Star Body

After a brief silence, the quiet atmosphere in the venue, brought about by Ning Rongrong's stunning performance, was instantly shattered as excited discussions broke out.

"Innate Soul Power Level 9—what terrifying talent. According to the sect's records, this is probably the peak of Innate Soul Power for Support Martial Souls."

"Indeed. Although monsters with Innate Full Soul Power exist, even those hulking Attack Types might not necessarily awaken it. It's only natural for us Support Types to fall a little short."

"With Young Miss Rongrong's talent, she will surely uphold the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's future and preserve our sect's glory as one of the Upper Three Sects. It's just that her personality is somewhat..."

"Keep your voice down. If Young Miss Rongrong hears you, you'll suffer for it. Besides, given her talent and status, a little willfulness is nothing. Compared to the tricks played by those spoiled young masters from royal and noble families, she's merely a kitten before a tiger."

"Actually, the young miss is rather cute with her mischievous personality..."

"Uh..."

Because of the astonishing talent Ning Rongrong had displayed, the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect erupted in cheers and discussion.

A few inappropriate remarks were mixed in, but they were swiftly drowned out.

Standing at the very center of the venue, Ning Rongrong wore a cute pale-yellow dress that revealed her fair little legs. She stood gracefully, looking exceptionally adorable.

Rather than feeling pressured by everyone's cheers, she slightly raised her chin and swept her gaze across the crowd.

The pride in her eyes did not diminish in the slightest because of the soft colors of her clothes.

Only when she saw Ning Fengzhi and the other two walking toward her did it gradually fade away. Smiling, she went forward to greet them.

"Daddy, Sword Grandfather, Bone Grandfather, wasn't I amazing?!"

"Our Rongrong is certainly amazing. Without exaggeration, you are the most talented Support Type Soul Master I have seen in all these years. Even your father is far inferior to you. One day, you will surely stand at the very top, receiving everyone's admiration and attention."

Sword Douluo stepped forward first, raised a hand to rub Ning Rongrong's head, and said with a smile.

"Uncle Sword, I admit that Rongrong is more talented than I am. But talent alone is not enough to stand at the top. One also needs the right opportunities and effort. Everything must be taken slowly. Excessive expectations and praise can easily cause a child to lose their way."

Ning Fengzhi promptly spoke up, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness. Although he adored Ning Rongrong as well, he understood that too much was as bad as too little.

However...

Bone Douluo, standing beside Ning Fengzhi, frowned slightly after hearing this and revealed a displeased expression.

"Fengzhi, what do you mean by that? Our Rongrong is so clever—how could what you described possibly happen to her?

"Besides, isn't it only natural for someone with great talent to receive praise? How could that make her lose her way? I think praise will only become the motivation that drives Rongrong to work harder and grow stronger."

Before Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who had originally been refuted, could say anything, Bone Douluo, who was always at odds with him, immediately voiced his support.

It was clear how important Ning Rongrong was to them.

Sword Douluo also smiled and nodded. "Old Bone, though you are usually unreliable, you are unexpectedly more clearheaded than Fengzhi at a time like this."

Watching the two men undo the effect of his earlier lesson with one sentence after another, Ning Fengzhi was thoroughly helpless.

Rongrong's mother had passed away early, and some aspects of her upbringing had been neglected. Now that the child had grown older, the influence he could exert as her father had weakened considerably.

On top of that, there were these two old men before him, who spoiled his daughter to the skies. The fact that Rongrong had not turned into a little tyrant was only because she had a good foundation.

But now, there were already troubling signs.

Therefore, as both the sect master and her father, he still had to tirelessly repeat certain words to his child, who was also the heir to the next sect master.

"Rongrong, I'll say it again. While it is difficult to stand at the pinnacle of the continent without sufficient talent, that does not mean talent alone is enough.

"If you do not put in the necessary effort to fulfill your talent, you may well stop progressing once you reach a certain level. I do not want you to regret it when you are old."

"Mhm, mhm. Don't worry, I'll remember everything you said. And thank you, Sword Grandfather and Bone Grandfather, for your expectations. I won't disappoint you."

Although Ning Rongrong was somewhat willful because of her family circumstances and the affection of her elders, she was intelligent and had understood many things from a very young age.

Otherwise, during her growth in the original timeline, she would not have noticed that many people who approached her harbored too many ulterior motives. Her personality had become unpredictable, and she had liked to disguise herself because she did not want others to see through her.

Thus, surrounded by everyone's affection and her father's earnest guidance, her heart was filled with the passion to improve herself. She had to cultivate diligently and repay those who loved and cared for her.

"See, Fengzhi? I told you our Rongrong is the cleverest and most obedient."

"We've always said Rongrong is a good child. She definitely won't disappoint old fellows like us."

Seeing the adorable sight of Ning Rongrong's young face revealing a diligent and positive spirit, Chen Xin and Gu Rong both felt their hearts soften, and they chuckled.

Ning Fengzhi nodded in satisfaction.

He could hear Ning Rongrong's determination, and everyone's affection for her had not been in vain.

