The shadows lurking in the dark couldn't help but be secretly shocked. As expected of a clash between two powerful attack-types—
even if Chrysanthemum Douluo was holding back, the raw force of fists and blades colliding head-on was enough to make the heart race.
Gu Han's swordsmanship was exquisite, his style fierce despite his young age. At his current level, there was no one who could match such combat power.
Yueguan's eyes narrowed. This boy's soul power was pure, untainted, and astonishingly dense.
Of course, no matter how deep the reserves, the gap in cultivation level still existed.
What truly startled him was Gu Han's mastery of the sword. His blade didn't seem like a weapon at all—it was as natural to him as his own limbs, moving with seamless unity between man and sword.
Right now, Gu Han's arms were already numb, and cold sweat dotted his forehead. The difference in soul power was too vast. In the face of absolute strength, skill alone felt pale and powerless.
No matter how perfect his swordplay, without the backing of overwhelming power, he couldn't even pierce Yueguan's defensive perimeter.
Still, this was the perfect chance to test his limits. Taking a deep breath, Gu Han launched into Xuanshuang Jiuzhan.
The first strike carried no special amplification—it could only be considered a strong opening move.
But with each swing, the force climbed. Thanks to his soul power reserves, the first five strikes merely made Yueguan feel the sword growing sharper, heavier.
It wasn't until the seventh, eighth, and finally ninth slash that Yueguan's brows rose in genuine surprise.
Especially that ninth strike—it had the weight of a Soul Emperor's blow.
"Good boy… Breath Boundary!"
Yueguan's praise was genuine as he activated a defensive soul skill. A golden shield of soul power shimmered into existence around him just as Gu Han's final blade fell.
Bang!
In an instant, frost spread over the golden barrier, even fine cracks forming on its surface.
"Hm?"
Yueguan was startled for a moment, then increased his soul power output. The barrier expanded abruptly, sending Gu Han flying.
Spinning mid-air dozens of times, Gu Han used the motion to bleed off the force before landing, sword tip digging into the earth and carving a long furrow across the ground.
Half-crouched, one hand braced on his weapon, his breath came in ragged gasps.
Sure enough, the gap in soul power wasn't something skill alone could bridge. The master had been right—raising his soul power rank was the top priority.
Yueguan retracted his martial soul and glanced at the frozen hem of his robes, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes before turning back to Gu Han with deeper appreciation.
"That's right, that's right… a mere quasi–Soul Master actually forced me, a Soul Douluo, to use a soul skill."
"Uncle Ju flatters me. If you hadn't held back, I wouldn't have lasted this long."
Gu Han rose, withdrew his martial soul, and cupped his fists in humility. It was the truth—Yueguan hadn't fought in earnest from start to finish. Had he done so, Gu Han would've been defeated far sooner.
"No need for false modesty. Against those at your own level, I'd hardly stand a chance."
Yueguan waved off the compliment. Gu Han's strength was remarkable—perhaps the strongest of any genius he'd encountered. At the same level, there was almost no one who could stand against him.
He had thought the boy impressive before, but now… his edge was keener than ever. Perhaps, in the future, the title of "Number One Sword of the Continent" would have to change hands.
Truth be told, Yueguan rather looked forward to that day—not out of malice, but out of the petty joy of seeing someone else's pride tested.
At that moment, Ghost Douluo appeared, voice low in praise. "To strike with the force of a Soul Emperor while still only a quasi–Soul Master… you've truly broadened my understanding, Chrysanthemum Pass."
"And that sword technique of yours—it's similar to the Clear Sky Sect's Cloak Hammer method. Each strike stronger than the last. Did you create it yourself?"
"Yes, Uncle Ju, Uncle Gui. It's called Xuanshuang Jiuzhan—nine strikes in total, each twice as powerful as the one before."
The two titled Douluos exchanged a glance, both seeing the same spark of surprise and appreciation in the other's eyes.
"It seems we've underestimated you. Perhaps… you really do have the potential to reach Rank 99 someday."
How deep must his understanding of his martial soul run, to create such a skill? The last to do so had been Tang Chen himself.
Gu Han's innate talent might once have been inferior to Tang Chen's, but now—blessed by the Immortal Herb—he had already caught up.
For a moment, both Douluos seemed to see the image of Gu Han standing at the very peak of the continent.
After that clash, Gu Han's morning sword practice came to an end.
Bibidong didn't get out of bed until around seven.
Upon hearing about the spar between Gu Han and Yueguan, she immediately felt like she'd missed a fortune—like 100 million gold coins slipping through her fingers.
Whenever her younger brother practiced sword forms, Bibidong always watched. To her, swordplay was incomparably handsome—far more dazzling than her two spider martial souls.
But she had almost never seen him fight seriously with a blade. Sword and ice together… it must have been breathtaking, like the sword immortals in the stories he told her.
Thinking about how she had missed such a show because she overslept, Bibidong's mood soured further.
Gnawing on a chicken leg, her expression practically screamed Not Happy At All.
But she didn't voice her complaint. She could only blame herself for getting up late.
Gu Han easily guessed why she was upset. Remembering their earlier conversations, he smiled.
"Sister, if you want to see me fight, once I've hunted my third soul ring, I'll go to the Great Spirit Arena to battle."
"Really?"
Bibidong's eyes lit up instantly.
"Mm."
"It's a promise."
"Promise."
After confirming it several times, Bibidong finally brightened. She could already picture her brother's elegance in battle. After all, he'd once won the honor of a hundred consecutive victories in the Arena.
Yueguan and Ghost Douluo simply smiled, saying nothing.
After breakfast, the group left Qinghe Village to the cheers of the townsfolk.
Once in the city, they rented two carriages toward the Frozen Forest.
Though they each had their own luxurious vehicles, traveling in them felt too ostentatious. Unless in a rush, they preferred to leave them parked at home, gathering dust.
The Frozen Forest lay less than half a day's journey from Shuofeng City.
—
(End of this chapter)