Chapter 35: The Sword That Splits Life and Death
"Soul Spirit Hall, you forced me to do this!"
Tang Hao roared, his voice echoing through the skies like thunder.
In the next instant, all nine of his soul rings trembled violently.
A terrifying wave of soul power exploded from his body, rippling outward like a tidal wave, shaking the heavens and earth.
It was turbulent. Violent. Destructive.
"Retreat quickly! He's going to explode his rings!"
Ling Yuan Douluo shouted, her expression filled with dread.
Without hesitation, she turned and fled.
The secret technique of the Haotian Sect—Ring Explosion—was no joke. Known across the continent for its terrifying power, even the most seasoned soul masters feared engaging with Haotian Sect elites.
As soon as Ling Yuan Douluo gave the warning, the other Title Douluos followed suit.
They didn't dare to hesitate.
Several among them had witnessed this nightmare more than a decade ago and remembered all too clearly the devastation it wrought.
In less than a breath's time, the seven Title Douluos had already escaped the domain of the Killing God.
Only Qin Chuan remained.
He stood calmly, unshaken by the destructive aura, right in the middle of the Killing God's Domain.
The snow-white wings on his back fluttered gently, trailing wisps of ethereal light. They looked more like drifting clouds than instruments of war—beautiful and divine.
The Holy Spirit Sword floated silently before him.
Wreathed in pure white flames, it radiated a sacred aura.
"The Killing God Domain, paired with Ring Explosion… truly an unsolvable force."
Qin Chuan whispered to himself and shook his head gently.
"Why aren't you running?"
Tang Hao's soul power surged more violently with each passing second, his body convulsing in pain as he forcibly peeled off one soul ring after another.
The agony was unbearable.
Exploding one's rings wasn't a simple act—it demanded a price in blood and soul.
"You probably hate me the most among the eight of us."
Qin Chuan said softly.
He slowly stretched out his right hand.
His fingers closed around the hilt of the Holy Spirit Sword.
Suddenly, a terrifying force surged from the weapon.
The nine soul rings around Qin Chuan also began to tremble violently. They howled and wailed in resonance.
The Haotian Sect's people could explode their rings?
Then what of Qin Chuan—a transmigrator—a man reborn into this world?
Did he not have his own trump card?
Of course, he did.
But the price…
Was enormous.
All the soul power within his nine soul rings poured into the Holy Spirit Sword like an endless current, channeling through his body in a violent surge.
When the final flow reached its peak—
His seventh soul ring began to glow faintly.
——Holy Spirit True Body!
The seventh ring activated and then…
It began to warp.
It twisted and shattered into countless radiant fragments.
The shattered pieces turned into complex, mottled light, slowly floating and dancing through the air.
But a moment later—
Those fragments, drawn by a strange energy, were absorbed entirely into the Holy Spirit Sword.
The Holy Spirit Martial Soul was ever-changing.
But the Holy Spirit Sword was eternal!
This was the one and only true weapon of the Holy Spirit.
The True Body of the Martial Soul was inherently illusory—but it could merge into the sword!
To melt into the blade, to control it, to become one with it—
The body and the sword became indistinguishable.
From that moment, the Holy Spirit Sword was no longer just a weapon.
It was a killing force made whole.
Meanwhile, at Wuhun Mountain—
The Heaven Dou Empire's royal team was rushing down the mountain.
Though descending, Qian Renxue had been watching the fierce battle unfold in the skies over Wuhun City.
She saw it—
The moment Qin Chuan's figure dissolved into light, vanishing into the sword.
She froze.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
An attendant noticed her sudden stop and asked with concern.
Qian Renxue turned, slowly.
The attendant saw then—her face had turned deathly pale, her lips trembling.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"Quick…"
She choked on her voice, recalling Qin Chuan's words from just yesterday.
"Quick—bring Ye Lingling to me!"
"Go!"
She roared the last word.
Her heart was gripped by an overwhelming fear—as if she was about to lose the most precious thing in her life.
No…
Brother Qin Chuan must not be harmed.
I'll follow his instructions to the letter—nothing can go wrong.
She prayed in her heart, trembling.
Finally, Ye Lingling arrived—clad in a flowing black dress, her presence calm and serene.
"Your Highness."
"Come with me!"
Qian Renxue seized her by the arm, ignoring the confused glances of those around them.
She pulled Ye Lingling into a full sprint down the mountain.
"Your Highness, what's the emergency?"
Ye Lingling asked, her breath steady despite the pace.
"To save someone!"
Qian Renxue answered hoarsely.
She was panting, but her urgency never faltered.
"May I ask who we are saving?"
Ye Lingling pressed after a brief pause.
Qian Renxue suddenly stopped.
She turned around, facing Ye Lingling with red, tear-filled eyes.
"Brother Qin Chuan… His Majesty…"
"Lingling… please…"
"You must save him."
She pleaded, tears rolling freely down her cheeks.
Ye Lingling was stunned for a second.
Then she nodded gently.
"I'll do everything I can."
Back in Wuhun City—
Body melted into sword. Mind fused with blade. The soul and weapon had become one.
Now, the Holy Spirit Sword, forged anew, was glowing with unimaginable radiance.
The soul power emanating from it was no longer a ripple.
It had condensed into tangible force.
The sword buzzed.
And then—without warning—it turned sharply.
The tip aimed straight at Tang Hao, who stood at the center of the explosive energy zone.
By this point, Tang Hao had reached his limit.
All nine of his soul rings had expanded to their maximum size. His soul power was on the verge of collapse.
He stood like a war god, eyes burning with fury, an unstoppable force.
But standing before him—
Was a single sword.
Suspended midair, it pointed at him from across the skies like a divine judgment.
It split the heavens.
Dividing life from death.
"You think there's anyone in this world who can stop a Haotian Sect's Ring Explosion?"
Tang Hao sneered.
The Holy Spirit Sword gave no answer.
But the vibrations in the air became even more intense.
"Then let's end this—with death!"
Tang Hao roared and charged.
"Buzz—!"
The Holy Spirit Sword surged forward!
The air trembled with its speed, shrieking as it cut through the sky.
"Boom—!!!"
Wuhun City shook to its core.
The Pope's Palace.
The Worship Hall.
The Douluo Hall.
Every great building quaked, as if the heavens themselves had been cleaved.
"Fall back—fall back now!"
Even from a distance, the watching Title Douluos screamed in fear.
But it was too late.
At the heart of the battle, a second sun seemed to bloom.
A deafening explosion echoed across the land. The release of spiritual energy was like a tsunami.
The Douluos were knocked back further, faces pale and hearts racing.
At the foot of Wuhun Mountain—
Qian Renxue and Ye Lingling were swept off their feet.
A wave of force slammed into them.
Qian Renxue coughed up golden blood.
But she quickly suppressed it.
Ye Lingling, though less affected, was still pale and trembling.
"Come on—we're not stopping now!"
Qian Renxue stood up, gritted her teeth, and grabbed Ye Lingling's hand again.
She pulled her forward—
Toward the battlefield,
Toward the man who had risked it all.
Toward Qin Chuan.