At the other man's first words, Xu Xiao understood. Right, the ancient books might well have recorded it.
Xu Xiao remembered that Ning Fengzhi knew of a plant that could make their Martial Souls evolve, but he didn't know exactly what it was. He only knew such a plant existed.
He had learned this from books. It was only natural that the current Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had read about Twin Martial Souls in one.
Listening to the man, a rather unlikely possibility surfaced in Xu Xiao's mind.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't be stupid enough to try that, would they?
But on second thought, it wasn't impossible.
"Senior, is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect trying to create Twin Martial Souls artificially?"
The man chuckled and nodded lightly. "Talking to a clever person really does save time."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect does have that idea."
Xu Xiao's mouth twitched. That idea was truly a flight of fancy. He'd only been guessing; he hadn't seriously thought they'd actually try something like that.
The man continued, "Since you know the drawbacks of my Nine Heart Begonia, young friend, you must know the drawbacks of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda too."
Xu Xiao certainly knew. Its user couldn't break through to Titled Douluo; the highest they could reach was level 79.
That was still far better than that fellow who couldn't break through to level 50 until he was fifty years old.
At least that person was a Soul Sage. And him? He was just a little nobody—a little nobody who didn't know a thing.
"Being a Soul Sage is the end of the road for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"That is the greatest flaw of their Martial Soul!"
The more they talked, the more the man felt that Xu Xiao was no simple person. It seemed this force called Chuan Ling was quite extraordinary.
"Exactly. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul has its drawbacks."
"And the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul has its drawbacks too."
"But there's no denying that these two Martial Souls have equal potential. They're of the same grade."
"According to Ning Buqun, combining the two makes it very easy for Twin Martial Souls to emerge."
"For that reason, he came to us, hoping we'd join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
By the time the man finished speaking, Xu Xiao had understood completely.
"So the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect just wants to recruit you under the banner of having the continent's number-one support Martial Soul."
"But what they really want is Twin Martial Souls."
"To put it bluntly, joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect means they'll treat you like breeding pigs, doesn't it?"
The man burst out laughing, his refined face taking on an amused expression. "Breeding pigs? Heh, that's not a bad way to put it."
There was one more thing, and it was the most important of all. If no Twin Martial Soul emerged, that was one thing. But if one did, it would cost them their lives.
Only two people could have the Nine Heart Begonia. For a third to appear, one of the two had to die.
Who would die? This refined man sitting before him, or Ye Shengxin?
At present, only the two of them had the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul. One of them was doomed to die.
Who would want that?
Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't be so kind. If they truly joined, they'd be walking straight into a tiger's den.
"They want the lives of you and your son, Senior. No wonder you don't want to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"If they really get Twin Martial Souls, it won't just mean they'll have a Titled Douluo. That number-one support Martial Soul will truly belong to them."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really had cooked up a fine scheme. They wanted it all.
Even without Twin Martial Souls, the Ye Family would belong to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the title of number-one support Martial Soul would still fall to them.
If Twin Martial Souls appeared, they'd gain a genius, and the number-one support Martial Soul would still be theirs.
Whichever way you looked at it, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had nothing to lose. They really knew how to count their gains.
Ning Buqun? Heh, his name suited him.
He knew how to calculate and how to put on an act. He was recruiting the Ye Family under the guise of contesting for the number-one title. No wonder he was from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi, Ning Fengzhi. It seemed you learned to judge people from your father.
"That's right. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's offer was certainly tempting."
"If I joined their sect, they'd make me vice sect master and let me choose whatever resources I wanted."
"What else could that be but a last meal before the chopping block?"
The man saw through it clearly. Anyone who understood the whole story would know what to choose. It was no wonder the Ye Family didn't want to join.
You want my life. Why would I agree?
"A last meal before the chopping block. Senior, that's a fitting way to put it. They say they'll make you vice sect master."
"But do you believe that, once the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul appears in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you and your son won't both be sent to the Yellow Springs?"
Xu Xiao wasn't exaggerating. Ye Shengxin and his father were outsiders, after all. No matter how generous the terms sounded, they still weren't one of their own.
If Xu Xiao were in Ning Buqun's position, he would certainly want the Martial Soul to appear in the direct line. That was the only way to guarantee it.
Then the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul would belong to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Xu Xiao didn't know what had happened in the original story that kept the man from succeeding, but now it was clear: it was because of him.
The man sighed. "Knowing all this is exactly why I don't want to go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Young friend, perhaps you should tell me why you've come."
The man's gaze settled on Xu Xiao. He was curious about what kind of force Chuan Ling was, where it came from, where its headquarters were, and how strong it was.
"Senior, I imagine you've already guessed, haven't you?" Xu Xiao knew the man was clever, so he didn't beat around the bush.
"Heh. Recruitment."
"But why should my Ye Family join your Chuan Ling?"
"Besides, I still don't even know your name."
"If it weren't for the sake of Your Eminence Seven Kill, do you think you'd have been able to talk with me this long, young man?"
The man knew why Xu Xiao had come. They'd been talking for ages; anyone with eyes could see it.
Xu Xiao chuckled. "Senior, I'm Xu Xiao."
"I'm the head of Chuan Ling."
Xu Xiao stood and looked at the man seriously, introducing himself once more.
The man paused. He said he was the head?
"Wait. You're saying you're the head of Chuan Ling?"
The man stared at him in disbelief.
Xu Xiao nodded solemnly. "That's right."
"I'm not much, but I can just about manage to be the head."
"Your Eminence Seven Kill's son is the fifth Hall Master of Chuan Ling."
The man finally understood. So this so-called Chuan Ling organization was something a few young fellows had thrown together for fun?
"Heh, young man, that's the second time you've done this." The man remained as warm as a spring breeze, but a faint displeasure showed in his eyes.
Yes, displeasure.
He'd been played twice by the same person in a single day. How could he possibly be happy about it?
"Heh, Senior, that's not quite right."
"Everything I've said, except for my very first statement, has been the truth."
"That was only the first time. There hasn't been a second!"
Xu Xiao chuckled, unbothered. The tension that had filled the air earlier had now eased.