Soul Land: I Am the True Grandmaster

Chapter 192: The Divine Challenge, Part Two

At this moment, Chen Xin had fused all his soul rings and his entire essence into the massive Seven Kill Sword.

"Impressive pouring everything you have into one final, desperate strike," Ye Wen murmured in admiration.

Even Tang Hao himself, Ye Wen thought, would face complete annihilation if he tried to take on this blow head on. Any Super Douluo at Rank 97 might either be heavily injured or even killed outright. The violent sword energy tore through the sky, aiming to obliterate everything in its path toward Ye Wen.

Unfortunately...

Where there's combat, intelligence is essential.

Ye Wen didn't even need to use a soul skill. Instead, he simply opened a massive spatial gate, and Chen Xin plunged right through it, his attack dissipating into nothing.

The strike was rendered ineffective.

Fully immersed in his assault, Chen Xin was stunned by what had just happened. He knew well that spatial abilities were difficult to deal with Bone Douluo Gu Rong, who was merely a defensive soul master, was also considered one of the most unpredictable Titled Douluo because of his spatial capabilities. The unleashed strike dissipated in the sky, scattering into countless sparkling fragments like a shower of stars a mesmerizing yet futile display.

Chen Xin landed in front of Ye Wen, his eyes clouded with fatigue and dejection.

Ye Wen watched him with a smile. "How did it feel, throwing everything into that attack?"

The friendly tone, as if speaking to an old friend, caught Chen Xin off guard. The voice lacked any hint of mockery and seemed to carry a deeper message. A revelation seemed to dawn upon Chen Xin as he replayed that moment's desperation and resolve.

"Do you remember how your father gave everything in his pursuit of the way of the sword?" Ye Wen pressed on, striking while the iron was hot.

The words struck Chen Xin like a bolt of lightning. In that instant, the many blocks that had clouded his path vanished, as if the fog had lifted. A powerful surge of energy radiated from him, slicing through the surrounding trees. Yet Ye Wen stood untouched, observing his breakthrough with quiet satisfaction.

Chen Xin stared at his hands in disbelief.

"I broke through?" He had been stuck at Rank 96 for years, and the journey forward had felt endlessly elusive. Now, to his shock, he had just reached Rank 97, all because of a single hint from Ye Wen.

Though he was overwhelmed with excitement, Chen Xin didn't forget himself. Turning to Ye Wen, he bowed respectfully, his voice brimming with gratitude. "Thank you, Senior, for your guidance."

Ye Wen met his thanks with a calm gaze. "You've fought me; you should now understand that I've truly ascended to godhood. So you also know that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has no option but to submit to me. Remember to relay this to Ning Fengzhi: if he doesn't want his sect destroyed, he should come to see me within three days. If he's late, I won't wait."

He added, "And you don't need to worry about that little girl Ning Rongrong. I'll be here for the next few days."

With his words delivered, Ye Wen waved his hand, and Chen Xin found himself instantly back at the outskirts of Shrek Academy.

Chen Xin wasted no time, racing back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with all his might. Though the sect was a great distance from Shrek Academy in the Barak Kingdom, Chen Xin's journey, thanks to his Rank 97 speed, took less than half a day.

Ning Fengzhi, who had been working through sect documents, was surprised to see him return so soon.

"Uncle Jian, what's going on?" According to their plans, Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong would each take turns guarding Ning Rongrong in secret for six months at a time. Yet only a month had passed, and here Chen Xin was. Ning Fengzhi's heart skipped a beat, wondering if something had happened to Rongrong. Ning Rongrong was the sect's hope for the future, and nothing could be allowed to happen to her.

Chen Xin, his face solemn, got straight to the point. "No time to explain in detail, Fengzhi. Prepare things here quickly; I need to take you somewhere."

Relieved that Ning Rongrong was safe, Ning Fengzhi nodded, though he could tell the situation was serious. Leaving Gu Rong in charge of the sect, he followed Chen Xin toward Shrek Academy.

On the way, Chen Xin recounted everything about Ye Wen. Ning Fengzhi, a master at intelligence analysis, had him describe Ye Wen's appearance as clearly as possible.

No god level powerhouse could have emerged in Douluo unannounced, he thought. This person had to be someone who had previously wielded great influence in the Douluo Continent. But when Ning Fengzhi heard that this so called god was Ye Wen, he found it hard to believe.

Yet countless past fragments clicked into place: the mysterious 98th Rank Super Douluo from Tianxing Academy, the unusual soul ring composition, and certain ancient legends. Although Ning Fengzhi found it almost impossible to believe that a mere forty year old Ye Wen had become the Sea God, the clues pointed to this shocking truth.

A hint of relief washed over Ning Fengzhi as he considered the implications. The emergence of a god level powerhouse would undoubtedly reshape the power dynamics of the Douluo Continent. Being sought out by such a figure could only be regarded as a stroke of fortune. At least it spared his sect from being wiped out.

Ye Wen had made no effort to hide his appearance, but Chen Xin was one of those people who lived secluded from information networks. Ning Fengzhi, on the other hand, was seasoned in human affairs. Upon arriving, he knelt and swore his loyalty to Ye Wen.

For Ye Wen, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's immense wealth and the unique boost it could provide to soul armor made it a valuable asset, worth keeping intact. Since they were now allies, Ye Wen didn't hold back. He gifted Ning Fengzhi an essence of Qiluo Tulip, giving the Soul Sage, who had been stuck at Rank 79 for years, a chance to break through.

Ning Fengzhi was delighted by his new benefactor's generosity and loyalty. A cunning strategist at heart, he immediately swallowed the Qiluo Tulip essence to demonstrate his commitment. As he looked at his Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, its dazzling hues brought tears to his eyes. This was the sect's long standing aspiration, fulfilled at last under his leadership.

"Fengzhi," Ye Wen said, "in the coming years, I need you to stockpile as much grain and raw materials as possible, making sure not a single commoner starves. When my other allies begin to act, they will need ample resources. Don't let me down."

Understanding Ye Wen's meaningful gaze, Ning Fengzhi promised to take on the task without hesitation. This type of assignment was exactly the sect's forte: minimal risk, substantial reward, and essential to Ye Wen's future plans. Success would guarantee the sect's secure position in the new world order.

As sect master, Ning Fengzhi couldn't be away for long, so Ye Wen instructed Chen Xin to escort him back to the sect, then to return to protect their "little treasure," Ning Rongrong. However, for Ning Fengzhi, the power of the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda paled in comparison to the new ambition Ye Wen had ignited within him. If he could aid the Sea God Ye Wen, might he, too, one day ascend to godhood?

But these ambitions remained locked in his heart. For now, he maintained his composed demeanor, ready to serve loyally in the plans of a god.

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