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Ning Wenze possessed extraordinary talent. His eighth soul skill was known as the Eighth Sun: Skill, and the "Skill" referred specifically to enhancing soul skills. It could greatly amplify the power and effectiveness of a soul master's abilities—unfortunately, it could not be used on himself.
According to Ning Fengzhi's evaluation, if Ning Wenze's martial soul someday evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, then his ninth soul skill would very likely be capable of doubling the power and effects of soul bone abilities.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Deafening explosions echoed continuously. Countless earth spikes burst forth like bamboo shoots breaking through soil, stabbing toward the Lion Douluo with unstoppable momentum. The speed was so terrifying that the Lion Douluo could even hear sharp blasts of wind shrieking past his ears, as if he had already been swallowed by a sea of earth spikes.
At first, Lion Douluo's plan had probably been to use the valley terrain to trap Davis and his group like fish in a barrel, then wipe them all out in one fell swoop.
But he hadn't expected that the terrain of Goldridge Valley would instead be used against him by Davis. Once Davis activated his eighth soul skill, sharp stone pillars and earth spikes surged from both mountain walls, forming a prison-like encirclement that forcibly trapped the Lion Douluo inside.
Forced into a corner, Lion Douluo had no choice but to activate his Martial Soul True Body, transforming into a blazing lion. With monstrous claws sharp enough to rend steel like paper, he desperately slashed down the incoming earth spikes from every direction, preventing himself from being skewered into a human pincushion.
While Lion Douluo struggled under the relentless assault, Davis cast a glance at Lin Qiuyang, who stood beside Ye Lingling.
Earlier, Lin Qiuyang had suffered multiple injuries during the battle, but after Ye Lingling's treatment, he had returned to perfect condition.
In a tone that brooked no objection, Davis commanded,
"Dean Lin, I'll hold off the Lion Douluo. You prepare your strongest attack immediately! Elder Ning, assist Dean Lin with your amplification!"
"Understood!"
The two responded simultaneously. Lin Qiuyang immediately gathered his soul power, preparing to unleash his strongest strike.
"Soul bone skill — Power of Geng Metal!"
"Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda: Sixth Sun — Attack! Eighth Sun — Skill!"
Releasing so many soul skills in succession had consumed nearly half of Ning Wenze's soul power, but the effort did not go to waste.
As two streams of seven-colored light merged into Lin Qiuyang's body, a terrifying murderous aura erupted skyward, mixed with razor-sharp Geng Metal sword intent. The density and intensity of this killing intent was not inferior to the murderous aura of Davis' Killing God Domain.
The Power of Geng Metal greatly enhanced Lin Qiuyang's soul skill potency, and with Ning Wenze's amplification on top of that, Lin Qiuyang's current attack power had undoubtedly reached the level of a Super Douluo.
"Lion Douluo, you had better watch closely. This next sword will decide your life or death!"
Lin Qiuyang's gaze was unshakable. His voice rang with heroic determination, soul power, sword intent, and killing intent merging completely into his ninth soul ring like a roaring tidal wave.
"A hero's passion fears no heaven;
Frost gathers on a blade pointed to the clouds."
"Across the world, the fearless stand tall;
With awe-inspiring spirit, they command the universe."
"I have one sword—capable of severing heaven and earth!"
As his words fell, his pitch-black ninth soul ring erupted with radiant light. Lin Qiuyang once again entered the realm of man and sword as one—no longer flesh and blood, but a sword itself, inseparable and indistinguishable.
He stood poised with sword in hand, then shot upward like a blade piercing the heavens. An instant later, his entire being transformed into a fearless, unstoppable sword, thrusting straight toward the Lion Douluo trapped inside the earthen prison.
This sword strike targeted the vitals—no, the soul itself.
Sword intent swept across thirty thousand li; one sword's light chilled fourteen provinces. The sword qi raging through the valley caused the very mountains to rumble.
"What?!"
While fending off the earth spikes, the Lion Douluo suddenly sensed a terrifying killing aura locking onto him. His expression changed drastically. Boundless sword intent enveloped him; he had nowhere to run.
From within that overwhelming sword intent, he felt something he had never sensed before—
The aura of death.
If this sword hits me… I will die!
The thought flashed across his mind, but after recalling Lin Qiuyang's cultivation level, he quickly dismissed it. A cold sneer curled at the corner of his lips.
"Hmph! Ridiculous. Just a level 92 Title Douluo. Even with the Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda's amplification, you think you can contend with me?!"
"Ninth Soul Skill — Soul-Shattering Heaven-Smiting Roar!"
The Lion Douluo threw his head back and roared. Soul power erupted from his body, transforming into blazing flames. His fiery lion form expanded several times, flames enveloping his entire being until he resembled a massive fireball. Then, like a cannon shell, he blasted forward, colliding head-on with Lin Qiuyang.
As his ninth soul skill activated, waves of scorching heat swept across the valley. Even Davis—despite having taken the Fire Apricot Elixir—felt the heat pressing against him.
As for Zhu Zhuyun, Ye Lingling, and the others, the weaker ones suffered even more. Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing could barely resist it with their soul power, but Ye Lingling and Ning Wenze were in dire straits—both being support-type soul masters with virtually no combat defense.
Ning Wenze was drenched in sweat, nearly fainting from the heat. Ye Lingling was also panting heavily, sweat dripping like rain.
"Damn it!"
Davis cursed, then waved his hand. With the power of earth, four massive stone walls rose around Ye Lingling and the others, effectively blocking the scorching heat.
Boom—!
At that moment, Lin Qiuyang's sword strike collided with the Lion Douluo's ninth soul skill in midair. A thunderous explosion tore through the valley.
Would the sword cleave the scorching sun?
Or would the raging flames burn the blade to ash?
Everything would be decided in this single clash.
"Roooaar—!"
Sword qi howled. Flames roared. The two forces collided and exploded outward, engulfing the entire valley.
The stone walls protecting Zhu Zhuyun and the rest cracked instantly. If Davis hadn't continually repaired and thickened them with earth power, they would have shattered on the spot.
Even Davis himself had to summon the Qianjun Battle Armor to withstand the dual impact of fire and sword.
When the flames and sword qi finally dissipated, Goldridge Valley looked as though a storm had ravaged it—scorched, barren, and devastated.
Who won?
With that question burning in his mind, Davis looked up, only to see Lin Qiuyang floating in the air unscathed—while the Lion Douluo had completely disappeared.
Davis flew to Lin Qiuyang. "Did you kill the Lion Douluo?"
Lin Qiuyang shook his head with regret.
"Unfortunately, no. He escaped at the last moment under cover of the flames."
"But I can guarantee he's gravely injured. For at least three months—maybe up to a year—he won't be able to fight at full strength. At most, half his usual power."
Seeing all his subordinates slain, Lin Qiuyang standing before him, and Davis still alive, the Lion Douluo knew that killing Davis was impossible. Worse, he might lose his own life if he persisted. So he chose to retreat without hesitation, fleeing far away.
He would wait for another day… and another chance for revenge.
(End of Chapter)