No doubt, the 'old rat' had endured hell these past years, probably in constant torment. Even Dugu Bo, poisoned by his own martial soul, might've had it easier.
"Soul power Level 13, not bad," Ning Tian murmured, a grin spreading as he opened his eyes.
A fragrant breeze hit him as Zhu Qing rushed over, ecstatic. She grabbed his face and planted a flurry of kisses, leaving vivid red lip marks. "Xiao Tian, you're incredible! You actually absorbed a six hundred year soul ring! Show me your martial soul!"
'This vixen,' Ning Tian thought. He raised his right hand, and a faint green glow bloomed on his skin. The three-foot Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Sword appeared, a clear yellow ring rising from his feet, the hallmark of a one-ring soul master.
It looked the same, but its aura was heavier. Zhu Qing felt a stronger pressure on her Dark Fragrance Sword. He unsummoned it and smiled.
Having seen his martial soul before, she pressed eagerly, "What's your soul skill?"
"First Soul Skill: Sword Beam!" Ning Tian announced, stepping a few meters away. His first soul ring glowed, and he flicked his hand, unleashing a three meter long green sword beam.
With a spin and a slash, every tree within three meters snapped in half.
"You can use it without your martial soul?" Zhu Qing remarked. For a six-hundred-year skill, the power was decent, but the instant cast was surprising.
"Yeah, my first soul skill has two modes: without the martial soul and with it. Without, it's average but instant. With it, it's like this—"
His first soul ring lit up again as he gripped the sword with both hands and swung.
A blinding sword light morphed into a giant green blade, gouging a shallow trench five to six meters long and a foot deep. At its end, a half man high granite boulder split and shattered.
Zhu Qing's jaw dropped.
If the first mode was typical for a six hundred year skill, this was insane. It seemed stronger than her second soul skill and she was a Level 38 Soul Honor with a five hundred year second ring.
The difference had to be the martial soul. Ning Tian's Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Sword was a freakishly strong mutant, maybe on par with Sword Douluo's Seven Kills Sword.
Unsummoning his martial soul, Ning Tian explained, "That's my First Soul Skill: Sword Beam. With the martial soul, the range jumps fifty percent, and soul power doubles. It'll scale with my cultivation."
Zhu Qing nodded, then gave a wry smile. "It's an amazing skill, offensive and amplifying. I've got nothing left to teach you except sparring and soul ring hunts."
"Teacher, you'll always be my teacher, no matter what," Ning Tian said firmly.
At first, he might have used her, but her genuine care over the past year had softened him. He wasn't heartless, he'd never forget her kindness or turn ungrateful.
Zhu Qing smiled warmly. "By the way, what's your soul power now?"
"Level 13," he replied.
"Not bad. You're just three levels behind the academy's innate full soul power duo. At this rate, you'll catch up or overtake them soon."
She believed in him. Just days ago, during the annual soul power test, Xiao Wu and Tang San had only hit Level 16.
After some more chatter, they ate rations and headed back.
The next morning, they reached Nuoding City.
"Once you get a soul ring, you can register at the Martial Soul Hall monthly for a stipend. Do it soon, but don't mention the ring's age, it could draw trouble. Also, the academy's three month holiday starts tomorrow. If you miss home, visit, but come back early. I'm planning to take you to my family during the break. My elders can teach you more. You're a fast learner, don't waste that. And don't let my soul power fool you; my father's a legit Spirit Douluo."
Zhu Qing was all in on grooming Ning Tian.
He nodded. "I'll visit home for three days and come back." He planned to give Old Tom some gold soul coins and repay the villagers who'd helped him. It wouldn't cost much.
He knew Zhu Qing's family was a rare hidden clan with a Spirit Douluo, once renowned with a Titled Douluo ancestor.
Zhu Qing had come to Nuoding Academy not due to some tragic tale but because, nearing thirty without hitting Soul Ancestor, her potential seemed capped at Soul Emperor. Unwilling to marry hastily, she'd struck out as the vice dean
Ning Tian felt he'd hit the jackpot. Old clans like hers often held secrets–like the Clear Sky Clan's Nine Absolutes or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Distraction Control. If he could snag some killer sword techniques, it'd be a massive win.
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