The Heavenly Soul Emperor Personally Takes Action! Granting Liu Yuan a Title to Win Him Over!

As Du Busi's thunderous announcement fell, the entire Elder Hall sank into brief silence.

Everyone's eyes focused on Liu Yuan, their expressions complicated.

There was envy, reverence, and shock, but not a trace of jealousy.

Because everyone understood that Gold Grade Second Awakening potential meant being a true "chosen one."

Someone like that was destined to stand at the pinnacle of the continent. Emotions like jealousy seemed far too cheap and laughable before such a person.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Liu!"

Chen Lü was the first to react. Though he was considerably older than Liu Yuan, sect rules were strict: the capable were the teachers.

Especially direct disciples with the right to inherit the position of Sect Master—their status far surpassed that of ordinary core disciples like them.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Liu!"

Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, and the others followed suit, bowing in unison with sincere respect in their voices.

Even Vina, whose status was the most noble, put away her playful expression. She straightened her dress, stepped forward, and gave Liu Yuan a slight curtsy. "Senior Brother Liu, please take good care of your junior sister from now on."

This sudden shift in status left Liu Yuan somewhat unaccustomed to it.

He quickly waved his hands. "There's no need for such courtesy, junior brothers and sisters. We're all fellow disciples. We should support one another from now on."

"Hahaha! Well said—support one another!"

A hearty laugh rang out as Long Aotian strode up to Liu Yuan.

Not only was he not the slightest bit displeased at having the spotlight stolen from him, but his eyes instead burned with even greater fighting spirit and enthusiasm.

He extended a powerful hand and heavily patted Liu Yuan's shoulder.

"Junior Brother, welcome to our ranks! From today onward, the banner of the Body Sect's younger generation will be carried by the two of us!"

"I've always longed for an opponent and companion who could truly walk beside me. Heaven has finally sent you to me."

"If there's anything you don't understand in cultivation, come find me anytime! We'll improve together and strive to complete the Gold Grade Second Awakening as soon as possible!"

Looking into Long Aotian's sincere, wild eyes, Liu Yuan felt a surge of heroic spirit rise within him. He nodded firmly. "Naturally. I will not disappoint Senior Brother's expectations!"

"Enough. Stop dragging this out."

Du Busi impatiently waved a hand, interrupting the small talk between the fellow disciples.

He looked at Liu Yuan, a hint of fervor in his eyes, then beckoned. "Disciple, come with me."

"Yes, Master."

Liu Yuan answered and, beneath everyone's envious gazes, followed Du Busi out of the Elder Hall.

Inside the Sect Master Hall.

Du Busi dismissed all the attendants, leaving only Liu Yuan behind.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he looked at the twelve-year-old boy before him, his eyes full of satisfaction.

"Liu Yuan, now that you've joined my line, you should know that the Body Sect is your home."

"This old man may have a temper, but I'm famously protective of my own."

"If anyone dares bully you outside, no matter who it is, just give them this old man's name! I'll settle the score for you!"

Hearing that domineering declaration, which was practically screaming "lawless," Liu Yuan felt warmth in his heart. He respectfully bowed. "Thank you for your favor, Master."

"Mhm." Du Busi nodded, then pulled an ancient book of unknown material from his robes and tossed it to Liu Yuan.

"This is your welcoming gift, as well as the foundation upon which our Body Sect was built—the Body Secret Technique."

Liu Yuan caught the book. It felt as warm and smooth as jade, while four large ancient characters were engraved on its cover, carrying a desolate, archaic air.

"This isn't some ordinary Soul Power cultivation technique," Du Busi explained.

"This is a supreme Secret Codex created specifically for those of us with Body Martial Souls. Cultivating it will not only greatly increase the speed of your Soul Power cultivation; more importantly, through its unique circulation routes, it will continuously stimulate and strengthen the origin of your Martial Soul."

"Only by strengthening that origin to the utmost limit can the Gold Grade potential within you truly be transformed into tangible power, allowing you to complete the final Second Awakening!"

At this point, Du Busi's expression turned serious. "This technique is obscure and difficult to understand. Even Aotian spent several months before he truly got started. Though your talent is extraordinary, you must not be impatient. Take it back and study it carefully first. If there's anything you don't understand, don't force yourself to cultivate it. Come ask me anytime."

