Tang Hao: Yu Xiaoheng? I'll Wait for You to Grow

The clamor by the Thunder Pool gradually subsided, but an atmosphere of fervor still permeated every corner of the clan.

After exchanging a round of polite congratulations, the guests from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect rose to take their leave.

Not long afterward, within the Clear Sky Sect's territory.

Yu Xiaoheng's name resounded throughout the land.

Inside the sect's great hall.

Tang Wei relayed everything that had happened in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to those remaining behind in the sect, sparing no detail.

"Fourth level of Thunder Pool body tempering?"

"His Golden Holy Dragon Spirit mutated, and he gained control over the Power of Lightning?"

Tang Xiao, one of the Clear Sky Twins, wore a grave expression.

If this person grew up, he would likely pose no small threat to the Clear Sky Sect's position as the foremost of the Upper Three Sects.

In a corner, a tall, burly figure slowly rose to his feet.

It was Tang Hao.

A massive Clear Sky Hammer rested on his shoulder, its head etched with ancient, savage patterns.

"A six-year-old brat. No matter how strong he is, how strong can he really be?"

Tang Hao's voice was deep and resonant.

"Big Brother, you think too highly of him. He hasn't even grown up yet."

Tang Xiao said solemnly, "Second Brother, do not underestimate him. For the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to produce someone like this may not be a good thing for our sect's future."

Tang Hao grinned.

"Someone like that?"

"I'll wait for him."

"The Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament of the next next generation."

"On the tournament grounds, I'll personally test just how capable this so-called True Dragon is."

"I hope he doesn't disappoint me."

With that, he carried his hammer and strode out of the council hall.

No one in the hall dared stop him.

Tang Yuehua, who had been quietly listening nearby, had a glimmer of fascination flash through her beautiful eyes.

Yu Xiaoheng...

For him to make Second Brother say the words "I'll wait for him," just what kind of genius was he?

But then, as she watched Tang Hao's departing back, that curiosity turned into trust and admiration.

Second Brother's temperament, Second Brother's bearing—they were like mountains, immovable and indestructible.

Could that boy named Yu Xiaoheng really... catch up to Second Brother's footsteps?

Even if he had Innate Full Soul Power, Second Brother's talent was no worse!

Heroes with full soul power were rare, but not unheard of. Yet someone with Second Brother's temperament was absolutely one of a kind!

Several days later.

In Yu Xiaoheng's courtyard within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Liu Erlong brought over a bowl of plain porridge.

"Brother Xiaoheng, you just finished tempering your body. Eat something first."

Yu Xiaoheng accepted the bowl, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

"I'm fine, Erlong. Better than ever."

He looked at Liu Erlong with a serious gaze.

"Once I obtain my First Spirit Ring and stabilize my strength, I'll soon be able to help you solve the problem with your Martial Soul."

Liu Erlong's eyes reddened, and she nodded heavily.

Yu Xiaoheng took a sip of porridge and continued, "I'm about to head to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain my First Spirit Ring."

"This Martial Soul Evolution will completely stabilize my authority over Thunder."

He set down the bowl, a thoughtful gleam flashing in his eyes.

"It's just a little unfortunate. With my current Perfected Dragon Body, absorbing a Three Thousand Year Spirit Ring wouldn't be a problem. But this time, my target is a One Thousand Four Hundred Year soul beast."

Liu Erlong asked in confusion, "Why?"

Yu Xiaoheng explained, "Martial Soul Evolution is like building a house—the foundation is the most important part. The attribute of the first Spirit Ring will lay the foundation for the future. As for the age... there will be plenty of ways to increase it later."

He knew that God's Blessing could increase the age of a Spirit Ring.

There were even methods Yu Xiaoheng did not know about, but which certainly existed, that could increase their age as well.

But once the type of Spirit Ring was chosen, it would be difficult to change.

An unstable Martial Soul certainly had a higher upper limit, but every step of its evolution required even greater precision! Otherwise... there would be a risk of degeneration.

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Yu Yuanzhen strode inside with the bearing of a dragon and tiger.

