On the shores of the East Sea, atop Sword Peak—
The mountain, already sharp and towering like an unsheathed blade, had become even more battered and scarred after an earth-shaking battle.
The thousand-meter peak was carved with countless sword marks, each dozens of meters long and several meters deep.
This was once the dwelling of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—the Sword Grass. But now, it lay defeated beneath Chen Feng, who sat cross-legged at the summit, silently absorbing its soul ring.
His body was drenched in blood. The battle against Sword Grass had nearly cost him half his life, leaving him unable to absorb the soul ring right away. He had spent nearly a month using soul power to nurse his injuries before finally daring to refine it.
In his past life, this Sword Grass had been his ninth soul ring. Yet in this life, it had become his eighth.
The strength of Sword Grass was formidable, equal to that of a Super Douluo above the ninety-fifth rank. It was no weaker than the Titan Giant Ape or the Sky Azure Bull Python. Had Chen Feng not killed it once before and learned its fatal weakness, he would have been torn apart despite his mastery of countless secret techniques.
At last, the crimson soul ring condensed, merging into place as the eighth ring upon his Seven Kill Sword.
Its scarlet glow was even more dazzling than the two god-bestowed hundred-thousand-year rings Chen Feng already possessed—proof that Sword Grass's power had surpassed even ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
Slowly, Chen Feng opened his eyes. His gaze was silent and deep.
Then—swish!
A surge of spirit condensed into a sword ray that shot from his pupils, piercing straight into the heavens.
Moments later, the low-hanging clouds above began to churn, parting to reveal a clear, mirror-like sky of azure blue.
Just one glance—yet it split apart the clouds. Had anyone else witnessed this scene, they would have been petrified on the spot.
Even the Sword Douluo himself would likely be unable to achieve such a feat.
Drawing back his aura, Chen Feng stood tall.
This hundred-thousand-year ring had boosted his level by three, pushing him to Rank 83 Soul Douluo.
And with it, he had also completed the fourth trial of the Shura God's inheritance: slay two beings of Title Douluo strength.
Two years ago, he had killed Ghost Douluo with his own hands. That was one.
And now, Sword Grass—a beast equal to a Super Douluo—counted as the second.
The fourth trial was complete.
Reward: five levels of soul power.
Chen Feng's cultivation soared to a staggering Rank 88.
The threshold of Title Douluo was already within reach, the door almost open before him.
For ordinary soul masters, the gap between eighty-eight and ninety was a heavenly chasm, insurmountable even after decades.
But for Chen Feng, it was as natural as breathing. His speed shattered record after record.
Of course, much of this came from the rewards of the Shura God's trials.
And unlike most soul masters, Chen Feng had been a Rank 99 Peak Douluo in his past life. He could swiftly adapt to sudden bursts of power, mastering and wielding them with ease. For others, such growth would be uncontrollable. For him, it was second nature.
A faint glow spread along his right arm. From Sword Grass, he had obtained a new soul bone—exactly the right arm bone he lacked.
With its absorption complete, the only piece he was still missing was the torso bone. Once acquired, his set would be perfect.
The rewards of the fourth trial were overwhelming:
Soul power increased by five ranks.
All soul rings increased by 30,000 years.
All soul bones increased by 30,000 years.
Shura's God affinity increased by 25%.
Pure power surged through him, but Chen Feng embraced it calmly, spreading his arms as though welcoming an old friend.
Now, even his first soul ring had surpassed 40,000 years.
His weakest ring was comparable to an ordinary ninth ring. A living myth.
His bones thrummed with excitement as well. With the increase, Chen Feng now had several hundred-thousand-year soul bones:
Wisdom Skull of Spiritual Condensation
Ultimate Sword Dao Right Arm Bone (from Sword Grass)
Leg Bone (from Ghost Douluo)
Sword Wings (an external soul bone, which had evolved from 3,000 years to 100,000 years with his growth)
The rest were above 50,000 years, only a step away from transformation into a hundred-thousand-year quality. With time, they too would evolve.
But even as he rejoiced, the fifth trial of the Shura God descended:
"Trial Five: Travel to the Slaughter City, slay the evil Scarlet Nine-Headed Bat King, and purify the corrupted inheritor of God's legacy."
Chen Feng's expression hardened.
The "inheritor" could only mean Tang Chen.
Tang Chen, too, had once received Shura God's inheritance, but he had failed, becoming host to the Nine-Headed Bat King. By now, he was no longer truly Tang Chen.
Yet Chen Feng was unsettled by the condition. Slay the Bat King?
Since the Bat King and Tang Chen shared one body, killing it would mean Tang Chen's death as well.
Could it be… that only death would grant Tang Chen release?
Chen Feng sighed. The mission was beyond his current strength. Even weakened, Tang Chen remained a terrifying existence. Without the power of a near-Absolute Douluo, it was impossible to defeat him.
Pushing aside his doubts, Chen Feng exhaled deeply. He had been away from Heaven Dou City for almost two months now. Who knew what moves the Spirit Hall might have made in his absence?
On the surface, the soul master world was peaceful, but undercurrents surged. Almost all of the "Lower Four Sects" had thrown their lot in with Spirit Hall.
Just as in his past life. Only the Wind Sword Sect remained neutral due to special circumstances.
Ten days later—
Heaven Dou City.
Chen Feng's movements were like a ghost's. Without the power of a Title Douluo, no one could track him, not even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Arriving at the new sect compounds, he saw unity and prosperity everywhere. Masters gathered, disciples trained, peace reigned. For once, he felt a breath of relief.
It seemed the alliance of the great sects had made Spirit Hall hesitate.
But before relief could settle, his gaze fell upon a courtyard.
Dozens of young men and women were dressed in mourning white, weeping bitterly.
Descending from the sky, Chen Feng immediately recognized it. It was the Heaven Dou residence of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, led by Yu Tianlong.
Yu Tianlong's eyes were red as he staggered forward, gripping Chen Feng's hand with trembling strength.
"Chen Feng… you must avenge us!"
Though he was known as a man of iron, tears still streamed down Yu Tianlong's face.
Chen Feng's heart sank. He already understood, without needing words.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan… had repeated its tragic fate.