The teacup in Ning Fengzhi's hand stopped halfway to his mouth.
Gu Wuchen's strength far exceeded his expectations.
He had thought Gu Wuchen was merely exceptionally gifted, but he had never expected him not only to hold out so long against Chen Xin's sword, but also to shatter Chen Xin's sword Qi with a single strike and even comprehend a new Sword Intent.
"This boy is truly extraordinary," Gu Rong said in admiration.
A seven-year-old Soul Grandmaster who could exchange blows with the level ninety-six Sword Douluo to this extent was beyond what the word genius could describe. He was an absolute monster.
Only Ning Rongrong clapped and called out, bouncing up and down, "Young Master Gu, you're amazing! You're even more handsome than Grandpa Sword!"
Gu Wuchen put away the Dustless Sword and bowed slightly to Chen Xin. "Senior Chen Xin, thank you for going easy on me," he said calmly.
Chen Xin waved a hand, stepped forward, and patted him on the shoulder, his eyes full of undisguised admiration. "What do you mean, going easy on you? This old man had the advantage of a higher cultivation level. Given time, your attainments in the sword dao will surely surpass mine."
He had lived his whole life without ever thinking of taking a disciple, but as he looked at Gu Wuchen now, he felt a desire to nurture such talent for the first time.
Unfortunately, Qian Daoliu had beaten him to it and taken the boy as his disciple long ago. Otherwise, he truly would have wanted to pass everything he had learned in his lifetime on to Gu Wuchen.
Still, judging by the Sword Intent Gu Wuchen had just displayed, it was in no way inferior to his own.
It had been a long time since he had encountered such a formidable swordsman. In the future, Gu Wuchen would surely become a master of the sword dao.
Ye Yuan'er stood to the side, her smile undiminished. "Young Master, you really are amazing. You've stunned everyone with a single feat."
Ning Rongrong ran over. "Young Master Gu, you looked so handsome just now, even more handsome than Grandpa Sword!"
Ning Rongrong's face was full of admiration. The sight of Young Master Gu wielding his sword had completely captivated her.
"Rongrong, one sword dao expert comes along and you forget all about Grandpa Sword."
Chen Xin teased her.
"Grandpa Sword, I did not! It's just that Young Master Gu is about my age, so we have more in common."
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue as she explained.
Gu Wuchen also had Thousand-Year Soul Rings for his first two Soul Rings. Whoever had such a Soul Ring Configuration was unquestionably a genius.
Ning Fengzhi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Ning Rongrong had been drawn in by Gu Wuchen's sword dao.
Still, he could understand. Gu Wuchen was handsome, gifted, and came from a powerful family. What girl wouldn't want to go over and say a few more words to him?
Gu Wuchen had tremendous personal charm.
Such a person was rarely seen on the continent even in a thousand years.
"Young Master Gu must have some exceptional quality to have absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as his First Soul Ring. I, Ning Fengzhi, am impressed."
"I once heard about some theory put forward by a Grandmaster, saying that a First Soul Ring could not possibly exceed 423 years."
"Now, Young Master Gu has broken that theory."
Ning Fengzhi did not know where the theory had come from, but it was true that no Soul Master's Soul Ring had exceeded a thousand years.
Gu Wuchen paused, not expecting to hear Yu Xiaogang's theory here.
"Sect Master Ning, theories aren't absolute. Besides, this Grandmaster should be Yu Xiaogang of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan. He's over fifty, but his Soul Power is only level twenty-nine, and his Martial Soul is the Mutated Martial Soul Luo Sanpao."
Gu Wuchen spread his hands. "Sect Master Ning, do you think such a person's theory can be trusted?"
Ning Rongrong also stood on Gu Wuchen's side and agreed with him. "That's right, Dad. I think Young Master Gu is absolutely right."
"Rongrong, how long have you known Young Master Gu? You already believe what he says?"
Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong, who seemed to think it only natural. Had his little padded jacket already started letting the wind through?
He believed Gu Wuchen too. The theoretical knowledge of someone over fifty whose Soul Power was only level twenty-nine was indeed not very credible.
