Riot Out of Control, Foundation Destroyed

"The absorption process had been fairly smooth, but at the critical moment of condensing the Soul Ring and stabilizing my cultivation, that Soul Ring, which had originally been infinitely close to a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's, absorbed the immense killing intent of Divine Slaughter's Domain and suddenly transformed, breaking through its shackles to become a genuine Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring!"

The sudden transformation brought with it an overwhelming force far beyond his limits. Rampaging Soul Power surged into his body like collapsing mountains and tidal waves, instantly smashing through every mental defense he had.

The Blood Soul Sky Phoenix martial soul, already violent and out of control, completely broke free of all suppression under the impact of that ultimate hundred-thousand-year power and fell utterly into a berserk state.

Combined with the Divine Slaughter's Domain he had accumulated over ten years in Slaughter City, the killing intent that had seeped into his bones tore apart Jin Sheng's soul layer by layer until it completely collapsed.

At that moment, he lost all reason and became a savage beast that knew only slaughter.

"I completely lost control."

Jin Sheng closed his eyes, his voice hoarse and filled with regret and pain.

"Within a hundred-mile radius, whether innocent soul masters or ordinary soul beasts, I slaughtered them all. Not even grass was left standing. I committed endless sins of slaughter."

Just as he was about to completely succumb and massacre an even wider region, Qian Daoliu, the Spirit Hall Pope and one of the era's foremost experts, arrived through the void in time.

Qian Daoliu suppressed him, using his immense cultivation to defeat his berserk state. To prevent him from continuing his atrocities and throwing the continent into chaos, he ultimately crippled his martial soul and severed the foundation of his Soul Power.

Thus, a newly advanced Titled Douluo with boundless potential and terrifying combat strength was reduced to a cripple.

"Our Qian Family truly shows no mercy toward degenerates who indulge in slaughter. Even I would not show mercy in such a matter," Qian Xunzong said.

Without the protection of his martial soul and Soul Power, Ma Jinyan was severely injured and powerless to resist. Afterward, wandering slave traders took advantage of the situation and abducted him.

Day after day of torment, endless humiliation and exploitation gradually wore away every edge of his pride.

His martial soul had been completely destroyed, and all his cultivation was gone. The little strength he had left was only barely comparable to that of an ordinary Soul Ancestor. He had no power to break free of his shackles or escape his misery, and his obsession with returning to the Blazing Flame Sect gradually became an unattainable fantasy.

Left with no other choice, he could only resign himself to fate and become a lowly slave at the mercy of others, passed from place to place and suffering every hardship in the world.

After a long account, Ma Jinyan finished recounting the turbulent and tragic first half of his life. The instant his voice fell silent, the entire front hall became so quiet that a needle could have been heard dropping.

Hearing of such a twisted and miserable experience, everyone present could not help but sigh. When they looked at Jin Sheng, there was now a little more pity and emotion in their eyes.

No one had expected that this seemingly humble and destitute man had lived such a magnificent yet incomparably tragic life.

Qian Xunzong, seated in the place of honor, listened quietly throughout. His expression remained calm and undisturbed, though a trace of understanding and emotion flickered in his eyes.

He remained silent for a moment instead of speaking at once. He raised a hand to signal the others to withdraw, then secretly sent a message, dispatching Cloud-Treading Villa's elite Embroidered Uniform Guards to immediately head for the Blazing Flame Sect and the Endless Sea Desert to thoroughly investigate all the events Ma Jinyan had described and verify their truth.

Once the order was issued, the Embroidered Uniform Guards moved with decisive efficiency. In less than an hour, they had sent all the detailed intelligence back to Cloud-Treading Villa.

Every word of the report confirmed that Jin Sheng's account was true.

His identity as the Blazing Flame Sect's young master, the hidden danger of his mutated Blood Soul Sky Phoenix martial soul, his experience leaving the sect alone to train, his ten years lying low in Slaughter City, his killing of a quasi-hundred-thousand-year soul beast, the Soul Ring mutation and loss of control, and Qian Daoliu crippling his martial soul before he was reduced to slavery—all of it was supported by evidence, without a single falsehood.

After reading the final piece of information, Qian Xunzong glanced at Ma Jinyan and handed the report to him.

"Here, take a look..."

After taking it, Ma Jinyan glanced through it casually, showing no reaction. Yet one line at the end of the report made his recently settled mind tremble. His body jolted, every muscle instantly tensed, and extreme anxiety and terror surged into his eyes.

[Ma Mingshan, the old sect master of the Blazing Flame Sect, is plagued by old injuries. His lifespan is nearly exhausted, his vitality has declined, and he has little time left. He is on the verge of burning out and likely will not survive more than a few months.]

Those few words exploded in Ma Jinyan's heart like thunder. After being away from home for decades, the father he had thought of and worried over all his life had reached the end of his days. Yet he had fallen into the dust, reduced to a cripple, unable even to return home and visit him.

