Zhu Zhuqing's Shadow Trial, the Sharp Edge of the Instantaneous Strike

The tenth trial field in the back mountain of Nishen Hall was a labyrinth shrouded in eternal shadow. The black mist felt substantial, capable of swallowing light and spirit power. Interwoven within the labyrinth were sharp god-defying rune traps and Shadow Hunters capable of mimicking an enemy's shadow—this was the 'Shadow Purgatory' Su Chen had custom-built for Zhu Zhuqing. The trial required her to break the psychological shackles left by the Star Luo Empire assassins' pursuit, completely merge her Shadow Soul Power with her God-Defying Power, unlock the Reversal Shadow · Instant Realm Form, and gain a raid capability that transcended spatial limits, becoming a lethal hunter who could freely traverse the shadows.

Sensing the awakening of God-Defying Power, the God Realm Enforcers had temporarily retreated to wait outside the spatial barrier, launching no actual invasion; Nishen Hall was steadily integrating the remnant forces of the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire, and Qian Renxue had already subdued most Spirit Masters of the Spirit Hall, completing more than half of the continent's unification; meanwhile, Xiao Ling was doing hard labor at the Cangyun Town docks, where he shattered ore due to physical exhaustion and was beaten by a supervisor before being thrown by the roadside, still struggling bitterly at the bottom of society.

Zhu Zhuqing stood at the entrance of the Shadow Labyrinth, her black Hell Civet Spirit quietly manifesting as a faint Shadow Soul Power swirled around her fingertips. The shadow of the Star Luo Empire's pursuit always loomed in her heart—if Su Chen hadn't been seriously injured saving her back then and used Shadow Soul Power to heal her in that cave, she would have long since fallen prey to the assassins. This warmth of 'being protected' was both her bond and her shackle, causing her to subconsciously rely on Su Chen in battle and making it difficult to fully release the ferocity of her Shadow Power.

'Zhuqing, your Shadow Power should be the sharpest blade, yet it is bound by the obsession of "fear of loss."' Su Chen's voice pierced through the shadow mist, as black God-Defying Soul Power transformed into a soft band of light, wrapping around her wrist. 'Shadow is never a symbol of loneliness, but the armor of our mutual protection. You must believe that you are not fighting alone; within your shadow, there is my God-Defying Power and the bond of your Sisters.'

Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled slightly as images of the cave flashed through her mind: Su Chen covered in blood, yet still using Shadow Soul Power to block the pursuers' attacks, telling her, 'You are the first person to fight so hard for me, and I will protect you forever.' That determined gaze now transformed into a strength that broke through her shackles. Taking a deep breath, she leaped into the Shadow Labyrinth, and the black mist instantly swallowed her.

Just as she entered the labyrinth, sharp god-defying runes suddenly surfaced on the ground beneath her feet, and countless black blade-auras slashed toward her limbs. Zhu Zhuqing reacted extremely fast, her figure dodging like a ghost as her Shadow Soul Power condensed into claws, shattering the incoming blade-auras one by one. But the shadows in the labyrinth were like living things; as soon as the blade-auras were dispersed, three Shadow Hunters identical to her rushed out from the mist, their movements, techniques, and even spirit power fluctuations perfectly matching hers.

'The same old tricks again.' Zhu Zhuqing's eyes turned cold, her Hell Civet's speed pushed to the limit as her shadow claws, accompanied by the sound of breaking wind, swiped toward the Shadow Hunter on the far left. But just as she was about to hit it, the Shadow Hunter suddenly dissipated into black mist, while the other two hunters behind her launched simultaneous attacks, their claws aimed directly at her back.

Bang! Zhu Zhuqing was hit squarely, a sharp pain radiating from her chest as blood spilled from the corner of her mouth. She staggered back, watching the Shadow Hunters reform, and understood in her heart: these hunters were the embodiment of her inner fears. As long as she carried the obsession of 'fear of being surpassed' and 'fear of being unable to protect Su Chen,' she would never be able to completely defeat them.

'Zhuqing, do not resist the shadow, merge with it!' Su Chen's voice came again, and the god-defying band of light on her wrist shimmered. 'Your Shadow Soul Power and God-Defying Power share the same source; let the God-Defying Power become your eyes to find your true self within the shadow.'

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes, no longer trying to distinguish the real Shadow Hunters from the fake ones, but instead focusing all her attention on the Nishen Mark within her body. The black nishen markings spread along her blood vessels, intertwining with her Shadow Soul Power to form a black-and-white light screen. As the screen expanded, the shadow mist that originally swallowed light now became transparent—she could clearly see that the energy source for all the Shadow Hunters came from a 'Shadow Core' at the center of the labyrinth.

'Found it!' Zhu Zhuqing snapped her eyes open, her gaze flickering with black-and-white light. She no longer entangled herself with the Shadow Hunters, her figure turning into a black stream of light as she rushed toward the center of the labyrinth. The god-defying rune traps along the way were triggered automatically, sending blade-auras, Poison Mist, and gravity fields one after another, but her body seemed to merge with the shadows, and all attacks passed through her figure without causing any harm.

