Douluo: Martial Soul Seven Kill Sword, The Sword Opens Heaven's Gates

After more than a month of training in the soul beast forest, Ning Tianchen finally broke through to level eighty. 

Without further entanglement with the soul beasts in the forest, he returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Recalling the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud stored in his spirit-guided device, he decided to leave it beside the two skeletons, entrusting the two divine beasts to "guard" it.

The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was itself a god-level artifact and wouldn't be torn apart by the pressure of the spring water. At such a depth, even Limit Douluo wouldn't be able to reach it. Thus, he wasn't worried about it being taken away.

Previously, if not for the attraction of the divine beast skeletons and their withdrawal of the spring's pressure, Ning Tianchen wouldn't have been able to reach the bottom either.

After finishing all this, he sat cross-legged by the spring and began absorbing the divine-bestowed soul ring as his eighth soul ring.

---

As the date of the re-selection conference of the seven great sects approached, Bai He and the others had yet to see Ning Tianchen, causing them to worry.

Together, they requested Dugu Bo to come and check on Ning Tianchen's cultivation progress.

This matter of the sect was no trivial matter. If Ning Tianchen couldn't break through, they would take his place in the battle.

Dugu Bo hadn't been to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for some time, but he knew that Ning Tianchen wouldn't leave this place until he reached his goal.

Sure enough, when he arrived, Ning Tianchen had just finished absorbing the soul ring.

Black, black, black, black, black, red, red—eight soul rings shimmered at his feet.

Dugu Bo felt a pang of bitterness. Others spent their entire lives unable to obtain even one ten-thousand-year soul ring, yet Ning Tianchen had two.

As for the origin of his eighth soul ring, Dugu Bo didn't inquire further.

Ning Tianchen's rapid increase in strength clearly indicated the presence of a great opportunity behind it. Such an opportunity couldn't be easily spoken of.

"Old man, why are you here?" Ning Tianchen asked curiously.

Previously, he had been in a state of cultivation and hadn't noticed Dugu Bo's arrival.

Dugu Bo sighed deeply and said, "The elders haven't seen you, so they sent me to check on your situation. But now it seems, aside from Sword Douluo and Ling Huang Douluo, you should have no problem in the sect leader battle."

After exchanging pleasantries, Ning Tianchen asked, "Old man, have you heard any news about Feng Xiaotian and the others?"

Before entering seclusion, Ning Tianchen knew that they had gone to Hurricane Gorge to search for the Wind God's inheritance, but he didn't know how things were going now.

Dugu Bo hadn't paid particular attention to them. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "I heard they are still training in Hurricane Gorge. However, it seems they've remained in the gorge without leaving. Supplies were delivered by Feng Changlin. I'm not very clear on the specifics."

For now, Ning Tianchen couldn't go looking for them.

Calculating the days, there was still over a month before the re-selection conference of the seven great sects.

Excluding the time spent traveling, there was about a month left.

Ning Tianchen needed to familiarize himself with his current strength. One month was barely enough, let alone arranging everything within the sect, especially the work in Meishi City, which he had to prioritize.

---

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

During this time, Feng Xiaotian and the others were still training in front of Hurricane Gorge. Ning Tianchen's schedule was tight, leaving him no time to visit them.

On this day, a large carriage set out from the Sky Sword Sect.

Inside the carriage were Dugu Bo and others representing the Sky Sword Sect in this re-selection conference of the seven great sects.

Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong weren't seated with them but instead entered Ning Fengzhi's carriage to discuss matters related to the conference.

At the same time, the Spirit Hall also dispatched strong individuals to reside within each participating sect. In case anyone attacked a participating sect, these strong individuals would immediately send news back to the Spirit Hall.

Inside the carriage.

Ning Fengzhi said, "Tianchen, do you remember the number one genius of the Snow Mountain Sect?"

Ning Tianchen nodded.

He hadn't known Tian Guozhen for long, but they got along well.

It was worth mentioning that Tian Guozhen had also received a trial from the God of Light.

He wondered how far Tian Guozhen's divine trial had progressed.

Ning Fengzhi continued, "He has already broken through to level eighty. In this re-selection conference, he will participate in the elder battles as an elder of the Snow Mountain Sect."

Tian Guozhen ranked second in the Snow Mountain Sect, making him the next leader of the sect. His status was even higher than that of Elder Tian Chenxing. His participation in the elder battles was completely reasonable.

However, what surprised Ning Tianchen was that the other party had also broken through to level eighty.

Unfortunately, Ning Tianchen could only participate in the sect leader battle and couldn't fight him again.

Chen Xin admonished, "If you hadn't been delayed by the sect's affairs after returning from the Extreme North, your soul power level wouldn't be lower than his."