Years of endurance, years of suffering, years of obsession—all of it broke through his defenses at that moment.

"Father!!"

Ma Jinyan's body trembled violently, and his eyes instantly reddened. Unable to suppress the grief and urgency in his heart any longer, his knees buckled and he fell heavily to the ground. His knees struck the bluestone floor with a dull boom as he looked up imploringly at Qian Xunzong, seated in the place of honor.

"Young master!" His voice choked with sobs, filled with an utmost plea, each word as if weeping blood.

"This lowly one asks for nothing else in this life. I only beg that you show mercy and allow me to return to the Blazing Flame Sect, to see my father one last time and accompany him on his final journey! I will never forget this kindness for as long as I live. I am willing to give everything I have to repay you, Young Master!"

His forehead pressed tightly against the ground, his body trembling slightly. His heart was filled with a son's guilt and regret. He had left the sect in youthful recklessness and wandered outside for many years, only to find that everything had changed upon his return. His father was gravely ill and near death, while he himself was trapped in the mire, powerless to fulfill his filial duty. Such pain was enough to crush anyone.

Qian Xunzong lowered his gaze to Ma Jinyan, who knelt and pleaded before him. His expression was complicated, but he remained silent.

He could clearly sense the pure familial affection and utmost sincerity in the other man's heart, without the slightest falsehood. Yet he neither agreed immediately nor refused. He merely watched him quietly, waiting for his next choice.

Seeing that Qian Xunzong had yet to state his position, Jin Sheng grew increasingly anxious, terrified that he would miss his last chance to show filial devotion and lose the opportunity to see his father for the last time.

He abruptly raised his head, his gaze resolute and his tone incomparably firm.

"Young Master! If you are willing to grant this lowly one's wish and let me return to the sect to fulfill my filial duty, then I am willing to make a Martial Soul Oath! From this day onward, I will serve you unto death, remain loyal for my entire life, never betray you, obey all your commands, and serve until death!"

As his words fell, he forced himself to stand and raised his hand, intending to stir his martial soul and invoke the most sacred and unbreakable Martial Soul Oath on Douluo Continent. A Martial Soul Oath took root in one's soul. Once made, it remained effective for life; should it be broken, one's soul would be destroyed. It was the most solemn promise a soul master could make.

But at the instant he focused all his mind and tried to summon his martial soul, a fierce twisting pain suddenly tore through his chest, and a metallic sweetness surged up his throat.

"Puh—"

A mouthful of bright red blood burst from his mouth, splattering across the bluestone floor before him in a shocking sight.

Ma Jinyan's body swayed violently, and he staggered, nearly collapsing to the ground. He desperately supported himself and tried again with all his strength to summon his martial soul, but his dantian was empty and his meridians were badly ruined. The Blood Soul Sky Phoenix martial soul that had accompanied him throughout his life had long since been completely crippled and dissipated without a trace.

He could not even summon his martial soul, so how could he make a Martial Soul Oath?

At that moment, endless despair engulfed him like an icy tide. Every obsession, every hope, every ounce of loyalty and remorse turned into nothing but bubbles.

He wanted to serve and repay the favor, but lacked the means to swear an oath. He wanted to return home and fulfill his filial duty, but had no path to take.

Once a Titled Douluo and the young master of the Blazing Flame Sect, he now lacked even the qualifications to swear loyalty. Like duckweed without roots, a useless cripple, he could only watch his dearest relative walk toward the end, powerless to do anything.

"Ah!"

An overwhelming sense of helplessness swept through his entire body. Jin Sheng froze in place, his eyes suddenly losing focus as the light within them completely dimmed. Endless desolation and despair enveloped his body and soul, and he trembled faintly, his heart filled with the bitterness of fate's cruel mockery.

In the front hall, everyone who saw him like this felt their hearts ache. No one spoke to break the silence.

Above them, Qian Xunzong slowly rose to his feet. Looking at the despairing and desolate Ma Jinyan before him, he sighed softly.

His gaze was clear. He had already seen through all of this man's sincerity, endurance, guilt, and genuine heart.

After a long while, he slowly spoke. His voice was gentle, yet carried a certain weight that broke the silence filling the hall. "Very well."

"Your sincerity and filial devotion have not escaped my notice. There is no need to make a Martial Soul Oath. I permit you to return to the Blazing Flame Sect, visit your father, and accompany him through his final days."

That permission in the midst of utter despair was like the first light of dawn, piercing the endless darkness shrouding Ma Jinyan's heart. He suddenly raised his head, and a glimmer of disbelief flared in his reddened eyes.

"However, there is no need to rush this matter. After I finish handling matters at Martial Soul Academy, we will go together in two days. Consider it a chance to get some fresh air. I have also been wanting to witness the splendor of the Earth Three Sects."

"Yes, this lowly one thanks you, Young Master!!!"