"Once you've mastered it, this old man will teach you what comes next."

"This disciple understands." Liu Yuan solemnly put away the secret manual.

"Alright, go. I've already had someone arrange a new residence for you. It's Tingtao Pavilion beside Aotian's residence, one of the places in the sect with the most abundant spiritual energy." Du Busi waved his hand. "Go see whether you like it."

"Yes. This disciple will take his leave."

After leaving the Sect Master Hall, a deacon disciple who had long been waiting outside immediately came forward and respectfully led Liu Yuan toward Tingtao Pavilion.

It was an independent pavilion built against the mountain. The surroundings were tranquil, with a clear green pool below it. When the breeze swept through, the pines rustled in waves. It truly was an excellent place for cultivation.

Liu Yuan entered the pavilion, briefly inspected the surroundings and facilities, then nodded in satisfaction.

"From today onward, this will be my new starting point."

He did not rest for long. Instead, he directly sat cross-legged in the second-floor cultivation room and took out the Body Secret Technique.

"So this is the secret technique that can stimulate the Second Awakening of the Body Martial Soul..."

Liu Yuan took a deep breath and opened to the first page.

Now that he had such excellent resources, he absolutely could not waste them.

He would learn it first and worry about the rest later!

Meanwhile, outside the Body Sect's mountain gate.

A graceful figure stood at the end of the mountain road, turning back to take one last deep look at the main peak shrouded in clouds and mist.

"Your Highness, it is time to depart."

A royal guard dressed in plain clothes stepped forward and reminded her in a low voice.

Vina nodded and withdrew her gaze.

Though she also wanted to remain at the Body Sect longer, as the princess of the Heaven Dou Empire, the burden on her shoulders was far from light.

Besides cultivating as a Soul Master, she also had to study the art of governing, handle royal affairs, and even negotiate among different powers for the future of the empire.

"Let's go. Back to the Heavenly Soul Imperial City."

Vina turned and boarded the carriage. With a crisp crack of the whip, it slowly rolled away from this sacred sect ground filled with mystery and power.

Several days later, the Heaven Dou Empire, imperial palace of Heaven Dou City.

Inside the Imperial Study, the lamps burned brightly.

The Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire sat behind his desk, listening as Vina, who had just returned to the palace, reported what had happened during her trip to the Body Sect.

At first, he was only somewhat distracted. After all, Vina brought back information every time she visited the Body Sect.

But when Vina mentioned that the boy named Liu Yuan had tested as possessing "Gold Grade Second Awakening potential" during the sect entrance test—

Smack!

The memorial in the emperor's hand fell straight to the floor. He abruptly rose to his feet, his normally calm and majestic face now filled with shock.

"What did you say? Gold Grade?! The same Gold Grade as Long Aotian?!"

"It is absolutely true, Father." Vina nodded, her tone certain. "And I saw it with my own eyes. Sect Master Du Busi has already accepted him as his second direct disciple and listed him as a candidate to inherit the position of Sect Master."

"Hiss—"

The emperor sucked in a breath, then began pacing back and forth inside the Imperial Study, his expression excited.

"Good! Excellent! Vina, you've rendered great merit this time!"

The emperor suddenly stopped, shrewd light flashing in his eyes. "Such a future peerless powerhouse was discovered and recommended by you. That is an enormous favor!"

"However..." The emperor furrowed his brow slightly. "That small favor of recommending him is not enough. Far from enough!"

"Those people in the Body Sect may be protective of their own, but they are also extremely proud. If we wait until Liu Yuan truly grows powerful, the price of trying to win him over will become enormous. We must firmly bind him to our Heavenly Soul Royal Family now, before he has fully risen!"

Vina blinked. "Then Father means...?"

"Pass my decree!"

The emperor waved a hand and immediately shouted to the chief eunuch outside the door.

"Draft an edict! For Liu Yuan's merit in protecting the princess, as well as his exceptional talent, grant him the title of Baron!"

"Furthermore, grant him the Qinghe Fief closest to the Body Sect, along with the tax income from five hundred surrounding households!"

"Immediately dispatch someone with the imperial edict and rewards. Have them rush to the Body Sect and announce it!"