Extreme of Sword, Heavenly Cycle Star Array, Chen Xin

A faint starlight first spread across Lin Yao's body, and then his Star Body Martial Soul slowly emerged.

It was a dazzling body that seemed forged from condensed starlight. His skin shimmered with a stellar sheen, every inch seemingly containing the rhythm of stars in motion.

Almost at the same time, another thought crossed his mind, and a longsword covered in flowing star patterns condensed from the void. It was the Star Sword.

The two Martial Souls appeared together without the slightest conflict. Instead, they resonated with one another, and amid the interwoven starlight, a subtle harmony formed.

Lin Yao could clearly sense that their powers could coexist perfectly and be activated at the same time.

Judging by this trait alone, regardless of strength, his Twin Martial Souls already far surpassed those Twin Martial Souls from the original timeline.

They were neither like Xie Xie's in Legend of the Dragon King, complementary yet difficult to coordinate, nor did they need to be used alternately like ordinary Twin Martial Souls, as though switching accounts.

Instead, the two powers could be completely fused into one, producing an effect where one plus one was greater than two and unleashing even more terrifying strength.

As for a certain fellow who had ruined a grass Martial Soul and even replaced his main Hammer Martial Soul with someone else's Sword Martial Soul, he simply could not compare to Lin Yao's perfectly coordinated Twin Martial Souls. They were not even on the same level.

It could be said that even if the star cluster in his mind that connected countless worlds fell silent from this day forward, the advantage created by these Twin Martial Souls alone would be enough for him to thrive on Douluo Continent.

What was more, the Martial Souls themselves were extraordinarily powerful.

Even setting aside the fact that they would become increasingly terrifying in the later stages and could even bear eighteen Soul Rings, either one alone was unquestionably top-tier.

As Lin Yao continued exploring, his understanding of his Martial Souls became clearer and clearer, and this conviction in his heart grew ever firmer.

First was the Star Sword. It possessed a powerful innate soul skill: Extreme of Sword.

This skill gathered the Star Power between heaven and earth. On one hand, it continuously tempered the sword's Origin Power, making the blade ever purer and more powerful.

On the other hand, the energy that was not fully absorbed and escaped would also be quietly gathered and stored.

Over time, not only would the sword's origin grow stronger and stronger, but in battle, that accumulated Star Power could also transform into Star Sword duplicates and stack their attacks.

The stronger he became, the more duplicates he could control and stack. By then, fighting above his level with a single strike would be nothing extraordinary.

At the same time, since the Star Sword's origin belonged to Star Power, it appeared to face severe restrictions when acquiring Soul Rings.

However, when Lin Yao recalled his understanding of stars from his previous life, the problem was readily resolved.

Other than a handful of extreme celestial bodies, most stars in the Universe possessed the potential to nurture life.

Therefore, he did not limit stellar power to a single elemental attribute. Instead, he regarded it as Origin Power capable of constructing all things.

This way, when absorbing Soul Rings on Douluo Continent, he could continuously uncover the Star Sword's potential through the core principle of "constructing all things."

Every bit of Soul Ring power could thus be used to its utmost limit, without wasting even the slightest amount.

At the same time, as his understanding of his body's power deepened, the combat techniques in Lin Yao's mind began to quietly merge and transform.

Whether it was the school of blade techniques from the Dudao Family of the Academy World, or the military combat techniques that had fused the essence of various traditional martial arts in the Hong Kong Movies world, they gradually became compatible with the explosive increase in power after his Martial Souls awakened and his Level 10 Soul Power.

His second Martial Soul, the Star Body, was equally extraordinary. Its innate soul skill was called the "Heavenly Cycle Star Array."

Previously, when Lin Yao summoned the Star Body, the star map floating above his palm and the trails of starlight slowly circling his body had been the embryonic form of this soul skill.

As its name implied, the Heavenly Cycle Star Array used the power of the stars throughout the heavens as its foundation, linking and circulating them through an unfathomably profound method to form the power of a Formation.

It had a wide range of uses. It could assist Cultivation and could also be used in battle.

When used to assist Cultivation, even an ordinary person with merely a trace of Innate Soul Power could cultivate within the Formation at a speed comparable to someone with Level 1 Innate Soul Power.

The more outstanding one's potential, the more significant the boost. Naturally, Lin Yao himself benefited the most while standing within the array.

Of course, limited by Lin Yao's own Soul Power realm, the duration and effects of its cultivation assistance were rather underwhelming.

When used in battle, its most direct effect was that enemies within the Star Array's range would be heavily suppressed, while his own condition would be enhanced.

Its effect resembled a domain skill—weakening enemies and strengthening himself.

