I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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As the three empires gradually ceased their hostilities, none seemed to have any intention of continuing the war.
The conflict had raged until now, and on the battlefield of Jialing Pass, both the Spirit Empire and the Tian Dou Empire had suffered heavy losses. The entire battlefield resembled a massive meat grinder, relentlessly claiming the lives of soldiers and soul masters alike. If the fighting were to continue, both empires would likely exhaust their foundations entirely.
The Star Luo Empire, on the other hand, had suffered relatively fewer losses. However, in terms of high-level strength, it was actually the weakest among the three empires and showed no inclination to continue the fight.
After a period of rest and recuperation, Yang Xiong, under the influence of Asura divine power, gradually cleansed the Angel divine power from his wounds.
Compared to these wounds, though they were imbued with purifying and flame energies—divine powers of immense purity—they were ultimately like water without a source or a tree without roots.
Under the continuous erosion of his martial soul and divine power, Yang Xiong's body was enveloped in a blood-red glow, steadily consuming the divine power until it was completely eradicated.
Through this process, Yang Xiong came to realize that although he had mastered Asura divine power, there was still a vast gap between him and a true god.
Divine power seemed to be an evolved version of soul power, existing on a higher plane and being far more refined.
Compared to soul power, each thread of divine power contained an extraordinarily terrifying amount of energy.
Soul power originated from the martial soul itself and was cultivated by soul masters. Even if some soul power was lost, it could be recovered through cultivation.
But divine power was entirely different—it seemed to carry the will of the god itself, as if a fragment of the god's soul remained within it, granting it greater independence.
Yang Xiong couldn't help but reflect: gods were merely soul masters who had ascended to a higher realm, evolving in body, soul, and martial soul. Through countless trials, soul masters gradually transformed into gods.
And the so-called divine position was more like a vessel for this evolution. If a soul master had sufficient lifespan, achieving godhood wasn't impossible.
However, this requirement was too demanding—at least measured in millennia. Ordinary soul masters simply couldn't live that long.
As Yang Xiong carefully examined his own body, he realized he had indeed mastered some divine power. Part of it came from the Asura God's blessing, while the rest stemmed from his body breaking through its limits countless times, especially during the physical tempering at the Sea God Island and the Blood River of Slaughter City. Under the repeated refinement of divine power, his body had begun to evolve.
Yang Xiong understood well that with his current physical condition, any further breakthroughs would require an enormous amount of energy—far beyond what he could imagine.
This meant reaching Level 99 would be extremely difficult, and even the most precious heavenly treasures would be of no use.
Just as Yang Xiong was fully immersed in his cultivation, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Yang Xiong, come out and see me!"
Yang Xiong's eyes filled with confusion: "Why is she calling me out instead of focusing on recovering from her injuries?"
He immediately recognized the voice—it belonged to Qian Renxue, one of the few people in the world capable of transmitting sound without revealing her presence.
After some thought, Yang Xiong concluded that Qian Renxue wasn't the type to take advantage of someone in a weakened state. She wouldn't lure him out just to ambush him. Perhaps meeting her wouldn't be a bad idea.
Without hesitation, Yang Xiong stood up, disregarding everything outside, and transformed into a streak of light, leaving his room.
Soon, he arrived at the peak of a mountain. There, Qian Renxue sat drinking wine. Gone was her usual arrogance; she now resembled a wronged young girl.
"Sit down and have a drink with me."
Though somewhat puzzled, Yang Xiong silently took a seat across from Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue held a wine jar, poured a large cup of wine, and handed it directly to Yang Xiong: "I wanted to drink, but I didn't know who in this world could join me. So I thought of you."
Yang Xiong accepted the cup without hesitation and drained it in one gulp.
"Good wine. It's rare to find such aged wine in this world—it must be the long-lost Drunken Red Dust."
Qian Renxue smiled: "I didn't expect you to know about wine. It seems I chose the right person. This Drunken Red Dust was left behind by my grandfather. He cherished it deeply and only left behind a few jars."
Yang Xiong took the wine jar, poured himself another cup, and drank it all in one go.
As the wine entered his body, he felt a slight dizziness, as if every pore and cell in his body was stimulated and roiling.
"Excellent wine. Only someone like Elder Qian Daoliu would use so many precious herbs to brew it. Judging by its age, it must be at least a hundred years old. Truly fragrant and mellow."
Qian Renxue smiled faintly: "This is my grandfather's treasure—unique in the world. Consider yourself lucky, you little thief."
