How could Ye Shengxin not be angry after hearing that?
Even a clay figurine had a temper, let alone a living person.
Ye Shengxin summoned his Martial Soul, and the light of the Nine Heart Begonia slowly emerged.
Pure and noble!
Ye Shengxin had just started to step forward when a hand pressed him back down. "Leave the rest to me."
A calm, reassuring voice sounded beside Ye Shengxin's ear.
Ye Shengxin's father looked toward the voice and saw Xu Xiao standing beside Ye Shengxin, one hand resting lightly on his shoulder.
Beside Xu Xiao stood a young man holding a sword. His gaze was cold and intent as he stared at the group below.
The young man stepped forward and pointed his sword straight at Gu Rong.
"Heh. I wondered who it was. So it's you, Gu Rong!"
"How long has it been? Have you already sunk to bullying a boy from the Ye Family? I told you the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's academy was full of people who preyed on the weak and feared the strong. Hmph, you certainly learned that lesson well."
"You're a disgrace to Soul Masters."
Xu Xiao listened to Chen Xin in disbelief. That man was Gu Rong?
Gu Rong, the future Bone Douluo?
From what Chen Xin had said, Gu Rong attended an academy under the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the two of them already knew each other?
On second thought, that made sense. Otherwise, why would Gu Rong later join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and bring Chen Xin along?
They knew each other already, and from the looks of it, their relationship was not entirely bad. Neither seemed to think much of the other, though.
The moment Gu Rong saw the sword-bearing young man, his expression changed. Damn it. Chen Xin!
What's he doing here?
"Chen Xin, what I hate most is that superior attitude of yours."
"What gives you the right to lecture me?!"
Gu Rong gritted his teeth and glared at Chen Xin, plainly furious with him.
Back when they had first met, Chen Xin had told Gu Rong to leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's academy and follow him instead.
Chen Xin had the means to support Gu Rong himself.
But Gu Rong's deep-seated pride would not let him accept Chen Xin's help. He wanted to make it on his own.
Young people cared about their pride. They always thought hard work alone would get them what they wanted.
Reality often dealt them a crushing blow. Without someone powerful to help them, or the foresight to seize opportunities, reaching the top on their own was difficult.
Even Xu Xiao needed someone to protect him as he grew stronger. Without that, it would have been far too hard.
As time passed and Chen Xin kept bringing it up, Gu Rong grew tired of hearing it. Chen Xin's self-righteous attitude irritated him more and more.
After they had an argument, they rarely contacted each other.
Now they had met again, and Chen Xin's words only angered Gu Rong further.
Every time. Every single time, you dismiss all my hard work. Do you really think you're so great?!
Gu Rong's eyes blazed with anger.
But Chen Xin shook his head. "I was looking out for you!"
"Look at what you're doing now."
"Picking on someone weaker than you—is this what you wanted?"
"You've sunk to bullying a support-type Soul Master. Is this what you meant when you said you'd stand up to the strong and protect the weak?"
"Is this what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect taught you?"
"Is this what you wanted?"
"Gu Rong, I've lost all respect for you!"
Chen Xin grew angrier with every word. He had never imagined Gu Rong would become like this.
If Gu Rong had listened to him earlier, none of this would have happened.
Chen Xin also blamed himself for not being firmer back then. If he had simply taken Gu Rong away, Gu Rong would not have sunk this low.
Gu Rong's face darkened. He knew what he had done today was wrong, but he had no choice. He had no power or standing at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's academy, so he could only obey his teacher.
Xu Xiao watched the confrontation with growing interest.
He had not expected such a history between them.
Ye Shengxin recognized Chen Xin too. He wondered how Chen Xin had appeared here—and why he had come out of his own home.
He looked curiously at his father, but the man shook his head. He had no idea how Xu Xiao had managed to bring Chen Xin here in such a short time.
Curiosity could wait. With Chen Xin here, they no longer had to worry about the matter.
What stunned Ye Shengxin's father most was that Xu Xiao had told the truth, apart from his first sentence.
Chen Xin's words left Gu Rong ashamed, but he could only speak for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now. He belonged to one of its affiliated academies.
"Hmph. Enough talk, Gu Rong. Let's fight!"
"Show me what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has taught you!"
Chen Xin said no more. He thrust his sword straight at Gu Rong's throat.
Gu Rong started. His Bone Dragon Martial Soul appeared behind him in an instant, and a dragon claw caught Chen Xin's flexible sword.
Chen Xin remained calm. He turned the blade and attacked again. After so much practice, he wielded the flexible sword with ease. Even without using his Martial Soul, he could fight Gu Rong on equal footing.
Gu Rong's Soul Power was only at level thirty-four. Chen Xin was confident he could take him on without his Martial Soul.
His flexible sword struck fiercely, every blow aimed at a vital point. Gu Rong could not react fast enough and was forced to defend.
Fortunately for Gu Rong, his Martial Soul's defense was exceptionally strong. An attack without a Martial Soul behind it could do little damage to him.
"Hmph. Did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect teach you nothing but defense?"
Gu Rong roared, "First Soul Skill: Dragon Bone Armor!"
"Second Soul Skill: Ten Thousand Bone Spear!"
A shield formed, and sharp bone spikes came hurtling toward Chen Xin.
Chen Xin stayed utterly calm. He turned sideways, weaving left and right to evade the Ten Thousand Bone Spear with ease, while his flexible sword slashed repeatedly at Gu Rong.
Without Soul Power or a Soul Skill to strengthen it, the flexible sword alone struggled to break through Gu Rong's defense.
Their figures crossed again and again, one defending under pressure, the other attacking relentlessly.
Ye Shengxin's father sighed in admiration. "As expected of Seven Kill's son. He has plenty of combat experience."
Xu Xiao nearly scoffed. Was that thanks to Chen Xin's father? Hadn't Xu Xiao been the one who forced him to train?
Below, Chen Xin seemed to lose interest in continuing the fight.
"It's been a while, Gu Rong. You've gotten worse."
Gu Rong retorted, "Hmph. Save your boasting, Chen Xin. You can't even break through my Martial Soul's defense."
As soon as he finished speaking, a sword appeared behind Chen Xin. He did not even wield it. The sword intent it gave off instantly shattered the defense Gu Rong had been so proud of.
"What about now?"
"My Martial Soul has barely appeared, and your defense has already crumbled. What a joke!"