"Soul Master, sir."
Feeling the Soul Ancestor's burning gaze, Junting couldn't help but shift uncomfortably and quickly spoke up.
Snapped out of his reverie, the Soul Ancestor immediately recovered. He placed both hands firmly on Junting's shoulders and said with grave solemnity, "Boy, do you even understand what your martial soul—and your full innate soul power—truly mean?"
Junting was about to nod when a voice cut in from behind.
"It means that as long as you receive proper cultivation, a seat among the Title Douluos is guaranteed."
The screen at the back of the room slid open, and a towering figure slowly emerged. The Soul Ancestor showed no surprise—only deference—as he bowed deeply. "My lord."
That simple address instantly revealed the newcomer's identity to Junting.
This was the Song family's Soul Saint—their patriarch and strongest protector.
Instinctively, Junting began to mimic the Soul Ancestor's bow, but Lord Song stopped him with a raised hand.
"No need for formalities. An old man like me doesn't need to stand on so much ceremony."
He turned to the Soul Ancestor beside him. "Go tell the people outside: today's awakenings are over. We'll continue with the rest tomorrow."
"Yes, my lord."
The Soul Ancestor withdrew promptly—and thoughtfully closed the door behind him.
Only then did Lord Song fix his full attention back on Junting. And Junting knew, without a doubt, that the real test was about to begin.
Sure enough…
"Would you be willing to join our Song household… and marry my daughter? Become my son-in-law?"
The first half of the offer hadn't surprised Junting. But the second part left him utterly stunned.
Daughter?
Glancing at Lord Song's silver-streaked hair and beard, Junting's mind immediately conjured an image of just how old that "daughter" might be. He shook his head awkwardly, careful not to offend.
"My lord, setting aside the rather… significant age difference, I'm simply not ready to make such a decision lightly—not even about joining your household."
Lord Song showed no disappointment. In fact, he'd expected as much.
From the moment of the awakening, he'd sensed this child's unusual maturity. Tricking him into the Song family would've been impossible. His offer had been nothing more than a temptation—a hopeful try. After all, trying never hurt anyone.
Besides… that martial soul of his…
He most certainly did not want the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect knocking on his door.
"In that case, so be it."
Having said his piece, Lord Song wasted no more time. He led Junting out of the awakening chamber.
The moment they opened the door, they found the Soul Ancestor waiting just outside, holding a small cloth pouch. Seeing them emerge, he hurriedly handed it to Junting.
"This is your awakening fee. Since you've proven yourself a true soul master, the Song household won't take a single coin."
From the Soul Ancestor's calm expression, Junting knew this wasn't the first time such a thing had happened. He didn't pry—just thanked Lord Song and accepted the pouch.
"My lord, I'll take my leave now."
With that, he turned and walked away from the Song Manor. He needed to return to the village as soon as possible—to share the good news with the villagers and begin planning for his first soul ring.
Only after Junting's figure had vanished from sight did the Soul Ancestor finally voice his confusion.
"My lord, in the past, whenever we found children with soul power, didn't we always promise them a free first soul ring? Why not this time?"
"You're also wondering," Lord Song replied without turning, "why I remained so calm in front of a child with full innate soul power."
Ah Hu—his name was Ah Hu—fell silent, still puzzled. Wasn't this the perfect investment?
But Lord Song's next words made everything clear.
"That boy's martial soul… is called the Seven Kill Sword."
The Seven Kill Sword—the very same martial soul once wielded by Sword Douluo Chen Xin ten thousand years ago.
Although this Martial Soul was renowned, the Seven Kill Sword had long since disappeared over the course of ten thousand years. In theory, few alive today should even recognize its name.
But reality was different.
For ten thousand years, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had never ceased its search for two martial souls: the Seven Kill Sword and the Bone Dragon. The Bone Dragon had occasionally surfaced—but every soul master who awakened it had fallen into darkness, becoming Evil Soul Masters beyond redemption.
This only intensified the Sect's efforts. So desperate were they that they'd even offered a staggering reward: a ten-thousand-year soul bone.
"My lord… what do we do now?" Ah Hu's voice trembled.
A ten-thousand-year soul bone!*
Lord Song was no calmer. 'If I got my hands on that soul bone… becoming a Soul Douluo would be within reach!'
"Ah Hu, watch the manor. I'm heading to the Six Treasures Pavilion."
Before the words fully left his mouth, his figure vanished.
…
Half a day later, at the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The sect's grand hall stood tall and majestic, like a sacred mountain crowned by a nine-tiered pagoda. Built from massive, meticulously polished bluestone blocks, its walls gleamed with strength and refinement.
The roof was layered with thick glaze tiles. Sunlight filtered through, casting dappled patterns across the floor. Beneath the eaves hung rows of bronze bells, chiming softly in the breeze.
Inside, the hall was vast and luminous. At its center sat a grand huanghuali wood chair inlaid with Crimson Spirit Warm Jade. Flanking it were eight rosewood armchairs, each similarly adorned with the rare jade.
Near a side window stood a man gazing outward. His face was fair as jade, his features noble and refined. Dressed in spotless white robes, with long black hair flowing freely down his back, he appeared utterly at ease—like an ordinary scholar in his forties, gentle and unassuming. Yet his eyes, sweeping over the sprawling sect below, held something deeper.
"Nine Treasures Glazed… hailed as the number one sect under heaven?" His long sigh carried unmistakable ambition.
"Bowen, even you've fallen prey to fame and glory?"
A strong, resonant voice suddenly spoke beside him. Ning Bowen didn't flinch. He gave a wry smile and kept his gaze fixed on the thriving sect grounds.
"Uncle Ye, I'm no saint. As the saying goes: 'All the world bustles for gain; all the world hustles for profit.' I'm no exception."
"For ten thousand years, sects like the Hao Tian Sect and the Tang Sect—once called the greatest under heaven—have either vanished or crumbled. Yet our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect endures. Still… we've never truly claimed the title of 'number one.' Not after the Body Sect emerged so dominantly back then."
"Heh. I wouldn't last a moment against that old poison master," the elder—Uncle Ye—replied dryly. Having devoted his life to the sect, he preferred not to dwell on matters of strength they couldn't match.
"By the way," Uncle Ye said, pulling a letter from his storage soul-guidance device, "Bowen, this just came from the Six Treasures Pavilion in Gu Yun City. A child with the Seven Kill Sword martial soul has appeared—and with the rare gift of full innate soul power. The report is confirmed: his name is Junting, an orphan from Shanyang Village, raised by the villagers. I intend to go in person and take him as my disciple."
Ning Bowen's face lit up with genuine joy.
"Ten thousand years… and the Seven Kill Sword returns at last."
"Uncle Ye, who discovered him?"
"The Song Manor in Gu Yun City."
"Then honor our prior agreement. Give them the ten-thousand-year soul bone as promised. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect values its word above all. I leave this matter in your hands."
"Consider it done."
Hearing the Chief Grand Elder's assurance, Ning Bowen gave a slight nod. His eyes drifted to a statue within the hall, and his voice softened with emotion.
"A ten-thousand-year dream… finally within reach. Uncle Ye—if anyone tries to stand in your way… show no mercy."
Those last four words dripped with killing intent, revealing the full gravity of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's resolve.
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