Though children might only be enthusiastic for a short while, they could simply be guided little by little.

Wasn't teaching a child a gradual process of inspiring their desire to improve, strengthening that desire, and carrying it through with action?

"It is just a pity that among the sect disciples who have awakened their Martial Souls in recent years, none compare to those from my generation. Aside from Rongrong, not even one person reached Innate Soul Power Level 7 this year. Sigh!

"After all, Rongrong possesses the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, our sect's strongest Support Martial Soul, renowned throughout the continent. If we do not cultivate trustworthy companions she can entrust her back to in advance, her future path will be very difficult."

While Ning Fengzhi was happy, he recalled the results of this Martial Soul Awakening and those of past years, and concern rose in his heart.

If things continued like this, Rongrong might not encounter a Battle Soul Master teammate in the future who could cooperate with her seamlessly, perhaps even become her partner.

After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was renowned across the continent not only because of the wealth it commanded through the characteristics of its Martial Soul and its exceptional support abilities, but also because Ning Fengzhi's father's generation had cultivated Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong—those two Sky-Supporting White Jade Pillars—to support him with all their strength.

At the same time, from the larger perspective, geniuses would not disappear. They would only shift elsewhere.

If fewer geniuses had emerged within his sect in recent years, then they had likely been absorbed by other forces. Naturally, the one that had gained the most was Spirit Hall, which dominated the continent.

Clearly, Spirit Hall had discovered all those geniuses. The speed at which a sect could uncover talent through its own efforts was still far too slow.

Even though he had pushed reforms in recent years and, since they could not defeat Spirit Hall, had imitated its methods by dispatching people to seek out geniuses...

Spirit Hall's head start was simply too great, while resistance within the sect was not small either.

In the end, if outside geniuses consumed more resources, then the descendants of those small factions within the sect—whose relationships were intertwined like spiderwebs—would receive less.

Such behavior was not good, but those people had indeed devoted their effort to the sect's growth. It would not be appropriate to deal with them too harshly.

Of course, if a top-tier genius appeared—the kind one would never see again if missed—Ning Fengzhi could still harden his heart against certain people who failed to understand the situation.

"Fengzhi, don't worry too much. Old fellows like us can hold on for a long time yet. We can certainly ensure Rongrong grows up smoothly. Just find a few reliable geniuses, and everything will be fine."

Sword Douluo saw Ning Fengzhi's worries.

As a member of the sect's upper ranks, he naturally saw the problems the sect had encountered in its development over the years. He immediately patted Ning Fengzhi's shoulder in consolation, indicating that old fellows like them could still endure for a long time.

"I hope so."

Ning Fengzhi sighed softly. Top-tier geniuses capable of successfully reaching the rank of Title Douluo were not so easy to find, much less successfully cultivate.

Especially now that their relationship with Spirit Hall was only superficially harmonious, and the Clear Sky Sect's hammer-wielding people were no longer standing at the front to bear the pressure, there were simply too many constraints.

"Report! Sect Master, two Consecrated Elders, this subordinate has an urgent matter to report."

At that moment, a guard entered. Stopping a short distance from the four of them, he dropped to one knee and reported.

As he spoke, he took out a token engraved with a sword from his hand and presented it before them.

"This is..."

When Sword Douluo Chen Xin saw the token in the guard's hand again, it seemed somewhat familiar. After thinking briefly, memories surged into his mind, and he murmured inwardly.

It seems to be the token I gave that stubborn yet interesting little fellow, who had some talent for swordsmanship and combat. Over the years, he sent small gifts up every year, but he never showed any intention of currying favor. Now this is...

Ning Fengzhi noticed Sword Douluo Chen Xin's reaction. His gaze flickered, and he immediately spoke to the guard.

"Speak. What is the matter? And what is that token in your hand?"

"Reporting to the Sect Master, a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor has arrived outside carrying this token. He said Sword Douluo gave it to him back then, and he hoped to meet the Consecrated Elder.

"He also said that his child awakened a top-tier Sword Martial Soul this year and possesses Innate Full Soul Power. He wishes to see whether the child can become the Consecrated Elder's disciple."

The guard succinctly reported what had happened earlier, not daring to omit any crucial information.

This concerned a top-tier Sword Martial Soul, Innate Full Soul Power, a peerless genius, and a Title Douluo Consecrated Elder. He could not be careless.

Although he could not understand how a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor was connected to a Title Douluo, it was better not to dwell too much on gossip involving the sect's upper ranks.

"Hiss!" "Hiss!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the guard heard two sharp intakes of breath.

The usually elegant sect master and the imposing Sword Douluo Consecrated Elder were as shocked as he had been when he first heard the news.

Only Gu Rong, who enjoyed watching Chen Xin make a spectacle of himself, instinctively asked, "Where is he?"

The guard replied, "That honored guest who knows the Consecrated Elder has already been invited to wait in the side hall."

"Good!"

The next instant, a flash of sword light streaked past, and a figure vanished. Only a voice remained, echoing where he had stood.

"This... this is heaven favoring our sect! I was just worried about the matter of a successor, yet Uncle Sword's old acquaintance has arrived and may well have brought us a top-tier genius."

