DD Spiritual Sword [584-586] (Patreon)

Chapter 584: Yu Yuanzhen's Heroic Sacrifice; Heaven Dou Empire Pacified

"Yu Yuanzhen, what are you planning to do?" Seeing Yu Yuanzhen's ferocious grin, the fake Tang Chen—the real Bat King—finally showed a hint of fear. "Don't be impulsive. As long as you withdraw now, I can spare you today."

"Heh, so you are a fake Tang Chen. Otherwise how could you be so spineless? Let me tell you: a dragon is a dragon—forever a dragon! We'd never get beaten and then go be someone's dog! The Clear Sky Sect has Ring Detonation and the Great Sumeru Hammer. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has Heart Separation Control. Do you think my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has nothing? Today I'll show you our sect's treasure, our pride—the True Dragon Nine Crowns." Yu Yuanzhen was supremely proud. Though his sect ranked third, he never believed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's potential was inferior to the other two.

The only reason they lagged now, he felt, was that he himself, as sect master, wasn't outstanding enough.

The so-called True Dragon Nine Crowns were actually nine fragments of the ancient Dragon King's bones. Together they formed the True Dragon Nine Crowns, usually sealed in the clan's mountain. For this unification war, Yu Yuanzhen brought them as a precaution.

By absorbing and fusing these soul bone fragments, Yu Yuanzhen could raise his power to near demi-god level. The downside: after the battle, the True Dragon Nine Crowns would inevitably backlash and kill him.

"Madman! You're insane! Is it worth staking your life on one battle?" the Bat King roared.

"Haha! I, Yu Yuanzhen, have hated evil all my life, proud to bear the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon name. When have I ever clung to life in fear of death? The world is about to be pacified. On the Star Luo side, they're no match for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and will soon be subdued. That makes you the final obstacle before peace under heaven. Today I will use my life to break through this barrier and achieve continental unification. My name will go down in history, and everyone will remember my clan's great merit. I, Yu Yuanzhen, will die without regret." He kept inhaling the True Dragon Nine Crowns' power, his aura surging, seemingly about to surpass Tang Chen.

"I'll never let you finish absorbing it!" Terror fully consumed the Bat King. To stop Yu Yuanzhen, he detonated rings six through eight—his limit. He didn't dare detonate all nine; if he did, this borrowed body might collapse.

"Well said, junior of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Let us lend you a hand. Ninth Soul Skill: Golden Crocodile Raging Surge!"

"Ninth Soul Skill: Deliver All Beings!"

With a hearty laugh, three experts appeared, propping up against the descending Great Sumeru Hammer.

There were very few on the continent who could call Yu Yuanzhen "junior." Aside from the three Limit Douluo, there was the Golden Crocodile Douluo.

He hadn't planned to meddle in worldly affairs again, wanting only to watch over the Worship Hall for his remaining years. But a few days earlier, he received a message from Ning Fengzhi with an item enclosed: his Worship Token. Back when Tianlin spared his life, he had said that if anyone ever came with this token, then so long as the task didn't harm Spirit Hall, he would see it through.

So today, as promised, he came with Fifteen Ton Douluo to aid the unification.

"And me—Ninth Soul Skill: Hammer Roar Nine Heavens." Suddenly, another Clear Sky Hammer struck upward from below at Tang Chen.

It was Tang Xiao. The Bat King was enraged. "Tang Xiao, how dare you betray your grandfather!"

"Assuming you really are my grandfather," Tang Xiao said coldly. "Today you revealed too many flaws. My sister Tang Yuehua noticed them all. Though your martial soul, soul power, and soul skills are identical to Grandfather's, you are not him. First, he is pride incarnate. He would never acknowledge a master; your slip of the tongue—'master'—was the biggest flaw.

"Second, my grandfather, though he has killed many, only killed enemies. He would never speak lightly of 'massacring cities.'

"Third, Grandfather battles heaven and earth. He would never show fear like you, nor try to stop the enemy from entering their strongest state. If it were truly him, he'd wish for Yu Yuanzhen to finish absorbing the Nine Crowns so they could fight to their hearts' content, not panic and try to stop it early.

"So, impostor pretending to be my grandfather—show your true face!"

Tang Xiao's joining became the last straw. Strong as he was, the Bat King couldn't withstand so many soul masters. The Great Sumeru Hammer was pushed back up, and his body was forced to retreat.

