Xu Tianxi: Yan Shaozhe, I will kill this man someday! I am not yet grown, but when I am, things will change!

He smiled and said, "In that case, Senior Martial Uncle, be careful." Xiao Changfeng rose from his seat and flashed into existence a hundred meters away from Xu Tianxi. His hands rested naturally behind his back, the cloud-patterned robe rippling as he stood there with an otherworldly elegance.

"Good. Then, Senior Martial Uncle, be careful." Xu Tianxi leaped down from the pavilion, and one yellow and one purple Soul Ring rose into the air.

His Illusory Moon Mystic Eyes manifested. Layer upon layer of silver ripples condensed in Xu Tianxi's eyes, the mark between his brows shining brightly. Behind his head, the Clear Moon took shape, scattering cold, detached radiance.

Without a word, he stomped the ground. His body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, his right fist clenched at his waist. When he entered within several yards of Xiao Changfeng, he suddenly punched.

At the same time, the Clear Moon changed. A point of black light suddenly appeared before rapidly spreading across the entire moon, as though a Lunar Eclipse had occurred, radiating a dangerous glow. A deathly black halo also erupted from Xu Tianxi's fist, swirling like a vortex.

"Your Martial Soul has undergone a transformation, and this attack is the result of initially combining Spiritual Power and Soul Power before erupting? What an extraordinary talent."

A trace of surprise flashed through Xiao Changfeng's eyes. His right hand, which had been resting behind his back, flipped out like lightning. He clenched his fist and met Xu Tianxi's attack head-on.

With his strength, he could have stood there and taken Xu Tianxi's attack without suffering the slightest injury. He punched back so that he could experience it as thoroughly as possible—and out of the greatest respect for Xu Tianxi.

"Boom—"

Their fists collided. Xu Tianxi felt as though his fist had struck an indestructible divine metal. Xiao Changfeng's fist was plain and unadorned, yet it carried overwhelming force. His right arm went numb from the impact, and he staggered backward more than ten meters before finally steadying himself.

Xiao Changfeng glanced at the ground, which had been stomped into an uneven mess, and admiration appeared in his eyes. "The power of that punch of yours was impressive. Even an ordinary Soul Elder would find it difficult to withstand it safely while using a thousand-year Soul Skill. You're still so young—has your teacher already taught you Divine Beast Celestial Phenomenon?"

"Divine Beast Celestial Phenomenon? What are you talking about?" Xu Tianxi asked in confusion. When had his grandteacher ever taught him such a thing? He had not even used the Profound Tortoise Shell Shield.

"You never learned it? Then where did that attack come from?"

Seeing that Xu Tianxi did not appear to be pretending, the expression on Xiao Changfeng's handsome face changed. With a flash of blue mist, he appeared before Xu Tianxi and asked with a strange look, "How did you do it?"

Xu Tianxi answered frankly, his face sincere. "When I watched Grandteacher fight the Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor, I felt that Grandteacher's Black Tortoise phantom was extremely powerful. My Illusory Moon Mystic Eyes happened to be able to reflect the Moon Shadow, so I wondered whether I could imitate his technique. As I thought about it, I entered Deep Meditation. Then I comprehended the punch you just saw."

Before he had even finished speaking, Xu Tianxi saw the corner of Xiao Changfeng's mouth twitch almost imperceptibly. Could I really have comprehended something capable of astonishing a Super Douluo just by meditating?

He had merely followed a pattern. It shouldn't have been that incredible, right?

"You thought about it, entered Deep Meditation, and actually came up with a method for initially fusing Soul Power and Spiritual Power? Since when did Deep Meditation become so easy? Is a Body Martial Soul really that blessed by nature? Or did the Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor use some extraordinary technique when fighting your teacher?"

Xiao Changfeng sighed helplessly. Deep Meditation was a heaven-defying opportunity for any soul master, yet in all his years of cultivation, he had entered that state only a handful of times. The first time had been when he was a Soul Elder.

Then again, his teacher had gained insight after exchanging three blows with the Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor and glimpsed the Limit Gate. If he could also witness even a little of it, who knew how much Arduous Cultivation it might save him?

He had to admit that he was somewhat envious of this junior, Xu Tianxi. His talent and fortune were both top-notch. Whenever he went out, he could witness battles between the strongest experts of the era—and after watching them, he could even enter Deep Meditation.

