Douluo: The Ultimate Self

It was a full week before Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo returned. Judging by Ning Fengzhi's expression, he seemed extremely pleased, likely having obtained an excellent eighth soul ring.

To Yang Xiong's surprise, his older brother Yang Wei hadn't returned. It was said that he had gone on a training journey with Oscar and Qin Shuang. Yang Xiong strongly suspected that his brother was trying to avoid Zhao Wuji's brutal combat training.

After a week of grueling training under Bone Douluo, Yang Xiong's body felt utterly battered. Each session left him in a pitiful state.

However, Yang Xiong gradually began to understand the purpose of Bone Douluo's training. The constant attacks from multiple opponents forced his body to instinctively dodge or deflect incoming strikes.

If this kind of training were sustained over time, it would undoubtedly strengthen his defense and even improve his reaction speed.

The repeated physical trauma, followed by blood-soaked tempering, was somewhat similar to the effects of medicinal baths used during extreme cultivation.

However, compared to medicinal baths, this method was far more brutal. Though there was no immediate threat to his life, the pain became numbing, his skin grew thicker, and even his bones seemed to grow stronger under the relentless pounding.

Yang Xiong couldn't help but recall Tang San training with the Hao Tian Hammer beneath a waterfall. The waterfall's immense force was akin to the strikes of the iron rods.

After Sword Douluo returned, Bone Douluo disappeared without a trace, apparently leaving the sect to handle some matters.

Yang Xiong arrived at the training grounds early in the morning and waited for over ten minutes before Sword Douluo finally appeared, slightly late.

Compared to Bone Douluo, Sword Douluo seemed even more unapproachable, his presence as cold as ice.

Upon seeing Sword Douluo, Yang Xiong quickly bowed: "Teacher, I humbly ask you to begin your instruction today."

Sword Douluo nodded: "I've already discussed this with Old Bones. He trained you for a week, and now it's my turn to take over for the next week."

"Our methods of training will be completely different. While his training is torturous, mine is simpler—but equally deadly."

"Attack me with all your strength. Let me see what you're capable of. Of course, I'll only display the strength of a Soul Ancestor."

Yang Xiong was speechless. Why did both his teachers insist on making him attack them? Could they really discern so much from his attacks?

This time, Yang Xiong was prepared. He quickly summoned his martial soul and soul rings, his hands transforming into dragon-like claws. With incredible speed, he lunged toward Sword Douluo.

Sword Douluo seemed unfazed. Just as Yang Xiong was about to grab him, the Seven Kill Sword materialized out of thin air. Instead of colliding with Yang Xiong's claws, it moved like lightning, aiming directly for the joints of his hands.

Yang Xiong tensed up. This was the Seven Kill Sword, one of the most powerful weapon-type martial souls in existence. He doubted he could withstand its might.

In an instant, Yang Xiong halted his claw attack and redirected them toward the Seven Kill Sword.

But even though the sword wasn't held in Sword Douluo's hand—it was controlled solely by his soul power—the blade flicked upward just before contact, piercing toward Yang Xiong's neck instead.

Reacting swiftly, Yang Xiong immediately pulled his hands back to block the sword's path.

However, the Seven Kill Sword surged forward relentlessly, striking Yang Xiong's claws with such force that even his full strength couldn't stop its sharpness.

Gritting his teeth despite the pain in his hands, Yang Xiong flashed behind Sword Douluo using his speed. With all his might, he unleashed a punch infused with the momentum of his body—a soul skill called Bone-Crushing Impact Fist.

But Sword Douluo didn't even turn his head. The Seven Kill Sword shot forward, passing over his shoulder and piercing directly toward Yang Xiong's silver fists.

In just one strike, Yang Xiong felt as though his fists were about to split apart. The overwhelming force from the Seven Kill Sword pushed him backward.

Before Yang Xiong could react further, a surge of sword energy coalesced in the air, threatening to pierce through his entire body.

Swallowing hard, Yang Xiong teleported in front of Sword Douluo once again. With all his strength, he hurled a golden Rasengan toward him.

But Sword Douluo manipulated the Seven Kill Sword to vibrate rapidly, creating a flower-like pattern of sword energy that effortlessly deflected the Rasengan.

Before Yang Xiong could process what happened, the Seven Kill Sword reappeared at an impossibly tricky angle, hovering near his neck. A thin line of blood seeped from his skin where the sword had grazed him.

Yang Xiong swallowed nervously. The Seven Kill Sword's attacks were ferocious, its speed unparalleled. From the intensity and control displayed, it seemed Sword Douluo was indeed limiting himself to the strength of a Soul Ancestor.

With a wave of his hand, Sword Douluo dismissed the Seven Kill Sword from Yang Xiong's neck. Only then did Yang Xiong breathe a sigh of relief.

Sword Douluo gave a rare nod: "Not bad. Your reaction speed is commendable, and your attacks are passable. Among Soul Ancestors or even Soul Kings, few can match your offensive capabilities."

