Chapter 120: Taking a Master

Even though the Bone Douluo had stopped applying pressure, Yang Xiong's forehead was drenched in sweat as he knelt on one knee, clearly the pressure the Bone Douluo had just exerted was considerable.

Ning Fengzhi stared at Yang Xiong's both hands and said: "Xiao Xiong, I didn't expect you to still have reserves in Spirit City; it seems you don't want anyone to know your true strength."

Yang Xiong shook his head: "Sect Leader, in Spirit City I am fully aware of the gap between me and the Demon Charm; even if I give my all I might not win, so it's better to hold back."

Ning Fengzhi sighed: "I understand; I'm afraid you've been defending against the Spirit Hall from the start. If you truly expose the two soul bones on your hands, the Spirit Hall would surely go all out to cut you down."

At this moment the Bone Douluo also spoke: "Yang Xiong, what exactly are you pursuing? Your strength is even greater than I imagined; perhaps among Soul Grandmasters of the same rank, no one could match you."

Yang Xiong gritted his teeth: "I want to become the strongest in the world; I want to reach the pinnacle of the Soul Master World."

The Bone Douluo looked slightly puzzled: "Do you know what the strongest in the world is? Do you know what the pinnacle of a Soul Grandmaster is? You are very suited to cultivating defense; haven't you considered the extremes that come with defense? Perhaps no one in the world could break your defense."

Yang Xiong said: "It's not just about defense; I aim to achieve the strongest attack, the strongest defense, the strongest strength, the strongest speed, the strongest physique. That way I can certainly become the strongest in the world."

The Sword Douluo beside them suddenly showed interest: "Yang Xiong, do you know what the strongest attack is?"

Yang Xiong thought for a moment: "Senior Sword Douluo, I think the strongest attack is extreme power combined with extreme speed, plus an attribute that breaks through all defenses."

Sword Douluo laughed: "Interesting, but do you know that ordinary Soul Grandmasters generally can only study one of those three aspects; even top masters at most handle two. To achieve all three is basically impossible."

Yang Xiong's face showed a hint of determination: "Others may not manage it, but I have hope. My body is my martial soul; speed, strength, defense, physique—these can all be brought to the extreme through my continual training, ultimately breaking the limit. After infinite breakthroughs, I will surely reach the limit of a Soul Grandmaster."

Sword Douluo's expression turned serious, then he suddenly laughed: "That's somewhat interesting—a body as a martial soul, a breakthrough of the limit."

"I, Jian Dao Chenxin, have an Attack Path that claims unrivaled in the world, but do you know who the true strongest in this world is?"

Yang Xiong said: "In the past hundred years, the strongest should be the Spirit Hall Great Offering Qian Daoliu, who is said to be invincible in the sky; the Ancestor of Clear Sky Sect Tang Chen, who is said to be invincible on land; and the Sea God Island Great Offering Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi, who is said to be invincible in the sea. These three are the strongest in the past hundred years and are the three Level 99 Ultimate Douluo that have appeared in this world."

Sword Douluo nodded: "The three you mentioned are the unsurpassable peaks of the Soul Master World for the past hundred years; do you truly have confidence to surpass all three of them?"

Yang Xiong's face showed a hint of resolve: "Of course. If I cannot surpass the limit, wouldn't that waste my efforts?"

Sword Douluo was silent for a while before speaking: "Very well. I have had no Inheritor these years; you seem relatively interesting. I am willing to take you as a disciple; perhaps you can truly reach the highest peak."

Yang Xiong, Ning Fengzhi, and the Bone Douluo were all startled at this moment, not expecting the usually aloof Sword Douluo to want to take Yang Xiong as a disciple.

Especially the Bone Douluo, whose complexion darkened: "Old Sword Man, what do you mean by that? I didn't expect someone as shameless as you."

"Yang Xiong, I have seen you diligently practice the Defense Path; we have some fate, and I have been watching you for a long time. Are you willing to take me as your master? I will later pour all my knowledge into you."

Sword Douluo gave a cold glance: "Fine, you cowardly man, your flimsy defense is nothing. Believe it or not, I could break your defense with a single sword."

Bone Douluo, not wanting to be outdone, said: "Fine, you Sword Man, your weak and feeble attack—don't go out there and embarrass yourself."

Yang Xiong: …

Seeing the two about to argue, Ning Fengzhi hurriedly spoke: "Jian Shu, Gu Shu, wait a moment; perhaps there's a better solution."

Sword Douluo then spoke: "Fengzhi, today I'll give you some face; otherwise I would have had to punish this cowardly man."

Bone Douluo also glared: "Fengzhi, don't blame me for not giving you face; otherwise I really want to beat that Sword Man up."

Ning Fengzhi said: "Jian Shu, Gu Shu, since you both see promise in Yang Xiong, and he wishes to pursue the strongest defense and the strongest attack, why not both of you take him as a disciple together? Perhaps he can combine your two strengths and truly reach the pinnacle of a Soul Grandmaster."

Sword and Bone Douluo exchanged a glance, but they both felt Ning Fengzhi's words were a bit off.

Bone Douluo said: "If Yang Xiong learns defense from me, it will require a great amount of time; does he still have time to learn offense from the Sword Man?"

