I Want to Join the Ye Family, I Want to Follow You

"Kid, put your hand on it."

Old Wu remained remarkably calm.

The Ye Family he served was the Qilin Clan, a family with a top-tier divine beast Martial Soul!

This boy had merely undergone a Martial Soul mutation and awakened a Phoenix Martial Soul. How could he compare to a divine beast family like the Qilin Clan?

Ma Hongjun belatedly placed his hand on the Crystal Ball, curiosity appearing on his face as well.

"Innate Soul Power Rank 8."

The instant the result appeared, Bone Douluo flashed to Ma Hongjun's side.

"Kid, have you heard of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is one of the Upper Three Sects among the seven great sects, possessing formidable strength and wealth."

"If you join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, we will provide you with abundant cultivation resources and help you become a Title Douluo."

Bone Douluo's eyes were filled with delight, with none of his earlier disdain remaining.

The old village chief froze at once. He had never expected a golden Phoenix to truly fly out of his Grass Chicken nest!

After standing there blankly for a moment, wild joy swiftly spread across his face.

"Wonderful!"

"Our Ma Village has finally made something of itself. We've finally produced a soul master."

Tears streamed down the old village chief's face. His years of perseverance had not been in vain after all.

The village had finally produced a soul master.

Ye Ruilin quietly watched the scene before him.

His original plan had been to recruit Ma Hongjun under his wing. The Phoenix Martial Soul was excellent, but it ultimately carried a trace of Evil Fire.

He could allow Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Martial Soul to evolve directly into the Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Holy Spirits.

But if Ma Hongjun chose to follow Bone Douluo and join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he would not forcefully stop him.

Everyone had their own choice. He respected the fates of others.

Ma Hongjun's gaze fell on Bone Douluo before shifting to Ye Ruilin, who stood nearby.

He might have been young, but he was not stupid.

When they had first entered, if this big brother had not spoken up, he likely would not even have gotten the chance to awaken his Martial Soul.

"Big Brother, are you also from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Ma Hongjun asked, a shy smile unexpectedly appearing on his face.

If this big brother was also a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then he was willing to join it too.

"Our Young Master is from the Ye Family of the Qilin Clan."

Old Wu spoke.

Though the Qilin Ye Family had remained hidden from the world for a long time, if their strength were truly compared, they likely would not be inferior to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Then I want to join the Ye Family."

Ma Hongjun spoke directly, then walked toward Ye Ruilin.

Bone Douluo was stunned. He had not expected this ragged little brat to reject him outright.

His eyes narrowed as he was about to flare up, but Sword Douluo spoke first.

"How did you know that the Martial Soul this boy awakened would be a Phoenix?"

His gaze rested on Ye Ruilin, carrying a trace of curiosity and scrutiny.

No one could say for certain what Martial Souls would be.

Though they were most likely inherited, there was still a very small chance of mutation.

In the past thirty years, no Martial Soul mutation had ever appeared in this village.

Yet Ye Ruilin seemed to have been certain from beginning to end that this boy would awaken a Phoenix Martial Soul.

"Senior, you should know that Qilins and Phoenixes are both divine beast Martial Souls."

"Perhaps soul masters who awaken divine beast Martial Souls are born with a mutual sense of one another."

"Moreover, I awakened an Auspicious Qilin, so this sense is amplified by fate."

A smile appeared on Ye Ruilin's face.

Everyone immediately understood.

They instantly recalled the unique nature of this boy's Martial Soul.

Regret flashed through Bone Douluo's eyes, but he ultimately remained silent.

"There's no need to join the Ye Family. After all, I was driven out of my home by my own father."

"If you follow me, I'm afraid you'll only be able to wander the world with me."

Ye Ruilin shook his head, helplessness appearing on his face.

His joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and becoming Ning Rongrong's study companion had only been a temporary measure.

Ma Hongjun hurriedly shook his head and spoke faster, afraid that Ye Ruilin might refuse to let him follow.

"It's fine. I have no parents anyway."

"Although I've awakened my Martial Soul, I have neither money, power, nor influence. If I want to cultivate, I can only join some other faction."

"I just want to follow you."

The boy had thought it through clearly.

Though he did not know Ye Ruilin's exact identity, Ye Ruilin had given him the chance to awaken his Martial Soul.

In this world where soul masters stood above all others, someone like that could not possibly be a bad person.

He was willing to stay by Ye Ruilin's side.

"Fine. From now on, follow me."

A smile flashed through Ye Ruilin's eyes.

The old village chief nodded in relief.

"Good child, I hope you'll rise to prominence soon and live a good life."

He had also calmed down from his initial excitement and looked at Ma Hongjun with eyes full of comfort.

"Grandpa Village Chief, I won't be able to become an apprentice now."

Ma Hongjun scratched his head awkwardly, looking embarrassed.

There even seemed to be a hint of regret in his eyes.

The old village chief raised his hand, curled his fingers, and heavily knocked Ma Hongjun on the head.

"What an honor it is to become a soul master, and you're still thinking about becoming an apprentice?"

"You ungrateful brat."

"Follow him properly from now on and work hard. You must become a powerful soul master."

He then earnestly instructed Ma Hongjun.

He knew that this group had only stopped in their village for a single night.

Now that the children had all awakened their Martial Souls, these adults would likely be leaving the village as well.

Heaven had blessed Ma Village. They had finally produced a soul master.

Though he was somewhat reluctant to part with him, seeing Ma Hongjun able to embark on the path of a soul master made him happy for the child.

"Grandpa Village Chief, I'll definitely become a powerful soul master and the pride of the village."

Of everyone in the village, the person he cared about most was likely the old man before him.

As the village chief, he had countless matters to attend to every day.

Ma Hongjun had no parents. The fact that he had managed to survive in this harsh world was also thanks to this old man.

Ma Hongjun's eyes reddened. He was reluctant to leave.

"Get lost. Stop acting like such a girl."

The old village chief slapped Ma Hongjun on the head. The force of the blow made Ma Hongjun grimace in pain.

After Ning Rongrong woke up, she learned that someone in the village had awakened a Phoenix Martial Soul.

She was immensely annoyed that she had missed such a major event.

On the road, the girl openly examined Ma Hongjun, who was sitting nearby.

"Brother Ye, I didn't expect you to really guess correctly."

"A Phoenix really did fly out of that Grass Chicken nest."

Ning Rongrong stared at Ma Hongjun and kept shaking her head, her eyes full of admiration.

She had not expected Brother Ye to be so impressive.

His ability to foresee things so accurately truly made her admire him.

Ye Ruilin shook his head and smiled without speaking.

He could only say that it had all been a coincidence.

The village they had happened to pass through was actually the village where Ma Hongjun had grown up.