Xu Yanli furrowed his brow.
There seemed to be a few faint cracks in the Bone Dragon's bones, as though something had eroded them.
"Elder Yi," he called softly in his mind.
Electrolux's voice rang out at once. "Someone tampered with this child's Martial Soul. They're suppressing its growth."
Xu Yanli's eyes darkened slightly.
Just as he'd thought.
The Holy Spirit Cult hadn't failed to find him. They were simply waiting for the right moment.
They were waiting for the child's Martial Soul to mature a little more, for the hatred in his heart to deepen, and then they'd make their move and turn him into an obedient blade.
After all, who could refuse that glimmer of light offered to them in their moment of despair?
Especially when that light promised to help him take revenge.
Xu Yanli looked away, crouched down, and met Yan Feng's eyes.
"From today onward, you'll live here." His voice was soft and gentle. "Someone will teach you how to cultivate and how to control your Martial Soul. Remember one thing."
Yan Feng nodded hard.
"Your Martial Soul isn't an Evil Martial Soul." Xu Yanli spoke each word clearly. "It's just a little unusual. And unusual things aren't necessarily bad."
Tears welled up in Yan Feng's eyes again. He nodded frantically, unable to say a word.
Xu Yanli stood, patted his head, and turned to look at Luo Xu, who had hurried over after hearing the news.
"Find him a place to stay, and someone to teach him the basics of cultivation."
Luo Xu acknowledged him and stepped forward to take Yan Feng's hand. "Young lord, come with me."
As Luo Xu led Yan Feng away, the boy suddenly turned back at the courtyard gate and bowed deeply to Xu Yanli.
Then he turned around