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The battle had been ongoing for some time. While weaker soul masters couldn't keep up with the fight, those with Soul Douluo-level mental strength or higher could follow their movements.
Overall, Yu Yuanzhen was at a slight disadvantage. Long Zhentian's attacks were fierce and powerful, leaving several Title Douluos feeling uneasy.
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Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's Position
"Old Bones, you also have a beast martial soul—could you fight Old Dragon to this extent?"
Sword Douluo Chen Xin turned to ask an elderly man over two meters tall standing nearby.
"I doubt it. My Bone Dragon martial soul is inferior in close combat compared to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. This kind of head-on clash isn't my forte. That Long Zhentian is truly formidable. The Spirit Hall will soon have another incredibly strong offering."
Bone Douluo Gu Rong stroked his chin as he spoke.
"Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, are you both saying neither of you can defeat this Ba Tian Douluo?" Ning Fengzhi, who was near the two Title Douluos, naturally overheard their conversation.
"I'd say I'm about even with him. Old Sword might be able to beat Long Zhentian, given that he's only level ninety-four now. But if he reaches level ninety-five, that's a whole different story—it's a watershed moment.
Old Sword could use his level ninety-six soul power to suppress Long Zhentian and rely on the Seven Kill Sword's attack power to win. However, we still don't know what Long Zhentian's ninth soul skill is—it's very close to a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Who knows how powerful it is?
Among our generation of Title Douluos, very few have ninth soul rings exceeding ninety thousand years. Old Sword's ninth soul ring is quite close to ninety thousand years, while mine is just over eighty thousand. As for the Spirit Hall's Chrysanthemum Guan and Old Ghost, their ninth soul rings are only seventy-five thousand years old."
"Old Bones is right. Not only that, but before my father passed away, he told me about the realm beyond level ninety-five—it truly deserves the saying 'one level, one heaven.' At my current level of ninety-six, I'm confident I can crush any level ninety-five Title Douluo.
Of course, provided the opponent doesn't have a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. My father once said that level ninety-six soul power is twenty percent stronger than level ninety-five, level ninety-seven is twenty percent stronger than level ninety-six, level ninety-eight is thirty percent stronger than level ninety-seven, and level ninety-nine is forty percent stronger than level ninety-eight.
When my father challenged the Spirit Hall's Great Offering at level ninety-seven, that Great Offering didn't even use a soul skill—just raw soul power—and still gravely injured my father. I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to reach that realm in my lifetime."
The conversation between Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo wasn't just heard by Ning Fengzhi; Dugu Bo also overheard it and walked over to join them.
Dugu Bo now wore all black, with a black cloak draped over his shoulders. His hair was jet-black, and his appearance resembled that of a handsome young man in his late twenties. (Referencing Dugu Bo's manga design, but with black hair.)
"Heh, what Sword Douluo just said is partially correct, but not entirely. It's true up to level ninety-seven, but beyond level ninety-eight—that's where the real watershed lies."
Dugu Bo's sudden arrival caused Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to furrow their brows. Someone had been eavesdropping during their conversation—likely another Title Douluo.
"May I ask who you are, Lord?" Ning Fengzhi, the cunning fox, was well-versed in social interactions.
"I am Dugu Bo. I've simply become younger due to certain opportunities."
Dugu Bo spoke casually. His current mindset was excellent—his family's issues were resolved, his granddaughter's lifelong happiness was secured, and all that remained was pursuing the pinnacle of the Soul Master Tournament.
"Old Poison? How did you become so young? Rumors say you've gained a great opportunity, breaking through to level ninety-five and even evolving your martial soul, becoming youthful again?"
Bone Douluo scrutinized the transformed Dugu Bo, while Sword Douluo stared at him with a grave expression.
"I feel you're no longer at level ninety-five. I can't sense your depth—you have the same presence as my father?" Chen Xin said gravely.
"What?! Are you joking with me, old man?" Gu Rong exclaimed in disbelief.
