Chapter 2: Finally Gaining Recognition
Time flies by, and before we know it, it's dusk.
The setting sun casts a golden glow, birds fly back to their nests, and the entire sky is dyed orange-red.
The setting sun cast its last rays, bringing a unique sense of solitude to this desolate place.
"Still not back? You were really dreaming..."
Ning Huan stood expressionless with his hands behind his back, a fleeting look of regret in his eyes.
"Time is ultimately too long, and even the most solid rock cannot withstand the relentless erosion of time."
"Moreover, having been robbed so many times, it's understandable that we would get nothing."
However, the shattering of his dream did not cause him the slightest bit of regret.
After all, having anticipated this, how could he not have considered alternative options?
Summoning powerful spirit beasts from among contracted spirits can also achieve the desired goal.
However, compared to summoning the sect's ancestors in front of everyone, the effect was far inferior.
Perhaps after returning to his sect, he could temporarily form contracts with one or two powerful figures from the sect.
But that would be too risky and could easily sow the seeds of many future problems.
It's not worth the risk!
There's nothing we can do; the [Spirit Empowerment Platform] is indeed mysterious.
Not only can it replenish its Spirit through the recognized relics of the deceased, allowing it to regain its growth potential.
A Spirit that shares the same origin as a spirit ring can also nourish the spirit ring as it grows, gradually increasing its age.
However, its limitations can be quite fatal at times.
Putting everything else aside, the fact that the living can refuse to be summoned by their own will directly eliminates his initial plan to contract with living people.
Simply put, what if the contracted being is in a bad mood at a crucial moment...
I don't care if I become a laughing stock, the important thing is that I might die!
Therefore, as of now, all of the dozen or so Spirits that Ning Huan has contracted are soul beasts.
This capital was accumulated at great expense and through hundreds of attempts.
It was thanks to this that he was able to summarize the preconditions of the [contract] from repeated failures.
His purpose in going to the Jialing Pass ruins alone this time was also to make a high-stakes gamble.
Let's see if we can find the Sword and relics of Bone Douluo from ten thousand years ago here.
If you are lucky enough, after obtaining the relics, you may also gain the approval of the [Spirit Empowerment Platform] to complete your Spirit body.
Given his status as a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it's likely that Sword and Bone would be very willing to help him.
When he returns to his sect, many of the ideas in his mind will become feasible.
Of course, in hindsight, he clearly lost his gamble.
Ten thousand years is enough to erase everything that exists in the ordinary world.
"Alas, I didn't correct my mindset in time when my martial spirit first awakened."
"Because of a momentary hesitation, he was sent to the border, but he unexpectedly gained a magical Spirit, the Treasure-Seeking Rat."
"Now I'm worried about how to return to my sect without any worries."
"Truly, fortune and misfortune are intertwined..."
As the sigh subsided, Ning Huan shook his head and chuckled, showing no regret for his past immaturity.
Ultimately, he received every resource he was entitled to at every stage.
Moreover, compared to being imprisoned at the sect headquarters, he was ignored by any steward for six years, remaining virtually invisible.
Even his soul power cultivation level of 42 was unknown to anyone.
God knows how carefree and unrestrained he is.
If it weren't for the scarcity of resources on the border, which would have made it impossible to continue supporting the Soul Sect's cultivation.
He lacked sufficient experience and strength to venture deep into the Star Dou Great Forest and hunt down ten-thousand-year soul rings.
He might not choose to showcase his talent to the public so soon.
"The titled Douluo I know are rare and hard to come by, but I have enough spirit beasts for now."
"Other options... won't work, we can't afford to lose over 100,000 gold soul coins."
Thinking of this, Ning Huan suddenly recalled the unspeakable losses he had suffered at the hands of auction houses, street vendors, and tomb raiders.
Instinct then suppressed this unavoidable option.
He has already wasted hundreds of thousands of gold soul coins on his titled relics, and he really can't keep squandering them.
"After much thought, we still lack a trump card that can determine the final outcome."
Just as Ning Huan was unusually troubled and undecided,
The "treasure-hunting rat," which he had little hope for, instead emerged from the hole with great enthusiasm.
Judging from his unprecedented excitement, it had clearly gained a great deal.
"Squeak squeak squeak!"
The piercing scream shattered the evening's silence, forcing Ning Huan to stop thinking.
He then looked down at the golden retriever that had helped him the most.
The helplessness of being woken up and the confusion of not knowing what was going on quickly flashed across his face, finally settling into an excited look of relief.
"Jinbao! Could it be that you've found it?!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Treasure-Hunting Mouse nodded its little head.
Then it straightened up with its hind legs and put its two front paws to its mouth, rummaging around as always.
Ning Huan, who was staring intently, had never felt time pass so slowly.
It was only a few seconds, but it gave him a feeling that it was endless.
A moment later, Jinbao carefully took out a piece of bone about the size of half a finger from the cheek pouch on the side of its mouth and presented it with both paws, just like a human.
"Buried underground for ten thousand years, its bones remain as smooth and lustrous as jade, with a faint trace of sword intent lingering upon them..."
Seeing this, Ning Huan didn't care about the mud and saliva on his clothes.
He hurriedly snatched the broken bone from Jinbao's hand and gripped it tightly.
"Stay calm, you must stay calm!"
However, despite this, the barely concealed emotions on his face constantly betrayed his inner turmoil.
"There's no time to lose! Success or failure hinges on this!"
After saying this, Ning Huan gently closed his eyes, placed his empty left hand in front of his chest, and formed a sword finger.
His right hand, palm facing upwards, steadily held the shattered bones, using his soul power and spiritual power to carefully sense something.
This continued for an unknown period of time, until suddenly, that familiar tremor finally came from the sea of consciousness.
Then, an unknown energy emerged from his palm, enveloping the shattered bones as if it were mending something.
Ning Huan was also feeling something at this moment, and began to mutter to himself unconsciously.
"A startling light pierces the sky, seven killing strikes pierce the white rainbow!"
"The sword path transcends self, transforming towering peaks into fierce winds!"
"I, Ning Huan, humbly request Your Majesty Chenxin to bless the Nine Treasures once more and help this junior tread the path of heaven!"
The incantation of the contract resounded through the night sky, and the originally broken bones suddenly emitted a pure white glow.
The almost dissipated sharp sword intent also erupted suddenly, and the wildly dancing sword energy pierced Ning Huan's whole body with pain.
Even so, he gritted his teeth and stood still, refusing to move an inch.
'Don't hide! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!'
Upon realizing that there were no obvious injuries on his body, Ning Huan hardened his heart.
Instead of giving up due to the unbearable pain, he even continued to increase his soul power output.
All he wanted was to gain Sword Douluo's approval as soon as possible and complete the contract.
...
And so, the contract process, which resembled self-torture, continued for a long time.
As the night sky became dotted with stars, Ning Huan, having exhausted his soul power, became delirious and his eyes glazed over.
Only his body remained standing in the same spot, maintaining the same posture as at the beginning.
"Hmm, not bad."
"Exceptional talent and superior willpower."
"I'll trust you for now, young man, don't disappoint me!"
As he lay dying, a cold yet undeniably appreciative old voice echoed from the void, its words instantly relaxing the young man.
thump!
Thump!
The next second, Ning Huan, exhausted both physically and mentally, finally collapsed to the ground. Before his consciousness completely faded, he still managed to utter his last respectful words.
"Thank you for your help, senior."
[end of the chapter ]