Against Dai Huabin

Three days later.

"What a grand affair!" Huo Yuhao was dressed in his finest. The usually quiet and simple White Tiger Duke's Mansion had dressed up just like him today.

The normally quiet entrance was bustling with people coming and going.

The White Tiger Duke's Mansion's chief steward was a middle-aged man with a broad build and a kindly smile, the very picture of harmlessness. He stood at the entrance, respectfully welcoming each distinguished guest.

Huo Yuhao glanced around. A pretty young maid greeted him and led him into a spacious hall, where he took his seat.

"Oh, Yuhao, you're here!"

Dai Hao, seated at the far end of the hall's center, quickly beckoned his beloved son to sit down.

Beside Dai Hao sat a beautiful middle-aged woman with a stunning figure. She was the Duchess.

After exchanging polite greetings, Huo Yuhao took his seat.

He sat beside Dai Hao. On the Duchess's side, a little golden-haired head kept peeking out.

The boy looked young and bore some resemblance to Dai Hao. He was Dai Huabin.

Dai Huabin stared at Huo Yuhao. This was the son of the woman who had stolen his mother's affection.

The Duchess had filled Dai Huabin's head with certain ideas from a young age, so he was prejudiced against Huo Yuhao.

Especially since Huo Yuhao had awakened the Innate Full Soul Power Spirit Eyes Martial Soul.

Dai Huabin had been feeling rather pleased with himself for awakening the Innate Full Soul Power White Tiger Martial Soul, whose talent surpassed even that of his eldest brother.

But when he heard that Huo Yuhao had awakened the rarer, and perhaps even more powerful, Spirit Eyes Martial Soul, jealousy welled up inside him. Why did Huo Yuhao get to have it?

"My lord, Young Master Yueheng has arrived!"

At the hall's entrance, a boy in elegant clothes strode inside. He looked about thirteen, and his golden hair was neatly combed.

Dai Yueheng, Dai Hao's eldest son! He was also the White Tiger Duke's Mansion's heir apparent.

Dai Huabin looked at his so-called eldest brother with an even sharper gaze than the one he'd fixed on Huo Yuhao.

He disliked Huo Yuhao purely because of his mother, along with his own personal reasons.

As for Dai Yueheng, I'm Father's son too. Why shouldn't I inherit this vast mansion in the future?

It was a very typical old Dai family tradition: the strongest was the one who inherited the title!

"Father, Mother!" Dai Yueheng greeted Dai Hao and the Duchess respectfully.

Seeing his eldest son, Dai Hao happily rose from his chair.

"Yueheng, you're here. I was worried your studies at Shrek Academy would keep you too busy to make it back for your younger brothers' Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony!"

"You got back just in time!"

Dai Yueheng smiled warmly. "For my dear younger brothers' Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony, of course I had to come home as their eldest brother!"

Dai Hao patted Dai Yueheng on the shoulder. "You're thoughtful. This year, both your younger brothers awakened their Martial Souls."

"As their eldest brother, you must set a good example for them!"

"Of course. Father, may I go have a chat with my dear brothers?" Dai Yueheng asked with a smile.

Dai Hao waved him off. "Go ahead!"

Dai Yueheng bowed, then went to Dai Huabin first.

Seeing Dai Huabin lower his head, Dai Yueheng knew he was surely thinking about the dukedom he hoped to claim one day.

After exchanging a few perfunctory pleasantries, Dai Yueheng waited until Dai Hao and the Duchess went to greet some old friends, then put Dai Huabin in his place.

Dai Yueheng then went over to Huo Yuhao. He felt mostly surprised by this younger brother.

He hadn't expected Huo Yuhao to have such extraordinary talent. What a headache. If only he'd built a better relationship with him earlier—but it wasn't too late now.

A glint of fervor flashed in Dai Yueheng's eyes. Huo Yuhao had a level-ten Spirit Eyes Martial Soul, had no right to inherit the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, and was connected to him by blood.

He would make the perfect right-hand man in the future. As long as Dai Yueheng brought Huo Yuhao under his wing, his position as master of the mansion would be all but guaranteed.

Huo Yuhao had little interest in getting involved in the brothers' affairs.

After all, with a dog leash watching him from above at all times, how could he relax?

Dai Yueheng wasn't bothered by Huo Yuhao's perfunctory attitude. A level-ten Spirit Eyes Martial Soul gave him the right.

"The Emperor has arrived! The Princess has arrived!"

With the Star Luo Emperor's arrival, Dai Yueheng and Huo Yuhao could no longer chat. They both went out to welcome him.

"Greetings...!"

"Dear brother, please, don't do that. With the bond between us, there's no need for all these tedious formalities."

A man about the same age as Dai Hao, dressed in a yellow robe and wearing a crown, clasped Dai Hao's hand tightly.

"I've come today only to congratulate my dear brother on having two fine sons!"

The man's identity was clear: Xu Jiawei, the current emperor of the Star Luo Empire.

"I'm grateful for Your Majesty's kindness. Yuhao, Huabin, step forward and meet your father's sworn brother, His Majesty the Emperor."

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" ×2

Xu Jiawei beamed, making no attempt to put on the airs of a ruler.

"Don't be so formal. Given my relationship with your father, you can just call me Uncle Xu."

"Hello, Uncle Xu." ×2

"Good, good, good. Congratulations to you both on awakening your Martial Souls today. Here are your gifts from your uncle."

Xu Jiawei took two cards from an attendant behind him and handed one each to Huo Yuhao and Dai Huabin.

"Each card has 10,000 Gold Soul Coins. It's a little gift from your uncle. It's not much, but it's the thought that counts."

Amid the laughter and cheerful chatter, the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony for Dai Huabin and Huo Yuhao drew to a close.

The final part of the ceremony was for Huo Yuhao and Dai Huabin to join Dai Hao on a platform that had been set up in advance.

They presented themselves to everyone in attendance.

It was really just a chance to show the representatives of the various powers who the White Tiger Duke's children were. Got it?

After making their appearance, Huo Yuhao thought the ceremony was about to end when an ill-timed voice rang out. It was the Duchess.

She stepped onto the platform, smiling kindly. "Thank you all for coming to my two sons' Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony today."

"As it happens, a batch of Soul Bones was recently put up for auction at the Starlight Auction, and I attended one of the auctions."

"I acquired a Secret Method Soul Bone. You're both Mother's good boys."

"Mother hasn't been able to decide which of you should receive this Secret Method Soul Bone."

"Since we have such a lively gathering today, I'd like everyone here to bear witness."

"Huabin, Yuhao, would you be willing to offer your first Spirit Master Duel on this day, before all these people?"

"If you're willing, Mother will personally reward the winner with this Soul Bone. What do you say?"

The Duchess wore a benevolent expression, looking every bit the loving mother. Huo Yuhao was left utterly bewildered.

"I'm willing, Mother!" Dai Huabin immediately declared.

Huo Yuhao had awakened the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul, so his eyesight was exceptionally keen.

He watched Dai Huabin as he spoke and didn't see even the slightest hint of surprise on his face.

Was this a trap they'd set in advance? Did they want Dai Huabin to beat him in front of everyone and win himself a good reputation?

"Then I accept too, Mother!" The Soul Bone was certainly tempting. If she insisted on giving it away, Huo Yuhao wouldn't stand on ceremony!