Su Cheng's Transformation

After Su Cheng absorbed the soul ring produced by the Cloud Pattern Copper Horn Rhinoceros into his martial soul, strange phenomena soon began appearing around him.

Under Qian Renxue's startled and worried gaze, shadowy marks resembling sword scars emerged across Su Cheng's bare upper body.

Yet these Sword Marks were not physical, nor was there any blood. They seemed more like some kind of abstract image.

The shadows of the Sword Marks gradually increased.

A moment later, tiny Sword Qi Remnant Shadows began drifting outward from his body.

The sword qi was utterly chaotic, scattering everywhere like headless flies being driven away. Yet it never flew beyond three feet of Su Cheng's body. It appeared and vanished intermittently, with no discernible pattern.

But as time passed, more than half an hour later, the originally scattered sword qi gradually began to gather.

The countless tiny strands of sword qi from before slowly converged into more than a dozen transparent little swords over three inches long. They revolved around Su Cheng's upper body, creating an exceedingly beautiful sight.

This scene left Qian Renxue unable to understand it.

Generally speaking, when a soul master absorbed a soul ring, if the energy contained within it exceeded their capacity, all sorts of strange phenomena could indeed appear as the energy leaked out.

But Su Cheng sat cross-legged on the ground, his upper body straight and firm as a rock. There was not the slightest sign that he was forcing himself to endure, which showed that he could clearly control the energy within him with ease.

Moreover, this series of changes was obviously related to Su Cheng's martial soul. This sword qi was not ordinary leaking energy either.

Qian Renxue suddenly froze as a Flash of Inspiration crossed her mind—

"Martial soul awakening?!"

Then she shook her head and denied her own guess. "No, this isn't a second awakening of the martial soul."

She had read records in ancient texts about certain special martial souls awakening again. The phenomena that appeared would not be this subdued.

"How strange..."

Still, though she was somewhat worried, she was not panicked.

From Su Cheng's previous words and conduct, it was clear that this absorption of a soul ring would certainly differ somewhat from before. Given her teacher's personality and abilities, merely absorbing a Third Soul Ring should not pose any risk.

And so, after another half hour or so, Su Cheng's aura became increasingly steady, and the phenomena around him also stabilized. No new changes appeared.

At that moment, footsteps sounded from behind them.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan arrived at the hillside where the two of them were.

After greeting Qian Renxue, he looked at Su Cheng with some surprise. "What is going on with Mr. Su?"

"I'm not entirely sure either. Let's ask Teacher after he finishes absorbing the Third Soul Ring."

Yue Guan nodded. At such a critical point in absorbing a soul ring, he obviously could not be disturbed, so he too stood to the side and waited silently.

Seeing that he had come looking for Su Cheng, Qian Renxue did not say anything more.

Time passed bit by bit.

Two hours later, Su Cheng's bones suddenly began crackling. The sound was faint yet dense, but it was soon covered by a long exhalation.

At the same time, Qian Renxue and Yue Guan both noticed that the Special Prison Cage not far ahead, which had been used to imprison soul beasts, had split cleanly into two.

Then a faint pressure descended over them before vanishing at once.

But who were they? They reacted instantly.

Exchanging a glance, they exclaimed in astonishment, "A domain?!"

At that moment, Su Cheng, who had been sitting cross-legged, slowly rose to his feet. He lowered his head, examining his Broken Sword martial soul, which now bore its third ring.

"Teacher, was that a domain just now?"

Qian Renxue hurried two steps forward to Su Cheng, her voice filled with excitement.

"Only a rudimentary form."

In truth, Su Cheng had long been capable of reaching this level. The only thing restricting him had been the flaw in his martial soul.

Though this body lacked talent for the sword, his nature was Tenacity itself, and his comprehension was high. The life experiences of his two lifetimes had also given him insights far beyond those of ordinary people, allowing him to draw parallels and make inferences often.

In addition, he was focused enough to wisely choose to give up sword techniques and devote himself solely to the sword path.

Through repeatedly practicing the Basic Sword Technique, he had already touched upon a trace of the sword path's most essential meaning.

Now that his martial soul had changed, he had finally pierced through that final barrier.

At this point, Qian Renxue and Yue Guan finally noticed the changes in Su Cheng himself.

Qian Renxue in particular felt them most keenly, having spent every day and night with him over the years.

The Su Cheng of the past had possessed an unyielding will and formidable strength, yet he had always given people a sense that something was lacking. That feeling had merely been concealed by his powerful, confident presence, making it difficult to notice.

But now, that trace of inadequacy had completely disappeared.

To use an inappropriate description, Su Cheng now seemed somehow more complete than before.

Anyone could tell that he was no longer the same as he had been.

"Teacher... you seem more handsome."

Qian Renxue stared at him blankly.

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized that she seemed to have said something foolish. Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and she lowered her head, unable to say a word.

Chrysanthemum Douluo, standing nearby: "..."

The corner of Su Cheng's mouth twitched, but he did not respond.

Yue Guan was now a level 95 Peak Douluo. His understanding of martial souls far surpassed Qian Renxue's, and after a slight turn of thought, he realized what had happened and looked toward Su Cheng's right hand.

"Mr. Su, your martial soul..."

Su Cheng nodded. The change in his martial soul could not have been concealed anyway, so he generously extended his hand and showed them his drastically transformed martial soul. "Yes. A martial soul is ultimately the most fundamental symbol of a soul master's power. As expected, there is some marvelous connection between it and the soul master's soul."

Su Cheng's Broken Sword martial soul at this time—no, perhaps it could no longer be called a "Broken Sword."

The sword martial soul that had once been covered in cracks and looked as though it could shatter at any moment was no longer shabby as before.

Its spine was sturdy and powerful, its blade smooth and even, and its Sword Edge gleamed with cold light. Though it was still merely an ordinary Iron Sword, it was vastly superior to what it had been before.

"Teacher... your martial soul really did undergo a second awakening..."

Qian Renxue could no longer spare any thought for embarrassment. Looking at Su Cheng's completely renewed sword martial soul, her eyes held both joy and sorrow.

Naturally, she was happy because her teacher would no longer be constrained by his innate talent in the future. Yet she was sorrowful as well, thinking of the hardships he had endured in the past because of his poor aptitude.

For a moment, her emotions were incomparably complicated.

"No." Hearing this, Su Cheng glanced at her, an indescribable look in his eyes.

Then he shook his head. "This is no martial soul awakening."

"Not an awakening?"

This time, not only Qian Renxue but even Yue Guan was stunned.

After thinking for a moment, Su Cheng said contemplatively, "Well, if I had to put it into words, it should count as Martial Soul Completion."

Then he laughed again. "Ha, I told you already—Princes and generals, are you born noble? If you are lacking at birth, then make up for it afterward."

Su Cheng was also in an excellent mood at that moment. It seemed as though he could see a great path leading to the heavens right before him.