As a time traveler, Ren Arakawa clearly remembered that when Yu Xiaogang had tried to take Tang San as his disciple, he too had said something about perseverance. Now hearing Jian Daochen speak the same words made Ren wonder—could it be that Jian Daochen wanted to take him as a disciple?
"You want to teach me martial arts?" Ren asked cautiously, still recalling how the system mentioned giving him a Titled Douluo as a master. The moment that thought passed, Jian Daochen and Ning Fengzhi had appeared. Ren found it a little too convenient.
"You're quite clever," Jian Daochen said with a relaxed smile, clearly growing more satisfied with Ren. "With your remarkable talent and sharp mind, you're only the third soul master in a century to awaken twin martial souls. Accept me as your master. From now on, you're my personal disciple."
"Do disciples get a token gift upon apprenticeship?" Ren asked with a grin.
"What?" Jian Daochen blinked in surprise.
"I heard from the villagers that when someone takes a master, the master gives them a gift to mark the occasion," Ren asked sincerely.
"A gift?" Jian Daochen repeated in confusion, still trying to wrap his mind around it.
"No way, don't tell me that only storybooks have this tradition," Ren muttered, glancing at Jian Daochen with a hint of disappointment.
That glance left Jian Daochen speechless. Ren's eyes had the look of someone at a disadvantage, as if he had somehow come out worse in this new relationship. It was as if Ren was saying: by becoming your disciple, I'm the one losing here!
"Uncle Jian, this boy is truly clever!" Ning Fengzhi said with a laugh, both amused and impressed. As the head of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi knew just how many disciples had begged to become Jian Daochen's student—many of whom had failed despite their efforts. Now, Ren had not only succeeded, he was even negotiating terms!
"Alright," Jian Daochen finally relented, nodding as he smiled. "Yes, becoming a disciple deserves a token gift."
"Master, please allow this disciple to formally acknowledge you." Without hesitation, Ren knelt on the ground and bowed deeply to Jian Daochen.
"What are you doing?" Jian Daochen asked in surprise.
"Thank you, Master!" Ren said.
"Don't you know that kneeling is a ceremony for kings or one's biological parents? A bow would suffice for a master," Jian Daochen said with a rare smile. He was already imagining how proud he'd be boasting to Bone Douluo Gu Rong about his new prodigy disciple—twin martial souls and innate level 30 soul power!
"Heaven, Earth, Teacher, and Parent—my master is as dear as a father. Please accept my respect." Ren said solemnly, then knocked his head against the ground three times.
"Rise," Jian Daochen commanded, sweeping his hand gently. A surge of soul power lifted Ren to his feet.
Then, with another wave of his hand, a glowing silver object hovered before Ren.
"Is this my token gift?" Ren asked in awe. As a time traveler, he immediately recognized what it was.
"Yes," Jian Daochen said, nodding. "It's your token. This is the Right Arm Bone of the Rampaging Sky Ape. It's a high-quality soul bone with a nine-year maturity. Its ability triggers a berserk state, instantly boosting your attack power by [-]%."
"The Right Arm Bone of the Rampaging Sky Ape!" Ren murmured in disbelief. Though not yet ten years old, a nine-year soul bone was still extraordinary. A soul bone like this could spark bloody battles in the open market.
"There are six main types of soul bones that can be fused into the human body: skull, torso, right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg. There are also some rare external soul bones. Sit cross-legged—I'll teach you how to absorb it," Jian Daochen instructed.
"Yes, Master." Ren nodded and took deep breaths, trying to calm his excitement.
He had just become the disciple of a Titled Douluo and now received a soul bone of such rarity. Following Jian Daochen's guidance, Ren successfully absorbed the Rampaging Sky Ape's right arm bone on the spot.
The absorption took place in a small plaza outside the Spirit Hall of Holy Soul Village, a place rarely visited. Even if someone approached, Jian Daochen and Ning Fengzhi were there to protect Ren.
About half an hour later, Ren had completely absorbed the soul bone. He could feel the explosive strength coiling through his arm. With just a thought, his power could double. He dubbed the effect "Double Combat Power."
"Ren, come back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect with us," Jian Daochen invited warmly.
"No, Master. I want to enroll in the Junior Soul Master Academy in Notting City to receive a comprehensive education," Ren respectfully declined.
Though tempted by the offer, Ren knew that with his unique system, staying near Tang San brought him more opportunities. If he joined the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it would be no different from entering the Spirit Hall—it would throw him into unfamiliar territory, which he wanted to avoid.
Jian Daochen chatted with him a while longer, and seeing Ren's resolve, finally gave in. "Alright. But you must promise me one thing."
"What is it?" Ren asked curiously.
"Until you become a Titled Douluo, you are not to attach any soul rings to your second martial soul without my permission," Jian Daochen said solemnly.
"Understood, Master," Ren replied without hesitation.
He understood Jian Daochen's reasoning—it was because his master wanted only ten-thousand-year soul rings on Ren's second martial soul.
After a pause, Ren asked cheekily, "If I can't add rings to my second martial soul… can I add them to my third one?"
Jian Daochen and Ning Fengzhi were both stunned. "What? You have a third martial soul?!"
(End of Chapter)