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

The clamor by the Thunder Pool gradually subsided, but the feverish atmosphere spread through every corner of the clan.

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

Before long, within Clear Sky Sect territory.

Yu Xiaoheng's name resounded far and wide.

Inside the sect's main hall.

Tang Wei recounted everything that had happened in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to those who had remained behind in the sect, leaving out no detail.

"Fourth level of Lightning Pool Body Tempering?"

"The Golden Sacred Dragon Martial Soul mutated and gained control over Thunder Force?"

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

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

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

It was Tang Hao.

He carried a massive Clear Sky Hammer over his shoulder, its head carved with ancient and savage patterns.

"How strong can a six-year-old child really be?"

Tang Hao's voice was deep and resonant.

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

Tang Xiao said in a low voice, "Second Brother, do not underestimate him. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has produced someone like this. It may not bode well for our sect's future."

Tang Hao grinned.

"Someone like him?"

"I'll wait for him."

"At the next-next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."

"I'll personally test just how capable this so-called True Dragon is in the Tournament Arena."

"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.

Nearby, Tang Yuehua, who had been quietly listening, had a flash of wonder in her beautiful eyes.

Yu Xiaoheng...

For Second Brother to say the words "I'll wait for him," just how great a genius must he be?

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

Second Brother's resolve and bearing were like mountains—unyielding and indestructible.

Could that young man named Yu Xiaoheng truly... catch up to Second Brother's footsteps?

Even with Innate Full Soul Power, Second Brother's talent was no less extraordinary!

Those with full soul power were rare among the heroes of the world, yet not unheard of. But someone with Second Brother's character was utterly without equal!

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've just finished tempering your body. Eat something first."

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

"I'm fine, Second Dragon. I'm doing very well."

He looked at Liu Erlong, his gaze serious.

"Once I obtain my First Soul 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'll soon be heading to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain my First Soul Ring."

"This time, the evolution of my Martial Soul will completely stabilize my authority over thunderclap."

He set down the bowl, a thoughtful light flickering in his eyes.

"It's just a little unfortunate. With my current Dragon Body Perfection, absorbing a three-thousand-year Spirit Ring wouldn't be a problem. But my target this time is a Fourteen Hundred Years Spirit Beast."

Liu Erlong asked in confusion, "Why?"

Yu Xiaoheng explained, "Martial Soul Evolution is like building a house. The foundation matters most. The attribute of the first Spirit Ring will lay the foundation for the future. As for the Year Limit... there will be plenty of ways to raise it later."

He knew that the blessings of the Gods could increase a Spirit Ring's Year Limit.

There were even methods Yu Xiaoheng did not know of, but which surely existed, that could increase the Year Limit.

But once a type of Spirit Ring had been chosen, it would be difficult to change.

An unstable Martial Soul might have a higher upper limit, but every step of its evolution required even greater precision! Otherwise... there was a risk of falling into ruin.

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

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

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

"Xiaoheng, make your preparations. The sect will hold a Soul Hunting Ceremony for you."

With a wave of his hand, dozens of young men and maidens 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 rang out as one.

Yu Yuanzhen looked at Yu Xiaoheng, his voice solemn.

"From today onward, they are your people."

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

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

Yu Xiaoheng was slightly shaken.

So this is what it means to be the Heir of a top-tier sect...

In the fanfiction novels he had read in his previous life, the protagonists mostly fought alone, even growing estranged from their sects.

But he...

At the very beginning of everything, 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 possessed limitless potential—to seek Dragon Attribute Spirit Beasts, or even Spirit Beasts of other elements based on his Martial Soul's traits—he needed the support of a massive force.

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

Forget 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 dozens of Sect Disciples remained kneeling, heads lowered as they awaited their new master's first command.

Yu Xiaoheng looked calmly at the crowd below.

At that moment, several figures in the crowd stirred slightly, then pushed past the others and crawled several steps forward.

Liu Erlong frowned, a trace of anger flashing through her eyes.

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

She recognized them.

When Yu Xiaoheng had been judged to be neglecting his proper duties, these people had been among the most enthusiastic in mocking him.

Yu Xiaoheng's expression shifted slightly as memories surged into his mind like a tide.

He remembered.

When he was five years old and had earned his first pot of gold, buying Whale Rubber in large quantities.

The ridicule from these people before him had been the harshest.

Could these people... truly submit to him?

"Young Sect Master!"

The young man at the lead was named Yu Lin. He raised his head, his face filled with fear and regret.

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

Smack!

The crisp sound was especially jarring in the silent courtyard.

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

Smack! Another slap.

"We are sinners of the sect!"

The others behind him followed suit, and soon, the courtyard was filled with nothing but the sounds of slaps landing on faces.

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

"Enough."

Yu Lin and the others raised their heads, bloody marks on their faces as they looked at him anxiously.

Yu Xiaoheng looked at them and slowly said, "Let the past stay in the past. No one is perfect; who can avoid making mistakes?"

"Remember this: you are not kneeling to me, Yu Xiaoheng. Your loyalty belongs to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Your honor and disgrace today have nothing to do with me personally, but everything to do with the sect's future."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"What I need is not a group of servants who only know how to kowtow and beg forgiveness, but a group of warriors who can follow me into battle in every direction and make the name Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon resound across the Entire Continent."

"Can you do that?"

His words struck the ground with force.

The dozens of Disciples kneeling below were stunned at first, then blazing light erupted in their eyes.

What magnanimity! What bearing!

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

"For the sect, we will not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!"

The response rose like Mountain Calls and Sea Roars, making even the air in the courtyard hum.

Yet Yu Xiaoheng's mind was completely clear.

Have my words become more persuasive?

No.

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

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

This was the taste of power.