In the world of Douluo Continent, there is no concept of Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, or theories like Yin-Yang and the Five Elements.
So-called auspicious days have no real implication for good or bad fortune; they just tend to have clear weather and pleasing numerological dates.
Three days later, on the sixth day of the sixth month,
Tian Dou City was ravaged by violent winds and torrential rain, with thunder roaring one wave after another, shaking the heavens and earth.
At the center of a vast manor, overrun with weeds and crumbling buildings—
Nangong Lingyun stood at the head, flanked by Angel Yan and Yuan Tiangang, followed by Xiao Wu, Ah Yin, Jerry, Ziteng, and the ten Body Martial Soul Masters.
Seventeen people in total, all except for Ziteng, held bowls of wine with solemn expressions, standing ramrod straight amidst the storm without moving a muscle.
Before them stood a majestic three-meter-tall statue:
Red-faced, long-bearded, clad in green robes, wielding an oddly shaped dragon-bladed saber.
Q: Whom did Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei swear brotherhood to in the Peach Garden?A: The Demon-Suppressing Great Emperor of the Three Realms, the Mighty Divine Lord of Heaven, the Saint of Loyalty, Righteousness, Benevolence, and Courage—Lord Guan! Also serving as the Celestial Wealth God of Evil Suppression, Confucian Emperor of Literary Standards, Buddhist Guardian Bodhisattva, and Taoist Divine Marshal.
When you don't know who to pray to—burn a few sticks of incense for Lord Guan, you can't go wrong.
Under the mighty will of heaven,
Nangong Lingyun looked up at the suddenly darkened sky, black clouds blotting out the edges of the horizon, with only lightning flashing intermittently.
Even if he'd never believed in mysticism, in this moment, he couldn't help but feel a sense that heaven and earth were somehow "celebrating."
Just ten minutes ago, it was calm and cloudless for thousands of miles—now this sudden storm felt a little too coincidental.
But he quickly cleared his mind and glanced at the incense candles still burning fiercely despite the downpour.
Without any grand speeches, he simply declared solemnly:
"Heaven has its cycles, all things must be renewed—from this day forth, the Kaiyuan Sect is established."
With that, he raised his hand and downed the rain-diluted wine in one gulp.
Then, with force, he slammed the porcelain bowl to the ground—CRASH!—it shattered into countless shards.
Behind him, Angel Yan and the others followed suit in unison.
Though they were just a dozen or so people, the atmosphere brimmed with unshakable resolve.
The only thing left was to distribute identity tokens to everyone, and this simple inauguration ceremony would be complete.
The newly formed Kaiyuan Sect had a basic structure:Angel Yan was named High Priest,Yuan Tiangang became an Elder,Ah Yin and Ziteng were excluded from the count,The rest were core members.
Nangong Lingyun led the way into a half-decently intact and clean main hall.
As he crossed the threshold, his soul power erupted, instantly expelling all moisture from his body.
The innate Pure Yang True Qi was incredibly profound—this kind of trick was nothing.
He sat squarely in the grand, ancient-style throne and called out toward the entrance:
"Yan!"
Angel Yan appeared in front of him instantly—
Her body was also completely dry, even her hair fluttering gently with her movement.
Nangong Lingyun tossed her a golden token and smiled:
"Sister Yan, no need for words between us. Let me raise your fifth and eighth soul rings to 100,000 years."
Angel Yan gave a slight nod.
Her sixth-ring skill was Void Mastery, seventh-ring was Holy Immortal Body, and ninth-ring Heavenly Blade Judgment were already 100,000-year soul rings.Adding her fifth-ring Flame Mastery and eighth-ring Angel's Protection, that made five 100,000-year soul rings in total.
Next came Yuan Tiangang.
Nangong Lingyun similarly tossed him a token and said:
"Uncle Yuan, I plan to have you establish a Soul Master Academy and the Kaiyuan Commerce Guild—to amass wealth and cultivate talent for future plans.
The Academy will have dedicated departments for Spirit-type and Body-type martial souls. These two types have special functions, long ignored by the Soul Master world—this is our chance.
But to be at the forefront, Saint-level power isn't enough. And since you're going to teach, you need a Body Martial Soul yourself.
I'll raise your soul power to level 80, grant you a 100,000-year eighth soul ring, the Wood Element Longevity Cultivation Technique, and a divine-level second martial soul—Immortal Golden Body.
The 100,000-year soul ring only has one skill: Five Thunder True Law,
It can switch between: Geng Metal Destruction Thunder, Yi Wood Demon-Banishing Thunder, Gui Water Yin Thunder, Bing Fire Yang Thunder, and Wu Earth Chaos Thunder.
The Immortal Golden Body grants dual ultimate attributes of Vitality and Spirit, with two limit traits: Immortality and Bearing."
"Thank you, Sect Master."
Knowing that his master didn't like excessive formalities, Yuan Tiangang bowed and promptly stood aside in silence.
Soon after, Xiao Wu and Jerry entered.
Nangong Lingyun had already planned their paths.
Xiao Wu would definitely be cultivating a part of the Longevity Technique—a heroine of her quality couldn't be wasted. The Yellow Emperor's version of the Su Nü Jing had long been impatient.
As for Jerry, the Black Tortoise True Skill would greatly supplement the Longevity Technique's lack of spell techniques. He would undoubtedly obtain it, and could begin with its internal and agility cultivation sections.
Upon receiving the promise that Nangong Lingyun himself would teach them, the two were immediately overjoyed, and any dissatisfaction from being soaked in the rain instantly vanished.
A moment later, as the ten Body Martial Soul Masters entered the hall,
Nangong Lingyun suddenly changed his calm demeanor and stood up abruptly.
His three-meter-tall, blazing golden Primordial Sacred Body erupted, along with his ever-more terrifying Universal Domain of Unity—the vast pressure made the crowd gasp in shock.
But in the next instant, the martial soul, domain, and soul power auras all vanished cleanly,
He sat back down, smiling warmly:
"As everyone knows, soul masters who use parts of their bodies as martial souls are considered trash souls and trash soul masters.
No major power pays them any mind.
Other martial souls, even when shattered, can be fully re-summoned after some time.
But if the martial soul is part of the body, any damage to it means real physical harm. If crippled, so are you.
They also usually have extremely low innate soul power, and rarely possess special attributes or abilities.
But do you know why the Kaiyuan Sect seeks to recruit Body Martial Soul Masters?"
Without waiting for a response, Nangong Lingyun's face lit up with a dazzling smile:
"Because—we possess a secret technique that allows Body Martial Souls to undergo a Second Awakening.
Once successful, the soul's quality will be utterly transformed, gaining incredible powers, possibly rivaling or even surpassing Super Martial Souls."
"You've all seen it—my martial soul is a Body Soul, and you've felt its power. It far exceeds any ordinary Super Martial Soul."
Upon hearing this, the ten initially shocked and even angry individuals immediately transformed—elated beyond belief.
If they were only here earlier due to Yuan Tiangang's strength or for profit, then now, in just a moment, they were utterly convinced and loyal from the heart.
(End of Chapter)