The architectural style of the central castle of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was similar to that of the Nine Treasure Pavilion in Shrek City, but its scale was undoubtedly far grander.
The castle's height exceeded a hundred meters. Just the bottom three floors alone could accommodate hundreds or even nearly a thousand sect disciples per floor without feeling cramped.
Due to the unique nature of their inherited martial soul, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has always actively recruited soul masters of various types. Toward any soul master willing to join the sect, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has never been stingy with generous treatment and rewards.
Xu Zihuang briefly released his spiritual power to sense the surroundings. Conservatively estimated, the number of soul masters residing in this central castle alone exceeded three thousand. Among them, aside from the direct descendants of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the outer surname soul masters all possessed at least Soul King-level cultivation.
This showed just how profound the foundation of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was.
One must know that in the original Douluo Continent's three great empires, the Star Luo Empire, which possessed the strongest national power, only had around ten thousand soul masters on the surface. Every thousand formed one soul master legion, for a total of ten soul master legions.
The Star Luo Empire's First Soul Master Legion was controlled by the White Tiger Duke Dai Hao.
From this perspective, if one included the other castles and outer disciples, the number of soul masters controlled by the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was truly astonishing.
In Xu Zihuang's memories from his previous life, when war broke out, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect chose to preserve its strength and did not assist the Heavenly Soul Empire in resisting the Sun Moon Empire's invasion like the Body Sect did. But that was a decision made based on the overall situation and weighing the pros and cons.
Now, because of his appearance, everything had changed.
The castle's decorations were luxurious yet incorporated some ancient simplicity from ten thousand years ago, possessing a very distinctive style.
While passing through the first three floors of the castle, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian encountered several outer sect disciples. Those outer disciples all respectfully saluted them, clearly having been informed in advance of Xu Zihuang's identity.
Xu Zihuang smiled faintly and asked Ning Tian beside him, "Has the news of our relationship already spread throughout the entire Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
"Previously, Father mobilized disciples across the continent to search for your whereabouts, so everyone probably guessed it." A charming smile bloomed on Ning Tian's pretty face as she leaned entirely into Xu Zihuang's embrace. Then she stopped in her tracks, pretending to pout as she stared into Xu Zihuang's eyes and pursed her lips.
"What? You don't like it?"
"How could that be?" Xu Zihuang laughed helplessly and shook his head. Very naturally, he lowered his head and gently touched Ning Tian's lips.
A moment later, Ning Tian's eyes glistened with moisture as she pursed her lips and smiled sweetly, "I can tell that my dad really likes you and truly acknowledges you."
Xu Zihuang continued holding Ning Tian's hand as they walked upstairs.
"Isn't that just because you have good taste and chose me?"
"Actually, that's exactly what I think too."
Ning Tian proudly stepped forward with elegant poise. Ever since reuniting with Xu Zihuang, the loneliness and worry she had shown earlier in the courtyard had completely vanished. In her eyes, there was only thick affection and sweetness that seemed about to overflow.
The two exchanged a knowing smile, and their figures disappeared at the end of the staircase.
There were soul guide elevators in the castle, but they preferred this way. Along the path, Ning Tian's clear, bell-like laughter echoed continuously.
At the same time, in the conference hall on the first floor of the castle.
Ning Xingxu said solemnly to the elder in front of him, "Grandpa Long, this is an opportunity our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect must seize."
Although the current Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was still a top sect on the continent, its influence was far less than it had been ten thousand years ago.
Restoring the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to the glory it had ten thousand years ago had always been the long-cherished wish of successive sect masters.
Their dormancy was only because they lacked the right opportunity. Yu Tianhuang had given him such an opportunity. Moreover, in this generation, after ten thousand years, a second Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda soul master had appeared in their sect. All signs pointed to this being an excellent chance.
No capable person would be content with mediocrity. Ning Xingxu was no exception.
"Xingxu, I believe your judgment will not be wrong," the elder nodded seriously.
"The Snow Demon Sect developed so rapidly in just twenty years because they formed a marriage alliance with the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial family. If we can truly help that child Tianhuang ascend to the top, our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will surely enter an unprecedented peak of prosperity. It's just that I don't know how the Heavenly Dragon Gate will decide in the future, Tianhuang did come from there, after all."
"Grandpa Long, you're overthinking it. Tianhuang did originate from the Heavenly Dragon Gate, but that won't affect the bigger picture." Having been with the elder for many years, Ning Xingxu naturally understood his concerns.
The elder's expression eased considerably, and his words carried more firmness and ease.
"I probably have about ten years left before my limit. During this time, I hope I can exert my final remaining strength for the sect. Ten years should be enough to protect Tianhuang while he grows. After that, it will be up to you, Xingxu."
"Grandpa Long, rest assured." A sharp glint suddenly flashed through Ning Xingxu's eyes. Deep-abyss-like soul power surged outward with him at the center, and the contained chilling sword intent seemed to shred the air into pieces.
In the next instant, a sword appeared before him. It was a long sword entirely translucent blue, as if carved from crystal. The blade was four chi three cun long, three cun wide, with a hilt one chi two cun long. Its name: Seven Kill.
