DD Spiritual Sword [537-539] (Patreon)

Chapter 537: Speed, Breaking Clan vs. Elephant Armor Sect, Wind Sword Sect

"It's the Soul Breaking Spear—fall back!" The Elephant Armor Sect's new sect master, Huyan Zhan, hurriedly gave the order.

In truth, he was as much a blockhead as Huyan Zhen. In the original story, Huyan Zhen took the Sea God Trident head-on for two reasons: first, he didn't know how powerful the trident was; second, Tang San deliberately didn't infuse any soul power into it at the time, so the unsuspecting Huyan Zhen felt no threat.

But the Breaking Clan's offensive power is renowned under heaven and indeed surpasses the Elephant Armor Sect's defense. Huyan Zhan didn't dare be careless.

The Elephant Armor Sect had been charging in a square formation. Even in retreat, they tried to keep the ranks orderly.

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "A square formation? It's a steady formation that defends on all four sides and spreads force evenly when ramming a wall—but it's countered by a wedge. Gu Ran, change formation!"

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Gu Ran accepted the order. His status now was no small thing—commander-in-chief of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou army. He swung his banner.

"Yang Wudi, hear the order—take wedge formation and pierce the plane at a point!"

"Understood!" Yang Wudi led the Breaking Clan forward in a wedge like a spearhead, driving at the Elephant Armor Sect's center. The defenses on the flanks became mere decoration.

Under concentrated Soul Breaking Spear strikes, the center of the Elephant Armor formation collapsed in less than a minute. The ranks broke.

From afar, Bibi Dong frowned. If the Elephant Armor Sect couldn't breach the wall, her heavy cavalry would be useless.

"Feng Tianlei, lead the Wind Sword Sect disciples and support from the air."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Feng Tianlei led three hundred Wind Sword Sect disciples on sword-flight in a surprise descent over the Breaking Clan. His eighth soul ring lit up. "Eighth Spirit Skill: Wind-Thunder Sword Array!"

The Breaking Clan's offense was fearsome, but their defense was negligible.

The other Wind Sword Sect disciples unleashed the Storm Chapter of the Wind Sword Arts, prepared to deal the Breaking Clan a fatal blow.

Gu Ran shouted, "Brothers of the Speed Clan, the Breaking Clan once spent everything to protect you. Now is the time to repay your debt. Take up your weapons and charge!"

A hundred streaks of light shot out from the city. Though the Wind Sword Sect was famed for speed, they were far inferior to the Speed Clan.

Feng Tianlei sneered. A mere Speed Clan—what's there to fear? Speed so what? They have no offensive power. He detached fifty disciples to set up the Clear Breeze Shield, more than enough to block the Speed Clan.

He made the same mistake Huyan Zhen had in the original—underestimating the enemy.

The hundred Speed Clan disciples who remained with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had also been equipped with weapons forged by Lou Gao.

A hundred streaks of light tore through the Wind Sword Sect's formation. Before Feng Tianlei could react, over a hundred disciples had already had their throats slit by the Speed Clan.

Against an overconfident foe, striking unguarded is the correct move.

"How is this possible?" Feng Tianlei was aghast. The Clear Breeze Shield felt like paper—easily shredded by the Speed Clan's weapons. Since when did the Douluo Continent have such armaments?

In his memory, weapons were standard military issue—fine for battlefield charges, but against soul masters they were mostly useless unless in a surround. Soul masters rely on their noble martial souls to fight.

"Speed Clan, you're seeking death!" Feng Tianlei no longer cared about reasons; in his fury, he wanted only to avenge his disciples.

"Sixth Spirit Skill: Phantom of the Wind."

Feng Tianlei split into ten clones to strike at the Speed Clan. No matter how strong those weapons were, they couldn't bridge the vast gap to a Soul Douluo. With Bai He absent, Feng Tianlei alone should have been enough to slaughter the Speed Clan.

Just then, icy air surged in the sky. Nine phantom clones froze into blocks of ice, and even his wind-forged sword was encased.

"Sect Master Feng, your opponent is me. Please advise!" A giant Ice Phoenix appeared in the sky—it was Shu Qingwu, the head of Skywater Academy.

