With the karmic debt settled, Li Zhexian felt his mind was washed clean, clear as water.
Ignoring the sorrowful Yu Xiaogang and his companions, he faced the city's astonished gazes, cupped his hands, and smiled:
"Forgive me for disrupting the celebration."
"Once I finish inscribing my title, I will punish myself with three cups."
Zheng—!
Strands of glazed sword qi cascaded down like a celestial staircase.
Li Zhexian stepped upon sword and rose into the sky.
With his robes fluttering, he reached the peak of the Douluo Tower.
Where his sword pointed, clouds turned to ink.
Wild, sweeping calligraphy danced like dragons and serpents as he continued writing his battle record:
"As a Spirit Grand Master-level Spirit Master, with one sword I defeated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan prodigy—Yu Tianheng."
The moment these words appeared—
Feng Buyu, Huo Wushuang, and the others all turned sharply toward Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng froze—
then subtly straightened his back and said seriously:
"That battle with Brother Zhexian was indeed earth-shaking. I can still feel the thrill to this day."
"You motherf— Yu Tianheng!"
Feng Buyu, Huo Wushuang, and Feng Xiaotian lunged at him, grabbing his neck and shaking him.
This is a record carved on the Douluo Tower!
It will enter the historical archives of the entire continent!
Yu Tianheng's name will forever be written there!
Boom—Boom—!
Clouds churned, merging with sword qi, carving new lines onto the tower walls:
"At the Spirit Elder realm:
—While warming wine, defeated Godwind Academy prodigy Feng Xiaotian;
—When the Spirit Hall attempted to assassinate me, I slew three Spirit Kings and several Spirit Ancestors;
—Received a punch from Tai Tan, Leader of the Strength Clan."
The hands choking Yu Tianheng froze.
Feng Xiaotian smoothed his collar, looked solemnly into the distance, and said with great dignity:
"Brother Tianheng speaks true. I, Feng, feel the same."
"My battle with Brother Zhexian was likewise earth-shattering—truly a classic."
"You two deserve to die!"
When leaving a record on the Douluo Tower, there is no such thing as modesty.
Anyone who reaches Titled Douluo level—
is a peerless genius.
All have unshakeable pride.
These battle records are proof of the road they carved with their own hands.
Humility?
That would mean doubting yourself—denying your own past.
Li Zhexian's brushstroke-like sword cuts grew bolder and wilder.
Even from afar, one could feel the soaring arrogance and untamed spirit in each word.
"Upon ascending to the Spirit Ancestor realm, I defeated the Shrek Seven Monsters and the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation;
Burned my life to its limit, nearly fell, yet nailed Pope Bibi Dong to the Divine Mountain."
"As a Spirit King, I ventured into the Extreme North, tread the Slaughter City;
Cut down Platinum Bishop Salas of Spirit Hall;
Led to the downfall of Spirit Hall's Elder, Devil Bear Douluo;
And in the Star Dou Forest, severed Pope Bibi Dong's head."
Each massive character struck like thunder—
Carved into the tower wall, and even more heavily into every heart in the city.
Li Zhexian's record was simply terrifying.
Every step of his path—
was taken through battles above his own realm.
A Spirit Elder slaying multiple Spirit Kings, receiving Tai Tan's full-force punch.
Leading Heaven Dou Royal Academy to win the Continental Spirit Master Tournament.
Twice nearly killing Pope Bibi Dong outright.
It could be said—
Li Zhexian's prestige today was not built on words, nor reputation—
But on blood and fire.
On a path carved out by sword after sword.
"Lord Sword Wine is too strong!"
"I thought the storytellers exaggerated… but they actually held back!"
"Lord Sword Wine truly deserves his Title!"
Yu Tianheng, Feng Buyu, and the others were stirred as well, ceasing their bickering and looking up at the blazing rows of characters.
Many of these events—
They themselves had fought through alongside Li Zhexian.
Their blood boiled, turbulent and unrestrained.
"We may not be as strong as Brother Zhexian."
"But on this magnificent path… we left our own marks too."
"In future generations, when the world speaks of Li Zhexian—
Our names may be mentioned as well."