As for its deeper applications, Lin Yao did not yet have the relevant information. Perhaps they would gradually reveal themselves only after he acquired Soul Rings and further increased his strength.

"Yao, come out. Your father has returned, and there is an elder here for you to meet as well."

Just then, as Lin Yao curiously and happily experienced his Martial Souls, he heard his mother calling from outside the door.

Yet her voice was not calm. It held delight, excitement, and a trace of bewilderment.

When Lin Yao stepped out of his room, he saw a table in the living room filled with abundant, warm dishes, as well as three people standing nearby.

There were his parents, looking at him with expectant eyes, and an unfamiliar handsome middle-aged man. The man's head of white hair lent him a sense of weight accumulated through the years.

Seeing his Four-Ring Soul Ancestor father standing respectfully behind this middle-aged man like a disciple, Lin Yao immediately understood that this was the powerful backer his father had brought home for him.

Moreover, because he possessed the Star Sword, Lin Yao could vaguely sense that the man before him was like a treasured sword hidden within its sheath.

He appeared unremarkable now, but once drawn, it felt as though he could cut down all things. So powerful!

This was a top-tier Soul Master with a Sword Martial Soul. Sure enough, no one could be underestimated. Lin Yao had not expected his Soul Ancestor-level father to have such connections.

Amid his astonishment, Lin Yao silently praised him, while a faint guess arose in his heart.

There were only a few sword-wielding powerhouses in the original work. Could this be that person?!

"Yao, come pay your respects to this Sword Douluo senior. When we were training outside, we received his help and guidance. He is our family's benefactor, so get to know him."

Seeing that their usually clever child had not immediately stepped forward to greet him, but was instead curiously observing the Sword Douluo senior who had personally come to their door, Lin Yuyang and Zhao Wan spoke up at once.

It really is Sword Douluo Chen Xin from the original work.

Lin Yao had not expected his parents to have such a connection with Sword Douluo Chen Xin. He took a deep breath, discarded many of his previous ideas, and confirmed several others.

"It's fine. Children are naturally curious about strangers. I was the one who came in such a hurry and disturbed you."

Sword Douluo Chen Xin waved a hand, his tone calm and unchanged from back then. Lin Yuyang and Zhao Wan relaxed and said no more, quietly waiting for the final outcome.

After reassuring the two juniors whom he had guided by chance years ago and whom he had not seen for so long that they now felt somewhat unfamiliar, Chen Xin turned toward Lin Yao. A glint of sword light flashed in his eyes, as if he intended to see straight through him.

"You must be the Yao Yu Yang mentioned. Your father has decent talent in swordsmanship and combat. He was merely limited by his Soul Power talent, so his achievements would ultimately be limited. Yet I never expected him and Wan to raise a child who awakened a top-tier Sword Martial Soul and possesses Innate Full Soul Power."

Lin Yao stepped forward and seriously performed a junior's salute. "Lin Yao of Daoxiang Village greets His Excellency Sword Douluo."

"Oh? You're quite the sly one, kid. Just now, you were staring at me blankly, yet now you are addressing me and saluting me so formally.

Adding 'His Excellency' after Title Douluo is a form of address reserved for very formal occasions. You seem to know quite a bit about this. Not bad.

Still, by chance, I can be considered an elder to your parents. Your form of address may be formal, but it also sounds somewhat distant."

A slight smile appeared on Chen Xin's lips as he spoke softly.

"This is merely a junior who has just begun walking the path of the sword showing respect to a senior who has walked far down that path. I can sense the sword intent within you, one that seems capable of cutting down all things. Such powerful sword intent is the goal I strive to learn from."

Lin Yao spoke honestly.

If I could possess such sword intent, then together with the powerful Star Sword, I could roam freely across Douluo Continent without having to worry about this and that because of my own weakness.

Hearing that Lin Yao could vaguely sense the hidden sword intent within him through the aid of his Martial Soul, as well as the desire to grow stronger in his words, Chen Xin nodded approvingly.

"You're not bad, kid. Your talent is genuine, among the first rank on the continent, and you possess a fairly steadfast desire to become stronger. Very good. Come back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with me. A genius like you can only grow safely within a great power like ours. Your father came looking for me for this very reason."

Chen Xin did not immediately intend to take Lin Yao as his disciple.

Aside from the fact that they had spent little time together and were still somewhat unfamiliar with one another,

he was, after all, the owner of the Seven Kill Sword, the strongest Sword Martial Soul in both offense and defense on Douluo Continent.

He was a Level 96 Title Douluo and one of the upper ranks of the powerful Upper Three Sects.