Gu Ran naturally would not send the Speed Clan to their deaths unprotected. With Bai He absent, he had arranged for Shu Qingwu to temporarily lead the Speed Clan.

Feng Tianlei's face was grim. Though Shu Qingwu's level was lower, the Wind Sword was merely a superior martial soul, while the Ice Phoenix was top-tier. The gulf in martial soul quality could compensate for the level gap. He would not be able to take her down quickly. The plan for airborne support had failed.

Bibi Dong noticed this, and her mood soured. In the first two exchanges, Ning Fengzhi had thoroughly suppressed her. In troop deployment, she indeed lagged far behind Ning Fengzhi.

Nor could she flip the table as she had against the Heaven Dou Empire. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not Heaven Dou; the enemy had plenty of Title Douluo, especially Sword Dao Chen Xin. If she made a move, he would surely stop her. Both were Ultimate Douluo—though she had twin martial souls and might hold some advantage, she could not possibly take him down in less than days and nights of fighting.

She still had a trump card—the Angel Legion. Though only seventy to eighty in number, they were all flying Soul Sages above level 70. Once they charged, even Title Douluo would have trouble stopping them.

But this was not the time. She worried the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had hidden hands.

The urgent task was to break open the wall; otherwise her heavy cavalry would be useless.

"Abyssal Slash of Spatial Rend!" Bibi Dong judged that with the two sides' Title-level experts facing off, a sudden strike from her might achieve a decisive effect.

A crescent-shaped blade of light flew toward the city wall. This was a technique that could tear even space—on hit, it would shred the target and banish the remains into another dimension.

Bibi Dong struck without scruple; even with Elephant Armor Sect disciples ahead, she didn't care. Without Huyan Zhen, the Elephant Armor Sect meant little to her—useful only for breaking formations.

Since they were countered by the Breaking Clan, there was little point keeping them.

But while she could disregard the Elephant Armor Sect, Ning Fengzhi could not disregard Yang Wudi and his people.

Sword Dao Chen Xin appeared before the Breaking Clan; a slash of Sword Dao of Annihilation flew out.

The two massive forces collided amidst the Elephant Armor Sect's ranks. Sky and earth split. Dozens of Elephant Armor Sect disciples, including Huyan Zhan, vanished in an instant.

The Sword Dao of Annihilation erased them completely, and Bibi Dong's Abyssal Slash tore space—those people were gone from this world entirely.

Bibi Dong calmly lowered her hand. As expected, Chen Xin had been watching her at all times. He reacted so quickly that her surprise strike came to nothing.

Chapter 538: Melee Mayhem

"Bibi Dong, do you want to start early? I'll keep you company. How about a duel?" Sword Dao Chen Xin, Seven Killing Sword in hand, issued the challenge.

"Why would I refuse? Today I'll test the power of the continent's number one offensive Douluo!" As the Empress of the Spirit Empire, she could not back down from a challenge—it would crush morale.

Besides, she had to break the wall today; otherwise a frontal assault would cause enormous losses among her soldiers. At this point, high-end combat power needed to act.

Once all her Title Douluo tied down the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Title Douluo, the Angel Legion would strike.

The two Ultimate Douluo flew high into the sky. They both knew that with their offensive power, if they fought here, everyone nearby would die.

Seeing their sovereign take the field, the other Title Douluo did not hesitate.

On the Spirit Empire's side, seven stood up, led by Golden Crocodile Douluo. He had been sent by Qian Renxue to aid Bibi Dong. With their rift healed, the Spirit Empire was far more united than in the original. Behind Golden Crocodile stood Spirit Kite Douluo, Serpent Spear Douluo, Sea Turtle Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Jiang Mo Douluo, and Qian Jun Douluo.

Of the six remaining Elders, four had come; of the seven Worship, three had arrived—this was most of the Spirit Hall's strength.

"Seven Title Douluo? Bone Uncle, lead a team out." Ning Fengzhi ordered.