"However, you're overly reliant on brute force and lack proper control. Why did you stop your attack when the Seven Kill Sword first struck you? Was it because of the disparity in our strength?"

Yang Xiong quickly responded: "Teacher, the Seven Kill Sword is overwhelmingly powerful. Even if I attacked you, my hands would likely have been severed."

Sword Douluo sneered: "You possess strength and combat techniques, but lack resolve and determination. How can you become a true powerhouse? Remember, there are countless geniuses in this world. Only those who dare to challenge the strong and face death without fear can rise to the top. No Title Douluo is an exception."

"During the Soul Master Tournament, your performance was decent, but your hesitation was evident. You had the chance to defeat Yao Mei, yet you neither used your soul skills nor unleashed your full potential. What was the point of participating in the tournament?"

"The Spirit Hall may be powerful, but if we lack the courage to challenge them, we might as well surrender and live ordinary lives."

Yang Xiong broke out in a cold sweat. Over the years, he had relied on calculations and strategies, but his personality had often been indecisive. He hesitated when he should have refused and held back when he should have fought desperately. He had never taken risks, lacking the courage to challenge stronger opponents.

Sword Douluo continued: "Analyze why you lost so easily in our sparring. Where did you go wrong?"

After careful thought, Yang Xiong replied: "Teacher, it's mainly due to the difference in how we utilize soul power. Your control over the Seven Kill Sword has reached its peak—it moves as naturally as an extension of your body."

Sword Douluo shook his head: "Your analysis is shallow. I already mentioned that I limited myself to the strength of a Soul Ancestor—speed, power, attack, and even the sharpness of the Seven Kill Sword were all constrained to that level. Yet you were intimidated by my strength and lacked the courage to truly fight back."

Yang Xiong quickly responded: "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher. I assure you, this won't happen again."

Sword Douluo sneered: "Do you think you'll get another chance in a real battle? If you don't unleash your full strength immediately, do you think your enemy will give you a second chance?"

"Throughout our fight, you failed to establish your own rhythm and instead fell completely into mine. This is a cardinal sin in soul master battles."

Yang Xiong's expression hardened: "Teacher, I understand. Thank you for your reminder. In the future, I will fight with my life on the line."

Sword Douluo nodded: "Having this resolve means you're not beyond saving. The Soul Master Tournament was nothing but a children's game—it forbade injuring opponents, making it meaningless to me."

"Your strength may surpass that of ordinary students, but you're far from overwhelming dominance. Your speed, power, and defense were among the best in the tournament. You stood out because of your superior knowledge and experience."

Hearing this, Yang Xiong reflected on his journey over the past few years. He realized he had indeed grown complacent.

Sword Douluo continued: "Since you've become my disciple, I'll do my best to teach you. But if you disappoint me, you might one day meet your end beneath my Seven Kill Sword. My disciples must never show cowardice."

Yang Xiong clenched his teeth: "Teacher, I will never be weaker than others. I'll fight harder than anyone."

Sword Douluo said: "Now that's more like it. My martial soul is the Seven Kill Sword, and since you don't have a sword-based martial soul, I won't teach you any sword techniques. Given your situation, it would be difficult for you to advance far in the way of the sword."

"What I can teach you comes down to two words: 'attack' and 'kill.'"

"'Attack' means using every means at your disposal to defeat your enemies, pressing forward without hesitation. 'Kill' means unleashing your killing intent to eliminate your foes."

As soon as Sword Douluo finished speaking, an overwhelming aura of killing intent erupted from him. Yang Xiong trembled uncontrollably, as if submerged in a sea of corpses and blood. Even his soul quaked under the pressure.

The killing intent exuded by Sword Douluo rivaled that of Tang Hao—it was the unique aura of the Seven Kill Sword.

With a wave of his hand, Sword Douluo unleashed a surge of sword energy that suppressed Yang Xiong's martial soul and soul power.

Yang Xiong was exasperated. Why did both his teachers insist on suppressing his martial soul and soul power? Was this how one trained in the art of attack?

Before Yang Xiong could say anything, several disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wheeled in a massive cage. Inside was a spotted tiger over six meters long, clearly a two-thousand-year-old soul beast.

Sword Douluo instructed: "Use any means necessary to kill this thousand-year spotted tiger. However, you are not allowed to use hidden weapons."

After speaking, Sword Douluo swiftly traced two lines of sword energy, carving out a small arena on the training ground. He then stepped outside the range of the sword energy.

The spotted tiger let out a thunderous roar, regarding Yang Xiong as its prey. However, it seemed to fear Sword Douluo's sword energy and dared not approach him.

Yang Xiong was incredibly tense. He wasn't inexperienced in fighting thousand-year soul beasts, but with his martial soul and soul power completely suppressed, defeating and killing the spotted tiger would be extraordinarily difficult.

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