Yang Xiong wasted no words and raised his cup: "Whether we're enemies or friends, regardless of your intentions today, let's drink until we're drunk."
The two clinked glasses and drained their cups, behaving not as enemies but as old friends reunited after many years.
Qian Renxue spoke softly: "This is the first time I've ever drunk alcohol in all these years. As a child, I didn't like it. After entering the Tian Dou Imperial Palace, even when I drank occasionally, I used soul power to dissipate the effects—I never allowed myself to relax even slightly."
Yang Xiong's expression shifted slightly: "Why go to such lengths? To prove yourself, you suppressed your true thoughts and desires. With your talent and abilities, you didn't need to do that."
Qian Renxue didn't respond directly: "I still miss the days when we used to bicker. Back then, even though I was angry and cautious, you were the only person who ever made me laugh and cry at the same time—the only one who left me feeling helpless."
Yang Xiong chuckled: "Qian Renxue, with your strength and status, eliminating me—a mere child back then—shouldn't have been much of a challenge, right?"
A faint smile appeared on Qian Renxue's lips: "Perhaps I saw something of myself in you back then. Since childhood, I hid in the Tian Dou Imperial Palace, unable to show my true face."
"But aren't you the same? You were once just an ordinary disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Though you gained the sect leader's recognition, even at a young age, you displayed an unusual maturity."
"No matter how well you hid, your ambition couldn't be concealed. Your cautious, calculating demeanor reminded me of myself."
"It's rare to encounter someone like you—a kindred spirit whose talent I recognize. I wanted to see your future, to see how far you could go. Perhaps I was too confident back then, believing myself unparalleled, so I wanted to watch this sapling grow before teaching you how to destroy it."
Yang Xiong laughed: "I've always found it strange. Whether it's the top three sects or Bibi Dong, they've all focused on eliminating the prodigies of opposing factions. Take the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—for years, many talented disciples have been lost. Yet, from childhood to now, I've never faced threats from your elites. Given the Spirit Empire's and your strength, you should have been able to do so."
Qian Renxue smiled: "Perhaps. I've always considered you my prey—my prey alone. I wouldn't allow Bibi Dong to interfere."
The two conversed freely, occasionally clinking glasses, as if the battle from days ago no longer mattered.
Suddenly, Qian Renxue spoke: "Yang Xiong, I've always wondered—how did you discover me? Was your excuse about sensing a fragrance just a cover-up?"
Yang Xiong gazed at the wine in his cup, his reflection shimmering within it, evoking a sense of melancholy.
"Perhaps it was intuition. As you said, we are kindred spirits—both hiding our thoughts, ambitions, joys, and sorrows. Perhaps only we can truly see through each other."
A smile appeared on Qian Renxue's face: "Indeed, we are true kindred spirits. No wonder we used to bicker so much—perhaps it was mutual harm, perhaps it was testing the limits of another version of ourselves."
"By the way, Yang Xiong, since you learned my true identity, what do you think of me? Am I selfish and scheming?"
Yang Xiong carefully reflected on their past encounters and couldn't help but sigh: "Actually, I envy you. You're proud, decisive, ruthless, and gifted. You were born a favored child of heaven. Even amidst the Tian Dou Imperial Palace, you maintained your pride."
"As for me, I started out rather humble. I was an outer disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—just an ordinary disciple, no different from the countless ordinary disciples who perished in this war."
"Perhaps it was my unwillingness to remain ordinary that drove me to strive for strength, gain Ning Fengzhi's attention, and seize every resource and opportunity available."
"After years of calculation, relentless effort, and life-and-death trials, I finally reached your level. Finally, I no longer have to bow to anyone."
"All these years of struggle—things that came naturally to you—are perhaps the biggest difference between us."
Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment before replying: "Perhaps. You envy my talent and birthright, but I envy your freedom. Though you came from the outer disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, you had loving parents, a girl who adored you, and elders who valued you."
"Especially after you broke through to Soul Sage—you could do anything you wanted. You're freer and more carefree than anyone else. With your own strength, you've changed everything. There's no cage in this world that can hold you anymore."
Yang Xiong laughed: "If you wished, you could live even more freely than me. Can those so-called cages you speak of really restrain you?"
Qian Renxue drained her cup in one gulp: "I am the inheritor of the Angel God, the last hope of the Angel lineage. As the Angel God, I must embody purity and radiance. These expectations weigh on me like mountains, binding me morally and in countless other ways."
"Like the countless citizens of the Spirit Empire, the countless believers of the Angel Clan, and the countless offerings silently devoted to me—all of these are my chains."
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