Elder, His Sword Isn't in Great Shape Either

Wen Zhao did not start calling him big brother the moment he walked in.

Xu Sheng had not expected him to, either.

They were both Two-Ring Soul Grandmasters, and Wen Zhao was even one level higher. Why would he come over and become Xu Sheng's underling?

Still, since Wen Zhao had sat down, they could have some tea and get acquainted. There would be a time when they could be of use to each other.

"What was your starting level?" Xu Sheng asked.

"Ten."

"What a coincidence. Mine too."

Wen Zhao's hand paused as he lifted his tea. "I could tell."

"You could tell that?"

"You were waiting for me to ask the whole time."

Xu Sheng laughed, not at all embarrassed.

Wen Zhao really was no weakling. On his first day, a Spirit Hall deacon in the place where he had descended had taken notice of him and trained him. After he had earned enough merit, he had also received help hunting for Soul Rings twice. He had come to Spirit City because the deacon who had originally been guiding him had been transferred there, and he wanted to take the opportunity to find a better place for himself.

Unfortunately, Spirit City had more promising talents than he had imagined.

He had been there several days and found a place to stay, but he had yet to decide where to go next.

"How many people are you planning to recruit?" Xu Sheng asked.

"Seven to start. They should be able to fight, have brains, and not think about dying to go back the moment something happens."

"That's good."

Xu Sheng wholeheartedly agreed.

Die once, and no amount of tough talk would lessen the Soul Power deducted. Not to mention that the moment someone died, the team would be down a person on the spot, and a fight they could have won might turn into a loss.

Wen Zhao glanced around the courtyard. Ji Juechen had just put down his bundle and already taken his sword outside to find an open space.

"Is he one of yours too?"

"Yeah."

"What level?"

"Twenty-six."

Wen Zhao slowly set down his teacup.

Xu Sheng poured him another cup and pushed it toward him.

"Don't stop. Drink."

Early the next morning, Xu Sheng met Yue Guan.

The place was not as intimidating as he had imagined. It was a courtyard beside a small garden. Several pots of flowers stood by the courtyard, and a well-dressed man stood beside a trellis, using his fingertips to unfold a curled leaf.

Before Xu Sheng could get a good look, the man had already turned around.

"Xu Sheng?"

"My respects, Elder Yue Guan."

He obediently bowed.

Reading about him in the original work was one thing; standing before him was another. The man before him was a genuine Titled Douluo. With Xu Sheng's meager Soul Power, there was really no room for him to put on airs.

Yue Guan's gaze fell on his face and paused for a moment.

This young man was not unpleasant.

He had read the report sent from Soto. Two wings, golden hair, a sacred aura, a starting level of ten, and two Soul Rings both geared toward combat. None of those things was remarkable on its own, but gathered in a single Otherworlder, they were worth seeing in person.

"Bring it out."

Xu Sheng stepped back twice and circulated his Soul Power.

White wings spread behind him, his hair turning golden as two Yellow Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet. He made no deliberate attempt to press his aura forward, merely displaying his Martial Soul in full.

Yue Guan stepped closer.

Xu Sheng could not help feeling his heart start to pound.

No way, right?

He isn't really going to take me for someone's long-lost child, is he? If he asks about eighteen generations of my ancestors, how am I supposed to make them up on the spot?

"Only this one pair of wings?"

"Only for now."

"You knew your Martial Soul's name as soon as you descended?"

"Yes. Great Angel, Sanguinius."

Yue Guan repeated the unfamiliar name, then asked about his parents, his original age, and how he had trained since descending.

Xu Sheng answered everything he could. Hearing that his parents were still alive and neither had the same Martial Soul, Yue Guan did not press further about his bloodline.

A similarity in their auras did not mean they had the same origins.

The white wings before him were not the same thing as the Six-Winged Angel he knew, either.

"Show me your First Soul Skill."

A longsword and a thick block of wood for testing swords had already been prepared in the courtyard.

Xu Sheng picked up the sword, and his First Soul Ring lit up.

Crimson light spread along the blade.

He stepped forward, putting his waist and back into a clean downward slash. The thick block was split most of the way through, the cut slanting downward and leaving a deep mark even in the iron band holding it in place.

Xu Sheng did not stop. His Second Soul Ring lit up immediately afterward.

With a beat of his white wings, he rose beside the wooden block, swept across half the courtyard, and doubled back. As he descended, his blade suddenly accelerated and cut all the way through the same opening. Half the block crashed to the ground.

"Not bad."

Looking at the cut, Yue Guan finally showed a little more interest.

Strength, flight, and a charge—the two Soul Rings worked together in a straightforward way. The young man was not yet proficient at changing direction in the air, but he already knew how to use his height in a sword strike.

