Powerful Second Soul Skill!

Ning Rongrong stood atop the Seven Kill Sword, her small hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes as she watched Zhao Tian nervously.

"Grandpa Jian, he'll be all right, won't he?"

Ning Rongrong asked softly.

"He will."

Chen Xin shook his head, his gaze fixed on Zhao Tian.

"Tian'er's Radiant Phoenix is a superior martial soul to the Crimson Flame Luan Bird. Absorbing it won't pose much of a problem."

"Besides..."

Chen Xin paused, a flicker of surprise flashing through his eyes.

"Tian'er's physical strength is more than a level above what it was three months ago."

He was right.

Over the past three months, Zhao Tian had cultivated the body-tempering method within the Radiant Divine Canon. His physical strength had advanced by leaps and bounds and was no longer comparable to what it had been three months earlier.

Absorbing an eight-hundred-year soul ring did not put much pressure on him.

Time passed second by second.

After roughly the time it took to burn two incense sticks, the yellow soul ring around Zhao Tian finally merged completely into his body.

He opened his eyes, a glimmer of crimson-gold light flashing within them.

It was the color of light and flame intertwined.

Zhao Tian rose to his feet and stretched his body. His bones crackled loudly.

He could clearly feel that his strength had risen to another level.

"Tian'er, how do you feel?"

Chen Xin stepped forward.

At Zhao Tian's thought, two yellow soul rings rose from beneath his feet and circled his body.

One came from the Holy Light Phoenix, and the other from the Crimson Flame Luan Bird.

Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster!

"Teacher, I feel great."

Zhao Tian took a deep breath and spoke.

"My Soul Power has reached level twenty-two. The second soul ring raised me by two levels."

"Also, my second soul skill has awakened."

"Show us."

Chen Xin retreated several steps.

Zhao Tian nodded. With a thought, his second yellow soul ring lit up.

"Second Soul Skill—Phoenix Flame Slash!"

Zhao Tian shouted lowly and slashed downward through the air with his right hand.

A flaming blade condensed from crimson-gold fire shot from his palm, carrying scorching heat as it blasted toward a massive volcanic rock ahead.

Boom!

The volcanic rock was cleaved in half by the flaming blade. Its cut surface was smooth as a mirror, while scorch marks lingered around the edges.

More importantly, under the flames' searing heat, the split volcanic rock actually began to melt, turning into scorching magma.

Chen Xin's pupils constricted slightly.

The power of that strike was a full level stronger than his first soul skill, Phoenix Holy Light Blast.

And the accompanying high-temperature burning effect was exceptionally terrifying in actual combat.

"Good!"

Chen Xin clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

"Phoenix Flame Slash combines cutting and burning effects. It's extremely practical!"

Zhao Tian withdrew his martial soul, a smile appearing on his face as well.

He was extremely satisfied with this soul skill.

The fire attribute brought by the Crimson Flame Luan Bird had made his attacks far more versatile.

"Zhao Tian, you're amazing!"

Ning Rongrong leaped down from the Seven Kill Sword and ran to Zhao Tian's side, her eyes full of admiration.

"When Rongrong reaches level twenty too, I want to hunt such a powerful soul beast!"

Ning Rongrong clenched her little fist and declared with utmost conviction.

"Sure. I'll go with you when the time comes."

Zhao Tian smiled and rubbed her head.

"It's a promise!"

Ning Rongrong held out her little finger.

Zhao Tian smiled and hooked fingers with her.

"Pinky swear—break it, and you'll hang for a hundred years!"

They spoke in unison.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong stood nearby. Watching the scene, they exchanged smiles.

The bond between these two children was growing better and better.

"All right. Since Tian'er has successfully obtained his second soul ring, it's time for us to return."

Chen Xin summoned the Seven Kill Sword.

"With the competition approaching, get some proper rest after we return and prepare to set out for Spirit City."

The three of them stepped onto the Seven Kill Sword and flew toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Standing on the sword, Zhao Tian watched the forests rush past beneath his feet, a surge of ambition rising in his heart.

A Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster, level twenty-two Soul Power, two hundred-year soul rings, and two powerful soul skills.

At the Spirit Hall competition three months from now, he would make everyone remember his name.

And Ning Rongrong beside him would make everyone remember hers as well.

The new generation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not to be underestimated.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, sect grand hall.

Ning Fengzhi stood with his hands behind his back before the hall, gazing toward the distant sky with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"Fengzhi, stop looking. They won't be back so soon."

A sect elder stood behind him and said with a smile.

"I know."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, but his gaze did not shift.

He trusted Chen Xin and Gu Rong's strength. With two Title Douluo protecting them, Zhao Tian and Ning Rongrong's safety would not be a problem.

Yet he still could not help wanting to see them return safely at the earliest possible moment.

Especially Zhao Tian.

The child's second soul ring was tied to his performance in the Spirit Hall competition.

A good soul ring could make him even stronger.

A poor soul ring, on the other hand, would hinder his growth.

Although Chen Xin had long said their target was an eight-hundred-year Crimson Flame Luan Bird, Ning Fengzhi could not truly put his mind at ease without seeing the result himself.

"They're back."

Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up.

A streak of light was rapidly approaching from the distant horizon.

It carried a sharp, piercing aura—the presence of the Seven Kill Sword.

A moment later, the Seven Kill Sword descended before the sect grand hall.

Zhao Tian held Ning Rongrong's hand as they jumped down from the blade, with Chen Xin following close behind.

"Dad!"

Ning Rongrong released Zhao Tian's hand and happily ran toward Ning Fengzhi.

"We're back!"

"It's good that you're back."

Ning Fengzhi smiled and stroked his daughter's head, then turned his gaze to Zhao Tian.

"Tian'er, how did it go?"

Zhao Tian stepped forward and bowed.

"Teacher, this disciple has successfully obtained his second soul ring: an eight-hundred-year Crimson Flame Luan Bird."

"My Soul Power has reached level twenty-two, and my second soul skill is Phoenix Flame Slash."

A flash of delight crossed Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

"Good! Good! Good!"

He said "good" three times in a row, his excitement impossible to conceal.

"An eight-hundred-year Crimson Flame Luan Bird and level twenty-two Soul Power. Tian'er, you truly did not disappoint me!"

"This was also thanks to Teacher's and the two guardian elders' guidance."

Zhao Tian replied neither arrogantly nor humbly.

Ning Fengzhi nodded in satisfaction, then looked toward Chen Xin.

"Uncle Jian, you've worked hard."

"It was nothing."

Chen Xin waved his hand.

Gu Rong nodded as well, unusually saying nothing more.

"All right, Tian'er and Rongrong, go rest first. Starting tomorrow, devote yourselves fully to preparing for the Spirit Hall competition."

Ning Fengzhi waved a hand.

"Yes!"

Zhao Tian and Ning Rongrong answered in unison.

The two walked side by side along the path back to the rear courtyard. The setting sun's glow fell over them, stretching their shadows long.

"Zhao Tian."

Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we can win the Spirit Hall competition?"

Ning Rongrong looked up at him, uncertainty in her eyes.

Zhao Tian stopped and turned to face her.

"We can."

His answer was brief but firm.

"Because you're there."

Ning Rongrong froze for a moment. Then her little face reddened, and she lowered her head.

"O-of course! With Rongrong there, you'll definitely win!"

She spoke softly, though the corners of her lips could not help curving upward.

The two continued forward, their shadows overlapping beneath the sunset, as though foreshadowing that the road ahead would also be walked side by side.