The Seven Kill Sword was a top-tier tool martial soul comparable to the Clear Sky Hammer and was occasionally inherited within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Xingxu was precisely the inheritor of the Seven Kill Sword martial soul, and he possessed the extremely rare twin martial souls.
Rings of soul rose from beneath his feet.
Black! Black! Black! Black! Black! Black! Black! Black! Red!
Eight black and one red, clearly a nine-ring Titled Douluo. Then, those eight black and one red soul rings unexpectedly transformed into nine stars of the same color and merged into the Seven Kill Sword. All sword intent was completely withdrawn within, and the spacious conference hall returned to calm.
Cultivating soul rings to a state detached from the body and fused into the martial soul, this was a unique innate ability exclusive to the Seven Kill Sword. The sword's intent was restrained, yet the martial soul's killing power became even greater.
Ever since Ning Xingxu awakened his martial soul in childhood, he had kept his second martial soul, the Seven Kill Sword, hidden. Even Ning Tian, within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, did not know that her father possessed the heaven-defying gift of twin martial souls.
Now, the only one who knew was the elder alone.
The reason Ning Xingxu hid his second martial soul was, first, to keep an ace up his sleeve for unexpected situations. Second, it was to temper himself through this kind of endurance, nurturing his sword intent day after day for decades.
Now, it had finally reached near perfection.
"Good! The elder's eyes blazed as he stared at Ning Xingxu, his gaze filled with both gratification and exhilaration." The unity of heaven and man, your sword intent has perfectly condensed into a martial soul.
"Xingxu, you have finally stepped into the realm of Super Douluo."
Although Xu Zihuang had comprehended the realm of unity of heaven and man early on, for ordinary soul masters, this was a realm that was nearly impossible to touch in a lifetime.
Even Yan Shaozhe, as Mu Lao's direct disciple, only comprehended the unity of heaven and man and broke through to Super Douluo after passing the age of fifty. For Ning Xingxu to advance to Super Douluo at his current age, his talent was already astonishing enough. Moreover, he possessed another Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul. Using the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to assist himself, surpassing levels to defeat opponents was certainly no difficult feat.
In Ning Xingxu's deep, dark eyes, it was as if something had awakened. His long right index and middle fingers came together, and the sword intent withdrew into the martial soul with overwhelming sharpness. At this moment, he seemed to be the embodiment of the Seven Kill Sword, one sword capable of piercing the heavens!
On the other side, Xu Zihuang, who had arrived at the top floor of the castle with Ning Tian, suddenly narrowed his eyes as if sensing something.
Although the conference hall on the first floor had a soul guide barrier isolating Ning Xingxu's aura, his sensitivity to spatial fluctuations was simply too great.
Just as he had previously guessed, Ning Xingxu was indeed a twin martial soul holder.
"Seven Kill Sword?" Xu Zihuang murmured in quiet surprise, then followed Ning Tian into an exquisitely decorated room on the top floor of the castle.
It was a bedroom, yet extremely spacious. A large bed with hanging curtains stood in the center of the room, surrounded by various high-quality furnishings that did not feel empty at all. Under the warm-toned soul guide lighting, it gave off a cozy and comfortable feeling.
The room also included an independent dressing room and bathing area. To the south was a huge balcony adorned with rare flowers of various colors, resembling an independent garden.
Ning Tian stopped on the balcony, then turned around with a smiling face to face Xu Zihuang.
"This is the place I've lived since I was little."
Soft moonlight poured down, coating her delicate figure in a layer of silver light and shadow, adding several degrees of gentleness out of thin air.
"Mm."
Xu Zihuang approached with a gentle smile and looked around. This place had the widest view in the entire Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, allowing a clear sight of the distant mountains bathed in moonlight.
A hint of something indescribable appeared in Ning Tian's beautiful water-blue eyes as she spoke in a half-refusing, half-welcoming tone.
"Tianhuang, I've already had someone tidy up your room. It's right across from here."
"Then I'll go take a look first." Xu Zihuang knowingly asked in return and was made to turn and leave.
But before he could move, Ning Tian grabbed his wrist. Her face was shy and charming, and a trace of reproach appeared in her beautiful eyes.
Although Ning Tian would sometimes take the initiative to do some outrageous things when alone with Xu Zihuang in the past, those were all after Xu Zihuang's guidance and when the atmosphere had been sufficiently built up, things naturally fell into place. Normally, she still maintained the demeanor of a great clan young miss and preferred Xu Zihuang to take the lead, so she could find an excuse to let herself become less proper.
Xu Zihuang looked at Ning Tian with a half-smile.
"What's wrong?"
Ning Tian lightly bit her red lips with her pearly teeth. In the end, her longing and affection for Xu Zihuang won out.
"Stay here tonight…"
Xu Zihuang no longer teased Ning Tian. He smiled lightly and pulled her into his embrace.
Outside the window, the silver moon sank into the clouds, but the room was destined to be anything but calm.
Shrek Academy, lakeside north of Sea God Island.
