DD Spiritual Sword [474-476] (Patreon)

Chapter 474: Divine Fire Phoenix

Seeing everyone fall silent, as the team leader in Tianlin's absence, Yu Tianheng stepped forward first. "My opponent is Sea Spear Douluo. What about yours?"

Tianheng felt unlucky too—facing the second-ranked tough opponent right away. But at least it was him, sparing his teammates.

"I'm against Sea Delusion," Oslo said.

As the two strongest in the team, they took on two of the Sea God's seven strongest, which was good news for the others.

The rest confirmed their opponents: Dugu Yan against Sea Star Douluo, the Shi brothers in a special two-on-two against Sea Horse Douluo and Sea Ghost Douluo.

Only Oscar's hand trembled as he held his card.

Meng Yiran snatched her boyfriend's card. "Why are you shaking? Only Sea Woman is left—the weakest Titled Douluo among the seven. You should be happy."

But seeing "Sea Dragon" on the card, her hand shook too. "Impossible! Why Sea Dragon Douluo, not Sea Woman?"

"What?" Xiao Bai was shocked. "Did Lord Sea God make a mistake? How can a food-type Soul Sage face Sea Dragon Douluo? Hey, kid, did you offend Lord Sea God? Or is your soul chant too vulgar for him?"

"No way, I didn't choose the chant. Lord Sea God wouldn't care about something trivial," Oscar said bitterly.

Xiao Bai agreed—Sea God wasn't that petty. Scratching her chin, she puzzled, "Strange. Lord Sea God wouldn't give an impossible test. Logically, Oscar's opponent should be Sea Woman."

"Because Sea Woman Douluo is my opponent!" At that moment, Huan Yin descended from the sky with Bo Saixi.

Everyone was thrilled to see her, especially Yu Feng, who had little time with his wife during assessments.

"Everyone, I can finally join you," Huan Yin said joyfully.

"So Sea Woman was assigned to Sister Huan Yin. That means Oscar got the leftover—Sea Dragon," Xiao Bai analyzed.

"Not quite," Bo Saixi's gentle voice rang out, addressing Oscar. "Lord Sea God judged you capable of defeating Sea Dragon at 60% strength, though I don't know why. Think hard—what's your greatest asset?"

"Greatest asset?" Oscar pondered, then lit up. "Haha, I get it! I'm winning this. Just 60% Sea Dragon? Bring it—I'll beat him in minutes! Wahahaha!"

Watching Oscar laugh wildly, Xiao Bai whispered to Meng Yiran, "Is your hubby brain-damaged? Scared silly? He was depressed, now he's gloating like he doesn't know his own mom. His opponent's the strongest of the seven."

Meng Yiran shook her head. "No, Oscar's got this." Clearly, she'd figured it out too.

Xiao Bai dropped it—if they were confident, let them try.

Over the next few days, Xiao Bai trained everyone hard. Opponents were limited to 60% strength, but even that surpassed most Soul Douluos. Without quick combat boosts, victory was tough.

As a 100,000-year soul beast at Titled Douluo level with a domain, Xiao Bai's combat power matched Sea Spear Douluo's—perfect for sparring.

…

Meanwhile, in the Far North's alternate space, Qin Ming and Ma Hongjun's assessments continued.

["Qin Ming, Black Level Four Trial, Fourth Trial passed. Reward: Soul power up one level. All Black Level Four Exams completed—extra soul power up one level. Now Level 88!"]

Qin Ming's level exceeded those on Sea God Island; his foundation was strong, starting around Level 77 here.

After half a year in demonic flames, he reached 78. First trial to 79, second trial cultivation to 80 with a god-bestowed ring.

Absorbing it raised him two levels to 82.

Second, third, and fourth trials added four levels total, plus three years of training for two more, reaching 88. Title Douluo was near.

["Ma Hongjun, Fire God Nine Exams, Fourth Trial passed. Reward: Fire God affinity 10%, now 35%!"] From raging flames emerged a perfectly built, handsome red-haired man.

He was Ma Hongjun, purified of evil fire by demonic flames, fully transformed.

The flames merged into him as purest divine fire, evolving his martial soul to god-level: Divine Fire Phoenix!

He gained an innate domain: Phoenix Domain, boosting fire attacks massively and converting non-living matter inside to phoenix flames. As long as the domain held, Ma Hongjun was immortal—reborn from ashes even if shattered. Invincible unless the domain broke.

In the original, this required true body state, but as a god-level innate domain like Tianlin's Demon-Suppressing Domain, he could activate it anytime.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—eight rings emerged, the eighth black with red tint, nearing 100,000 years.