Led by Bone Douluo, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect fielded four Title Douluo: Thunder Eagle Douluo, Dragon-Serpent Douluo, and Poison Douluo—sect elders all. With Nine Treasure Douluo Ning Fengzhi himself and allied Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, they had six in total, not much fewer than the Spirit Empire.

"Heh, we have the numbers, but with Ning Fengzhi the Nine Treasure Douluo, we can't let his auxiliary light shine on too many. Split up and attack on four fronts—breach the walls everywhere." Golden Crocodile Douluo ordered.

The city had four walls. Breach any one of them and the heavy cavalry could flood in. Though the Heaven Dou Empire had left three hundred thousand troops, they were the routed rabble from Jialing Pass—wounded, crippled, and terrified by the Spirit Empire. They would not stand against heavy cavalry.

And once scattered, Ning Fengzhi couldn't support all fronts. Ordinary Seven Treasure Glazed Tile support was not as terrifying as Ning Fengzhi himself. The Spirit Empire also had auxiliaries wielding the Brightgold Scepters, enough to counter common Glazed Tile disciples.

They only overlooked Ning Rongrong. She was about to step forward when Ning Fengzhi raised a hand. "Rongrong, don't act rashly. Once the Title Douluo begin, you'll be the only one who can hold the city. Our Title strength is no longer inferior, but we have far fewer Soul Douluos—only a dozen, while they have over fifty. According to Xiao Tian, Bibi Dong also hides a flying unit—all Soul Sages or higher—with the power to breach. When we're too busy, the Spirit Empire will send them. Then it'll be up to you."

"Yes, Father. Rest assured—I won't let a single enemy into the city." Rongrong was no longer the willful girl of old; in the big picture, she knew what to do.

Ning Fengzhi sent Yin Yang, Dragon Duke, and Dugu Bo to guard three gates.

Yin Yang had two soul bones; Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady had a fusion skill—each could hold a front.

As for Dugu Bo, his poison was terrifying in mass battle, but only when breaking formations. On defense, it wasn't time to let him run wild—he would simply aid in holding the wall.

The main battlefield would be left to Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, and Gu Rong.

On the Spirit Empire side, three Title Douluo split off. Spirit Kite Douluo went to the north gate against Thunder Eagle Douluo; Serpent Spear to the west gate against the Dragon-Serpent couple; Sea Turtle to the south gate, his toxin-resistant shell pitted against Dugu Bo.

The east gate would see the three Worships against the Seven Treasure and Blue Lightning sect masters plus Bone Douluo.

With Ning Fengzhi's buffs, Gu Rong at level 97 could solo Golden Crocodile at 98. Yu Yuanzhen at 96 could hold off two peers.

"Heh, Gu Rong—last time it was Chen Xin; this time it's you against me? Do you have the qualifications?" Golden Crocodile sneered.

Gu Rong smiled confidently. "We'll know once we fight. As second Worship, your matchup is me, the Seven Treasure's second elder. Old Sword's opponent is Qian Daoliu."

"Then try me." Golden Crocodile possessed his martial soul; his crocodile tail lashed at Gu Rong. With the wall at Gu Rong's back, he couldn't dodge or the wall would be smashed.

But with the Earth Bone Dragon's defense—so what if he didn't dodge?

The bone dragon took the tail lash without budging, then seized Golden Crocodile's tail in a massive claw and flung him hard.

"Damn it—number one defense under heaven, truly immovable." Golden Crocodile gritted his teeth. He hadn't used a skill, but he had used full strength—yet Gu Rong hadn't even swayed.

What an Earth Bone Dragon.

Elsewhere, Yu Yuanzhen, empowered by Ning Fengzhi and fully dragonized, faced the Qian Jun–Jiang Mo brothers.

By raw power, even without buffs, Yu Yuanzhen outclassed either brother one-on-one. But the two shared one heart; together they were more than the sum of their parts. Even with Ning Fengzhi doubling him, Yu Yuanzhen could only barely fight them to a draw.

Ning Rongrong worried. She could see the situation was unfavorable. Ning Fengzhi was simultaneously buffing two super Douluo; his soul power consumption was immense. In a war of attrition, once he ran dry, they would lose.

