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

"The sect leader only heard about the scene of a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast's sacrifice from the former sect leader. To witness such a sight myself is truly a stroke of good fortune," Tian Guozhen said with a bitter smile.

Tian Chao placed his right hand on Tian Guozhen's shoulder and laughed, "Guozhen, when you become the sect leader, you can boast about this to the younger generation."

The scene of the sacrifice was spectacular, with the entire sky dyed blood red. The snow on the ice plains turned crimson under the red glow, resembling an Asura hellscape.

The process of the sacrifice didn't last long. The crimson soul power condensed into a blood-red hundred-thousand-year soul ring and entered Ning Tianchen's body, fully fusing with his Seven Kill Sword martial soul. The Golden Scale Dragon's right leg soul bone attached itself to Ning Tianchen's leg without requiring active absorption, spontaneously integrating with his body.

With the completion of the sacrifice, six black soul rings and one red soul ring appeared beneath Ning Tianchen's feet.

At the same time, due to breaking through a major level, the divine-bestowed soul ring granted as an additional reward from the divine trial also appeared in his hands.

Ning Tianchen gave a faint smile and stored it in his soul tool. "It seems this divine-bestowed soul ring will serve as my eighth soul ring."

With a hundred-thousand-year soul ring as his seventh ring, his physical condition had undergone a qualitative leap. Absorbing another hundred-thousand-year soul ring as his eighth wouldn't be a problem—especially since it was a risk-free divine-bestowed soul ring.

Ning Rongrong ran over, her face brimming with excitement. "Brother Tianchen, is this what a hundred-thousand-year soul ring feels like? The pressure is terrifying!"

The Golden Scale Dragon was a spirit beast with true dragon bloodline, and its aura far surpassed that of ordinary hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts.

However, Ning Tianchen obtaining this soul ring was purely a stroke of luck.

From the Golden Scale Dragon's words, it was clear that it originally intended to wait until Ning Rongrong advanced to a higher level before sacrificing its soul ring to her.

But with its life nearing its end and Ning Tianchen's current soul power level fitting the requirements, it chose to offer its sacrifice to him instead.

Initially, Ning Tianchen had considered leaving the soul bone for Ning Rongrong.

The Golden Scale Dragon's right leg soul bone provided both powerful defensive and offensive soul skills. If absorbed by Ning Rongrong, it would have greatly benefited her.

However, the soul bone had already spontaneously bonded with his body. It wasn't as if he could cut off his leg to retrieve it.

"It seems I'm no longer your match," Tian Guozhen said as he approached, congratulating him while feeling a tinge of envy.

A hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone—these were treasures every soul master dreamed of.

Ning Tianchen shot back, "Your hundred-thousand-year torso soul bone is far stronger than my leg soul bone. Everyone knows that torso soul bones are priceless. You should be content."

Tian Guozhen placed his right hand on Ning Tianchen's shoulder and said, "Now that we know about the divine trial, perhaps I'll pursue godhood in the future. Besides the God of Light, there are also legends of the Ice God in the Extreme North. Who knows, maybe I'll find the Ice God's inheritance someday."

"Good luck," Ning Tianchen replied with a smile.

He wasn't sure whether the Ice God truly existed in the Extreme North.

But considering how deeply rooted the Snow Mountain Sect was in the region, it likely wasn't just hearsay.

---

Thanks to the sacrifice, their journey back was much easier. Even when encountering spirit beasts, none of them attacked.

Meanwhile, deep within the Frozen Forest…

The Hao Te team was searching for a suitable soul ring for Oscar.

One of the Soul Emperors in the team couldn't help but complain, "I don't understand—why not go to the Great Star Dou Forest to hunt for the sixth soul ring? Why bother coming to the Frozen Forest?"

Soul rings for the sixth ring generally required around twenty thousand years of cultivation, and such spirit beasts were extremely rare in the Frozen Forest. In contrast, they could easily find many in the mixed zones of the Great Star Dou Forest.

Oscar felt somewhat guilty.

After all, everyone had come to the Frozen Forest to help him hunt for a soul ring. Winter was approaching soon, and if they got trapped in the snowy town, they'd have to wait until spring to leave.

Hao Te patted Oscar's shoulder and consoled him, "Xiao Ao, don't feel burdened—it's what you deserve."

Then, he glanced at the other members of the team. "How many times has Xiao Ao's sausage saved us during our hunts? Are you seriously unwilling to help him now?"

