I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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At the summit of the main peak of Thunderclap Gorge, the highest point of the entire gorge, lies the Body Sect.
This is the pinnacle of Thunderclap Gorge, surrounded by lightning and covered in snow, seemingly devoid of any signs of life.
Since his battle with Qian Renxue, Yang Xiong had been sitting alone at this highest point, enduring the assault of lightning and the covering of snow.
However, Yang Xiong paid no heed to these elements, as his mind became incredibly serene and clear.
After defeating Qian Renxue, the reward for the trial appeared in Yang Xiong's mind.
"Yang Xiong, Fourth Trial of the Asura Nine Trials: Defeat the inheritor of the Angel God, trial task completed. Reward: 10% Asura Affinity, total affinity now at 50%."
When his Asura Affinity reached 50%, Yang Xiong noticed that his body and martial soul began to change. He felt a deeper connection with the Asura Demon Sword, as if his martial soul was evolving in a mysterious direction, and even his body was undergoing transformations.
Initially, Yang Xiong had wielded the Asura Demon Sword through sheer brute force and his aura of slaughter. But now, when he picked up the sword again, it felt as though he and the sword were almost becoming one. The sword seemed like an extension of his martial soul, with a newfound link between them.
Yang Xiong understood clearly that the so-called Asura Affinity represented the compatibility between his martial soul and the Asura God, which gradually developed as he completed the trials.
Thus, it was evident that holding back against Qian Renxue during their battle at Two Peaks Mountain was something the Asura God would have approved of.
Since reaching 50% Asura Affinity, Yang Xiong's combat power had grown stronger, and his aura of slaughter had become purer.
This pure aura of slaughter contained no malice, making it supremely refined. The difference was stark compared to when he encountered the Rakshasa God's consciousness. The Rakshasa God's essence carried a hint of madness and evil attributes.
Though both the Asura God and Rakshasa God were deities of slaughter, and even the Evil God King could be considered a god of slaughter, their essences were entirely different, much like the fundamental sources of the world.
With 50% Asura Affinity, the red light from the Asura God became much clearer to Yang Xiong.
During his previous encounter with the Asura God, the deity had displayed nine sword techniques. However, Yang Xiong had never been able to comprehend or even see them clearly.
Only when he faced true despair, during Qian Renxue's Angel's Judgment, did he understand the disparity in power and what it truly meant to embody the Asura God.
The Angel God, though radiant and representing justice, was not about deceit or so-called sanctity and light. Justice, too, involved slaughter. Only by wielding the Angel's Holy Sword and eradicating all evil in the world could one achieve true light.
The Asura God was somewhat similar. Though different in essence, it also possessed powers of slaughter, judgment, and execution.
Yang Xiong began to gradually understand the meaning behind the Asura God's Nine Sword techniques. Though simple, they were powered by the Asura God's essence, representing the fairest, most resolute, and most perfect order in the world.
The Asura God's Nine techniques were clearly distinct from the Sea God's Golden Thirteen Halberds in the original story. The Sea God's techniques symbolized the vastness of the ocean and the pure essence of the sea.
In contrast, the Asura God's nine techniques were all killing moves, without any control or defensive skills, and bore some resemblance to the Asura Dharma Form Yang Xiong had mastered.
Yang Xiong believed that mastering these nine techniques would allow him to rival the gods with mortal strength and truly achieve the ability to slay deities.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Yang Xiong descended from the peak of Thunderclap Gorge.
Awaiting him were Dragon Duke and Serpent Grandmother, who appeared quite anxious.
"Respectful greetings, Sect Leader. After returning to the sect, you remained atop the mountain. Was there any issue during your battle with Qian Renxue?"
Yang Xiong smiled: "This battle with Qian Renxue was quite fruitful. My strength has certainly improved. It seems it's time to seek my ninth soul ring."
Dragon Duke finally exhaled in relief.
"Sect Leader, the battlefield at Jialing Pass is extremely tense. Our Body Sect has suffered significant casualties."
"According to the latest reports from the frontlines, the Tian Dou Empire and Spirit Hall Empire have been engaged in continuous battles for over ten days. Both sides have suffered heavy losses and are now seeking new variables."
"Emperor Xue Ye has sent a letter requesting that you personally lead the frontlines, where you will be appointed as the supreme commander."
After careful thought, Yang Xiong replied: "Elder Dragon Duke, it is not yet time for me to go to the frontlines. If I appear there suddenly, Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue might also show up at Jialing Pass, making the situation uncontrollable."
Yang Xiong was fully aware that, with his current strength and the Asura Demon Sword in hand, even Bibi Dong or Jin E (Golden Crocodile) Douluo would find it impossible to stop him if he unleashed the weapon's full power.
However, he knew that during the Spirit Hall Empire's moment of life-or-death, Qian Daoliu would undoubtedly appear. And since Yang Xiong lacked confidence in defeating Qian Daoliu, he had no intention of heading to the frontlines.
