Chapter -3 Declining Sword Duolou.

Chapter 3

Making the most of his youthful appearance, Ye Chen managed to find a ride to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, though it wasn't without its challenges, and he finally arrived.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is celebrated as the top support sect in the world and regularly recruits outer disciples to make up for its lack of combat strength.

On the third day after Ye Chen's arrival, the latest round of selection trials began.

In the spacious square outside the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, a large crowd gathered, arranged in two lines based on age: one for children aged 6 and under, and another for those between 6 and 18.

Ye Chen suspected this setup was simply a means to scout promising young talent among the throngs of people.

"Xiao Er, Martial Soul: Iron Chopsticks, Soul Power Level: 0, Eliminated!"

"Li Shang, Martial Soul: Kitchen Knife, Soul Power Level: 1, Eliminated!"

"Lin Yirou, Martial Soul: Three-Clawed Cat, Soul Power Level: 3, Eliminated!"

As the crowd surged, it became evident that most participants were being eliminated. Watching the dwindling numbers ahead, Ye Chen felt a twinge of anxiety. His martial soul was quite unique; would the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect accept him?

However, recalling his past months at the sect where he had raised his soul power to level 10, he felt a bit more confident.

Although the initial stages of soul power cultivation were fairly straightforward, the speed of his automatic cultivation system rivaled that of true geniuses. If he could sign in with a few more goddesses to enhance his training, Ye Chen couldn't help but wonder just how rapidly his soul power could grow.

The selection process at the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect proved to be more difficult than he had anticipated. After a significant amount of time, only a handful of individuals from his line had advanced, which was a slim chance among thousands.

Standing at the main gate, the sect master Ning Fengzhi watched as participants left one by one, exclaiming, "When will our sect finally yield a genius with a powerful attack-type martial soul? Only then can we secure the future of the sect."

Despite being one of the top three sects, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect primarily relied on support-type martial souls, ultimately lacking offensive capability, which left it vulnerable.

"Number 101, Ye Chen, Innate Full Soul Power!"

A booming voice rang out, causing Ning Fengzhi's eyes to light up in astonishment.

Simultaneously, the gazes of thousands congregated on Ye Chen, with many looking on in envy and jealousy.

A boy with short hair slammed his chest in frustration, commenting, "That kid is so lucky to have innate full soul power. Ugh, why am I stuck with only level 5 soul power?"

A pretty little girl beside him giggled, "Seriously, you're not happy with level 5 soul power? Though it doesn't compare to innate full soul power."

"Are you ridiculing me? What level of soul power did you awaken that gives you the right to say that?"

"Aw, I only have level 7 soul power, so I guess I shouldn't complain."

The little girl smiled brightly, a radiant expression that made the short-haired boy wish he could hide in embarrassment.

"Hmm? That child seems a bit different?"

At the main entrance, Ning Fengzhi squinted and approached the line of 6 to 18-year-olds.

Noticing the sect master's approach, the attentive bearded examiner straightened up and cheerfully said, "Little Ye Chen, what's your martial soul? Please showcase it for us!"

"Okay, I'll bring it out," Ye Chen replied, appearing a bit troubled.

He wasn't sure what to expect. After the examiner helped to channel his soul power, his Fallen Angel martial soul inexplicably went quiet. No matter how he tried to summon it, he couldn't get it to manifest.

The atmosphere in the square turned awkward, and many onlookers eyed Ye Chen curiously. They couldn't fathom why he was struggling to awaken a martial soul, as it was typically a straightforward process.

"Ye Chen, right? Your martial soul is quite special; allow me to assist you in awakening it."

Ning Fengzhi waved the bearded examiner aside and pointed at Ye Chen's forehead.

In an instant, a surge of gentle soul power flooded into Ye Chen's mind, persistently jolting his dormant martial soul.

Strangely enough, while trying to awaken the Twelve-Winged Fallen Angel martial soul, a blood-red long sword suddenly manifested in its right hand, springing forth from Ye Chen's palm.

The sword was over three feet long, brilliantly blood-red with a hilt resembling a wolf's tail, broad on one side and narrow on the other. The blade was dotted with seven black stars arranged like the Big Dipper, radiating a faint red glow.

"This is... the Seven Star Demon Abyss Sword!"

