Chapter 77: Gu Chen, Ning Rongrong
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Awakening Hall—it was that time of year again, the annual martial soul awakening ceremony.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo stood quietly behind a crystal sphere, watching one child after another awaken their martial soul. These children would most likely become disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. After all, children born of soul masters typically became soul masters themselves.
Even those who failed to awaken soul power weren't abandoned. As long as they were diligent and not lazy, the sect would arrange a decent position for them—ensuring they never lacked food or shelter.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's excellent reputation and Ning Fengzhi's image as a benevolent leader hadn't come out of nowhere—it was all built with real gold and silver.
In terms of appearances, they even outshone Spirit Hall when it came to public relations.
Normally, martial soul awakenings weren't something Ning Fengzhi or the two Douluos would attend in person. They would just receive a report afterward.
But this year was different—Bone Douluo's son, Gu Chen, had reached the age of six and was due to awaken his martial soul.
Due to his father's martial soul, Gu Chen wasn't particularly handsome. His physical features were heavily influenced by it, and no amount of genetic tweaking could change that—unless he switched martial souls altogether.
Still, Gu Chen's outfit was more luxurious than the others, and as he stood last in line, saved for the finale, he stood out like a crane among chickens.
Soon, the dozens of children finished their awakenings. Very few had innate soul power above level five.
With level five innate power and a decent martial soul, plus the cultivation resources of the sect, one could aim to become a Soul Emperor—a solid mid-tier force within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Then came Gu Chen's turn.
"Father, Uncle Ning, Godfather."
Bone Douluo, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo all nodded. The generational hierarchy was all over the place, but no one cared.
Bone Douluo waved the Soul Emperor elder performing the awakenings aside and stepped forward with a warm smile. "Chen'er, I will awaken your martial soul myself."
Having a child late in life, Bone Douluo cherished this only son deeply—even if his birth was… complicated.
Black soul power flowed into the magic array. A golden light lit up as Gu Chen instinctively closed his eyes. Golden motes of light began to swirl around him.
Seeing the glow, Sword and Bone Douluo, as well as Ning Fengzhi, all lit up with joy. The more golden motes there were, the richer the child's innate soul power.
"Hold out your right hand."
Gu Chen slowly extended his right hand, revealing a martial soul that looked like it was formed entirely of bone—no flesh, nothing but a fearsome, black-energy-emitting bone dragon.
All three nodded in satisfaction. The Bone Dragon martial soul—one of the top-tier beast martial souls. Combined with the golden glow, Gu Chen's talent was unquestionably strong.
But then, Gu Chen extended his left hand as well. A green-glowing, eight-legged, horrifying spider martial soul appeared—the Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor.
"Twin Martial Souls!" x3
Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, and Sword Douluo all exclaimed in shock and joy. Twin martial souls! Sword Douluo's expression darkened slightly when he looked at the spider.
"Chen'er, quickly—let me check your innate soul power!"
Bone Douluo, overwhelmed with excitement, brought the crystal sphere over. Gu Chen pressed his hand against it—and the entire orb lit up, leaving no gaps.
"Twin martial souls! Full innate soul power! Incredible, absolutely incredible!"
Ning Fengzhi looked at Gu Chen with burning eyes. He was the future of the sect. As Bone Douluo's biological son and a male, he could marry within the sect—no fear of another Bibi Dong incident.
The surrounding elders of the sect were dumbstruck. The Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor? Wasn't that the little princess's martial soul? Why did it appear in Gu Chen… alongside the Bone Douluo's?
"Elder Ning Cheng, this matter must remain absolutely confidential."
Ning Fengzhi transmitted his voice directly to Ning Cheng. Had he not been a loyal elder of direct Ning lineage, the moment he recognized that martial soul, he would've been a dead man.
Feeling Ning Fengzhi's icy gaze, Ning Cheng shuddered and silently nodded, stepping back.
"Chen'er, remember—your second martial soul must never be shown to outsiders."
Bone Douluo knelt before Gu Chen, ruffling his hair and speaking gravely. Only a few knew Bibi Dong had twin martial souls—Qian Xunji, Yu Xiaogang, and a few high-ranking members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If Gu Chen's second martial soul was exposed, the truth behind his origin might be guessed.
Gu Chen asked, confused, "Father, is this a martial soul inherited from my mother?"
"Yes. This martial soul is both a blessing and a danger. In the future, use it to protect our sect, our home, and our family."
Bone Douluo never told Gu Chen how he had come to be. Instead, he fabricated a story that his mother had died giving birth, and that she loved him dearly.
As they left the Awakening Hall, Bone Douluo walked hand-in-hand with Gu Chen, mentally communicating with Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.
"Fengzhi, have you thought of a name for your child?"
He was referring to the baby Bibi Dong would soon bear—conceived after five long years of effort following Gu Chen's birth. Only Ning Fengzhi knew the full extent of Bibi Dong's current condition.
"Of course. If it's a boy, Ning Xingrong. If it's a girl, Ning Rongrong."
Sword Douluo asked, "Any particular meaning behind the names?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Of course. With Chen'er's peerless talent, we need not worry about safety for at least 150 years. Whether this next child inherits the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is uncertain. But these names represent prosperity—'Xingrong' and 'Rongrong' for flourishing business and thriving future."
Gu Rong nodded. "Excellent names—truly excellent."
Ning Fengzhi sighed, "If it's a girl, I would've loved for her to be with Chen'er someday. Too bad they'll be half-siblings."
Sword Douluo said seriously, "Let's not bring that up. If it's a girl, we must raise her right. We can't risk another Bibi Dong situation."
The others fell silent. If the girl turned out like Bibi Dong, a marriage alliance would be impossible—it would only strengthen the enemy. They'd have to marry her into the sect instead. No external ties allowed.
If she became rebellious… well, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was manageable. But if she had the Death Spider Emperor or Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor martial soul…
"Father, Uncle Ning, Godfather—what are you three discussing?"
Gu Chen, seeing their solemn expressions and whispered exchanges, looked puzzled.
Ning Fengzhi chuckled, "We're discussing your future wife, of course. You're so talented—it'll be hard to find someone worthy of you."
Gu Chen waved it off proudly. "No need to worry, Uncle Ning. I'm so amazing, girls will be lining up to throw themselves at me. I'll just pick one."
"Pick one? No, no. Three wives and four concubines—that's the mark of a true powerhouse."
Ning Fengzhi laughed, subtly planting that idea. If the Bone Dragon and Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor lines merged into one, he would be thrilled.
Bone Douluo added, "Chen'er, with full innate soul power, you can obtain your first soul ring right after awakening. I'll personally take you to get it."
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