[Martial Spirit: Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda]
[Level: MAX]
[Talent Skill: Ninefold Divine Light!]
For some time, Fang Xuan focused solely on cultivating. He spent countless hours practicing his sword technique and eventually upgraded the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda to its highest level, unlocking the Ninefold Divine Light talent skill.
Afterward, he purchased a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring from the system, perfectly suited for auxiliary-type spirit masters. This significantly enhanced the amplification effect of the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda!
At this moment, Fang Xuan had finally gathered all ten martial spirits and possessed ten hundred-thousand-year spirit rings.
"Ah …"
Ice Phoenix, Fire Qilin, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Xuanwu, Kun Peng, Immortal Begonia, Six-Winged Angel, Clear Sky Hammer, Bluesilver Grass, and Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda.
Ten Martial Spirit True Bodies revolved around him as a storm of spirit power surged outward.
The roars of tigers and dragons echoed at the back mountain of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. Thunder clapped, and the wind howled. Ice and fire split the sky into two extremes. The mountain shook violently as if the entire Seven Treasures Glazed Sect would be destroyed.
This earth-shattering commotion alarmed everyone in the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect!
"What's going on? Who is cultivating at the back of the mountain?!"
"My goodness, that's terrifying! He must be a Titled Douluo!"
"Could it be that Elder Jian and Elder Gu are sparring?!"
The disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect were shocked. They quickly rushed to the back mountain, eager to discover the source of the disturbance.
It wasn't just the disciples who were curious. Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong, the Sword Douluo, the Bone Douluo, and the other higher-ups of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had also arrived at the back of the mountain.
"Fang Xuan, it is you!"
When the Bone Douluo saw the person responsible for the chaos, he couldn't help but scold him, "Are you trying to destroy the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect?!"
The power of Fang Xuan's Ten Martial Spirit True Bodies was so overwhelming that it drew everyone to the back mountain. Fang Xuan quickly withdrew his martial spirit and restrained his aura before the crowd could arrive to avoid further trouble.
However, as soon as Fang Xuan retracted his aura, a sharp Sword Qi exploded. It felt like a divine sword was piercing through the void.
The Sword Douluo's silver hair fluttered in the wind as his battle intent surged. Two beams of light shot from his eyes as he charged at Fang Xuan with the Seven Kills Sword in hand.
"Haha, Old Jian's in the mood! But you're already so old, don't embarrass yourself!"
The Bone Douluo laughed heartily as he watched with amusement.
"Grandpa Jian, go for it! Show this guy the power of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect!" Ning Rongrong clenched her fists, cheering for the Sword Douluo with all her might.
Ning Fengzhi stood quietly to the side, observing the battle. Although he wasn't openly biased, he had some thoughts running through his mind.
The Sword Douluo's spirit power was at Rank 96, while Fang Xuan, despite being extremely talented and becoming a Titled Douluo at 22, was still only at Rank 91.
The gap between each rank of a Titled Douluo was massive, especially after Rank 95. Every additional rank multiplied one's strength several times over.
Thus, although Ning Fengzhi thought highly of Fang Xuan, he believed the Sword Douluo had a better chance of winning.
"Wow, the Sword Elder is going to fight Fang Xuan. Who's going to win?"
"Of course, the Sword Elder! He's a Rank 96 Transcendent Douluo!"
"That's not certain. Have you all forgotten that Fang Xuan destroyed the Purple Extreme Sect with a single slash not long ago? Not just anyone can do that."
The disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect discussed fervently, rubbing their eyes as they eagerly anticipated the upcoming battle.
(Note: Sword Douluo, originally ranked at 96, lost an arm during the spirit-hunting mission, but his improved mental state allowed him to break through to Rank 97. Don't confuse the ranks—I haven't made an error.)
"Good timing!"
Fang Xuan's black hair flowed loosely, and his eyes were deep. The corner of his mouth curled into an excited smile. He needed a strong opponent to test his newfound strength.
Fang Xuan didn't dare be careless against the Sword Douluo's Seven Kills Sword. He waved his hand and quickly summoned Red Rain, slashing fiercely at the Seven Kills Sword.
"Clang!"
The tip of the sword collided with the sword like a needle against an awl. A piercing sound of metal clanging filled the air as a terrifying storm of spirit power swept out in all directions.
"What a fast sword!"
The Sword Douluo's eyes lit up with surprise, and he couldn't help but exclaim. His Seven Kills Sword was renowned for its speed, and he had been the first to strike, yet Fang Xuan had managed to block it with his sword.