Xu Tianxi scratched his hair awkwardly and said in a low voice, "I only thought about using that punch, and somehow I actually managed to do it. You're my senior, so could you give me some advice?"

"Advice? The only advice I can give you is to watch and practice more. Study the moon's abilities and changes more closely, and fight more often. Seek out and grasp the optimal balance between Spiritual Power and Soul Power, then use it as an opportunity to develop your Martial Soul's potential and walk this path properly."

"My teacher has a signature battle technique called Divine Beast Celestial Phenomenon—the Black Tortoise phantom you saw. Since you possess this talent, I can pass it on to you in his place. It should help you."

Xiao Changfeng answered without hesitation.

Xu Tianxi said, "I think what you said was too abstract. Could you explain it in more detail?"

"As for the details... When you threw that punch just now, the Moon Shadow reflected by your Martial Soul contained both Soul Power and Spiritual Power, and the moon phase also changed. Did that originate from your imitation of the moon?"

Xiao Changfeng closed his eyes and thought for a moment, recalling the strongest point of Xu Tianxi's attack.

At the moment of the total Lunar Eclipse, the deathly black halo on Xu Tianxi's fist had formed a vortex-like state, concentrating pure Spiritual Power and Soul Power. It had struck both the spirit and the body, with power approaching the Soul Ancestor level.

Even excluding Xu Tianxi's formidable Spiritual Power, the physical impact of that punch was no weaker than a Soul Elder's thousand-year Soul Skill. Its explosive force was astonishing. No one would object to calling him an Assault Type soul master.

Yet he was a Control Type soul master, and a Mental Attribute Control Type soul master at that—one publicly acknowledged to have a frail body. He and an Assault Type soul master were practically polar opposites.

Apart from eating and drinking well, the only explanation Xiao Changfeng could think of for such explosive power was that Xu Tianxi had developed his Body Martial Soul to a level far beyond his cultivation rank. He had already begun touching upon the Martial Soul's most fundamental mysteries, though he had only grasped the surface for now.

His mother had walked this path during her lifetime as well. However, Kong Xiyue's cultivation had already reached the Soul Ancestor level at the time, and she had been far older than Xu Tianxi, with a teacher guiding her. The difference between them was like heaven and earth.

Xu Tianxi naturally had no idea that Xiao Changfeng had experienced so many thoughts in the blink of an eye. He simply nodded honestly.

"Yes. According to the books, many powerful Soul Skills of the Moon Martial Soul involve changes in the moon phase, such as the First and Last Quarter Moon, Phantom Moon, Lunar Eclipse, Blood Moon, and others. Star-type Martial Souls also possess the ability to draw upon the power of the stars in battle, so I was inspired."

"That explains it. Aside from the Lunar Eclipse, have you thought of any other techniques?" Xiao Changfeng asked.

"I have. For example, I can split it into the First and Last Quarter Moon. In that state, my Palm Blade should possess considerable cutting power. Take a look."

"Whoosh—"

With a thought from Xu Tianxi, the full moon immediately split into three, transforming into three crescent moons that revolved around him. He held his palm upright like a blade and cleaved the air three times. A large tree split into four sections with a crack and toppled to the ground.

Xiao Changfeng's eyelid twitched. I didn't expect this kid to really have more tricks up his sleeve. Fortunately, it was still within what he could accept.

After giving two light coughs, Xiao Changfeng commented with an unchanged expression, "The cutting power is decent, no weaker than the attack of a Soul Elder with a blade or sword Martial Soul. Anything else?"

"This is the Phantom Moon. It can strengthen the illusion effect of my Second Soul Skill. Watch." Xu Tianxi activated Mirror Flower Water Moon. The moon phase instantly became part of the illusory image, and he vanished along with it.

"Not bad... Anything else?" The corner of Xiao Changfeng's mouth twitched again. This junior disciple has developed his Martial Soul so aggressively that it could practically be called a dual-form Martial Soul.

"This is the Flashing Moon. It can strengthen the power of my First Soul Skill."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Tianxi lit up his first Soul Ring. The moon phase transformed into a stream of light and leaped into his eyes before condensing into two lightning-fast beams of cold radiance. They pierced through a boulder several meters tall, leaving behind two astonishing holes from which cold, detached light spilled.

"Bang!"

