Chapter 119: Apprenticeship
Even though Bone Douluo had stopped applying pressure, Yang Xiong's forehead was covered in sweat as he kneeled on one knee. It was clear that the pressure Bone Douluo had placed on him earlier was intense.
Ning Fengzhi stared at Yang Xiong's hands and said, "Little Xiong, I didn't expect that you still held back in Spirit Hall. It seems you didn't want anyone to know your true strength."
Yang Xiong shook his head, "Sect Master, in Spirit Hall, I am very clear about the gap between me and Demon Charm. Even if I went all out, I may not win. Rather than doing that, it's better to hold back."
Ning Fengzhi sighed, "I understand. You've been guarding against Spirit Hall from the start. If you had truly revealed those two soul bones on your hands, Spirit Hall would have tried everything to kill you."
At this point, Bone Douluo spoke up, "Yang Xiong, what exactly are you pursuing? Your strength is even greater than I imagined. I fear no one of the same rank will be your match."
Yang Xiong gritted his teeth, "I want to become the strongest in the world. I want to reach the pinnacle of the soul master world."
Bone Douluo looked slightly puzzled, "Do you know what it means to be the strongest in the world? Do you know what the pinnacle of the soul master world is? You are very suitable for cultivating defense. Have you never thought about the extremes of defense? Perhaps there is no one in the world who can break your defense."
Yang Xiong replied, "Not just defense, I want the strongest offense, the strongest defense, the strongest strength, the strongest speed, and the strongest physique. With this, I will definitely become the strongest in the world."
Sword Douluo suddenly became interested, "Yang Xiong, do you know what the strongest offense is?"
Yang Xiong thought for a moment, "Senior Sword Douluo, I believe the strongest offense is achieved by combining ultimate strength with ultimate speed, along with attributes that break all defenses."
Sword Douluo smiled, "Interesting, but do you know that these three points you mentioned are what ordinary soul masters usually focus on? Even the top experts of today can only manage two of them at most. Achieving all three is practically impossible."
Yang Xiong showed a determined expression, "Others might not be able to do it, but I believe I can. My body is my martial soul. Speed, strength, defense, physique—these can all be honed to perfection through continuous training. Ultimately, I will break the limits, and after infinite breakthroughs, I will surely reach the limit of a soul master."
Sword Douluo's expression turned serious before he suddenly laughed, "There's something interesting about your words. A body as a martial soul, breaking through the limits."
"I am Sword Path Chenxin, known for my invincible attack. But do you know who the true strongest in the world is?"
Yang Xiong replied, "In the past century, the strongest should be Spirit Hall's Grand Priest Qian Daoliu, who is known as invincible in the sky; Haotian Sect's ancestor Tang Chen, known as invincible on land; and Sea God Island's Grand Priest Sea God Douluo Poseidon, known as invincible in the ocean. These three are the strongest in the past hundred years and are the only three 99th-level Ultimate Douluo in the world."
Sword Douluo nodded, "These three are the unassailable peaks of the soul master world in the past century. Do you think you can surpass them?"
Yang Xiong showed a resolute expression, "Of course. If I cannot surpass the limits, then what was the point of all my efforts?"
Sword Douluo fell silent for a moment before speaking, "Very well. I haven't had any disciples for many years, but you're interesting enough. I will take you as my disciple. You might truly be able to reach that highest peak."
Yang Xiong, Ning Fengzhi, and Bone Douluo were all stunned. They never expected Sword Douluo, who had always been so proud, would want to take Yang Xiong as a disciple.
Especially Bone Douluo, whose face darkened, "Old Sword, what do you mean by that? I never expected there would be such shameless people like you."
"Yang Xiong, I've seen you practice defense so hard. You and I have some connection. I've been paying attention to you for a long time. Would you be willing to be my disciple? I will teach you everything I know."
Sword Douluo gave him a cold glance, "You coward, what's so great about your defense? Do you think I can't break your defense with one strike?"
Bone Douluo wasn't willing to back down, "You think your soft and weak attack is impressive? Don't go out and embarrass yourself."
Yang Xiong: ...
Seeing the two about to argue, Ning Fengzhi quickly intervened, "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, please wait. Perhaps there is a better solution?"
Sword Douluo spoke first, "Fine, I'll give you face today, but if not for that, I'd have to teach this coward a lesson."
Bone Douluo glared at him, "Fengzhi, don't blame me for not giving you face. Otherwise, I really want to beat this Sword guy up."
Ning Fengzhi said, "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, since you both value Yang Xiong, and Yang Xiong wants to pursue the strongest defense and the strongest offense, why don't the two of you jointly take him as your disciple? Perhaps he can combine the strengths of both of you and truly reach the pinnacle of a soul master."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a glance but felt that Ning Fengzhi's suggestion seemed a bit odd.