The shock on Ning Fengzhi's face faded, replaced by anticipation. He laughed heartily.

Bone Douluo also laughed. "A peerless genius with Innate Full Soul Power and a top-tier Sword Martial Soul—what swordsman wouldn't be tempted? If a spatial genius with Innate Full Soul Power showed up, I would react the same way. That old swordsman has truly struck it lucky."

"Mhm. Since Uncle Sword has personally gone to deal with his old acquaintance, if it is all true, then he will not only gain a peerless genius as his disciple, but also lay the foundation for the sect's future. I truly look forward to meeting such a genius."

Although the shock on Ning Fengzhi's face had faded, excitement still churned in his heart. Looking at Ning Rongrong beside him, whose face was filled with curiosity, he thought to himself.

Rongrong is not only outstandingly talented, but her fortune is remarkable as well. The sect's supply of geniuses was practically about to dry up, and now a peerless genius has come right to our door.

As expected of my daughter.

Meanwhile, in Daoxiang Village, Lin Yao had already returned home. Naturally, he had no idea that his father had found him someone powerful to rely on.

And one of the best possible backers of this era at that—someone who could invisibly resolve problems that might arise during his early and middle stages of growth.

"Yao, your performance during today's Martial Soul Awakening was so outstanding that we must celebrate properly. And guests may very well come to visit. Mother will go make something delicious first, then we can celebrate properly later. Go rest for now."

Zhao Wan, who had returned home with him, could not help but kiss his little face when she saw how exceptional her child was. She spoke softly.

"Also, you have only just awakened, so you must be very curious about exploring your Martial Soul. But remember, you still have no Soul Ring attached, and your Soul Power is limited. Don't play around for too long and exhaust yourself."

"I understand, Mom."

Hearing the concern in her words, Lin Yao nodded seriously before returning to his room.

In truth, given his mental strength, he had already gained a fairly deep understanding of the Star Sword when he summoned it during his Martial Soul Awakening.

What he was looking forward to now was his second Martial Soul.

Standing in the open space beside his bed, Lin Yao raised a hand and gently pressed it against his chest. Feeling the vitality brimming within, he softly said,

"My second Martial Soul! Martial Soul Possession."

As his words fell, Lin Yao felt a scorching heat surge from his chest.

Dazzling starlight emerged from his chest, then spread outward from that center through his meridians and into all four limbs and his body. Silver-white patterns of starlight extended across him.

Wherever the light flowed, a warm, tingling sensation arose throughout his body, as though every pore were inhaling and exhaling starry radiance.

"So this is my second Martial Soul, the Star Body?"

Lin Yao raised his hand. A rotating star chart was actually suspended above his palm, with countless miniature stars flickering in and out within it.

As the Martial Soul Possession continued, a faint layer of nebula appeared around him, while his hair was dyed a translucent silvery blue by the starlight.

Flowing Star Radiance reflected in his eyes, and even each breath carried fine particles of light.

At that moment, he seemed no longer to be a human being of flesh and blood, but a powerful existence capable of wielding Star Power and holding the stars in his palm.

When he clenched his fist, he could clearly feel Star Power rushing through his meridians. Every heartbeat resonated with the flickering of the star chart in his palm.

Of course, Lin Yao knew that this was merely an illusion caused by his unfamiliarity with his own power. To truly reach that level, he still had a long road to walk.

Looking through the window at the sky, he could see countless stars hanging high overhead even though it was daytime.

They seemed near, yet were truly distant. He could even sense a rhythm from the cores of those stars, like the breathing of life itself.

That was the resonance unique to the Star Body, a manifestation of the vastest power between heaven and earth responding to his powerful physique.

It could slowly absorb the Star Power reflected down from the high sky, strengthen the origin of his physique, and gradually accumulate strength to enhance his body.

What an immensely promising physique.

Moreover, based on the knowledge from his previous life, wasn't the blazing sun hanging high in the sky the most dazzling star of all?

It was simply too powerful. For him now, it would be more than he could handle.

Star Body!

Lin Yao was deeply puzzled.

He did not even know how his Martial Soul Awakening had produced such a terrifying physique, one that contained endless potential and explosive power. It felt as though, once fully developed, it could rank among the myriad heavens and worlds.

Of course, constrained by Douluo World, if it simply developed normally, it would certainly be far inferior to other worlds in terms of raw power. He could only work from the mechanics instead.

But to a certain extent, he truly could break free of this world's limitations. With support from other worlds, who knew how far he could go in the future?!

Perhaps he could even raise stars like babies.

If the Star Sword was still within Lin Yao's understanding—a top-tier Martial Soul born from combining and strengthening the advantages of both his father's and mother's Martial Souls, one that could even reach god-tier in the future—

Then, without the slightest exaggeration, the Star Body was a super god-tier Martial Soul.

It was just that his current weakness likely limited the potential of these two powerful Martial Souls, leaving his Innate Soul Power at only Level 10.

But in terms of growth potential, both far surpassed Qian Renxue's Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, which could support her in becoming the Second Angel God.