Especially as Dragon Duke mentioned, the two sides were locked in a massive war of attrition. Jialing Pass was like a giant millstone, grinding away at both armies.
Moreover, Yang Xiong had no desire to rely on the weapon's power to dominate ordinary people—it held little meaning.
Given the current situation, once Qian Renxue reached Level 99, she could ascend to become the new Angel God. With her talent, she might very well be the first person in this world to achieve godhood.
If Qian Renxue ascended and Yang Xiong had no countermeasures, the outcome of everything would become uncertain.
After some thought, Yang Xiong spoke: "Elder Dragon Duke, please arrange for someone to notify the frontline at Jialing Pass. Have Ning Rongrong, Oscar, Yang Wei, Qin Shuang, Feng Xiaotian, Shui Bing'er, and Huo Wu return immediately—I have matters to discuss with them."
Dragon Duke was startled upon hearing this: "Sect Leader, this might not be advisable. All of them are currently fighting at Jialing Pass. If they leave together, it could deal a severe blow to the Tian Dou army. Without their support, the Tian Dou Empire might collapse."
Yang Xiong shook his head: "For now, the situation at Jialing Pass should be manageable. In terms of Title Douluo numbers, the Tian Dou Empire still holds a slight advantage. Ning Rongrong and the others have not yet reached the Title Douluo level, so their absence won't significantly impact the battlefield."
"Furthermore, this matter is of great importance. I need them to return immediately for my next arrangements, which will also benefit them."
Yang Xiong found the situation at Jialing Pass perplexing. Both sides seemed to be locked in fierce combat, but neither had suffered critical losses—no Title Douluo had fallen on either side.
Particularly noteworthy was Tang San's repeated battles with Bibi Dong. The two were evenly matched, and Tang San seemed to grow stronger with each fight. From initially being weaker than Bibi Dong, he now fought with ease.
The most significant change in Tang San was his blue silver grass. It had become incredibly ferocious and dark, with devastating effects on ordinary soldiers.
Yang Xiong now suspected that Tang San might have caught the attention of a god. Otherwise, given Tang San's personality, he wouldn't undertake actions without certainty.
Otherwise, at Jialing Pass, the Tian Dou Empire had two more Title Douluo than the Spirit Hall Empire. With Tang San's intelligence, he could surely devise a strategy to overwhelm the Spirit Hall Empire using their numerical superiority among Title Douluo.
After all, the Spirit Hall Empire only had eleven Title Douluo, while the Tian Dou Empire boasted thirteen, along with the support of Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong. This gap in top-tier strength wasn't easy to bridge.
If Tang San and the others went all-in at the frontlines, they could use the "Tian Ji Horse Race" strategy to systematically eliminate the Spirit Hall Empire's elite forces. Not to mention, the Tian Dou Empire still had Dugu Bo as a major trump card. (T/N: Winning through mismatches)
Yang Xiong sensed that both Bibi Dong and Tang San seemed to allow the situation to stagnate, permitting the ongoing casualties on both sides.
Considering the battlefield strength, the Tian Dou Empire was far stronger than in the original story, with a significantly higher number of Title Douluo.
Allowing such large-scale casualties felt reminiscent of how Bibi Dong achieved godhood in the original story—through endless slaughter and accumulating killing intent to break through the final stage of a soul master's cultivation.
Dragon Duke wanted to say more, especially regarding Emperor Xue Ye's stance, but Yang Xiong waved him off.
"Elder Dragon Duke, just arrange for their return. Once Ning Rongrong and the others are back, my chances will improve. As for battlefield arrangements, send someone to consult with Elder Ning Fengzhi and Elder Lin Gong—they'll handle it."
"As for the Tian Dou Empire, don't concern yourself too much. We're assisting them, not their vassals."
Seeing Yang Xiong's unwavering determination, Dragon Duke refrained from further objections. Yang Xiong's strength far surpassed his own, and though Yang Xiong appeared easygoing, his decisions were firm and unquestionable once made.
At this moment, Yang Xiong stared intently at the new trial content that had appeared in his mind.
"Yang Xiong, Fifth Trial of the Asura Nine Trials: Find a new owner for the Heart of the Sea God. This person must gain the recognition of the Heart of the Sea God. Time limit: one year. Failure results in annihilation."
Yang Xiong found this trial peculiar. It seemed unrelated to the Asura God itself—why would the Asura God include such a trial?
However, considering that the upcoming trials revolved around choices, it made some sense.
Theoretically, the Sea God should be subordinate to the Asura God. Perhaps the Asura God wanted him to establish his foundation before ascending to godhood. In some ways, the Sea God might even hold greater importance than the Asura God.
In the original story, though Tang San inherited both the Sea God and Asura God legacies, he always referred to himself as the Sea God on Douluo Planet. This likely stemmed not only from the initial Sea God trial but also from his desire to absorb the faith energy of Douluo Planet.
Yang Xiong already had a candidate in mind for this new role—he just hoped the person wouldn't disappoint him.
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