"I am here, welcome to my sect, Holy Son." Ning Fengzhi cupped his hands in greeting to Wu Ling in front of the main gate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
He then gestured twice towards Wu Ling's back, saying, " Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, now that you've arrived, why not show yourselves and let Feng Zhi welcome you with a feast?"
Three seconds later, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo revealed themselves behind Wu Ling. Their gazes first fell on Ning Fengzhi at the front, and then shifted to Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong standing behind Ning Fengzhi.
The Gui Mei was silent and taciturn, while Yue Guan smiled charmingly, "Sect Master of the Pagoda Sect, it's been a long time. And Little Sword and Little Bone, you were able to see through Old Ghost's invisibility; your eyesight is as sharp as ever."
During the previous competition, due to official business, the four of them saw each other from afar but did not speak at all, so Yue Guan's statement is correct.
On Ning Fengzhi's side, Chen Xin was also unwilling to speak, but unlike before, this time his eyes were fixed on Wu Ling, while Gu Rong beside him took on the role of conversing.
"Oh my, it's been so long, Yue Guan! You're so beautiful I almost didn't recognize you! You're practically a woman now... Wait, you really have become a woman, and your Soul Power has broken through too."
"Hmm, all of this is thanks to His Highness the Holy Son."
Even though a long time has passed, mentioning becoming a woman and breaking through her Soul Power still brings a smile to Yue Guan. However, no matter how good her mood is, she can still distinguish which is more important, so she didn't continue talking after mentioning Wu Ling.
Seeing this, Wu Ling understood that with Ning Fengzhi's intelligence, he might have guessed that it was Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, but it was more likely that Sword Douluo and Ghost Douluo had told him.
After all, the two opponents had already reached level 96. In terms of foundation alone, Gui Mei and Yue Guan, who had only recently leveled up, were still slightly inferior.
"Alright, Your Highness, it's not good to stay outside any longer. How about we go inside and talk?" Seeing that Yue Guan didn't want to say more, Ning Fengzhi continued to bring up the topic and gestured for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to enter.
Seeing this, Wu Ling nodded in agreement and followed him into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School.
And so, Wu Ling and Ning Fengzhi, one Soul King and the other a Soul Saint, one a Holy Son and the other a Sect Master, and most importantly, they were followed by four Titled Douluo.
As Wu Ling walked along the road, he observed the scenery within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and noticed that there were extremely few Spirit Master on the road. This scene was unusual, not even in a small sect, let alone the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Has the view made you prepared?"
After walking through most of the sect, Wu Ling was getting a little bored. The main problem was that most of the things here were also available in Spirit City. Even for the few that weren't there, Wu Ling understood after a glance that there was indeed a reason why some things weren't there.
"As expected, this kind of shopping-like behavior doesn't suit him. If Xiao Fen were here, she might exhaust Ning Fengzhi." Wu Ling thought to herself, and then began to ask questions.
" Sect Master Ning, I've heard you have a lively and energetic daughter. I wonder if I'll be able to meet her today?"
Upon hearing Wu Ling mention Ning Rongrong, a hint of wariness flashed in the eyes of Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong.
Thinking about why Wu Ling had mentioned his daughter, Ning Fengzhi explained, "Ah haha, she is indeed quite lively and active, so she kept clamoring to go out and play before Your Highness arrived. I had no choice but to agree to her request. If Your Highness wishes to see her, I will definitely take her to meet Your Highness when she returns."
"It's nothing, it's just that seeing your sect so deserted reminded me."
Finally, Wu Ling and his group arrived at their last stop in front of the main hall—the training ground.
There are more people here than outside, but still fewer than in a normal martial arts training ground.
After watching and commenting for a while, the group was about to leave the training ground to discuss important matters in the main hall when Chen Xin suddenly spoke up, " Your His Highness the Holy Son, please wait."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei's gazes immediately turned to Chen Xin, while Ning Fengzhi stopped in his tracks. He had already guessed what Chen Xin wanted to do, after all, it had been repeating in his ear ever since he returned. This was the first time in years that Ning Fengzhi had seen Chen Xin care so much about someone other than Ning Rongrong.
Ignoring the gazes of the two Titled Douluo, Chen Xin looked directly into Wu Ling's eyes and asked, "Your Highness, would you mind having a sword duel with me?"
Even if Wu Ling hid it well, he didn't even pick up a sword during the competition, let alone use one. However, he still revealed his weakness when facing Titled Douluo who used a sword as his title.
Wu Ling understood this when he noticed Chen Xin's gaze.
However, to put it another way, Wu Ling never hid anything. He revealed his sword intent because he had already integrated the techniques into his every word and action. ( Arms Mastery + the skill to Nine Lives )
This instinctive state, like breathing, would naturally emanate from him unless Wu Ling deliberately concealed it. Therefore, if an opponent appeared in that competition who could be somewhat acknowledged by him, Wu Ling would not hesitate to use his longsword. Unfortunately, even the Hell White Tiger failed to make him take it seriously until the very end.
If it were a battle using the power of Spirit Master, Wu Ling would definitely refuse without hesitation, after all, he wasn't arrogant enough to challenge a level 96 Titled Douluo with his Soul King. However, if it were just a sword duel, it meant that Chen Xin wouldn't use Soul Power, so Wu Ling agreed immediately after a little thought.
Because in the Douluo Continent, a place where people only know how to manipulate Spirit Skill, and have been doing so for tens of thousands of years with little change, it's extremely difficult to find someone with such skills.
Even the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer of the Clear Sky Sect, in the eyes of the current Wu Ling, is merely a technique or move that uses counter-force to amplify power, rather than a true art.
As for the Titled Douluo of Tool Martial Soul, those who can reach that level will have some skills, but in Wu Ling's opinion, they are at most just passing the mark. If you take them out alone without the blessing of Soul Power, they are still not good enough.
If Wu Ling were to name someone with skills that he would acknowledge, then Chen Xin from Douluo I and Ji Juechen, the sword fanatic from Douluo II, would definitely be at the top of the list. Yang Wudi from the Breaking Clan could also be considered a loose contender. (Here Bai Yang 've only read Douluo I and Douluo II. If there are similar characters in Douluo III and Douluo IV, please feel free to mention and add them.)
Seeing that Wu Ling had agreed to the sword duel, Ning Fengzhi led Wu Ling and the others to a room in the training ground.
That's right, training grounds are definitely divided into indoor and outdoor areas, and the training room where Wu Ling is currently staying is the one that Chen Xin used to use exclusively.
Upon arriving at the practice room, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong stood on one side, while Yue Guan and Gui Mei stood on the other. Their attention gradually focused, because Bibi Dong had requested that Wu Ling not tell them that she had twelve lives. Therefore, they were prepared to protect Wu Ling even at the cost of their lives if Chen Xin suddenly attacked.
Even if the possibility is very small, we should still be prepared for it, even if it's just a tiny bit.
In the center of the practice room, Wu Ling and Chen Xin each held an ordinary wooden sword and stood facing each other.