He had to be cautious in all things, and he also needed to consider Sect Master Ning Fengzhi's opinion.

With that old fox of a Sect Master's sharp eye, perhaps having him take a look would allow him to better understand Lin Yao's character.

Hearing this, Lin Yao secretly relaxed, but then he remembered another issue that had yet to be resolved and continued, "I am willing to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but I am somewhat worried about my parents.

Better safe than sorry. I have heard that some forces, in order to eliminate the geniuses of rival forces, will target their parents when they cannot attack the person directly, affecting their state of mind. This..."

Seeing their son's concern for them, Lin Yuyang and Zhao Wan showed gratified expressions, though they hesitated to speak.

They dearly wished to tell him not to consider the two of them and simply seize hold of his future, but they feared interrupting the conversation and making things awkward.

"Not bad. At a time like this, you can still thoroughly consider the matter of your parents. Very good. You can rest assured. My sect has some grievances with Spirit Hall. Though I do not wish to say it, I cannot deny Spirit Hall's immense power. It keeps certain demons and monsters from stirring up trouble. There is a Spirit Hall main branch in Heaven Dou City, which suppresses many people's petty schemes."

Chen Xin's tone was kind as he praised Lin Yao for showing filial concern at such a young age.

"Besides, with the strength of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, as long as we keep our attention on this place, we can ensure your parents' safety. I have also left a safeguard with your parents, which should resolve your worries. With multiple layers of protection, there is no need to overthink it."

After a pause, Chen Xin considered that Lin Yao might simply be a child reluctant to leave home, and continued.

"Besides, this is your first time traveling far from home, so there is no need to worry too much about separation. The sect is still near Heaven Dou City, and you can return to see them during your breaks.

"And after joining the sect, not only will you receive resources, but your parents will also receive corresponding cultivation resources and assistance from the sect because of you. There are many benefits."

"Thank you, Sword Douluo senior."

Lin Yao spoke gratefully at Chen Xin's thorough explanation.

"Enough of that. I think clever little Wan must have long anticipated that this old man would come and prepared so many dishes in advance. One or two of them are even dishes I liked back then. Let's eat and talk at the same time."

During their conversation, Chen Xin had become more interested in Lin Yao. Thus, he wanted to talk while eating, reminisce about the past, and learn more about him.

Lin Yuyang and Zhao Wan were naturally delighted. Though they remained somewhat restrained during the conversation, when they spoke of old memories, both host and guest enjoyed themselves.

After the meal, because they had talked rather late and Chen Xin thought Lin Yao's parents would need to prepare some things for him, he did not hurry back.

The next day, Lin Yao put on the small Storage Ring his parents had prepared. It contained all kinds of items his mother Zhao Wan had spent half the night preparing.

"Child, once you are out there, you must listen to Sword Douluo senior. Cultivate well, but do not push yourself too hard. You must take good care of yourself."

Zhao Wan held Lin Yao's hand, her eyes slightly red.

Father Lin could not help adding, "Come back whenever you have time. Everything at home is fine, so don't worry."

Lin Yao nodded firmly. "Dad, Mom, don't worry. I'll cultivate well, and I'll come back often. You two take care of yourselves."

He turned toward Chen Xin, who stood quietly nearby, saluted him, and said, "Sword Douluo senior, we can depart now."

Chen Xin gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over the reluctant Lin Yuyang and Zhao Wan as he spoke calmly. "Yu Yang, Wan, leave this boy Yao to me. You can rest easy."

Zhao Wan hurriedly stepped forward and gave Chen Xin a deep salute. "We will have to trouble you to take good care of him, senior. He is still young. If there is anything he does not understand or if he behaves improperly, please guide and discipline him."

Father Lin also cupped his hands and said, "My wife and I will never forget senior's great kindness. Please take care on the journey."

"It is nothing."

Chen Xin responded. With a thought, the Seven Kill Sword behind him rose into the air on its own, its blade gleaming with flowing light.

Lin Yao gave his parents one last look, waved forcefully, and leaped onto the Seven Kill Sword.

"We're leaving."

Chen Xin stepped onto the sword and gave Lin Yuyang and Zhao Wan a slight nod.

"Safe travels, senior. Yao, take good care of yourself."

The Lin couple stood where they were, calling out toward the figures on the sword.

"Okay."

The Seven Kill Sword let out a soft ring and slowly rose into the air with the two of them aboard. Lin Yao turned back from atop the sword and waved farewell.

Then the sword light turned and flew steadily toward Seven Treasure City, leaving only Father Lin and Mother Lin standing where they were, gazing at the horizon for a long time without moving.