A secret chamber within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"Child, close your eyes and carefully sense the martial spirit within you."
A gentle voice echoed in Ning Tianchen's ears.
"I wonder what kind of martial spirit I'll awaken... Could it be the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
Ning Tianchen had originally been a corporate worker on the Blue Star. By a twist of fate, he found himself in the world of Douluo Continent.
He had been here for a month already. His new body was that of an ordinary inner disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Knowing that Ning Rongrong would become a god in the future, he had taken the opportunity during this month to form a deep friendship with her.
After all, in a world where he couldn't be sure of his own talent, clinging to a powerful ally at least guaranteed food and shelter.
To outsiders, Ning Rongrong appeared to be a mischievous little troublemaker. But in front of Ning Tianchen, she was a sweet and well-behaved little girl.
"Brother Tianchen, you can do it! Rongrong believes in you!" Six-year-old Ning Rongrong cheered, waving her tiny fists in encouragement with a childlike voice.
She had just awakened her martial spirit.
Her martial spirit was the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and her innate soul power was at level nine.
Ning Fengzhi, who had been watching the awakening ceremony, even declared that she would be made the next successor of the sect.
Ning Tianchen instinctively extended both hands.
"This child... Soul masters only have one martial spirit. One hand is enough," Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly, thinking it was just a silly mistake.
While there had been rare cases of twin martial spirits on the continent, the chances were extremely slim.
As a disciple of the Ning clan within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it was expected that Ning Tianchen would awaken the same martial spirit as the others.
If his innate soul power turned out to be decent, and considering his close relationship with Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi might even choose to give him special training.
In the next moment, dazzling light burst from both of Ning Tianchen's hands.
"This child…!"
Suddenly, Chen Xin (Dustheart) felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to Ning Tianchen.
Was it an illusion?
…
"I have twin martial spirits!"
The moment his martial spirits were awakened, Ning Tianchen received the knowledge in his mind.
In his right hand appeared a silver sword-type martial spirit, while in his left, a glazed pagoda martial spirit shimmered with brilliant light.
Chen Xin: "Seven Killing Sword!"
Ning Fengzhi: "Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
"Twin martial spirits." The two exchanged glances, their astonishment clearly written on their faces.
Gu Rong urged loudly, "Don't just stand there! Hurry and test his innate soul power!"
The sect steward responsible for the awakening ceremony snapped out of his shock.
He hastily retrieved the soul power testing crystal and handed it to Ning Tianchen.
"Child, use your willpower to put away your martial spirits. Place your hand on the crystal—we're going to test your soul power."
From the moment the Seven Killing Sword appeared, it was already clear that Ning Tianchen's innate soul power wouldn't be low.
Ning Tianchen extended his right hand, and as soon as his palm touched the crystal ball, a brilliant blue light lit up the entire chamber.
The intensity of the light even surpassed the spectacle when Ning Rongrong awakened her martial spirit.
Ning Fengzhi quickly stepped forward, placed both hands on Ning Tianchen's shoulders, and exclaimed excitedly, "This is innate full soul power! Child, would you like to join the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
"Uh?" Ning Tianchen looked dumbfounded.
Wasn't that a bit too much of a slip-up, Elder Fengzhi?
Gu Rong cleared his throat to smooth things over. "Fengzhi, Tianchen is already a disciple of our sect. No need for all that. His talent is more than enough for the sect to invest in him. However, there has never been a successful case of cultivating twin martial spirits in all the recorded history of the continent."
"Choosing which martial spirit to cultivate first is a matter that requires serious consideration."
Chen Xin spoke up without hesitation, "The Seven Killing Sword."
There was a simple reason—he had no descendants. Barring any miracles, the Seven Killing Sword would vanish from the world with his death. Ning Tianchen's awakening of this martial spirit meant that its legacy might continue.
Realizing he had spoken too impulsively, Ning Fengzhi nodded silently.
Ning Tianchen possessed innate full soul power. If he chose to cultivate the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, his future potential would be capped at level 79. But if he chose the Seven Killing Sword, he would avoid such limitations.
Of course, Ning Fengzhi was also curious to see whether, after the Seven Killing Sword martial spirit reached nine rings, it would be possible to then add soul rings to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and break its inherent limitations!
"Daddy, is Brother Tianchen more talented than Rongrong?"
Ning Rongrong tugged at Ning Fengzhi's sleeve and asked in a soft, childish voice.
"Yes, indeed. You are a once-in-a-century genius of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, but he… he's a once-in-a-millennium genius."
Ning Fengzhi beamed with joy and gave unreserved praise.
"Tianchen, starting tomorrow, you'll begin training with Rongrong. As for which martial spirit you'll cultivate—just like Uncle Jian said—you'll train with the Seven Killing Sword."
"Sect Master, I will give it my all."
Ning Tianchen bowed slightly and cupped his hands respectfully.
As a transmigrator, he clearly understood the immense wealth and power of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi's words were unmistakable—he was signaling that the sect would invest its resources into supporting him.
With the sect's full backing, Ning Tianchen was determined to pursue a higher realm, no matter what.
Ning Fengzhi gave a warm smile and gently patted Ning Rongrong's forehead.
"Rongrong, go play with Tianchen for a while."
…
"Brother Tianchen, you're amazing!"
Ning Rongrong grabbed Ning Tianchen's hand, her face lit up with a bright smile.
Ning Tianchen gently touched her forehead and spoke softly:
"Rongrong, now that we've awakened our martial spirits, we need to begin training in earnest. I will be cultivating the Seven Killing Sword, and you'll be training with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. In the future, there may be a time when we won't be able to see each other often."
Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes and said,
"But Brother Tianchen, don't you also have the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda? You could train it with me, couldn't you?"
Ning Tianchen gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
What the sect needed was battle-type soul masters. A battle-type soul master bearing the Ning surname carried tremendous significance for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. That was not something he could decide for himself.
Besides, he wasn't content with being a support-type soul master who could only stand behind others.
A man should wield his sword and roam the world.
Still, he had no idea why he had awakened the Seven Killing Sword martial spirit.
The original host's parents had perished on a mission. Neither of them had the Seven Killing Sword—or even any kind of sword-type martial spirit.
Could it be that his cheap father got cuckolded by Dustheart (Chen Xin)?
Ning Rongrong pouted, "Alright then... But today, you have to play with Rongrong. There's a new candy shop in Heaven Dou City, and I want candy!"
…
Back in the secret chamber—
Ning Fengzhi instructed sternly,
"What happened today does not leave this room."
The steward responsible for the awakening ceremony nodded frantically in agreement.
"Good. Go to the sect treasury and collect your reward. Since Tianchen awakened with innate full soul power, you've earned credit as well."
After the steward left, both Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi turned their eyes toward Chen Xin.
"Old Sword Guy, not bad! Looks like the Seven Killing Sword line finally has an heir."
Gu Rong slapped him on the shoulder, a mischievous grin on his face.
Ning Fengzhi sighed helplessly,
"Uncle Jian, if there's a disciple in the sect you've taken a liking to, just tell me. No need to be so secretive."
"Tianchen's father was a meritorious contributor to the sect. Now that Tianchen has awakened the Seven Killing Sword, this won't stay hidden for long. Sigh…"
Chen Xin furrowed his brows and quickly defended himself:
"Old Bones, Sect Master—I've always maintained my integrity. I have never had any relationship with any woman in the sect."