Ning Tianchen's breakthrough to Soul Douluo hadn't been disclosed to Ning Fengzhi and others.

As the master of the Sky Sword Sect, he needed to conceal his strength before the sect leader battle began.

Due to his suppression of aura, and Chen Xin not deliberately sensing it, they assumed he was still at the Soul Sage level.

Ning Tianchen scratched his head. "Grandpa, our main opponents aren't the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect or the Snow Mountain Sect. Defeating sects like the Elephant Armor Sect is sufficient."

Gu Rong said, "Tianchen, let me remind you. There are rumors that Tuoba Xi, the sect leader of the Holy Dragon Sect, has broken through to level ninety. This re-selection conference is their chance to secure a position among the top three sects. You mustn't be careless."

Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "If our three allied sects can secure all top three positions, we can significantly influence the continent's situation. So, remember, don't be careless."

Ning Tianchen nodded seriously.

---

Tian Dou City was far from the Spirit Hall City.

However, those attending the conference were all strong individuals, so the carriages moved quickly, and the jolts inside were within an acceptable range.

A day before the start of the conference, the carriages of the Sky Sword Sect and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect entered the Spirit Hall City side by side.

The venue for this re-selection conference was a temporary arena built outside the city by the Spirit Hall.

After all, the battles involved Title Douluo-level experts. If the arena were set up inside the city, it would inevitably damage buildings and cause unnecessary panic.

Entering the Spirit Hall City was mainly for rest and submitting registration applications.

The temporary arena outside the city only had spectator seats and the arena itself—there were no accommodations.

After traveling a long way, they needed proper rest.

"I'll go register. Old man, take everyone to find a hotel first. I'm afraid if we're late, the hotels will be full," Ning Tianchen reminded.

There were quite a few sects participating this time, so hotels in the Spirit Hall City were extremely tight.

The registration site was the Pope's Hall. Ning Tianchen and Ke Jie walked toward it together.

The area in front of the Pope's Hall was already crowded with people registering. However, the treatment of small sects differed from that of large sects.

Upon seeing Ke Jie and Ning Tianchen, the Spirit Hall staff warmly led them aside.

"Who is that young man?"

Seeing Ning Tianchen's face, many leaders of small sects who came to register began discussing.

Young people had never appeared in the sect re-selection conference before, and today, two young people appeared consecutively.

Keep in mind, those coming to register were all participants. Moreover, they were from major sects and registered separately.

"I don't know that young man, but I recognize the person beside him. He's the principal of the Seven Treasures Academy. My son studies there—I wouldn't mistake him."

"Whew~ A genius powerhouse of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!"

---

The registration was handled by the three members of the Golden Generation.

Seeing Ning Tianchen, Hu Liena smiled and asked, "Are you representing the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect or the Sky Sword Sect?"

Ning Tianchen glanced at her indifferently and said blandly, "Sky Sword Sect. Here's our registration list."

On the list, there was only one name for the sect leader battle, while there was no limit for the elder battles.

Seeing Ning Tianchen's name on the sect leader battle list, Hu Liena thought he had made a mistake and pointed it out, emphasizing, "Please fill it out carefully. We won't be responsible for any errors."

Ning Tianchen casually pushed the list back and earnestly said, "Register according to what's written."

"Arrogant!"

Yan sneered, seemingly eager to see Ning Tianchen make a fool of himself.

Ning Tianchen ignored him. After handing over the registration list, his task for the day was complete.

Next, he could return to rest and wait for the conference to begin the following day.

Leaving the registration area, Ning Tianchen spotted a tall figure in the distance. A smile appeared on his lips as he turned and said, "Principal Ke, you go back first. I'll meet up with an old friend."

Ke Jie, seeing the distant figure, smiled and nodded in agreement.

Not long after, the two met.

Ning Tianchen asked with a smile, "You're here alone? Where are Tian Chao and the others?"

As he spoke, he noticed that the mark on the other's forehead was no longer the previous red one but an icy blue mark.

Ning Tianchen couldn't help but feel startled. It seemed that Tian Guozhen had likely received a trial from another deity.

The icy blue mark could represent the Ice God or some other deity—he wasn't sure yet.

Tian Guozhen let out a hearty laugh, his voice like thunder. "They're still undergoing their trials. However, my trial requires me to start from scratch."

Ning Tianchen understood the situation of divine trials. Even without much explanation, the other party could grasp what he meant.

Ning Tianchen nodded and immediately asked, "I heard you're participating in the elder battles?"

Tian Guozhen didn't answer but instead countered, "With your position in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, participating in the sect leader battle shouldn't be a problem. Why don't we use this conference as a stage to compete?"

