness and order of the world. Although the Asura God and the Angel God were natural opposites, the maintenance of worldly order could not rely solely on the Asura God—it required everyone's efforts.
Perhaps the Asura God had foreseen this. He had specifically told Yang Xiong that the later trials were not about ability, but about choice.
If Yang Xiong had chosen to kill Qian Renxue—or cripple her—everything in the world would have changed. Even the structure of the divine realm would have shifted.
Should Qian Renxue fall, not only would Qian Daoliu go mad, but all the elders of the Spirit Hall Empire would lose their minds. Even Bibi Dong would descend into chaos. At that point, order would collapse entirely, and the Douluo world would become a living hell.
But Yang Xiong had yet to ascend to godhood, let alone reach the Title Douluo level. He lacked the strength to establish order.
This was likely the Asura God's test for him—and the essence of the choice he spoke of.
After sitting beside Qian Renxue for half a day, the gravely injured Qian Renxue finally regained consciousness.
Enduring the pain wracking her body, Qian Renxue sat up, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Yang Xiong, you bastard! Why did you hold back at the last moment? Why didn't you just kill me?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Qian Renxue, you've lost. Your life is now in my hands. Your former pride was nothing but a joke."
Qian Renxue laughed like a madwoman.
"Yang Xiong, sparing me was just an act of pity, wasn't it? Just to humiliate me now? I'd rather die than suffer your humiliation."
Yang Xiong's face remained calm: "No one seeks to humiliate you. We fought a fair battle—I won, and you lost. That's the simplest outcome."
"As for why I didn't kill you, it's because your angel lineage has made contributions to the Douluo Continent. Your ancestors upheld the continent's order, united humanity, and organized resistance against the spirit beasts. Without you, there would be no development in the soul master world."
Qian Renxue retorted: "Is that all? We're natural enemies. Whether it's the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect or the Asura, they're all enemies of my angel lineage, all enemies of the Spirit Hall."
A hint of disdain flashed in Yang Xiong's eyes: "Is your vision so narrow? No wonder, despite reaching Level 98, you still fail to grasp the true meaning of the Angel God."
"All these years, you've resorted to schemes and plots, wasting your time and squandering your talent for the petty intrigues of the Tian Dou Imperial Palace. Don't you feel ashamed before the ancestor of the angels?"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue fell silent. Her entire life had been spent proving herself, trying to prove her worth to that woman. But years of life in the Tian Dou Palace had left her lost.
Even after completing seven of the Angel Nine Trials, she had never confronted her inner self, never faced her darker side. It was only then that she had initiated this challenge.
Gritting her teeth, Qian Renxue stood up. Her eyes no longer burned with anger or hatred—they were eerily calm.
"Yang Xiong, I've lost this time, but I will never lose to you again."
"You spared my life this time. If I defeat you in the future, I'll spare yours. I, Qian Renxue, will never owe you anything in this life."
With that, Qian Renxue endured the excruciating pain in her body and slowly departed.
Watching her retreating figure, Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head.
"This little angel is quite something. Unfortunately, those who are defeated by me can never surpass me—even if they ascend to godhood."
After an indeterminate amount of time, Yang Xiong finally spoke in a subdued tone.
"Elder, since you've arrived, why not show yourself?"
Sure enough, as Yang Xiong's words faded, a golden figure slowly emerged.
The man was strikingly handsome, appearing to be in his thirties or forties, with long golden hair and dressed in simple attire.
Remarkably, there was no trace of soul power emanating from him—he seemed like an ordinary person without any spiritual energy.
But Yang Xiong knew better. Anyone who could appear on Twin Peaks Mountain and silently observe this battle was no ordinary individual. This alone indicated that his strength had reached the pinnacle of what a soul master could achieve—perhaps even surpassing Qian Renxue.
The middle-aged man appeared tranquil: "Young friend, I'm deeply grateful for holding back your final strike."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "Since Elder Qian Daoliu was present, whether or not I held back my final strike made no difference. Either way, I couldn't kill Qian Renxue, and doing so would have put me in mortal danger."
The visitor was none other than Qian Daoliu, truly the strongest master of the Douluo Continent.
Compared to Tang Chen's overwhelming dominance, Qian Daoliu exuded an unparalleled calmness. His soul power showed no fluctuations whatsoever, making him seem less like a top-tier master and more like someone who had returned to simplicity.
In terms of strength, Tang Chen had spent fifty years languishing in Slaughter City, while Qian Daoliu had secluded himself in the Douluo Hall, ceaselessly honing his skills. His power undoubtedly surpassed Tang Chen's, and his cultivation had reached even greater heights.
Qian Daoliu smiled: "I may be a renowned figure, but I wouldn't stoop to attacking a junior alongside my granddaughter. Moreover, with the Asura Demon Sword in your possession, there's no one in this world who could possibly restrain you."
"Besides, I'm already an old man. I've long since lost interest in the struggles of the soul master world. I only left the Douluo Hall this time out of concern for my granddaughter's safety."
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