Fortunately Oscar was present. If he ate a Mirror Sausage infused with Tianlin's blood and used Extreme Curse Returns Yin and Yang, Ning Fengzhi and the others could recover instantly. But the other side had that Brightgold Scepter Soul Douluo continuously restoring Golden Crocodile's group. In this evenly matched war of attrition, the outcome was uncertain.

"Has every Title Douluo found an opponent? I'm still free." At this moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo led the Spirit Empire's soul master legions in another charge. Their extra Title Douluo was an advantage.

Now was Chrysanthemum Douluo's time to dominate the field.

He hadn't appeared during the massacre—now he was a major problem.

Yue Guan had with him the sect masters and vice sect masters of the Rock Antelope, Fire Leopard, Black Tiger, and other sects, as well as the heads of various Spirit Halls—over thirty Soul Douluos. This was what Ning Fengzhi had feared.

Without Tianlin, these would fall to Ning Rongrong.

"Damn you, Chrysanthemum Douluo. Rongrong, hold the city per Sect Master Ning. I'll meet them." Flender called out as he came to aid his disciple's sect. "Emperor Team, dare you charge with me?"

"Why wouldn't we? I'll lead!" Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the Shi brothers rushed out of the city. Even against many with few, they did not fear.

Behind them stood a solid backline: the now–Soul Sage, Nine-Heart Begonia Ye Lingling—no matter the wounds, she could heal.

Flender knew these kids already surpassed him, but as an elder, he would never let them face a Title Douluo. He raised the banner himself and lunged at Chrysanthemum Douluo.

Yue Guan smirked. "You again. You got lucky in that valley ambush last time. Now you dare come deliver yourself? Or do you think becoming a Soul Douluo lets you contend with me?"

"Heh. 'Those who don't dare stir trouble are mediocrities'—that was my old school motto. As dean, I lead by example. But now I know there's a difference between daring and stirring trouble for no reason. Hongjun's growth taught me: true talent doesn't bully the weak—it faces stronger foes head-on. Today I'll stir up you, a Title Douluo. What can you do to me?" Flender said arrogantly.

Zhao Wuji laughed and leaped from the wall. "Hahaha! Boss, well said. I'll lend a hand!"

Chapter 539: Fire Wolf Douluo vs. Chrysanthemum Douluo, Again

"Seventh Spirit Skill, True Body of the Owl."

"Seventh Spirit Skill, True Body of the Mighty Vajra Bear."

Flender and Zhao Wou jointly activated their true bodies and rushed Chrysanthemum Douluo. Now an 83rd-level Soul Douluo and an 81st-level Soul Douluo together could resist a Title Douluo for a bit—but only that. Victory was impossible.

"Hmph, seeking death. Sixth Spirit Skill: Golden Stamen Spreading Radiance!" Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't even open his true body—he attacked directly.

Golden shockwaves swept at the pair. Zhao Wuji hurriedly blocked Flender. "First Spirit Skill: Immovable King's Body!"

He tried to tank a Title Douluo's attack with his body. The gap was too great; his internal organs were instantly injured, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

With years of teamwork, Flender would not waste the opening Zhao Wuji bought with heavy injury.

"Eighth Spirit Skill: Dazzling Gilded Plume!"

Flender's strongest AoE—golden cat-eagle feathers became countless magical light-arrows that also blinded enemies.

"Heh. Fifth Spirit Skill: Gathering of Cold Petals." Yue Guan sneered. By numbers, would he lose to a Soul Douluo?

Blades of chrysanthemum petals filled the sky, clashing fiercely with Flender's feathers. Though Flender's was an eighth skill and Yue Guan's a fifth, Flender was thoroughly suppressed.

Feather after feather was cut apart; at this rate, both he and Zhao Wuji would be pierced by a thousand blades.

Yu Tianheng slapped back the Black Tiger Sect master he was fighting and shouted, "Seniors, switch! You deal with this sick tiger. I'll take that sissy."

Though only a Soul Douluo, after Seagod Island's trials Yu Tianheng's combat power far exceeded Flender's. His martial soul needed no comparison—bar god-tier souls, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was the ceiling of beast souls. He also had two soul bones. Against Chrysanthemum Douluo, he might not win, but he wouldn't lose easily.

