"Hmm." Ren Arakawa nodded.
"Wait a minute... Are you saying you've awakened a third martial soul?" Ning Fengzhi asked with visible confusion.
"Yes," Ren replied calmly.
Ning Fengzhi and Jian Daoxin exchanged glances, each seeing the shock in the other's eyes.
"What's your third martial soul?" Ning Fengzhi asked, curious and skeptical. He couldn't bring himself to believe Ren. Could someone truly possess a Tri-Soul Spirit?
A Tri-Soul Spirit! If such a soul master existed, they would be able to host 27 additional soul rings! The concept alone was terrifying.
"My third martial soul is called 'Eye of the Underworld'," Ren said as he summoned it. His eyes turned pitch black, glowing with a strange, dim light. Anyone who stared too long might feel their very soul getting dragged into the abyss.
"Tri-Soul Spirit!"
"Tri-Soul Spirit!" Ning Fengzhi and Jian Daoxin exclaimed in unison. Both stood frozen on the spot, utterly stunned.
It wasn't until Ren withdrew the Eye of the Underworld that the two masters snapped out of their trance.
"Jian-shu, you've really struck gold this time!" Ning Fengzhi exclaimed with genuine delight and congratulated Jian Daoxin.
"Yes, this trip to the Balak Kingdom was worth it after all," Jian Daoxin replied, grinning. He looked at Ren as if he were staring at a towering golden mountain. "Ren Arakawa, remember, never tell anyone else you possess a Tri-Soul Spirit. To the outside world, your martial soul is officially one recognized by the Martial Soul Hall. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master," Ren responded respectfully. Then, with a mischievous tone, he asked, "Master, can I attach soul rings to my third martial soul?"
Jian Daoxin paused. Though aged and experienced, he knew Ren was just teasing him with the sheer absurdity of his situation. Still, Ren did possess a third martial soul. Even if he wanted to remain low-profile, his power wouldn't allow it.
"Absolutely not," Jian Daoxin replied sternly. "Just like your second martial soul, your third one must remain untouched until you reach the Title Douluo level. At that time, all soul rings you add should be no less than ten thousand years in age."
"Ten thousand years?" Ren asked quietly.
"Yes." Jian Daoxin nodded heavily.
He didn't notice the dissatisfaction hidden in Ren's voice. Clearly, ten-thousand-year soul rings were not impressive enough for him.
"Come, disciple," Jian Daoxin summoned his Seven Kill Sword martial soul and had Ren step onto it. Then they soared into the sky and landed atop a mountain peak.
The area around Saint Soul Village was surrounded by mountains and rivers. Ahead of them stood a massive mountain blocking their path. Jian Daoxin's eyes shimmered silver as his entire aura surged with might.
"Watch carefully," he said solemnly.
The aura of the Seven Kill Sword merged seamlessly with Jian Daoxin's soul power. The sword and the soul became one.
Then Jian Daoxin swung his arm. A colossal sword hundreds of meters long materialized and cleaved down toward the mountain in front of them.
BOOM!
The earth shook, the skies trembled, and everything around turned silvery white. The intense light made it nearly impossible to keep one's eyes open, while a powerful shockwave rippled in all directions.
"Jian Daoxin!" Tang Hao muttered in disbelief.
He recognized the soul power signature instantly. That attack could only belong to Jian Daoxin.
"Tang Hao, I've decided. This year's subsidized education spot for the village will go to Xiao San. Let him attend the Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy. As for the travel expenses... the village will cover everything. That's settled. I'll go see what just happened."
Old Jack, leaning on his cane, walked out of Tang Hao's smithy while muttering to himself.
Tang Hao didn't respond. He was caught up in his thoughts. Why had Jian Daoxin attacked in Saint Soul Village? It clearly had nothing to do with him. Since both Tang San and Old Jack were around, Tang Hao restrained his curiosity and didn't act impulsively.
Back on the mountain peak, Ren Arakawa stood wide-eyed, staring at the remains of the mountain. The once-imposing peak, hundreds of meters tall, had been split in two. A new path now led directly outside the village—a welcome sight for villagers who needed to trade or travel.
"Did you see clearly?" Jian Daoxin asked with satisfaction.
Ren nodded, then shook his head, then nodded again—and then shook it once more. That moment had left him with an odd sensation. He had clearly seen Jian Daoxin's movement, yet when he tried to recall it, it felt elusive—both real and unreal. A feeling beyond words.
"Don't worry," Jian Daoxin said, gently brushing Ren's hair. "That move is called 'Fusion of Sword and Soul.' It's a soul technique passed down through the Jian family. It took me ten years to fully comprehend it. Remember, you are forbidden to teach it to anyone else without my permission."
"Yes, Master," Ren replied sincerely.
Just then, Ning Fengzhi arrived.
"Alright, we'll be going now. If you're set on attending Nuoding City's Junior Soul Master Academy, I won't stop you. Fengzhi and I have matters to take care of. I'll come find you to help you obtain your first three soul rings."
Jian Daoxin's words were sharp and authoritative, like a blade.
"Understood, Master," Ren replied obediently.
"Fengzhi, let's go," Jian Daoxin called.
"Wait, Master!" Ren called out anxiously.
"Is there something else?" Jian Daoxin turned to look at his new disciple.
Ren scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "It's not a big deal, but... um, Master, do you have any money?"
"Money?" Jian Daoxin blinked, caught off guard by the question.
"Yeah," Ren nodded, slightly embarrassed. "To enroll in the academy, I need to pay a registration fee. It's not much—just five gold soul coins. Don't worry, I'll pay you back once I have some money."
Hahaha!
Hahaha!
Jian Daoxin burst out laughing. Ning Fengzhi laughed too.
Ning flicked his fingers and pulled out a black card from his soul tool storage. Smiling, he said, "There are [—] gold soul coins on this card. Spend as much as you need. No need to return it. Consider it your welcome gift from Uncle Ning."
(This chapter ends.)