The Shadow Core floated in the center of the labyrinth, a fist-sized black crystal surrounded by twisted shadow energy. The three Shadow Hunters suddenly merged together, forming a giant shadow several times taller than Zhu Zhuqing, which condensed a giant shadow blade and slashed down at her: 'Give up, you can never escape the fate of being hunted!'

'I am no longer the Zhu Zhuqing who needs protection!' Zhu Zhuqing's voice echoed through the labyrinth as she unleashed all the God-Defying Power and Shadow Soul Power in her body. A pair of wings condensed from shadows appeared on her back, wrapped in god-defying runes, and the shadow claws in her hands evolved into black-and-white God-Defying Shadow Claws.

'Reversal Shadow · Instant Realm Raid!'

Zhu Zhuqing's figure instantly vanished from her spot, reappearing behind the giant shadow in the next second. Her God-Defying Shadow Claws, carrying the power to tear through space, clawed fiercely at the Shadow Core. With a 'crack,' the Shadow Core shattered, and the giant shadow dissipated along with it. The black mist of the entire labyrinth began to recede, revealing clear outlines.

Her body erupted with brilliant black-and-white light, and her Hell Civet battle suit evolved into a Nishen Shadow Battle Suit, clinging to her form and outlining sharp lines—the Reversal Shadow · Instant Realm Form was officially unlocked! Her speed transcended spatial limits, allowing her to traverse any shadow freely and even infiltrate an enemy's divine soul shadow for a lethal attack; her Shadow Power could not only swallow spirit power but also briefly block the holy perception of the God Realm.

Zhu Zhuqing walked out of the labyrinth, appearing beside Su Chen in a flash. Her shadow wings flapped gently behind her, and her eyes were full of relief and determination: 'Su Chen, I did it. From now on, my shadow will be your sharpest blade, protecting every inch of Nishen Hall's land.'

Su Chen reached out to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth, his eyes full of gratification: 'Zhuqing, you've finally broken through your limits. With your Instant Realm Raid, our certainty in integrating the continent's forces and dealing with the God Realm threat has increased once more.'

When the two returned to Nishen Hall, the final deployment for the continent's unification was underway in the council chamber. Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda provided long-range amplification for the integrated troops, and Ah Yin's Blue Silver Grass had spread to every city in the Heaven Dou Empire, establishing a rapid communication network; Qian Renxue sat to one side, processing the surrender documents of the Spirit Hall's remnant forces, her golden angel god armor now bearing the Nishen Mark; Qing Lin's snake swarm patrolled the Star Luo Empire border, and Hinata's Byakugan monitored movements everywhere in real-time.

'Zhu Zhuqing, you successfully unlocked your God-Defying Form?' Karin came forward, a green healing glow flowing in her palm. 'Just in time, there are still a few stubborn noble forces in the Star Luo Empire refusing to submit. I need you to handle them.'

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and vanished in a flash: 'Leave it to me.'

Half an hour later, news came from Qing Lin's snake swarm: the stubborn nobles of the Star Luo Empire had all been subdued, and all forces had officially submitted to Nishen Hall. Thus, the two great Empires of Heaven Dou and Star Luo were completely unified, the remnant forces of the Spirit Hall were fully integrated, and the banner of Nishen Hall was planted in every city across the Douluo Continent.

Meanwhile, by the roadside in Cangyun Town, Xiao Ling struggled to crawl up from the ground, his body covered in burning, painful wounds. The half-piece of moldy steamed bun the supervisor had thrown at him rolled into the mud; he picked it up without hesitation, wiped off the filth, and devoured it ravenously. Passing pedestrians avoided him, some whispering: 'Isn't that the former genius of Shrek? How did he end up like this?'

'I heard he offended Lord Su Chen of Nishen Hall, his Spirit was crippled, and now he's worse than a dog.'

These words stabbed into Xiao Ling's heart like knives, but he no longer had the strength to argue. He knew that just staying alive was a problem now, and the so-called 'genius' halo was long gone. After finishing the bun, he limped toward the Mass Grave—the docks no longer wanted him, and he could only go to the Mass Grave to scavenge for food scraps discarded by others to barely sustain his life.

The Observation Array of Nishen Hall suddenly lit up, and Hinata's God-Defying Byakugan flickered with light: 'Su Chen, the God Realm fluctuations outside the spatial barrier are getting stronger. They seem to be gathering their forces, and... I feel the aura of the Angel God, very similar to Lady Qian Renxue's aura.'

Su Chen's expression turned solemn: 'It seems the God Realm has noticed Qian Renxue's defection. Next, we must accelerate the consolidation of order on the continent, while letting Ah Yin and Zi Yan complete their trials as soon as possible. Only when all fifteen Sisters have unlocked their God-Defying Forms can we truly face the threat of the God Realm.'

Qian Renxue's fingers tapped lightly on the table, a cold light flashing in her eyes: 'If the Angel God descends in person, I will deal with her. What I owe the God Realm should be fully repaid now.'