"Heh, Sword Douluo's perception is sharp. I'm currently at level ninety-seven." With that, Dugu Bo unleashed a soul power barrier and released a trace of his aura.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo truly felt what level ninety-seven meant. Numbers were static, but people were dynamic—Super Douluo strength varied.
"I haven't encountered level ninety-nine, but I've seen the path to level ninety-eight. Sword Douluo mentioned your father, the previous Sword Douluo, Chen Jianjun, who reached level ninety-seven.
But he was stuck at level ninety-seven for a long time, seeking breakthroughs by challenging the Spirit Hall's Great Offering during battles, correct?
However, there's a crucial factor at level ninety-eight—the soul rings. Though Super Douluos gain diminishing returns from soul rings and skills, every level ninety-eight or Limit Douluo I know possesses a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
There's a reason why hundred-thousand-year soul rings are considered the most precious treasures in the soul master world. I suspect they help level ninety-seven Super Douluos break through to level ninety-eight more easily.
As for level ninety-nine, I've been told it's divided into tiers. Even weaker Limit Douluos can easily match two level ninety-eight Super Douluos with hundred-thousand-year soul rings."
(For reference, in Douluo II, Long Xiaoyao single-handedly matched Dubu Si and Xuan Zi, both Super Douluos. Though they were strong, they were no match for Long Xiaoyao. Together, they could barely hold their ground.)
Dugu Bo's words gave Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo a deeper understanding of the higher realms. What they learned today was astonishing, but Dugu Bo's strength convinced them—he had truly reached level ninety-seven, giving him significant authority.
Sword Douluo might have gained some insight, but it was incomplete. As for Bone Douluo... well, he had none at all.
Why did Dugu Bo approach the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? It was actually Li Luochen's idea. Li Luochen had shared his future plans with Dugu Bo, trusting him as both his girlfriend's grandfather and his own grandfather.
Li Luochen advised Dugu Bo to build closer ties with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Unlike the other two sects, the Hao Tian Sect would surely be destroyed, and while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect might survive, it would suffer greatly.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, however, was ideal for alliances—they were merchants at heart, driven by self-interest. If the benefits were substantial enough, they'd gladly cooperate.
Moreover, Dugu Bo knew that Li Luochen had secretly joined the Spirit Hall, and he himself had done so as well—but secretly. He was now part of the Hall of Offerings.
He had secretly sparred with several of the Spirit Hall's offerings and experienced power beyond level ninety-eight. It wasn't as simple as Chen Jianjun described. Golden Crocodile Douluo's strength was overwhelmingly formidable.
And Qian Daoliu? Unfathomable. Even at level ninety-seven with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, Dugu Bo felt like an ant before a demi-god-level Limit Douluo.
Still, this deepened Dugu Bo's understanding of the path ahead. What he shared with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo wasn't the full picture—he had truly experienced the strength of a Limit Douluo. Li Luochen had also discussed with him what it meant to be a Limit Douluo.
Limit Douluos were incredibly strong, but Qian Daoliu had the ability to kill one. As for why, Li Luochen didn't elaborate.
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On the Battlefield
Yu Yuanzhen and Long Zhentian continued their intense back-and-forth. Both had lost their shirts, and since they wielded dragon-type martial souls, their muscles were exaggerated, especially in their True Body forms, exuding immense physical power.
In the clash of True Bodies, Yu Yuanzhen fell into a disadvantage. However, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was a top-tier beast martial soul with extraordinary defense. Though his injuries were severe, they were manageable.
Yu Yuanzhen's body was engulfed in dark flames and corrosive darkness, while Long Zhentian bore some burn marks from the thunder's ravages. Still, he wasn't as battered as Yu Yuanzhen.
"Hmph, you've got some skill. Long Zhentian, let's settle this with one final move."
"Hmph! That's exactly what I was thinking!"
"Ninth Soul Skill! ×2"
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