Everyone nodded solemnly.
"So…" Feng Buyu rubbed his hands and leaned in.
"Brother Xiaotian, how about asking Brother Zhexian later to replace your name with mine?"
"Not a chance!"
At that moment, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong gazed up at the white-robed youth writing freely upon the sky.
Their eyes shimmered with brilliance.
"This guy…"
"How many years will it take before someone surpasses him?"
Huo Wu murmured in awe.
Shui Bing'er remained silent for a few breaths, then gently shook her head:
"Li Zhexian alone has exhausted ten thousand years of the continent's talent.
All future geniuses… will pale in comparison."
Zhu Zhuqing placed a delicate hand over her heart.
Looking at the youth admired by tens of thousands.
In her heart, beyond admiration and pride, there was even more aching distress.
Whenever she thought of what he had gone through to reach this day—how many brushes with death, how many trials—
Her heart felt as if pierced by needles.
"Young friend Zhexian, you are truly astonishing." Feng Bailong stroked his beard and sighed.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong both nodded in agreement.
At this moment, Yu Yuanzhen suddenly spoke:
"The date of the Heaven's Ridge Martial Tournament draws near."
"I wonder if it can even be held."
"At this rate, Zhexian will reach Super Douluo-level strength before the tournament begins."
Dugu Bo said with a gratified smile:
"The boy who once needed our protection…"
"In the blink of an eye, he can already stand on the same stage as us."
Chen Xin was just about to respond when his eyebrows suddenly tightened.
He and several other Titled Douluo lifted their heads at the same time, looking toward the distant sky.
Within their perception—
Several powerful auras were rushing rapidly toward Heaven Dou City.
"The visitors come with ill intent."
A blue-red radiance swirled in Dugu Bo's eyes as his serpent pupils narrowed.
Feng Bailong's black robes fluttered; his figure gradually blended into the wind, his old voice scattering with it.
"A Titled Douluo grand banquet is uninteresting if it is too peaceful."
...
Li Zhexian had experienced too many battles and only mentioned the important ones. It was time to conclude.
"Now, as a Spirit Emperor, I went to the Seven Sects' Re-Selection, slew Sacred Dragon Sect Master Tuoba Xi, slew Clear Sky Clan's Seventh Elder—the Lie Yang Douluo…"
The last stroke had barely landed—
He had not even added a punctuation mark—
When something tugged at his heart.
He lifted his gaze toward the northeastern sky.
BOOM—BOOM—!
Thunder detonated, lightning tearing through clouds.
It was as though a mountain of iron crushed the heavens, roaring downward.
With Li Zhexian's eyesight today—
He could already see clearly.
At the front was a short-haired, broad-shouldered middle-aged man.
His stern, chiseled face was cold as frost—
And he approached with terrifying speed.
So fast that a magnetic field of gravity rotated around him, causing the air to explode like thunder as he passed.
Behind him—
Four towering auras followed.
BOOM——!!!
A massive black hammer wreathed in lightning tore through the sky—
Smashing straight toward Li Zhexian.
Where the hammer wind passed—
The clouds above Heaven Dou City shattered into fragments under the thunder, like divine punishment descending upon the world.
Even at such a distance—
On the ground—
Spirit Masters and common folk alike felt their bodies tremble, hairs standing on end.
The great hammer, wrapped in falling lightning, crashed toward Li Zhexian's face.
Zheng—!
A sword cry rose, long and serpentine.
Chen Xin, Gu Rong, Dugu Bo, and Yu Yuanzhen all flashed before Li Zhexian.
The Seven Kill Sword slashed through the air.
Scarlet sword light collided head-on with the black hammer.
BOOM——!!!
The explosion shook the heavens.
Clouds for a hundred miles were swept clean by the violent shockwave.
A storm rose above Heaven Dou City; the airflow was thrown into chaos.
The black hammer was blasted back.
Chen Xin was forced to retreat several steps in midair, each step shaking the empty sky.
Li Zhexian leapt to the side of the seniors.
Looking at the five figures who had descended before them, he slowly narrowed his eyes.
"The Clear Sky Clan…"