Even though Bone Douluo was no longer exerting pressure, Yang Xiong's forehead was still drenched in sweat. He knelt on one knee on the ground, clearly having endured immense pressure moments before.
Ning Fengzhi stared at Yang Xiong's hands and said, "Xiao Xiong, I didn't expect you to still be hiding your true strength in Spirit Hall. Seems you didn't want others to know your full capabilities."
Yang Xiong shook his head. "Sect Master, I was fully aware of the gap between myself and Yaomei in Spirit Hall. Even if I gave it my all, I might not have won. So instead of risking exposure, I chose to hold back."
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "I understand now. You were wary of Spirit Hall from the beginning. If you had revealed those two spirit bones in your hands, Spirit Hall would have likely gone all out to eliminate you."
At this moment, Bone Douluo also spoke up. "Yang Xiong, what is it you're truly pursuing? Your strength is greater than I imagined. Among spirit masters of the same level, I doubt anyone is your match."
Yang Xiong gritted his teeth. "I want to become the strongest in the world. I want to stand at the peak of the spirit master realm."
Bone Douluo looked a bit puzzled. "Do you even know what being the strongest in the world means? Or what the true peak of a spirit master is? You have a great talent for defense,haven't you considered taking that to the extreme? Perhaps no one in the world could ever break through your defenses."
Yang Xiong replied, "Not just defense, I want the strongest attack, the strongest defense, the greatest strength, the fastest speed, and the most powerful physique. If I can master all of these, I can truly become the strongest."
Sword Douluo, standing nearby, became interested. "Yang Xiong, do you know what the strongest attack truly is?"
Yang Xiong thought for a moment. "Senior Sword Douluo, I believe the strongest attack is the combination of ultimate power, ultimate speed, and an attribute that can break through all defenses."
Sword Douluo chuckled. "Interesting. But you know, most spirit masters can only specialize in one of those areas. Even top-level experts might be able to balance two. To master all three is nearly impossible."
Yang Xiong showed a trace of determination. "Others might not be able to do it, but I believe I have a chance. My body is my martial soul. Speed, strength, defense, physique, these can all be pushed to the limit through relentless training. If I continue breaking past those limits, I believe I can reach the peak of spirit mastery."
Sword Douluo's expression grew serious, but then he suddenly smiled. "Interesting. Your body as your martial soul, and breaking through your limits,it's quite compelling."
"I, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, have always been called peerless in offense. But do you know who the real strongest in the world are?"
Yang Xiong replied, "Over the past hundred years, the strongest are probably Qian Daoliu, the Grand Worshipper of Spirit Hall,known as Invincible in the Sky. Then there's Tang Chen, the ancestor of the Clear Sky Sect,known as Invincible on Land. And Poseidon Douluo Bo Saixi of Sea God Island,known as Invincible in the Sea. These three are the only known Level 99 Extreme Douluos of the past century."
Sword Douluo nodded. "Yes, those three are the unchallenged peak of the past century. Do you really think you can surpass them?"
Yang Xiong's face was firm. "Of course. If I can't surpass the limits, then all my efforts would have been for nothing."
Sword Douluo was silent for a moment, then said, "Very well. I haven't taken a disciple in years. But I find you intriguing. I'm willing to take you as my disciple,you may just reach that peak."
Yang Xiong, Ning Fengzhi, and Bone Douluo were all surprised. They hadn't expected the usually aloof Sword Douluo to offer to take Yang Xiong as a disciple.
Bone Douluo, in particular, looked displeased. "Old sword guy, what's that supposed to mean? Didn't think you were so shameless."
"Yang Xiong, I've watched you focus on defense and see great potential in you. I've been observing you for a while. Are you willing to become my disciple? I will teach you everything I know."
Sword Douluo shot a cold glance. "You coward. That so-called defense of yours is nothing. I could break through it with one swing of my sword."
Bone Douluo fired back, "You weakling! That feeble attack of yours isn't worth showing off!"
Yang Xiong: "..."
Seeing that the two were about to argue again, Ning Fengzhi quickly stepped in. "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, please wait. Perhaps there's a better solution."
Sword Douluo finally relented. "Fengzhi, I'll let it go today because of you. Otherwise, I would've taught this coward a lesson."
Bone Douluo also glared. "Fengzhi, don't blame me if I lose my temper. I really want to smack that sword guy."
Ning Fengzhi said, "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, since you both think highly of Yang Xiong, and he seeks both supreme offense and defense, why not both of you take him as your disciple? That way, he could learn from both of your strengths and maybe even reach the pinnacle of spirit mastery."
Sword and Bone Douluo exchanged glances but felt something odd about what Ning Fengzhi had said.
