Chapter 2: Rejecting the Olive Branch, Alarming Nine Treasures.
"Soul Master," Jun Ting felt a surge of discomfort under the Soul Master's intense gaze, and he quickly called out a warning.
Hearing the voice, the Soul Master quickly snapped back to his senses. Placing two hands on his shoulders, he spoke with immense solemnity, "Boy, with your martial soul and inherent talent of full soul power, do you understand what this means?"
Jun Ting was about to nod in response when a sudden voice interrupted him. "This means that with careful training, you will undoubtedly be among the Titled Douluo."
The screen at the back opened, revealing a burly figure. The Soul Master, who had previously overseen the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony, showed no sign of surprise. He quickly saluted, "Master."
The simple address made Jun Ting understand the visitor's identity.
This was the Soul Sage master of the Song Mansion.
Facing such a powerful figure, he was about to imitate the Soul Master's gesture when the Master Song stopped him.
"No need. I don't need all that formality."
He then turned his gaze to the Soul Master beside him. "Go tell the people outside that today's Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony ends here. We'll continue tomorrow to add the remaining people."
"Yes."
The Soul Master withdrew, considerately closing the door behind him. Lord Song then returned his attention to Jun Ting. Jun Ting now understood that the main event was about to begin.
Sure enough...
"Would you like to join the Song Mansion and marry my daughter? Become a son-in-law?"
The first half of the question was within Jun Ting's expectations. But Lord Song's second half surprised him.
Daughter?
Looking at Lord Song's graying hair and beard, Jun Ting's mind seemed to conjure up the image of his daughter's age. Observing Lord Song's expression, he shook his head in embarrassment.
"Lord Song, let's not even talk about the age difference. Even regarding joining the Song Mansion, I don't want to make a hasty decision."
Hearing the refusal in Jun Ting's words, Lord Song wasn't the least bit surprised.
Because when his spirit awakened, he could tell the child was very mature, and it would be difficult to trick him into entering the Song Mansion. So, his recent recruitment was just a test. After all, a try wouldn't hurt.
Besides, this child's spirit he didn't want the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to come knocking on his door.
"If that's the case, then forget it."
Having said everything, Lord Song didn't want to delay any further and led Jun Ting out of the awakening room.
As they opened the door, they saw the Soul Master waiting outside, holding a cloth bag. Seeing the two of them exit, he quickly handed the bag to Jun Ting.
"This is the fee for your spirit awakening. Since you can become a spirit master, the Song Mansion won't charge a penny."
Seeing the Soul Master's unsurprised expression, Jun Ting knew this wasn't the first time this had happened. He didn't want to inquire too deeply about their behavior.
So, after thanking Lord Song, he accepted the bag.
"Sir, I'll be leaving now," he said, and left the Song Mansion. He had to hurry back to the village to tell the villagers the good news, and also make plans for his first spirit ring.
After Jun Ting's figure was completely gone, the Soul Sect asked Lord Song his doubts, "Master, when we met some children with spirit power in the past, didn't we promise to give them their first spirit ring for free? Why this time?"
"Are you still wondering why I acted so calmly when facing a child with innate full spirit power?"
Lord Song did not answer immediately, but asked what the Soul Sect wanted to ask next.
"Ah Hu, when I saw this child's martial spirit, I knew that this child had unlimited future. But when his innate full spirit power came out, I understood even more that we cannot interfere with the future of this child."
"This..." Ah Hu looked puzzled. Is it not okay to invest? But Lord Song's next words made him suddenly realize.
"The name of that child's martial spirit is called the Seven Killing Sword."
The Seven Killing Sword, the spirit of Sword Douluo Chen Xin, ten thousand years ago.
Despite its formidable reputation, this spirit has vanished in the intervening millennia. Logically, few would have even heard of it.
But the reality is far from perfect.
Since ten thousand years ago, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has unwaveringly sought the Seven Killing Sword and the Bone Dragon. However, the Seven Killing Sword has vanished, and any spirit master who has encountered the Bone Dragon spirit has become an evil spirit master, unable to return.
This has driven the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to intensify their search, even offering the exorbitant price of a ten thousand year spirit bone.
"Then, sir, what do we do next..."
Ah Hu's voice trembled. A ten thousand year spirit bone!
This Lord Song is no better than Ah Hu. A ten thousand year spirit bone! If I could obtain it, becoming a Soul Douluo wouldn't be a dream!
"Ah Hu, take care of the house. I'm going to the Six Treasures Pavilion."
As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished.
...
Half a day later, at the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.
The sect's main hall towered majestically, like a mysterious and majestic mountain, perched upon a nine-story pagoda. Its main structure was constructed of massive bluestone, each meticulously selected and polished, appearing exceptionally solid and smooth.
The hall's roof was covered in thick glazed tiles, through which sunlight filtered, casting dappled shadows. Strings of copper bells hung from the eaves, swaying in the wind, emitting a melodious tinkle.
The hall was spacious and bright, its centerpiece a large carved huanghuali wood chair inlaid with red spirit warm jade.
Flanking this chair were eight large carved rosewood chairs, also inlaid with top-grade red spirit warm jade.
Standing by a side window, a figure stood. His features were as splendid as jade, his nose straight, his mouth square, his demeanor refined and gentle. He wore a spotless white robe. He appeared to be in his forties, with a gentle gaze, and he seemed like an ordinary person. His smooth black hair flowed down his back, and everything seemed so casual, without any affectation. He was gazing down, taking in everything about the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"Nine Treasures Glazed Tile, aiming to be the world's number one sect?"
A long sigh betrayed his ambition.
"Bo Wen, you've actually become entangled in fame and fortune."
A powerful voice suddenly echoed in the middle-aged man's ears. Ning Bowen wasn't the least bit alarmed by the sudden voice. He simply chuckled to himself and gazed at the flourishing sect. "Uncle Ye, I'm no saint. Everyone in the world strives for fame and fortune, and I'm no exception."
"Over the past ten thousand years, the Haotian Sect and the Tang Sect, once the world's foremost sects, have either faded into oblivion or vanished. My Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect remains undefeated, but despite its fame, it still can't be called the world's foremost. After all, the Benti Sect, which emerged back then, was far too powerful."
"Haha, I'm no match for that old poisonous creature."
The old man, who had dedicated his life to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, didn't want to say much about Ning Bowen's topic.
After all, without sufficient strength, nothing he said would matter.
"Oh, right." The elder known as Uncle Ye pulled a letter from his soul storage device. "Bowen, this is news from the Six Treasures Pavilion in Guyun City. A child with the Seven Killing Sword spirit has appeared, and he possesses a rare, innate, full spirit power. They say the information has been confirmed. It's a child named Jun Ting from Shanyang Village, an orphan raised by the villagers. I plan to personally visit him and take him in as my disciple."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's expression was filled with surprise.
"After ten thousand years, the Seven Killing Sword spirit has finally reappeared."
"Uncle Ye, who discovered it?"
"The Song Mansion in Guyun City."
"Yes. Since he discovered it, then give him the promised ten thousand year spirit bone. We in the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect naturally uphold integrity in our actions. Uncle Ye, thank you for this."
"Don't worry,"
Ning Bowen nodded slightly at the words of the chief supreme elder, gazing at a statue within the sect and sighing. "My long-cherished wish has finally come true today. Uncle Ye, if anyone tries to stop me, don't hold back!" The last four words contained murderous intent, demonstrating the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's seriousness!
(End of this chapter)