Yu Xiaogang's Mockery, the Difficulty of Body Refinement

"Shut up!"

It was Yu Yuanzhen!

His chest heaved violently, his Tiger Eyes fixed firmly on his second son. What churned within them was towering fury, along with a trace of... disappointment.

At a time like this!

What had the clan paid such an enormous price for?

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

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

So lacking in the bigger picture, so unreasonably obstinate—it was simply incomprehensible!

Yu Yuanzhen felt as though he was seeing Yu Xiaogang for the first time.

Seeing this son whose face was twisted with malice, whose mind had been clouded by jealousy.

Yu Xiaogang did not shut up.

He craned his neck and shouted with all his strength:

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

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

"The Sect Records state that the first body refinement lays the foundation! Clan disciples use one Thunderstone at the age of twelve and can at most reach the first level, Thunder Veins First Pass, allowing lightning energy to seep into the meridians and slightly strengthen the body!"

"The second body refinement requires two stones before one can possibly touch the threshold of the second level, Dragon Scales First Manifestation, causing faint blue scale patterns to emerge on the skin and allowing Lightning Power to gradually be stored within the body!"

He suddenly raised his hand and pointed straight at Yu Xiaoheng.

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

"Even with thirty-six Jade Marrow Thunder Stones, at best, he can only cultivate the first level, Thunder Veins First Pass, to its limit! His meridians will be somewhat tougher than those of ordinary disciples, and his Soul Power will circulate faster!"

"But that's not much different from directly using one Jade Marrow Thunder Stone and waiting until he turns twelve to refine his body again!"

"The remaining thirty-five are nothing but a waste!!"

He took a deep breath and threw out his final trump card.

"Furthermore, the third level of the Thunder Dragon Transformation Art, Thunder Bone Solidification, requires one to be over twenty and use five Thunderstones to temper the bones through with lightning before the physique can be greatly enhanced!"

"Yu Xiaoheng! If you want to absorb the Fourteen Hundred Years Spirit Ring of the Dawnlight Qilin Colt and make the family pay such a price, then you must reach the third level!"

"You can't possibly do it!!"

When his words fell, the area around the Thunder Pool became silent enough to hear a pin drop.

No one had expected Yu Xiaogang to bring up the theoretical knowledge behind the clan's Secret Technique for body refinement.

His arguments were clear and well-founded.

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

Do you see that?

This is the power of knowledge!

I, Yu Xiaogang, am not trash!

"Insolence!!"

A furious roar erupted like thunder from clear skies.

Yu Yuanzhen could no longer restrain himself.

A terrifying Soul Power Aura exploded outward, locking directly onto Yu Xiaogang.

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

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

Under the impact of that Soul Power, Yu Xiaogang felt as though he had been struck by a massive hammer and was violently sent flying to the ground.

Covered in dust and grime, he clutched his chest. A sweetness rose in his throat, and he could no longer utter another word.

Yu Yuanzhen took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging fury and blood in his chest.

He turned toward Tang Wei, Ning Zhenyuan, and the patriarchs of the four great families, his face grim as he cupped his hands.

"My son is ignorant. I have made a spectacle of myself before you all."

"The body refinement ceremony will continue."

Yu Yuanzhen's voice echoed beside the Thunder Pool.

Yet the atmosphere had already changed.

The high spirits and joy of everyone standing united in anticipation of a genius's rise had vanished without a trace.

Yu Xiaogang's words were like a poisoned thorn, piercing the hearts of every Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Member present.

Whispers buzzed like flies.

"Xiao Gang's words... seem to make sense."

"Yes, the Sect Records say as much. At six, with his bloodline undeveloped, forcing body refinement will 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 over a century will be shaken!"

"Is Sect Master Yu being too impatient?"

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

People's hearts were thrown into turmoil.

Resolute support had turned into doubt.

Tang Wei and Ning Zhenyuan exchanged a glance, both inwardly thinking that things had gone badly.

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

But the situation now was like being roasted over a fire, leaving them unable to advance or retreat.

Ning Zhenyuan gave a light cough, stepped forward, and smiled as he cupped his hands toward Yu Yuanzhen and the Elders.

"Sect Master Yu is overthinking it. There is no need for everyone to worry."

"Nephew Xiaoheng possesses Innate Full Soul Power and the Golden Sacred Dragon Martial Soul. How can he be measured by Common Sense? The purity of his bloodline likely surpasses that of any ancestor recorded in the Sect Records."

Tang Wei also spoke at the right moment.

"Exactly! I believe that with Nephew Xiaoheng's talent, his first body refinement will be enough to break through the shackles of Thunder Veins First Pass and directly touch the threshold of the second level, Dragon Scales First Manifestation!"

"Even if only a few scattered scale patterns emerge, that would still surpass the achievements of ordinary disciples at the age of twelve by several times! In the future, cultivating Thunder Bone Solidification and even Dragon Body Perfection will be as natural as water flowing into a channel!"

Though their words were pleasant, both men knew the truth perfectly well.

Yu Xiaoheng's age was a crippling weakness.

This body refinement would most likely yield limited gains. They were merely offering polite words, giving Yu Yuanzhen—and themselves—a way out.

Yu Xiaoheng's expression was equally grave.

More than anyone, he knew that in order to save Second Dragon, he had to cultivate the Thunder Refining Body Method to the third level, Thunder Bone Solidification!

After awakening his Martial Soul, he had gained a "trump card," which gave him confidence that he could surpass Common Sense and greatly accelerate his body refinement progress.

But even he was not completely certain that he could soar straight to the third level in one step.

Yet he had no way back.

Yu Xiaoheng reached out and untied his shirt, revealing an upper body that was still youthful but well-proportioned.

He walked toward the Thunder Pool.

Just before he stepped into the water, a clear shout rang through the Entire Venue.

"Seven Treasures Famous, first: Strength!"

Ning Zhenyuan's voice was steady and powerful.

Dazzling seven-colored light shot into the sky, and 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 Spirit Ring at the very top blossomed with a deep, profound radiance.

"Second: Speed!"

"Third: Soul!"

"Fourth: Defense!"

"Fifth: Attack!"

"Sixth: Amplification!"

"Seven Treasures True Body!"

Ning Zhenyuan paused, activating the seventh level of his pagoda, which had yet to absorb a Spirit Ring. Through the form of a Martial Soul Avatar, he pushed the effects of the first six Spirit Skills to their limits!

Seven streams of differently colored light descended from the sky like a dream, all of them enveloping Yu Xiaoheng's small body.

Everyone watched in dazzlement. This was the true power of the world's number one Support Type Martial Soul!

Ning Zhenyuan's face turned slightly pale. Clearly, activating all seven Spirit Skills at once consumed an enormous amount of his power.