"Well done, Hongjun. You've broken through to Soul Douluo," Qin Ming said proudly. His nurtured child now matched his rank, filling him with pride.

With the martial soul quality gap, Qin Ming knew he couldn't beat Ma Hongjun anymore.

Ma Hongjun could now face ordinary Titled Douluos.

"Hehe, Teacher Qin, imagine the dean's joy seeing our strength back home," Ma Hongjun grinned.

He'd grown handsome but kept his carefree personality.

"You two are impressive. Ma Hongjun, start your Fifth Trial," the Flame Lord descended. "Defeat me at 70% strength. Your teacher can assist. Ready? Begin."

They nodded. "Yes, please guide us, senior."

Divine Fire Phoenix and Fierce Fire Blue Wolf charged the Flame Lord, igniting a scorching flame battle in this fiery hell.

…

In Balak Kingdom, Suoto City.

"Old sir, you're fine now. Try moving," Ye Lingling said after healing a crippled elder.

His legs had been crushed by a noble's carriage, but a kind soul brought him to Ye Lingling, the renowned miracle doctor. She and Gu Ran walked their path here.

Chapter 475: Plane Lord and Life Core

With Ye Lingling's help, the elder stood. His legs were weak but held.

"I'm standing! Really standing!" Tears streamed as he tried to kneel. "Young lady, your kindness—I can't repay. Please accept my bow."

"No, sir—you're elder; bowing to me is too much," Ye Lingling helped him up. Healing legs was easy for her Nine-Hearted Begonia; no need for such gratitude.

"Lingling's right. And the one who should kneel isn't you," Gu Ran said, dragging a noble by the collar—the reckless driver.

"Kneel and apologize," Gu Ran flung him down.

The man, having tasted Gu Ran's might, dropped noble pride and kowtowed. "Sorry, elder. My fault. I'll compensate. Forgive me—I'll never return."

"Did you mind torture him to scare him?" Ye Lingling smiled beside Gu Ran.

Gu Ran nodded. "Yeah, these nobles are cowards. I didn't even act—just threats, and he fainted."

Healed and compensated, the elder forgave, as offending nobles was risky for commoners.

Gu Ran let the noble go, warning he'd check on the elder periodically. If they retaliated, he'd storm their home and tear them apart.

Now a Soul Sage, no minor noble dared offend Gu Ran—a potential future Titled Douluo.

Over years, they'd traveled widely, doing good and punishing evil. Folk called them "Punishing Evil Flying God Bone, Healing Savior Floating Begonia."

"Gu Ran, can such small acts achieve Xiao Tian's lofty goal? Without god trials, our levels lag— you're 74, I'm 72. Tianheng's group must be near 80."

Gu Ran smiled. "I don't know, but boss said everything starts small. My talent won't earn god favor or self-ascension. This path suits me. Boss loves freedom; when he explores farther, we'll protect this continent."

Tianlin's path for them: Douluo Continent's Plane Lord and Life Core.

Unlike other gods, these required world recognition—protecting and guiding the continent.

They were far from it, so Tianlin started them small. It demanded decades of perseverance.

Others like Ma Hongjun or Ning Rongrong might ascend in years via trials, but they needed decades or centuries.

Uniquely, these gods required recognition before ascension. Once widely acknowledged, Tianlin could initiate their trials.

Tianlin agreed to 99% of Ning Fengzhi's unification plan—the 1% was that the emperor wouldn't be him, but Gu Ran. Gu Ran would rule, govern wisely for prosperity, then become Plane Lord.

Tianlin himself disliked confinement to one continent. He promised Ning Rongrong tours of vast lands—even other worlds, for new sights.

…

In Spirit Hall, while Tianlin's group strived, Qian Renxue progressed too—reaching her sixth angel trial, faster with her grandfather's aid.

That's the benefit of a guide; Tianlin's Asura trial was solo.

But her sixth was tough—like Tianlin's, facing a Ultimate Douluo.

Persist one incense stick under grandpa's full attack. Unlimited attempts, one-year limit.

A Level 92 Titled Douluo couldn't last a moment against a Ultimate Douluo, even Qian Renxue found it impossible.

"Urgh!" 

Qian Renxue fell from a holy light strike.

Defeated—her third failure, with incense only a third burned.

"Grandpa, sorry—I failed again," she said lowly.

Qian Daoliu descended. "It's fine. You've improved: first time, one move; second, quarter incense; now third. You're growing."

Qian Renxue self-mocked. "If it were Xiao Tian, he'd probably beat you, not just endure."

"From what you and Bibi Dong say, his strength rivals mine. But if you ascend first, you can turn the tables," Qian Daoliu encouraged.

