They were still staring in astonishment when Tang Hao spoke up to explain.
"I heard all this from Xiao San. What's more, this kid could briefly manifest his Martial Soul in Slaughter City—a remarkably sharp Sword Martial Soul."
"That's why I brought him to you. I wanted you to help him awaken his Martial Soul. Whether it's true or not, we'll find out by testing him."
Ling Chen slowly reined in the killing intent around him, unable to keep the excitement from rising in his heart.
Soon, he would no longer need to rely on his Martial Soul Origin to manifest his Martial Soul. He could use the Martial Soul Origin he had accumulated to strengthen the Green Steel Sword or form a Second Martial Soul.
And before long, he would be able to stack Soul Rings. The White Dragon had never gone hungry during his time in Slaughter City; it had to have stripped at least one Soul Ring from someone.
By now, the number of Soul Rings he had accumulated had reached a certain point. Soon, Ling Chen would be able to grow even stronger by stacking them.
"He certainly sounds like a monster! Come on, little guy. Let's see your Martial Soul!"
Sword Douluo was looking forward to it. If Tang Hao's claims were true, then Chen Xin had struck gold.
Before long, Ling Chen stood in the middle of a formation built around a black, hexagonal crystal ball.
"Begin!"
Ling Chen gestured to the awakening Soul Master, who channeled Soul Power into the black crystal ball. A pale golden light spread across the formation.
Moments later, the Martial Soul inside Ling Chen awoke, and the ancient-looking Green Steel Sword appeared in his hand.
"A tool-type Martial Soul! Now we'll test his Innate Soul Power."
Sword Douluo silently nodded from the side. He could sense the powerful aura of the iron sword. It was an affinity born of his understanding of the sword.
Ling Chen placed his hand on a blue crystal ball and watched as it gradually lit up.
Tang Hao and the others watched, transfixed. A Martial Soul determined a Soul Master's lower limit, while Innate Soul Power determined their upper limit.
Whether Ling Chen could win Sword Douluo's approval depended on one crucial thing: reaching level ten, Innate Full Soul Power. Only then would he have a chance to ascend to the rank of Titled Douluo.
"Bzzzz—!"
The crystal ball began to tremble, its light growing brighter and brighter.
"Innate Full Soul Power, level ten! Another once-in-a-lifetime prodigy!"
The awakening Soul Master excitedly patted Ling Chen on the head, but when he spotted the three Titled Douluos and Sect Master Ning beside him, he quickly calmed down.
"He really is a monster! Chen Xin, what do you think?"
Bone Dragon Douluo looked regretful at the thought of such a promising talent. He was even tempted to take Ling Chen as his own disciple.
"Judging by his talent, he's certainly a prodigy. But his Domain and combat skills still need to be assessed. How about we set up an arena and see?"
Chen Xin turned to Ning Fengzhi. Understanding at once, Ning Fengzhi instructed someone nearby to make the preparations.
"You're going to fight him yourself?"
Tang Hao couldn't help asking. He had crossed swords with Ling Chen himself. Though he had kept Ling Chen on the back foot the entire time, he hadn't even managed to touch a hair on his head.
Even though Tang Hao's Divine Slaughter's Domain had greatly restricted Ling Chen, it still hadn't caused him any real harm. If anything, the encounter had dealt Tang Hao's pride a serious blow.
"Exactly. This child's situation is special. Among children his own age, there's no one left who can match him."
Chen Xin wasn't exaggerating. Even if he could return to the age of six with his memories intact, facing Ling Chen would still put him under tremendous pressure.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Battle Tower was a seven-story pagoda, much like the Great Soul Arena.
Ling Chen was already awestruck just looking at it from the outside. At that very moment, however, a huge crowd was streaming into the Battle Tower.
"Come on, hurry! I heard Sword Douluo's setting up an arena. Apparently, he's looking to take on a disciple..."
"Really? I joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because I've admired Sword Douluo for ages. If I could get his guidance, my future would be limitless!"
Listening to the spectators talk, Ling Chen quickly understood what was going on.
The arena had been set up for him.
He had fought Tang Hao only a few days ago, and now he was going up against another Titled Douluo. Ling Chen could only sigh inwardly.
By the time Sect Master Ning and the others had taken their seats, Ling Chen and Sword Douluo had stepped onto the arena.
An invisible energy barrier enclosed them both. Bone Dragon Douluo had been assigned to commentate on the match.
To keep the match fair, Sword Douluo wouldn't use any Soul Skills.
"Li Tianyi, treat this match as if you were back in Slaughter City. Find a way to kill me. You may use any means you like. If you can last five rounds against me, I'll take you as my personal disciple!"
Chen Xin raised his Seven Kill Sword and pointed it at Ling Chen. Ling Chen was undaunted, raising the Green Steel Sword to point at Chen Xin in return.
"Please teach me, Senior Sword!"
In the stands, the spectators took one look at the ancient iron sword in Ling Chen's hand and frowned in confusion. Then the chatter started.
"What's going on? He thinks Sword Douluo will take him as a personal disciple just because he has some lousy iron-sword Martial Soul? He ought to take a good look at himself in the mirror and see what he's worth!"
"I spent fifty Gold Soul Coins on a ticket, and you're telling me a little snot-nosed brat is fighting in the arena? That's my food money for the whole month! Damn it! Give me a refund!"
"Why bother making Sword Douluo fight him? Even I could beat him, and I'm an auxiliary-type Soul Master!"
Nearly every spectator mocked Ling Chen for overestimating himself. Only the three Titled Douluos and Sect Master Ning knew the truth.
That overwhelming killing intent didn't lie. At the very least, Ling Chen had killed before.
"The match begins!"
At Bone Dragon Douluo's command, Ling Chen attacked.
His approach was simple: he charged straight at Sword Douluo. His goal was just as simple—take out his legs!
Chen Xin reacted at once, thrusting the Seven Kill Sword toward Ling Chen's head to stop his advance.
Relying on Killing Intent Perception, Ling Chen turned his head and dodged Chen Xin's strike, then swung the Green Steel Sword down at him.
"What a vicious move!"
Chen Xin was secretly taken aback. The Seven Kill Sword he had thrust forward instantly pulled back and blocked Ling Chen's Green Steel Sword.
"Clang!"
Their blades met in an instant, sparks flying.
Feeling the tremendous force transmitted through the Seven Kill Sword, Chen Xin immediately twisted the blade and pulled it back with his other hand. With only a slight effort, he sent Ling Chen flying with the powerful tug.
The spectators couldn't help sneering at the sight. Just as they'd expected, Ling Chen had stepped into the arena only to get thrashed.
Tang Hao, however, wore a grave expression. His sharp eyes had caught a notch in one edge of the Seven Kill Sword in Chen Xin's hand.
If Chen Xin hadn't countered in time, Ling Chen's strike would have not only cut through the Seven Kill Sword, but taken Chen Xin's leg as well.
If Ling Chen had pulled it off, all he'd need to do was stall for time to secure the win.
Chen Xin's expression grew more serious. Looking at the chip in his Seven Kill Sword, he couldn't help praising Ling Chen.
"You've got some tricks. I approve of your Martial Soul!"
Before you continue