Douluo: I, the Sun God

The Asura phantom's attacks grew increasingly ferocious, yet each time Xu Yang's body was torn apart, the shattered flesh and blood would reconstruct themselves within the golden-red light of the Sun. His nine Spirit Rings revolved endlessly like planets, then turned into nine beams of light, merging directly into Xu Yang's body.

If Chen Xin were present at this moment, he would undoubtedly cry out in astonishment: "Seven Kill Swordplay!"

Indeed, the technique Xu Yang now wielded was derived from the Seven Kill Swordplay. Through the repeated torment from the Asura phantom, he had finally internalized the art, using his own body as the vessel, fusing all nine Spirit Rings into himself, fully mastering their power.

"Spear of Lightlessness!"

By now, Xu Yang had completely fused with his Sun Martial Soul—he himself was the Sun. Extending his left hand, Sun light condensed into a golden-red spear of light, which he gripped and hurled forcefully at the Asura phantom.

A golden-red flash streaked through the air. The Asura phantom looked down in disbelief at the spear embedded in its chest, then lifted its gaze. "To think I couldn't even react… My choice truly wasn't wrong."

Xu Yang's chest rose and fell lightly. He said confidently, "Having fused all nine Spirit Rings, I can now fully command every property of the Sun Martial Soul. Sunlight is naturally among them. No matter how powerful you are, it's impossible to dodge an attack at the speed of light."

The Asura phantom smiled. "Indeed, formidable. But that doesn't mean it's without countermeasures."

As he spoke, Asura God power gathered around him, condensing into countless blood-colored mirrors, which then merged to form a set of armor upon his body. Xu Yang's Sun Golden Eyes flared with golden-red brilliance. With one glance, he saw that each mirror forming the armor was made of countless prisms—an attack like the Spear of Lightlessness would never penetrate.

"Looks like I'll have to go head-to-head."

Xu Yang let out a wry smile. Sun True Fire ignited around him, and the golden-red Sun Domain began to sublimate, faintly forming the embryonic shape of a small world. He condensed this small world onto the Sun Sacred Blade, and with the weight of that entire realm behind him, charged toward the Asura phantom.

He didn't have many options. All he could do was rely on the effects of his ninth Spirit Ability, Infinity.

Three days and nights of bitter combat passed, and the blood-red space was now riddled with web-like fractures. Even the Asura phantom's power was not infinite. By now, its form had grown faint. When it used Asura Judgment for the seventh time, Xu Yang noticed that the crimson glow on its blade had dimmed by at least thirty percent from when the fight began.

Meanwhile, at least half of his Sun God power remained. His chances of victory were steadily rising.

Xu Yang's eyes flashed. Sensing the fleeting opening, he channeled all the radiance of the small world into his Sun Sacred Blade. With all his strength, he slashed toward the Asura phantom. This attack condensed all the insight he'd gained over the past three days of battle—carrying the might of Sun True Fire and Sun God power, it was unstoppable.

Though the phantom tried to defend, it was still a moment too late. The Sun Sacred Blade cut through its prism armor, carving a deep wound into its already-ethereal form. The phantom's figure flickered, as though its power was rapidly draining.

Xu Yang seized the momentum and pressed the attack, his blade raining down like divine judgment. Each slash carried the crushing force of the small world. The Asura phantom grew increasingly overwhelmed, its body fading into near-transparency.

At last, under Xu Yang's final all-out blow, the Asura phantom completely shattered—turning into countless blood-red light particles and vanishing within the collapsing blood-colored world. As it dissipated, the crimson space also began to crumble. The environment returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"Asura God Fifth Trial: Defeat the Asura Phantom — Complete.

Reward: Asura God Light Affinity +15%.

Current Total Affinity: 50%."

"Asura God Sixth Trial: Survive the Asura Illusion Realm.

Experience the suffering of the seven emotions and six desires."

"So it's the Asura Illusion Realm... As expected, the final leg of any path tests the heart above all else."

After reading the trial details, Xu Yang sighed internally. The challenge had finally arrived. But the grueling battle with the Asura phantom had drained his mind, body, and soul. Now was far from the ideal time for the next trial. He needed sleep.

Dragging his exhausted body to a clean corner, Xu Yang lay down and soon fell into a deep sleep.

In his dreams, he unexpectedly entered the Asura Illusion Realm ahead of time.

He found himself in a bustling city, surrounded by beauty, wealth, and success—living a life of supreme luxury. But just as he became immersed in the illusion, the woman at his side passed away without warning. His empire crumbled in an instant. Grief surged in like a tidal wave, threatening to drown him.

Xu Yang awoke with a start, cold sweat soaking his clothes. He realized that must have been a prelude—a preview of the illusion ahead, warning him of what was to come.

After resting and recovering some energy, he chose to enter the Asura Illusion Realm proactively.

The moment he stepped in, the scenery shifted once more.

He was now on a battlefield consumed by flames of war. He was a general, commanding troops amidst chaos. His soldiers were suffering horrific casualties. Enemy cavalry surged like a flood, their killing cries shaking the skies.

Xu Yang's heart tightened, but he quickly calmed down. He knew this was a trial. He raised his illusory blade and commanded phantom soldiers into the fray. But each charge brought more losses—grief and helplessness crushed down like a mountain.

Just as he was about to be swallowed by those emotions, he recalled his mission—his victory over the Asura phantom.

Xu Yang took a deep breath, suppressing the sorrow and despair in his heart. He activated Sun God power, and golden-red light enveloped his body. With a roar, he imagined the Sun Sacred Blade in his hand and charged into the enemy's densest formation. Every swing sent out golden-red waves, decimating foes. His valor reinvigorated his troops, who rallied behind him with thunderous cries. The tide turned. The enemy began to fall back in waves.

But just as Xu Yang thought he had won, the illusion morphed again.

He returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, only to witness his loved ones and closest friends cruelly slain. Blood dyed the ground red. The rage and anguish nearly drove him mad. But he gritted his teeth and reminded himself again and again: this was not real.

He closed his eyes, gathered his will, and focused on breaking free of the illusion's shackles.

A blood-colored moon shattered in the illusion's sky. Xu Yang's pupils reflected the broken bodies strewn across the land. Then, his sword hand was gently wrapped in warmth. He turned—his mother from his previous life stood there, smiling softly.

"Yang'er, come home with me."

The spinning prisms began to rotate at high speed. His past life memories shattered into fragmented images, replaying one after another before his eyes.

Seeing these scenes, Xu Yang could no longer hold back. His past life had always been a lingering regret—the deepest secret buried in his heart.