Yu Yuanzhen: The Farce Is Over! Awaken, Yu Xiaogang!

Yu Xiaoheng was stunned.

Something soft within his heart felt as though it had been lightly pricked.

He reached out and gently stroked Bibi Dong's head.

"No."

"Don't worry."

Bibi Dong said nothing. She only lowered her head even further.

In silence, the two turned and walked into the dark tunnel leading to the Martial Arts Arena.

The tunnel was quiet, filled only with the faint echo of their footsteps.

Liu Erlong's outburst had left Yu Xiaoheng's thoughts in turmoil. Bibi Dong was also completely different from the mad Rakshasa God he knew, leaving him confused for a moment.

He did not know what to say.

At some point, a small icy hand quietly grasped the hem of his clothes.

He did not turn back. He merely slowed his pace.

Bibi Dong followed closely behind him without saying a word.

At the end of the tunnel was the light from the Martial Arts Arena's entrance.

Yu Xiaoheng stopped and looked at Bibi Dong beside him, about to speak.

As though startled, Bibi Dong released his clothes on her own and timidly took half a step back.

Yu Xiaoheng had even less idea what to say.

He had rehearsed countless times in his mind what words and methods he should use to keep this future Pope firmly under his control.

But he had not expected Bibi Dong to be like this...

He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes.

"I'll awaken high-level Soul Power and take you away from Spirit Hall."

This time, he was too embarrassed to claim that he would definitely possess Innate Full Soul Power.

What he said was only what he was certain he could achieve.

In the Original Work, even Yu Xiaogang found an opportunity to run away with Bibi Dong. At least I know the plot...

Yu Xiaoheng pondered.

Bibi Dong still said nothing.

She merely lifted her head and stared blankly at Yu Xiaoheng's face with those pure violet eyes, as though she wanted to forever remember his expression at this moment.

Yu Xiaoheng said no more and turned to step out of the tunnel.

He emerged from a concealed exit and did not draw anyone's attention.

Because at that moment... everyone's gaze was focused on Yu Xiaogang atop the Awakening Platform.

"The farce is about to end."

Yu Yuanzhen took a deep breath and turned toward the several distinguished figures in the VIP Seats.

He forced out a smile and clasped his hands toward Qian Xunji, Ning Zhenyuan, and Tang Wei.

"It's nothing."

"It's nothing."

"That little girl who awakened the Fire Dragon Spirit was merely speaking without restraint, as children do."

Ning Zhenyuan spoke.

Tang Wei and Qian Xunji responded with smiles as well.

Liu Erlong was ultimately not dragged away.

Several clan members watched over her and placed her in a corner not far from the Awakening Platform, like an abandoned little beast.

Around her, several young clan members pointed at her and whispered among themselves.

"She's truly blind. Young Master Xiaogang is such a peerless genius, yet she refuses to follow him."

"She still believes in that trash Yu Xiaoheng? I think something's wrong with her head!"

"Exactly. Once Yu Xiaoheng's trash Martial Soul appears later, let's see how she keeps talking tough!"

The filthy insults reached Liu Erlong's ears, and she stubbornly raised her head.

But she was, after all, only six years old.

What could she do?

Grievance, anger, helplessness—every emotion surged into her heart.

At last, her tears burst forth, rolling down her dirty cheeks and dripping into the dust.

She could only stare fixedly at the Awakening Stone Platform with those reddened eyes, as though she wished to see through that cold stone and keep looking until she saw the figure she wanted to see.

Several clan elders frowned at the sight.

"Enough! Shut up, all of you!"

One elder barked.

Liu Erlong possessed a Level Eight Innate Mutated Spirit and was a future pillar of the clan! What nonsense were these little bastards spouting?

Besides, once Yu Xiaoheng's worthless nature was exposed, she would naturally understand who was the true one worthy of following...

Yet even though no one provoked her any further.

Liu Erlong continued to mutter pitifully, "I don't want to follow Yu Xiaogang."

"I want Brother Xiaoheng."

"He'll come!"

"His Martial Soul will definitely be better than anyone else's!"

She cried even harder, her tiny shoulders trembling with each sob.

But...

It seemed that no one cared.

At last, every gaze returned to the center of the arena.

Yu Xiaogang.

The true protagonist of the day.

In the VIP Seats, whether it was the bishop from Spirit Hall or the visitors from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect, all put away their spectator mentality and became focused.

Yu Yuanzhen clenched his fists tightly, his palms drenched in sweat.

Xiaogang... the clan's future rests entirely on your shoulders. You... must not disappoint me!

He silently muttered to himself.

However, when he recalled how the elders and disciples throughout the clan had always held Xiaogang in high regard.

Yu Yuanzhen calmed slightly.

So many people thought highly of Xiaogang. Surely they could not all be wrong...

There could be no problem with Xiaogang's awakening!

The elders and so many people in the clan could not possibly be deceiving me, could they?

The guests, meanwhile, each had their own thoughts.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had made such a grand display and placed such high hopes on this second son. Could it be... that they had used some secret method to learn of his talent in advance?

Then Yu Xiaogang must be extraordinarily remarkable!

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect could not possibly have invited us here without any confidence, right?

That was impossible!

At the center of the Martial Arts Arena.

The elder in charge of the awakening called out loudly.

The jet-black Awakening Stone was activated, blooming with a gentle golden light that enveloped Yu Xiaogang.

All eyes were upon him!

Yu Xiaogang closed his eyes, roaring wildly in his heart.

Xiao Heng! Do you see this?!

After today, you and I will be as different as clouds and mud! One in the heavens, the other on the earth!

Though we are brothers, our fates were determined from the very moment we were born!

My era will begin from this moment...!

The light flared brilliantly and shot into the sky, bathing the entire Martial Arts Arena in golden radiance!

Everyone held their breath.

The light faded.

The stone platform was completely empty.

Yu Xiaogang... had nothing.

No phantom of any Martial Soul appeared behind him.

A deathly silence fell over the Martial Arts Arena.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the empty stone platform.

What was going on?

Where was his Martial Soul?

Could that golden light from earlier have been an illusion?

"Oink."

A soft, muffled cry rang out.

Everyone followed the sound and saw an adorably plump little piglet standing by Yu Xiaogang's feet at some point, affectionately nudging his ankle with its snout.

The silence in the Martial Arts Arena shattered, and the crowd instantly erupted.

"Where did that pig come from?"

"Whose livestock got in here? Quick! Drive it away! Don't delay Young Master Xiaogang's awakening ceremony!"

One clan member came to his senses and immediately moved to step forward.

Yu Xiaogang's face turned from flushed red to deathly pale.

He could clearly feel an inseverable bloodline connection between himself and that little pig.

No... impossible!

My Martial Soul should be the continent's most supreme Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!