The Arrival of Precious Herbs! Hope for a Surge in Innate Soul Power

Days passed one by one.

Whenever Yu Tianheng finished his training, Liu Erlong would run up like a little tail, stand on tiptoe, and clumsily wipe the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief that still carried the scent of milk.

"Brother Xiaoheng, your hands are getting stronger and stronger."

"Soon, yours will be too."

Yu Xiaoheng would take her little hand and patiently guide her into the basic stance of the Sect Fist Technique.

He taught her to read, using the Trading Firm Ledgers that others scorned as his textbooks.

He also taught her to identify medicinal herbs, carefully explaining the properties and value of every plant in the sect's Herb Garden.

This was not merely instruction. It was an investment, a form of taming.

He wanted to bind this girl firmly to his chariot, making her the sharpest and most reliable weapon in his future plans.

Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

Luo Sanpao.

Golden Sacred Dragon.

Without a Gold Finger, he could only take this most reliable path. Through day after day of interaction, he would cultivate flawless mutual understanding and lay the foundation for countless future Martial Soul fusions, using something close to "muscle memory" to forcibly push that Mutated Martial Soul toward its rightful ultimate form—the Radiant Sacred Dragon.

Liu Erlong was the cornerstone.

Yu Xiaogang had seen this scene from afar more than once.

The smile Liu Erlong showed only to Yu Xiaoheng was like a series of sharp thorns piercing his heart.

What basis?

I'm the true genius. Why can't she see me?

That thought grew wildly like Poisonous Herb.

One afternoon, Yu Xiaoheng was checking the accounts for the final shipment of perfume when a trusted steward hurried inside.

"Young Master!"

The steward lowered his voice, unable to suppress the excitement on his face.

"We found them! A merchant caravan traveling to and from the desert sent back word."

The pen in Yu Xiaoheng's hand stopped over the paper.

He looked up.

"Dawnlight Grass and Dragon Scale Grass?"

"They have both!"

"Buy all of it."

"But their asking price..." The steward looked troubled.

"I'll say it again," Yu Xiaoheng said. "No matter the cost, buy all of it."

The steward's heart trembled, and he immediately bowed.

"Yes, Young Master!"

After the steward withdrew, Yu Xiaoheng slowly let out a breath. At last, a genuine smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Everything was ready.

All that remained was to wait.

Several more days passed.

The sect's main hall was brightly lit, its atmosphere solemn.

Dozens of direct-line descendants the same age as Yu Xiaoheng and Yu Xiaogang were already lined up inside.

The Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony was imminent. This was the sect's final assessment.

Yu Xiaogang stood at the very front of the line, his posture straight and his chin slightly raised, like a sharp sword about to leave its sheath.

The Clan Members watching nearby whispered among themselves.

"Just look at Young Master Xiao Gang's bearing. He truly deserves to be the kirin child of our sect."

"I heard that with Physical Body strength alone, he can already break a wooden post as thick as a bowl!"

"He will definitely be the future Sect Master!"

At that moment, Yu Xiaoheng entered at an unhurried pace, holding Liu Erlong's hand.

In an instant, the direction of the discussion changed.

"Hmph, that Young Master has devoted all his attention to those foul-smelling businesses. Does he have even the slightest bearing of a Soul Master?"

"And that wild girl beside him—an outsider of unknown origin actually gets to stand here?"

"Spending every day with people like that has truly disgraced the Main Lineage."

The noisy voices entered his ears, but Yu Xiaoheng seemed not to hear them. He went straight to the end of the line and stood there, gazing levelly at the Sect Elder on the raised platform ahead.

A figure appeared soundlessly atop the platform.

The Sect Master, Yu Yuanzhen.

He merely stood there without releasing any Soul Power, yet the noise throughout the hall instantly subsided. The place became so quiet that a needle drop could be heard.

Yu Yuanzhen's gaze slowly swept over the childish faces below, his voice steady as a great bell.

"Five days from now will be the day of your Martial Soul Awakening."

"After awakening, you will embark on the path of Soul Masters. Remember: your surname is Yu, and your Martial Souls are inherited from the continent's strongest Beast Martial Soul—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"

"The sect's glory is your glory. The majesty of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon tolerates no stain!"

Though he spoke only a few words, every young man present was fired up, straightening his chest.

Then Yu Yuanzhen's gaze fell upon Yu Xiaogang at the front of the line.

"Bloodline alone means nothing. One who neglects learning is still trash. Today, I will test your knowledge of Martial Souls."

He said, "Xiao Gang, tell me about the basic classifications and characteristics of Martial Souls."

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward and answered clearly, "In reply, Father. Martial Souls are countless, but ultimately fall into two major categories: Tool Martial Souls and Beast Martial Souls. Tool Martial Souls take many forms and may specialize in offense, defense, control, or support, each with its own focus. The Beast Martial Souls inherited by our sect are renowned for their powerful offensive capabilities and Physical Body enhancements. Among them, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is the pinnacle, the apex of Assault Type Beast Martial Souls!"

His speech was clear and logically organized.

Several Elders on the platform, as well as the Clan Members watching nearby, all revealed approving smiles and nodded repeatedly.

As expected of the genius upon whom the sect had placed such high hopes.

Yu Yuanzhen's expression did not change, but his gaze passed over the crowd and landed on the figure at the end of the line holding the little girl's hand.

"Yu Xiaoheng."

At that call, everyone's eyes focused on him.

Their contemptuous, entertainment-seeking gazes were undisguised.

What could a "Young Master" obsessed with commerce possibly know about Martial Souls? He probably could not even name all the classifications.

Yu Xiaoheng remained calm. Releasing Liu Erlong's hand, he stepped forward twice.

Yu Yuanzhen's voice rang out again, carrying the tone of an examination.

"You will explain in detail the characteristics of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, as well as the basic circulation path of Soul Power in our clan's cultivation technique."

This question was far deeper and more difficult than the one he had asked Yu Xiaogang.

Yet Yu Xiaoheng spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching every ear.

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is an ultimate Lightning Attribute Beast Martial Soul. It possesses three characteristics. First, dominance: the Lightning Power carried by its Soul Power possesses extreme destructive force. Second, Dragon Transformation: after Martial Soul Possession, Physical Body strength, speed, and power are enhanced across the board. The higher the rank, the deeper the Dragon Transformation. Third, pressure: it possesses innate bloodline suppression over Sub-Dragon Species and Snake-type Martial Souls."

He paused before continuing, "As for Soul Power circulation, our sect's Startling Dragon Art focuses on calming the mind in cultivation, drawing Soul Power from the Dantian, condensing it throughout the Limbs and Bones, and finally unleashing it with the force of Thunderclap. Its core lies in 'storing' and 'bursting.' Its instantaneous explosive power far surpasses that of Soul Masters at the same level."

When his words fell.

The entire hall sank into Deathly Stillness.

The expressions of those Clan Members who had been waiting to see him make a fool of himself froze.

What Yu Xiaoheng had said was not only entirely correct, but even more concise and thorough than the records in many clan manuals.