Chapter 8: Sword Douluo in Shock
"How… how is this possible?"
Sword Douluo was in utter disbelief as he felt the immense surge in his soul power. He stared at Ye Cheng, who stood before him, holding his ethereal Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, appearing otherworldly.
"Even if Fengzhi used his full strength, he could at most push my soul power to the threshold of Rank 97. But you… you just made me cross three entire ranks and reach the pinnacle of soul masters!"
On the Douluo Continent, advancing beyond Rank 95 was extraordinarily difficult. Every single level gained past this point represented an immense increase in strength.
For Titled Douluo, Rank 95 was a major watershed.
From Rank 91 to 95, differences in power could still be compensated for by factors like Martial Soul quality, soul bones, or soul skills.
But if one of the combatants had surpassed Rank 95, the situation changed completely.
At Rank 96, a Titled Douluo's soul power was 20% stronger than that of a Rank 95 Douluo.
Don't underestimate that 20% increase in battle, such a gap was monumental.
It wasn't something that Martial Soul quality or ordinary soul techniques could bridge.
Only an overwhelming soul skill gap or exceptionally high quality soul bones could allow a Rank 95 Douluo to contend with a Rank 96 Douluo.
Then
Advancing from Rank 96 to 97 meant another 30% increase in soul power.
From 97 to 98, it increased by 40%.
From 98 to 99, the boost was a staggering 50%!
Doing the math from Rank 96 to Rank 99, the total boost exceeded twice, nearly three times the original soul power!
What did that mean?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, known as the strongest amplification Martial Soul, could only double one's power at best.
Even so, in the world of Douluo, that kind of amplification was already considered broken beyond belief most auxiliary type soul masters could barely provide 5% to 10% boosts.
So for Sword Douluo, feeling his soul power suddenly triple, the shock was beyond comprehension.
Ye Cheng's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had utterly defied logic.
"If you're this shaken over just triple the boost, what would happen if I told you my full power buff is ten times? You might just pass out."
Ye Cheng silently mocked in his heart as he retracted the glow of his Martial Soul.
His Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's soul skills could all provide tenfold amplification.
But of course, he could adjust the level of amplification as needed.
For Sword Douluo, he had only raised his power to triple, stopping once he reached Rank 99.
Why not the full tenfold buff?
Because
It was unnecessary. Giving someone a boost still drained Ye Cheng's own soul power, and the stronger the recipient, the higher the energy cost.
Giving a Rank 96 Douluo a full tenfold boost would consume a significant amount of his own soul power.
If Sword Douluo became too strong and managed to turn the fight around, that would be a disaster.
If Ye Cheng's power had been cultivated step by step, he wouldn't have cared.
But his entire strength was fabricated by his "persona" system.
Without the confidence that came from real battle experience, he chose the safe option.
…
"Please, go ahead."
Ye Cheng withdrew his Martial Soul, standing with his hands behind his back.
"Now that we are on equal footing in terms of soul power, let me see just how powerful your famed Seven Kill Sword truly is."
Sword Douluo's shock gradually faded.
Feeling the unparalleled strength now coursing through him, he was more confident than ever.
But then he noticed something.
Ye Cheng, even now, hadn't summoned his Martial Soul.
Sword Douluo frowned.
"My soul power is now equal to yours, yet you refuse to summon your Martial Soul? Are you looking down on me?"
In the soul master world, it was customary for opponents to reveal their Martial Souls and announce their levels before a duel.
This was a sign of respect and an unspoken rule.
"Crap… I forgot!"
Ye Cheng internally cringed.
He had been so caught up in acting cool that he had completely neglected the etiquette of soul master battles.
"Damn it… what do I do now?"
"If I summon my Martial Soul now, it'll just be awkward."
"No choice I have to roll with it."
Ye Cheng made his decision.
He believed that even without using his Martial Soul, he could still defeat Sword Douluo with the sheer power granted by his persona.
So, instead of responding, he simply smiled faintly, exuding an aura of mystery.
But to Sword Douluo, that smile sent a completely different message
"You? Not even worth me using my Martial Soul."
"Arrogance!"
Sword Douluo was furious.
To him, Ye Cheng's attitude was beyond insulting.
Did he really think he could defeat a Rank 99 Titled Douluo without even summoning his Martial Soul?!
That was madness!
In the soul master world, a soul master's Martial Soul accounted for over half their combat strength.
Without using one's Martial Soul, even the strongest individual would be severely handicapped.
Sword Douluo knew Ye Cheng was powerful.
But to refuse to even use his Martial Soul?
That was pure arrogance.
Did Ye Cheng truly believe that his Seven Kill Sword was so weak?
Sword Douluo could no longer endure it.
His sword aura erupted!
In an instant, he tore through the air like a blade of absolute sharpness.
His Seven Kill Sword angled forward, its first soul ring glowing like a radiant star.
A wave of sword energy exploded outward
"Kill!"
A terrifying sword light slashed through the void itself, ripping open space, revealing a pitch black abyss.
Ye Cheng stood right at the center of the spatial tear.
Feeling the tremendous power radiating from the attack, Ye Cheng realized
Sword Douluo hadn't actually sliced open space.
It was a visual effect, an illusion created by his Martial Soul's special traits combined with his soul skill.
If Sword Douluo could actually tear space with just his Martial Soul alone, even gods would fall before him.
That kind of swordsmanship was far beyond mortal comprehension.
Still
This attack wasn't something Ye Cheng could just tank head on.
Without hesitation, he vanished from sight.
"!?"
Sword Douluo was stunned.
Then he remembered.
In the video, Ye Cheng had hunted countless 100,000 year soul beasts and obtained several soul bones.
This ability to disappear in an instant
It was undoubtedly a soul bone skill!
It seemed…
Even without his Martial Soul, Ye Cheng was still an incredibly formidable opponent.
(End of Chapter)
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