the 100,000-year soul ring of the Nine Heavens Mystic Bird caused a huge change in the Martial God Spear.
However, only Ma Hongjun could feel these changes.
Outwardly, it was just that the Martial God Spear had more cyan dark patterns.
Now the Martial God Spear has dark patterns of
cyan, blue, gold, and green.
The second soul skill does not seem to have left any dark patterns on the Martial God Spear.
Ma Hongjun guessed that it was because the soul ring of the second soul skill was too young.
When the first soul ring was only a hundred years old, no dark patterns appeared.
The group set up camp on the spot and rested for the time being.
The Wind-Singing Dragon became their food, and it must be said, the dragon meat was really delicious.
At night, a campfire was lit, and Ma Hongjun shaved a lot of bamboo skewers and taught everyone how to grill meat skewers.
There were no seasonings here, but fortunately, there was no shortage of honey in the forest. Finding wild honey and making seasoning for barbecue was a unique experience.
The meat of the Wind-Singing Dragon was tender. Bird-type soul beasts generally tasted much better than land beasts because their skeletons were slender, although they had less meat.
However, the Wind-Singing Dragons were quite large, and two were more than enough for everyone to share.
This was the meat of dragon-type soul beasts that were 70,000 and 90,000 years old; their flesh contained a vast amount of energy, almost comparable to immortal-grade energy.
Normally, they wouldn't dare start a fire in the forest, as it easily attracted powerful soul beasts.
But now it was different. The overlords of this place had already been roasted, so a few smaller animals wouldn't matter much; they would just add more meat to the barbecue.
While everyone was eating, Ma Hongjun briefly told them about the Martial God Spear's ability to absorb the soul rings of similar soul beasts to enhance its power.
However, he didn't mention the Martial God's divine inheritance. Although the Martial God had already manifested, Ma Hongjun felt it was better to tell them when he formally received the inheritance.
Knowing that it could absorb the soul rings of similar soul beasts to enhance its power, everyone found it unbelievable—it was practically divine!
Although they knew Ma Hongjun's martial soul was a mutated martial soul, and most mutated martial souls had unique characteristics, none of the many mutated martial souls were as monstrous as Ma Hongjun's.
Both Grandmaster and Liu Erlong possess mutated martial souls, but their martial souls are normal, unlike Ma Hongjun's.
Ma Hongjun's martial soul not only leaves stripes on his silver spear after each absorption of a spirit ring, but also the spirit skills he absorbs are always unique.
Grandmaster's martial soul was able to mutate because of Ma Hongjun's.
Add to that the known ability to absorb similar spirit rings to enhance his own, and the absorption of special energy from his silver spear—
combining all this information, even the most obtuse person could deduce that this martial soul is related to a god.
Therefore, although Ma Hongjun didn't explicitly state it, everyone had already guessed that he was connected to a deity.
The previous appearance of the Evil God had already convinced everyone of the existence of gods, proving that gods weren't just legends.
Ma Hongjun told everyone to cultivate diligently, as it was highly likely that a divine will would descend at this time to choose a successor.
The Martial God breaking down the world barrier and bringing him into Douluo Continent had already drawn the attention of other gods to the Douluo Continent.
The Evil God, who hadn't yet descended, had already done so, and it was highly probable that other gods would also descend.
When discussing divine inheritance, Ma Hongjun noticed that most people expressed anticipation and longing, except for Chen Cheng, who seemed thoughtful and hesitant.
Late at night, after they had almost finished their barbecue, Chen Cheng quietly approached Ma Hongjun.
"Hongjun, I've begun the inheritance of the Sword God."
Although Ma Hongjun had suspected it before, he was still shocked when Chen Cheng said it aloud.
"Sword God!"
Ma Hongjun repeated softly.
This god, like the Martial God, had never appeared in the history of Douluo Continent.
Chen Cheng was too special. He had no martial spirit from childhood, yet possessed extremely high swordsmanship talent. When he obtained the immortal-grade Three-Leaf Sword Grass, it became his martial spirit.
All of this was so fantastical; these special events and opportunities combined to create a protagonist template.
Chen Cheng's cultivation was progressing rapidly, advancing almost every ten days, without any bottlenecks, only needing to accumulate soul power.
While his previous substantial accumulation contributed to this, there was no doubt that this kind of favored talent was truly one in a million.
Envy!
Ma Hongjun didn't know what kind of deity the Sword God was, but he figured it couldn't be too low-ranking.
As for his own Martial God, he should be above a first-level deity. The Fire
God was a first-level deity.
