"Could Uncle Gu possibly tell his Soul Power Level?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
Gu Rong shook his head. "I can only sense that his Soul Power Level is above mine. I can't determine the exact level."
Ning Fengzhi's expression turned somewhat unpleasant at those words. Uncle Gu sparred with Sword Uncle year-round; if Guang Ling Douluo's Soul Power was comparable to Sword Uncle's, both at level 96, Uncle Gu would certainly have been able to tell.
But judging from Uncle Gu's tone, Guang Ling Douluo's Soul Power was clearly above Sword Uncle's, most likely level 97.
Once Titled Douluo reached level 95, the gap between each level became enormous. A level 97 Guang Ling Douluo could even kill him with Uncle Gu supporting him.
A trace of bitterness rose in Ning Fengzhi's heart. He was not worried that Guang Ling Douluo would kill him in public. What worried him was Spirit Hall's strength.
Just a few months ago, spies within Spirit Hall had sent word that, during the awakening ceremony in Spirit City, a child with Innate Soul Power at level 20 had appeared. There was no doubt that child had joined Spirit Hall.
Ning Fengzhi knew a little about God-bestowed Martial Souls, so he naturally understood what Innate Soul Power at level 20 represented. At the very least, it guaranteed a level 99 Super Douluo, and there was even a chance of challenging that legendary, elusive Divine Position.
Such a genius falling into Spirit Hall's hands was already enough of a headache for Ning Fengzhi. Yet now, another level 97 Super Douluo had emerged from Spirit Hall.
And according to Uncle Gu, among the experts of Guang Ling Douluo's generation, the Qiangu Clan of Spirit Hall had produced two more geniuses. Could those two still be alive as well?
If they were alive, had they already entered the ranks of Super Douluo too?
The more Ning Fengzhi thought about it, the more frightening it seemed. He had assumed that after Spirit Hall lost two Titled Douluo while attacking Devil Island years ago, and after Supreme Pontiff Qian Xunji was killed by Tang Hao, Spirit Hall would not have many Titled Douluo left.
But with Guang Ling's appearance, he suddenly realized that Spirit Hall was definitely not as simple as it appeared.
I need to be more cautious in how I deal with Spirit Hall from now on, Ning Fengzhi thought.
Then, a proper smile appeared on his face as he approached Guang Ling Douluo together with Gu Rong.
"May I ask if you are Guang Ling Douluo?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a slight bow.
"You know me? I don't recall us ever meeting, do I?" Guang Ling Douluo asked in surprise.
"I have unfortunately never had the chance to witness Your Excellency Guang Ling's peerless bearing, but Uncle Gu has met you before."
Guang Ling Douluo immediately understood. So it was because of this old bag of bones.
"May I ask whether Your Excellency Guang Ling has also come to Ye Mansion to visit His Excellency Begonia?" Ning Fengzhi probed.
Guang Ling Douluo waved a hand. "Stop beating around the bush. I'll tell you straight—I brought a younger member of my family out to hunt Soul Beasts. While passing through Heaven Dou City, I heard that the Nine Star Begonia lineage had produced the continent's first healing-type Titled Douluo. I was curious, so I came to take a look. I'm not here on behalf of Spirit Hall to recruit Ye Renxin."
Whatever else might be said of Ning Fengzhi, he was indeed skilled at reading people. He could tell that Guang Ling Douluo was not lying, which eased his mind.
Then Ning Fengzhi's gaze naturally fell upon Qin Heng. After absorbing his Third Soul Ring, Qin Heng had grown another spurt, changing from a child who looked eight or nine into a young boy of twelve or thirteen.
Ning Fengzhi could vaguely sense that Qin Heng's cultivation was around Soul Elder rank. He looked about twelve or thirteen, but absorbing Soul Rings accelerated a child's growth, so his actual age should be one or two years younger. In other words, this child was only eleven or twelve.
An eleven- or twelve-year-old Soul Elder—such talent undoubtedly meant Innate Full Soul Power.
Ning Fengzhi felt his mouth turn sour, as though he had bitten into a lemon.
Why had Spirit Hall produced another genius? As if a monster with Innate Soul Power at level 20 were not enough, they also had a genius with Innate Full Soul Power who had reached Soul Elder rank at eleven or twelve. Heaven was far too kind to Spirit Hall.
With a gentle smile, Ning Fengzhi crouched down and asked, "Little genius, what level is your Soul Power? And what is your Martial Soul?"
The moment Ning Fengzhi spoke, Guang Ling Douluo immediately sent Qin Heng a voice transmission, telling him not to reveal anything.
"Grandpa Guang Ling, it's fine. I suddenly have an idea. Just cooperate with me," Qin Heng replied.
Qin Heng's spiritual power now rivaled that of a Soul Douluo, so naturally, transmitting his voice through spiritual power was no problem.
Before Guang Ling Douluo could agree, he heard Qin Heng say the next moment, "In reply to Sect Master Ning, my Soul Power is level 32, and my Martial Soul is Illusion Pupil."
Qin Heng's tone was brimming with pride, and he looked utterly arrogant.
Ning Fengzhi found that perfectly normal. An eleven- or twelve-year-old with level 32 Soul Power—if it were him, he would have been even prouder than this child.
"Could you let this uncle take a look at your Martial Soul?"
"Sect Master Ning, isn't that going too far?" Guang Ling Douluo stepped in front of Qin Heng and said coldly.
Ning Fengzhi smiled awkwardly. "Your Excellency Guang Ling, I mean no harm. It is simply rare to encounter such a remarkably gifted youth, and I could not help but feel delighted at the sight of talent. I heard that Spirit Hall has also produced a genius with Innate Soul Power at level 20. Between him and this young man, which one is more formidable?"
"Of course it's me! That guy's Martial Soul is just some iron box with no idea what it's even good for. Mine is a rare spiritual-type Martial Soul, a thousand times more useful than his iron box!" As Qin Heng spoke, a third eye appeared between his brows.
As that eye emerged, Ning Fengzhi could clearly sense that his spiritual power seemed to be slightly suppressed. Though it lasted only an instant, it was enough to astonish him.
Ning Fengzhi was a level 79 Soul Saint, after all. Yet this child was only level 32!
"You brat, what are you doing? Hurry up and put your Martial Soul away! Believe it or not, I'll beat you up right now!" Guang Ling Douluo said, putting on an angry expression.
Qin Heng gave a reluctant humph and withdrew his Illusion Pupil.
Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "Your Excellency Guang Ling, please don't be angry. I was the one who overstepped. Don't blame this little genius."
"Grandpa Guang Ling, this is a rare opportunity. Extort him while you can. Just pretend you're furious and about to attack. The target is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Heart Separation Control technique. If you can't get it, extort some Gold Soul Coins instead."
Guang Ling Douluo immediately understood. With a cold snort, he no longer concealed the aura of a level 97 Titled Douluo. Terrifying pressure bore directly down upon Ning Fengzhi.
Gu Rong inwardly cursed. He hurriedly stepped in front of Ning Fengzhi. "Guang Ling, what are you trying to do?"
"What am I trying to do? The dignified Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect used provocation against a child to pry out his information. Sect Master Ning, don't you find that disgraceful?"
"Your Excellency Guang Ling, you jest. I was merely chatting with the child. How was I prying for information?" Ning Fengzhi said with an aggrieved expression.
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