"Zhu Qing..."
Ning Rongrong's voice trembled slightly with a sob.
"Have they... all changed?"
Zhu Zhuqing remained silent for a moment, her gaze lingering on the distance, towards the direction of Jialing Pass.
How should I answer that?
Actually, they've always been like this.
Selfish, domineering, and self-centered.
However, they weren't strong enough in the past, so this nature was well concealed.
Now, with the expansion of power, this nature has been exposed without any restraint.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say these words aloud, but simply patted Ning Rongrong's shoulder gently.
"Rongrong, try to think more positively."
"Once we all become gods, you can find a way to make it up to Sword Douluo."
...
Above the sea of clouds in the nine heavens.
The orca flew steadily, the strong wind brushing against their faces and fluttering the clothes of the master and his disciple.
Shui Bing'er looked at the dazzling list of rewards on the Heavenly Golden Ranking, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Master, Master, look!"
"The rewards are exactly as you guessed: magic beans, pills, and divine artifacts!"
Luo Chen leaned back on the tiger's back, lazily yawned, and looked like he had everything under control.
He glanced at his excited apprentice.
"Now you know how powerful your master is?"
"Don't be too happy yet. Let's think about how to brew your four types of wine: grain-based, sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and worldly!"
Upon hearing this, Shui Bing'er immediately pouted, clearly unconvinced.
"Hmph! It's not certain who will win or lose yet!"
"We'll reach Jialing Pass soon."
"You'll know when the time comes!"
The girl's clear voice was full of confidence, which made Luo Chen smile.
...
at the same time.
Outside Jialing Pass, a temporary base for the Heavenly Dou Empire.
Inside a secluded tent.
Chen Xin sat cross-legged.
In the void before him, three beams of light appeared out of thin air and floated silently.
A vibrant green bean, brimming with life.
A fragrant elixir containing immense energy.
A longsword, entirely dark purple, its blade swirling with a palpable aura of killing intent.
These are enhanced versions of Senzu Beans, Mirror-Breaking Pills, and the divine weapon, the God-Slaying Sword!
Chen Xin's gaze was fixed intently on that Senzu Bean.
His body was trembling.
It wasn't out of fear, but out of excitement.
He slowly extended his only remaining left hand, trembling, and held the magic bean in his palm.
The warm touch and the boundless vitality instantly brought tears to the eyes of this old man who had seen countless life and death.
Tears streamed down his face.
He looked down at his empty right sleeve.
There was nothing there.
It's been many years.
Ever since he lost an arm to a Title Douluo from the Spirit Hall while protecting his sect, he had almost forgotten what his right hand felt like.
But now...
His hand can recover!
What he lost was not just an arm, but the most complete dignity of a swordsman!
Just as he was filled with excitement and was about to immediately consume the Senzu Bean,
A familiar yet somewhat timid voice rang out from outside the tent.
"Grandpa Jian... are you there?"
"Could you... hand over the Senzu Beans?"
Ning Rongrong's voice, like ice from the deepest abyss, instantly extinguished all the flames in Chen Xin's heart.
His heart sank instantly.
He gripped the Senzu Bean tightly with his left hand.
"Rongrong..."
His voice became low.
The tent flap was lifted, and Ning Rongrong walked in with her head down, not daring to look Chen Xin in the eye.
She was a little embarrassed, but she told Tang San and the others their "decision" in detail, and finally added in an almost inaudible voice.
"They said… Ma Hongjun is poisoned and has physical deficiencies, so he needs the magic bean more than you do."
Inside the tent, a deathly silence fell.
Chen Xin's face showed no emotion, but the sharp sword intent emanating from him made the air seem to freeze.
He didn't want to give it.
"Rongrong".
Chen Xin spoke slowly, his voice eerily calm.
"If you need it, let alone a Senzu Bean, even if it's Grandpa Sword's life, I can give it to you right away without saying a word."
"But Ma Hongjun..."
"What right does he have to steal my Senzu Beans!"
Ning Rongrong lowered her head even further, her voice trembling with sobs.
"Grandpa Jian, I..."
"Originally, they wanted you to hand over everything."
"It was only because Third Brother pleaded that we agreed to let you... keep that God of Slaughter Sword."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xin suddenly smiled.
That laughter was filled with endless sorrow and mockery.
"Heh...hehe..."
"So, I should thank them?"
"Thank you, bandits, for taking my things, but leaving me a little for the sake of your so-called reputation?"
"Do you expect me to be grateful?!"
His voice suddenly rose, and a sharp sword intent soared into the sky, tearing a huge gash in the top of the tent!
This originally belonged to him!
It was the honor bestowed upon him by the golden list!
Ning Rongrong trembled with fright, tears of guilt streaming down her face, and she wanted to say something more.
Chen Xin waved his hand, and the sword intent on his body slowly subsided.
His gaze became calm and distant, as if he were looking at Ning Rongrong, or as if he were looking at his own life through her.
"I have lived half my life for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"From the day I became a Title Douluo, I have been protecting the sect and you, father and daughter, for a full fifty years."
"In these fifty years, I have never asked the sect for anything."
"Now, it's time for me to live for myself for once."
He stood up, walked to Ning Rongrong, and gently touched her head with his only remaining hand.
"Rongrong, Grandpa Jian has always treated you like his own granddaughter."
"But I can't give you this Senzu Bean."
"Because human greed is endless!"
"Today they can steal my magic beans for Ma Hongjun, tomorrow they can steal someone else's divine artifact for Tang San!"
After saying that, he withdrew his hand and solemnly put the Immortal Bean, the Mirror-Breaking Pill, and the God-Slaying Sword into his soul tool.
"I'm going to leave here now, go somewhere no one can find me, take the Senzu Bean, and restore my arm."
He gave Ning Rongrong a deep look.
Will you stop me?
"Grandpa Sword..."
Ning Rongrong burst into tears and shook her head desperately.
She didn't stop her.
There was nothing that could be done to stop it.
Chen Xin glanced at her one last time, then turned and strode out of the tent.
His back remained upright, like a peerless sword about to break free from all constraints and be reborn.
For years I lost an arm for my ancestor; today, a single bean can buy my life.
I embark on this journey through the world without any hindrances; wherever in the world will I not return?
...
Not long after Chenxin left.
The golden banner in the sky shone brightly once again.
The ancient scroll slowly unfurled, revealing a new ranking to the world.
[Douluo Power Ranking, 15th place: Golden Crocodile Douluo!]
(End of chapter)