The Soul Emperor retorted, "The Great Star Dou Forest has all kinds of spirit beasts—why come to the Frozen Forest? This place is freezing cold, and finding a twenty-thousand-year spirit beast is nearly impossible. We're just wasting time."

Chen Huayu wasn't known for his patience and immediately snapped, "If you don't want to help, you can leave! No one's forcing you."

When making money, the team's cohesion was strong. But now, helping Oscar obtain a soul ring clearly wouldn't bring them any profit.

Normally, a person joining a hunting team would only need to hunt for one soul ring in a few years.

Yet Oscar had just joined the team not long ago and had already hunted for his fifth soul ring. Only a few years later, he was hunting for his sixth.

Whether out of jealousy or dissatisfaction, apart from Hao Te and Chen Huayu, the others weren't particularly eager to help and even acted indifferent.

"Fatty Chen is right—if you don't want to stay in the team, you can leave anytime. No one's stopping you!" Hao Te barked angrily.

The Soul Emperor shut up reluctantly.

At least, if they left the Hao Te team, they wouldn't earn more money than they did now.

Thanks to Hao Te's reputation, the team received numerous hunting commissions. Without his name, they wouldn't stand a chance on their own.

Seeing that the others had quieted down, Hao Te asked, "Xiao Ao, what kind of spirit beast do you need to hunt?"

Oscar replied, "Mirror Image Beast or Ice Spirit Bird."

These two spirit beasts were recommended to him by Ning Tianchen during the Soul Master Tournament. Both possessed the ability to copy soul skills, which was exactly what he needed.

Hao Te nodded in understanding. "Ice Spirit Birds are hard to find—they usually roam in the Extreme North Ice Plains. Mirror Image Beasts, however, are active in the Frozen Forest. However, Mirror Image Beasts older than fifteen thousand years are rare here."

"Xiao Ao, your sixth soul ring will definitely require a twenty-thousand-year soul ring. But finding a twenty-thousand-year Mirror Image Beast won't be easy. What do you think?"

Oscar quickly responded, "A fifteen-thousand-year Mirror Image Beast will do—I can't let everyone waste their time because of me."

Hao Te nodded and said no more.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest behind them, a team was searching for something.

Every member of this team wore identical outfits, and beside them stood an obsequious old man.

"Old man, are you sure the person in the portrait entered the Frozen Forest? If you're lying to us, you know the consequences."

The old man hastily replied, "Honorable sirs, how could this humble old man make a mistake? The person in the portrait is indeed Hao Te, the leader of the Hao Te team. Not long ago, they bought supplies from me to enter the forest. I'm certain he's the person you're looking for."

This group, armed with Hao Te's portrait and inquiring about his team's movements, consisted of powerful individuals sent by the Hao Tian Sect to ambush the Hao Te team.

Six months ago, Tang Hao had encountered the Hao Te team near the Great Star Dou Forest and gathered information about their whereabouts.

Later, Tang Hao delivered the news to Yue Xuan, and Tang Yuehua promptly relayed it back to the sect.

Without hesitation, Tang Xiao dispatched a team of Soul Sages to the Frozen Forest.

Originally, he wanted to send Soul Douluo or even Title Douluo-level experts to ambush the Hao Te team. However, fearing that battles involving higher-level experts might attract the attention of the Spirit Hall, he settled on sending a team of Soul Sages instead.

"Tang Yue Elder Brother, it seems those guys are ahead of us," one of the Hao Tian Sect members remarked, observing the footprints not yet covered by snow.

Tang Yue nodded slightly. "Old man, you're familiar with the Frozen Forest—you lead the way. Once we find the Hao Te team, you'll be well rewarded."

The old man nodded repeatedly in agreement.

---

A day later, Oscar's luck held as he stumbled upon a twenty-one-thousand-year-old Mirror Image Beast.

"Haha, this guy probably came to the Frozen Forest to gather winter provisions. Since we've run into it, it won't be returning."

Oscar said solemnly, "Brother Hao Te, I leave this to you."

"I can handle a twenty-thousand-year spirit beast. Xiao Ao, I'll assist you."

Though Chen Huayu hadn't broken through to become a Soul Emperor, his strength was comparable to that of an average Soul Emperor.

Facing a twenty-thousand-year-old Mirror Image Beast, he wasn't entirely powerless.

Hao Te stood aside, not rushing to act, calmly watching the scene unfold and waiting for the right moment.

The Mirror Image Beast's strength lay not in itself, but in its ability to create clones and copy abilities.