His sword is even faster than my sword!
This shocking realization crossed the Sword Douluo's mind. With a flick of his wrist, the Seven Kills Sword darted around Fang Xuan's sword like a swimming dragon, stabbing directly at him.
He is indeed a top-tier swordsman!
Fang Xuan's pupils shrank as his mind raced. He shook his right arm, deflecting the attack. At the same time, he swung his left fist toward the Sword Douluo.
The Sword Douluo, with decades of battle experience, reacted swiftly. He met Fang Xuan's fist with his own.
"Boom!"
A gust of wind swept out, and both grunted as they were forced ten steps back.
"Hey! Old Man Sword, Fang Xuan, you two are too slow. Stop hesitating and use your ultimate moves already! Let's settle this with one strike!" the Bone Douluo teased, provoking them.
"Alright! One move it is!"
The Sword Douluo's expression turned serious as he stared at Fang Xuan.
"Fang Xuan, bring it on. I'll use my strongest attack. Don't hold back—give it your all!"
Before he finished speaking, nine spirit rings appeared beneath his feet. He activated his Seven Kills True Body, and the Seven Kills Sword swelled in size, transforming into a massive silver sword that descended from the sky and aimed directly at Fang Xuan.
"Myriad Swords Return!"
What a terrifying sword, qi!
Fang Xuan squinted as he felt the overwhelming pressure of the Seven Kills Sword. The Sword Douluo's understanding of swordsmanship had reached its peak. Combined with the power of the Seven Kills Sword, Myriad Swords Return was unimaginably powerful.
"One Sword Reincarnation!"
Fang Xuan's black hair whipped in the wind as his body radiated murderous sword qi. Entering the state of One with the Sword, the Demon Sword Red Rain slashed through the void, transforming into a crescent-shaped blood-red light that collided with the Seven Kills True Body.
"Rumble!"
A massive explosion followed as endless waves of sword qi erupted. The entire mountain shook, ancient trees snapped, and the sheer force of the clash severed the waterfall itself.
Even the spectators were caught in the aftermath, thrown backward by the force. Without the Bone Douluo's protection, many disciples might have been killed by the devastating qi.
"Who won?!"
Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the center of the battlefield. The dust raised by the collision obscured their view, but they eagerly awaited the result.
As the dust settled, two figures emerged. Fang Xuan and the Sword Douluo stood firm, unharmed, their expressions calm.
"A draw?!"
The crowd was stunned. No one expected the battle to end in a tie.
"What an exquisite Sword Intent. Fang Xuan, your mastery of the sword is extraordinary," the Sword Douluo said, stroking his beard, clearly impressed.
"You're too kind. Senior, your Myriad Swords Return to Origin is truly at the pinnacle of swordsmanship," Fang Xuan replied with a faint smile.
In truth, Fang Xuan had already surpassed the Sword Douluo in strength. He had deliberately held back, not using the full power of his Reincarnation Domain within his One Sword Reincarnation. This weakened his attack just enough for the battle to end in a draw, sparing the Sword Douluo from embarrassment in front of the crowd.
The Sword Douluo could sense that Fang Xuan hadn't used his full strength and sighed. "Heroes truly come from the younger generation..."
Though some were disappointed by the draw, many were still in awe that Fang Xuan, so young, could hold his own against the Sword Douluo. In another ten years, anyone on the continent could unlikely challenge him.
Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo, both of keen eyesight, could tell who had held the upper hand. They exchanged knowing smiles, careful not to say anything that would embarrass the Sword Douluo.
"Heh, Old Sword Douluo nearly lost his dignity," the Bone Douluo thought, amused. He was slightly weaker than the Sword Douluo, and if even the Sword Douluo couldn't defeat Fang Xuan, the outcome would have been the same for him. The younger generation, after all, showed respect to the elders.
The sparring session in the back mountain ended, concluding in a draw.
After returning to his room, Fang Xuan buried himself in his research. Apart from his martial spirit, he made an unexpected discovery. The rhombus-shaped crystal he had found in the ten-headed Scorching Sun Snake's inner core had mysteriously fused with Red Rain. It fits perfectly into the rhombus-shaped groove in the sword's hilt.
Fang Xuan was astonished. The Crown, the crystal, and Red Rain were all one piece. He had long suspected Red Rain was incomplete, perhaps missing parts.
Now that Red Rain seemed whole again, Fang Xuan immersed himself in studying the changes.
He had always believed that Red Rain harbored a great secret.
After several days of tireless research, Fang Xuan uncovered something astounding within Red Rain—a mysterious space within the sword.