Changed Innate Soul Power

Ever since setting a new little goal for himself that day, Qian Chaoguang had made a few adjustments to his original training plan.

Since he intended to win Huo Yutong over as an ally against Tang San in the future, he couldn't let her awaken with Innate Level One Soul Power like she had in her original life trajectory, could he?

If that really happened, Huo Loli would be utterly useless without several major cheats.

Qian Chaoguang carefully recalled the details from the Original Work. Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had once said that Huo Yuhao's low Innate Soul Power was caused by malnutrition during childhood.

The experts of the Body Sect and Shrek had also stated that the Spiritual Eye's essence was a combination of the top-tier Body Martial Soul Eyes and the brain.

Its foundation was excellent; it had merely suffered from poor development after birth.

That made things much easier.

Neither the foundation nor the core was lacking—only postnatal development was the problem.

Wasn't it just childhood malnutrition?

All he had to do was nourish her properly.

Besides, the Old Butler was also dissatisfied with Dai Hao's complete lack of responsibility and supported him in standing up to the Duchess.

Plan complete.

Thus, from then on, Qian Chaoguang made a point of delivering a relatively lavish dinner to the Huo Mother and Daughter every evening, using it to supplement Huo Yutong's nutrition.

At the same time, every morning, he would secretly take Huo Yutong out through the mansion's back gate for some light exercise, along with an extra meal.

For three years, without fail, rain or shine.

Under such circumstances, Huo Yutong's frail body gradually grew fuller and healthier, no longer as weak as she had been in the Original Work.

With Qian Chaoguang and the Old Butler's help, they could not completely pull the Huo Mother and Daughter out of their predicament, but their living conditions had improved considerably. At least they would not be unable to afford even a plain flour pancake.

Let's Hope Xiao Tong can awaken a higher level of Innate Soul Power tomorrow and make the Duchess wary.

The tragic events from the Original Work were better left unrepeatable.

Recalling every little thing he had experienced in the Duke's Mansion over the past few years, Qian Chaoguang gradually drifted off to sleep.

Early the next morning, Qian Chaoguang got up before dawn.

After washing up and eating breakfast, he followed the Old Butler to a secluded training room within the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.

On this day every year, Martial Soul Awakening ceremonies were held here for the servants' children.

Several children of the proper age were brought in by adults and lined up in the room.

Huo Yutong and Huo Yun'er stood directly ahead of them.

When Huo Yutong saw Qian Chaoguang arrive, she secretly turned back and greeted him.

"Children, next..."

A middle-aged man with a rather kindly appearance was explaining the things they needed to watch out for during Martial Soul Awakening.

Qian Chaoguang already knew all of it and did not listen closely. His attention was elsewhere.

As he looked at the six pitch-black Awakening Stones in the center of the room, he could not help thinking of the Douluo I era from the Original Work.

Back then, Spirit Hall's stewards would tirelessly travel over mountains and across rivers to conduct Martial Soul Awakening ceremonies for children in every village.

Wait a minute—didn't Martial Soul Awakening ceremonies have no special requirements?

Why didn't the Old Butler host the ceremony himself?

With that thought, he quietly asked, "Grandpa, why didn't you awaken my Martial Soul at home?"

The Old Butler chuckled and patted his head. "Xiao Guang, do you see those six stones surrounding that child? Those are called Awakening Stones. Their origin is unknown, and only the major powers possess the method to make them. They never allow it to spread outside. Even someone of Grandpa's status cannot own them privately."

Unable to own them privately?

Qian Chaoguang was secretly startled.

After all, in the Douluo I era, Awakening Stones could be bought with Gold Soul Coins. Even non-Soul Masters could purchase them.

"Even a Soul Saint like you can't buy them?"

"Of course not."

A wistful look appeared in the Old Butler's eyes.

"These little brats are fairly lucky to have been born in the Duke's Mansion. No matter what, they can awaken their Martial Souls. Those truly impoverished families have no way up and no way down. Going to any faction to awaken a Martial Soul costs a considerable sum."

"Even if the state sets up stations in the cities for free awakenings, how are they supposed to get there? Some people living in remote areas may never leave the hundred-odd miles around their village in their entire lives."

At that moment, it felt as though something within Qian Chaoguang had been touched, stirring a powerful emotion.

"You're Huo Yutong, right? Step into the center."

While he was lost in thought, it was already Huo Yutong's turn for her Martial Soul Awakening.

Qian Chaoguang glanced around. Among the children in the room, only he and Huo Yutong had yet to awaken; everyone else had already left.

Six faint rays of light entered the Awakening Stones on the ground. A hazy golden glow rose from the stones, forming a pale golden barrier that enveloped Huo Yutong.

Golden motes of light entered her body one after another, gradually gathering upward.

"Clench your hands into fists and place them at your waist."

After activating his Martial Soul Possession, the middle-aged man's voice became somewhat cold, nowhere near as warm and gentle as before.

Huo Yutong instinctively did as she was told, but nothing happened.

At the back of the awakening room, a middle-aged woman watched the scene through an observation hole.

She quietly breathed a sigh of relief, a sneer appearing on her face.

"It's good that she didn't inherit the White Tiger Martial Soul. Hehehe, you little bitch..."

The next moment, the golden motes from before surged upward at high speed.

Huo Yutong's eyes erupted with azure light, and a faint spiritual fluctuation spread outward.

"A Body Martial Soul? Eyes?"

Huo Yun'er covered her mouth, her heart in utter turmoil.

What should I do? Xiao Tong didn't inherit the White Tiger Martial Soul. What are we supposed to do...

The middle-aged man was clearly startled and secretly glanced toward the observation hole.

She quickly recovered and said to the still-bewildered Huo Yutong, "Stop standing there in a daze. Next, we'll test your Innate Soul Power."

Huo Yutong looked at her hands helplessly, then raised her head and blinked.

"Uncle, where is my Martial Soul? Why don't I have a Martial Soul?"

The middle-aged man seemed somewhat impatient.

"Your Martial Soul is your eyes. Fine, you'll learn about that later. Now test your Innate Soul Power. Put your hand on the crystal ball."

"Okay..."

Huo Yutong answered quietly, somewhat frightened.

Her fair little hand rested atop the crystal ball, creating a stark contrast against the broad, ferocious tiger claw below it.

Almost instantly, the crystal ball suddenly lit up, its radiance blazing.

The adults present were all stunned.

The middle-aged man and the Old Butler exclaimed at the same time, "Innate Level Nine Soul Power!"

Huo Yun'er wept with joy, so excited that she could barely remain standing.

Huo Yutong was also overjoyed, turning to look at her mother and Qian Chaoguang and his grandfather.

The Old Butler's heart sank, and he silently thought, This is bad.

The moment he saw that Huo Yutong possessed Innate Level Nine Soul Power, he knew Huo Yun'er was in danger.

A Body Martial Soul with Innate Level Nine Soul Power had a chance of reaching Titled Douluo!

With the Duchess's jealousy and cruelty, there was no way she would allow the Huo Mother and Daughter to survive until Dai Hao returned.

Yet he did not show it. Instead, he forced a smile, helped Huo Yun'er up, and said, "This time, you mother and daughter have finally made it through. When that brat Dai Hao returns, I'll definitely have a proper word with him."

He could only be more forceful from now on, hoping that the Duchess's contempt for the mother and daughter would allow him to take the two children away from this place of trouble after Huo Yun'er died.

Innate Level One Soul Power would have been fine.

But Innate Level Nine Soul Power...

Huo Yun'er was doomed.

Old readers all know this: updates came at a fixed time every day. Since the book began, there had never been a missed update or a request for leave.