At first, Chen Huayu gained some advantage. But as the Mirror Image Beast adapted to his moves, he quickly found himself at a disadvantage.

Hao Te chuckled, seeing the timing was ripe, and delivered a decisive blow that severely wounded the Mirror Image Beast.

"The first person to engage a Mirror Image Beast will always suffer. Mirror Image Beasts older than ten thousand years can copy a soul master's abilities, making them extremely difficult to defeat. In the future, if you encounter a Mirror Image Beast alone, unless you're overwhelmingly stronger, avoid engaging it," Hao Te reminded everyone with a smile.

Chen Huayu's earlier recklessness wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Compared to verbal teaching, experiencing it firsthand left a deeper impression.

"Brother Hao Te, you're too cruel to say this only after the battle's over," Chen Huayu muttered softly.

Hao Te smiled and comforted him, "At least next time you encounter a Mirror Image Beast, you won't be reckless again. This small setback is nothing!"

"Don't dawdle—Xiao Ao, hurry up and absorb the soul ring. Before winter arrives, we must leave the Frozen Forest."

---

The distance between the Hao Tian Sect team and the Hao Te team grew wider.

Tang Yue said gravely, "There's a commotion from a battle in the distance. The soul power fluctuations are clearly from a Soul Sage—we're getting farther from the Hao Te team!"

As winter approached, the Frozen Forest was swept by icy winds.

Ordinary people would feel unbearably cold in these winds, but the guide leading the team was sweating profusely, seemingly sensing the killing intent emanating from the others.

Summoning his courage, he explained, "The Hao Te team is very familiar with the terrain of the Frozen Forest. This humble old man…"

Tang Yue waved his hand, temporarily refraining from holding him accountable.

At least, without this old man, they wouldn't be able to track down the Hao Te team or leave the Frozen Forest.

"Continue leading the way, don't disappoint me!"

---

"Finally, we've left the Extreme North Ice Plains just before winter arrives," Ning Tianchen stretched lazily, gazing at the Frozen Forest ahead with a cheerful heart.

Tian Guozhen remarked, "It doesn't really matter. Winter road closures only prevent carriages from leaving; as pedestrians, we can leave Snowy Plains Town whenever we want."

Tian Chao explained, "Our Snow Mountain Sect has a route to leave Snowy Plains Town. So, my friends, rest assured—you won't be trapped here for the entire winter."

"Since winter hasn't arrived yet, we'll head back first. If you stay here until winter, visit our sect's outpost here—someone will guide you out."

Tian Guozhen exchanged a fist bump with Ning Tianchen. "Friend, I'm looking forward to our next meeting. You must work hard—I'm eager for our next sparring session."

"The feeling is mutual," Ning Tianchen replied with a respectful bow.

With that, the two parties parted ways.

Ning Rongrong curiously asked, "Brother Tianchen, can you defeat him now?"

Ning Tianchen smiled but didn't answer.

After obtaining his seventh soul ring, the Seven Kill Sword awakened its innate domain. With the dual domains, he could significantly suppress his opponents.

However, this lead was only temporary. Given Tian Guozhen's talent, he might awaken a domain in the future. If he were to obtain the inheritance of the Ice God, he might even gain an even stronger domain.

In short, the future was uncertain, and the current advantage was fleeting.

"Rongrong, we should consider when the second trial will take place," Ning Tianchen said.

He believed the reason the second trial hadn't started was that their strength wasn't sufficient yet. Even if it were activated, they wouldn't be able to complete it. Thus, delaying the second trial was essentially a form of protection for them.

"Rongrong thinks we haven't reached the trial location yet, so the divine trial hasn't begun," Ning Rongrong said.

As they spoke, the sound of intense battle echoed from within the Frozen Forest.

"This aura feels familiar—it's probably the Hao Te team," Ning Tianchen thought anxiously.

Based on Oscar's rate of power growth, he had likely broken through to level sixty by now. From the events of the original timeline, the internal strife within the Hao Te team was triggered by the spirit bone dropped by the Mirror Image Beast Oscar hunted.

He wasn't sure about the current situation, but if he didn't hurry over, Oscar and Chen Huayu might face danger.

---

"Hao Te, we've tolerated your favoritism toward these two brats. Now, the Mirror Image Beast has dropped a head spirit bone—you should share it with everyone."

"That's right! Everyone contributed to hunting the Mirror Image Beast. Sell the spirit bone and split the money!"

Chen Huayu sneered, "Hmph, how dare you claim you contributed! During the battle, I held the Mirror Image Beast back while Brother Hao Te dealt the heavy blow. What did any of you do?"

