—
Today, the gates of the ancestral hall stood wide open. Just behind the ceremonial threshold of the front hall, over thirty individuals—men and women of various ages—stood in quiet formation. Leading them were six elders of the Chen family: four men and two women.
At the head stood Grand Elder Chen Hong, a dignified and stern-looking figure—unsurprising, given he was in charge of clan punishments.
Next to him was Second Great-Uncle Chen Cong, scholarly and refined in demeanor, with the air of a cultured gentleman. Standing beside him was his wife, Mu Lingyun, and together they looked like a celestial couple descended to the mortal realm.
Then there was Chen Wenchao, silent and reserved, but with sharp, bright eyes—someone calm and thoughtful, sensitive on the inside.
Chen Hanxin, the clan's 'kindergarten head,' appeared to be in her fifties and always exuded warmth and gentleness.
Her husband, Ling Yunxiao, had once been known for one word in his youth—handsome. He bore a striking resemblance to 1980s–90s Hong Kong actor Adam Cheng. Even in old age, he retained an extraordinary aura.
Apart from Chen Hanxin and Ling Yunxiao, who were in their sixties, the others were all well into their seventies and eighties. Grand Elder Chen Hong was over ninety—older even than Chen Yu. Despite some gray hairs, he still looked middle-aged.
That was to be expected—Chen Hong was a Title Douluo, the highest-ranked elder in the clan. The other five were either Soul Douluo or Soul Saints.
The thirty or so people behind them were family members and important followers of the clan from the village. Indeed, it wasn't just Chen Yu's lineage that had personal retainers—these others came from vassal families who had served the Chen clan for over 300 years.
Whenever someone awakened their martial soul, all would gather to witness it. This was tradition.
Of course, if a retainer's child awakened, the main family would also attend—but for Chen Xiaojun, being the direct heir of the clan leader, today's awakening ceremony was a major event. Naturally, everyone who could attend had come from all parts of the village.
Most attendees wore blue attire—the Chen family's signature color. After all, their ancestral martial soul, the Seven Kill Sword, featured a blue-and-white design, and its soul power radiated blue light. As such, the family favored blue in formal, casual, and battle clothing.
With high hopes that Xiaojun would awaken the family's inherited Seven Kill Sword, a blue ceremonial robe was most appropriate.
After bowing on both sides and completing ancestral rites...
—a
Inside the front hall, everyone stood solemnly around the perimeter.
Chen Yu stepped forward, producing six pitch-black Awakening Stones and a shimmering blue crystal Soul-Testing Orb.
He placed the six stones in a hexagonal formation on the floor and then motioned for Chen Xiaojun to stand in the center. A soft blue light flowed from his hands into the stones.
Immediately, a pale golden light radiated from the array, forming a glowing barrier that enveloped Xiaojun.
Golden specks of light floated up from the Awakening Stones and slowly entered Xiaojun's body.
A warm, soothing sensation spread throughout him—an indescribable comfort. Under the pull of this warm energy, something around his navel seemed to quietly shatter.
A faint cracking sound followed. This was likely a slight opening of the lower soul nest, allowing warm energy to rush toward his palm.
A flash of light burst from Chen Yu's hand. He spoke gently:
"Xiao'er, give me your dominant hand."
Chen Xiaojun slowly extended his right hand. His body began trembling—first lightly, then violently. He tried to speak, but no sound came out.
Suddenly, all the golden light surged out. In an instant, multicolored beams exploded: gold, black, red, silver, green, deep blue, pale blue, bronze, pearly white—the light shot toward the ceiling, so dazzling it hurt everyone's eyes.
In xiaojun's consciousness, a vision appeared:
A world of swords—phantom silhouettes of colossal divine swords stood tall, their light piercing the heavens. Glorious, yet deadly.
He recognized these swords.
"Wait… isn't this…? These are the Ten Ancient Divine Swords I saw pictures of before I transmigrated!" he thought, elated.
"Hahaha, this is it! Divine swords! Ancient divine swords! A gift from my past life—an imprint, a blessing!"
After a moment, the blinding light faded.
In his right hand floated a string of ten pearl-like beads, orbiting around one another in a continuous loop, seemingly connected by an invisible force.
Everyone held their breath, watching.
