Chapter 3: The Seven Slaughter Sword

But after hearing about the other martial souls, Ning Fengzhi no longer felt quite so troubled.

The other martial souls all followed the rules of the sect: a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Tower soul master had to marry a soul master with a combat-type martial soul.

Only then could the flaw of being merely one of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect’s support martial souls be offset.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Tower was known as the foremost support artifact martial soul under heaven, yet no one had ever been able to break its limitation.

It could never rise beyond level seventy-nine, and it was purely auxiliary besides.

So they had no choice but to seek out other powerful combat-type martial souls for marriage.

Sword Douluo comforted him. “Fengzhi, don’t worry. We haven’t reached Rongrong and Xixi yet. Maybe those two children will be different.”

Ning Xi’s starlit eyes flickered as she calmly regarded the myriad martial souls before her.

Though still young, her composed and cool temperament made her stand apart.

Sword Douluo and the others kept looking back and forth between Ning Rongrong and Ning Xi. They adored Ning Rongrong, but toward Ning Xi they held a different view: intelligent, cool-headed, and steady.

Moyun awakened the martial souls of more than a dozen children, yet his expression remained unchanged, without the slightest hint of fatigue.

At last it was Ning Rongrong’s turn, and the three old men instantly perked up, watching her with rapt attention.

“Ning Rongrong, artifact martial soul, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Tower, innate soul power level nine!”

Hearing Moyun’s steady yet slightly excited voice, everyone widened their eyes in disbelief, especially the three above.

They exchanged glances, each pair of eyes brimming with shock and delight, and then Sword Douluo burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, I knew it. Our little princess truly is extraordinarily gifted!”

“Hmph, was that really so hard for you to say? Rongrong is a genius once in a hundred years!” Bone Douluo shot back unwilling to lose, though his eyes were full of amusement.

Ning Fengzhi smiled as warmly as spring sunlight, his own eyes alight with surprise and delight.

Ning Rongrong immediately felt a trace of pride, though on the surface she still looked modest and showed little emotion.

She looked toward Ning Xi, her eyes sparkling. “Heehee, sis, it looks like I’ll be the one protecting you from now on!”

There was admiration shining in her gaze. Why did she like Ning Xi so much?

At first, Ning Rongrong had disliked Ning Xi. After all, Ning Xi was an older sister from a different mother, and might even steal some of Father’s and the others’ attention from her.

So she had repeatedly caused Ning Xi trouble, but every time Ning Xi had effortlessly defused it.

She had grown somewhat unwilling to accept that and wanted to fight back again, but in one moment of carelessness she fell into the lake. Ning Xi’s expression had changed drastically, and without the slightest hesitation she had jumped in to pull her out.

Ning Xi was beautiful to begin with, and at that moment she looked like a little angel coming to save her.

Yet Ning Xi had always been sensible since childhood and never held Ning Rongrong’s mischief against her. After pulling her out at once, she herself was scolded and lectured by their father for a long time.

During that period, Ning Rongrong had been utterly dejected, but Ning Xi had not minded at all and instead come over to comfort her.

From then on, she no longer hated Ning Xi.

If she could not reach the fruit on the tree, Ning Xi would easily help her pick it down. If she wanted to eat fish, Ning Xi would catch some without effort and roast them for her.

But if she made a serious mistake, Ning Xi would first reason with her, then bring out some fresh little trinket to coax her into happiness.

Ning Xi would not make her kneel in punishment like Father did; she was always very gentle with her.

Yet she was different with everyone else.

Ning Rongrong knew that, and that was why she liked this sister so, so much.

It was precisely because of this sister that she came to recognize the flaws in her own character, so even if she was somewhat willful now, she was never truly obnoxious.

Though her sister often tinkered with all sorts of things she could not understand, it did not stop her from thinking her sister was amazing.

Only, whenever she worked on those strange things, she always seemed somewhat worried, and in the end would let out a heavy sigh.

“Sis, it’s your turn. Go on, quickly! Even if your talent isn’t great, I’ve got your back!” Ning Rongrong patted her small chest in a little-grown-up manner.

Such a little loli, with her arrogance peeled away, was lively and adorable. Who would not like her?

Ning Xi smiled and nodded, saying nothing more before stepping forward at once.

Having taken in their exchange, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword and Bone Douluo all nodded in satisfaction.

Within the great hall, the seven-colored radiance grew richer and richer, as if the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had been drawn in, gathering around her body.

Suddenly, Ning Xi’s body began to tremble slightly, and a powerful force burst forth from within her. Her hands unconsciously reached forward, as though grasping some invisible power.

At that moment, a blinding beam of light shot up from her body into the sky, illuminating the entire hall.

The light gradually condensed into a huge phantom—a long sword radiating cold, frosty brilliance. Its blade was slender and sharp, while intricate runes were carved into the hilt, giving off a faint black glow.

Around the blade circled seven black streaks of light, as though they were the sword’s soul, spinning and flickering ceaselessly, exuding a chilling aura.

“Seven Kills Sword!” Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo all widened their eyes in an instant, their voices filled with disbelief.

Yet on closer inspection, this Seven Kills Sword seemed a little different, as if it carried its own oppressive killing intent.

Ning Xi slowly opened her eyes, their pupils reflecting the light of the phantom sword.

She could feel that powerful force coursing through her body, as though a thread of killing intent were rising from the depths of her heart.

She gently grasped the phantom sword, and at once the blade became solid, transforming into a real longsword in her hand.

The sword was cold and heavy, yet it felt astonishingly suited to her grip.

Ning Xi swung the blade; the tip cut through the air with a crisp hiss. The seven black blades of light followed, as if they meant to tear apart everything standing in their way.

In that instant, Ning Xi seemed to merge with the Seven Kills Sword, and even her bearing changed subtly. Her originally gentle features took on a trace of sternness, and her eyes revealed an edge that could not be ignored.

But Ning Xi’s other hand also seemed to manifest something else, only for her to clench her fist and conceal it.

This scene also fell into the eyes of the three, and a shocking thought flashed through them. Their mouths had already opened slightly, yet they quickly regained their composure, a trace of admiration flickering in their eyes. All three tacitly remained silent.

Though there were not many people here, it was impossible to be certain whether any spies were present.

If word of such talent leaked out, it would be difficult to guarantee that no one would come to assassinate Ning Xi.

The crowd had already gaped wide-mouthed, staring at Ning Xi in utter stupefaction.

Then came the test of soul power.

The crystal ball instantly burst forth with brilliant light.

At this moment, Moyun was equally excited inside: this was innate full soul power!