CLANG—!
The Seven Kill Sword cleaved the air.
After consuming the Golden Bone Immortal Spirit, Chen Junting's martial soul had clearly undergone a transformation. Once a crystalline azure blade, it now gleamed like silver-white cold iron—its very aura sharp enough to slice the atmosphere.
"I've broken through to Level 45," Chen Junting murmured. Not only had his cultivation surged, but the wounds from the herb had fully healed.
Gazing at his sword, he felt a swell of awe. Though unsure how far his martial soul had evolved, he knew one thing, 'I could defeat two of my former selves.'
"Brother Junting?" Ning Tian stepped closer, relief washing over her as she examined his martial soul. "It evolved, didn't it?"
"Not fully, perhaps," Chen Junting replied. With a flick of his wrist, the sword reverted to its original azure form. He grinned at her. "Don't worry—your martial soul won't end up like mine."
He gave the group a reassuring look, then turned to You Xiang Qi Luo.
"You You—I've passed your test. Time to honor your promise."
"Promise? Did I make one?"
The herb swayed her pink bloom, feigning innocence with theatrical flair.
At that exact moment—
"Watch out!" Ye Xuanji and the elders roared in unison.
Buzz—!
A storm of soul power erupted, enveloping Chen Junting, Ning Tian, Huo Yuhao, and Ning Bowen. Seventy-two soul rings blazed across the valley as eight Title Douluos unleashed their full might!
From the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, seven terrifying auras surged forward—led by You Xiang Qi Luo herself, now revealed as a plant-type Sovereign Beast.
"You want immortal herbs? Then get past us first!" a fierce voice thundered.
A fiery woman emerged—voluptuous, with a crimson braid trailing to her feet, wreathed in searing flames. Infernal Delicate Apricot.
Beside her stood the others:
- A delicate blue-haired youth, snowflakes crystallizing in his wake—Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grassal Profound Ice Grass.
- A stern golden-haired warrior clad in armor—Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
- A regal purple-robed man—Beautiful Silk Tulip.
- A proud woman with phoenix-fire hair and a flaming crown—Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
- A pure maiden with spring-water eyes—Eight Petal Immortal Orchid.
"Greedy humans—you should never have come here!" Infernal Delicate Apricot slashed a blade of Ultimate Fire toward them.
"Hmph! Mere herbs dare boast!?" Bai Sheng countered. His Heavenly Star Furnace swelled, its lid flying open to devour the fire blade. The cauldron then rocketed toward You You—
BOOM—!
Flames exploded. Though the furnace returned scorched, Bai Sheng's strained expression betrayed the cost.
Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum shielded You You just in time.
"You're breaking your word," Ning Bowen accused, eyes icy—but doubt flickered beneath.
"What word? I promised nothing!" You You morphed into a pitiful pink-clad girl, batting her lashes.
Before anyone could retort, Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grassal Profound Ice Grass spoke up:
"You've caused a grave problem, You You."
You You's human form scowled. "Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass! Not in front of outsiders! And they weren't my guests—how is this *my* fault!?"
Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass ignored her, gazing at the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect with fleeting longing—then cold resolve. "Leave this place. Never return."
"Why waste words!?" Infernal Delicate Apricot snarled. "They're not Tang San's heirs—trap them here! Human greed knows no bounds!"
Her stance won immediate support from Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Eight-Petal Orchid and Beautiful Silk Tulip stayed neutral. As for You You…
"If you all insist… I suppose I agree," the girl sighed, wide-eyed and innocent.
What a conniving flower! Chen Junting's smile turned glacial. Ning Tian and Huo Yuhao's faces darkened.
The Elders' patience snapped.
"Very well!" Ye Xuanji laughed bitterly, raising his Starlight Sacred Sword. "Today, we eight shall erase your spirits!"
His ninth soul ring blazed crimson. Starlight and sword qi flooded the sky.
"A still night, heavens high—stars shimmer bright.
Sudden fire from beyond tears through the night.
A thousand years' dream turns to dust and ash,
Yet glory's light through ages shall flash.
Ninth soul skill—Starfall!"
A meteor shower of starlight rained down, shaking the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well to its core. The world drowned in sword qi and celestial radiance.
The other seven Elders followed suit—ninth soul rings igniting, unleashing their ultimate techniques:
- "Ninth soul skill—Sky Azure Vines: Heaven and Earth Sundered!"
- "Ninth soul skill—Crimson Flame: Sky's Ruin!"
- "Ninth soul skill—…"
Amplified by Ning Bowen's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, their combined assault reached Super Douluo intensity—eight cataclysmic strikes aimed at the seven herbs!
The valley trembled—
as if the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well itself would be overturned.
"You dare!?" the herbs shrieked.
"Jiao Jiao! Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass!" You You and five others intercepted the attacks, while Infernal Delicate Apricot and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grassal Profound Ice Grass urgently summoned the valley's power.
Meanwhile—
"Elder Electrolux," Chen Junting called in his spiritual sea.
"Proceed without worry," Electrolux's voice echoed.
The Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well shuddered—
then stunned the two herbs.
The fire and ice springs didn't awaken. Instead, gray death-qi rose from their depths. A golden flash—
and the entire valley was sealed by an unknown force.
"What's happening!?" Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass paled.
The valley was their lifeline—their last defense. Now it was broken.
"It's those damned humans!" Infernal Delicate Apricot hissed, though her trembling petals betrayed her panic.
"No time for blame!" Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass snapped back to composure. Seeing You You's group faltering under the elders' assault, he and Infernal Delicate Apricot rushed to aid them.
They'd opposed You You's recklessness—but now, they were all bound together.
Yet even with their combined strength, they couldn't withstand the amplified fury of eight Title Douluos.
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