I Mutated?

Yu Xiaogang was a bright child. At three, he began studying books on Soul Master theory, and his father, Yu Yuanzhen, often praised him in public.

At five, he had already put forward some ideas of his own.

Ning Mingzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, once visited the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He praised Yu Xiaogang as having the makings of a True Dragon, saying he would one day make his name across the continent.

When it came to his elder brother, Ning Mingzhi had merely called him clever and sensible.

Yu Xiaogang had stood out since childhood. The clan's leaders placed great hopes in him and treated him like a favored son of heaven. Naturally, he saw himself the same way.

On the Douluo Continent, Martial Souls were passed down through bloodlines. His father, Yu Yuanzhen, was extraordinarily gifted, so he, Yu Xiaogang, was bound to be gifted too!

More than once, Yu Xiaogang had dreamed of surpassing his father's talent!

After Yu Xiaogang finished rattling off a load of nonsense, Yu Mingxiao finally reacted.

He said quietly, "Xiaogang, you don't understand cultivation."

Yu Xiaogang frowned, his face darkening. "I don't understand cultivation?"

"You mean everything I said was wrong? That I shouldn't have told you to stop wasting medicinal ingredients and doing pointless exercises?"

"I'm saying this for your own good!"

"Big Brother, you've lost your mind!"

Yu Mingxiao shook his head, ignored him, and turned to leave the reception hall.

At the doorway, he paused. He wanted to remind Yu Xiaogang that Martial Soul Awakening was related to physical constitution.

But after a moment's thought, he let it go.

Their Martial Souls would awaken in two days. What good would a reminder do now?

When Yu Mingxiao was three, he had told Yu Xiaogang: "You've been frail since childhood. You need to exercise more, or your Martial Soul may undergo a harmful mutation when it awakens."

But Yu Xiaogang had paid him no mind.

Over the years, Yu Xiaogang had spent most of his time eating, drinking, and playing. On occasion, he flipped through books in the clan library. Even when he went out, it was only to visit nearby cities for fun.

Yu Xiaogang watched him leave in silence, disappointment filling his eyes.

Forget it. My brother's stubborn and foolish. There's no point saying more.

It seems I'll have to lead the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in the future after all.

Only I, Yu Xiaogang, can lead the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to the pinnacle of the continent!

In the Soul Master World to come, I, Yu Xiaogang, will be number one!

"Hahaha—"

With that, Yu Xiaogang's ears grew hot and his young face flushed. Hands on his hips, he was so excited he could barely contain himself.

He began picturing the Martial Soul Awakening ceremony two days away: himself awakening Innate Full Soul Power before a stunned crowd.

Time slipped away like fine sand through an hourglass.

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

That morning, guests from the invited factions crossed the lake by boat and entered the mountain gates. Disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan guided them to the main hall, where the Martial Soul Awakening ceremony would be held.

By the time disciples led Yu Mingxiao and Yu Xiaogang into the main hall, prominent figures filled the seats along both sides.

Senior members had come from the Clear Sky Sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Lower Four Sects.

Yu Xiaogang was unusually excited today. The thought of awakening a powerful Dragon Clan Martial Soul before all those eyes made it nearly impossible to contain himself!

Stay calm. I have to stay calm and not make a scene. Dad's watching.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to settle down.

After today, his standing in the clan would soar.

He would be more than the Sect Master's son. With a powerful Martial Soul of his own, he would be someone who mattered.

Yu Yuanzhen sat high in the center of the main hall. He swept his gaze over the guests below, a faint smile on his lips. "Today, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is holding a Martial Soul Awakening ceremony for my two unremarkable sons. Thank you all for taking the time to witness it."

"You're too modest, Sect Master Yu. It's my honor to witness your sons awaken their Martial Souls."

"Sect Master Yu, you jest. I wish both young masters a successful awakening."

"Sect Master Yu, let's get the awakening started. Look, the two young talents can hardly wait."

Representatives of the various factions offered a few polite replies.

Yu Yuanzhen smiled and looked at his sons. "The Martial Soul Awakening ceremony will now begin. Mingxiao, Xiaogang, which of you wants to go first?"

Yu Xiaogang glanced at his elder brother from the corner of his eye. Seeing no response, he stepped forward, eager to show himself. "Father, I'll go first."

"Very well. Luo Cheng, awaken Xiaogang's Martial Soul," Yu Yuanzhen said with a chuckle.

He had always favored Yu Xiaogang a little more. The boy was likable, quick-witted, and knew how to present himself in front of others.

Yu Mingxiao, by contrast, was disciplined but rarely spoke. It was hard to tell what he was thinking.

Still, Yu Mingxiao trained tirelessly every day and never gave himself over to play. That pleased Yu Yuanzhen. The boy might not achieve greatness, but at least he was dependable.

The man in charge of the awakening was Yu Luocheng, an elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. A Soul Saint, he worked diligently without complaint.

Meeting Yu Xiaogang's impatient gaze, Yu Luocheng smiled. "Xiaogang, come stand beside me."

Yu Xiaogang did as he was told. When he reached Yu Luocheng, he found himself surrounded by an awakening array formed from six Awakening Stones.

Yu Luocheng raised a hand and tapped lightly. Golden motes streamed from the array into Yu Xiaogang's body.

The phantom outline of a giant dragon gradually took shape behind him.

Yu Luocheng's hand froze against his beard. He stared at the dragon phantom behind Yu Xiaogang, astonished.

"That isn't a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Has it mutated?"

The hall erupted.

"The dragon phantom's too blurry. There's no telling what Martial Soul it's mutated into."

"It must be a beneficial mutation. They say Sect Master Yu's son Yu Xiaogang has the makings of a True Dragon."

"Congratulations, Sect Master Yu! Your clan is about to produce a True Dragon!"

"Hahaha, you flatter me," Yu Yuanzhen replied with a hearty laugh. His eyes stayed fixed on Yu Xiaogang within the awakening array as he waited for his son's Martial Soul to stabilize.

Mutations of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul were highly unpredictable. Given the choice, he would rather his son's Martial Soul not mutate at all.

Unfortunately, the very thing he dreaded was happening.

Worse, something was going wrong with the dragon phantom. Signs of fracture began to show across its form.

Yu Yuanzhen clenched his fists. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his expression tightened.

I've mutated? Could this be the Golden Sacred Dragon recorded in the clan's texts?

Yu Xiaogang's eyes flashed. He recalled what he had read about the Golden Sacred Dragon. According to legend, an ancestor had awakened that Martial Soul, become a Peerless Douluo, and led the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to the pinnacle of the continent.

Now I've awakened a Holy Giant Dragon too. Could heaven have destined me to restore my family's glory?

His gaze drifted toward his elder brother, Yu Mingxiao.

Brother, do you see?

I spent years playing, and I still awakened a powerful Martial Soul.

Talent is something you're born with. I'm the Heaven-Supporting White Jade Pillar who will hold up the entire clan!