His gaze fell upon Yu Xiaoheng, filled with undisguised pride and expectation.

"Xiaoheng, make your preparations. The clan will hold a Spirit Hunting Ceremony for you."

With a wave of his hand, several dozen boys and girls around Yu Xiaoheng's age, or slightly older, entered behind him and dropped to one knee in perfect unison.

"Greetings, Young Sect Master!"

Their voices rose as one.

Yu Yuanzhen looked at Yu Xiaoheng, his voice solemn.

"From today onward, they are yours."

"Your command is their life. If you tell them to die, they must die."

"But you must also take responsibility for their future. They are the new blood of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and they will be your right-hand men in the future."

Yu Xiaoheng's heart trembled slightly.

Is this what it meant to be the heir of a top-tier sect...?

In those fanfiction novels I read in my previous life, the protagonists mostly fought alone, sometimes even becoming estranged from their sects.

And I...

At the very beginning of everything, I had directly taken control of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's future!

He took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yes, Father."

Naturally, he accepted gladly.

To find the most suitable light for his Martial Soul, which held limitless potential, dragon-attribute soul beasts, and even soul beasts of other elements based on the characteristics of his Martial Soul, he needed the support of an enormous force.

Relying on himself alone would be like searching for a needle in the ocean.

Not to mention himself—even the strength of the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might not be enough!

Yu Yuanzhen nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.

In the courtyard, the several dozen clan disciples remained kneeling with their heads lowered, awaiting their new master's first command.

Yu Xiaoheng looked down at the crowd, his gaze calm.

At that moment, several figures in the crowd stirred slightly, then unexpectedly pushed their way forward and crawled a few steps ahead.

Liu Erlong frowned, anger flashing through her eyes.

"Yu Lin, Yu Hu! You still dare come forward?"

She recognized them.

Back when Yu Xiaoheng had been deemed someone who neglected his proper duties, these people had been among the most vocal.

Yu Xiaoheng's expression shifted slightly as memories surged forth like a tide.

He remembered.

When he was five, after accumulating his first pot of gold and buying large quantities of Whale Rubber.

The mockery from these people before him had been the most vicious.

Could these people... truly submit to me?

"Young Sect Master!"

The leading youth was named Yu Lin. He raised his head, his face full of fear and regret.

Before Yu Xiaoheng could speak, he raised his hand and fiercely slapped himself across the face.

Smack!

The crisp sound was especially piercing in the silent courtyard.

"Young Sect Master, we were blind and ignorant. We should never have mocked you!"

Smack! Another slap.

"We are sinners of the clan!"

Seeing this, the others behind him followed suit. For a time, the courtyard was filled with nothing but the sounds of slaps striking faces.

Liu Erlong found it satisfying, yet also felt that they had gone too far. She instinctively looked toward Yu Xiaoheng.

"Enough."

Yu Xiaoheng spoke indifferently.

Yu Lin and the others raised their heads, blood-red handprints on their faces as they looked at him anxiously.

Yu Xiaoheng looked at them and slowly said, "Let the past remain in the past. No one is perfect; who can be free of faults?"

"Remember this: you are not kneeling to me, Yu Xiaoheng. The one you are loyal to is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Your honor and disgrace today have nothing to do with me personally, but they are closely tied to the clan's future."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.

"What I need is not a group of slaves who only know how to kowtow and admit their mistakes, but a group of warriors who can conquer the world with me and make the name Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon resound throughout the continent."

"Can you do that?"

His words struck the ground with force.

The several dozen disciples kneeling below were first stunned, before blazing light erupted in their eyes.

What magnanimity! What spirit!

"We swear to follow the Young Sect Master unto death!"

"For the clan, we will not shrink from death a thousand times over!"

The thunderous response made the air in the courtyard hum.

Yet Yu Xiaoheng's mind was perfectly clear.

Had my way with words become more skillful?

No.

If the same words had come from the old Yu Xiaoheng, who had been "obsessed with the way of commerce," they would only have drawn even more ridicule.

What had changed was not the words, but the status of the person speaking them.

This was the taste of power.