Chapter 6: The Growth Path of the Demon Sword - Douluo's spirit bead sword

Chapter 6: The Growth Path of the Demon Sword "There's no need to be so formal, child. We are family now, and if you'd like, you can call me Uncle Ning," Ning Fengzhi said with a gentle smile. "Alright, Uncle Ning." Tianlin agreed without hesitation, understanding that terms of address can help strengthen relationships. Ning Fengzhi was undoubtedly the most qualified master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. Within the clan, he balanced authority and kindness; to outsiders, he always presented himself as warm as a spring breeze. Since he took over as the clan leader, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's reputation in the world of spirit masters had been exemplary. Perhaps seven parts of Ning Fengzhi's smile were genuine and three parts feigned, giving him a veneer of hypocrisy. However, if a person can only pretend for a while, they will be eventually exposed and scorned. If one can maintain that facade for a lifetime, they're no different from a saint. Under Ning Fengzhi's leadership, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan had reached its current position as the second most powerful clan in the world. "From now on, I'll call you Xiao Tian. Come to the main hall, Xiao Tian, and let us see your spirit!" Ning Fengzhi was naturally most concerned about Tianlin's innate talent. After all, he only trusted what he could see with his own eyes. "Yes!" Tianlin stepped forward, extending his right hand and summoning the Demon Sword with his mind. In an instant, sword intent filled the great hall, as if countless sword shadows appeared in all directions, ready to pierce the enemy's heart in a flash. "What a terrifying martial spirit, possessing such sword intent without a single spirit ring!" Chen Xin exclaimed. With his expertise, he could tell that the sword intent did not originate from Tianlin, but from the sword itself. "Grandpa Sword, I'm scared!" Ning Rongrong whimpered, her small mouth quivering as she buried her head deep in Chen Xin's embrace, too afraid to look up. Being locked onto by such immense sword intent felt like having the sword at her throat. How could a little girl not be terrified? "Rongrong, don't be afraid. Grandpa is here!" Chen Xin waved a hand, and a stronger Seven Kill Sword intent spread out, instantly dispelling the sword intent from Tianlin's Demon Sword. As expected of Sword Douluo, no one on the entire continent surpassed him in sword expertise. Tianlin calmed himself and said, "Uncle Ning, Your Eminences, this is my martial spirit, the Demon Sword. The sword intent you just felt is my spirit's innate soul skill, Phantom Sword, which transforms one sword into ten thousand swords to vanquish foes!" "Innate soul skill, indeed extraordinary. Old Swordman, it seems akin to your sixth soul skill, Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin!" Bone Douluo Gu Rong mused. Chen Xin nodded, "Indeed, and it's even stronger than my Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin, because this innate skill can grow as Tianlin's level increases. It might one day rival a Titled Douluo's ninth soul skill." "Uncle Sword, it seems the child is quite fated with you. Why not take him as your disciple? Haven't you yet to find a successor?" Ning Fengzhi suddenly suggested. Tianlin felt grateful upon hearing this suggestion—after all, this was one of his primary reasons for joining the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. Chen Xin considered for a moment. "I can allow him to call me teacher for now, and I will guide him in his training." He didn't directly agree to take Tianlin as a disciple because being a teacher and being a master are entirely different. Teachers are everywhere in an academy, but a master can only be one. Chen Xin chose his disciples very rigorously, evaluating not just talent, but also determination, character, and disposition. Nonetheless, Tianlin was granted an opportunity. Chen Xin's lack of outright refusal was akin to providing Tianlin a trial period. If he was pleased with what he observed, he would formally accept him as a disciple. "Thank you, Teacher. I will devote myself to training diligently and strive to earn your approval soon!" Tianlin bowed before Chen Xin, expressing his gratitude. Seeing this, Chen Xin became even more pleased. His underlying thoughts had been completely understood by Tianlin. With such talent and wisdom, it wouldn't be long before he truly gained another direct disciple. "So you're called Tianlin? I'm Rongrong, the eldest daughter of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. Since you've joined the clan, you'll have to listen to me and be my little brother," Ning Rongrong declared, jumping out from Chen Xin's embrace, her face still stained with tears, clearly displeased about being scared by Tianlin earlier. "I can protect you, but I won't be your little brother," Tianlin immediately rebutted. He had no intention of indulging a little princess's whims. "Grandpa Sword, see how he treats me!" Ning Rongrong immediately complained. "Enough, Rongrong. Tianlin has agreed to protect you, and that's enough. You should become good friends with him, and not try to overpower him," Ning Fengzhi admonished. As a support-type spirit master, what he needed most was a reliable partner he could trust with his back. With Tianlin's talent, he hoped Tianlin could be that person for Ning Rongrong. Just as he himself never put on airs as the clan leader in front of Sword and Bone Douluo, to him, these two Douluos were his comrades and family. "Rongrong, listen to your father. Tianlin's martial spirit doesn't allow him to bow to anyone," Chen Xin added. As a swordsman with a sword heart, he knew that one mustn't bow down to anything or anyone to reach the pinnacle of the way of the sword. "Hmph, you all aren't helping me. Rongrong doesn't like you anymore!" Unfortunately, at her young age, Ning Rongrong couldn't yet understand the good intentions of her father and grandfather. Her stubbornness overtaking her, she ran out without another word. "Sigh, this child." Ning Fengzhi sighed, then turned to Tianlin, "I apologize, Tianlin. My daughter has been spoiled by me. Please go rest for now. Tomorrow morning, Uncle Sword will take you to the Hunting Forest to obtain your first spirit ring." "It's not a problem, Uncle Ning. I'll take my leave now." Tianlin exited the main hall as instructed. A disciple had been waiting for some time outside, arranged by Ning Fengzhi to escort Tianlin to the room where he would be staying. The sheer wealth of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan was indeed astonishing. As a newly inducted disciple, Tianlin was allotted a private room that was both luxurious and spacious. Living in such splendor seemed almost excessive. Of course, this was a special privilege extended to him due to his talent as a future Titled Douluo of the clan; other disciples did not enjoy such treatment. Tianlin did not immediately rest but instead approached the writing desk, taking out paper and pen, beginning to contemplate the configuration of his spirit rings. No one understood the Demon Sword better than he did. Thus, choosing the spirit rings had to be done by him alone. The growth of the Demon Sword differed from other swords; instead of absorbing qualities like sharpness and hardness, it needed attributes. Water, fire, wind, thunder, earth. These five attributes, when combined differently, could give rise to diverse skills with dozens of possible combinations. Tianlin needed to select the nine strongest and most practical combinations as his soul skills!