Hao Te had long seen through their ambitions.

They clearly intended to take the spirit bone for themselves and had no plans to spare the others.

"Enough talk! If you want to fight, let's fight!" Hao Te roared furiously.

His team wasn't composed of just him as a Soul Sage. Recently, a peak Soul Emperor in the team had broken through to become a Soul Sage, and Hao Te had even helped hunt down the seventh soul ring. Additionally, there were two veteran Soul Emperors in the group.

On the other hand, Hao Te's side only had him as a Soul Sage and Chen Huayu as a Soul King. Not to mention, Oscar was still absorbing a soul ring and needed protection.

"Seventh soul skill—True Body of the Martial Soul." The Soul Sage wielding the Gray Wolf martial soul held nothing back.

"Kill Hao Te and these two brats, and we'll split the spirit bone among the three of us."

"Bastards, do you really believe his lies? After we die, you won't escape either!" Chen Huayu cursed.

However, the two Soul Emperors paid no heed to his words.

Hao Te was determined to give the spirit bone to Oscar. If they helped Hao Te, they wouldn't get anything. It was better to kill him and claim a share of the spoils.

"Fatty Chen, guard Oscar. I'll hold them off," Hao Te activated his True Body martial soul and engaged the three opponents in fierce combat.

The clash between two Soul Sages was immense, drawing attention from people within dozens of miles.

The Hao Tian Sect's Soul Sage team quickly arrived at the battlefield.

"Spirit bone!"

Seeing the spirit bone on the Mirror Image Beast, Tang Yue was overjoyed!

"Who's there!" Hao Te and the opposing Soul Sage stopped simultaneously.

Tang Yue's team consisted of five members—five Soul Sages whose combined strength could decisively turn the tide of battle.

"Heh, what a pleasant surprise. This spirit bone will be ours," Tang Yue said as he rushed to the Mirror Image Beast.

Chen Huayu tried to intervene but was knocked back by Tang Yue's Hao Tian Hammer.

After securing the spirit bone, Tang Yue glanced at Oscar, who was still absorbing the soul ring, and chuckled, "Hmph, you're still busy fighting amongst yourselves."

"People from the Hao Tian Sect!" Hao Te's expression darkened.

Years ago, Oscar and Chen Huayu had communicated with him.

That escort mission was commissioned by the Hao Tian Sect.

Now that the Hao Tian Sect's elites had arrived, it was clear they intended to silence them.

The opposing Soul Sage didn't realize the gravity of the situation and instead said, "Friend, let's cooperate to kill Hao Te. You can have this spirit bone—we'll settle for some compensation."

Outnumbered and facing multiple Soul Sages, it was better to cut their losses. There was no hope for the spirit bone, but getting compensation wasn't bad.

They had already turned against Hao Te, and given Chen Huayu and Oscar's notable backgrounds, failing to eliminate these individuals would spell trouble for them later.

"Damn it, how could we possibly—" Before the Hao Tian Sect's elite could finish, Tang Yue interrupted, "Of course we can. We are men of our word."

If they refused, the combined strength of the two Soul Sages would pose significant trouble.

Rather than risking that, it was better to take them down one by one. Besides, the disciples of the Hao Tian Sect always enjoyed watching others turn on each other.

"Let's attack together—first kill Hao Te, then divide the spirit bone." The Soul Sage gritted his teeth and unleashed his full power against Hao Te.

Hao Te wanted to curse this man.

Colluding with the Hao Tian Sect—what kind of death wish was that?

Of course, given the circumstances, he couldn't escape unscathed either.

Tang Yue turned his gaze to Oscar and mocked, "Hmph, looks like you won't be finishing absorbing that soul ring anytime soon. Such a pity for a young Food System Soul Emperor."

"You can't touch him!" Despite the pain, Chen Huayu forced himself to stand and retrieved the token of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect from his soul tool storage device. "We are from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!"

At this moment, revealing their identity as disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was the only way to protect Oscar.

Since the other party belonged to the Hao Tian Sect, both being part of the Upper Three Sects, he hoped they wouldn't resort to violence.

However, he underestimated the Hao Tian Sect's determination to eliminate them.

Although both the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Hao Tian Sect were part of the Upper Three Sects, the hidden Hao Tian Sect didn't want anyone to know the location of their sect. Especially not disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—an identity far too sensitive.

By declaring their affiliation, Chen Huayu only strengthened the Hao Tian Sect's resolve to eliminate them.

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