Investing in the Future: Cultivating Martial Soul Fusion Skill Coordination from a Young Age

The square fell silent in an instant.

All the disciples rose to their feet, gazing solemnly toward the mountain gate.

"The Clan Leader has returned!"

The crowd parted like a tide, opening a broad passage down the middle.

A tall, burly figure strode through the mountain gate with the bearing of a dragon and tiger.

The man was none other than Yu Yuanzhen, Clan Leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Xiaoheng stopped what he was doing and casually wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve, his breathing steady.

Yu Xiaogang immediately straightened his clothes, his face filled with filial affection and reverence as he stepped forward first.

"Father!"

Yu Xiaoheng also walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with his younger brother.

"Father, you're back."

Yu Yuanzhen's gaze swept over his two sons, and a faint, gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Mm."

He first looked at Yu Xiaogang, his eyes full of a father's pride and satisfaction.

Then his gaze settled on Yu Xiaoheng.

Yet beneath that gentle look, a trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes.

He saw Yu Xiaoheng's sweat-soaked clothes, as well as the faint redness on his young palms from training.

A waste.

That was the first word that surfaced in Yu Yuanzhen's mind.

My son carries the bloodline of the continent's finest Beast Spirit.

There was a great chance that he would awaken a true Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, with Level Eight Innate, Level Nine Innate, or perhaps even the legendary Innate Full Soul Power!

Yet now, he was wasting his precious energy on merchant pursuits and the body-tempering techniques of ordinary people.

Yu Yuanzhen saw further than those elders.

His fooling around now could still be tolerated.

But if he remained this way after his Spirit Awakening, would he not completely squander his natural gifts?

Thoughts raced through his mind, but he did not voice them.

Forcing him might only backfire.

Better wait a little longer.

After the Spirit Awakening, everything would become clear.

If Xiaoheng's talent was comparable to Xiaogang's, or even only slightly inferior, then he could let him do as he pleased.

The clan's future could not be placed on an heir with no interest in cultivation.

When the time came, all resources would be directed toward Xiaogang, grooming him with everything they had to become the next Clan Leader.

As for Xiaoheng...

He could become a wealthy man, manage the clan's businesses, and live a life free from worries over food and clothing. That would count as this father's final act of care for him.

After all, compared to Xiaogang, he truly was...

Far too lacking!

Yu Yuanzhen gathered his thoughts and patted both sons on the shoulder.

"Come. Return with me."

Yu Xiaoheng followed silently.

Yu Xiaogang deliberately slowed by half a step and walked beside him.

He lowered his voice.

"Brother, did you see that? What Father values in the end is bloodline and talent, not those unpresentable things."

Yu Xiaoheng kept his eyes forward, his steps steady.

All the words Yu Xiaogang had prepared were lodged in his throat, and his expression stiffened slightly.

They passed through the Martial Arts Arena and arrived at a side hall in the inner courtyard.

Yu Yuanzhen stopped.

He turned around, his gaze passing over the expectant Yu Xiaogang and falling directly on Yu Xiaoheng.

The earlier disappointment had vanished, replaced by gentleness.

"Xiaoheng."

Yu Yuanzhen spoke, his tone much softer.

"The person you asked me to find—I brought her."

Yu Xiaogang froze.

Find someone?

Someone for Yu Xiaoheng?

Who was it?

Just as uncertainty clouded his mind, a small figure timidly emerged from behind the folding screen.

She was a little girl of about four or five.

Her old clothes had been washed until they had faded white, yet they could not conceal her natural liveliness.

Her pitch-black eyes were like two black gems submerged in water, darting about as she nervously and curiously took in the splendor around her.

She was unquestionably a beauty in the making.

For a moment, Yu Xiaoheng's breathing stopped.

Yu Xiaogang's eyes immediately lit up.

He had never seen such an adorable girl before. Her delicate features and lively spirit stirred an intense desire within him.

He wanted her.

He wanted this girl to look only at him and smile only at him.

He instinctively straightened his chest and put on what he believed was the smile that best displayed the bearing of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's young lord.

But the girl's gaze merely swept over him before quickly shifting away with a trace of barely perceptible disgust.

Yu Xiaogang's lecherous gaze made her very uncomfortable.

The next moment, the girl's eyes settled on Yu Xiaoheng's face.

Her eyes flew wide open as delight blossomed within them.

It was him!

The person from the portrait!

The great benefactor who had sent people to deliver lots of money and lots of delicious candy to her and her mother, and had even cured her mother's illness!

The little girl no longer cared about manners or fear.

Lifting her skirt, she rushed straight at Yu Xiaoheng like a fledgling bird returning to its nest.

"Brother Xiaoheng!"

Her clear, affectionate child's voice rang through the entire side hall.

Under Yu Xiaogang's suddenly darkened gaze, Liu Erlong plunged headlong into Yu Xiaoheng's arms, her tiny arms tightly wrapping around his waist.

"Thank you... Thank you for the things you sent! My mother said you're our family's great benefactor!"

The sudden impact forced Yu Xiaoheng half a step back before he steadied himself.

He looked down at the little head in his arms, and the heavy stone in his heart finally fell away.

A surge of emotion flooded his heart like a rising tide.

Finally... I found you again!

He raised a hand and gently patted Liu Erlong's back, his movements carrying a steadiness and tenderness no child his age should have possessed.

Yet there was not a shred of warmth in his eyes, only calculation and determination.

The Golden Iron Triangle...

Flender was far away, impossible to track down.

But you must stay by my side!

You are the most important piece of the puzzle on my path ahead!

Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened slightly.

Why?

Why could Yu Xiaoheng make such an adorable girl throw herself into his arms?

In what way am I inferior to him?!

Yu Yuanzhen's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He looked at the undisguised jealousy on Yu Xiaogang's face, then glanced at his eldest son, who held Liu Erlong with a calm expression.

Still just a child.

"Since she is someone you brought back, you will be responsible for her from now on."

Yu Yuanzhen's voice was indifferent.

To him, this was merely another trivial matter in which Yu Xiaoheng was "neglecting his proper duties," no different from dabbling in trade—something unworthy of notice.

He waved a hand, signaling that the matter was over, then turned and headed toward the inner hall.

A true dragon would hardly be distracted by such mundane matters.

Yu Xiaoheng gave a slight nod, accepting.

Feeling the warmth and complete trust radiating from the tiny body in his arms, he laid down the first stroke of the blueprint in his heart.

From then on, life became regular and fulfilling.

Early each morning, before the sky had fully brightened, Yu Xiaoheng would appear in the courtyard, repeating the dull body-tempering movements over and over. Sweat soon soaked through his clothes, leaving dark marks across the bluestone slabs.

Liu Erlong sat obediently on the stone steps, a fruit hard candy in her little mouth, her large dark eyes following his every movement without blinking.