Ning Fengzhi's gaze fixed on the blood-red sword, his internal energy fluctuating wildly with anticipation. The legendary divine-level martial soul, the Seven Star Demon Abyss, was said to have only emerged in ancient times. It was an era-defining marvel and symbolized the beginning of the Dark Age.

Ning Fengzhi recalled a saying from his childhood: "When the Seven Stars align, the Demon Abyss appears; the sword traverses the heavens, transcending the ages, and the Demon Abyss reigns over immortals."

It was rumored that the first master of the Seven Star Demon Abyss named "Lin Qi" ascended to godhood through demonic means. Upon entering the divine realm, he allied with fallen angels and dominated half of that realm, creating a domain that was uniquely theirs, marked by gods and demons.

However, those events were so long ago that the tales of Sword Demon Lin Qi and the fallen angels faded from the lore of the Douluo Continent, transforming into ancient legends known only to a few.

Yet, folklore still spoke of a Sword Demon Tomb, left behind by Lin Qi in the frigid northern territories, where a worthy successor could inherit the Sword Demon's divine status and ascend to the divine realm.

Ning Fengzhi remembered that Sword Uncle seemed to have searched for the Sword Demon Tomb without success for unknown reasons.

Suddenly, a silver light shot forth from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School, landing almost instantly in the square.

The newcomer, clad in pristine white robes with neatly arranged silver hair, wielded a pure silver longsword, roughly three feet long, which bore no decorations.

His expression was notably indifferent, his gaze seemingly overlooking everything around him; he simply stood there, exuding a sense of superiority.

"Follow me."

With a casual wave of his hand, Ye Chen found himself swept up and propelled toward the interior of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School.

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but chuckle, "Our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School has finally witnessed this day!"

As he spoke, his heart swelled with enthusiasm, and the smile on his face grew broader.

In the bamboo forest behind the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School, within a quaint thatched cottage, Ye Chen stood with wide-eyed amazement, casting longing glances at the overwhelming super Douluo beside him.

Having the ability to fly while wielding a sword—and being part of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School—made it clear he was Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

Realizing this, Ye Chen quickly bowed slightly, saying, "I'm Ye Chen; it's an honor to meet you, senior!"

"Good character, maintaining your composure in my presence. Most would either beg to be my disciple or be too intimidated to speak; you really are quite composed."

Chen Xin retained his indifference as he prepared tea for himself.

Ye Chen shrugged and chuckled softly, "You're not a ferocious beast; there's no reason for me to be scared!"

"Do you know why I brought you here?"

Chen Xin's smile was inscrutable, leaving Ye Chen uncertain.

"Maybe to observe my unique martial soul and see if you want to take me on as your disciple?"

Hearing this, Chen Xin nodded, "Sharp as a tack; you are worthy of being my closed-door disciple."

"Wait, senior!"

"Hmm? Do you have something else to say?"

"I..." 

Ye Chen faltered slightly, feeling awkward. While becoming Chen Xin's disciple would be an incredible opportunity, he wanted to be forthright about his feelings.

"I'm sorry, senior, but I cannot be your disciple; actually, I hold Bone Douluo in high regard!"

These words caused Chen Xin's expression to darken, as he clearly didn't expect to be turned down in such a direct manner, especially in favor of mentioning Bone Douluo. Did Ye Chen really think he was inferior to that old tree?

"I'll meet you at midnight in Donglin!"

Chen Xin hastily took a sip from his teacup, giving Ye Chen a significant look and then vanished from the cottage.

Watching him leave, Ye Chen scratched his head, pondering, "Is he trying to pressure me into becoming his disciple?"

But the system had given him a task: Go to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School and sign in as Bone Douluo's disciple!

Ye Chen didn't mind becoming Chen Xin's disciple, but he was obliged to comply with the system's request; one person shouldn't have two mentors, especially from the same sect.

"Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Sword, look what I've found!"

Just as Ye Chen was feeling lost in thought, a cheerful voice rang out from the bamboo forest outside the cottage.

Before he could react, a little girl about five or six years old bounded into the thatched cottage, proudly holding a butterfly, her laughter like a silver bell.

Dressed in a simple white dress, she exuded freshness. Her long, flowing brown hair and delicately featured little face made her look like a princess straight out of a fairytale, regal and innocent.

"Who are you? Why are you in Grandpa Sword's cottage?" 

The little girl eyed Ye Chen with a mix of curiosity and caution, as if she were sizing him up like an intruder.