"Who's in charge of this Duke's Mansion, you or me?"

Under her arrangements, the food and living conditions for Huo Yun'er and her son Dai Yuhao were the absolute worst. She was almost certain that while the little brat was still healthy, he was definitely suffering from malnutrition.

In such a state, even if he truly awakened the White Tiger Martial Soul, his Innate Soul Power would likely only be level four or five, and the level of importance he would receive in the future would inevitably be limited.

How could that possibly compare to her precious sons, one with innate level nine and the other with Innate Full Soul Power?

Although her feelings for Dai Hao were actually mediocre, what she was most satisfied with were these two sons of hers with peerless talent! Even if they inherited the White Tiger instead of their family's Star Crown Martial Soul—a matter that actually made her imperial brother quite unhappy—she didn't care at all!

After a burst of white light, the child's posture began to change. Strands of pale white tiger fur sprouted from beneath his skin, and a black "King" character appeared on his forehead.

"Good, very good! It is our Dai family's White Tiger Martial Soul!"

An old retainer of the White Tiger family nodded with satisfaction.

Outside 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 his subsequent fate would naturally be different.

However, if he remained in the White Tiger Duke Mansion, it meant he would be unable to meet the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm or that mysterious Holy Necromancer. Wouldn't he miss out on countless subsequent fortuitous encounters?

"Eh?"

Suddenly, a cry of surprise came from the Sky Screen. In the shocked gazes of the crowd, the "King" character on Dai Yuhao's forehead slowly split open, revealing a... crystalline eye!

"This... what is this?"

"Martial Soul mutation?"

The expressions of the elders became even more tense as they stared fixedly at the changes in Huo Yuhao.

Martial Soul mutation... could be a good thing, or it could be a bad thing.

Some mutations were weakenings or regressions, such as that famous example from ten thousand years ago. The dignified Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon failed to evolve into a Bright Sacred Dragon and instead regressed into a pig, a failure so spectacular it became a laughingstock.

But there were also mutations that, while rare, were enhancements, becoming stronger on the original foundation!

Of course, there was a third situation: a simple change in the direction of the Martial Soul, neither an evolution nor a regression, which was also quite common.

For instance, that Liu Erlong from back then had her Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul mutate into a fire-type Red Dragon.

What they didn't know was that before long, a child named Dai Luoli would also have his White Tiger Martial Soul mutate into the more ferocious "Blood Tiger."

In such cases, generally speaking, the attention and importance received would also decrease. After all, unless it was truly much stronger than the original Martial Soul, the most authentic and orthodox Martial Soul would certainly be more recognized.

For example, how could the White Tiger Duke Mansion possibly let a "Blood Tiger" inherit the title? Even if this Blood Tiger Martial Soul truly reached the Titled Douluo realm, it was destined to only serve as a family retainer.

"Roar!"

In the midst of his awakening, Dai Yuhao let out a clear, resonant tiger roar. A brilliant, incomparable radiance erupted from his eyes, and the crystal ball lit up at this very moment!

"Good lad!"

The few elders looked at the glowing crystal ball, their eyes brightening as well.

"Innate Soul Power... level eight!"

"Sigh, although it's a bit worse than Dai Huabin and Dai Yueheng, it's still not bad!"

An old retainer close to the Duchess stroked his white beard and said somewhat awkwardly.

At this moment, the Duchess let out a cold snort, her face already as gloomy as water!

Dai Yuhao's innate soul power appeared to be only level eight, seemingly lower than Dai Huabin and Dai Yueheng. But in reality, anyone with a discerning eye knew that this was the result of long-term malnutrition!

If he had the same nutritional conditions, there was a high probability that the current Dai Yuhao would also have Innate Full Soul Power!

This meant that, in fact, his newly mutated Martial Soul was at least no worse than the orthodox White Tiger Martial Soul. Perhaps...

It might even be stronger!

"This Martial Soul might carry a trace of spiritual attributes..."

The awakening master observed the child's state and suddenly said with some surprise.

For a moment, everyone felt somewhat taken aback. After all, Martial Souls with spiritual attributes were inherently quite rare.

The White Tiger Martial Soul had actually mutated to possess spiritual attributes?

"Hmph, this little brat didn't even inherit the iconic Evil Eye of our White Tiger Duke lineage!"

The elder close to the Duchess suddenly snorted coldly, pointing at the child's eyes as he spoke.

Only then did everyone notice that although the child's eyes were bright, like crystals, they were not the double-pupil Evil Eyes that the White Tiger Duke lineage had inherited from that great ancestor, Dai Mubai!

Evil Eye White Tiger, Evil Eye White Tiger. Without the Evil Eye, how could that be? Didn't that mean he lacked the protection of that ancestor, Dai Mubai?

Noticing this, the Duchess's extremely ugly expression finally softened a little.

"We must inform the Duke about this matter..."

An elder hesitated and said.

"No need. He is out campaigning, and these are troubled times; the Sun Moon Empire could invade at any moment. Our White Tiger Duke lineage should prioritize national affairs. These family matters must not distract my husband."

The Duchess shook her head and said indifferently. Her voice, like clashing jade, carried an unquestionable sense of nobility.

"But this, this..."

The elder frowned, his expression hesitant.

"Enough, let's do as the Duchess says. Even if the Duke knew now, it would only add to his distractions. It is better to wait until he returns and give him a surprise. Even if he knew now, could he come back to personally guide this child's cultivation?"

The elder close to the Duchess immediately voiced his agreement.

"Indeed, indeed."

"That makes sense. It is better for the child to be raised by the Duchess; we can wait until the Duke returns..."

The others nodded one after another, most of them echoing the Duchess's sentiments. A flash of smugness, the look of one who held everything in her grasp, crossed the Duchess's face.

"Smash!"

Outside the Sky Screen, within a military tent on the border of the two empires, Dai Hao slammed a precious, imperial-gifted snuff bottle to the ground, shattering it into pieces.

"Damnable! How dare they keep such an important matter hidden from me at home?"

"Xu Feiyan, oh Xu Feiyan. In this White Tiger Duke Mansion, are you the master, or am I?"

Dai Hao stared fixedly at the Sky Screen, leaning back against the tiger-fur chair as he spoke in a gloomy voice.

As for the rest of the continent, most factions watched these scenes with an attitude of amusement, or perhaps schadenfreude.

This dignified "White Tiger War God" enjoyed the utmost honor in the Star Luo Empire and was renowned throughout the entire continent. Even the Sun Moon Empire, while hating his brutality, still held his military talent in high regard.