DD Spiritual Sword [426-428] (Patreon)

Chapter 426: The Ao Family and Luo Family, Ning Fengzhi's Schemes

In the main hall of the Luo Family mansion in the Balak Kingdom, a sturdy and honest-looking man sat at the chief seat. He was one of the elders of Spirit Hall, known as Tortoise Douluo. Standing beside him was the Ao Family patriarch, Ao Ers.

Ao Ers is the son of Ao Erfu and father of Ao Erduo and Ao Erbai. The former patriarch Ao Erfu, after having both ears cut off by Sword Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo, suffered severe hearing loss and could no longer serve as clan leader.

Of course, the uninformed Ao Family always believed that both ears were cut off by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and thus they deeply hated them.

At this moment, two figures knelt before the steps. They were the Luo Family's head, Luo Hengji, the strongest in the Balak Kingdom, and his sole heir, Luo Fuji.

"Tortoise Douluo, I heard you've managed to subdue several small principalities near the Balak Kingdom. Well done! His Holiness the Pope is very satisfied," Tortoise Douluo said with a gentle smile.

This smile looked kind, but it sent chills down Luo Hengji's back. The man before him was a smiling tiger—gentle on the surface, but ruthless underneath.

Luo Hengji quickly bowed. "This is only our duty. But… about this month's antidote…"

"Oh, the antidote? Right, tonight is when the poison acts up, isn't it? Don't worry, you have done well. I wouldn't forget. I came today just to bring the antidote. I've already handed it to Aoers. Just get it from him. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave." Tortoise Douluo stood up, still smiling.

At his words, the Luo father and son looked desperate. The Ao and Luo families were bitter enemies—would Ao Ers just hand over the antidote?

Sure enough, as soon as Tortoise Douluo left, Ao Ers smiled apologetically. "Ah, sorry, Brother Luo. I left the antidote at home. How about this: bear with it tonight, and I'll send someone over tomorrow."

"How can you do this, Brother Ao? Then let me send someone to fetch it, or I can go myself!" Luo Hengji clung to his leg and begged.

"Get lost! I'm not going home tonight. I'm out to have fun with the courtesans. You two just enjoy yourselves!" Ao Ers kicked Luo Hengji away with soul power, making him cough up blood, then left laughing.

In truth, the Ao Family had long sided with Spirit Hall, all due to a small matter at the academy years ago.

Just as Tianlin had expected, after Ao Erfu lost both ears, Bibi Dong immediately sent people to the Ao Family, telling them that if they wanted revenge, neither they nor their suzerain, the Heaven Dou Empire, could help them—only Spirit Hall could.

Ao Erfu could not deny this. For revenge, he agreed to secretly work for Spirit Hall. Serving a master was all the same, whether it was Spirit Hall or Heaven Dou Empire.

The Luo Family was different; they were forcibly subdued by Spirit Hall using poison—a toxin that flared up monthly, causing unbearable pain and eventual organ failure. This poison was developed by Porcupine Douluo. Spirit Hall gave the antidote to the Ao Family, who then used it to control the Luo Family.

Though Ao Ers wouldn't kill Luo Hengji and his son yet, he took every chance to torment them, often delaying the antidote. The poison wouldn't kill immediately but would inflict immense suffering.

Leaving the Luo Family, Ao Ers was quite pleased with himself, glad he had chosen the right side early. He imagined the agony of the Luo father and son.

But actually, nothing happened. As soon as Ao Ers left, the Luo father and son calmly stood up. Luo Fujii helped his father, while Luo Hengji clutched his chest and cursed, "That Ao Ers, a petty villain. Sooner or later, we'll kill him. He really thinks we're poisoned? It's just the kick that hurts."

As he complained, crabapple blossoms floated down from above, merging into his chest and instantly healing his injury.

"Nine-Hearted Begonia! Haha, it's Brother Gu and Miss Ye!" Luo Fujii laughed.

"Senior Luo, Brother Luo, sorry you've suffered," Gu Ran entered with Ye Lingling.

"It's nothing. If not for Sect Master Ning's wisdom and Gu's timely plea for the Poison Douluo to cure us, we'd still be under Ao Family's thumb," Luo Hengji said gratefully.

When Tianlin resolved to unify the world, both he and Ning Fengzhi wrote letters—Ning Fengzhi's to Luo Hengji, Tianlin's to Luo Fujii.