Tang Ya sat cross-legged here, entering a state of meditative cultivation. Blue soul power light diffused from her body, and the dense Blue Silver Grass around her began to sway gently left and right.
Beibei guarded Tang Ya at her side, holding the section of Blue Silver Emperor vine that Xu Zihuang had given Tang Ya, and let out a soft sigh.
"Tianhuang, you've given us another favor this time that we don't know how to repay."
Taking a deep breath, Beibei steadied his mind and reminded Tang Ya, "Little Ya, I'm going to start."
As he spoke, he poured soul power into that crystalline, translucent blue Blue Silver Emperor vine.
With a light 'pop' sound, that segment of Blue Silver Emperor suddenly shattered, turning into countless specks of blue light powder floating in midair.
Beibei hurriedly and carefully controlled the blue light powder with his soul power to prevent it from scattering outward, evenly dispersing it around Tang Ya.
Soon after, part of the light powder quietly seeped into Tang Ya through her pores, while another part entered her body along with her breathing. Her body began to tremble slightly, and a faint blue halo enveloped her entire figure, merging with her soul power.
Not long after, Tang Ya's skin had completely turned a crystalline blue. Countless Blue Silver Grass sprouted from her body, and those Blue Silver Grass were likewise crystalline.
One soul ring after another involuntarily manifested around her.
Two yellow, two purple, one black, and five soul rings appeared without pulsing, instead neatly arranged on her body.
The originally crystalline Blue Silver Grass became even more transparent. Gradually, they turned as dazzling and transparent as blue sapphires. In the center of each crystalline blue vine ran a clear golden pattern, extending from the root of every Blue Silver Grass to its tip.
In an instant, dazzling blue-gold light burst from Tang Ya's body. All the Blue Silver Grass across Sea God Island was affected and began to grow wildly.
At this point, the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline within Tang Ya had been activated, and her martial soul had finally evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor!
"Congratulations, Little Ya!"
Beibei excitedly clenched his fists. He was genuinely happy for Tang Ya from the bottom of his heart. He knew very well how much hardship and effort Tang Ya had put in to reach her current five-ring Soul King realm at such an age.
With her martial soul evolving into the Blue Silver Emperor, one of the top existences among plant-type martial souls, Tang Ya's future cultivation path would surely become smooth, no longer limited by martial soul quality.
After this was over, Tang Ya would also possess enough strength to seek revenge against the Iron Blood Sect. According to their agreement, it was time for them to return to Heaven Dou City.
…
Xu Zihuang spent seven peaceful and leisurely days accompanying Ning Tian in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect without realizing it. His relationship with Ning Xingxu and the elder had also grown closer and more harmonious.
When one harbored strong goodwill toward someone, getting along naturally became twice as effective with half the effort. This was exactly the case between Ning Xingxu, the elder, and Xu Zihuang.
As early as the second day, Ning Tian had already taken Xu Zihuang to the treasury of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. As expected of a top sect with an inheritance spanning tens of thousands of years, the collections in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's treasury held fatal allure for the vast majority of soul masters.
For example, high-quality soul bones, various top-grade heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and extremely rare metals. But for Xu Zihuang, soul bones and heavenly materials were things he naturally didn't care much about.
After all, the soul bones he had fused with throughout his body had a minimum age and quality of a hundred-thousand-year-old left leg soul bone from the Thunder Beast. And the heavenly materials in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could not possibly compare to the immortal herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
In the end, he only symbolically took some rare metals that he could use.
In truth, a hundred-thousand-year-grade soul bones also existed in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's treasury. Ning Xingxu's meaning was very clear: if he wished, he could take and fuse with them. However, the attributes were not very compatible, and Xu Zihuang had extremely high requirements for the left and right arm soul bones he had yet to fuse.
Among the conventional six soul bones, the left and right arm soul bones held quite a high position. Their importance was beyond doubt.
The ideal situation would naturally be to obtain them from the Beast God Di Tian and the Demon Empress.
Early morning. Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian sat facing each other in the courtyard, enjoying a leisurely moment as snow-white apricot blossoms drifted down all around.
Ning Xingxu and the elder usually did not disturb them too much and preferred to let them spend time alone. Just like today.
On the table were several plates of exquisite pastries and a pot of steaming, richly fragrant black tea.
Xu Zihuang had just taken the teacup Ning Tian handed him when a young man dressed in the inner disciple uniform of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect respectfully knelt on one knee outside the courtyard.
"Miss, the two people you asked us to watch have arrived in Heaven Dou City not long ago."
"Good, I understand. You may withdraw." Ning Tian raised her jade hand to signal the young man to leave, then looked at Xu Zihuang in surprise.
"Senior Brother Beibei and Senior Sister Little Ya have really come to Heaven Dou City?"
"They should be representing the Tang Sect to seek revenge against the Iron Blood Sect. From this, it seems Senior Sister Little Ya's martial soul has most likely completed its evolution." Xu Zihuang stood up calmly; everything was within his expectations.
"Let's go. Heaven Dou City isn't far from here. We'll go take a look."
"Mm." Ning Tian smiled sweetly.
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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