"The contract is sealed. Those who break it shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock…"
The voice of an old friend echoed in Aether's ears, as if it had returned from the past.
Almost involuntarily, Aether activated his Elemental Sight. In the auction house, the maids and servants, the slaves hiding behind the nobles' corpulent bodies, in their arms, or even between their legs—in his vision, most of them were engulfed in a ghostly flame, searing away at their very souls.
In that blurred moment, he saw smiling faces drenched in sweat yet radiant with maternal warmth, a child's small hand offering half a bun to a grandfather, and wobbly steps running toward a father.
Then came the dark, oppressive chamber of beatings, the beastly savagery behind flickering bedroom lights, and the scattered bones of the wilderness…
"I want to do something for them."
Aether's voice was barely a whisper, as if speaking to himself—or perhaps to Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.
"My lord, enough of this futile defiance. Let today's farce end here."
Ning Fengzhi spoke solemnly, and the jade staff in his hands struck the ground with a sharp thud. At his side, Sword Douluo let out a cold snort. Two yellow, two purple, and five black spirit rings flared up around him. As his aura surged, an overwhelming pressure bore down toward Aether.
"Looks like Sect Master Ning is truly standing up for the auction house. Even Sword Douluo has summoned his rings."
"What a terrifying presence… As expected from the famed Sword Douluo!"
"If he's this strong alone, I can't even imagine how powerful he'd be with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda buffing him!"
"Sword Douluo's about to make a move! That kid's done for!"
"Didn't they say the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is known for kindness? Why are they backing the auction house so aggressively today?"
"Heh, can't you see? Everyone says the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is as wealthy as a nation. You think that wealth came from nowhere?"
"Holy crap, you just blew my mind! Don't tell me the auction house is actually—"
"Shh! Do you want to die? The auction house dabbles in all sorts of shady businesses. Big sects like to keep their reputations clean. Say the wrong thing and you'll die without even knowing how."
"I thought having a Soul Sage guarding the auction house made it untouchable. Turns out the real backers are even scarier!"
"Heh, only that boy up there would be dumb enough to mess with them. You think just anyone would charge in like that?"
"Let's be honest—us? We're nothing but ants to a Soul Sage. That kid? He should count himself lucky to even face off against Sword Douluo…"
"Hey… Do you think there's a chance Sword Douluo might lose to that kid?"
"…Are you kidding me? Maybe if he trained for a few decades, sure. But now? He hasn't even dared reveal his spirit rings under that pressure!"
"…"
The crowd buzzed with speculation, while the nobles inside the private boxes sat leisurely, sipping tea and savoring the aroma.
"See? I told you to invest in the auction house earlier, but you hesitated, worried the business wouldn't last. And now?"
"Tsk tsk, you didn't tell me the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was behind it! So extravagant—I love it! These lowly peasants need to learn just how untouchable we really are."
"Ha! That brat was all high and mighty just a moment ago. I thought the auction house was done for. But now? He looks like a fool trying to stop a chariot with his arms!"
"A Titled Douluo making a move—far more exciting than watching those slave dogs tear each other apart in the beast arena…"
...
"Wahh! Where's all this wind coming from? Paimon's about to get blown away!"
On the auction platform, the intense aura swept across the space. Paimon clung tightly to Aether's clothes, her little hands gripping with all her might.
"Old me sees that you too wield a sword spirit? In that case, my Seven Kill Sword grows restless."
After a long silence, Chen Xin finally spoke.
The youth wielded a sword as well. Though he hadn't shown any soul skills, it was likely a sword-type martial spirit like his own.
Yet no matter how he looked at it, the boy's sword seemed like an ordinary blade cobbled together in some back-alley blacksmith shop.
Even within the same weapon type, there were vast differences in quality.
In the realm of sword spirits, the Seven Kill Sword was at the very pinnacle—one of the top-tier weapon spirits.
Compared to his own spirit, the boy's weapon was clearly in a whole different league.
"My lord, are you not going to make a move?"
Chen Xin frowned. Despite the immense pressure he was releasing, the youth stood tall, unshaken, yet showed no signs of preparing to attack.
"Your sword intent reminds me of an old friend… But if this is all the strength you have, it's far from enough to reach that city of freedom."
All style, no substance.
That was Aether's assessment of this world's soul power.
"Oh? You're quite the prodigy, to have the power to slay a Soul Sage at such a young age. If you lay low and work hard, no doubt in twenty years your name will ring across the continent."
"But alas, with arrogance like yours… you may not live to see that day."
Chen Xin shook his head. It was hard to say if he pitied such talent dying by his hand—or simply disapproved of Aether's boldness.
"Chen Xin. Weapon spirit: Seven Kill Sword. Rank 96. Title: Sword Douluo!"
With a single motion, his Seven Kill Sword emerged, its tip pointing directly at Aether. He stated his name without a trace of emotion.
Among soul masters, this was a show of respect—and pride in one's strength.
"…"
Even after that formal declaration, the youth remained unmoved. A blazing fury rose in Chen Xin's chest.
He's clearly looking down on me!
"How dare you be so arrogant!" Chen Xin roared, his aura flaring violently.
"…"
How is this my fault?
I don't even have a martial spirit—what am I supposed to say?
Aether looked at the old man nearly fuming from his own anger, face conflicted.
Sigh… better give him something. Don't want him dying from a stroke.
"Traveler. Aether."
"Teyvat's cutest—Paimon!"
Despite the gale pushing her back, Paimon bravely stuck her head out from Aether's shoulder, her voice proud and bold.
She felt this was the perfect moment to shout her slogan loud and clear.
"…"
Aether reached up and gently pressed her little head back down.
Now's not the time to rile the old guy up even more…
Can't you see he's ready to slice us in half?
"Hmph!"
Chen Xin gave a cold snort and shot into the air.
Sixth Soul Skill: Ten Thousand Swords Return to One!
Even though the youth had yet to release a hint of soul power, Chen Xin's sword intent kept flaring with warnings—telling him that this boy could be a formidable opponent.
Annoyed as he was, Chen Xin didn't let his guard down. He opened with a signature killing move.
As his sixth black soul ring lit up, his aura surged even higher. The sharp, indomitable sword intent intensified, and behind him, countless swords coalesced in midair.
With a sweep of his hand, the blades shot forth as one, a storm of piercing steel hurtling toward Aether.
_
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