LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 39: Man-made Opportunity
"Junior Sister, are you alright?" Ye Feng asked with concern.
"I'm fine!" Ning Rongrong replied, her face flushed as she shyly released her grip from around Ye Feng's waist.
Suddenly, "Ah!" Ning Rongrong screamed again as she instinctively hugged Ye Feng's waist tightly once more.
It wasn't just the closeness that left her flustered. Ye Feng's uneven sword flight caused her body to jolt, leading to some... uncomfortable moments. Ning Rongrong could distinctly feel the awkwardness of their positions.
"Junior Sister, are you sure you're alright?" Ye Feng asked again, feigning ignorance.
"Could you please fly a bit steadier?" Ning Rongrong retorted with a hint of reproach, suspecting that Ye Feng might be doing this on purpose. Sadly, she had no evidence to prove it!
Ye Feng responded defensively, "I'm trying my best! Honestly, Junior Sister... maybe you should lose some weight?" His voice lowered to a barely audible murmur.
Ning Rongrong froze, her expression shifting instantly. "Lose weight? Did he just call me fat?!"
Realizing his mistake, Ye Feng quickly tried to backtrack. "No, no, I didn't say anything like that!" he stammered.
"You definitely said it! You think I'm fat, don't you?" Ning Rongrong's tone turned serious, her eyes narrowing.
Ye Feng smiled sheepishly, attempting to lighten the mood. "As your Senior Brother, it's my duty to worry about you. What if you can't find a husband in the future because of... well, you know?"
"You...!" Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth in frustration. She wanted to hit him but couldn't spare her hands while precariously balancing on the sword.
The Xuanyuan Sword suddenly wobbled, eliciting another startled scream from Ning Rongrong as she clung to Ye Feng like her life depended on it.
"Junior Sister," Ye Feng teased, grinning, "it seems you're not only chubby, but also a bit... clumsy."
"How am I clumsy?" Ning Rongrong shot back, her frustration mounting.
"Think about it! You said I couldn't spit out ivory from my mouth. But I'm not an elephant; I'm just a dog. You're asking the impossible!" Ye Feng chuckled, clearly enjoying his joke.
"You...!" Ning Rongrong fumed, biting her lip to suppress her anger.
She glanced ahead and noticed Jian Douluo Chen Xin flying effortlessly, far ahead of them. Despite his speed and skill, he hadn't offered to carry her on his Seven Kill Sword, leaving her to endure this awkward flight. The realization dawned on her—Grandpa Jian was deliberately trying to set her up with Ye Feng!
Ning Rongrong's face turned a deeper shade of red as her thoughts spiraled. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's rules were clear—her future partner must be a battle-type soul master. Thinking back to Ye Feng's spectacular defeat of Zhao Wuji earlier, she couldn't deny that he left a strong impression. His strength and wit were undeniable, and if she were to spend her life with him, it certainly wouldn't be dull.
Blushing, she leaned her head gently against Ye Feng's back. "Senior Brother," she said softly, "Grandpa Jian is flying too far ahead. Let's pick up the pace!"
Ye Feng grinned. "Hold on tight," he replied.
The two continued their playful banter as they followed Jian Douluo. Ten minutes later, they arrived at a desolate mountaintop. The peak was barren, with little vegetation, and its rocky surface gleamed faintly under the moonlight.
Jian Dao Chen Xin stood at the summit, waiting for them.
"Grandpa Jian, what's going on? Why did you bring us here?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
Chen Xin turned to them, his expression calm yet solemn. "I brought Ye Feng here to help him achieve his second Martial Soul Awakening... and unlock his Martial Soul Domain."
"What? Martial Soul Domain?!"
Both Ye Feng and Ning Rongrong were stunned. Martial Soul Domains were exceedingly rare, a symbol of ultimate power among soul masters.
Chen Xin nodded. "The Martial Soul Domain is a unique ability possessed by only a few soul masters. It can grant a skill equivalent to an additional soul ability, with effects that vary depending on the martial soul. While some domains, like the Asura God's Killing Domain, are acquired through extraordinary means, others are innate, emerging naturally during the Martial Soul Awakening. However, it's also possible to awaken a domain later through special methods."
With a wave of his hand, Jian Dao Chen Xin activated his storage-type soul tool. Thousands of shimmering silver lights burst forth, scattering across the mountaintop. Upon closer inspection, these lights revealed themselves to be swords—18,000 swords of varying shapes and sizes.
Each sword exuded an aura of extraordinary sharpness, and the air around them seemed to hum with energy. For most people, the phenomenon might be imperceptible, but Ye Feng, whose Xuanyuan Sword martial soul resonated with these blades, felt it distinctly. The swords amplified an unfamiliar yet profound energy in the environment.
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened in amazement as she recognized the legendary weapons. "Grandpa Jian, are those... the Flame Sword, the Luoshui Sword, and the Qianming Sword? When did you start collecting such treasures?"
Chen Xin smiled gently. "Ever since I accepted Ye Feng as my disciple, I tasked your father, Ning Fengzhi, with gathering these swords. After six years of effort, I finally collected 18,000 of them, the minimum needed for this ritual. Tonight, I will help your Senior Brother unlock his Martial Soul Domain."
Ning Rongrong's admiration for her grandfather grew. She had always known him to be dedicated, but this meticulous preparation showed his deep investment in Ye Feng's potential.
Ye Feng, standing amidst the swords, clenched his fists in determination. This was the opportunity of a lifetime—a chance to transcend his current limits. He looked up at Jian Dao Chen Xin, his heart brimming with gratitude and resolve.
"Master, I'm ready!"
Jian Dao Chen Xin nodded approvingly. "Good. Let's begin!"