Bone Douluo questioned, "If Yang Xiong learns defense from me, it'll take a great deal of time. Will he still have time to learn offense from the sword guy?"
Sword Douluo frowned slightly. "That's because your teaching skills are poor. Cultivating attack isn't just about time,it depends on comprehension, and of course, the quality of the teacher."
Bone Douluo shouted angrily, "You sword maniac! Are you saying I can't teach properly? Let's see who's better!"
Seeing the argument start again, Ning Fengzhi quickly said, "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, Xiao Xiong has his own training plan and many aspirations. Just let him manage his time. You both can just guide him, helping him avoid detours."
As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi signaled to Yang Xiong, who instantly understood and bowed deeply.
"Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, I, Yang Xiong, sincerely ask to become your disciple. I will train diligently and live up to your esteemed reputations."
Sword and Bone Douluo were both highly respected figures in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and among the top experts in the world. Yang Xiong had long admired Sword Douluo, but Bone Douluo's strength was by no means inferior. To be taken in by both was an unexpected and great fortune.
Sword and Bone Douluo, originally annoyed, finally nodded in agreement.
Sword Douluo said, "Yang Xiong, from today on, you are our disciple. Train hard and don't disappoint the three of us."
"You're already at Level 40. What's your next plan,heading to Sunset Forest to get your fourth spirit ring?"
Yang Xiong quickly replied, "Teacher, I've been through Sunset Forest many times and haven't found a suitable spirit beast. I plan to go to the Star Dou Forest with Teacher Lin Gong to obtain my next spirit ring."
Sword Douluo nodded. "That's fine. Lin Gong's strength may be average, but his knowledge of spirit beasts and martial souls is decent. Since you have a plan, go ahead and get your ring. We'll begin your training once you return."
Yang Xiong said, "Thank you, teachers. I'll return as soon as possible."
Sword Douluo then took out a token from his body. The token had a simple design,a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda on one side, and a Seven Kill Sword on the other.
"Yang Xiong, this token represents me. From now on, do not disgrace my name."
Bone Douluo also handed over a token, which bore the same pagoda on the front, and a fierce bone dragon on the back.
Yang Xiong took both tokens with both hands and bowed again. "Thank you, teachers. I will not disappoint you."
After Yang Xiong left, only Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi remained. Judging by their expressions, they were clearly satisfied with Yang Xiong's current strength.
Ning Fengzhi thought for a while before speaking. "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, do you think Yang Xiong has the potential to reach the level of those three Extreme Douluos?"
Sword Douluo shook his head. "It's hard to say. Yang Xiong has top-notch determination and a clear training path, and he's had good opportunities. My only uncertainty lies in how strong his martial soul can become."
Bone Douluo glared at Sword Douluo. "Fengzhi, I think Yang Xiong has a good chance. Like he said, spirit masters need to constantly break limits. And since his body is his martial soul, he might be even better suited for breakthroughs."
"Have you noticed? His martial soul has changed. Back in school, it looked quite ordinary in color. But now, when he uses it, his whole body turns silver. I suspect his martial soul has mutated during cultivation."
"Especially after observing him secretly, I noticed that since he last went to Sunset Forest, his martial soul underwent significant changes and his strength improved a lot,likely due to an evolution in his martial soul itself."
Ning Fengzhi was shocked. "Uncle Bone, could this be related to him sneaking into Dugu Bo's medicinal garden?"
Bone Douluo nodded. "I just took a closer look at Yang Xiong. The three external spirit bones on him have fully fused, especially the two on his hands. They likely came from the same spirit beast, but with different attributes. That's quite odd."
"But those two spirit bones on his hands are definitely powerful. Even an average Spirit King would have trouble dealing with them."
Sword Douluo added, "Agreed. Those external spirit bones are extremely sharp. He might even be able to defeat Yaomei from Spirit Hall. And for a young man to be able to hide his strength and not show off,this is rare."
"You all know how ruthless Spirit Hall can be. So many talented youths have died young because they showed off too much."
Ning Fengzhi finally felt relieved. "I hope I didn't misjudge him. If both Rongrong and Yang Xiong can rise, then perhaps our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will reach an unprecedented peak."
At this moment, Yang Xiong was overjoyed. He understood very well how highly Sword and Bone Douluo set their standards. To be accepted by both was a great stroke of fortune. From now on, he wouldn't have to explore cultivation blindly.
In the world of spirit masters, high-level spirit masters each have their own training methods. Even the simplest advice from them can help ordinary spirit masters avoid many detours.
Sword and Bone Douluo were the pinnacles of offense and defense. Had they been luckier,such as possessing 100,000-year spirit rings and bones,they wouldn't have been limited in their achievements. The lack of those resources is what slowed their progress past Level 95.
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