"Clang——"
The Seven Killing Sword sliced through the air with a sharp ring.
After Chen Junting consumed the Golden Bone Immortal Herb, his sword transformed. What had once looked like a crystal-blue blade now appeared forged from cold silver-white iron. Its sharp aura alone seemed to slice through the atmosphere.
"Breakthrough to level 45."
Chen Junting not only broke through in cultivation—his body had also fully recovered from the injuries caused by the Golden Bone Immortal Herb.
Looking at the Seven Killing Sword, Chen Junting felt something stir inside. He wasn't sure how much his martial soul had changed, but he was certain he could beat two of his former selves.
"Brother Junting."
Ning Tian came forward. Seeing that he hadn't followed immediately, she glanced at his martial soul. "Your martial soul evolved."
"Maybe not fully."
Chen Junting gave a light shake of the sword. Instantly, the silver-white blade reverted to its original form. He smiled at Ning Tian and joked, "Relax, your martial spirit will never be the same as mine."
He gave a nod of reassurance to everyone, then turned to face Youxiang Qiluo.
"Youyou, I passed your test. Now it's your turn to fulfill your promise."
"Promise? Did I say anything?"
Youyou—the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb—shook her big pink flower, playing dumb.
"Watch out!"
Ye Xuanji's warning came just in time—
"Buzz buzz buzz—"
A terrifying wave of soul power erupted around Chen Junting, Ning Tian, and Ning Bowen. Seventy-two soul rings filled the air. The strength of eight Titled Douluo exploded across the area.
And alongside them, by the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Spring, seven powerful auras surged to suppress the Jiubao Liuli Sect group.
"If you want the immortal herbs, you'll have to earn them!"
A shout echoed across the valley.
The speaker was a fiery, well-built woman with a blazing red braid down to her feet. Flames rolled off her, radiating scorching heat. She was the Fiery Apricot Jiaoshu.
The others followed:
•A blue-haired boy with a chill presence—Eight-Angled Mysterious Ice Grass.
•A golden-haired youth in armor—Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum.
•A regal man in purple—Qiluo Tulip.
•A flame-haired woman with arrogant eyes—Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
•A fresh-faced girl with clear spring-like eyes—Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.
"Greedy humans, you shouldn't have come!"
Fiery Apricot Jiaoshu's body flared from red to golden-red. A long blade of pure flame formed in her hand and slashed forward.
"Hmph. A mere herb dares to be this arrogant?"
Bai Sheng countered with a palm strike. The Tianxing Furnace in his hand grew, its eighth soul ring glowing. The furnace lid opened wide, sucking in the flaming sword and swallowing it. Then, the furnace flew at Youyou like a cannonball.
Boom!
Flames exploded on impact.
The furnace flew back, scorched, and Bai Sheng's expression turned grim. The attack had been no joke.
Youyou was saved just in time by Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum.
"You're breaking your promise," Ning Bowen said coldly, but there was hesitation in his eyes.
"Break what? I never promised anything." Youyou's pink petals rustled. A delicate girl appeared on the pistil, looking innocent.
Before Ning Bowen could respond, Eight-Angled Mysterious Ice Grass cut her off.
"Youyou, you caused trouble."
Her smile twisted into a frown. "Bajiao! Why say that in front of outsiders? I didn't bring them in!"
Bajiao ignored her, looking straight at the Jiubao Liuli Sect. His calm expression carried hidden bitterness.
"Leave. And don't come back."
"Why waste words?" Fiery Apricot snapped. "They're not descendants of that person. Let's finish them. Humans are too greedy to be trusted."
Her rage was echoed by Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, while Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid and Qiluo Tulip stayed silent.
Youyou finally gave in with a weak smile.
"Well… if everyone says so…"
Chen Junting's face darkened. His cold smirk said it all.
Ning Tian and Huo Yuhao weren't pleased either.
The supreme elders' fury burned hot.
"Fine. Then we'll show you what a real fight is."
Ye Xuanji raised his Star Saint Sword.
His ninth soul ring flared blood-red, and star-like sword light burst across the valley.
"Ninth Soul Skill: Starfall!"
The sky filled with falling starlight. Sword energy roared as if the sky itself were collapsing.
The other seven supreme elders didn't hold back. Their ninth soul rings lit up one after another.
Ning Bowen sighed and stepped forward.
He summoned his martial soul. A seven-story Glazed Pagoda floated above him as six soul rings glowed.
Streams of light flew into the elders, boosting their strength again.
"Ninth soul skill—The sky is blue and vast, the earth splits!"
"Ninth soul skill—Crimson flames burn the sky!"
"…!"
Under Ning Bowen's amplification, their combined might reached the level of Super Douluo—and they aimed it all at the seven Immortal Herbs.
The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Spring trembled.
"Humans! You dare!"
The herbs roared.
"Youyou! Bajiao!"
Seeing the overwhelming attack, Youyou and the others charged forward.
Fiery Apricot and Bajiao called upon the power of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Spring—
"Old Yi."
Chen Junting spoke to Electrolux, the spirit in his sea of consciousness.
"Now."
Electrolux's calm voice echoed:
"Do what you must."
Suddenly, the twin springs didn't react with elemental force—but with a gray death aura rising from within.
A golden light followed, and the entire area was sealed by an unknown force.
"What's happening?"
Bajiao's expression twisted in shock. The spring—their root of power—had gone silent.
"Those damn humans!" Fiery Apricot growled. But her trembling petals betrayed fear.
"Now isn't the time to panic," Bajiao said. He turned to Youyou and the others, now almost overwhelmed.
Though he'd never supported them inviting outsiders, they were bound together now.
Even their strongest couldn't match eight Titled Douluo—not after they'd been amplified.
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(End of Chapter)
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