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked around. "We have me from Spirit Hall, a group of young geniuses from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Wu Zhao and Zhu Zhuqing of the Star Luo Empire, Meng Shenji of the Heaven Dou Empire."

He suddenly burst out laughing. "Haha! Living long is wonderful—who'd think I'd see this day: so many soul masters from different powers gathered together—former Three Upper Sects, the two empires, and Spirit Hall—united for continental unification. I didn't expect to witness this in my lifetime."

Only then did everyone realize that the continent's strongest factions had truly converged in this battle.

"This is all thanks to Xiao Tian. He pursued the kingly path of unification, favoring subjugation over slaughter, unknowingly gathering a vast power," Yu Tianheng said excitedly. "We, too, have the strength we do because of him. It's time to repay him. Everyone, lend my grandfather your strength—heterogeneous fusion!"

At Yu Tianheng's command, all the soul masters formed a circle, surrounding Yu Yuanzhen.

At the four corners stood four Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect soul masters versed in ring fusion.

Huo Wu leapt to the center. "You want a multi-person fusion skill? I'll help too. I'll fuse as much as I can!"

Huo Wu had joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and learned the heterogeneous fusion theory.

Nearly a hundred soul rings flew forth. Huo Wu and the sect's soul masters used their ring-fusion talent to merge all their power.

Such a massive power was not easy to fuse. Fortunately, the pressure wasn't on them, but on Yu Yuanzhen, who had to bear it. Even with the Nine Crowns infused and his physique akin to a demi-god's, it was hard to withstand so much power.

But Yu Yuanzhen didn't care. After absorbing the Nine Crowns, he was already doomed to die. Even if his body collapsed immediately after, so be it.

Gazing at the god-slaying power, Yu Yuanzhen felt some comfort. "Xiaogang, you've put on a moralistic face your whole life. In the end, you left behind something of use. The rest… leave it to your father."

He received all the power. Combined with the Nine Crowns, he was no weaker than the four top powerhouses who had recently fought.

Yu Yuanzhen's body turned into a colossal thunder dragon hundreds of meters long, roaring as it charged the Bat King.

"Nine Rings Detonate Together!" The Bat King could no longer hold back, detonating all nine and wielding the Great Sumeru Hammer in defense.

But the once-invincible Great Sumeru Hammer shattered into iron filings the instant it touched the thunder dragon.

In the Bat King's disbelieving eyes, the thunder dragon carried him skyward. From Tang Chen's mouth came bat-like screeches, and his blood boiled as if trying to spread itself.

"So you're a Bat King. I've heard your Blood Bat race can resurrect from a single drop of blood. But this time, I won't leave you a single drop," Yu Yuanzhen said coldly.

He flew higher and higher with the Bat King, knowing the coming explosion would be world-ending. If it happened over land, those he wanted to protect would die.

At last, the thunder dragon rushed into space and detonated there. The dark cosmos flashed brilliantly for a moment. The Bat King truly died beyond death—his blood fully vaporized, with no hope of revival.

"It's over," Oslo stepped up and patted Yu Tianheng's shoulder.

Yu Tianheng nodded. "Yes, it's over."

He seemed to hear his grandfather's many teachings:

"A dragon is a dragon—forever a dragon! We'd never get beaten and then go be someone's dog!"

"Any who try to harm our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan must be ready to die."

"Haha, Tianheng, let me see how far we can go in this continental war."

"…"

Scenes of memory surged. Then a shadow of a thunder dragon descended from the sky, its mouth holding three soul bones and the Snow-Jade Crown of the True Dragon Nine Crowns.

These were Yu Yuanzhen's relics. Likely because he died in a god-level state, he retained a final trace of power to send the clan's treasures to Yu Tianheng.

The thunder dragon phantom nodded to Tianheng and dissipated. Yu Tianheng smiled with relief. "Grandfather, I won't keep mourning. In your final moment you became the strongest thunder dragon and let our clan's glory shine across the continent. Though your life ended, the path you hacked open will be trod by countless descendants."

Now, one last task remained. Yu Tianheng walked step by step toward Xue Beng—the final enemy to continental unification.

"Wait, Yu Tianheng. I am willing to surrender. You accepted the Spirit Empire and Star Luo people—surely you can accept me? I'll order the Heaven Dou Empire to become your vassal."

