The Genius's Difference

"Is this some kind of pre-job training for Douluo Continent..."

"How interesting~"

At this moment, Ning Huan temporarily set aside the stereotypical impression in his memories of the sect being riddled with factions and endless infighting.

He then re-examined the relationship between the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect and himself.

Ning Zhen, seeing this, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, having absolutely no idea what he should do next.

Little ancestor, please give me a command before you start thinking!

Now look at this, you're just bowing your head in silence and leaving me hanging here!

Helpless, Ning Zhen had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue stating the reasons in a low voice.

However, compared to the confidence and pride in his tone earlier, caution now occupied the majority of his demeanor.

"Young Master Ning, you also know that we are not like other top forces on the continent that produce experts one after another."

"While the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda is indeed the strongest support martial soul on the continent, it also cuts off the possibility of the main family producing a Titled Douluo."

"Therefore, if the sect wants to ensure its inheritance continues, there are only two paths: bringing in outsiders and cultivating from a young age."

"Yet, experts are arrogant and geniuses are hard to find; past sect masters have exhausted their entire lives only to find two or three pillars to stabilize the sea."

Ning Huan was stunned on the spot upon hearing this.

In an instant, he realized the impracticality of his previous assumptions.

The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect built its fortune on a support martial soul; it is already a miracle that it hasn't been swallowed up to this day.

And looking at the sect's awkward situation right now, as long as I don't make any principled mistakes, I can basically walk sideways within the sect!

In that case, weren't my previous worries completely redundant?!

Thinking of this, Ning Huan's mouth twitched subconsciously, sighing at how overly reliant he was on his past-life memories.

Something so simple, yet he had to go and complicate it!

However...

"Wait a minute, you just said the sect's management of deacons is very strict..."

"Then why didn't the deacon who awakened my martial soul test my soul power?"

"Just because I'm a 'tool martial soul' that couldn't be manifested?"

"Uh..."

Ning Zhen felt somewhat aggrieved, cursing those unreliable guys in the sect deep down.

They were all over the place and still dragging him down!

"This... in a large forest, there are all kinds of birds."

"The higher-ups can't keep an eye on the middle management every single day..."

"Besides, the situation where a 'tool martial soul' cannot be manifested hasn't been unheard of in thousands of years; every case involved a damaged origin or a shattered martial soul, so..."

However, before he could figure out how to explain it, Ning Huan continued along his line of thought.

"So even if I suffer unfair treatment, the sect wouldn't stand up for a 'piece of trash'?"

"I suppose that's true; fairness is always relative."

"Forget it, let's not talk about this. There will be plenty of opportunities to deal with it once we return to the sect."

As he spoke, the latter tapped his fingers lightly on the table, emitting a crisp clicking sound.

"Tell me more about what attitude the sect's higher-ups will take toward a genius like me who was 'accidentally overlooked' and sent to the border."

Before the words even faded, Ning Zhen gave a violent start, and a few drops of cold sweat immediately rolled down his forehead.

This was because he truly couldn't tell why the person in front of him would ask such a soul-searching question.

Settling old scores?

Or had his decision changed?

Heaven have mercy, he was just a weak Soul Ancestor with no hope of becoming a Soul King; where would he know the thoughts of the higher-ups?

His teacher had never taught him that!

What's more, if he remembered correctly, the last time someone was so blind to talent was six or seven hundred years ago.

Past records and experiences had absolutely no reference value today!

But time waited for no one; Ning Huan's slightly impatient expression was like a death warrant, constantly exuding a dangerous aura.

The increasingly cold atmosphere in the room made Ning Zhen suddenly freeze, his mind clearing up significantly, and he thought to himself:

Rather than spouting lies, it's better to just be direct!

Anyway, given my strength and status, it's only normal that I wouldn't know!

"Young Master Ning, the thoughts of the higher-ups are not something I can know."

"But I do know a thing or two about the general classification of geniuses; you can judge for yourself after hearing them."

"Tell me more!"

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately piqued Ning Huan's interest, a look of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

In truth, he had not expected Ning Zhen to provide a reasonable answer to his tricky question just moments ago.

After all, no matter how strict the management of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect was, it was impossible for them to allow the thoughts of the higher-ups to be spread around at will.

Who would have thought that an unintentional act would lead to such an unexpected harvest.

Seeing the boy's "I'm interested" expression, the heart that Ning Zhen had been holding in his throat finally settled.

He cleared his throat and hurriedly spilled the little bit of information he knew.

"Actually, the classification of genius soul masters is a sort of unspoken rule among all major factions, one without any written standards."

"It is just that due to the unique nature of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, the distinctions appear even clearer."

"I only learned of this by chance from a senior in the sect."

With the terrifying aura surrounding him gone, Ning Zhen's tone returned to a calm state.

However, only he knew just how deep the awe in his heart had reached.

It was no exaggeration to say that in terms of a sense of crisis, even the Soul Kings within the sect could not make him feel as though he lacked the slightest desire to resist.

Yet, Ning Huan, who had done so with a casual gesture, could.

This spoke volumes.

Forcing down the anticipation and trepidation in his heart, Ning Zhen held up three fingers while trying his best to keep his tone steady.

"In the eyes of top-tier factions, geniuses are roughly divided into three tiers."

"The first tier consists of soul masters the sect 'hopes to befriend'!"

"Innate Full Soul Power is the baseline, and a Super Martial Soul is the standard."

"Figures such as the Light and Dark Twin Holy Dragons who dominated the world a hundred years ago, or the extreme-attribute soul masters who turned the tide four thousand years ago, all fall into this category."

"Their talent is too strong; if they do not die young, they will inevitably suppress an entire generation on the Douluo Continent in time."

"Therefore, apart from a few individual factions or those with special relationships, basically no one thinks of binding them. The high probability is that they will focus on befriending and showing goodwill, investing in them with all their might."

"This is to ensure that if the sect faces disaster one day in the future, they will remember the old friendship and step in to protect it."

After hearing this, Ning Huan couldn't help but feel enlightened. While marveling at the distinct style of the Douluo Continent, he silently categorized himself into the first tier.

On the other side, Ning Zhen continued to shake his head, showing off to himself.

"The second tier is for geniuses the sect is 'willing to cultivate.' Of course, the prerequisite is that they must be raised by the sect from a young age."

"This is specifically subdivided into two types. First, those with Innate Soul Power over eight and at least a high-grade Martial Soul; with cultivation, they will undoubtedly become sect elders or even Titled Conferred Elders in the future."

"Second are those with average Innate Soul Power, but whose Martial Souls possess unique effects on the continent; once their soul power can no longer progress, they eventually become the foundation of the sect."

"The sect's own Sword, Wind, and Shield-Defense Douluos are examples of this."

After mentioning the three names in succession, a great deal of admiration could not help but rise in Ning Zhen's eyes, making Ning Huan's expression look extremely strange.

"The third tier consists of soul masters the sect 'must cultivate'."

"They are cultivated by major factions as the backbone of their strength. They are the most numerous, receive the most resources, yet receive only average attention."

"As for the reason, I believe you understand, Young Master Ning."

Ning Huan nodded with a light chuckle, his left hand, which had been pinching a complex hand seal under the table, slowly relaxing. The last bit of worry in his heart vanished in an instant.

A sect forced to crave geniuses from branch bloodlines was undoubtedly the most suitable place for him.

Coupled with the prestige of Chen Xin, many parts of his plan that had been difficult to complete now seemed to be solved instantly.

I suddenly feel so much more relaxed.