Fusion of the Rings!
This was Chen Feng's self-created soul skill, his ultimate trump card.
Compared to the Clear Sky Sect's Ring Detonation, the explosive power of Ring Fusion was in no way inferior. And unlike Ring Detonation, aside from exhausting all soul power in an instant, it carried no other side effects.
By fusing all of his soul power into the rings and channeling it into his ninth soul skill, Chen Feng was paying homage to Sword Douluo's signature ability.
On the battlefield of Jialing Pass, everyone witnessed the rise of a godlike figure. That domineering force surpassed everything they thought they knew.
Even Titled Douluo trembled before the might of the Seven Kill Sword!
As the divine sword descended, Sword Douluo's eyes filled with tears.
"Chen Feng… you truly are thoughtful."
"Father, Grandfather! Do you see? Our Seven Kill Sword lineage has finally produced an ultimate powerhouse—one who wields divine strength!"
Dustless Swordmaster Chen Xin (Sword Douluo) let out a long, powerful howl.
His ninth soul ring suddenly flared. The ninth soul skill was unleashed!
Across from him, the twin Douluo, Qianjun and Jiangmo, instantly felt the chill of danger run down their spines.
"Careful!"
Their twin Panlong Rods crossed, pooling their combined strength as they took a defensive stance.
For the two enshrined Douluo, their strength together was far greater than the sum of their parts. Sword Douluo's offensive power was indeed fearsome, and even with his most powerful ninth soul skill, it was unlikely to kill them outright.
If they withstood this blow, then Sword Douluo—his soul power emptied—could very well be slain instead.
Their instincts honed over years of partnership drove them to unite as one. But in doing so, they overlooked a crucial factor—the Fifth Enshrined, Bone Douluo!
"Spatial Gate!"
Gu Rong's voice echoed eerily.
From the void, a portal suddenly tore open. Countless bone spurs formed a cage, briefly trapping Lightfeather Douluo.
In that instant, Sword Douluo's figure vanished from the eyes of Qianjun and Jiangmo.
"Be careful—it's Bone Douluo's Spatial Gate!" they shouted in warning.
But it was too late. Sword Douluo had already been transported directly beside Lightfeather Douluo.
Sword raised, sword fell!
On the battlefield of Jialing Pass, a storm erupted—scarlet and azure lights intertwined into a violent tempest.
Golden Crocodile Douluo and Lightfeather Douluo fought desperately to withstand the strike, but they were completely engulfed.
When the azure light faded, a massive sword wound was carved across Lightfeather Douluo's chest.
His consciousness blurred as he collapsed, barely clinging to life thanks only to his peak rank-96 soul power. Like a butterfly with broken wings, he plummeted from the sky into the dust below.
Across the field, Sword Douluo's hair fell loose, his blue radiance gone, his soul power utterly spent—yet his laughter rang loud and unrestrained.
At last, he had fought to his heart's content!
As the most fearsome offense-type Titled Douluo, he had slain a Hall Elder and nearly killed one of the Spirit Hall's enshrined Douluo. It was enough.
Beams of light descended from above, merging into Sword Douluo's body, slightly restoring his depleted strength.
Snorting, he turned, standing once more back-to-back with Bone Douluo, the two of them facing the twin enshrined Douluo with arrogant defiance.
"The two of us will stand right here. Let's see if you brothers dare to move again!"
Sword Douluo's voice was domineering to the extreme.
Qianjun and Jiangmo's faces twisted with rage, but ultimately, they withdrew their martial souls, carefully shielding the gravely wounded Lightfeather Douluo. They dared not risk continuing the fight.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the thunderous explosion from Chen Feng's strike had only just subsided.
Compared to Sword Douluo's ninth soul skill, Chen Feng's Ring Fusion was nothing short of divine!
When the storm cleared, there was no trace of Golden Crocodile Douluo. Only fragments of shattered golden scales drifted down from the heavens.
"Golden Crocodile Douluo—dead!"
The magnificent aura around Chen Feng faded completely. Even his martial soul vanished, leaving him like an ordinary man standing still.
Yet within a thousand meters, none dared approach.
This day, Chen Feng had defeated Bibi Dong and then slain Golden Crocodile Douluo. His sword had unleashed power at the god level.
Spirit Hall's dominance was broken.
The thought spread like wildfire: Spirit Hall had lost its overwhelming advantage.
Morale plummeted among their forces.
On the contrary, within the Heaven Dou Empire's army, hope blazed bright.
"Retreat!"
The Third Enshrined, Azure Luan Douluo, barked the order with a face ashen as iron.
Though a rank-97 Super Douluo, after clashing with Tang Xiao, he had clearly fallen into disadvantage. Age and waning vitality made it impossible for him to fight longer.
A horn sounded—Spirit Hall's army began to withdraw.
The battle had cost Spirit Hall dearly: two Titled Douluo dead, one severely wounded, Bibi Dong fleeing, and Huyan Zhen nearly crippled. The losses were devastating.
Until Bibi Dong recovered, there would be no second offensive.
Heaven Dou Empire chose not to pursue. Their soldiers were already drained to their limits; continuing to fight would only bring needless casualties.
This victory was perilously close. Without Chen Feng leading the Clear Sky Sect's reinforcements, Jialing Pass might well have fallen. And then, the Heaven Dou Empire would have lost its final natural barrier.
Victory drums thundered. The armies roared in triumph.
They had won!
For the first time, Spirit Hall—the invincible colossus that had loomed as an unassailable holy land in the eyes of countless soul masters—had been defeated.
Chen Feng's name rang through the armies like thunder. The rise of such an invincible powerhouse was the greatest morale boost the Heaven Dou Empire could have hoped for.
Days later, Emperor Xue Ye personally came to Jialing Pass. Before the eyes of a million soldiers, he bestowed rewards.
Though Chen Feng tried to decline, he was ultimately honored by Emperor Xue Ye himself, named Imperial Grandmaster and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince.
But the emperor's health was failing. Even after the poison had been purged, his body could endure only a few more years.
When he passed, the crown prince Xue Beng would inevitably ascend the throne—and at that time, Chen Feng's status as Imperial Grandmaster would be elevated to Imperial Teacher.
After receiving his honors, Chen Feng left quietly.
Low-key by nature, he disliked such ceremonies.
Besides, Spirit Hall had merely lost one battle. With several high-level experts still alive, they remained a formidable threat.
Especially Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue—both poised to inherit godhood. The pressure weighed heavily upon him.
For a fleeting victory, Chen Feng would not grow complacent.
Step by step, in solitude, sharpening himself against the trials of loneliness—that was the path of a true, strong one.
A few days later, joyous news spread.
Tang San had returned!
Not only that—he had completed the inheritance of the Sea God.
He had become an eighty-seventh rank Soul Douluo!