Sword Douluo showed a hint of displeasure: "That's because your teaching level is too poor. Cultivating attack depends not on time but on comprehension, and of course on the teacher's skill."

Bone Douluo, furious: "Fine, you Sword Man, you mean my teaching is poor? I want to compare with you."

Seeing the two about to argue again, Ning Fengzhi quickly said: "Jian Shu, Gu Shu, Xiao Xiong has many pursuits and his own cultivation approach; just let him manage his time. Your main role is to guide his cultivation so he avoids detours."

After Ning Fengzhi finished, he gave Yang Xiong a glance; Yang Xiong instantly understood, and bowed to the Sword and Bone Douluo: "Senior Sword Douluo, senior Bone Douluo, I, Yang Xiong, humbly request you to take me as a disciple; I will work hard in the future and not disappoint the reputations of both seniors."

The Sword and Bone Douluo, both holding high positions in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and being top masters of the age, across the entire Douluo Continent, Yang Xiong actually admires and respects the Sword Douluo the most; the Bone Douluo, in a sense, is not inferior to the Sword Douluo. That both were simultaneously willing to take him as a disciple was an unexpected delight.

The Sword and Bone Douluo, who had been a bit angry before, finally nodded.

Sword Douluo said: "Yang Xiong, from today you are the disciple of me and Old Bone; I hope you cultivate diligently and not disappoint the expectations of the three of us."

"You are now Level 40; what are your plans next—going to Sunset Forest to obtain the Fourth Soul Ring?"

Yang Xiong quickly replied: "Master, I've been to Sunset Forest many times; there aren't suitable Soul Beasts for me there. I plan to go with Master Lin Gong to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain a Soul Ring."

Sword Douluo nodded: "Very well. Though that old guy Lin Gong's strength is average, his research on Soul Beasts and martial souls is decent, and you have a clear cultivation plan. So first obtain the Soul Ring; after returning to the sect, we will arrange your instruction."

Yang Xiong said: "Thank you both, teachers; I will return as soon as possible."

Sword Douluo seemed to recall something, took out a token from his body; the token was very simple—its front bore an image of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and its back a Seven Killing Sword.

"Yang Xiong, this is a symbol of my status; from now on do not tarnish my reputation."

The Bone Douluo beside him did not hesitate, also taking out a token; its front showed a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and its back a terribly fierce Bone Dragon.

Yang Xiong took the tokens symbolizing both of their statuses with both hands and bowed again: "Thank you both, masters; I will certainly not disappoint you."

When Yang Xiong departed, only the Sword and Bone Douluo and Ning Fengzhi remained, but seeing their expressions they were still quite happy, clearly they approved of Yang Xiong's current strength.

Ning Fengzhi thought for a while before speaking: "Jian Shu, Gu Shu, do you think Yang Xiong could possibly reach the strength of those three Ultimate Douluo?"

Sword Douluo shook his head: "That's hard to say. In terms of temperament, Yang Xiong is top-tier; his cultivation has a plan, and his opportunities are quite good. I'm just uncertain how strong his martial soul can become."

Bone Douluo glared at Sword Douluo: "Fengzhi, I think Yang Xiong has great hope; as this kid said, Soul Grandmasters must break limits, and his body being a martial soul indeed makes breakthroughs easier."

"Have you noticed that Yang Xiong's martial soul has changed? When he was in school it seemed ordinary, its color was plain, but now when he uses his martial soul his whole body turns Silver; I suspect his martial soul mutated during cultivation."

"Especially from covert observation, since his martial soul changed after entering Sunset Forest last time, his strength seems to have increased significantly, as if his martial soul level itself transformed."

Ning Fengzhi was also startled: "Gu Shu, could this be related to Yang Xiong secretly sneaking into Dugu Bo Ya Yuan Zi?"

Bone Douluo nodded: "I just covertly observed Yang Xiong; his three External Soul Bones have fully fused. Especially the two External Soul Bones on his hands, likely from the same Soul Beast, yet they have different attributes, which I find odd."

"However, the attack power of those two External Soul Bones on his hands is indeed impressive; even an ordinary Soul King might struggle to resist."

Sword Douluo also said: "Indeed. I think those two External Soul Bones of Yang Xiong are extremely sharp; even against the Spirit Hall's Demon Charm they may have a chance. The youngster can keep his edge hidden and conceal his skill, which is very rare."

"You should be aware of the Spirit Hall's methods over the years; many young geniuses have perished because they were too conspicuous with their brilliance."

Ning Fengzhi then nodded with some relief: "I hope I'm not misjudging; if Rong Rong and Yang Xiong can develop in the future, perhaps our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can reach an unprecedented pinnacle."

At this moment Yang Xiong's face was full of joy; he clearly knows the Sword and Bone Douluo have high standards, and now he can take both as masters, so his future cultivation won't need to be solitary.

In the Soul Master World, high-level Soul Grandmasters each have their own cultivation methods; even their simplest guidance can help ordinary Soul Grandmasters avoid many detours in cultivation.

The Sword and Bone Douluo are considered the pinnacle of attack and defense; if not for lacking opportunities, their achievements wouldn't be so limited—for example, neither has a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring Soul Bone, which causes their cultivation to be extremely slow after Level 95.

(End of chapter)