Several days had passed, and the children of Yehuo Village, along with those from nearby villages, anxiously awaited their day of fate—their Martial Soul Awakening Day.
At the same time, Beixuan's years of hard work were finally yielding results.
This was the theory of the Six Degrees of Separation, which can be simply explained as: "The number of people between you and any stranger will never exceed six. In other words, through at most six connections, you can reach anyone in the world."
Though Beixuan found this theory somewhat speculative, it did prove effective at times—especially when searching for people.
Some of the merchant caravans traveling to Heaven Dou City had dealings with nobles and major sects. In fact, those capable of purchasing goods in large quantities were their primary customers.
Beixuan's storytelling of Legend of Ancient Sword spread through the son of a caravan leader, who shared it with children in Heaven Dou City. Of course, in order to impress his friends, the boy claimed he had made up the story himself.
A captivating tale spreads like wildfire, much like how Grimm's Fairy Tales once took the world by storm. It quickly became the most popular story in Heaven Dou City, even drawing the attention of an extraordinary little witch.
In a tavern within Heaven Dou City, a tall, rugged man with unkempt hair and a refined, elegant middle-aged man sat with a beautifully dressed young girl in blue, listening intently to a storyteller recounting Beiluo's adventures.
At that moment, the storyteller was narrating the scene where Beiluo, in a dream, slayed Ye Changgeng and reclaimed his beloved Yun Wuyue's voice.
The little girl was completely entranced. "Wow! Lord Beiluo is so amazing! If only I could have a love story as beautiful as Sister Yun Wuyue's."
"Little princess, the story is over. Let's go home," the tall man said gently.
"Alright, Grandpa Bone." Though reluctant, the young girl stole several glances back at the tavern as they left. Unfortunately, the storyteller had run out of content—she was desperate to hear what happened next. Who was the original author? Why were they so slow in continuing the story? It was keeping her up at night!
"Hehe, Rongrong, still not satisfied? Don't worry, once there's a new update, Grandpa will bring you back to hear it." The tall man lifted the girl in his arms, his face full of affection.
"Mm! Thank you, Grandpa Bone!" Ning Rongrong beamed with joy.
"Heh, no wonder Rongrong is so obsessed. I can't help but be drawn in myself after listening a few times," the middle-aged man chuckled.
This man was none other than Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. The little girl was his only daughter, Ning Rongrong. And the man she called Grandpa Bone? None other than Bone Douluo, Gu Rong, one of the most powerful Title Douluo of the era.
Under normal circumstances, given their esteemed status, neither Ning Fengzhi nor Gu Rong would have ever stepped into a tavern to hear a storyteller. However, there was one person in the world who could make them go anywhere—Ning Rongrong, the treasure of their family.
Ever since she accidentally heard the Legend of Ancient Sword story spreading in Heaven Dou City, she had been completely hooked. From then on, whenever a new update came out, she would drag her father and either Sword Grandpa or Bone Grandpa to hear it.
"Father, Grandpa Bone, Lord Beiluo is so powerful! You must have heard of his exploits, right? Tell me! I really want to know how his story with Sister Yun Wuyue ends." Ning Rongrong looked at them expectantly, convinced that Beiluo was a real person who had once existed on their continent.
Ning Fengzhi was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "Rongrong, it's just a story. In reality, there was never a Title Douluo named Beiluo."
"Father, you're lying! Grandpa Bone, if Father won't tell me, will you?" Ning Rongrong pouted and clung to Gu Rong's sleeve, pleading coquettishly.
"Rongrong, your father isn't lying, and Grandpa Bone wouldn't lie to you either. Beiluo is really just a character in a story," Gu Rong replied bluntly.
For Ning Rongrong, who idolized Beiluo, their words were no different from an adult telling a child who worshipped Ultraman that Ultraman didn't exist.
If a modern person were present, they would surely scold the two men: Shut up! Don't crush a child's dreams! You heartless people!
The next moment, Ning Rongrong's lips quivered, her eyes turned red, and she looked on the verge of tears. The two great figures, usually so composed, suddenly found themselves flustered.
"Hmph! You're both lying to me! I don't like Father and Grandpa Bone anymore! I'm going to find Grandpa Sword!" With that, Ning Rongrong took off running toward home, crying.
The two men quickly followed, utterly helpless when it came to their little princess.
"Fengzhi, couldn't you have softened your words a little? You know how much Rongrong adores Beiluo and Yun Wuyue's love story, and now you've made her cry. Old Jian will definitely be furious," Gu Rong complained.
"Uncle Bone, you were just as blunt as I was. If Uncle Jian takes out his sword in anger later, don't expect me to back you up," Ning Fengzhi quickly shifted the blame. Sword Douluo was even more hot-tempered than Bone Douluo—when he was pleased, he called Ning Fengzhi 'Sect Master'; when he wasn't, he called him 'Fengzhi'; and when he was angry, he'd simply draw his sword. Ning Fengzhi wanted no part of that.
They soon arrived at the foot of Seven Treasures Mountain when Gu Rong's expression suddenly darkened. He scooped up Ning Rongrong in one arm and shielded Ning Fengzhi with the other. "There's a fierce battle happening on the mountain. One of them is Old Jian… The other is also a Title Douluo. Their Martial Soul seems to be a sword as well. I can sense two distinct sword auras… It couldn't be him, could it?"
The three of them looked up. The sky above the sect seemed to have been torn apart by the clash of sword energy, forming a rift-like abyss. Ning Fengzhi chuckled, "Uncle Bone, no need to guess. Who else would dare come to our Seven Treasures Glazed Sect to duel with Uncle Jian? Let's go up. Since a distinguished guest has arrived, as the hosts, we should extend our hospitality."
Gu Rong nodded. To save time, he used his spatial abilities to teleport them, and within a few breaths, they arrived at the sect's mountaintop.
At the sect's grand plaza, two figures stood facing each other—one wielding a longsword, the other carrying a massive greatsword.
The longsword wielder had flowing white hair and a strikingly handsome face, exuding an overwhelming sword aura. He was none other than Sword Douluo, Chen Xin.
The other man had long, wine-red hair that swayed in the wind. His rugged features gave him a steadfast, trustworthy presence. Though he was a swordsman, he lacked Chen Xin's razor-sharp intensity, appearing instead somewhat laid-back and carefree.
This man was the one Beixuan had been searching for all along—Doomsword Douluo, Yulin!