Han Yu's Soul Power was completely drained.
The giant sword abruptly shrank. The murderous aura around it surged into the blade, eventually turning it into a three-foot-long sword that slowly fell into Han Yu's hand.
Above the fragments of the Wolf Bandit, a faintly black Soul Ring tinged with purple rose into the air.
Han Yu closed his eyes in satisfaction. A powerful wave of weakness swept through his body, and he pitched forward.
In the instant before he lost consciousness, he saw Gu Rong appear before him and catch him securely.
"Han Yu!"
A streak of sword light flashed by. Chen Xin hurried to Han Yu's side, concern filling his eyes as he examined Han Yu's injuries.
"What happened? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on Han Yu?" Chen Xin turned toward Gu Rong, his tone reproachful.
Gu Rong let out an angry snort and said sarcastically, "Honestly, I don't know who this kid takes after. He can't stand evil, and this old bag of bones couldn't hold him back.
"Don't worry, Han Yu's fine. He just spent too much after comprehending Sword Intent."
"Sword Intent!" Chen Xin exclaimed, his face full of confusion.
Han Yu had shown no aptitude for swordsmanship during their earlier training. How had he comprehended Sword Intent so quickly? Had Chen Xin misjudged him? If he said that aloud, Gu Rong would probably laugh himself to death.
Still, it was a good thing. Chen Xin had already felt a little jealous of Han Yu's talent for formations.
"Did you finish them off?" Gu Rong asked.
"No. The commotion just now was a little too loud, and I was worried something had happened to Han Yu." Chen Xin shook his head, looking toward the figures in the distance. "Let's take them all back to the sect."
With that, Chen Xin took out a signal flare. The emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect appeared amid the fireworks, reflected in the eyes of the few survivors.
The next day.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Han Yu woke up in his own bed. He raised his heavy eyelids and surveyed his surroundings, then relaxed.
He pushed himself upright with both hands and looked at the Martial Soul in his right hand.
Feeling the murderous aura within it, he couldn't help reflecting on how his all-out effort had fortuitously allowed him to comprehend Sword Intent ahead of time.
Just then, the door opened, and Ning Rongrong tiptoed inside.
When she saw Han Yu awake, a smile immediately appeared on her little face, and she hurried over.
Halfway there, she seemed to remember something. She pouted and raised her chin. "See? You got hurt. I told you to wait for me so we could go together."
"My talent's just too good. Can't help it."
"Hmph. Can't you say anything nice for once?" Ning Rongrong glared fiercely at Han Yu, plopped down beside the bed, and handed him an exquisite medicine box. Her feet swung back and forth.
Han Yu stared at the familiar medicine box, momentarily stunned as he recalled what had happened a year ago.
"Ugh, I've been studying herbs properly this past year. Han Yu, you're so annoying." Seeing his reaction, Ning Rongrong blushed scarlet and lightly tapped him on the shoulder.
After a brief silence, she lowered her eyes. Her heart was thumping like a startled deer's as she asked softly, "Han Yu, what kind of girl do you like?"
Han Yu looked her over, scratched his head, and replied, "I'm only seven. Why are you asking me that?"
He had to be kidding. At this age, he could've skipped asking and gone straight to turning on the electricity back in his old world. He had no such thoughts about Ning Rongrong; he only saw her as a little sister.
Ning Rongrong pondered for a moment, then looked seriously into Han Yu's eyes. Seeing nothing but sincerity there, she smiled. "All right, then. Before you find a girl you like, you have to tell me first."
"By the way, Dad said he wants to appoint you Holy Son. That's a higher position than mine as the Young Sect Master." Ning Rongrong's voice was a little uneasy, and she kept stealing glances at Han Yu's reaction.
As far as Ning Rongrong knew, every outsider Soul Master her father had taken a liking to over the years had been granted a marriage arrangement, to strengthen ties with another faction or wed a talented Soul Master of independent origins.
With Han Yu's terrifying talent, surely lots of sects would be eager to send their daughters to marry him.
Whenever Ning Rongrong imagined Han Yu treating another girl as well as he treated her, panic seized her, and she lay awake night after night.
"What, you're not happy I'm becoming Holy Son?" Han Yu leaned toward her and asked.
"Of course I'm happy! I'm not that petty, okay? Hurry up and get ready to go to the main hall. Dad and the others are waiting for you." Ning Rongrong hopped off the bed, pretending not to care as she headed out.
The main hall.
Ning Fengzhi sat in the seat of honor, dressed in a blue robe embroidered with white cloud patterns. A silver crown adorned his forehead, and exquisite accessories covered him. His expression was solemn.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong, seated on either side, had also changed into fine clothes. They had clearly taken great care with their appearance, and their expressions were just as serious.
Han Yu entered the hall, stiffened, and bowed. He felt a little uncomfortable with the solemn atmosphere.
"Han Yu pays his respects to the Sect Master and the two elders."
"Han Yu, have a seat." Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly and beckoned him over.
On this expedition, Han Yu had not only absorbed a three-thousand-year Soul Ring despite being below the usual level; he had also comprehended Sword Intent and slain a ten-thousand-year Wolf Bandit all by himself.
This astonishing feat had left Ning Fengzhi unable to sit still. Han Yu was already so terrifying at such a young age—what would he become in the future?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always lacked top-tier combat power, so Ning Fengzhi had promptly decided to appoint Han Yu Holy Son. He feared the sect's treasure might slip through his fingers. At this point, he even felt that encouraging Rongrong and Han Yu's relationship wasn't so unpleasant after all.
"Han Yu, I imagine Rongrong has already told you. The sect wants to appoint you Holy Son, second only to me, the Sect Master.
"The entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be at your command. What do you think?" Ning Fengzhi said unhurriedly, his tone kind and amiable.
"I'm willing." Han Yu's expression remained unchanged.
Ning Fengzhi's brows twitched. He was astounded by Han Yu's composure. He was only a seven-year-old child, yet he was already so steady. That must be the difference between a genius and an ordinary person.
Then his expression brightened, and he beckoned several maids over.
Each maid carried a tray bearing an exceptionally exquisite outfit, every one worth a fortune. They took Han Yu to a side room, where he tried them on one by one and was carefully dressed.
A short while later.
Han Yu's hair was gathered beneath a jade crown. He wore a dark bluish-green brocade robe with a narrow gold border at the collar, and several understated cloud-and-water patterns floated across its hem. A plain sash was wrapped around his waist, where a golden token bearing the emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hung.
Ning Fengzhi and the other two couldn't help praising him again and again.
"Han Yu, come with me." Ning Fengzhi rose and led the way. He stopped, turned back, and smiled at Han Yu.
Han Yu nodded, bowed to Chen Xin and Gu Rong, then stepped forward and followed half a pace behind Ning Fengzhi, his stride steady.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a glance and rose at the same time, taking their places on either side of Han Yu.
The four of them walked together toward the main hall's entrance.
By now, the open space outside the hall was packed. All sect members of steward rank and above stood in formation, their eyes fixed on the entrance to the main hall.
Ning Rongrong stood at the front. Dressed in splendid robes, her long hair falling over her shoulders, she lowered her head and clasped her hands as her thoughts drifted away.