Chapter 42: A Master's Scrutiny and a Clever Deception
Just as his gaze fell on the two people, Jiang Jun let out a soft "hmm" sound of surprise.
What did he just see? He actually saw a female genius Soul Master whose cultivation talent was not inferior to Bibi Dong's.
Both were in their 20s and had already reached the level of a quasi-Soul Sage.
Jingni was easier to accept since it was their first meeting. Occasionally, a genius like this appears, and it's still manageable.
But Qin Xuan was his disciple, someone who grew up in the Spirit Hall, so he knew him inside and out.
If it was already shocking that he managed to leave the City of Slaughter within just 1 year, his current cultivation level was even more astounding.
He was at Level 68, nearing Level 69.
Before departing, he had just absorbed a Spirit Bone and was at Level 56. Advancing 12 Soul Power levels in just 1 year was simply unbelievable.
Could it be that this disciple of his used some kind of forbidden technique, burning his potential and life force, to leave the Slaughter City?
Thinking of this, Jiang Jun frowned, his expression growing more uneasy.
Qin Xuan, as if not noticing his change in expression, smiled and introduced, "Master, let me introduce you. This is Jingni, a Battle Soul Sage at Level 73 with the Martial Soul Jingni Sword."
"She grew up in the Extreme Western Wilderness and was taken in as a disciple by a reclusive expert in her youth. After her teacher passed away, she chose to travel the continent alone but accidentally entered the City of Slaughter."
"We met there. She is now pregnant with my child."
"To be honest, the reason I could leave the City of Slaughter was entirely thanks to her."
"Dear, why don't you release your Martial Soul for my master to see."
Qin Xuan said this, following a pre-prepared explanation.
As for Jingni's Soul Ring issue, Qin Xuan had long considered it.
Before entering Spirit City, they exchanged clothes.
Jingni wore the Phoenix Flame, which could disguise Martial Souls and Soul Rings.
Qin Xuan wore a simplified version of the Phoenix Flame, called Qianjin Robe.
With the Phoenix Flame's enhancement, Jingni could perfectly disguise any Soul Ring.
The only problem was the language barrier. Even though Jingni was a genius with a strong memory, she couldn't completely master a new language in just over 10 days.
However, she could manage simple conversations.
Upon hearing this, Jingni slowly raised her right hand.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black — 7 Soul Rings rose from her feet. A pinkish-red light condensed in her palm, transforming into a strange long sword.
The sword's shape was peculiar: its guard was a salamander head, the hilt was a lotus flower, and the blade had 3 grooves on each side, with the overall color being pink. It was quite beautiful.
Below the guard, 1 inch down, was the white bat pattern symbolizing the Deathgod Domain, standing out vividly.
As soon as the sword was in her hand, Jingni waved it gently. A pink pressure, mixed with the power of the Deathgod Domain, radiated from her, sweeping outwards.
Qin Xuan's clothes and long hair, being the closest, moved as if blown by an invisible wind.
"Deathgod Domain, the second ring of 1,000 years, the fourth ring of 10,000 years…"
Seeing Jingni's Martial Soul and the revealed Soul Rings, the usually calm Jiang Jun couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, unable to hide his inner shock.
He admitted he had underestimated this young woman's talent. Both were 24 and Soul Sages, and excluding twin Martial Souls, her talent might even surpass Bibi Dong's.
But how could he have known this was all a disguise using the Phoenix Flame?
This was actually Qin Xuan's conservative estimation. Although Jingni had never absorbed any Soul Rings or Soul Bones, and her physique was far inferior to a Soul Sage's, being only at the level of a Great Soul Master, she could easily handle a 1,000-year second ring and a 10,000-year fourth ring.
If they could assemble a complete set of Soul Bones for her, starting from 10,000 years, it would be a breeze.
Next to her, Qin Xuan continued to spin his tale, "Master, I was also shocked the first time I saw Jingni's Soul Ring configuration. She said that when she was young, her teacher had her take an Immortal Herb, though she didn't know what it was."
"I was quite familiar with Senior Yue Guan before entering the City of Slaughter, and she gave me an Immortal Herb Directory as a gift."
"From Jingni's description, we deduced that the herb was called Daffodil Jade Flash Bone. After consuming it, it strengthens the foundation, nourishes the muscles and bones, and opens the Eight Extraordinary Meridians."
"With her teacher's guidance after consuming the herb, Jingni was able to absorb Soul Rings beyond their age limit. I also benefited from her teacher's legacy, finding an Immortal Herb similar to Senior Yue Guan's Martial Soul. After advancing to Soul Emperor, my Soul Power rapidly increased."
"An Immortal Herb Directory?"
"Won't relying on external objects to advance cause side effects?"
Jiang Jun furrowed his brow slightly. "Bring me that Immortal Herb Directory."
"Yes, Master." Qin Xuan respectfully handed over the directory from his Storage Device.
Instead of taking the directory immediately, Jiang Jun grabbed Qin Xuan's wrist, injecting his Level 96 Soul Power into her body.
Finding nothing abnormal and noting that her physique was exceptionally strong, comparable to a Contra's, his tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed. He took the directory and began flipping through it.
After a while, the joy on Jiang Jun's face became impossible to hide. He looked at Jingni and Qin Xuan with increasing satisfaction.
Grabbing Qin Xuan's shoulder excitedly, he said, "Xuan'er, you have great fortune. Not only have you brought back such a beautiful and talented disciple-in-law, but you've also acquired an Immortal Herb. Your future is limitless. You might even surpass me and your Second Master in the future."
"When I was examining you earlier, I noticed a change in your aura."
"Be honest with me. During this trip to the City of Slaughter, did you gain anything besides the Immortal Herb?"
"You are truly sharp, Master," Qin Xuan smiled and then recounted a carefully edited version of his journey through the Road to Hell.
He also mentioned that he absorbed the inner core of the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent as his sixth Soul Ring, further enhancing the ancient beast Vermillion Bird sealed in his sword.
However, he concealed the fact that Vermillion Bird had been unsealed.
Qin Xuan had a feeling that once his sword had absorbed 9 Soul Rings, he might be able to use Vermillion Bird as a second Martial Soul, complete with additional Soul Rings.
Moreover, it wouldn't be an ordinary second Martial Soul but one that could be used simultaneously with his first.
"An Immortal Herb and the inner core of an ancient beast, huh? You lucky boy."
Even Jiang Jun, usually calm, couldn't help but feel a bit envious. If he had had opportunities like Qin Xuan, he might have long reached a higher realm.
He laughed, "It's all thanks to you, Master."
Jiang Jun scolded with a smile, "Don't act humble after benefiting. This experience was far beyond my expectations."
"I originally had an opponent lined up to test your strength, but it seems I'll have to find someone stronger."