The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the great hall.
Today was the grand day of Martial Soul Awakening. Every child in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan who had turned six had gathered here. Dozens of children stood in orderly rows, their young faces brimming with nerves and excitement.
Yet among the crowd, one ordinary-looking boy was surrounded by children like the moon among stars. Several children his age chattered around him.
The boy held his chin slightly up. Though he didn't look haughty, the innate confidence between his brows was plain for all to see.
Yu Hong looked at Yu Xiaogang, surrounded by a group of children not far away, and felt a little eager to see what Luo Sanpao would look like when Yu Xiaogang awakened him.
It was only natural that Yu Xiaogang was like this now.
As the legitimate son of the clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen, he was the apple of the family's eye.
Not only did children his age like to gather around him, but even the elders often smiled and praised him, saying things like "a tiger father has no dog sons."
At the head of the hall, clan leader Yu Yuanzhen sat in the seat of honor. The clan's elders and core members sat in order on either side, but all their gazes were fixed on Yu Xiaogang.
"Big brother, Xiaogang's been clever since he was little. I think he'll awaken with at least level seven Innate Soul Power today," Yu Luomian said with a hearty laugh.
In his heart, he secretly cursed Yu Xiaogang, hoping Yu Xiaogang would have only level one Innate Soul Power.
He longed desperately for the position of clan leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If Yu Xiaogang was a genius, then Yu Xiaogang would be the next clan leader.
Yu Yuanzhen nodded in satisfaction and said slowly, "The amount of Innate Soul Power isn't important. As long as his Martial Soul Awakening goes smoothly and he cultivates diligently in the future, he'll achieve something."
That was what he said, but everyone present knew that a Soul Master's Innate Soul Power almost determined the limit of their future potential.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan owed its place among the Upper Three Sects to its top-tier inherited Beast Martial Soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, passed down through the generations, as well as the generally high Innate Soul Power of its younger members.
But in recent years, each generation of clan members had been worse than the last. They desperately needed a genius to shoulder the burden.
Yu Yuanzhen himself had possessed Innate Full Soul Power. He was now a level ninety-three Titled Douluo.
If Yu Xiaogang could inherit his talent, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would have a worthy successor for centuries to come.
"The time has come. Begin," Yu Yuanzhen said, waving his hand.
Third Elder Yu Qingming, who was in charge of the Awakening ceremony, strode to the formation and announced in a ringing voice, "Today's Martial Soul Awakening is an annual event of great importance to our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. All children who have turned six, step forward in turn and undergo Martial Soul Awakening!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the children fell silent, holding their breath.
The first child whose name was called timidly stepped forward and stood in the center of the formation.
After awakening the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, the boy had his Soul Power tested.
"Yu Xiaofeng, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon! Innate Soul Power: level three!" Yu Qingming announced loudly.
Warm applause rang through the hall.
Level three Innate Soul Power wasn't exceptional, but it was a respectable result for a clan member.
The children went forward one by one to awaken their Martial Souls. Most inherited the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul.
Quite a few had no Soul Power, while those who did generally ranged from level three to level five.
One girl awakened the Thunder Falcon Martial Soul and had a remarkable level six Innate Soul Power. A stir went through the hall, and several elders nodded in approval.
Soon, it was Yu Hong's turn.
Yu Hong felt a little nervous and secretly prayed that he would have Soul Power.
Without Soul Power, he'd be finished.
The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?
He could forget about it. What right did a good-for-nothing have to obtain an Immortal Herb from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?
Yu Hong stepped into the formation, and an elder infused him with Soul Power to help awaken his Martial Soul.
Light enveloped Yu Hong. He felt as though something inside his body had shattered.
When Yu Hong opened his eyes, a jade egg appeared before him.
Yu Hong: "???"
What was going on? Why was his Martial Soul a jade egg?
Wait, that jade egg looked familiar. Hadn't he seen it somewhere before?
He remembered. It was White Stone of the Ancients!
As a Blue-Eyes White Dragon player, how could he not recognize White Stone of the Ancients?
Yu Hong secretly thought that he had to make his Martial Soul evolve into the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Just imagining a Blue-Eyes White Dragon Martial Soul that could leave the body made it seem incredibly powerful.
The others were also rather bewildered by the sight. They had never seen an independent Martial Soul like this before.
Yu Hong went to the crystal ball and placed his hand on it.
The next second, the crystal ball gave off a faint glow.
"Yu Hong, Martial Soul: Jade Egg. Innate Soul Power: level 0.5," Yu Qingming announced loudly.
Everyone's eyes focused on Yu Hong, filled with astonishment and disbelief.
Level 0.5?
What did that even mean?
He had Soul Power, yet it was practically the same as having none at all.
With talent like that, becoming even the most ordinary Soul Master would be a steep climb.
After a brief silence, muffled snickers broke out among the crowd.
The children who had just awakened level three or four Soul Power now looked at Yu Hong with undisguised superiority.
"Pfft... Hahahaha!" A particularly piercing burst of laughter shattered the mood in the hall. The laughter brimmed with arrogance and contempt.
Everyone turned toward the sound, only to see Yu Xiaogang clutching his stomach and bending over dramatically, his little face flushed red from laughing.
Yu Xiaogang pointed bluntly at Yu Hong, who stood not far away.
"Good-for-nothing! Yu Hong, you're the biggest good-for-nothing there is!" Yu Xiaogang laughed so hard that tears nearly came to his eyes. He straightened up and shouted in a tone that sounded almost like a verdict, "Level 0.5 Innate Soul Power? And you awakened some lousy egg? This is the funniest joke I've heard all year! You've disgraced the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, you good-for-nothing! If I were you, I'd bash my head in!"
Yu Hong stood where he was as the laughter and pointing fingers washed over him like a tide, but his heart was unexpectedly calm.
No big deal. Just wait until my Martial Soul evolves into the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Then you'll all see.
Yu Xiaogang and Yu Hong had never gotten along, even as children.
As the clan leader's legitimate son, Yu Xiaogang was fawned over by everyone. He was used to their obedience and praise.
Yu Hong never took part in their little circle. In Yu Xiaogang's eyes, that aloofness was a silent provocation.
Their resentment had been building for a long time, and now Yu Xiaogang had finally found the perfect outlet for it.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's senior members didn't react much to the scene. After all, Yu Hong was only an ordinary clan member.
Yu Hong silently stepped aside. For now, he only wanted to see Yu Xiaogang make a fool of himself.
"Next, Yu Xiaogang!"
At last, it was the day's star turn.
The entire hall fell silent in an instant; not even a pin could be heard dropping.
Yu Xiaogang straightened his brand-new robes and raised his chin even higher.
He strode toward the center of the formation with confident steps. As he passed Yu Hong, he deliberately paused and shot him a look of utter contempt, silently mouthing two words.
Good-for-nothing.
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