Four Years

Quan Yi's first priority was to learn how to swim.

Neither in his previous life nor in this one had he ever gone swimming. During the first few weeks, Quan Yi stayed in the water constantly, continuously strengthening his aquatic skills.

Gradually, Quan Yi learned to float in the water. Once he could stay afloat, he began moving his four limbs, controlling himself as he swam through the water.

Spending long periods in the water consumed more stamina than he had imagined, but it was also very beneficial for his bones and joints. Quan Yi became even more certain that he had made the right choice.

And the Soul Beast Meat brought Quan Yi an even greater surprise.

After being marinated and carefully roasted by his mother, Su Ling'er, the Soul Beast Meat instantly became a delicious feast complete in color, fragrance, and flavor. More importantly, whenever Quan Yi ate a piece of Soul Beast Meat, he could faintly feel a warm current coming from his Stomach.

As time passed, this warm current slowly spread from his Stomach to his Four Limbs and bones, greatly relieving the fatigue in his body and allowing Quan Yi to train three times a day more efficiently.

Everything was even more effective than expected. After confirming the results, all Quan Yi had to do was break through his physical limits and then use Soul Beast Meat to repair himself. As long as he repeated this process continuously, his physical strength would keep increasing. But it would also be an exceedingly painful process.

After every training session, the greatest reason supporting Quan Yi's perseverance was the Soul Beast Meat. Su Ling'er truly lived up to being a Fire-attribute Spirit Master; she had excellent control over the heat. The Soul Beast Meat dishes she made were crisp on the outside and tender within, melting in the mouth.

Extreme training, astonishingly effective Soul Beast Meat, and sufficient sleep caused Quan Yi's body to transform at an astonishing rate.

His speed and endurance constantly increased. To reach his limits faster, Quan Yi could only keep changing his pace, disrupting his breathing, and increasing the difficulty.

And so, training, eating, and resting occupied most of Quan Yi's time. Even the little time he had left was not wasted. He actively used it to gather and study knowledge about Martial Souls. As his studies deepened, Quan Yi gradually gained a vague understanding of Martial Souls, Soul Beasts, and Soul Rings.

The more he learned, the more he yearned for them. He was already impatient. The dazzling Soul Skills, ferocious Soul Beasts, and all kinds of Martial Souls—if Quan Yi wanted to come into close contact with them, he had to become a Spirit Master. This only spurred him on, making him train even harder.

Just like that, time passed, and four years vanished in the blink of an eye.

At six years old, Quan Yi could swim fifteen hundred meters in less than half an hour. The total distance he swam in a day reached an astonishing ten thousand meters.

And it was not ten thousand meters at a steady pace. He constantly accelerated and repeatedly changed his rhythm throughout the distance.

Inside the Swimming Pool, after finishing his morning training, Quan Yi lazily spread his arms and leaned against the edge of the pool, quietly enjoying the tranquility that followed his intense exercise.

His constantly heaving chest already displayed distinct muscle lines. Even more exaggerated were his shoulders. Because of his years of swimming, they had become exceptionally broad. Combined with his tight waist, his physique naturally brought to mind the phrase "tiger's back and wolf's waist."

His two outstretched arms were covered in bulging veins, their lines distinct and smooth. This body had already been honed to near perfection.

All of this was the result of Quan Yi's painstaking training over the past four years.

Today was the Martial Soul Awakening Day Quan Yi had dreamed of. Everything would be revealed on this day.

As usual, Su Ling'er walked over to Quan Yi with a stack of dry towels in her arms and handed one to him.

"Xiao Yi, today is the clan's Martial Soul Awakening Day. You don't need to swim anymore today, do you?"

Su Ling'er's eyes were filled with satisfaction. Although the sweat Quan Yi had shed over the past four years had already flowed into the sea through a little stream, Su Ling'er would never forget it. If not for the need to keep things secret, she would have long wanted to boast to outsiders about her outstanding son.

Today was the day everything would be verified. Yet, incredibly, Su Ling'er felt not the slightest bit worried. The only thing faintly present in her heart was anticipation. She could hardly wait to see her son create a miracle on this day.

"Mother, I'm used to it. If I don't swim, I'll actually feel a little uneasy."

Although today was that long-awaited day, Quan Yi showed no signs of nervousness or wavering. He calmly chatted with his mother.

Four years of life had tempered not only Quan Yi's body but also his mind.

This had been a journey of tempering the heart.

No one could sense Innate Soul Power. This kind of training without any feedback was like running through complete darkness. He did not know where he was headed, but he could only hold fast to his Faith and keep running forward.

There had been several times when Quan Yi had wanted to give up. But through sheer willpower, he severed all his confusion.

By the time the awakening day arrived, Quan Yi had done everything he could to perfection. From then on, he could only wait and see what the result would be.

"Mother, I'm hungry. I feel like I could eat two large plates of Soul Beast Meat today."

Su Ling'er saw Quan Yi talking to her,

"Let's go. I've already prepared breakfast. I even stewed all the remaining Metal-attribute and Fire-attribute Soul Beast Meat together. Eat as much as you want."

In the dining room, his mother brought out a plate the size of a washbasin. It was piled high with Meat Pieces like a mountain. Their color was enticing, and their fragrance wafted through the air. Quan Yi's mouth watered, his appetite surged, and he eagerly began devouring the food.

After enjoying the sumptuous breakfast, Quan Yi felt incomparably satisfied and happy.

At that moment, Quan Yue walked in from outside.

"Xiao Yi, the Horse Carriage is ready. Once you're prepared, we can leave at any time."

"Father, I'm ready. We can leave."

Quan Yue looked at Quan Yi. He had originally wanted to encourage his son, but when he saw Quan Yi's calm expression, he knew that Quan Yi did not need comforting.

This boy can still remain calm at a time like this. He truly is my son.

Quan Yue felt nothing but pride in Quan Yi. He knew how much effort his son had put into this, and he firmly believed that his son would definitely create a miracle.

"Good, then let's set off. Let's go shock the world."

"Yes."

A flame quietly burned in Quan Yi's eyes.

Outside the Martial Soul Sub-Hall.

All the city's children of the appropriate age had gathered there.

They were quietly waiting for the Spirit Hall personnel to appear.

The parents anxiously looked toward their children as well, hoping they would awaken powerful Martial Souls and become Spirit Masters.

Among the group of children was an empty area. A tall figure stood there alone.

Quan Yi had inherited his parents' height. Although he was only six years old, he was already as tall as a ten-year-old child. Years of training had also made his build broader and sturdier. A thin single-layer shirt could not conceal the full, smooth muscles beneath it. Combined with the powerful yet steady aura radiating from him, this forced the surrounding children away.

The scorching sun seared the earth.

After the children had waited for a long time, the Spirit Hall personnel opened the doors and allowed them to enter in an orderly fashion.

Soon, the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony officially began.