"Brat, how dare you look down on me!" the Black Tiger Sect master roared, slamming a tiger palm at Yu Tianheng. As a master of one of the new Nine Great Sects, he felt deeply insulted.

Lightning surged in Yu Tianheng's hands as he met the blow with ease. "Hmph. A sect master, and this is your strength? Not enough to scratch me. Today I'll turn this sick tiger into a sick cat."

"Young friend Yu, don't underestimate people. We may be weaker than you now, but we're the elder generation. Before we die, we don't need kids to face Title Douluo for us." Flender forced himself up. "Yu Tianheng, focus on the Black Tiger. I won't fall that easily."

"Overestimating yourself. You think you can withstand me? Seventh Spirit Skill: Martial Soul True Body!" Chrysanthemum Douluo opened his true body; his skills rose greatly in power.

Flender and Zhao Wuji, who had barely held on before, were instantly enveloped by a storm of petals.

"Good. My Old Ghost is lonely below. I'll send you two down to keep him company." Yue Guan snapped, sending petals at their hearts, foreheads, and the backs of their heads.

"This is it. Old Zhao, we die together today. I'm sorry—I dragged you into this." Flender said.

Zhao Wuji laughed boldly. "Boss, what are you saying? We've lived and died together for years—when have I ever backed down? A pity I won't see Little Qin and that fatty again. But it's fine—they'll avenge us."

"This is the price for mere Soul Douluos daring to challenge a Title Douluo." Perhaps the sight reminded Yue Guan of Ghost Douluo, stoking his hatred. Why were he and his Old Ghost torn apart, while these two could live and die together?

"How about adding me?" Not far off, a blaze was battering the Spirit Empire's formations.

The army could not stop the newcomer. Flames erupted beneath Flender and Zhao Wuji's feet, incinerating all petals.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, you won't harm my teacher today. Your opponent is me!"

Qin Ming arrived at the critical moment.

"Teacher Qin!"

"Little Qin!"

The Emperor Team and Flender rejoiced. tFrom that aura, Qin Ming was no longer the man he used to be.

Qin Ming glanced back at the battered Flender and Zhao Wuji, anger flashing in his eyes. "Dean, help Teacher Zhao back to rest. Leave this to me."

"You again!" Yue Guan recalled the valley ambush—how similar to today. Back then he had been a move away from killing Flender, only for this man to save him.

He'd said then that if Qin Ming ever reached Soul Douluo level, he might pose a problem. It seemed that had come true—and Qin Ming's strength likely surpassed Flender and Zhao Wuji's.

"Fire Wolf Douluo Qin Ming challenges Chrysanthemum Douluo. As a Title Douluo, you've tried to kill my teacher again and again. Today, no matter what, I'll repay you in kind." Qin Ming revealed his rings: two yellow, three purple, three black, one red—an actual Title Douluo.

"Little Qin is titled—and he has a hundred-thousand-year ring!" Flender was moved beyond words. Though Shrek was only Qin Ming's start and his true cultivation came from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Qin Ming was still a Shrek graduate. For the academy to produce a Title Douluo—how could he not be proud?

"Haha, we're not dying today. Drinks later!" Zhao Wuji laughed. He wasn't afraid of death, but he didn't want it either. With a disciple titled, where would a teacher like him be needed?

"Good—Fire Wolf Douluo. Let's see how far you've come. Ninth Spirit Skill: The Chrysanthemum Withers, Petals Fall, Hearts Break!" Yue Guan used his ninth skill at once, wary of this new Title Douluo whose attribute countered his.

A tornado of petals wrapped Qin Ming. At its center, he drew flame to shield himself—he couldn't block all the damage, but he minimized it.

He was charging up—burst-type soul masters kill in a single strike.

"Seventh Spirit Skill: Martial Soul True Body. Third Spirit Skill: Wolf's Fury. First Spirit Skill: Gather Qi. Eighth Spirit Skill: Sacred Fire of the Azure Wolf!"

Four skills in concert: three to empower, then the strongest strike to decide the battle.