Two different forces collided head-on in midair.
A dazzling blaze instantly robbed the world of all visibility, and the violent roar left their ears briefly deafened.
Only after a long while did everything around them return to normal.
Looking closely, the mountain behind the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was already in utter disarray. It looked as though plows had torn through it, turning the earth itself upside down.
Seeing the completely transformed mountain, Ning Fengzhi felt fortunate that they had chosen this location. Had they done this inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect itself, wouldn't the losses have been disastrous?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was wealthy, but even it couldn't withstand this kind of punishment.
After lamenting the devastation of the mountain, Ning Fengzhi finally turned his attention back to the battle.
The enormous Corpse Bone Ghost Dragon still hovered in midair. Though its presence fluctuated somewhat, it remained completely intact. It was hard to imagine that it could remain in such a state after that impact.
Yet when Ning Fengzhi lowered his gaze to Sword Douluo, his eyes suddenly narrowed, thick disbelief flashing through them.
Unlike the completely unscathed Corpse Bone Ghost Dragon, Sword Douluo had undergone a tremendous change. It wouldn't even be an exaggeration to call him bedraggled.
At that moment, Sword Douluo's Seven Kill Sword had reverted from its Martial Soul Avatar form. He held it in his hand, planted against the ground to support his body.
The light blue robe that had once lent him such an air of easy grace was now in tatters. His white hair was somewhat disheveled, and his resolute face showed deep exhaustion.
Given the tremendous force of that collision, it wasn't strange that Sword Douluo had been pushed to this point. What truly shocked Ning Fengzhi was the gap between the two sides.
One side was badly injured, while the other was unscathed. The gap was anything but small!
Normally, Bone Douluo couldn't gain even the slightest advantage over Sword Douluo, yet now he had utterly overwhelmed him.
A Martial Soul Fusion Skill truly was terrifying beyond measure.
Through their many years of mutual understanding, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo had also mastered a jointly created skill, but ultimately, it couldn't compare to a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Most importantly, there were the two participants in this Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Bone Douluo was a rank ninety-five Titled Douluo, but how strong was Gu Yang?
A Four-Ring Soul Ancestor?
Once Gu Yang had fully matured and possessed the strength of a Titled Douluo as well, their Martial Soul Fusion Skill would truly be unimaginably powerful.
The reason Spirit Hall's Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were entrusted with important roles had a great deal to do with their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Otherwise, why had Chrysanthemum Douluo's standing plummeted a thousand feet the moment Ghost Douluo died?
Inside the space within the Corpse Bone Ghost Dragon's skull, Bone Douluo couldn't have felt more pleased.
The two had fought for more than half their lives, with Bone Douluo always suppressed by Sword Douluo. Now that he had finally gained the upper hand, he was like a liberated serf breaking into song. No one else could imagine how that felt.
"Old Jian, you're not much good, are you?"
Sword Douluo's feelings were just as mixed, with no shortage of shock among them. He had never imagined that their Martial Soul Fusion Skill could be this powerful.
"You old bag of bones! Two against one, relying on someone else, and you have the nerve to boast!"
"Heh, I'm relying on my grandson, all right. If you're so capable, go find your grandson and perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with him!"
As the two began trading barbs, Gu Yang knew they probably wouldn't fight again.
After all, this was only a spar. Taking it this far was enough.
At least he now knew that his Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Bone Douluo, the Corpse Bone Ghost Dragon, was strong enough to clash head-on with Sword Douluo.
But did that mean they could really win for certain?
Not necessarily!
Although the Kill Character Technique was Sword Douluo's unique skill, it wasn't his strongest sword strike.
Moreover, Sword Douluo grew stronger as he fought. In a true battle to the death, the strength he unleashed would definitely be more than that of a mere rank ninety-six Titled Douluo on the surface.
After all, later on, Sword Douluo had dared to meet Bibi Dong with his sword even after she became a god.
After releasing the Martial Soul Fusion Skill and exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone went their separate ways.
The Martial Soul Fusion Skill had been an entirely unexpected windfall.
Spring passed and autumn came.
Time slipped by in a flash.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi's private courtyard.
"Uncle Ning, you wanted to see me?"
Upon arriving, Gu Yang bowed to Ning Fengzhi, who sat in the seat of honor.
As Gu Yang revealed ever greater talent and potential, his standing in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect rose with the tide.
A year earlier, Ning Fengzhi had told Gu Yang that he no longer needed to address him as sect master, which was why Gu Yang now called him Uncle Ning.
Seeing Gu Yang arrive, Ning Fengzhi immediately beckoned to him.
"Come, Gu Yang. Sit here."
Gu Yang came over and sat beside Ning Fengzhi, looking at him with some puzzlement.
"Uncle Ning, I'm not sure why you called me here this time..."
Ning Fengzhi smiled, then brewed Gu Yang a cup of tea.
"Gu Yang, do you remember the Shrek Academy I mentioned to you a few years ago? Rongrong is twelve now, just the right age for admission to the continent's intermediate Soul Master Academies. I'm thinking of sending her to Shrek Academy to gain some experience and straighten out her temperament."
Hearing this, Gu Yang finally realized what was happening. It was time for Ning Rongrong's makeover.
He had been so focused on cultivating that he had forgotten all about it.
Wait, why was Ning Fengzhi telling me this?
Could it be...
"Rongrong has hardly ever left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. As her father, I can't help worrying about letting her go out alone. So I was wondering whether you could accompany her on this trip?"
Fuck, so that really was what he was after!
"Uncle Ning, why me? Wouldn't having the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's guards protect her in secret work just as well?"
Honestly, with fine food and drink at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and servants attending to him, Gu Yang had no desire to go to that out-of-the-way corner.
When it came to knowledge of Martial Souls, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had more than sufficient foundations.
When it came to cultivation plans and methods, he had the AI System to make sensible arrangements.
Temperament? There was nothing wrong with his temperament. If anything, he was afraid that going there would make him abnormal instead.
As for resources and wealth, he had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wholehearted support.
Even for Soul Rings and Soul Bones, he had Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to help him.
So what would I go there for?
Just to be a princess's study companion?
Gu Yang's reaction seemed to fall within Ning Fengzhi's expectations. Still wearing a genial expression, Ning Fengzhi slowly explained, "Gu Yang, the main thing is that Rongrong is too attached to you. If you don't go, I'm afraid she won't go to Shrek Academy herself at all, so..."
She's attached to me, and that's my fault?
"Uncle Ning, but this will definitely affect my cultivation progress."
Over these past few years, Gu Yang's cultivation had always been the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's highest priority. He could also feel how wholeheartedly the sect had invested in him, and he did feel a sense of belonging and gratitude toward it.
Ning Fengzhi also felt somewhat embarrassed, but he still said patiently, "Gu Yang, Uncle Ning won't hold you up for too long. This trip will take one year at the shortest, two at the longest. After that, Uncle Ning won't arrange any other tasks for you."
"As compensation for these two years, Uncle Ning won't let you lose out. You may choose freely from the Soul Bones the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect currently possesses."
"Besides, if you have any requests, feel free to raise them. On behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I will agree to all your demands."