Tianlin knew from the original novel that Spirit Hall's first conquest was Balak, while Ning Fengzhi deduced it by wisdom.

Years ago, Ning Fengzhi had already contacted Luo Hengji. Since they were at odds with the Ao Family, he sought to win over their enemy, the Luo Family.

Later, seeing Spirit Hall's ambition, Ning Fengzhi guessed they would use the Ao Family to take Balak. He warned the Luo Family and advised Luo Hengji to do two things: treat the people well to gain a good reputation, and discipline the army to win their loyalty.

Coincidentally, at that time, Tianlin had controlled Luo Fujii with Eternal Mind Control. Luo Fujii returned a new man—kind, charitable, serving the people.

He told his father he had been awakened by Tianlin. Luo Hengji assumed Tianlin and Luo Fujii were now friends and working together, explaining why Luo Fujii carried out Ning Fengzhi's suggestions.

Thus, as Ning Fengzhi said, Tianlin accidentally perfected his plan.

With these steps done, first, their lives were secured. Spirit Hall didn't really want to subdue the Luo Family—just wanted the Ao Family to rule Balak.

However, now the Luo Family had a stellar reputation and the army's loyalty. Forcible action could spark mutiny. Spirit Hall had no choice but to use poison to control the Luo Family.

This was within Ning Fengzhi's expectations. He and Tianlin sent Gu Ran and Ye Lingling to Balak. They used Nine-Hearted Crabapple to suppress the poison, took blood samples, and returned for Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi to make the antidote, curing them.

Ning Fengzhi told them to continue pretending to be poisoned and serve Spirit Hall, subduing as many kingdoms as possible. When the time came, he would send someone to fetch them.

Chapter 427: Bitter Cultivation

Gu Ran and Ye Lingling learned of Spirit Hall's plans from the Luo Family and found a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciple to send a letter back to the sect.

As the wealthiest sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had businesses everywhere. For timely communication, they stationed sensitive disciples at key points.

Important messages could reach the sect within a day.

Ning Fengzhi received the letter. Spirit Hall's follow-up matched his predictions. He replied for Gu Ran and Ye Lingling to continue their work in Balak's vicinity, but not to interfere with Spirit Hall—they lacked the strength for that. Just focus on Tianlin's orders; he'd handle the rest.

Meanwhile, Qin Ming's wife Zhou Yan sent news: the original Five Element Academies, pressured by Spirit Hall, had left their schools. Xiangjia Academy was now under Spirit Hall; Thunderclap Academy had joined the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the other three merged into Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

This differed from the original novel—since the Heaven Dou Academy had won the tournament, others believed it to be an elite school, unaware of the truth.

The Grandmaster had visited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Now the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Tutor, his status was incomparable. He intended to take Ma Hongjun, claiming to offer a treasure as precious as immortal herbs in exchange for his freedom, but as Ma Hongjun was away, he left.

Ning Fengzhi was disappointed; if that chubby kid were around, he'd have gotten the treasure first.

"So many troubles!" Ning Fengzhi sighed. Recently, he'd received more letters than in a whole year—updates from Spirit Hall and the two Empires.

The continent, once peaceful, was now in chaos.

Ning Fengzhi glanced at the secret chamber, then toward the back mountain. "Uncle Sword, Xiao Tian, hang in there. Only when you finish your seclusion can our sect move."

…

No matter what happened outside, even if the world collapsed, Tianlin was unmoved, deep in cultivation.

In the advanced realm of the Nuwa Empress Meditation, mind and spirit became one; in the deepest meditation, all distractions were abandoned, spending every hour in cultivation to break through as fast as possible.

Nutrition came from absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth—a feat only possible with the Mother Earth's technique.

"Level eighty-five… In just half a year, Xiao Tian rose three levels. At this rate, he'll reach Title Douluo in under three years. What advanced meditation!" Skydream Ice Silkworm marveled.

Xiao Bai admired Tianlin. "Uncle Tianlin is amazing. He's already surpassed me."

In all its years, it had never seen someone's strength grow so fast, not even its mother.

Speeding up soul power circulation, Tianlin thought, "Everyone, I'll be out soon. Wait for me!"

…

In the Scorching Hell, deep in Hell Flame Valley, Qin Ming had completed his first black-level exam after half a year of trial by demonic flames. Though painful, his progress was rapid.

