Chapter 53: Ma Zhibin’s Visit to the Chen Family (Part 2)

Chen Xun hadn't expected that Chen Xiaojun had absorbed such a high-level spirit ring far beyond his rank, comparable to others' third spirit rings. It was truly shocking. If he had known, he would have stopped Chen Xiaojun from revealing it just now, but now it was too late.

A sharp gleam flashed in Chen Zhang's eyes. He, too, was quite surprised. This little nephew had completely exceeded his expectations—it seemed his future was boundless.

Ma Zhibin said in disbelief, "Unbelievable, truly unbelievable! What's going on? Also, isn't your martial soul the Seven Kill Sword? Has it mutated?"

Chen Xiaojun replied politely, "Yes, Uncle Ma. My martial soul mutated. This sword is called Chengying. It has some special traits—it helps increase the age limit of spirit beasts I can absorb."

This explanation had been prepared beforehand. After all, once a martial soul manifests, it can't be hidden—neither can the intensity of a spirit ring's color.

So they decided to play tricks with the martial soul's characteristics. Instead of revealing that the Sword God Pearl could directly absorb spirit power, they claimed it assisted spirit masters in absorbing higher-level spirit rings—to prevent others from identifying this martial soul as a nascent form of a Super Martial Soul.

"Well, that's rare indeed. Come, come, attack me. Let Uncle try your first soul skill," Ma Zhibin said as he stepped back to a spot over ten meters away.

"Xiao'er, go ahead and attack. Your Uncle Ma is a Spirit Douluo—his speed is extremely fast," Chen Xun encouraged from the side.

He, too, wanted to see his son's soul skill and pulled a few others aside to clear the area.

"Alright then, just be careful," Chen Xiaojun said with a sly glint in his eyes and waved his hand.

"Don't worry. I'm still a Spirit Douluo after all. Back when I was your age…" Ma Zhibin started bragging, but suddenly, all the hairs on his body stood up. A sense of danger surged through him, and he dodged sideways, tilting his head—just in time to sense a sword aura flash past his neck.

Chen Xiaojun's sword had disappeared.

"That was your first soul skill? Invisibility? Flight? You already know sword control?" Ma Zhibin asked in astonishment.

"No, Uncle Ma, the invisibility and flight are innate traits of the martial soul," Chen Xiaojun shook his head. That move just now was a warning.

"Now I'll use the real skill, so be careful—First Soul Skill: Fleeting Light and Shadow!"

The Chengying Sword radiated with a vast, illusory celestial horse projection. Amid the dazzling brilliance, the strike was as elusive as a hanging antelope's horn, as ethereal as flowing light through the void—impossibly fast, unfathomably erratic. In an instant, the sword reached Ma Zhibin.

"Third Soul Skill—Phoenix Fire Feathers!"

A sharp glint flickered in Ma Zhibin's eyes. Hundreds of blazing phoenix feathers suspended themselves around him, spinning rapidly to form a cylindrical flame barrier.

Boom!—The Chengying Sword bounced off, unable to break through the fiery defense.

Next, Ma Zhibin clenched his palm, and the fire feathers rose into the air. The purplish-red feathers burst forth like a volcano, pouring down upon Chen Xiaojun.

But Chen Xiaojun suddenly darted forward, moving like a fish in water—nimble and fluid—or like lightning in the sky—swift and unpredictable. With his swordstep movement, Body Swift as Flying Curlew, he dodged out of the feather attack's range.

His strange Chengying Sword sliced through the air in a dazzling arc, eerie and sharp, pouncing toward Ma Zhibin as if ready to tear him apart at any moment.

"Second Soul Skill—Blazing Flame!"

Flames burst forth from Ma Zhibin's body, engulfing him in a full-body coating of purplish-red fire, blurring his figure.

The previously launched feathers reversed mid-air, flames now clinging to them, and converged into a three-meter-long fiery bird. It slapped away the Chengying Sword and charged at Chen Xiaojun.

At such a close distance, with such a massive flaming bird, Chen Xiaojun had no room to dodge. He could only summon the Chengying Sword back.

The flaming bird charged in and crashed heavily onto the sword, producing a crisp metallic clang.

Chen Xiaojun was sent flying in an instant. However, the force was just right—he flew back without sustaining any injuries.