Chen Xun's expression grew uncertain. "Xiaojun, is this your mother's mutated martial soul? It looks like her Rainbow Bracelet but with one extra bead. What kind of martial soul is it?"
Note: the Rainbow Bracelet wasn't just a bracelet of seven colorful beads—it was a chain of nine seven-colored pearls, each engraved with a begonia flower pattern, also called the Rainbow Begonia Chain.
Before Xiaojun could answer, Grand Elder Chen Hong cut in:
"No—that's not right. I just sensed a faint sword intent from it. It even slightly pressured my Seven Kill Sword. It was subtle, but there. What about you, old heads?"
"No, I didn't feel anything."
"I think I did—just a trace."
"Could be... or not."
"Yes, I felt it."
…
Not just the six elders—even members of the uncle and aunt generation began speaking:
Chen Huatang, Chen Xiyuan, Chen Wu, Chen Chen… one after another.
Differing soul master ranks meant differing perception levels.
Chen Yu exchanged a glance with Chen Hong and said slowly:
"Hmm… Old Hong may be right. I sensed it too. Xiaojun, tell Grandpa—what is your martial soul?"
Xiaojun smiled slightly.
"Grandfather, Father, honored elders, clan brothers—this is not my mother's Rainbow Bracelet. My martial soul is called the Sword Orb Chain."
"Sword Orb? What's that?"
"These ten orbs… are miniaturized, dormant forms of ten ancient divine swords."
Everyone was stunned!
"Divine swords?!"
"Dormant?!"
"Miniaturized?!"
"Yes. Divine swords require immense soul power to awaken. My body's current power is insufficient, so the sword spirits shrunk into this bead form to protect me. As I add soul rings, I'll use soul power to awaken them—one by one."
"So they're actual swords?"
"Yes. Swords. Ancient divine swords."
Chen Yu slowly nodded.
"I see. Divine swords, concealed with sword intent, even lightly pressuring the Seven Kill Sword… That suggests they're at least equal in quality—maybe even superior."
He continued,
"What name will you give this martial soul?"
"Sword Orb Chain."
Second Great-Uncle Chen Cong laughed:
"Little Xiaojun, that name isn't very elegant—or powerful. Pick a new one."
"How about Divine Sword Chain? Sword Pearl Divine Chain? Sword Divine Orbs?"
His mother, smiling gently, made the final call:
"These sword orbs glow with divine brilliance, like radiant pearls blessed by the heavens. Let's call it Sword God Pearls (剑神珠)."
"I like it. I'll go with Mom's choice."
His brother Chen Jianjun frowned, confused:
"Wait—you said ten sword orbs, but even a Title Douluo only gets nine soul rings. That's one orb too many."
"There's probably more to it that we don't know yet, right, Xiaojun?" said cousin Chen Jianzun.
"Let's hear it," said cousin Chen Feng, son of second uncle Chen Zhang.
As the younger generation spoke, the elders turned their attention to Xiaojun.
"It's not that mysterious. I felt that two of the orbs were drawn to each other, intertwining as if they were one. Maybe, when the time comes, one soul ring can awaken two orbs at once. That way, nine soul rings would be enough to awaken them all."
"That works too. Son, awaken them all someday so your old man can see what these divine swords look like."
"Mm! I'll become a Title Douluo so you can witness all ten swords!"
"Title Douluo is still a long way off," Chen Yu chuckled. "Come, Xiaojun—let's test your innate soul power. With that awakening phenomenon earlier, it should be quite high."
Chen Xun suddenly snapped to attention:
"Yes, yes! Son, place your hand on the Soul Testing Orb."
As soon as Xiaojun's palm touched the blue crystal, his body trembled. A powerful force pulled from his navel through his arm into the orb.
A brilliant blue glow spread from the center, engulfing the entire orb. A soft blue aura lit up the room, glowing like a gemstone—captivating beyond words.
"This is innate full soul power!" Chen Xun drew in a sharp breath.
Suddenly, Chen Yu's voice turned stern:
"From now on, Xiaojun's innate soul power shall be declared as Level Nine. Anyone who says otherwise will be punished according to clan rules!"
Everyone was stunned, then replied in unison:
"Yes!"
"Alright then—Xun'er, Xiaojun, you few—come with me. Everyone else, dismissed."
With that, Chen Yu turned and walked toward the side hall.