Bone Douluo said, "If Yang Xiong learns defense from me, it will take a lot of time. Does he have time to learn offense from Sword Douluo?"
Sword Douluo showed a hint of displeasure, "That's because your teaching level is too poor. Learning offense is not about time, it's about perception and, of course, the teacher's level."
Bone Douluo became furious, "So, you're saying my teaching skills are poor? I'll show you!"
Seeing the two about to quarrel again, Ning Fengzhi quickly spoke, "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, Yang Xiong has many pursuits, and he has his own training ideas. Let him manage his time, and you just guide him in his training so that he avoids unnecessary detours."
After finishing, Ning Fengzhi gave Yang Xiong a look. Yang Xiong immediately understood and bowed to both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, "Senior Sword Douluo, Senior Bone Douluo, I, Yang Xiong, respectfully ask both of you to accept me as a disciple. I will train diligently and not let you down."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were highly respected within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and were top-tier experts in the world. Among all the soul masters in the world, Yang Xiong admired Sword Douluo the most, and in a certain sense, Bone Douluo was no less impressive than Sword Douluo. To have both of them willing to accept him as a disciple was an unexpected surprise.
Sword Douluo, who had been a little angry earlier, nodded.
Sword Douluo said, "Yang Xiong, from today on, you are my disciple, as well as old Bone's. I hope you train hard and don't disappoint us three."
"You're already at level 40. What are your plans next? Are you going to the Sunset Forest to get your fourth soul ring?"
Yang Xiong quickly responded, "Teacher, I've been to Sunset Forest several times, but there are no suitable soul beasts there. I plan to go to Star Dou Forest with Teacher Lin Gong to find a soul beast for my soul ring."
Sword Douluo nodded, "That's fine. Although Lin Gong is only average in strength, he's good at studying soul beasts and martial souls. And since you have some plans for your own cultivation, you can go ahead and get your soul ring. When you return to the sect, we'll arrange for your training."
Yang Xiong said, "Thank you, teachers. I will return as soon as possible."
Sword Douluo seemed to think of something and took out a token. The token was simple, with the pattern of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower on the front and a Seven Kill Sword on the back.
"Yang Xiong, this is a symbol of my status. From now on, don't tarnish my name."
Bone Douluo didn't hesitate and also took out a token. On the front was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower, and on the back was a grotesque Bone Dragon.
Yang Xiong took the two tokens in both hands and bowed again, "Thank you, masters. I will not disappoint you."
After Yang Xiong left, only Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi remained. The three seemed happy, clearly recognizing Yang Xiong's current strength.
Ning Fengzhi, after thinking for a moment, spoke, "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, do you think Yang Xiong can reach the strength of those three Ultimate Douluo?"
Sword Douluo shook his head, "It's hard to say. In terms of mentality, Yang Xiong is top-notch, and his cultivation is well-planned. His opportunities are also excellent. I just can't be sure how strong his martial soul can get."
Bone Douluo glared at Sword Douluo, "Fengzhi, I actually think Yang Xiong has great potential. Just as he said, soul masters must break through limits, and his body as a martial soul makes it easier for him to break through."
"Have you noticed that Yang Xiong's martial soul has changed? Back when he was at the academy, it seemed quite ordinary, with an ordinary color. But now, when he uses his martial soul, his entire body turns silver. I even suspect his martial soul might have mutated during his training."
"Especially after observing him secretly, since his last trip to Sunset Forest, his strength seems to have greatly increased. It seems his martial soul itself has evolved."
Ning Fengzhi was shocked, "Bone Uncle, could this have something to do with Yang Xiong secretly entering Dugu Bo's medicine garden?"
Bone Douluo nodded, "I observed Yang Xiong just now. His three external soul bones have fully fused, especially the two on his hands. They should come from the same soul beast, but they have different attributes. That's something I find strange."
"However, those two external soul bones have powerful offensive abilities. Even a typical Soul King would have difficulty resisting them."
Sword Douluo also spoke up, "Indeed. I believe Yang Xiong's external soul bones are extremely sharp. He might even stand a chance against Demon Charm from Spirit Hall. The boy knows how to hide his power and not show off. That's something rare."
"You both should know that many young geniuses from Spirit Hall have fallen because they were too ostentatious."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, "I hope I'm not mistaken. If Rongrong and Yang Xiong can develop properly, maybe our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can reach new heights."
Yang Xiong was overjoyed. He knew that Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo had high standards, and now that they were both willing to take him as their disciple, his future training would no longer require him to search for answers alone.
In the world of soul masters, advanced soul masters all have their unique cultivation methods, and even the simplest guidance from them could save ordinary soul masters from many detours in their training.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were considered the pinnacle of offense and defense. If it weren't for their limited opportunities, their achievements would undoubtedly have been greater. For example, neither of them had a 100,000-year soul ring, which made their cultivation slow after level 95.
(END CHAPTER)
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