The atmosphere in the awakening hall was tense.
"Soul Master."
Feeling the burning gaze locked onto him, Jun Ting couldn't help but shift uncomfortably. He hurriedly reminded the other party of his presence.
The Soul Master snapped out of his daze, withdrawing his gaze. He placed both hands on Jun Ting's shoulders, his expression unusually solemn.
"Boy, with your martial soul and innate full soul power, do you realize what this means?"
Jun Ting was about to nod in acknowledgment when another voice suddenly interrupted.
"It means that with proper training, you are destined to stand among the Titled Douluo."
A heavy curtain at the back of the hall was pulled aside, revealing a burly figure stepping forward. The Soul Master, who had just presided over the martial soul awakening ceremony, did not seem surprised at all. Instead, he quickly saluted.
"Master."
The simple title was enough for Jun Ting to understand the newcomer's identity.
This was Song Manor's Soul Saint.
Sensing the weight of this encounter, Jun Ting prepared to follow the Soul Master's example and offer a respectful bow. However, Lord Song raised a hand, stopping him.
"No need for such formalities," he said casually. Then, his gaze swept toward the Soul Master beside him. "Go inform the people outside—the awakening ceremony ends here for today. The remaining candidates will be tested tomorrow."
"Understood."
The Soul Master nodded and swiftly exited, closing the doors behind him.
Now, only Jun Ting and Lord Song remained.
Jun Ting's instincts told him—this was the real test.
Sure enough, Lord Song spoke again.
"Are you willing to join our Song Manor, marry my daughter, and become my son-in-law?"
The first part of the question was within Jun Ting's expectations. But the second half...
Daughter?
His eyes instinctively studied Lord Song—an elder with gray hair and a dignified aura. For a brief moment, he tried to estimate the potential age gap between himself and this supposed daughter.
Awkwardly, he shook his head.
"Lord Song, leaving aside the issue of age, joining Song Manor is not a decision I can make lightly."
Hearing the rejection, Lord Song showed no surprise.
When Jun Ting's martial soul had awakened, he already knew—this child had a mature mind. It would be difficult to lure him into Song Manor with mere promises. This offer had been a test, nothing more.
That said, the boy's martial soul...
A flicker of concern crossed Lord Song's face. He did not wish for the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to come knocking on his door.
"In that case, forget it."
He didn't press further. Instead, he led Jun Ting out of the awakening room.
As soon as the doors opened, the Soul Sect disciple from earlier was already waiting outside, holding a cloth bag. Seeing them, he immediately stepped forward and handed it to Jun Ting.
"This is the fee for your martial soul awakening. Since you have the potential to become a Soul Master, Song Manor will not charge a single coin."
Jun Ting noticed that the Soul Sect disciple showed no signs of surprise—clearly, this was not the first time such a thing had happened.
He did not question it.
With a polite nod, he accepted the bag and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Lord Song. I'll take my leave."
Without further hesitation, Jun Ting turned and walked away. He needed to return to his village, inform the elders of his good fortune, and begin preparing for his first soul ring.
Watching the boy disappear into the distance, the Soul Sect disciple couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer.
"Master, in the past, when we encountered children with soul power, we always sponsored their first soul ring. Why not this time?"
Lord Song didn't answer immediately. Instead, he posed a question of his own.
"Ah Hu, are you also wondering why I acted so calmly when facing a child with innate full soul power?"
The disciple, Ah Hu, nodded hesitantly. That was exactly what puzzled him. Wouldn't investing in such talent be beneficial?
But then, Lord Song's next words made his blood run cold.
"The name of that child's martial soul… is the Seven Killing Sword."
Ah Hu's breath hitched.
The Seven Killing Sword—the martial soul of Sword Douluo Chen Xin, a legend from ten thousand years ago.
Though it had long vanished from history, its legacy was anything but forgotten.
For generations, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had relentlessly searched for two martial souls—Seven Killing Sword and Bone Dragon. However, while the Bone Dragon had resurfaced among fallen soul masters who strayed into the path of darkness, the Seven Killing Sword had been lost to time.
To this day, the sect had never ceased its search. They had even placed an extravagant bounty—a ten-thousand-year soul bone—as a reward for information.
Ah Hu trembled at the thought.
Ten-thousand-year soul bone!
Even Lord Song's expression was complicated. With such a treasure, reaching Soul Douluo would no longer be a distant dream.
"What should we do next, Master?" Ah Hu's voice was unsteady.
Lord Song's gaze darkened.
"Ah Hu, guard the manor. I will personally visit the Six Treasures Pavilion."
With that, his figure disappeared in a flash.
---
Half a Day Later, Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect
The towering main hall of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect stood proudly, resembling a grand fortress of wisdom and power. Its foundation, built from enormous blue stones, exuded an ancient yet unshakable presence.
The sunlight gleamed off the hall's thick glazed tiles, casting shifting patterns of light through the interior. Hanging beneath the eaves were strings of bronze wind chimes that swayed gently, filling the air with a soft, melodious hum.
Inside the grand hall, a refined man stood by the window.
His features were elegant—his jade-like face, sharp nose, and noble demeanor exuded grace. Dressed in spotless white robes, he seemed effortlessly composed. Even his long black hair, casually draped behind him, added to his air of ease.
This was Ning Bowen, leader of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
His gaze swept over the magnificent sect grounds below, a complex glint in his eyes.
"Nine Treasures Glazed Tile… the number one sect in the world?" He sighed softly, his tone carrying unspoken ambition.
A deep, steady voice suddenly echoed beside him.
"Bowen, even you are caught up in fame and fortune."
Ning Bowen did not flinch. Instead, he chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Uncle Ye, I am no saint. Everyone in this world chases after fame and fortune—I am no exception."
His eyes flickered with thoughts of history.
"Over the past ten thousand years, the once-mighty Clear Sky Sect and Tang Sect have either vanished or fallen into decline. Yet, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect still stands strong. Even so… we are not the true number one. The emergence of the Body Sect back then was simply too overwhelming."
A wry smile touched his lips.
"I still remember that old poison…"
The elder beside him, known as Uncle Ye, chose not to dwell on old rivalries. Instead, he retrieved a letter from his storage soul guide.
"Bowen, news just arrived from Six Treasures Pavilion in Gu Yun City. A child with the Seven Killing Sword martial soul has appeared. Not only that, he possesses innate full soul power. His name is Jun Ting, an orphan from Shanyang Village, raised by the villagers. I intend to personally bring him into our sect as a disciple."
Ning Bowen's expression shifted sharply.
"The Seven Killing Sword… after ten thousand years, it has finally reappeared."
His fingers tightened over the letter.
"Uncle Ye, who discovered this?"
"Song Manor."
"Good. As promised, deliver them the ten-thousand-year soul bone. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect never goes back on its word."
His gaze turned sharp.
"And Uncle Ye—if anyone tries to interfere, eliminate them."
--
That's the chapter