"What's wrong?" Ning Fengzhi noticed Sword Douluo's gaze and turned to look. He saw Li Xun standing still, his eyes profound as if lost in deep thought.
Qian Renxue didn't understand what was happening and was about to speak when Sword Douluo raised a hand to stop her.
In Li Xun's mind, he was replaying the scenes from the recent battle over and over.
The initial exchange between Sword Douluo and Golden Alligator Douluo was nothing remarkable—just a clash of Soul Skills. The key was the final burst of Sword Qi that nearly altered the weather itself.
Although Li Xun had limited exposure to the way of the sword, with most of his memories centered on Hashirama Senju's close-quarters combat techniques, he could sense the depth of Chen Xin's comprehension of sword artistry within that Sword Qi.
Though he was still far from that level, by engraving this moment deeply into his memory, he believed that one day he could transform today's experience into his own nourishment.
A crystalline long sword materialized in his left hand. Unconsciously, Li Xun swung it once. The Soul Power within him seemed drawn, channeling through his arm into the sword and transforming into a foot-long burst of Sword Qi that shot forward.
It left a fresh scar upon the earth.
"This?!" Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi stared in disbelief at the sword in Li Xun's hand.
Everyone knew about Li Xun's second Martial Soul, but wasn't it supposed to be something like a Hidden Weapon? How had it turned into a sword after not being used for so long?
And why did the second Martial Soul now have two red Spirit Rings? What had happened during this trip to Seagod Island?
The Martial Soul had been summoned from Li Xun's left hand—it couldn't be fake. Could it be a Martial Soul Mutation? Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were inwardly shaken, countless questions surfacing in an instant.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Sword Douluo looked at the sword scar Li Xun had just created and gradually grew excited.
Though still rudimentary, he could see that Li Xun truly had talent in the way of the sword.
Sword Douluo had no wife or children. His entire life had been devoted to the path of the sword. Though he regarded the sect's younger generation as his own, he lacked someone who could truly inherit his legacy.
Now, the talent Li Xun had displayed filled a void he had long felt.
"Fengzhi," Sword Douluo turned to Ning Fengzhi. Though he said nothing more, decades of companionship made words unnecessary.
"Uncle Jian, I believe Xiao Xun will surely agree," Ning Fengzhi replied without hesitation, smiling.
Though he and Li Xun were master and disciple, theirs was not a relationship built on instruction. As a support-type Soul Master, the most he could offer Li Xun was shelter and a platform.
If one were to be precise, Li Xun was like a genius the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had stumbled upon. Through the talent and intellect he had consistently displayed over the years, Ning Fengzhi knew that even if Li Xun had joined another faction, he would not have fared poorly.
Now that Sword Douluo intended to pass his skills on to Li Xun, Ning Fengzhi couldn't be more pleased.
Unlike Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, Qian Renxue was genuinely astonished.
Seeing the long sword in Li Xun's hand and those two dazzling red Spirit Rings, her mind went blank for a moment.
Qian Renxue was aware of Li Xun's talent. Though his sixth and seventh Spirit Rings had surprised her more than once, her own God-level Spirit was no lesser.
She had delayed her cultivation in previous years, but through her efforts over the last two years, though there was still a gap, she held hope of catching up.
It was only when Li Xun's second Martial Soul was displayed before her eyes that Qian Renxue realized she had never truly understood him.
"Twin Spirits, and four 100,000 Year Soul Rings." Qian Renxue came back to her senses, a strange light flashing in her eyes as she looked at Li Xun. It seemed she needed to re-evaluate this junior brother of hers.
Who didn't know the difficulty of hunting a 100,000 Year Soul Beast? To think the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had actually taken Li Xun to hunt and kill two more. Teacher was truly insane!
Li Xun's inner contemplation did not last long. Some things were still beyond his current grasp.
Nevertheless, it was enough to excite him. Compared to combat techniques, sword cultivation was a different matter entirely. He would get himself a set of the Moonlight Garment when he got back.
His heart filled with joy, Li Xun put away the Water Chill Sword, only to see the three of them staring intently at him.
He had almost forgotten that he hadn't told them about his cultivation progress and the changes to his Martial Soul yet. "It's like this..."
Because Qian Renxue was present, Li Xun omitted any mention of the God Trial and explained the matter using a different story.
"Xiao Xun, do you want to learn swordsmanship?" Ning Fengzhi nodded and gave Li Xun a meaningful look.
Although Li Xun hadn't learned any skills from Ning Fengzhi over the years, their tacit understanding far surpassed that of ordinary people. He glanced at Sword Douluo and instantly understood.
"Of course, Teacher. Even before I returned, I was thinking about how I could learn a thing or two from Sword Grandpa."
Li Xun was about to bow as he spoke but was stopped by Sword Douluo. "Xiao Xun, you grew up by my side, calling me 'Grandpa' all this time. I've long since considered you family. There's no need for a formal apprenticeship."
"Right, 'Grandpa' is indeed a generation higher than 'Master'," Li Xun said with a smile, having figured out the key point.
"Let's go. We'll talk more when we get back." Sword Douluo let out a rare, loud laugh, patting Li Xun on the shoulder as the Seven Kill Sword expanded in the wind.
Ning Fengzhi stepped onto the Seven Kill Sword but saw that Qian Renxue hadn't moved. He asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, are you planning to go with Xiao Xun?"
"Teacher, you two go on ahead. After seeing my Junior Brother's second Martial Soul, I'd like to chat with him and understand the mysteries of Twin Spirits," Qian Renxue said, turning to smile at Ning Fengzhi with a face full of curiosity.
"Alright." Ning Fengzhi naturally knew the allure Twin Spirits held for a Soul Master, so he had no suspicions.
Seeing Sword Douluo take off with Ning Fengzhi, Qian Renxue casually sidled up to Li Xun, a half-smile on her face. "Junior Brother, seeing you today, I've discovered you have quite a few secrets!"
"You never asked, Senior Sister. Besides, my second Martial Soul hasn't developed any combat strength yet, so I've never used it." Li Xun wrapped an arm around Qian Renxue's waist, and they slowly ascended into the air to chase after Sword Douluo.
"So I just got lucky today? Does this mean I wouldn't have been able to see it until you had attached all the Spirit Rings to your second Martial Soul?"
Qian Renxue placed a hand on Li Xun's chest and looked at his side profile. "But by then, perhaps no one in the entire continent would be your match, save for two or three people."
Hearing this, Li Xun fell into a brief silence. He pondered the deeper meaning of her words before saying in a low voice, "If Senior Sister is willing, you can remain the emperor of this mortal world forever."
"If I'm not the emperor of the mortal world, could I be the emperor of the heavens?" Having gotten the answer she wanted, Qian Renxue revealed a faint smile. "But you have to keep your word!"
After speaking, Qian Renxue felt a twinge of regret. In her current state, she was actually like most rulers—afraid that her subordinates might become too powerful.
Thinking this, she smiled self-deprecatingly and quickly shook the thought from her mind.
"If I've made a promise, I naturally intend to keep it." Feeling the soft whisper in his ear, Li Xun tightened his arm around her.
Sensing the heat and strength at her waist, a strange glint flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, and she hurriedly turned her head away.
(End of Chapter)