An Encounter with the Sword and Bone Douluo, a Trio Performance!

The youth looked to be in his teens. He wore a robe of blue-green, his ink-black hair casually draped over his shoulders.

His features were exceptionally handsome, especially those jade-green eyes, clear and deep as though they held a pool of spring water. At that moment, his eyes were closed as he played the blue-green bamboo flute in his hands with complete concentration, his entire being exuding an indescribable charm.

Sunlight streamed through gaps in the leaves and fell upon him, coating him in a golden halo.

The stream flowed past his feet, birds sang from the branches, and butterflies danced among the flowers. Together, they formed a breathtaking picture, as though he was not playing the flute at all, but conversing with heaven and earth.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were both transfixed.

They stood beneath the shade of trees some distance away, quietly watching the youth and listening to the captivating melody, momentarily forgetting the passage of time.

"This tune..." Gu Rong murmured, a complicated expression appearing in his eyes. "It reminds me of my younger days."

Chen Xin said nothing, but his gaze became distant.

His younger days.

Back then, he had not yet been the Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He had merely been a wandering swordsman roaming the world with a blade at his side.

He and Gu Rong, one wielding a sword and the other commanding bones, had traveled across the mountains and rivers of Douluo Continent. They had experienced one thrilling battle after another and befriended countless companions who would lay down their lives for each other.

Back then, they had been so uninhibited and flamboyant, so free in repaying kindness and vengeance alike.

Later, they met Ning Fengzhi. Moved by his sincerity, they joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and became its protectors.

From then on, their lives became far more settled, and they no longer possessed that old passion of wandering the world with sword in hand.

Until today, when they heard this song.

Those dust-covered memories surged into their hearts like a tide.

Chen Xin suddenly smiled.

It was an unburdened, exhilarating smile, as though he had cast off the weight he had carried for years and returned to his truest self.

He turned to Gu Rong and said, "Old Bones, do you remember that tune from our youth?"

Gu Rong froze for a moment, then smiled as well. "How could I not? Back then, we hummed it every day as we wandered about."

"One tune?" Chen Xin said, placing his right hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Gu Rong burst into laughter. With a turn of his hands, two strings condensed from Bai bones appeared between his fingers. He plucked them casually, producing a clear, resonant note.

The two exchanged a glance, then looked at the youth by the stream at the same time.

At that moment, Xiao Lin had also finished his final note and slowly lowered the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute.

He opened his eyes and met the gazes of the two elders.

Four eyes met, yet none of the three spoke.

But in that instant, they seemed to understand one another's thoughts.

No words were needed, no introductions, no superfluous explanations—music was the finest language.

Xiao Lin smiled faintly and raised the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute again.

This time, he played "A Laugh in the Vast Sea" once more.

At the same time, Gu Rong plucked the bone zither in his hands. Its lingering notes intertwined with the flute, creating a wondrous harmony.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin drew his longsword and began to dance across the clearing beside the stream.

His swordsmanship was sharp yet elegant. Every thrust carried fierce sword energy, leaving silver-Bai arcs in the air.

Yet his movements held not the slightest hint of killing intent. Instead, they were filled with freedom and ease, as though he was not practicing swordsmanship, but dancing with heaven and earth.

Flute music, zither music, sword light.

The three intertwined, composing a moving melody in the clearing beside the stream.

As Xiao Lin played his flute and watched the Bai-robed elder dance with his sword beneath the sunlight, an indescribable sense of exhilaration rose within him.

Though he did not know who these two elders were, the aura they exuded made it clear that they were absolute top-tier experts.

Yet at that moment, they were willing to set aside their status and perform alongside a stranger like him, all because of music's charm.

This feeling was wonderful.

As Gu Rong played the zither, he watched the confidence and composure radiating from Xiao Lin's youthful face and silently marveled. This boy had reached such a level at such a young age; his future achievements would be limitless.