Ma Zhibin dispersed the firebird and the flames surrounding his body, then grinned and said, "Little Chen Second, that's enough. You named this move Fleeting Light and Shadow, saying it leaves only a vague impression—but let me tell you, your uncle here is extremely impressed. What a surprise!"

"Little Second? Uncle, that sounds terrible," Chen Xiaojun quickly responded, worried the nickname might spread. He could tell this Uncle Ma was someone who didn't filter his words.

"Then how about Old Chen Second?"

"...… Fleeting Light and Shadow, the name literally means the light on the surface of water or shadows that sweep by—gone in a flash. It's a metaphor for something that's fleeting and elusive."

"Good kid! Why didn't you use the invisibility attack this time?"

"Hehe, I just got the soul skill. Like you said, the sword speed is extremely fast. If I went full power, I wouldn't be able to feel it properly at high speed and couldn't control the strength well. Since your cultivation is so high, I knew I wouldn't hurt you, so I decided to test the sword's full-speed flight."

"Not bad at all. But, Xiao'er, your Uncle Ma was going easy on you. If those flames had exploded, you wouldn't have been able to take it. Even if you didn't die, you'd have been skinned alive."At that moment, Chen Xun and the others walked over.

Xiao Yi's eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement—it was her first time seeing a martial soul.

She was usually quiet, often choosing not to speak when she could stay silent. But this time, she spoke:"Xiao…jun… big brother… that sword is so pretty… so powerful."

Chen Xiaojun gave a sunny smile and said, "This sword is called Chengying Sword. I added a spirit ring to it, which made it this powerful. Your martial soul is also very beautiful. Once you add a spirit ring to it, it'll become just as powerful."

Xiao Yi looked at him and blinked.

Chen Xiaojun understood what she meant—they had an unspoken understanding. He explained:"'Adding' means hunting powerful spirit beasts. Spirit beasts are beasts, birds, insects, sea creatures, or even plants that possess natural spirit power. Since your martial soul is a vine type, it's best to add plant-type spirit beasts."

Xiao Yi nodded with a look of partial understanding.

It was also the first time Chen Zhang had seen Chen Xiaojun's martial soul, and he was quite pleased. He said, "Xiaojun, this is your martial soul? Innately possessing invisibility and flight, and powerful in attack. Not bad, not bad at all—it counts as a lateral mutation."

Chen Zhang had previously learned from Chen Xun that Xiaojun's martial soul was Ten Sword God Pearls, but at this moment, he deliberately chose not to mention it.

Ma Zhibin then spoke up:"That sword was incredibly fast. Your uncle here couldn't even clearly see its path just now.

This is definitely a soul skill on the Soul Exalted level—comparable to a Soul Ancestor's skill. Below the Soul King rank, anyone careless could easily suffer a loss. Very powerful.

No doubt it's a thousand-year soul skill of a heavenly horse. Also, the quality of your sword martial soul should be no less than the Seven Kill Sword."

Chen Xiaojun blinked and asked, "Uncle, such a keen eye. By the way, that firebird you summoned earlier—was that also a spirit ring soul skill?"

"No, that's a family technique—Phoenix Spirit Fire Control Art," Ma Zhibin said proudly.

Chen Xun explained to Chen Xiaojun,"Your Uncle Ma's Phoenix Spirit Fire Control Art is one of their family's Nine Phoenix Arts. Their control over fire is peerless in today's world—masterful and beyond compare."

"Nine Phoenix Arts—that's a cool name."Chen Xiaojun rubbed his chin out of habit and said,"Seems like soul skills can be further developed beyond their base form."

"Sharp insight! You've got talent. Your uncle here has high hopes for you!"Ma Zhibin praised without hesitation.

"Thank you for your praise, Uncle Ma!"Chen Xiaojun smiled bashfully.

"This is more than just praise. Your first soul ring is 1,500 years old—your uncle here has never even heard of that. From now on, you'll surely be absorbing spirit rings above your level. Given that, your fourth soul ring will probably surpass ten thousand years. In the future, you'll definitely stand at the pinnacle of spirit masters."As a Spirit Douluo, Ma Zhibin had a discerning eye. Though he acted like a rascal and often treated things casually, he was no fool—he was, in fact, very smart.

"Generations bring forth new talents; each shines for hundreds of years in their own time."Chen Xiaojun's powerful voice echoed through the courtyard, clearly believing that when it came time to show off—he should do it with a bang!

(End of Chapter)