The cold light spread outward from the holes as its center. Cracks suddenly appeared, and the entire boulder soon collapsed into pieces.

Xiao Changfeng clearly sensed that the boulder's internal structure had been damaged twice. In addition to spiritual force, Xu Tianxi's attack carried a bone-deep chill.

"I have a feeling that this Flashing Moon phase can activate Cold Moon Gaze on its own, but my control isn't good enough yet. I still need more experience..."

Xu Tianxi stepped forward, picked up a cold fragment of stone, and said with lingering excitement.

When he turned around, he saw that Xiao Changfeng had taken out a Communication Soul Tool at some point and was giving instructions to someone on the other end.

"Senior Martial Uncle, what are you saying?"

"I'm having someone build you a higher Moon Gazing Platform. I'll also go to the Sun Moon Empire to purchase Level 7 or higher Star Gazing Soul Tools and Focusing Soul Tools. If I'd known your Martial Soul was so special, I would have brought them back earlier."

Xiao Changfeng put down the Communication Soul Tool and patted his forehead.

"Level 7 or higher Soul Tools? Those things can't be easy to obtain, can they?" Xu Tianxi asked with a frown.

"I know someone at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. I only recently purchased a batch of Soul Tools from him. Since these two aren't meant for combat, obtaining them shouldn't be difficult. If he refuses, I'll place a bounty on the Black Market." Xiao Changfeng spoke as calmly as ever.

Xu Tianxi's lips moved slightly. He really wanted to ask who Senior Martial Uncle's acquaintance was. How could that person dare to sell Level 7 or higher Soul Tools under Jing Hongchen's nose? After thinking it over, he decided there was no need to rush and cupped his hands in thanks.

"...Then thank you, Senior Martial Uncle."

There was no need to ask too much about the elders' affairs. Once he went to the Sun Moon Empire, he would find out eventually. A parasite who betrayed his own side was clearly no good person. He could make friends with him later—perhaps he could even get some advanced Fixed Soul Cannon Shells to play with.

Hopefully that bad fellow's precautions are tight enough. He absolutely must not be discovered by Jing Hongchen.

"This is a trivial matter, nothing worth mentioning."

Xiao Changfeng waved it off. His expression then turned serious. "Your Martial Soul's uniqueness is something I have never seen in my life. You must never fail to live up to this heaven-bestowed talent."

"Your cultivation speed is excellent right now, but after an Ultimate Martial Soul reaches Level 30, its cultivation speed will slow greatly. Try to break through Level 30 within three years. When the time comes, I'll take you to obtain a Soul Ring."

"During this period, I'll do my best to teach you the knowledge, battle techniques, and experience I possess. Study hard. Once you advance to the third Soul Ring, it will be time for you to go to the Sun Moon Empire."

"I understand."

Xu Tianxi nodded solemnly, then asked, "Then, Senior Martial Uncle, what reason should I use to go to the Sun Moon Empire? Should I simply tell them that I want to avenge my mother?"

"Of course not." Xiao Changfeng smiled mysteriously and continued:

"Soon after you awakened your Martial Soul, your teacher made some arrangements for you. In the sect's public propaganda, your Innate Soul Power is only Level 7, and your Martial Soul is merely Moon Shadow."

"Furthermore, judging by the timing... rumors should already have begun circulating in the Xuanming Sect that the Third Young Master and an old servant ran away from home..."

"Ran away from home?" Xu Tianxi stared wide-eyed.

"Of course. I imagine that once this news spreads, someone will be very pleased."

Xiao Changfeng nodded lightly. His expression then turned cold, and his gaze shifted toward Shrek City as he said in a low voice:

"There's something your teacher never told you. Two years ago, not long after you awakened your Martial Soul, he and your father discovered that Yan Shaozhe had secretly sent a message to Xue Lingxun, asking her, as the Head Matriarch, to make things difficult for you as much as the rules allowed."

"Xue Lingxun was clever enough. She sent you some toys and brushed the matter aside after a little token mistreatment. Your teacher suppressed the matter and spent these past two years spreading word inside and outside the sect that you, the Third Young Master, were not favored within the sect. It was all for today!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianxi lowered his head slightly and fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, his brows lifted, cold light flashing in his eyes as he said in a low voice:

"Yan Shaozhe, I will kill this man someday! I am not yet grown, but when I am, things will change!"