The Azure Lotus Sword Appears, Astonishing Everyone

When Li Zhexian opened his eyes, the words in his sea of consciousness were still where they had been the night before.

"Connect to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's resource database?"

He looked at the line of text.

"If I connect, will my meals be covered? Can I also receive Soul Rings?"

The system gave no response.

"The benefits haven't been made clear, so I can't sign."

The text on the panel changed.

"Once connected, the sect's public resources can be accessed."

Li Zhexian sat up in bed. "What are my access privileges?"

"Current access privileges insufficient."

"So you want me to sign first, then tell me what I can receive. That's a very convenient deal for you."

The panel did not change again.

Li Zhexian considered it for a moment, then finally said, "Connect."

White light lit up along the edge of the shield, and a system notification appeared at the same time.

"Faction binding complete. Connected to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's resource database. Current access privileges: outer disciple level. Martial Soul Awakening records, basic Soul Master cultivation techniques, and sect maps available for access."

Li Zhexian got out of bed. "Outer disciples can look at sect maps. That's enough."

There was a knock at the door.

"Li Zhexian, get up. It's time to go to the Awakening Hall."

Chen Xin stood outside the courtyard gate, holding a steaming flatbread.

Li Zhexian took a bite of the flatbread. "Sword Douluo is also in charge of breakfast?"

"I said the sect wouldn't let you go hungry, and it won't."

"That's more practical than a cultivation technique."

Inside the Awakening Hall.

Ning Fengzhi stood beside six Awakening Stones. A little girl clutched a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda jade pendant and stayed close to him, studying Li Zhexian.

Chen Xin walked to a spot behind Li Zhexian.

Ning Fengzhi asked, "Uncle Jian, is this child willing to stay in the sect?"

"There's food here, so I'll stay." Li Zhexian swallowed the last bite of his flatbread.

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Quite practical indeed. Let's awaken your Martial Soul first."

The elder in charge of the awakening prepared to check Li Zhexian's Soul Power, but Chen Xin raised a hand and stopped him.

"Attend to the important matter first."

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Step inside the stone formation."

Li Zhexian walked into the circle formed by the six Awakening Stones.

Azure light rose from the floor and reached the tops of his feet. The shield in front of his chest trembled, and golden runes lit up, blocking the approaching power.

System notifications appeared one after another.

"Divine body seal ongoing. Soul Power output restricted. Shield suppression rate: ninety-seven percent."

Li Zhexian looked at the notifications. "Why didn't you explain this yesterday?"

The system still did not answer.

When the six Awakening Stones shone at their brightest, azure light surged toward the top of the Awakening Hall.

An azure lotus unfurled within the light, a three-foot-long sword resting on its center. Li Zhexian's reflection appeared on the blade, and its edge had a chill to it.

The sword fell to the floor, smashing two nearby wooden tables.

The elder in charge of the awakening hurriedly stepped back. "Is that a Sword Martial Soul?"

Chen Xin looked at the sword. "Azure Lotus Sword."

Ning Fengzhi took a few steps forward. "There's lotus intent within the sword. That's rather rare."

Li Zhexian gripped the hilt. Sword light wound around his arm before finally settling in his palm.

He still could not sense Soul Power, but he could feel that the sword in his hand had acknowledged him. This Martial Soul was probably not weak, but it had destroyed two of the sect's tables when it appeared. He did not know whether he would have to pay for them.

Another system notification lit up.

"Azure Lotus Sword Martial Soul bound. Innate Soul Power test beginning."

Ning Fengzhi handed him a crystal ball. "Put your hand on it."

Azure light lit up inside the crystal ball, quickly filling it completely and shining up onto the hall's beams.

The elder stared at the crystal ball. "Innate Full Soul Power!"

Chen Xin walked over to Li Zhexian's side. "You're a genius."

Li Zhexian looked at the ball of light. "Can being a genius be exchanged for money?"

"It can't," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.

"Then can I have two more pieces of flatbread?"

"You can."

The little girl stepped out from behind Ning Fengzhi and reached out to touch the Azure Lotus Sword.

The sword's edge withdrew its cold gleam and gave a soft chime.

She looked up and asked, "Does it like me?"

"It chooses people," Li Zhexian said. "You can think it likes you."

"My name is Ning Rongrong."

"Li Zhexian."

"I already heard that."

"Then why did you ask?"

Ning Rongrong took out the jade pendant and held it out to him.

Li Zhexian untied the sword tassel at his waist and held it out to her in turn. "An exchange."

Ning Rongrong took the sword tassel and clutched it in her hand.

Ning Fengzhi looked at the things in their hands, then turned to Chen Xin. "Uncle Jian, Rongrong is still young. I'd like to settle an engagement for the two of them."

Everyone in the Awakening Hall stopped what they were doing.

Li Zhexian asked, "Will the engagement cover my meals?"

"It will," Ning Fengzhi answered promptly.

"Then I have no objection."

Ning Rongrong's ears turned red. "Who wants to get engaged to him?"

"He's a genius with Innate Full Soul Power." Ning Fengzhi put a hand on his daughter's shoulder.

"Even if he's a genius, he can't steal my candy."

"I'll exchange candy for it." Li Zhexian raised the jade pendant in his hand.

Ning Rongrong tucked the sword tassel into her sleeve. "Then let's settle it."

Chen Xin looked at Li Zhexian. "Don't treat the engagement as a meal ticket."

"I can tell the difference between a meal ticket and a candy ticket."

Someone nearby laughed.

Ning Fengzhi announced the engagement right there in the Awakening Hall, and the elders began offering their congratulations.

Li Zhexian held the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda jade pendant as a wisp of wine fragrance drifted over from the depths of his sea of consciousness, only to vanish again soon afterward.

Somewhere far away, it seemed someone had just opened a jar of wine.

He looked up toward the hall entrance, but the system gave no notification.

The pagoda design on the jade pendant lit up once, and the Azure Lotus Sword chimed softly in response.

Li Zhexian tightened his grip on the jade pendant.

"What exactly are you?"