Yu Xiaogang's Mockery, the Difficulty of Body Tempering

"Shut up!"

It was Yu Yuanzhen!

His chest heaved violently as his tiger-like eyes fixed on his second son. Within them surged towering rage, along with a trace of... disappointment.

At a time like this!

Why had the clan paid such an enormous price?

It was for Yu Xiaoheng, and for the clan's future!

Once Xiaoheng truly grew up, would he mistreat his own younger brother?

So lacking in the bigger picture, so irrationally obstinate—he was simply incomprehensible!

Yu Yuanzhen felt as though he were meeting Yu Xiaogang for the first time.

Meeting this son of his, whose face was twisted with malice and whose mind had been clouded by jealousy.

Yu Xiaogang did not shut up.

He craned his neck and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Don't think piling up resources guarantees success!"

"Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Thunderous Body Tempering Method emphasizes gradual progress and bloodline compatibility!"

"The records state that the first body tempering is meant to establish a foundation! When clan disciples turn twelve, they use one Thunder Guiding Stone and can at most reach the first stage, Initial Meridian Opening, allowing lightning energy to seep into their meridians and slightly strengthen their bodies!"

"The second body tempering requires two stones before they can possibly touch the threshold of the second stage, Initial Dragon Scale Manifestation, causing faint blue scale patterns to emerge on their skin while gradually storing lightning power within their bodies!"

He abruptly raised a hand and pointed straight at Yu Xiaoheng.

"Yu Xiaoheng is only six! His bloodline hasn't fully developed yet!"

"Even with thirty-six Jade Marrow Thunder Stones, at best, he can only cultivate the first stage, Initial Meridian Opening, to its limit! His meridians may be tougher than those of ordinary disciples, and his Soul Power may circulate faster!"

"But that's barely any different from using a single Jade Marrow Thunder Stone and supplementing the tempering when he turns twelve!"

"The remaining thirty-five are all wasted!!"

He took a deep breath and played his final trump card.

"Furthermore, the third stage of the Thunder Dragon Transformation Art, Solidified Thunder Bones, requires five Thunder Guiding Stones after one turns twenty, using lightning to thoroughly temper the bones in order to greatly improve the body!"

"Yu Xiaoheng! If you want to absorb the soul ring of a One Thousand Four Hundred Year Xi Guang Linju and make the family pay such a price, then you must reach the third stage!"

"You can't do it!!"

As his words fell, the area around the Thunder Pool became so silent that a needle could have been heard dropping.

No one had expected Yu Xiaogang to invoke the theoretical knowledge behind the clan's secret body-tempering art.

His arguments were orderly, clear, and well-founded.

Yu Xiaogang's chest rose and fell, but a surge of satisfaction welled up within him.

Did they see that?

This was the power of knowledge!

I, Yu Xiaogang, am not trash!

"How dare you!!"

The furious roar was like thunder erupting from level ground.

Yu Yuanzhen could no longer contain himself.

A terrifying aura of Soul Power burst forth, locking directly onto Yu Xiaogang.

He had never laid a hand on this son in all his life.

But this time, Yu Xiaogang's selfishness and shortsightedness had completely chilled his heart.

Struck by the impact of Soul Power, Yu Xiaogang felt as though he had been hit by a heavy hammer and was viciously thrown to the ground.

Covered in dust, he clutched his chest. A sweetness rose in his throat, and he could not utter another word.

Yu Yuanzhen drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging rage and churning blood within him.

He turned to Tang Wei, Ning Zhenyuan, and the clan heads of the Four Great Clans. With a dark expression, he cupped his hands.

"My foolish son is ignorant. Please forgive the embarrassment."

"The body-tempering ceremony will continue."

Yu Yuanzhen's voice echoed by the Thunder Pool.

Yet the atmosphere had changed.

The lofty excitement and joy of everyone united in anticipation of a genius's rise had vanished without a trace.

Yu Xiaogang's words were like poisoned thorns lodged in the hearts of every Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan member present.

Whispers buzzed like mosquitoes and flies.

"What Xiaogang said... seems reasonable."

"Yeah. The clan records say exactly that. At six, with the bloodline not yet developed, forcing body tempering would yield twice the effort for half the result."

"Thirty-six Jade Marrow Thunder Stones... If they really go to waste, our clan's foundation built up over a century will be shaken!"

"Is the Sect Master being too impatient?"

"It wouldn't be too late for Young Master Xiaoheng to temper his body when he turns twelve."

People's hearts had become unsettled.

Firm support had turned into doubt.

Tang Wei and Ning Zhenyuan exchanged glances, both inwardly thinking that things had gone bad.

They had come today to do the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan a favor and to witness the rise of a future powerhouse.

But with matters as they stood, they seemed to have been placed over a fire, unable to advance or retreat.

Ning Zhenyuan lightly coughed, stepped forward, and smiled as he cupped his hands toward Yu Yuanzhen and the elders.

"Sect Master Yu worries too much. Nor do any of you need to be concerned."

"Worthy Nephew Xiaoheng possesses Innate Full Soul Power and the Golden Holy Dragon Spirit. How can he be judged by common standards? The purity of his bloodline likely far surpasses that of any ancestor recorded in the archives."

Tang Wei also spoke up at the appropriate moment.

"Indeed! With Worthy Nephew Xiaoheng's talent, I believe that his first body tempering will be enough to break through the limits of Initial Meridian Opening and directly touch the threshold of the second stage, Initial Dragon Scale Manifestation!"

"Even if only a few scattered scale patterns emerge, that would still be several times greater than what ordinary disciples achieve at age twelve! In the future, cultivating Solidified Thunder Bones and even Perfected Dragon Body will naturally follow!"

Though their words were polished, both men understood the truth as clearly as a mirror.

Yu Xiaoheng's age was an insurmountable flaw.

This body tempering would, nine times out of ten, yield limited results. They were merely offering polite words, giving Yu Yuanzhen—and themselves—a way out.

Yu Xiaoheng's expression was also somewhat grave.

More than anyone else, he knew that in order to save Erlong, he had to cultivate the Thunderous Body Tempering Method to the third stage, Solidified Thunder Bones!

After awakening his Martial Soul, he had gained a "trump card," which gave him confidence that he could surpass conventional limits and greatly advance his body-tempering progress.

Yet he was not completely certain that he could soar straight to the third stage in a single leap.

But he had no way back.

Yu Xiaoheng reached out and untied his upper garment, revealing an upper body that was still youthful, yet evenly proportioned.

He walked toward the Thunder Pool.

Just as he was about to step into the water, a clear shout rang through the entire venue.

"Seven Treasures are renowned; first: Strength!"

Ning Zhenyuan's voice was steady and powerful.

Brilliant seven-colored radiance shot into the sky as an exquisitely crafted seven-story pagoda floated above his palm.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—seven soul rings lit up in sequence. Finally, the soul ring at the very top bloomed with a profound glow.

"Second: Speed!"

"Third: Soul!"

"Fourth: Defense!"

"Fifth: Attack!"

"Sixth: Amplification!"

"Seven Treasures True Body!"

Ning Zhenyuan paused. He activated the seventh level of the pagoda, which had yet to absorb a soul ring, using the Martial Soul Avatar form to push the effects of the first six soul skills to their absolute limit!

Seven streams of differently colored radiance descended like a dream, all enveloping Yu Xiaoheng's small body.

The crowd watched in dazzled amazement. This was the true might of the world's number one Support Type Martial Soul!

Ning Zhenyuan's face paled slightly. Clearly, activating all seven soul skills at once consumed a tremendous amount of energy.