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The first soul ring is the starting point for a soul master and also the most crucial milestone in their career.
The number of years in the first soul ring almost determines the upper limit of a soul master's future potential. If it's too low, even with full innate soul power, it will be difficult to attach a ten-thousand-year soul ring at the fifth soul ring stage.
The Seven Kill Sword is one of the most powerful offensive-type weapon martial souls on the continent, so naturally, the soul rings chosen must come from spirit beasts with strong offensive capabilities.
Just as Ning Tianchen was hesitating, Chen Xin's figure appeared before him.
"Why am I overthinking this? Sword Douluo also has the Seven Kill Sword martial soul—he would certainly know which soul rings are best suited for the Seven Kill Sword," Ning Tianchen thought with a chuckle. He quickened his pace and approached Chen Xin.
Chen Xin made a sword-like gesture with his right hand, lightly flicked it, and the Seven Kill Sword martial soul materialized out of thin air, hovering in front of them.
"Come on up. This technique of flying with the sword is something you'll have to learn eventually."
Ning Tianchen had barely steadied himself when the Seven Kill Sword suddenly accelerated, nearly throwing him off.
Chen Xin's blue robes fluttered in the wind, exuding an aura of freedom and elegance.
Once he regained his composure, Ning Tianchen couldn't help but look at Chen Xin with envy.
Flying with a sword—this had been his dream since childhood.
However, his current strength was still too weak. His soul power wasn't sufficient to sustain sword flight. Even if he learned it now, it would be futile.
The Seven Kill Sword moved swiftly through the air, and in just the span of two incense sticks burning, they arrived at the outskirts of the Sunset Forest, near a spirit beast town.
Chen Xin didn't plan to stay in the town, but he still canceled the flight and chose to walk through the town and into the forest.
Almost everyone walking around the spirit beast town were soul masters.
This place was a den of hidden talents, where high-level soul masters often blended in. Offending the wrong person could bring disaster.
"Therefore, when you come to the spirit beast town alone in the future, try to keep a low profile. Of course, if someone deliberately picks a fight with you, no matter how strong your opponent is, you cannot back down. With me here, no one can touch you."
As he spoke, Chen Xin's gaze suddenly turned sharp, scanning the surrounding eyes with authority.
So domineering!
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but give a thumbs-up.
This old-and-young duo drew curious glances from many, some of whom harbored ill intentions.
But under Chen Xin's piercing gaze, these people wisely suppressed their thoughts.
"Sword Elder, I understand," Ning Tianchen replied with a respectful bow.
There were many rules in the spirit beast town, but aside from the ones already mentioned, the rest wouldn't pose a threat to personal safety. Therefore, Chen Xin only briefly summarized them.
…
Sunset Forest
This was Ning Tianchen's first time entering a spirit beast forest, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
As they ventured deeper, the forest became increasingly primitive.
In areas untouched by human activity, the paths were extremely difficult to traverse—or rather, there were no paths at all. Ning Tianchen and Chen Xin advanced by stepping on exposed tree roots.
The roots of the trees intertwined densely, and cracks occasionally appeared beneath them. One misstep could send you tumbling into the abyss.
After just an hour of walking, Ning Tianchen felt unbearably hot and sticky, his stamina completely drained by the oppressive environment.
"Rest here for a moment. While we're at it, there are a few things I want to tell you," Chen Xin said, leaning against a nearby tree trunk. In his hand, seemingly out of nowhere, appeared a small branch.
"Sword Elder, please speak—I'm listening," Ning Tianchen replied weakly.
A six-year-old body simply couldn't handle such exertion.
Chen Xin waved the branch in his hand and asked, "Do you know what sword qi is?"
Ning Tianchen paused for a moment, recalling a post he had read online in his previous life.
After thinking for a bit, he answered: "It refers to a layer of soul power attached to the sword, imbuing it with immense destructive power. A sword with sword qi possesses both close-range and long-range attack capabilities."
Chen Xin nodded. "Sword qi can indeed be explained by its literal meaning. But cultivating it is a long and arduous journey."
"The basic form of sword qi can be mastered when you obtain your first soul ring. However, to reach higher levels of mastery, relying solely on the insights gained from soul rings won't be enough."
"When you achieve the ability to channel spirit, intent, qi, and strength into your sword techniques, maintaining full concentration, calmness, and readiness to strike at the opportune moment—then your own sword qi will have been cultivated."
With that, Chen Xin swung the branch in his hand.
An invisible wave of sword qi erupted, cutting down all the trees blocking their path.
The broken trunks fell neatly in one direction, forming a flat road.
Ning Tianchen looked ahead with a complicated expression.
You're teaching me, sure—but why do you have to show off like that?
With Ning Tianchen's current abilities, even if he focused entirely while wielding the Seven Kill Sword martial soul, he couldn't produce even half a trace of sword qi.
Chen Xin hadn't even used a sword-type weapon—just a casual flick of his hand—and yet the power unleashed was extraordinary.
Ning Tianchen didn't feel discouraged. Given time, he knew he could achieve the same.
"The next phase of training requires you to master 'Walking, Turning, Spinning, Lightness, Stability, Speed' within six years."
"These are the key principles of the Seven Kill Sword's 'Moving Sword.' It demands swift and fierce footwork, light and steady steps, movement as gentle as the wind, and stability as solid as a mountain. In terms of body movement, it requires leaping into the sky to startle birds and rolling on the ground without stirring dust. A single strike should leave behind only a breeze, unseen by the eye; amidst countless changes, only the gleam of the sword should remain visible, not the wielder."
In summary, it was about integrating body movement into sword techniques.
After obtaining the first soul ring, it would likely take a great deal of time and sparring with stronger opponents to grasp the intricacies of body movement.
"Sword Elder, if I complete your requirements, does that mean I can formally become your disciple?" Ning Tianchen asked with a sly wink.
A rare smile appeared on Chen Xin's face as he softly replied: "Tianchen, do you really want to become my disciple that badly?"
Without parents to rely on, clinging to the coattails of a powerful mentor was practically a necessity for survival.
Muttering silently to himself, Ning Tianchen nodded emphatically.
Chen Xin chuckled heartily and gently patted Ning Tianchen's forehead with his right hand. "I've lived my entire life without children or disciples—I don't want to end up taking in just one disciple in my old age."
He knew now wasn't the right time, so he quickly changed the subject: "Since we've rested enough, let's get moving."
Walking along the path Chen Xin had cleared, Ning Tianchen's gaze occasionally drifted toward him.
In his mind, Chen Xin's earlier words echoed repeatedly.
"Sword Douluo's words imply that he doesn't want to take me as a disciple… Could it be that he wants to adopt me as his grandson instead?" Ning Tianchen analyzed silently.
Even if that were true, there was no reason to reject or resent it.
In his past life, his grandparents and parents had treated him well. Here in the Douluo Continent, deep down, he didn't want to be left without a family either.
…
For three days, they wandered around the outer regions of the Sunset Forest but failed to find the spirit beast they needed.
"Heh, don't be in such a hurry. What's meant to come will eventually arrive," Chen Xin suddenly chuckled.
Ning Tianchen muttered under his breath: "How can I not be in a hurry? This is my first soul ring!"
It was like having a million gold coins dangling in front of him but being unable to reach them—it was maddening.
"All right, the spirit beast you need isn't far. Follow closely behind me and don't fall behind."
With that, Chen Xin quickened his pace, moving as lightly as a swallow. His steps made no sound as he walked across the ground.
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