Xiao Tian slowly raised his right hand. In a flash of faint light, a pitch-black iron sword appeared in his palm, its edge humming faintly like a wolf baying at the moon.
One by one, four deep-purple thousand-year spirit rings rose beneath him, hovering in the air.
"…!"
Even though Chen Xin had received word from Rongrong beforehand, and even though he had prepared himself mentally, the sight still shook him to his core.
The first ring alone… a thousand years. Is this child even human?
"This…" Jian Douluo's usually composed voice wavered. "As far as I know, there has never been anyone on the entire continent with a first spirit ring starting at a thousand years. Boy… unless absolutely necessary, you must never reveal this lightly. If an ambitious sect, or worse—Spirit Hall—catches wind of it, the consequences will be disastrous."
He pursed his lips, then changed tack as his eyes gleamed with a thought.
"Xiao Tian." He spoke gravely, but hope flickered deep within. "What do you say—would you consider joining our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? With our protection and resources, your potential could match, or even exceed, mine. I can guarantee you a place among the pillars of the continent."
This was no ordinary invitation. Chen Xin was stirred from the depths of his heart. Not even Ning Fengzhi had found such talent all his years… yet this boy stood before him. No—monster was the only proper word.
But Xiao Tian only shook his head politely.
"Senior Jian Douluo, I deeply thank you for your goodwill. But I wish to live freely for now. Joining a sect too early… would only bind me."
Chen Xin stared at him a long moment, then slowly exhaled.
"…Fair enough. I expected such an answer." He gently nodded. "Then I will not force you. But, Xiao Tian—if you stay outside, I only have one request. Please… take care of Rongrong. She is an auxiliary spirit master, unable to protect herself. In the sect, we two old men are here to guard her. But outside, should danger appear again… only you can stand by her side."
Xiao Tian lowered his sword slightly and met the old man's gaze.
"Rest assured, Senior. She is my friend. If there comes a day when Rongrong is in danger… I'll shield her without hesitation."
Chen Xin's expression softened, and for just a moment, appreciation flashed in his eyes.
"…Good."
He straightened his back then, tone firm once more. "Enough talk. Use your sword. I wish to judge with my own eyes. Your spirit configuration alone is shocking. But your swordsmanship—your true heart—may be greater still."
Xiao Tian's smile carried a calm edge.
"Very well. But Senior Sword Douluo… will you indulge me? I wish to test a new sword art. Please, act as my sparring partner."
"Oh?" Chen Xin's brows rose. The boy's tone was calm, but he heard the hidden arrogance underneath. "A new sword art? Interesting. Very well. Let me see it. Don't disappoint me."
Behind them, Xiao Wu, who had watched all his practice sessions before, tilted her head with surprise.
"Brother… since when do you have a new sword technique? You usually only use sword qi. I never saw… this."
Xiao Tian only answered lightly, "A few hours ago, while in seclusion. I put together a sword manual. Haven't had the chance to practice properly yet."
"…" Xiao Wu froze, speechless.
Ning Rongrong blinked as well, then realized. "So when you rushed back to Shrek and said you were closing up in seclusion… it was for this?"
"Yes." Xiao Tian smiled faintly.
A moment of silence swept through all nearby.
Only just now created… and he dares spar with a Titled Douluo?!
Chen Xin threw his head back and laughed, true joy in his voice. "Hahaha! Then I'll gladly be your practice partner today. Surprise me, boy!"
In the next instant, his Seven Killing Sword left its scabbard with a shrill cry of steel. Nine majestic spirit rings instantly rose into view.
At once, Shrek Academy's teachers unconsciously stepped back, pressure weighing on their hearts like falling mountains.
Even Tang San, observing from the side, felt his breath choke. The aura of a Titled Douluo was suffocating. Unknown to the crowd, he was already scheming silently. Perhaps, one day… would Sword Douluo ever acknowledge the value of my hidden weapons?
But all thoughts stilled as the air chilled. The two swordsmen faced one another, standing in stark silence.
Sword Douluo gave a slight nod. "Begin."
With a single breath, Xiao Tian's eyes sharpened into blades. His sword trembled lightly, singing out.
Clang!
The next moment, Xiao Tian blurred. His body split into lightning speed, stepping in with the Exorcism Sword Technique.
The blade surged wildly with a storm-swift intent—one moment striking like a serpent darting from a cave, vicious and sly; another moment descending like a great eagle, sharp and crushing.
Chen Xin's pupils constricted. Such fluid transitions… in a boy this young? Incredible!
His Seven Killing Sword moved gracefully, barely any effort behind it. Clang, clang! Each strike deflected Xiao Tian's fierce edges, but a faint shock gnawed at his chest.
This sword style—fierce yet sharp, woven with sudden softness—its ingenuity startled him. Were their cultivation equal, he admitted grimly… he himself might have been wounded already.
Such a creation. At this age? Impossible!
"Not bad! Not bad at all!" he shouted aloud, his heart surging despite his calm exterior.
But his voice carried challenge too. "If this is the limit, it will not touch me!"
Xiao Tian's eyes burned brighter. "Don't worry, Senior. This is only the beginning!"
With a cry, his sword erupted in light. His sword intent burst forth, shaking the courtyard itself. Even the blade trembled, humming low like a living dragon.
"Hah!!!"
Suddenly his movements doubled, tripled—his sword falling not only with ferocity but with weaving phantoms. His footwork flickered from place to place, darting like wind, surging like lightning, the improved Phantom Flash integrated from Immortal Wind and Cloud Body Technique guiding him.
In an instant, Xiao Tian's figure split into multiple forms, circling Chen Xin from every angle.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!
Illusions. Or were they?
Even Tang San instinctively activated his Purple Demon Eye to discern Xiao Tian's true self—but no matter how deeply he peered, Xiao Tian's true body seemed always to shift, always to change.
Tang San's jaw tightened, sweat dripping. This… This isn't something I can track? His expression twisted with frustration.
Meanwhile, Chen Xin finally exhaled sharply. The corners of his lips rose.
"Good! Very good!"
With that, his Seven Killing Sword flared at last in minor earnest. A faint murderous aura exploded outward—the innate quality of his sword, honed by years of blood. Though he controlled it carefully, even suppressed by vast power, the battlefield now shimmered with killing edge.
Sword clashed against sword. Sparks flew.
Each time Xiao Tian's Exorcism blade came in from a new angle, Chen Xin's Seven Killing Sword met it with strength as calm as stone—softening the tide, cracking the strike, flowing into the next block with terrifying ease.
But his heart was on fire. This boy! If I didn't hold back, the duel would end instantly. But if I were his age, if I were his realm—these attacks would have cut me open!
Xiao Tian shouted again.
"Come again!"
And his sword rose, splitting once more into multiple mirages, the gleam of the Exorcism Sword raining down with relentless fury. Sparks of true sword intent filled the air, pressing down on even the watching crowd's lungs.
The swords of two generations clashed—the demonic storm of the Exorcism Sword against the blood-soaked killing aura of the Seven Killing Sword—raging like wind and thunder.
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