Under her arrangements, Huo Yun'er and Dai Yuhao had been given the worst food and accommodations. She could be almost certain that the little boy, though seemingly healthy, was suffering from malnutrition.
In that condition, even if he really awakened the White Tiger Martial Soul, his Innate Soul Power would likely be only at level four or five. He would inevitably receive little attention in the future.
How could he possibly compare with her precious sons, one with Innate Soul Power at level nine and the other with Innate Full Soul Power?
Though her feelings for Dai Hao were rather ordinary, she was most pleased with her two sons' peerless talents! Even though they had inherited the White Tiger instead of her family's Star Crown Martial Soul—a fact that had greatly displeased her royal brother—she didn't care!
After a burst of white light, the child's body began to change. Pale tiger fur sprouted from beneath his skin, and a black "king" appeared on his forehead.
"Good, good! It's the White Tiger Martial Soul of our Dai Family!"
An old retainer of the White Tiger Clan nodded in satisfaction.
Beyond the Sky Screen, everyone now understood. It seemed that in this world, Huo Yuhao had awakened the White Tiger Martial Soul from the very beginning, and naturally, his fate had taken a different course.
But if he stayed in the White Tiger Duke Mansion, he wouldn't meet the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm or the mysterious Holy Necromancer. Wouldn't he miss countless opportunities later on?
"Huh?"
A sudden cry of surprise came from within the Sky Screen. To everyone's shock, the "king" on Dai Yuhao's forehead slowly split open, revealing a... crystalline eye!
"Th-this... what is it?"
"Martial Soul Mutation?"
The elders grew even more tense, staring fixedly at the changes in Huo Yuhao.
A Martial Soul Mutation could be good or bad.
Some mutations were a weakening, a degeneration. There was the famous example from ten thousand years ago: the mighty Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon had failed to evolve into a Bright Sacred Dragon and instead degenerated into a pig. It had been an utterly spectacular failure, a laughingstock for the ages.
But some mutations, though rare, were enhancements that made the Martial Soul even stronger than before!
Of course, there was a third possibility: a purely different kind of Mutated Martial Soul, neither an evolution nor a degeneration. This was fairly common, too.
Liu Erlong, for example, had once had a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, but it had mutated into a fire-type Red Dragon.
What they didn't know was that not long afterward, a child named Dai Luoli would also see his White Tiger Martial Soul mutate into the more ferocious Blood Tiger.
In such cases, the person usually received less attention and recognition. After all, unless the new Martial Soul was truly much stronger than the original, the most orthodox and traditional version would still be more widely accepted.
For example, how could the White Tiger Duke Mansion possibly allow a "Blood Tiger" to inherit the title? Even if its Martial Soul reached the Titled Douluo level, the best it could hope for was to serve as a family retainer.
"Roar!"
Dai Yuhao, still in the midst of his awakening, let out a clear tiger's roar. His eyes shone with dazzling brilliance, and the crystal ball lit up at that very moment!
"What a little fellow!"
The eyes of several senior family elders brightened as they watched the crystal ball light up.
"Innate Soul Power... level eight!"
"Alas, he's a little behind Huabin and Yueheng, but that's still quite good!"
An old retainer close to the Duchess stroked his white beard and spoke with some embarrassment.
The Duchess gave a cold snort, her face already dark as water!
At first glance, Dai Yuhao's Innate Soul Power seemed to be only level eight, lower than Dai Huabin's and Dai Yueheng's. But anyone with sense knew this was the result of long-term malnutrition!
If he'd had the same nutrition as the others, Dai Yuhao would very likely have had Innate Full Soul Power!
That meant, in truth, his newly mutated Martial Soul was at least no weaker than the orthodox White Tiger Martial Soul. And perhaps...
Perhaps it was even stronger!
"This Martial Soul may carry a trace of the Mental Attribute..."
After observing the child's condition, the awakening master suddenly spoke with surprise.
Everyone was taken aback. Martial Souls with the Mental Attribute were exceptionally rare.
The White Tiger Martial Soul had actually mutated to possess the Mental Attribute?
"Hmph, this little brat hasn't even inherited the Evil Eye that's the hallmark of our White Tiger Duke line!"
The old retainer close to the Duchess suddenly snorted and pointed at the child's eyes.
Only then did everyone notice that although the child's eyes were bright and crystal-like, they weren't the double-pupiled Evil Eye passed down through the White Tiger Duke line from their great ancestor, Dai Mubai!
Evil Eye White Tiger, Evil Eye White Tiger. How could he lack the Evil Eye? Did that mean he had no blessing from their ancestor, Dai Mubai?
Once she noticed this, the Duchess's unbearably grim expression finally eased a little.
"Shouldn't we inform the Duke about this...?" one of the elders asked hesitantly.
"No need. He's away fighting, and these are troubled times. The Sun Moon Empire could invade at any moment. Our White Tiger Duke line should put the affairs of the state first. We can't let household matters distract my husband."
The Duchess shook her head and spoke calmly. Her voice rang like jade striking porcelain, carrying an air of nobility that brooked no argument.
"But, but..."
The elder furrowed his brows, looking uncertain.
"That's enough. We'll do as Madam says. Even if the Duke knew now, it would only be another distraction. Better to wait until he returns and give him a surprise. Even if he found out now, could he come back and personally guide the child's cultivation?"
The elder who was close to the Duchess immediately agreed.
"That's right, that's right."
"That makes sense. The child should be raised by Madam. The Duke can see him when he returns..."
Everyone nodded in agreement, most of them echoing the Duchess's words. A flash of smugness crossed her face, as if she had everything under control.
"Smash!"
In a military tent on the border between the two nations, beyond the Sky Screen, Dai Hao hurled a precious imperial snuff bottle to the ground, shattering it.
"Damn it! How dare they hide something this important from me at home?"
Xu Feiyan, Xu Feiyan. Who's in charge of this White Tiger Duke Mansion—you or me?
Dai Hao stared at the Sky Screen, leaning back against the tiger-fur chair. His voice was dark and cold.
Watching these scenes, most of the powers across the continent took pleasure in the spectacle or gloated over his misfortune.
This mighty "White Tiger War God" enjoyed the highest honors in the Star Luo Empire and was renowned throughout the continent. Even the Sun Moon Empire, though it hated his brutality, respected his military talent.