Xiong Feng's Clever Idea Opened Up a Whole New World

In an open space behind the North Sea Junior Soul Master Academy, Xiong Feng and Mo An stood facing each other. They summoned their Martial Souls at the same time and took up fighting stances.

As soon as his partial Martial Soul Possession took effect, Xiong Feng charged straight at Mo An. All his fighting techniques were close-range; he had to reach his opponent to show what he could really do.

Seeing nothing amiss, Mo An fell back on his usual approach. He swung the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo with all his strength, sweeping it across Xiong Feng's path. It whistled through the air and struck Xiong Feng's arm hard, leaving a red mark.

After his special training, Xiong Feng had found a way to win. When the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo struck his arm, he could not keep from grinning.

Ignoring the pain, Xiong Feng shot out his other hand and grabbed the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, preventing Mo An from pulling it back.

This was the clever idea Xiong Feng had come up with.

As long as I hold on to your bamboo Martial Soul, I can take away your reach advantage. Once I get close, it'll be my turn to shine.

Hahahaha!

Gripping the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, Xiong Feng rejoiced inwardly as he edged toward Mo An, ready to show him what he could do.

Mo An truly had not expected this move. He tugged hard at the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, trying to wrest back control.

Feeling the pull from the other end, the delighted Xiong Feng wrapped both hands around the bamboo Martial Soul and began a contest of strength with Mo An.

As they pulled back and forth, the distance between them kept shrinking. Watching Xiong Feng draw closer, Mo An came up with another idea.

The next time Xiong Feng pulled, Mo An simply let go of the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo and charged. He was no weaker than Xiong Feng; if he seized the opening, he could win this match.

With Mo An's sudden release, Xiong Feng lost his balance and toppled backward.

Knowing a fall meant defeat, Xiong Feng tried to check his momentum and steady himself before Mo An reached him, so he could counterattack.

But that was only what Xiong Feng intended. He had barely regained his footing when Mo An leaped out of his charge and came flying toward his face with a flying kick.

Mo An kicked Xiong Feng in the face, sending him stumbling back until he fell to the ground.

Then a dark bamboo staff appeared before his eyes.

"You lost."

Xiong Feng followed the dark bamboo upward and saw Mo An holding his Martial Soul. He heard Mo An's words.

"Yeah, I lost again." Xiong Feng made no excuses. He accepted his defeat readily. "Once you get your First Soul Ring, let's fight again."

Xiong Feng had not suggested fighting again after he got his own First Soul Ring. To him, that would not be fair.

They would fight again after Mo An obtained his First Soul Ring. That would be fair.

"If we can, I'd be happy to fight you."

Xiong Feng was a decent person. After losing, he had not used his family's influence to settle the score. Instead, he was trying to find a way to beat Mo An in a fair fight. If Mo An was still in North Sea City after obtaining his First Soul Ring, he would gladly face him again.

"Hahahaha!"

A battle fanatic who had never met his match among his peers, Xiong Feng was delighted by Mo An's answer.

"Mo An, if you ask me, you should accept my dad's offer. It's far too hard for a talented commoner Soul Master to obtain a suitable Soul Ring. My dad only got a suitable Hundred-Year Soul Ring back then because he accepted help from my grandfather—the head of the Ximen Family."

"If you agree, people will help you choose a Soul Ring and hunt the Soul Beast. All you'll have to do is sit down and absorb it. My family won't force you to do anything you don't want to. You just have to say yes, and..."

Xiong Feng did not want Mo An's talent to go to waste, so he went on and on about the benefits of accepting.

Listening to Xiong Feng, Mo An recalled an idea he had previously discarded.

That's right. I could have a major power solve every problem for me—not just my First Soul Ring, but the ones after it too. I wouldn't have to worry about any of them.

He had dismissed the idea before because, at the time, it had seemed unnecessary.

Now that he faced a new difficulty, he reconsidered. If joining a sufficiently powerful faction that would not restrict him too much helped him grow faster and stronger, why not?

He was sincerely grateful for the lord of North Sea City's offer and goodwill, but he would not accept.

The reason was simple: North Sea City was too small and weak to offer him much help. It was best that they remain little more than strangers, without becoming too deeply entangled.

Across the entire Douluo Continent, Mo An—with his Immortal Herb Martial Soul, the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, and Innate Full Soul Power—was unquestionably a top-tier genius.

Objectively speaking, only a top-tier faction could give him the greatest help in his growth.

And among the top factions of Douluo Continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect struck Mo An as the best choice.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had two Titled Douluo and Ning Fengzhi, the continent's foremost support-type Soul Master. Its strength was beyond question. Even when the time came for Mo An to seek a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, the sect could help him.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealth surpassed that of every other power on Douluo Continent. It was rich enough to rival a nation. If he joined, those riches would nourish his growth.

Most importantly, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect currently faced a shortage of successors. Its two Titled Douluo, Sword and Bone, were already old and could not protect it forever. Among the younger Soul Masters the sect had recruited, none seemed capable of becoming a Titled Douluo and bearing its future on their shoulders.

Anyone who had read "Douluo Continent" could plainly see how eager Ning Fengzhi was to find talent.

If a top-tier genius like Mo An offered to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now, it would surely devote itself to nurturing him.

Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had a good reputation, and Ning Fengzhi had never imposed strict restrictions on its Sword and Bone Titled Douluo.

Maybe when I become a Titled Douluo and go knocking on the doors of the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall to demand an explanation, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could even back me up.

Hmm...

No matter how I look at it, I can't lose on this deal.

Oh, right. Judging by Ning Fengzhi's conduct and personality, if a top-tier genius like me joins the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I might even get engaged to Ning Rongrong—that beauty who left such a vivid mark on "Douluo Continent."

They'd help me grow and throw in a beautiful bride. Then I could become the one who actually runs the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Wouldn't that be living off my wife while holding all the power—and turning the tables on my hosts?