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Within the depths of his mind, Ning Tianchen had no effective way to deal with the rampaging ten-thousand-year Wind Demon Wing Dragon.
After a failed attempt to subdue it, he was knocked flying by the dragon's wing.
Landing back on the "ground," Ning Tianchen steadied himself with his sword and wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth. "This is my domain—I won't lose to you."
Suddenly standing up, Ning Tianchen unleashed an unprecedented level of power within his mental sea.
He raised his head proudly, gripping the Seven Kill Sword, brimming with energy and ready to strike.
In an instant, both sides charged toward each other, colliding fiercely amidst flashes of light and shadow. The overwhelming sword pressure from the Seven Kill Sword suppressed the Wind Demon Wing Dragon's attacks, causing its wings to shake violently.
With swift movements, Ning Tianchen appeared at the dragon's flank, delivering a heavy two-handed strike with his sword that threw it off balance.
But it wasn't over yet. Ning Tianchen rapidly swung the Seven Kill Sword in a flurry of strikes.
The Wind Demon Wing Dragon refused to yield, struggling against Ning Tianchen's assault and stirring up waves of turbulence in the surrounding air.
Ning Tianchen gave it no chance to turn the tide. The Seven Kill Sword gathered an unparalleled surge of sword energy, shattering the remaining spiritual residue of the Wind Demon Wing Dragon with a single decisive blow.
Thus, the most difficult stage of absorbing the soul ring was overcome through his sheer strength.
An hour later, Ning Tianchen opened his eyes and stood up. Four soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, and black—glowed alternately beneath his feet.
Dugu Bo was overjoyed, his eyes filled with delight. Looking at Ning Tianchen's figure, he felt as if he had been transported back to his own youthful prime.
"Haha, young man, you've truly set a precedent across the entire continent. When you reveal your soul rings during the Soul Masters Tournament, countless people will be utterly shocked."
Ning Tianchen responded with a smile.
He could feel that his soul power had risen to Level 43. Aside from the two levels provided by the soul ring, the Golden Dragon Fruit had boosted his soul power by five levels even after completing the martial soul evolution.
This demonstrated that the Golden Dragon Fruit was among the finest immortal herbs.
"By the way, this soul bone dropped from that thing. Take it and absorb it—it'll benefit you greatly."
As he spoke, Dugu Bo pushed a right arm soul bone toward Ning Tianchen.
Instead of accepting it, Ning Tianchen pushed it back. "Old man, if you don't have a right arm soul bone, take it for yourself. I'm backed by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—I won't lack soul bones in the future. Besides, the soul bones I aim for should far exceed ten thousand years in age."
Dugu Bo's lips twitched. "Are you treating soul bones like cabbages at the market? A ten-thousand-year soul bone of such perfect quality might never be found again on the continent—are you really refusing it?"
Ning Tianchen didn't explain further. Extending his left hand, he summoned his Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul. "Old man, tell me—after I break through to become a Title Douluo and start adding soul rings to my second martial soul, what kind of soul ring years should I aim for?"
The higher the soul beast's age, the greater the chance of obtaining a soul bone. In the future, Ning Tianchen wouldn't lack high-year soul bones.
"Dual martial souls!" Dugu Bo suddenly felt that fate had been unfair to him.
Ning Tianchen had already broken through to become a Soul Ancestor at such a young age, was born into the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and had a grandfather with the same martial soul to guide his cultivation. And on top of all that, he was a dual martial soul possessor.
It was as if all the good fortune in the world had been bestowed upon him alone.
Dugu Bo sighed bitterly. "For your second martial soul's soul rings, even the first one would match what others consider their ninth ring. You're truly a monster."
As he spoke, he suddenly laughed. "With the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, you're still a battle-type soul master. As long as you add soul rings to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, there's no doubt you'll become the next leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was a millennium-old sect with intricate internal relationships and constant meddling from clan factions. Wouldn't being the sect leader be exhausting? Living off others' efforts sounded much more appealing.
Ning Tianchen inwardly scoffed at this thought.
Dugu Bo lamented, "I'm already halfway into the grave—what use do I have for a soul bone? Just keep it for now. If you don't find anything better in the future, absorb it then."
After some thought, Ning Tianchen finally stored the soul bone in his soul-guiding tool.
Dugu Bo continued, "Come to think of it, your luck really is something else. Including external soul bones, four soul rings yielded two soul bones."
Ning Tianchen shook his head. "No, it's not about luck. It's because you interrupted the Wind Demon Wing Dragon's mating process, filling it with intense resentment. I once read a theory: 'Torturing or killing a soul beast while it harbors deep resentment increases the likelihood of dropping a soul bone.' That's probably why this soul bone appeared."
"If that's true, I can go mass-produce soul bones," Dugu Bo joked with a hearty laugh.
His area-of-effect abilities were unmatched on the continent. In a single massacre of soul beasts, he could kill hundreds or even thousands at once.
"I suggest you don't do that—it goes against the natural order. Besides, the number of soul beasts is gradually decreasing. In the future, they might even go extinct on the continent."
"I was just joking—I wouldn't actually do it," Dugu Bo quickly added in defense.
Both of their cultivation sessions had ended, so there was no need to return to the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
Exchanging lighthearted banter, they made their way out of the forest.
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"By the way, Yan Yan should have returned to the academy by now. You'd better recall whoever you sent to tail her, or I'll personally deal with them." At the mention of this, Dugu Bo's anger flared up again.
It was only because his relationship with Ning Tianchen had thawed and he had grown fond of the young man after spending time together that he hadn't acted rashly. With anyone else, he would have taken action immediately.
Ning Tianchen shrugged, feigning confusion. "I didn't send anyone to follow her."
Dugu Bo was about to accuse him of being slippery, but he swallowed his words at the last moment.
After a brief pause, he reached out to teach the boy a lesson. "So, you little rascal, you dare deceive me? You must have known all along that the Imperial Team was going out to hunt for soul rings, didn't you?"
Ning Tianchen dodged his hand and teased with a grin, "The Imperial Team made such a commotion when they left—even a fool would know they were leaving. Moreover, Yu Feng and Oslo in their team are notorious chatterboxes. A little inquiry at the Grand Spirit Arena would reveal their travel route."
"It was your fault for threatening me earlier. This was merely a temporary measure."
Dugu Bo sighed helplessly.
Ning Tianchen was even more cunning than he had imagined. Thankfully, the boy genuinely treated him well and hadn't played any tricks. Otherwise, he feared he might have been sold out while still counting the money for the buyer.
"Old man, why don't you come teach at the Seven Treasures Team?"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly, pretending to be angry. "Young man, you promised me you wouldn't force me to join the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Are you trying to go back on your word now?"
"No, no. If you became a teacher, it would only be as a specially appointed instructor—you'd still receive your salary. Whenever you felt like it, the academy would arrange classes for you. If not, we wouldn't interfere with any of your decisions."
The Seven Treasures Academy had just been established, and having the name of a Title Douluo would add significant appeal for next year's enrollment.
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