Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

"What the heck?!"

Even Bone Douluo couldn't help but stand up in shock, his usual composure shattered.

"Hahaha..."

Sword Douluo burst into laughter, a carefree, hearty laugh he hadn't indulged in for years.

While the audience surrounding the arena was startled, their reactions weren't as extreme. Although they were aware that Qin Jian had remained stagnant in Soul Power for three years, he was still Sword Douluo's personal disciple. A sudden leap of four ranks, while surprising, wasn't entirely unthinkable.

However, Ning Fengzhi, who knew Qin Jian's Soul Power level just days ago, found himself utterly incredulous.

"Uncle Sword, what is going on here? How did Qin Jian's Soul Power skyrocket like this?" he couldn't help but ask.

Bone Douluo, standing to the side, subtly pricked up his ears, eager to hear the explanation.

Sword Douluo furrowed his brows slightly and leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "This involves the greatest secret about Jian'er. I'm afraid I can't disclose too much."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, showing his understanding.

Bone Douluo, however, was still unconvinced. "That peculiar first Soul Skill of his, combined with this incredible rate of advancement—if we're talking about talent, he's definitely surpassed Gu Yue. But his loyalty to the sect..."

He hesitated, his words trailing off.

Even Ning Fengzhi turned to look at Sword Douluo in concern.

Sword Douluo, however, remained calm. "You don't need to worry about him. After spending years with this child, I can confidently say I understand his nature. He won't betray the sect's trust."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi let out a soft sigh of relief. "With your judgment, Uncle Sword, I can rest assured."

In the arena.

Gu Yue finally snapped out of his shock. "You're already at Rank 14? Have you been hiding this just to make a stunning entrance now?

"Judging by your earlier victories, your Soul Power level must have been significantly higher than your opponents'. That's why you managed such overwhelming results."

A trace of confidence reappeared on his face. "But I'm not like them. Don't think you can repeat the same trick!"

His analysis resonated with the onlookers, who nodded in agreement, believing they had uncovered the truth.

Qin Jian merely smiled. "I suggest you give it your all, or you'll lose in just one round."

"Begin!"

The elder overseeing the duel announced the start before Gu Yue could retort.

"Boom!"

Gu Yue wasted no time. With a powerful stomp, he launched himself forward like a cannonball.

"Not even releasing your martial soul? Your arrogance will cost you!" he bellowed, summoning his Bone Dragon martial soul to fuse with his body. "First Soul Skill: Bone Claw!"

"Impressive!"

The spectators murmured in admiration at Gu Yue's seamless and aggressive opening move.

"Gu Yue clearly wants to avoid repeating the mistakes of earlier challengers by seizing the initiative. Meanwhile, Qin Jian hasn't even shown his martial soul yet. He's already at a disadvantage in this first exchange..."

Bone Douluo chuckled. "While it's inevitable that Qin Jian will surpass Gu Yue someday, I think this round still belongs to my little Bone Dragon."

Sword Douluo remained stoic. "Don't celebrate too soon."

In the arena.

"Shing!"

A massive Bone Claw descended toward Qin Jian. Gasps echoed from the audience, but Qin Jian stayed calm. His right hand formed a sword finger, raised to his chest. Then, with a cold shout:

"My body is the sword!"

Boom!

In the next instant, a dark purple longsword materialized in front of Qin Jian, blocking the oncoming Bone Claw.

Clang!

The Bone Claw struck the sword, producing a piercing screech.

"It's over..."

The moment Qin Jian's martial soul, Emotion Sword, appeared, his aura transformed into one of ruthless determination.

Without hesitation, he seized the moment when Gu Yue was frozen in shock. With a flick of his sword finger, he unleashed his counterattack.

"Sword Qi!"

Zing!

A streak of dark purple Sword Qi shot out from the Emotion Sword, slamming into Gu Yue's chest before he could react.

Thud!

Gu Yue's body was sent flying backward, landing outside the arena in a series of rolls before coming to a stop.

The crowd fell silent.

"What just happened? Was that a Soul Skill?"

"I couldn't see clearly. All I saw was his martial soul appearing, and then Gu Yue lost."

"Three years of concealment, and he's this powerful?"

The murmurs grew louder, disbelief spreading through the audience.

In the central viewing platform, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo were equally stunned.

While the others couldn't understand what they'd just witnessed, the two of them, being well-versed in Sword Douluo's techniques, immediately recognized it.

This was clearly Sword Douluo's self-created Soul Skill—Unity of Man and Sword. And the phrase My body is the sword was Sword Douluo's signature invocation for summoning his martial soul.

The two exchanged glances before turning toward Sword Douluo, who smirked. "I told you not to celebrate too early."

For once, he felt the rare satisfaction of outshining his old rival.

Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, was ecstatic. "Father, Father! Qin Jian won first place! My judgment is the best, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes, my little princess has the sharpest eyes," Ning Fengzhi replied indulgently.

"Winner: Qin Jian!"

The elder's announcement barely stirred the audience, as most were still trying to process what had happened.

Only Gu Yue, struggling to stand, truly understood the gap between them. Qin Jian's Sword Qi had pierced through all his defenses, leaving him no room to retaliate.

"I lost. You're stronger than me," he admitted reluctantly. "But one day, I'll catch up to you!"

Qin Jian glanced at him, his gaze neither hostile nor dismissive.

Though everyone in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect viewed them as rivals—just like Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo—Qin Jian had never seen Gu Yue as his opponent.

His true rivals were not those within the sect but the people who truly mattered to him, like Ning Rongrong, who cheered for him on the sidelines, and the eight exceptional women who awaited him in the future.

The battlefield of love—that was where he truly belonged!

"Next, the core disciples of the sect will select their partners. First up, our little princess, Ning Rongrong!"

Before the elder finished speaking, Ning Rongrong dashed forward. "Qin Jian! I choose Qin Jian!"

The result didn't surprise anyone. As the sect master's daughter and future heir, she was expected to choose the strongest partner.

"And you, Qin Jian? Do you accept?"

The elder still asked out of courtesy. After seeing Qin Jian nod, he announced, "Very well. The first pair: Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong."

Gu Yue clenched and released his fists repeatedly before finally lowering his head in defeat. He knew this loss was absolute. His three years of victories had been wiped out in a single day.

As the remaining pairs were selected, Qin Jian paid no attention. Ning Rongrong had already pulled him away excitedly. "Let's go! I want to hear more stories!"

And so, everyone watched as the two strolled off together.

However, the buzz surrounding the duel would not die down anytime soon. Qin Jian's stunning victory and unexpected partnership with Ning Rongrong left a lasting impression, ensuring he would remain the topic of conversation within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for a long time to come.

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