The Martial God's arrangement of sending Ma Hongjun to find the Fire God was like sending Ma Hongjun to find his butler.
Therefore, the Martial God should at least be a Law Enforcement God.
Sword Douluo was the first to know that Chen Cheng had obtained a divine inheritance, which was one of the biggest reasons why Sword Douluo had always followed them—to protect them.
Now, Sword Douluo was the protector of several divine sons.
Chen Cheng shared the process of divine inheritance with Ma Hongjun, hoping to prepare Ma Hongjun mentally for facing divine inheritance in the future.
The Sword God's inheritance began with the Three-Leaf Sword Grass. When Chen Cheng fused with the Three-Leaf Sword Grass, he received the Sword God's will.
The Sword God told him to quickly increase his strength, as he would be tested when his strength reached a certain level.
"I'm probably not the only candidate for the Sword God's inheritance. The Sword God once said I was the only candidate in Douluo Continent.
So, I think he has other candidates in other worlds,"
Chen Cheng said helplessly, but without discouragement.
This reminded Ma Hongjun of an irresponsible god:
the God of Law Enforcement and the God of Asura .
The God of Asura had many candidates; anyone who passed through the City of Slaughter and obtained the Slaughter Domain could potentially receive his inheritance, creating fierce competition.
It was like casting a wide net and then focusing on the most important catch.
Besides these, the Sword God also provided Chen Cheng with substantial assistance. He would pass on his sword techniques to Chen Cheng through his will, or enhance Chen Cheng's physique and grant him special opportunities to gain insights into the sword path when Chen Cheng broke through to a certain stage.
In Chen Cheng's words, when a god chooses a successor, it's actually similar to a master choosing a sect leader for their disciple.
It's just a bit more lofty and mysterious.
Ma Hongjun didn't have a strong sense of awe towards gods to begin with, and after Chen Cheng pointed this out, Ma Hongjun felt even less of a sense of urgency.
Regardless of what kind of god it is, they all need each other.
However, receiving an opportunity provided by a god is a rare blessing for mortals, and they must strive for it.
After all, gods represent immortality.
...
The matter of gods had taken root in everyone's hearts. The legends that were once unattainable were now appearing around them.
This further intensified everyone's determination to cultivate.
Both Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo were filled with fighting spirit.
At their level, most people had actually lost their ambition, after all, the road ahead was endless.
Now, the appearance of the gods gave them a goal to strive for, and their path ahead suddenly became clear.
The next morning, Poison Douluo experienced a breakthrough.
For over ten years, he had been stuck at level ninety-two.
Today, bathed in the morning sun, Poison Douluo finally took another step forward, reaching level ninety-three.
His entire physique looked much younger, and his previously disheveled appearance became naturally elegant.
"Grandpa, you finally broke through!"
"Yes, after so many years, this old man has finally broken through. It seems I really need to spend more time with you young people; that's what keeps me energetic."
Poison Douluo truly wanted to thank these young people. Tang San had cured him and his granddaughter of the poison, completely freeing him from worries. With his mind and body fully relaxed, Poison Douluo felt he could advance another step.
Now, stimulated by Ma Hongjun's godlike talent, he had a renewed desire to pursue his goals.
"Congratulations, Old Poison!"
"Congratulations, Senior Dugu!"
...
"I also feel like I've broken through. I estimate I'll reach level ninety-seven soon.
When I get back, I can have a good spar with Old Bones, hahaha!"
Sword Douluo was also in high spirits. What Douluo said was indeed true. Being with this group of young people made his mindset much younger.
At their level, cultivation is actually about the state of mind. The accumulation of power has reached a bottleneck, but they're always just missing that one moment of enlightenment.
"Let's continue!
This time we don't need to take detours, we'll go straight through. There shouldn't be any powerful Wind Whispering Dragons."
"Even if there are, it doesn't matter. If it still doesn't open its eyes, we'll upgrade Hongjun's soul rings."
"Let's go check out the Wind Whispering Dragon's lair. Maybe there are some treasures there."
...
They set off again, going straight through the forest and heading towards the mountain where the Wind Whispering Dragon lived.
As expected of a hegemon's territory, the journey was very peaceful, without encountering any animal soul beasts.
However, the trees were getting taller and taller, the forest lush and verdant.
Finally reaching the mountain peak, they found the Wind Dragon's lair perched atop a precipice,
much like a hawk's nest.
Flying up was quite difficult.
Besides Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo, who possessed the ability to traverse the air due to their powerful cultivation,
only Ma Hongjun and Bai Chenxiang could ascend.