He'd already reached level seventy-six. After six months, he gained two levels from cultivation and another from passing the trial, reaching seventy-nine. But instead of moving to his next exam, he trained while waiting for Ma Hongjun.

Ma Hongjun had reached level seventy. His seventh spirit ring, as in the original, came from the Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Serpent's inner core.

But this time, his Fire Phoenix did not mutate into a seven-headed Fire Phoenix. That was due to the serpent's demonic power in the original, but the Fire Phoenix was inherently the strongest martial soul; no need for such mutation.

The demonic flames melted all the serpent's demonic power, so Ma Hongjun only absorbed the purest fire energy.

Breaking through under demonic flames greatly increased his resistance.

But after Qin Ming left, all the flames now burdened Ma Hongjun. His negative emotions peaked.

"Ma Hongjun, stop resisting! Absorb all the demonic flames and you'll gain earth-shaking power. You can rule the world, possess all beauties! If anyone defies you, slaughter them all!" A seductive voice echoed in his heart.

Ma Hongjun knew this was the deepest temptation within him—if he yielded, he'd stop suffering, but he'd also lose himself.

Unknowingly, his Fire Phoenix was turning black.

"Damn you, if you force me to slaughter the world, I'll perish with you!" Clinging to his last shred of sanity, Ma Hongjun blasted the cave walls with his flames, causing the valley to collapse.

He wanted to bury himself alive so even if he lost control, he wouldn't harm others.

"Hongjun, stop!" Qin Ming shouted anxiously. "Are you giving up?"

But Ma Hongjun could no longer hear him. No voice from outside reached him now; the only way was from within.

For this moment, Tianlin had left a backdoor in his heart—memories implanted before he left.

That was the life story of a great being he'd told Ma Hongjun before. Now, in Ma Hongjun's mind, scenes from that person's life played out vividly.

Tianlin had only told the tale, but now Ma Hongjun experienced it as if firsthand.

Born to a happy family, with loving parents, a caring elder brother, and a sweet sister.

But tragedy struck—the family was destroyed, father and brother lost, mother imprisoned on Peach Mountain, leaving him and his sister to wander.

After learning great skills, he tried to save his mother by splitting the mountain, but failed. His mother died, and in rage he rebelled against heaven. But for the sake of all beings, he let go of hatred and became the Judge God—not for status, but because law in his hands could truly benefit all.

Sadly, this was just a temporary fix. The corrupt heavenly laws brought disaster repeatedly. So he decided to rewrite the laws and create a set that truly benefited the world.

He endured humiliation, nurtured his nephew, shouldered all sins, was betrayed by all, shattered in body and spirit, but never retreated.

"So this is the life of the great one the boss told me about? I fear sin, but he bore all the world's sins to bring peace." Ma Hongjun reached out to touch the vision, wanting to help.

But he touched nothing—it was only a vision in his heart. He felt useless; the demonic flames' evil paled before the world's suffering.

"Boss, is this why you wanted me to take him as my goal? Thank you. I understand now." Ma Hongjun sat up, recited Daoist mantras, and the black on his phoenix wings faded, replaced by an even purer red.

Moreover, the surrounding demonic flames began to change. Ma Hongjun no longer aimed to merely survive the year, but to absorb and purify all the demonic flames. Not only would he pass the Fire God's trial, but his strength would soar.

Chapter 428: Two and a Half Years

Days and nights passed, seasons came and went. Unknowingly, another two autumns had passed. As the saying goes, a day apart feels like three autumns; for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's youth, it had truly been three autumns since their last meeting.

It had been two and a half years since Tianlin entered seclusion, now at level eighty-nine, pushing for the final breakthrough.

On Seagod Island, Ning Rongrong, in Scorching Hell, Ma Hongjun, and others had passed their third trials and were working on their fourth.

Gu Ran and Ye Lingling had, after years of punishing evil and saving lives, built a reputation even greater than Tianlin once had.

This fulfilled the first step Tianlin had set for them.

Meanwhile, the continent was far from peaceful—much had happened in two years. Over a year ago, Spirit Hall's Nine Great Sects Expansion Conference concluded successfully.

The original top three clans didn't attend, since they didn't recognize the so-called "Nine Great Sects." But Spirit Hall's aim was only for their own vassals; whether the top three came or not didn't matter. Since the top three were still around, their titles weren't stripped—just the rankings changed.