Seeing Tianheng unmoved, Xue Beng kept retreating. "If not, I'll abdicate in favor of Jun Tianlin. Just let me live and be a wealthy commoner."

"I can persuade the remaining troops outside to surrender, even personally help you unify the continent. I'm a Titled Douluo now—I can at least be of some use."

Facing the pleading Xue Beng, Yu Tianheng said coldly, "We accept everyone's surrender—except yours. You don't deserve to live."

"Wait. Don't you want to know where fake Tang Chen's and my power came from? If you harm me, you'll never know the truth." With begging useless, Xue Beng resorted to threats.

"Even if I spared you, you wouldn't talk, since you'd fear being killed after. As for future enemies, Xiao Tian will handle them—I trust him absolutely. My job is to finish unifying the continent." Yu Tianheng raised his fist and, amid Xue Beng's pleas, smashed down.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

No one counted how many punches he threw. They only saw Xue Beng's head buried into the earth, skull shattered, blood staining the ground.

Yu Tianheng stood, wiped his tears, turned, and roared, "All forces, hear my command! Xue Beng is dead. Accept the surrender of Heaven Dou's remaining troops. Any who refuse—kill without mercy.

"And spread the word across the continent: from today, the Heaven Dou Empire is pacified!"

Chapter 585: The Continent Unified; Demon Sword Becomes a Super Artifact

Two flowers bloom; each tells its tale.

A few days before Yu Tianheng pacified the Heaven Dou Empire, Gu Ran had already fought his way to the Star Luo imperial capital.

With the army badly damaged and lacking high-level soul masters, Star Luo was actually easier to take than Heaven Dou.

With Dugu Bo and his Snowy Swan's Kiss present, hundreds of thousands of troops were like sitting ducks.

Even with Dugu Bo restraining his toxins to avoid lethality, merely depriving an army of combat ability was easy for him.

The unstoppable army broke into Star Luo's capital. Inside the palace, Dai Tianzhe and his wife, the Zhu Empress, combined their martial souls into the Netherworld White Tiger for one last stand.

Unfortunately, the empress was only in the 80s. Their fusion couldn't, like in the original story with Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, break into a divine realm. Though at Super Douluo level, they didn't exceed the cap.

With Oscar present, he used a replicated Mirror Sausage to produce a demon sword; one move "Flow of Wind and Water" forcibly dissolved their fusion.

Then Dugu Bo and Yin Yang, both Titled Douluo, joined forces to capture Dai Tianzhe. He surrendered, and Star Luo fell.

For Zhu Zhuqing's sake, Gu Ran spared them and released Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun to reunite. They hadn't committed city-massacres like Xue Beng; there was no compelling reason to kill them.

Of course, neither military nor political power would be returned to them. From now on, they would reside in Spirit City under strict watch, barred from leaving for at least two or three generations—lest Star Luo diehards try to use them to restore the throne.

Not killing them had benefits: using Dai Tianzhe's name, border garrisons surrendered unconditionally, greatly reducing bloodshed.

Thus Star Luo was pacified.

Gu Ran then led the army to return. In fact, he defeated Star Luo days earlier than Yu Tianheng took Heaven Dou. Receiving Ning Fengzhi's orders, he had to move at once to assist Tianheng.

Unexpectedly, when he reached Heaven Dou City, he ran into Yu Tianheng returning with his army as well. A brief exchange revealed Heaven Dou had already been pacified.

"Tianheng, you're amazing. I came to help, and you'd already handled the Heaven Dou Empire and even accepted the Clear Sky Sect. Truly worthy of our Emperor Team's captain," Gu Ran congratulated.

"Yeah, but the price wasn't small," Yu Tianheng said heavily. His battlefield had seen many deaths.

Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and his grandfather Yu Yuanzhen had perished in this war.

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong came out from the city. Ning sighed, "Tianheng, don't grieve too much. We heard everything from Chenxiang and the others. The Thunder Crown didn't die in vain. He accomplished what no one else could. For the continent to unite, he is the greatest contributor."

"Yes, Sect Master Ning. I will inherit Grandfather's will and guard this unified land bought with his life." Though saddened, Tianheng had let go; his grandfather wouldn't want him to live in sorrow.

Ning nodded. "Then, into the city."