"You two wait here, we'll go up and investigate,"
Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo said, flying up together.
A moment later, Sword Douluo's voice returned.
"No danger!"
It seemed that apart from the two Wind Dragons, there were no other Wind Dragons present.
Ma Hongjun and Bai Chenxiang also flew up.
Bai Chenxiang's martial soul, the Wind Chime Bird, was actually disguised, because the flight martial soul only manifests its wings, so the difference is not noticeable unless you look closely.
Her martial soul is actually the Swift, and all her soul skills have the ability to fly.
Originally, Ma Hongjun wouldn't have been able to fly up such a high cliff, but after obtaining the Wind Dragon Wing Bone, he gained the skill of flight.
The 100,000-year-old wing bone gave Ma Hongjun two soul skills:
Extreme Speed Flight and Wind Blade!
From below, the cliff looked small, but once you actually stepped onto it, you would find that it was a completely different world.
The cliff area was about the size of a football field.
In the center was a huge Wind Iron Fir tree, a 10,000-year-old soul beast.
However, at this moment, its branches and leaves trembled under the suppression of the aura of the two Title Douluos, and it dared not launch an attack.
To the left of the tree was a huge stone platform, which seemed to be where the Wind Dragon often lay.
To the right was a pool filled with light blue water, connected to the roots of the tree.
"Inside!"
Sword Douluo pointed behind the tree.
Ma Hongjun went closer and saw a dark opening behind the massive trunk of the Wind Iron Fir tree.
"I sensed a soul beast inside, but its aura isn't strong."
With that, the four of them walked into the opening.
A tender
dragon's roar echoed, accompanied by babbling.
"Could it be a young dragon!"
Bai Chenxiang suddenly stopped at the entrance.
Ma Hongjun, worried that the Wind Iron Fir tree might harm Bai Chenxiang, also stopped with her.
"Grandpa Sword, we'll wait for you outside."
"Alright!"
Sword Douluo had already observed the Wind Iron Fir tree's cultivation level; with Ma Hongjun's current strength, dealing with it was no problem at all, so he wasn't worried.
"What's wrong, A-Xiang!"
Hearing Ma Hongjun call her A-Xiang, Bai Chenxiang blushed.
Over time, everyone had become familiar with each other and used affectionate nicknames, calling Bai Chenxiang "A-Xiang."
This was the first time Ma Hongjun had called her that, because he rarely had the chance to call her by her name. She was always with Ye Lingling, practically one person.
When calling them, Ma Hongjun always called her Ye Lingling.
"Look at this!"
Bai Chenxiang quickly adjusted her expression and pointed to a blade of grass growing in a crevice on the cliff face near the cave entrance.
Ma Hongjun looked over in surprise.
It was indeed amazing!
This cliff was bare, yet a small blade of grass could survive here.
The grass was lush and green, with nine leaves, each rhomboid in shape, but facing different directions.
Most importantly, this seemingly tender green blade of grass was incredibly resilient. The wind on this cliff was strong, fierce, and violent.
However, this blade of grass was unharmed.
Ma Hongjun saw that when the wind blew, its leaves would change direction, so that the tips of the leaves faced the wind, like the back of a shark at sea, neutralizing the force of the wind. Moreover,
each of the nine leaves faced a different direction, so it could cope with the wind no matter where it came from.
Most remarkably, the nine leaves formed a special space within which the wind would swirl.
"You recognize it?"
Bai Chenxiang's expression was solemn, filled with surprise, yet she seemed uncertain.
At this moment, her martial spirit stirred, sensing the herb.
Bai Chenxiang laughed excitedly, her face flushing.
"It's it, it really is!"
"What is it?"
"Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass!"
Bai Chenxiang grew increasingly excited, carefully approaching the grass with both hands.
"Nine leaves form a shape, mutually constituting a wind array, transforming wind power to gain life."
Bai Chenxiang murmured to herself, then unleashed her soul power, plucked the nine-leaf grass, and enveloped it with her soul power.
"This Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass is extremely important to me, Brother Ma, could you give it to me? Consider it a favor I owe you.
This Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass is too important to our family."
After all, they had all discovered this place together, and treasures should naturally be shared.
The Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass was indeed very important to Bai Chenxiang, but she still needed to ask the others first; it was a rule of the team.
"It's a young Wind Howling Dragon!"
Sword Douluo's excited voice came as the two of them came out.
In Sword Douluo's hands lay a chubby little Wind Chant Dragon, its wings still closed, suggesting it was recently born.
