The Formation of Sword Qi

The first soul ring was a soul master's starting point, and also the most important stage of a soul master's career.

The age of the first soul ring almost determined the upper limit of a soul master's future. If it was too low, then even with Innate Full Soul Power, it would be difficult to attach a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring in the fifth soul ring slot.

The Seven Kill Sword Spirit was one of the continent's most powerful offensive Weapon Spirits, so the soul rings it chose naturally focused on powerful offensive soul beasts.

Just as he hesitated, Chen Xin appeared before him.

Why am I overthinking this? Sword Douluo also has the Seven Kill Sword Spirit. Of course he knows what kind of soul beast suits the Seven Kill Sword best. Ning Tianchen chuckled inwardly, quickened his pace, and walked up to Chen Xin.

Chen Xin formed a Sword Finger with his right hand and lightly hooked it. The Seven Kill Sword Spirit appeared out of thin air and hovered before them.

"Get on. You will have to learn Sword Flight sooner or later."

The instant Ning Tianchen found his footing, the Seven Kill Sword beneath him suddenly accelerated, nearly throwing him off.

Chen Xin's Blue Robe fluttered gracefully in the wind, making him look carefree and unrestrained.

After recovering his senses, Ning Tianchen looked at Chen Xin with a face full of envy.

Sword Flight had been his dream since childhood.

However, he was still far too weak. The soul power within him simply could not support Sword Flight. Even if he learned it now, it would be futile.

The Seven Kill Sword flew swiftly. In the short time of two incense sticks, the two arrived at Spirit Beast Town on the outskirts of Sunset Forest.

Chen Xin had no intention of stopping there, but he still canceled the flight and chose to cross the town on foot before entering the forest.

Nearly everyone walking through Spirit Beast Town was a soul master.

This place was full of hidden masters. High-level soul masters often mingled among the crowd, and offending the wrong person could bring disaster.

"So, when you come to Spirit Beast Town alone in the future, keep as low a profile as possible. Of course, if someone takes the initiative to trouble you, no matter how strong they are, you must not back down. With this old man here, no one can touch you."

As he spoke, Chen Xin's gaze suddenly sharpened as he swept his eyes across the surroundings.

How domineering!

Ning Tianchen could not help giving him a thumbs-up.

The old man and young boy drew curious looks from quite a few people, and some harbored ill intentions.

Sensing Chen Xin's gaze, those people wisely dismissed such thoughts.

"Sword Offering, I will remember that." Ning Tianchen bowed as he replied.

There were many other rules in Spirit Beast Town. Aside from those mentioned above, the rest did not threaten one's safety, so Chen Xin merely gave a brief overview.

Sunset Forest.

This was Ning Tianchen's first time entering a Soul Beast Forest, and he could not help feeling somewhat excited.

As they gradually ventured deeper, the forest became increasingly primitive.

In areas untouched by human activity, the paths through the forest were extremely difficult to traverse. Or rather, there were no paths left at all. Ning Tianchen and Chen Xin could only advance by stepping on tree roots protruding from the ground.

The roots were tangled and intertwined, while cracks in the earth occasionally appeared beneath them. A single misstep could send them falling in.

After walking for only an hour, Ning Tianchen found the heat unbearable, and his strength had nearly been drained by the stifling environment.

"Rest here. While we have the time, there are some things I wish to tell you." Chen Xin leaned against a nearby tree trunk, a branch somehow already in his hand.

"Please speak, Sword Offering. I'm listening." Ning Tianchen replied weakly.

A six-year-old body truly could not withstand such hardship.

Chen Xin waved the branch in his hand as he asked, "Do you know what sword qi is?"

Ning Tianchen thought for a moment, unable to stop himself from recalling a post he had read online in his previous life.

After thinking it over for a while, he said, "It refers to a layer of soul power attached to a sword, possessing powerful destructive force. A sword with sword qi also gains long-range attack capabilities."

Chen Xin nodded. "Sword qi can be understood from its literal meaning alone. But cultivating sword qi is a long road."

"Ordinary sword qi can be grasped once you obtain your first soul ring. But if you wish to reach greater heights, the insights brought by soul rings alone are far from enough."

"When you can infuse spirit, intent, qi, and strength into your swordsmanship; when you can remain fully focused, calm and composed, and carry the bearing of waiting for the right moment to strike—then your own sword qi will have taken shape."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xin swung the branch in his hand.

An invisible burst of sword qi erupted. Every tree blocking their path was cut down.

The broken trunks fell in the same direction, forming a flat road.

"..." Ning Tianchen looked ahead with a complicated expression.

Teaching was teaching, but why did he have to show off like that?

With Ning Tianchen's current abilities, even if he fully concentrated and used the Seven Kill Sword Spirit, he could not even unleash half a strand of sword qi.

Chen Xin was not even using a sword. With a casual wave of an ordinary branch, he had produced such power.

Ning Tianchen did not feel discouraged. Given time, he would be able to do the same.

"The next stage of training requires you to master 'Walk-Transform-Spin-Flip, Light-Steady-Swift-Fast' within six years."

"These are the principles of the Seven Kill Sword's 'Sword Movement.' Your footwork must be swift and fierce, yet also light and steady—moving like a gentle breeze, standing firm like a mountain. In terms of movement, you must startle birds in flight with a soaring flip, roll upon the ground without gathering dust; in a single strike, it should seem as though there is only a light breeze and no sword. Amid endless changes, only sword light should be seen, never the person."

In short, it meant integrating movement techniques into swordsmanship.

After obtaining his first soul ring, he would likely need a great deal of time sparring with powerful opponents before he could comprehend the mysteries of movement techniques.

"Sword Offering, if I fulfill your requirements, can I take you as my master?" Ning Tianchen asked with a blink.

A rare hint of a smile appeared on Chen Xin's face. He softly asked, "Tianchen, do you truly wish to become this old man's disciple so badly?"

I have no father or mother. If I don't cling tightly to a powerful backer, how will I get by in the future?

After muttering silently to himself, Ning Tianchen nodded heavily.

Chen Xin laughed heartily and gently stroked his forehead with his right hand. "This old man has had no sons or daughters his entire life. I do not wish to grow old having taken only a disciple."

He understood that now was not the right time, so he simply changed the subject. "Since you have rested enough, let us set off."

Walking along the wooden path Chen Xin had laid out, Ning Tianchen's eyes occasionally glanced at him.

Chen Xin's words from earlier kept echoing in his mind.

What Sword Douluo said indicates that he does not want to take me as a disciple. Could it be that he wants to take me as his grandson? Ning Tianchen analyzed inwardly.

Even if it truly was as he thought, there was no reason for him to refuse or resent it.

In his previous life, his grandparents and parents had treated him very well. After coming to Douluo Continent, he truly did not wish to become someone without a home.

They had wandered around the outskirts of Sunset Forest for three days without finding the soul beast they needed.

"Hehe, do not be anxious. What is meant to come will come." Chen Xin suddenly laughed.

Ning Tianchen muttered softly, "How can I not be anxious? This is my first soul ring."

It was like having one million Gold Soul Coins right before his eyes, yet being unable to reach them. The feeling made his heart itch with frustration.

"Enough. The soul beast you need is not far ahead. Follow behind this old man and do not fall behind."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xin quickened his pace, yet he remained as light as a swallow. His feet touched the ground without making the slightest sound.