In recent years, Tian Guozhen had focused primarily on cultivation and traveled extensively in the Extreme North, so he didn't know much about events on the continent.

Ning Tianchen shrugged and said, "I'm now the sect leader of the Sky Sword Sect—I can only participate in the sect leader battle."

"What? You're the sect leader of the Sky Sword Sect?" Tian Guozhen clearly hadn't expected it.

After returning to his sect following his training, he had heard about the Sky Sword Sect and knew of the relationship between the Snow Mountain Sect and the Sky Sword Sect, but he never imagined that Ning Tianchen was the sect leader.

This conference was very important for the Sky Sword Sect, so he couldn't act recklessly.

Pausing for a moment, he sighed and said, "What a pity—we'll have to fight another day."

As he spoke, he placed his hand on Ning Tianchen's shoulder and laughed loudly. "Come on, let me treat you to a drink! It's been a long time since I've had a good drink, so tonight we must drink to our heart's content."

Ordinary alcohol had no effect on high-level soul masters.

Soul masters could choose to get drunk, or they could use their soul power to forcibly expel the alcohol from their bodies.

Thus, drinking wouldn't affect tomorrow's competition.

---

Their drinking session lasted until evening, and afterward, they returned to their respective accommodations.

At the hotel where the Sky Sword Sect was staying, Dugu Bo and the three elders had already analyzed the strength of the registered sects and drafted an order of appearance for the elder battles.

Upon returning, Ning Tianchen joined their discussion.

"Over the past few years, the Holy Dragon Sect has been too low-key, causing us to overlook this sect," Ning Rongrong said solemnly. "This time, I heard from Father that Tuoba Xi breaking through to Title Douluo might not be unfounded."

Ning Tianchen countered, "Rongrong, does the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect have any information on the Holy Dragon Sect's elders?"

If the Holy Dragon Sect's elders weren't strong enough, they could secure victory outright in the three elder battles.

Looking back at the original timeline, Tuoba Xi had roughly broken through to Title Douluo around this time.

To defeat a Title Douluo, he would have to reveal many of his trump cards, which clearly wasn't worth it.

Ning Rongrong shook her head.

In the past, the Elephant Armor Sect had always overshadowed the lower four sects, while the Holy Dragon Sect remained too low-key, often being overlooked. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's knowledge of them was outdated.

Ning Tianchen waved his hand dismissively. "We don't need to rush about the Holy Dragon Sect—we're not completely unable to handle them. Let's talk about the Elephant Armor Sect first."

In the original timeline, the Elephant Armor Sect was the leading sect among the new seven great sects.

Even though Huyan Zhen was weaker than Tuoba Xi, he managed to secure victory for the Elephant Armor Sect, most likely by winning the elder battles.

This alone was enough to prove that the Holy Dragon Sect's elders weren't particularly strong.

As for whether the Spirit Hall would insert powerful individuals into the Holy Dragon Sect, that wasn't something they needed to consider.

After all, it was better to focus on studying the Elephant Armor Sect rather than worrying about such intangible matters.

---

They continued discussing until late into the night before finally dispersing.

Back in his room, Ning Tianchen didn't plan to rest but instead used this final stretch of time to quickly stabilize his cultivation.

About half an hour later, the voices of their respective trials simultaneously echoed in Ning Tianchen's and Ning Rongrong's minds.

"The third trial of the Asura God: During the re-selection conference of the seven great sects, secure a top-three position for the Sky Sword Sect. Upon completing the trial, the reward is a 15% increase in Asura God affinity, a boost of 20,000 years to soul ring duration, and one divine-bestowed soul ring."

"Failing the trial will double the difficulty of all subsequent trials."

Hearing the trial's requirements, Ning Tianchen couldn't help but feel startled.

Though the punishment for failing the trial wasn't death, the difficulty of a god-king level trial was already immense. If the difficulty of subsequent trials doubled, there was practically no chance of completion.

"Don't create trouble for yourself!" This was Ning Tianchen's principle.

Therefore, no matter what, the Sky Sword Sect had to secure a top-three position in this conference.

Ning Rongrong's trial, however, was different.

Her task was to assist him by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents and devising a reasonable order of appearance for the elder battles to help the Sky Sword Sect secure a top-three position.

It could be said that as long as Ning Tianchen won the sect leader battle, her divine trial would practically be completed without effort.

The two exchanged glances, each formulating their own plans.

Aside from conceding matches against the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Snow Mountain Sect, they had to win against the remaining sects.

However, the first event the next day wasn't the ranking battles but the elimination rounds.

The elimination rounds would last about three days, consuming a lot of energy and stamina.

Thus, they absolutely had to display overwhelming strength when facing provocations from other sects in the first round of the elimination rounds.

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