"So that's it!"
Ma Hongjun realized why the two Wind Chant Dragons had fought so desperately.
Protecting their cub!
They had come to the Wind Chant Dragons' lair, and the two dragons, having just welcomed their offspring, assumed their target was the cub.
The two dragons had lived for tens of thousands of years, this was a late-life blessing.
Fate!
The little Wind Chant Dragon whimpered and struggled in Sword Douluo's hands, its eyes still closed.
Ma Hongjun took the little Wind Chant Dragon from Sword Douluo, and it suddenly stopped whimpering.
It seemed to sense a familiar aura.
The four flew down.
The Wind Iron Fir tree remained, its branches swaying, but daring not to make a move.
The Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass, originally its guardian herb, had accompanied it through countless years.
But it dared not attack these humans; the dazzling red spirit ring on Ma Hongjun's body indicated the Wind Chant Dragon's presence.
Even the powerful Wind Dragon is dead, how dare this ten-thousand-year-old sapling move?
Back to the scene below.
Seeing the chubby, adorable little Wind Dragon in Ma Hongjun's hands, everyone's girlish hearts fluttered.
They all crowded around, watching the little Wind Dragon's open mouth, looking like it wanted to eat, wishing they could breastfeed it.
"Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass!"
Yang Feng exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the nine-leaf grass in Bai Chenxiang's hand.
Yang Feng and Bai Chenxiang had already recognized each other's identities. As two families who had worked together in the Clear Sky Sect, they were very familiar with each other's martial souls.
Moreover, the Breaking Clan and the Agility Clan had a good relationship, because the Agility Clan was struggling financially, and the Breaking Clan often helped them.
Although Bai Chenxiang and Yang Feng had never met before, they had become good friends due to their family's long-standing friendship.
"What's it for?"
Poison Douluo asked, feeling somewhat embarrassed that he hadn't recognized it.
The Breaking Clan was also an expert in poison, and their research on herbs was no less than Poison Douluo's.
"It's useful, but not very useful to you. It'll be very effective for Ma Hongjun and Bai Chenxiang,"
Yang Feng explained. This Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass is an ultimate wind-attribute immortal herb.
That's right, it's an immortal herb.
Yang Feng's family also possesses immortal herbs, and a few people in this world know of their existence.
For example, Chrysanthemum Douluo's martial soul is the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum.
The Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass is extremely important to the Min Clan, as it can mutate and strengthen their martial soul.
Once, the Po Clan found a five-leaf Mystic Spirit Grass and successfully mutated the martial soul of a Min Clan soul master from a Swift-tailed Bird to a Mystic Bird. The
effect of this immortal herb on the Min Clan is like the effect of the Qiluo Tulip on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Understanding the effect of this immortal herb, everyone unanimously agreed to let Bai Chenxiang refine it.
Ma Hongjun, having obtained the Wind-Singing Dragon's soul bone, the Wind-Winged Dragon Bone, will also benefit from the Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass.
However, its effect won't be as significant as on Bai Chenxiang.
"Thank you all. If we encounter any treasures suitable for everyone in the future, I, Chenxiang, will definitely help you obtain them."
Bai Chenxiang was truly excited and moved. This temporary team was incredibly united, like family.
The Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass was incredibly important to their family; it was a treasure that could change their destiny.
Just like when Ning Rongrong absorbed the Qiluo Tulip, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Ning Fengzhi's excitement.
This allowed them to witness the ultimate form of their Martial Soul.
Bai Chenxiang began absorbing the Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass, with everyone protecting her.
The process was quick; about an hour later, Bai Chenxiang successfully absorbed it.
Her soul power directly reached level fifty.
Her Martial Soul underwent a complete transformation.
A pair of azure wings unfolded, accompanied by specks of seven-colored starlight, making Bai Chenxiang appear like a fairy.
She gently flapped her wings and instantly flew into the air.
At this moment, she was like the darling of the sky, with gentle breezes surrounding her.
Her fingertips spun, forming a small whirlwind. She threw the whirlwind, which immediately created a whirlwind vortex.
With another wave of her hand, the gale subsided, returning to normal.
Bai Chenxiang, suspended in mid-air, sensed the changes in her martial soul; the powerful wind attribute ability initially overwhelmed her.
The Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Grass, having absorbed tens of thousands of years' worth of wind energy, had completely merged into her body.
At this moment, her martial soul was no longer the Swift with its pointed tail,
but rather,
the Nine Heavens Mystic Bird!
(End of Chapter)