"Who taught you the sword?"

"My friend."

Xu Sheng glanced toward the courtyard gate. "He's right outside."

Ji Juechen was soon called in.

Facing Yue Guan, he likewise bowed, then released his Martial Soul as requested. Two Yellow Soul Rings appeared with it.

Yue Guan looked first at his Martial Soul, then at the bundle of old cloth in his arms.

"Is that a sword too?"

Ji Juechen unwrapped the cloth, revealing two iron swords.

One had a repaired edge, while the other had a chip near its tip. Neither was worth much, but both had been wiped spotless, their grips polished bright by the palms of his hands.

Yue Guan reached out, took one, and hefted it.

"You practice with this?"

"It handles well."

After answering, Ji Juechen looked at the sword in the elder's hand.

But Yue Guan was in no hurry to examine the physical sword. Instead, he gestured for Ji Juechen to demonstrate his Soul Rings.

The first yellow ring lit up, strengthening Ji Juechen's Soul Power and steadying his sword hand somewhat. No sword qi appeared, nor did he suddenly bring out any flashy moves.

"What about the other one?"

Ji Juechen activated it as instructed. It too enhanced his Soul Power.

Yue Guan watched for a moment, then suddenly flicked a thin, withered twig off the side of the flower trellis.

Ji Juechen drew the other old sword, which he still held, and its tip moved.

The blade thrust out, precisely tapping the middle of the falling twig. The twig was deflected to the side, avoiding the tender leaves in the pot and landing on the open ground.

He had neither chopped it to pieces nor greedily added another strike.

Only then did Yue Guan raise his eyes and take a proper look at the young man who had said so little all along.

His Martial Soul was ordinary, but his mind was pure.

Ji Juechen was not pleased by this; his eyes were still on the sword in Yue Guan's hand.

Xu Sheng stood to the side, his heart already bursting with joy.

Good, that's it!

If I were the only one who stood out and the people I brought were all unremarkable, we might get sent back to Soto. Now that Juechen has caught the elder's eye too, that carries a different weight!

Those were a pair of well-kept hands. The sword looked like nothing special in them, but no matter what angle Ji Juechen looked from, he could not find an opening to take it back easily.

Yue Guan noticed his gaze, and the corner of his lips curled up slightly.

"Want to try?"

Ji Juechen nodded.

Xu Sheng nearly lost his footing.

Brother! He's a Titled Douluo!

"I'm not here to see you today."

Yue Guan handed the sword back, showing no anger. "But I'll remember that spirit of yours."

Ji Juechen put his sword away, his expression actually a little brighter than when he had entered.

Seeing this, Xu Sheng had a thought.

"Elder, may I take another look at the sword I used on the block just now?"

Yue Guan glanced at him.

Xu Sheng held the sword and said with great seriousness, "The weight is just right."

He gave it another swing.

"The length is right too."

Then he looked down at the blade again.

"This steel..."

"If you want it, say so."

"I want it."

Xu Sheng answered at once.

Yue Guan laughed in exasperation and pointed to the weapon rack nearby. "Pick one yourself. You did a good job splitting the block, so you deserve something."

"Many thanks, Elder!"

Xu Sheng turned and went straight over, choosing a refined-steel longsword with a slightly wider blade. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it.

When he turned back, Ji Juechen was still holding those two battered swords.

Xu Sheng coughed.

"Elder, his sword isn't in great shape either."

Yue Guan ignored him.

Xu Sheng added, "It has a chip."

"I saw."

"The other one has one too."

Yue Guan slowly turned his head.

Xu Sheng immediately shut his mouth.

After a moment, Yue Guan waved a hand. "Let him pick one. Once you've taken the swords, don't hold back this afternoon."

"This afternoon?"

"The four people who came with you, and a few other Otherworlders—I want to see them all."

Yue Guan looked at Xu Sheng, his gaze carrying the hint of a smile.

"Since you're going to lead a team, you can't just be good at asking for things on other people's behalf."

Xu Sheng hugged the longsword tight.

What a thing to say!

I've already taken the sword. How could I not put in the effort this afternoon?

After they left the courtyard, Ji Juechen drew his new sword halfway from its sheath, listened to the sound of it scraping for a while, then slid it back in.

Xu Sheng leaned over. "How is it?"

"Good."

"I was right to follow, wasn't I?"

Ji Juechen looked at him and nodded earnestly.

Xu Sheng had prepared several more things to say, but Ji Juechen's answer was so sincere that he found himself at a loss for words.

Only after they had walked a long way did he remember something important.

"When you practice with me from now on, keep using the old ones!"

Ji Juechen held his new sword and made no promise.