Investing in the Future: Cultivating Martial Soul Fusion Skill Coordination from Childhood

The square fell silent in an instant.

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

"The Sect Master has returned!"

Like a tide, the crowd parted to either side, opening a wide path.

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

The newcomer was none other than Yu Yuanzhen, Sect Master 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 beside 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 fell upon Yu Xiaoheng.

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

He saw Yu Xiaoheng's sweat-soaked clothes, as well as the faint redness on his tender 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 Martial Soul.

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

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

Yu Yuanzhen saw further ahead than those Elders.

His fooling around now could still be tolerated.

But if, after his Martial Soul Awakening, he still possessed such a disposition, would he not utterly bury his own talent?

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

Forcing him might prove counterproductive.

Wait a little longer.

After the Martial Soul Awakening, everything would become clear.

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

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

At that time, all resources would be directed toward Xiaogang, nurturing him with all their strength into the next generation's Sect Master.

As for Xiaoheng...

He could become a wealthy man, manage the clan's businesses, and live a life free of want. That would count as the last protection I could give him as his father.

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

Far inferior!

Yu Yuanzhen collected himself and patted both sons on the shoulders.

"Come. Return with me."

Yu Xiaoheng followed in silence.

Yu Xiaogang deliberately slowed by half a step to walk beside him.

He lowered his voice.

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

Yu Xiaoheng kept his eyes ahead, his steps steady.

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

They crossed 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 before landing directly on Yu Xiaoheng.

The disappointment from before had vanished, replaced by gentleness.

"Xiaoheng."

Yu Yuanzhen spoke, his tone much softer.

"I brought the person you asked me to find."

Yu Xiaogang froze.

Find someone?

Someone for Yu Xiaoheng?

Who was it?

Just as he was filled with uncertainty, a small figure timidly emerged from behind a folding screen.

She was a little girl of around four or five.

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

Her jet-black eyes were like black gems submerged in water, darting around as she looked over the magnificent surroundings with equal parts nervousness and curiosity.

She was undeniably 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 a powerful desire within him.

He wanted her.

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

He subconsciously 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 Master.

But the girl's gaze merely swept over him before swiftly moving away with a nearly imperceptible trace of disgust.

Yu Xiaogang's lecherous gaze made her deeply uncomfortable.

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

Her eyes widened sharply, delight blooming within them.

It was him!

The person in the portrait!

The great benefactor who had sent someone to deliver so much money and so many delicious candies to her and her mother, and had even cured her mother's illness!

The little girl could no longer spare a thought for rules 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 echoed through the entire side hall.

Under Yu Xiaogang's suddenly darkened gaze, Liu Erlong plunged 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 made Yu Xiaoheng stagger back half a step before he steadied himself.

He looked down at the Small Head in his arms, and a huge weight in his heart finally lifted.

Excitement surged through him like a tide.

Finally... I found you again!

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

Yet there was not the slightest warmth in his eyes, only threads of calculation and resolve.

The Golden Iron Triangle...

Flender was far away, and his whereabouts were difficult to trace.

But you had to remain by my side!

You are the most important piece of my future plans!

Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened slightly.

What Basis?

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 brows 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.

He was still only a child.

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

Yu Yuanzhen's voice was indifferent.

In his eyes, this was merely another one of Yu Xiaoheng's "unproductive" trifles, no different from merchant pursuits and equally beneath notice.

He waved a hand to signal that the matter was settled, then turned and walked toward the inner hall.

How could a true dragon allow itself to be distracted by such mundane affairs?

Yu Xiaoheng nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Feeling the warmth and complete trust of the small body in his arms, he laid down the first stroke of the blueprint he had been planning in his heart.

The days that followed became orderly and fulfilling.

Early each morning, before dawn had fully broken, Yu Xiaoheng would appear in the courtyard, repeating the tedious body-tempering movements again and again. Sweat quickly soaked his clothes, leaving dark marks across the bluestone paving.

Liu Erlong would sit obediently on the stone steps, a fruit hard candy in her mouth, her round black eyes following his every movement without blinking.