A few days earlier, a major event was about to take place in the distant Blue Lightning Overlord Sect on the continent.
During the ceremony held by the Blue Lightning Overlord Sect, the Sect Leader's eldest legitimate son, Yu Xiaogang, stood among the many legitimate disciples. Excitement showed on every disciple's face, because today was the most important day of their lives. Today was the day they would awaken their martial souls. Martial soul awakening was the most important event in every Soul Master's life, so the legitimate disciples were buzzing with discussion.
"Do you think I'll awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul?"
"Of course you will. Your father's martial soul is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and your mother also has a dragon-type martial soul. You'll definitely awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul."
"Exactly. Don't worry. Even if you don't awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, it'll definitely mutate in a direction favorable to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul."
"Exactly. He's just overthinking it. Maybe he'll even be tested as having a high Innate Soul Power."
"That's right. You're all right. As for who among us I'm most optimistic about—"
"You mean Yu Xiaogang?"
"Who else could it be? He's the Sect Leader's eldest legitimate son and was born with countless resources invested in his cultivation."
Listening to everyone's words, a young boy in ornate clothing stood out from the crowd like a crane among chickens. Hearing the others flatter him, the corners of Yu Xiaogang's mouth lifted slightly, and his heart filled with delight. Hmph, today is the day I'll leave all of you behind.
"I'll make sure that when you see me, the first thing that comes to mind won't be 'the Sect Leader's eldest legitimate son,' but the name Yu Xiaogang."
Standing on the elevated platform, Yu Yuanzhen looked at his son below. He also had boundless expectations for Yu Xiaogang, hoping that he would awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
The Blue Lightning Overlord Sect's First Elder looked at the sect disciples below, who were still discussing among themselves. He circulated the Soul Power within his body and said to them, "Stand properly and prepare for the martial soul awakening."
The disciples, who had been chatting, quickly stood in neat rows. Yu Xiaogang was at the very back. He felt that, as the Sect Leader's eldest legitimate son, he should be the last to appear in this martial soul awakening. Then he would awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and amaze everyone.
A level-fifty Soul Master walked before the disciples. He circulated his Soul Power, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon appeared behind him. Five soul rings emerged around him: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black. He said to the disciples before him, "Enter the Awakening Array one by one. I'll be responsible for helping you awaken your martial souls."
After hearing the Soul Master's words, the sect disciples proceeded forward one by one in an orderly manner to awaken their martial souls.
"Yu Feng, martial soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Innate Soul Power: rank seven."
"Yu Lin, martial soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Innate Soul Power: rank six."
"Yu Xiaohuo, martial soul: Fire Dragon. Innate Soul Power: rank seven."
"Yu Xiaoshan, martial soul: Earth Dragon. Innate Soul Power: rank five."
As the awakening master called out the results of each disciple's martial soul awakening, they finally reached the last one—the son in whom the Sect Leader had placed his hopes, Yu Xiaogang.
"Yu Xiaogang, please enter the array." The Soul Master respectfully invited Xiao Gang up.
Yu Xiaogang's vanity was greatly satisfied. Yet his face remained expressionless. He merely grunted before putting on an act and walking into the Awakening Array.
When Yu Xiaogang entered the Awakening Array, the Soul Master began awakening his martial soul.
Countless specks of light appeared around Yu Xiaogang. In his hands, the silhouette of a colossal dragon slowly emerged, radiating holy light.
"The Golden Holy Dragon!"
"It's actually the Golden Holy Dragon!"
The sect's upper echelons seated on the elevated platform cried out in unison.
Seeing this, Sect Leader Yu Yuanzhen also rose to his feet and shouted, "Hahaha! The heavens favor our Blue Lightning Overlord Sect!"
"My son actually awakened the Golden Holy Dragon martial soul!"
"Our sect has a successor!"
The sect members also shouted in unison:
"Yu Xiaogang!"
"Yu Xiaogang!"
Seeing this scene, the corners of Yu Xiaogang's mouth lifted slightly. In his mind, he imagined himself displaying his brilliance across the continent, becoming famous throughout the land, worshiped by countless people, and reaching the pinnacle of life.
Just as everyone was filled with excitement, a sudden change occurred in the Awakening Array. The Golden Holy Dragon's phantom suddenly became blurry. It began to fade and then vanished completely, transforming into a small purple pig.
"What's going on?"
"Exactly! Why did the Golden Holy Dragon's phantom disappear and turn into a piglet?"
Faced with this sudden change, everyone below began whispering among themselves.
The elders on the platform were even more despairing. The perfectly good Golden Holy Dragon martial soul had turned into a pig martial soul, and they all cried out inwardly: The heavens do not favor the Blue Lightning Overlord Sect!
Yu Yuanzhen was even more despairing. He dropped heavily into the Sect Leader's chair and shouted toward the heavens, "Why? Why are you treating my son this way? How is this fair to my son?"
Yu Xiaogang's mother stepped forward at this moment and shouted at everyone, "What are you panicking about?"
"Isn't it just a failed awakening?"
"His Innate Soul Power still hasn't been tested, has it?"
"If my son's Innate Soul Power is high, then his martial soul certainly won't be ordinary."
The many upper-ranking members of the Blue Lightning Overlord Sect also came to their senses. The Fourth Elder shouted to the Soul Master below, "Test Yu Xiaogang's Innate Soul Power immediately!"
Hearing this, the Soul Master below softly called to Yu Xiaogang, who stood frozen beside him, "Yu Xiaogang, place your hand on the Soul Power Testing Crystal. We're going to test your Innate Soul Power."
But Yu Xiaogang acted as though he had heard nothing. As if possessed, he kept muttering, "Why? Why did my Golden Holy Dragon turn into a pig?"
Seeing this, no one said another word. From the platform, Yu Yuanzhen shouted, "Yu Xiaogang, what are you standing there for? Test your Innate Soul Power!"
The sudden roar from his father's voice brought Yu Xiaogang back to his senses. A spark of hope suddenly ignited in his heart, and he repeatedly comforted himself inwardly: I'll definitely awaken a higher Innate Soul Power. Innate Full Soul Power would be best.
Looking at his stern father on the elevated platform and his mother, whose eyes were filled with expectation, Yu Xiaogang confidently placed his hand on the crystal used to test Innate Soul Power.
However, the dazzling radiance everyone had been awaiting did not appear. Instead, only wisps of barely visible light emerged. Seeing this, the Soul Master responsible for the awakening could only shake his head at those around him before helplessly announcing, "Yu Xiaogang, martial soul: Dragon Pig. Innate Soul Power: rank zero point five."
Adding the word "Dragon" before "Pig" was merely a small act of consideration by the Soul Master, in hopes of preserving some of Yu Xiaogang's dignity.
The awakening Soul Master's helpless voice was like a massive boulder crashing into the water, stirring up enormous waves among the crowd. The people below began discussing it fervently.
"It's over. Yu Xiaogang is finished."
"Exactly. The Golden Holy Dragon had been perfectly fine, but it turned into a pig."
On the platform, Yu Yuanzhen also let out a disappointed sigh. Yu Xiaogang's mother fainted on the spot, and Yu Yuanzhen ordered people to carry her back to her room.