Now, there were four top clans: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect first, Clear Sky Sect second, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect third, and the new Saint Dragon Sect fourth.

The Saint Dragon Sect's leader, Tuoba Xi, managed to become a Title Douluo. Most accepted this, as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect only had one Title Douluo as well.

To ordinary soul masters, a Title Douluo was lofty enough—level ninety-one or ninety-nine didn't matter.

The new five lower clans were Black Tiger, Wind Sword, Fire Leopard, Elephant Armor, and Wasp.

All five leaders were Soul Douluos. If Huyan Zhen were still alive, Elephant Armor Clan would be first among the five, but his successor wasn't as strong, so they ranked fourth.

After the conference, Spirit Hall boldly declared itself the sacred land of all soul masters, asserting authority over all, regardless of origin.

The six vassal clans—all but the original top three—immediately voiced support, and Spirit Hall's power reached its peak.

Tianlin's earlier actions had indeed delayed Bibi Dong's ascension, but thanks to the reconciliation between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, the Hall of Worship and the Hall of the Pope worked together, advancing even faster than in the original.

Spirit Hall wanted to show its strength, and as five years had passed since the last Soul Master Tournament, they held a new one.

Tournaments were a tradition—even if the Empires disliked Spirit Hall, they still participated.

Especially the Heaven Dou Empire, last time's champion. If they retreated now, their academy's reputation would be ruined.

They were confident, too. After merging with the Elemental Academies, they easily formed an all-Soul Ancestor team, with their strongest captain at Soul King level.

Shui Bing'er—level fifty-six Soul King. She'd been about the same level as Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu and others last time, but she was younger—only sixteen then, now just over twenty-one. Her talent far surpassed the innate full-soul-power Feng Xiaotian, largely because he spent much time on self-created skills.

Clearly, Shui Bing'er also had innate full soul power. If nurtured, her Ice Phoenix could even surpass Ma Hongjun's Fire Phoenix, whose own innate soul power was only level nine.

Even without Tianlin, Heaven Dou was confident, thinking Spirit Hall couldn't possibly have another Golden Generation.

If there was only one, Shui Bing'er could easily defeat them. Her talent even exceeded the Golden Generation; among them, the most gifted, Hu Liena, was still lower-level at this age.

But Shui Bing'er still lost—not to her opponent, but to her own teammates, a most frustrating defeat.

After the Elemental Academies merged into Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the likes of Feng Xiaotian soon noticed something was wrong.

Was this an academy? No, it was a den of vanity, where everyone lived in luxury, bullying the weak and currying favor with the strong—hardly a place for learning.

But by then it was too late to regret joining.

Gradually, the once upright Elemental Academy students were corrupted; within a year, most became spoiled.

Only a handful, like those who had joined the previous tournament—Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Xue Wu—held onto their principles.

But most of these were over twenty-five and had graduated, now serving as teaching assistants or managers.

Especially Feng Xiaotian, now vice principal of Elemental Academy.

A twenty-nine-year-old Soul Emperor, advancing faster than Qin Ming had—truly, innate full soul power, once devoted to cultivation, advanced at a shocking pace.

Without such excellent teammates, Shui Bing'er had to fight with teammates who had decent levels but no real combat ability—always one-vs-seven, or worse, as they dragged her down, one-vs-thirteen.

Only her younger sister, Shui Yue'er, was any help. But Shui Yue'er was a romantic and naïve. She was soon lost in the academy's glamorous life.

To be fair, though the Royal Academy students weren't great, they were all nobles, most good-looking and refined. Shui Yue'er, who loved handsome faces, couldn't resist. If not for her sister's care, she'd likely have been seduced by some noble.

In this environment, Shui Yue'er barely trained before the tournament; her combat ability even regressed.

In the finals, Shui Bing'er's teammates fell quickly to Spirit Hall Academy's elite team.

She was left alone, beset by seven high-level Soul Ancestors, and lost badly.

That battle utterly shamed the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Yes, they reached the finals, but everyone saw it was only due to Shui Bing'er's strength. Without her, they wouldn't have won a single match.

And as Shui Bing'er was from the Elemental Academy, it showed just how rotten the Royal Academy was.

Hard to believe this was the academy that once had the legendary Emperor Battle Team. Without them, it was a toothless tiger.

Thus, Spirit Hall Academy reclaimed its throne as the top academy, attracting countless youths.