"Dad, you have to remember that Young Master Gu is a genius."
Ning Rongrong was already seven or eight years old and had thoughts of her own.
Ning Fengzhi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "How could Dad not know that?"
This battle had also reshaped Ning Fengzhi's understanding of Soul Masters. He had come to discuss business, but had unexpectedly witnessed such a spectacular sparring match.
"Young Master Gu, it's about time we headed back. Today's meeting has truly opened my eyes. I hope I'll have another chance to witness your prowess in the future."
Ning Fengzhi admired Gu Wuchen from the bottom of his heart. Unfortunately, he was already the Great Enshrined's disciple.
Otherwise, he really would have wanted Chen Xin to take him as a disciple, strengthening the relationship between the Gu family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Unfortunately, the opportunity was now gone.
"Young Master Gu, next time, could you teach me a few sword moves?"
Ning Rongrong smiled at him with a look of admiration.
Gu Wuchen looked at Ning Rongrong and said, "When it comes to swordsmanship, Senior Chen is much better than I am."
Ning Rongrong shook her head. "Grandpa Sword's swordsmanship is too old-fashioned. I don't like it."
Hearing this, Gu Rong, who was standing nearby, immediately began teasing Chen Xin. "I say, you old bones, you're past your prime. Even Rongrong thinks your swordsmanship is too old-fashioned."
"You old fellow, what do you know? That's the essence of the Seven Kill Sword," Chen Xin said with a light huff.
Gu Rong laughed. "Look at you, getting angry. I was only joking."
Gu Rong's smile never faded. He had finally found a chance, so how could he not give his old friend a proper teasing?
Ning Rongrong, meanwhile, waited for Gu Wuchen's answer.
"I'll teach you next time I get the chance," Gu Wuchen said.
Seeing Gu Wuchen agree, Ning Rongrong beamed, clapping and cheering.
Ning Fengzhi said, "Then, Young Master Gu, we won't impose on you any longer."
Afterward, Ning Fengzhi led everyone out of the courtyard residence.
The once-noisy courtyard residence fell silent in an instant. Apart from the fallen leaves beneath the tree, stirred by the sword Qi, there was no other sound.
"Sister Yuan'er, let's pack up and return to Spirit Hall. You need to get your name registered quickly too, or you won't be able to exercise an elder's authority."
Gu Wuchen came back to his senses and instructed Ye Yuan'er to pack up for their return to Spirit Hall. After a battle like that, he had discovered that he could always comprehend something new when pushed to his limits.
Dustless Sword Song, second form: Frost Blade Breaks Dust.
Core of the Sword Intent: cut away every speck of dust from the smallest point, and use the most precise blade to break the strongest defense.
Gu Wuchen reflected on it and was fairly satisfied. In fact, he had not used the Snow Empress's power at the time.
If he had used the Snow Empress's power, it might have been even more powerful.
Ye Yuan'er walked out of the kitchen and said, "Young Master, let's go."
With that, Ye Yuan'er spread her crimson wings, reached out to hold Gu Wuchen, and began beating them. She rose into the sky and immediately headed for Spirit Hall.
The Blazing Fire Phoenix's wings allowed her to fly extremely fast and could also leave a trail of flames in the air.
As they flew, Gu Wuchen wondered whether she would evolve once again if she obtained the Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Pill.
Of course, that was only his own speculation. In the original story, Ma Hongjun had only completed his Martial Soul's evolution after consuming both the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and the Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Pill.
A short while later, Ye Yuan'er landed at the Elder Hall. Sensing an unusual presence, Qian Daoliu also hurried out of the hall.
The moment he saw Ye Yuan'er, his expression changed abruptly in shock.
There was no mistaking it. This was the presence of a Titled Douluo.
"Grandpa Qian," Gu Wuchen said, waving.
Qian Daoliu came over in delight. "Wuchen, what fortuitous encounter did you have in Heaven Dou City? Bishop Ye has actually broken through to Titled Douluo?"
This was such a pleasant surprise. Could Gu Wuchen be the world's favored child?
"Grandpa Qian, Sister Yuan'er's fortuitous encounter was no small one."