"Impossible—Xiao Tian's so strong, and he started trials before me," Qian Renxue lacked confidence, knowing his talent.

Qian Daoliu didn't reply. Qian Renxue's edge: she could ascend without Level 99—complete trials, use her sacrifice for instant godhood.

Tianlin needed Level 99 post-trials, without a sacrificer like Qian Daoliu or Bo Saixi.

This gave her time, but Qian Daoliu kept it secret—knowing her ascension meant his death might make her refuse.

Chapter 476: Asura God Seventh Trial

In the Slaughter City, with 400,000-year soul bone's massive soul power and insights from battling Ultimate Douluos, Tianlin broke through to Level 96 Super Douluo.

["Congratulations, inheritor. Asura God Sixth Trial completed. Reward: Asura God affinity 15%, now 70%." ]

Asura Sword Mark flashed, announcing passage.

"Well done, inheritor. You reclaimed the Slaughter City," Asura God's voice echoed in Tianlin's mind.

"I was just thinking how to contact you, Lord Asura," Tianlin smiled. "This trip revealed much—I'll tell you everything."

Tianlin explained Evil Sword Immortal, his collusion with Rakshasa God, and all—Asura knew he was a transmigrator and about spirit pearls/swords, so no secrets.

To succeed, Evil Sword Immortal needed to bypass Asura; preparation would help stop him.

"I see. Among those transmigrated treasures was such evil. No wonder I sensed massive evil qi then."

"Evil Sword Immortal targets the Seven Original Sin Gods? Dream on. Tianlin, rest easy—Seven Sins are under Destruction God; I'll warn him. For Rakshasa, I'll watch. No evidence yet, so no direct action, but I'll ensure he contacts no one below except Bibi Dong." Bibi Dong was Rakshasa's inheritor—unstoppable—but contacting Evil Sword Immortal? Impossible.

"Tianlin, as a god, I can't interfere much below. Handle Evil Sword Immortal."

Asura entrusted it to Tianlin—he was the enforcer, couldn't break rules by descending. He didn't see Evil Sword Immortal as a threat to Tianlin.

Not just strength—intelligence was uneven; they couldn't lose.

Yet Tianlin felt they missed something, but couldn't pinpoint it.

"Right, Tianlin—excellent on sixth trial. Seventh begins now. Crucial—pass it," Asura interrupted.

"I know. Don't worry," Tianlin replied.

He summoned the seventh Asura card: ["Asura God Seventh Trial: Draw the Asura Demon Sword. One-year limit."]

Blood light flashed; a sheathed long sword floated before him.

All god trials' seventh was gaining the divine artifact's approval. Not too hard for Tianlin, with ample time. He didn't pass immediately—eighth's content unknown, and he had tasks needing a breather.

Storing the sheathed Asura Demon Sword in his soul tool, Tianlin exited the hall. The black-veiled girl approached seductively. "Respected King of Slaughter, congratulations on emerging."

"How's the Slaughter City lately?" Tianlin asked.

"As ordered: The previous king's cheated lackeys died in fair Hell Slaughter Arena fights. Order is restored," she reported.

Tianlin nodded satisfied. "Good. Summon Demon Spear—I have a task for him."

"Yes." She turned, then paused. "Respected new King, no need for politeness. Our families exist to serve the City eternally. You're our master—command us; we'll obey without fail."

The Slaughter Messenger and Enforcement Clan families served kings for millennia—obedience in their blood, almost slavish.

Tianlin didn't plan to change them—in this place, without obsession, one could turn evil like the villains.

Controlling them ensured stability.

Soon, Demon Spear Douluo arrived with the messenger, kneeling. "Slaughter City Enforcement Leader Demon Spear greets the King."

"Demon Spear Douluo, I command you and the messenger: Return with me to Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The previous king cheated many evil domain holders out. Inform my father-in-law fully— the sect will handle them." Tianlin lacked time to hunt worldwide; sect power was for this.

No point developing the sect if he did everything himself.

"Won't your absence affect operations?" Tianlin asked.

"No issue if brief. We have nearly ten Soul Douluo enforcers who can use skills—enough to maintain," Demon Spear said confidently.

Tianlin nodded—he'd considered: previous king dead, Evil Sword Immortal crippled, other Dearthgod domain users like Hu Liena controlled, Tang Hao dead, Bibi Dong injured. No short-term threats.

Thus, he safely took them.

They left openly through the gates, exiting the tavern to the outside. Oddly, the usually gloomy town seemed sunny today.

For Demon Spear and the messenger, it was their first far trip outside—curious about the world.