The two triumphant armies returned to Heaven Dou City. Next they would head to Spirit City to announce the unification and proclaim the name of the new empire across the Douluo Continent.

The army entered the city—except Gu Rong, who gazed nostalgically at the sky.

"Old Dragon, you've gone too. But I won't be sad for you. Back then, you, I, and Old Sword had a shared goal: to one day defeat the Twin Peaks of the soul master world. Now, Old Sword defeated Qian Daoliu, and you defeated the Bat King with power equal to Tang Chen's. Our dream is finally realized. Heh, I envy you. If our places were switched, could I make the same choice? Probably not. I lack the death-defying resolve you and Old Sword have—that's why I'll never measure up," Gu Rong sighed.

…

Days later, after regrouping, Ning Fengzhi led the combined leadership of Spirit Hall, Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the high command of both Heaven Dou and Star Luo toward Spirit City.

Along the way, Dugu Yan finally returned—now a Titled Douluo. She had fully absorbed one of the two Dragon King soul bones—the Ice Dragon King's bone. It wasn't torso or left arm, so she used it without hesitation.

The bone's power was immense. It took her months just to absorb and harmonize the soul power, then she obtained her ninth ring in the Sunset Forest and set out to support Yu Tianheng.

She arrived a step too late; the war was over. Learning of Yu Yuanzhen's death, Dugu Yan wept in Yu Tianheng's arms. Ever since marrying into the Blue Lightning Clan, the family-minded Yu Yuanzhen had treated her like a true granddaughter.

In her heart, Yu Yuanzhen ranked just after her own grandfather Dugu Bo, her husband Tianheng, and her younger brother Tianlin.

Had she known, she would've returned earlier. She still had a Dragon King soul bone. If she'd given it to Yu Tianheng to help him ascend to Titled Douluo, then their martial soul fusion could have neared god level. Even if Yu Yuanzhen hadn't died, they could have defeated the Bat King.

Yu Tianheng comforted her for a long time before she emerged from grief.

…

Meanwhile, at the Lake of Life, Tianlin finally separated the Demon Sword from his martial soul, elevating it into a super artifact with power rivaling the Demon-Suppressing Sword.

Its original nine soul rings all fused into the blade. The Demon Sword's techniques didn't vanish—without the rings' constraints and with its five attributes fully contained, it could unleash all demon sword arts freely, even beyond what Tianlin had gained via soul rings.

That is, previously unusable skills like Earthfire Shakes the Heavens, Sword Rebukes Wind and Thunder, Chaotic Shadows Demon-Slaying Sword, Sword Qi Reverses Heaven and Earth, etc., were now available.

"Incredible. I feel that since that rake turned his demon sword into a super artifact, his combat strength has surged again. Ordinary second-level gods in the God Realm likely aren't his match when he wields the Demon Sword and the Demon-Suppressing Sword," the Silver Dragon King marveled. "In all my years, I've never seen someone at peak Douluo erupt with power beyond a second-level god. Once he becomes a god, he might instantly surpass the five God Kings."

Chapter 586: The Ninth Angel Trial; Gathering in Spirit City

"No surprise—he's my Xiao Tian. If he'd had this power in the battle against Bibi Dong and the Evil Sword Immortal, they'd have died that day," Skydream Ice Silkworm lamented.

"It's fine, Skydream. I will defeat them one day. They must be hoping for chaos to harvest more evil thoughts. I want swift peace. Our battle never ended. We'll see whose pieces are better—his pawns, or my brothers," Tianlin smiled. "I trust Tianheng and Gu Ran absolutely. Let's go to Spirit City. I've never doubted my brothers' abilities."

Riding his sword, Tianlin sped toward Spirit City. Now his flight from Star Dou Forest to Spirit City would take less than an hour.

The super artifact had massively boosted him. Sadly, the Holy Spirit Pearl couldn't yet become a super artifact; it might have to wait until he fully ascends to godhood.

…

By then, Ning Fengzhi had already brought all faction leaders to Spirit City. Hu Liena herself came to greet them. Bibi Dong was away, and with Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue focused on the ninth Angel Trial's inheritance, Hu Liena was the Spirit Empire's de facto number one.

This ninth trial differed from the original. Back then—perhaps thanks to the Sea God's meddling to turn his successor into Renxue's psychological weakness—the trials were tweaked to ensure Tang San could keep an advantage against her. The Sea God was absurdly protective—shameless, even.

