"Xuan'er, how are you feeling?"
The morning after Gu Xuan regained consciousness, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin (Sword Douluo) appeared quietly in his room.The first thing out of the Sect Master's mouth wasn't authority — it was concern.
"I've already disciplined Rongrong," Fengzhi said, settling onto a chair beside the bed. His movements were graceful, the tapping of his cane soft against the floor. "I'll have her come and apologize later. You're her older brother figure — can't you let this go?"
The man's tone was warm, his face a portrait of calm benevolence. To anyone else, he would've looked like a kind uncle.But Gu Xuan wasn't anyone else.
"It's fine, Uncle Ning. My body's almost healed," Gu Xuan replied with polite restraint. "And as for Rongrong — I've already forgiven her. There's no need for an apology. I'm not that petty."
The boy's voice was composed, but his eyes gleamed with cold clarity.He didn't believe for a second that Ning Fengzhi's gentle smile meant sincerity.
Anyone who could lead the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect — one of the great clans of Douluo Continent — while being merely an auxiliary-type Spirit Saint had to be a master of schemes.To call such a man an "old fox" would be no insult, merely fact.
Still, Gu Xuan had no reason to show deference. His grandfather was Bone Douluo Gu Rong, one of the two guardian pillars of the Sect. And Gu Rong had already made it clear where he stood in this matter — firmly at Gu Xuan's side.
Besides, any child who nearly died after being pushed from a cliff had the right to be angry.Even the Sect Master couldn't expect him to smile through it.
Ning Fengzhi sighed softly. "I know Rongrong was at fault. As her uncle, I apologize on her behalf — and I promise she'll never disturb your training again. Will that suffice?"
From his perspective, Gu Xuan's cold demeanor was natural. After all, Ning Rongrong's reckless actions had nearly sent him to the gates of the underworld.The fact that Gu Xuan hadn't demanded to leave the Sect was already fortunate. Winning his full forgiveness, however, would take time.
At least the boy was still here. That alone was a victory for the Sect.
"Xuan'er!"
The deep voice broke the silence — Sword Douluo Chen Xin finally spoke.
"Grandpa Sword," Gu Xuan greeted politely, turning his gaze toward him. The man looked almost ethereal: long snow-white hair, a calm, unearthly aura, and a light blue robe that made him look more like an immortal swordsman than a warrior.
But Gu Xuan knew better — this visit wasn't random.One played the good cop, the other the bad. So which one was Chen Xin today?
Yet to his surprise, Chen Xin didn't speak for Ning Rongrong.Instead, he reached into his storage ring and produced a small jade box.
"This is a rare Snow Silkworm I've kept for years," he said gently. "Take it. It will help restore your vitality."
Gu Xuan blinked, caught off guard.
"Go on," Chen Xin urged, placing the box into the boy's hands. "A calamity like this can harm your foundation. You'll be awakening your martial spirit soon — this will strengthen your body and stabilize your spirit power."
Martial Spirit… awakening!
The reminder struck Gu Xuan like a spark. He hadn't awakened yet — all his physical training until now had been preparation for that very day.Every push-up, every breath, every strain had been to ensure that when his Martial Spirit awakened, his innate spirit power would be stronger.
Now, after nearly dying… how much potential had that accident drained away?
A shadow flickered in his eyes. His distaste for Ning Rongrong deepened once more.
Before he could speak, a familiar voice cut in.
"What are you waiting for, Xuan'er? Thank Sword Grandpa," Gu Rong said hurriedly. "Fengzhi, you and Chen Xin can take your leave. I'll help the boy absorb this Snow Silkworm's essence."
He'd clearly caught on.If Gu Xuan's body remained weak, it could cripple his potential during awakening.A strong body might not raise the lower limit of innate spirit power, but a frail one would certainly drag the upper limit down.
Gu Rong shot Chen Xin a grateful look. "Thank you, old friend."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and rose from his chair. "Then we'll leave you to it, Uncle Gu."
"Thank you, Sword Grandpa. Goodbye, Uncle Ning," Gu Xuan said politely, watching them leave.
The moment the door closed, Gu Rong turned to him, already impatient. "Come, Xuan'er, take the medicine. I'll guide the spirit energy through your meridians."
As he swallowed the faintly bitter silkworm essence, Gu Xuan sighed inwardly.
So that's how it is. Clever old fox…This was a move wrapped in kindness — a gift that rekindled Gu Rong's loyalty toward the Sect, binding him ever tighter to Ning Fengzhi's goodwill.
Yes, the Sect Master's methods were elegant indeed.
Outside, as they walked down the stone path, Chen Xin broke the silence."How do you feel about the boy, Fengzhi?"
"It's… hard to say." Ning Fengzhi's brows furrowed slightly. "He's changed. Since waking up, he's not as rigid as before. There's more life in his eyes now."
Before, Gu Xuan had been like a machine — polite, emotionless, a creature of habit. He could smile and frown, but his feelings never truly fluctuated.They'd once suspected his coldness came from the Bone Dragon martial spirit, a soul beast tied to death itself. Perhaps something in that lineage dulled human warmth.
But today, when Ning Fengzhi looked into the boy's eyes, he saw something new: spark, depth… danger.
Chen Xin chuckled. "I agree. The boy was too quiet before — now, at least he feels like a real child."
Neither man took Gu Xuan's anger too seriously.Children got angry; they forgave just as quickly.In truth, seeing Gu Xuan angry reassured them — it meant he was capable of emotion at last.
Ning Fengzhi nodded lightly. But inwardly, his heart was uneasy."Normal," he murmured. "That's what I should want. But… something about him feels different now. Unsettling."
"Come," Chen Xin said, changing the subject. "Let's check on Rongrong. She's been confined for four days. I'm sure she's miserable."
Fengzhi sighed. "Sword Uncle, it's because you all pampered her too much that she turned out this way."
"Nonsense!" Chen Xin waved dismissively. "Girls are meant to be spoiled! She's reflected enough by now. Four days locked away — that's punishment enough! And Xuan'er already forgave her. We can't keep her confined forever."
Before Ning Fengzhi could argue, the swordsman had already vanished down the corridor toward Ning Rongrong's quarters.
Fengzhi could only shake his head and follow.
By the end of that day, whatever conversation took place between them ended the same way — Ning Rongrong's confinement was lifted.
The little witch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was free once more.
None of it disturbed Gu Xuan's recovery.Three peaceful days passed like falling leaves, quiet and uneventful.Ning Rongrong didn't come to bother him again — whether out of guilt or fear, Gu Xuan neither knew nor cared.
Then came his sixth birthday — though birthdays meant little here.In the Douluo Continent, Martial Spirit Awakening was the true coming-of-age.
That morning, Gu Rong brought him to the Sect's grand hall.As they walked, disciples stopped what they were doing to bow in quiet respect.
Everyone knew — this was the boy who had made the Sect Master's daughter cry and walk away in tears. The boy who'd survived a fall that should've killed him.
To them, he was already a figure of awe.
Just as Gu Xuan crossed the threshold of the grand hall, a sharp, familiar voice rang out behind him — one that made his expression darken.
"Gu Xuan! Stop right there!"
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