Even rarer was the maturity and open-mindedness he possessed, which did not match his age at all, as though he had experienced many things.

As Chen Xin danced with his sword, he felt the impact the song had on his soul.

He felt as though he had returned to his youth, to those days when he roamed the world with sword in hand. Back then, he too had been high-spirited and fearless.

When the song ended, the flute music, zither music, and sword light came to a halt at the same time.

Tranquility returned to the streamside. Only the stream continued to murmur, and the birds continued singing in the branches.

The three stood where they were, smiling at one another.

"Magnificent! Truly magnificent!" Gu Rong spoke first, his voice booming with irrepressible excitement. "It has been a long time since this old man felt so free! Little brother, what is this tune called?"

Xiao Lin clasped his hands and answered with a smile, "A Laugh in the Vast Sea."

"A Laugh in the Vast Sea..." Chen Xin savored the name, a flicker of appreciation appearing in his eyes. "A fine name! A fine tune! A fine mood!"

"It truly is!" Gu Rong nodded repeatedly. "A laugh across the vast sea, the surging tides along both shores—those lyrics, that artistic realm, they are simply perfect! Little brother, did you compose this tune yourself?"

Xiao Lin hesitated briefly, but ultimately nodded.

He could hardly say it was a classic song from another world. He might as well claim he had written it himself.

"A genius! An absolute genius!" Gu Rong raised his thumb.

"I have lived for so many years and heard countless fine tunes, yet not one has stirred my heart as much as 'A Laugh in the Vast Sea.' It makes me want to grab a sword and head out to roam the world this very moment!"

"Old Bones is right." Chen Xin also spoke, his voice gentle and sincere. "This tune reminded me of many old memories. Little brother, thank you."

Xiao Lin hurriedly waved his hands. "You praise me too highly, Seniors. This junior merely played as his heart desired. It is this junior's honor that the tune pleased your ears."

"Hahaha, you certainly know how to talk, kid." Gu Rong laughed. "But I like that! Oh, right, my name is Gu Rong, and this old fellow is Chen Xin. We are consecrated elders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Little brother, what is your name?"

Xiao Lin was startled.

Consecrated elders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Sword Douluo Chen Xin? Bone Douluo Gu Rong?

Those were Titled Douluo standing at the pinnacle of Douluo Continent! He had never expected to encounter them here, much less perform a tune with them!

"This junior is Xiao Lin. Greetings, Seniors." Xiao Lin bowed respectfully.

"No need for such formalities." Chen Xin waved his hand. "Xiao Lin, you possess such cultivation and accomplishment despite your young age. You must be a disciple of some great sect, correct?"

"This junior is not a disciple of a great sect," Xiao Lin answered honestly. "This junior is merely a graduate of Nuoding Academy. I came to the Star Dou Great Forest this time to hunt Soul Beasts and obtain my third Soul Ring."

"Nuoding Academy?" Gu Rong and Chen Xin exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes.

Could a small place like Nuoding Academy really produce such an outstanding disciple?

"Two Seniors, this junior must continue searching for a suitable Soul Beast, so I shall take my leave first."

Xiao Lin clasped his hands in farewell. Though they were Titled Douluo, he had no intention of trying to curry favor with them.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong stood side by side by the stream, watching Xiao Lin walk more than a dozen steps away before exchanging a look.

"Old Bones, what do you think?" Chen Xin asked, an unusual seriousness in his tone.

Gu Rong stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes at Xiao Lin's departing figure before speaking slowly. "Extraordinary talent, excellent temperament, composed manners, neither servile nor arrogant. This boy is promising material."

"What else?"

"What else?" Gu Rong thought for a moment, then added, "He plays the flute well."

"Is that all?" Chen Xin turned to look at him.

Gu Rong grew slightly uncomfortable under his gaze. "Then what do you think?"

Chen Xin fell silent for a moment before saying slowly, "I think we have found a kindred spirit."