Now, the Sea God's heir is Ning Rongrong. Two girls—and rivals in love—the old tricks wouldn't work. Besides, with Tianlin backing Ning Rongrong, the Sea God didn't worry about her safety and didn't bother interfering with the Angel Trials.

This time, Qian Renxue's ninth trial was still tempering the heart—but appropriately aligned with the Angel God's ethos: in a mindscape, she had to "uphold righteousness over kinship" by personally cutting down Bibi Dong possessed by evil. That was her ninth trial.

Spirit Hall was founded prior to the Angel God's ascension, rising by suppressing evil soul masters and continuing for millions of years. Whatever its faults, it never forgot that core duty.

And the current Bibi Dong was the strongest, greatest evil soul master alive. Removing her was indeed the Angel God's responsibility. It was a ruthless trial for Renxue, but not inappropriate.

Earlier, she'd have struggled terribly to pass—how could she strike down a mother with whom she'd reconciled? But after talking with Tianlin, she'd already decided how to face Bibi Dong. Her heart was steady: to reunite with her openly in the future—

To save her, she must first kill her.

"Angelic Light Blade—Tri-Realm Annihilation!"

In the illusion, Qian Renxue pierced Bibi Dong's phantom with the most lethal form of the Seven Kill Sword—Tri-Realm Annihilation.

The Angel God's sigil glowed, and a gentle voice sounded in her mind: ["Ninth Angel Trial, heart-tempering—complete. You have obtained the right to inherit the Angel God's position. All soul ring ages increased by 50,000."]

In an instant, her rings shifted from two yellow, two purple, three black, two red to six black and three red—an apex configuration. She now had two paths to godhood: 1) continue cultivation to level 99 and naturally break through to godhood at level 100. In peaceful times this was best: Qian Daoliu wouldn't need to die, and her post-inheritance strength would be deeper.

But now, Qian Daoliu knew a powerful foe lurked in the shadows. She had no time. She had to become a god quickly.

That left the second method: his own sacrifice to forcibly initiate the inheritance.

He had already told her the final secret. Learning that her godhood required her grandfather's sacrifice, Renxue nearly abandoned it.

But Qian Daoliu told her only her divinity could save Bibi Dong. Their Qian family owed Bibi Dong too much. It was time to repay. After he used his life to help Renxue pull Bibi Dong from darkness, he could go below and tell Qian Xunji: "The mess you made—your father and your precious daughter have paid it back."

"Xue'er, congratulations on completing the nine trials. Ning Fengzhi has arrived. The continent is unified. Tomorrow the new empire will be founded. Go witness it—it's been your wish as well. The day after, I'll help you begin the inheritance. You must come," Qian Daoliu said.

Renxue hesitated, grief-stricken. Qian Daoliu's resolve was set; she couldn't oppose it. But choosing between her grandfather and her mother tore her apart.

She couldn't fathom heaven's cruelty. Once, Spirit Hall and Tianlin were enemies, and she was pained between them. Now, finally free of that battle, she had to choose between her grandfather and her mother. How could she choose?

From the Pope's Hall, she looked down at a city decked in lights, the people celebrating unification and the end of war.

The Spirit Empire's people, on the surface, weren't made into a conquered populace.

This wasn't annihilation, but abdication—Hu Liena, the Spirit Empire heir, would abdicate the throne.

Ning Fengzhi wouldn't even rename Spirit City to something like "Seven Treasure City," because the Douluo Continent belongs to all, not just the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The new great empire would be named after the continent itself: the Douluo Empire.

The name was perfect—representing everyone's homeland. As for the capital being Spirit City: whether soul master or not, everyone has a martial soul—this feature represented the entire world.

What would truly change was governance: from a church-state ruled by faith to a grand empire guided by outer Confucian benevolence and inner Legalist law—humaneness and order in balance.

Only one figure would be erased from the imperial rolls: Bibi Dong. Though she was the Spirit Empire's first empress, first, she did not unify the continent; second, she grievously harmed this empire. Thus, even if the Douluo Empire inherited from the Spirit Empire, she would not be recorded as its founding sovereign.

And with Hu Liena not formally succeeding, tomorrow would not only proclaim unification but also enthrone the founding emperor of the unified great empire.