Seeing that Xu Tianming had no intention of responding for the moment, Kong Deming simply took the initiative to change the subject:
"Tianming, that move you just used—was it also attached to your first Soul Skill?"
At Kong Deming's question, Xu Tianming shook his head:
"No. That move just now... I think it was a technique I came up with on my own. It had nothing to do with my Soul Skill."
Although he had lied, Xu Tianming didn't so much as blush. After all, anything concerning Mavuika was his most closely guarded secret. To be safe, it was better if no one knew about her.
But this shocked Kong Deming once again.
Only six years old! A self-created martial technique! Its power rivaled a Soul Ancestor's full-strength attack!
If someone had said those words to Kong Deming before today, he would definitely have taken them for a madman.
Even after seeing it with his own eyes, it still felt unreal.
But having lived so long, Kong Deming quickly came up with a reasonable explanation:
Perhaps the people of the world had suffered under Shrek for far too long!
And his nephew was a genius born in response to the times, with the destiny to lead the Sun Moon Empire in uniting the Douluo Continent!
Xu Tianming had no way of knowing what Kong Deming was thinking. Looking at his uncle's placid expression—which concealed a tumult of emotions—Xu Tianming hesitated, then spoke a little sheepishly:
"Uncle, I just came up with that move on the spot. Its power might be a little lacking, but you can't laugh at me! I'm sure I'll create even stronger techniques in the future!"
He had no choice. The Sun-Shattering Strike had done absolutely nothing to Kong Deming, so Xu Tianming couldn't judge his true strength at all. And since he couldn't read anything unusual in his uncle's expression, he had no choice but to use this tactic to fish for an answer indirectly.
But when Kong Deming heard this, his expression clearly froze. He didn't say anything, but Xu Tianming understood what his face meant:
Do you hear yourself?
After a moment, as he looked at his nephew's apparently genuine, bewildered expression, Kong Deming finally realized where the problem lay.
He had always regarded his nephew as an unparalleled genius, and in doing so, had subconsciously overlooked the fact that the boy had only just turned six. There were still many things about the Soul Master World's tiers of strength that he didn't understand.
Awkwardly scratching his nose, Kong Deming patted Xu Tianming's shoulder and said with a wry smile:
"Tianming, if you can call that move a little lacking, then I'm afraid no one on the entire Douluo Continent would be qualified to show off in front of you."
"Uncle, you don't have to comfort me. I struck your personal defensive Soul Tool barrier with that move, and it didn't even leave a mark. How is that not weak?"
At those words, Kong Deming found himself at a loss for a moment.
So that was what had made him doubt himself?
With another wry smile, Kong Deming explained helplessly:
"Tianming, you're underestimating your uncle. The defensive Soul Tool I carry with me is at least level eight. It's not just you—even a Seven-Ring Soul Sage might not be able to leave a mark on that barrier!"
Hearing this, Xu Tianming's eyes lit up at just the right moment:
"Really, Uncle? You're not pulling my leg, are you? Then just how strong was my move?"
Kong Deming didn't answer right away. Instead, he asked a question of his own:
"Can you use that move again?"
Without a doubt, he couldn't.
Leaving aside the fact that Mavuika didn't have enough strength to control Xu Tianming's body again, even if she could, the Battle Intent accumulated by his first Soul Skill had already been completely drained by that move.
After thinking through his current situation, Xu Tianming shook his head:
"I don't think so... I came up with that move on the spot and haven't mastered it. Besides, the Soul Power I absorbed and converted from you just now has all been used up."
"If you had enough Soul Power converted from Battle Intent, would you be confident you could use it again?"
After hesitating for a moment, Xu Tianming nodded:
"If I had enough Soul Power converted from Battle Intent, I think I could..."
After all, according to Mavuika, although she was a little weak at the moment, she could quickly recover as long as she absorbed enough Battle Intent.
After hearing him out, Kong Deming made a quick, basic assessment of Xu Tianming's situation:
The move's lack of polish was easy to fix. He only needed to practice more from now on.
As for the Soul Power converted from Battle Intent...
Thinking back, it had taken his nephew about ten seconds to absorb enough of his Battle Intent to reach his limit.
That meant that, under ideal conditions, his nephew could unleash that terrifying strike against his enemies again and again in battle!
What monstrous potential!
Thinking of how his nephew's future enemies would have to face that terrifying strike at every turn, Kong Deming could barely resist offering a moment of silence for those poor souls.
"Tianming, the power of that move you used just now was enough to rival that of a Soul Ancestor who had just reached the fourth ring. If you can use it repeatedly in battle, no one your age in this world will be a match for you!"
After deliberating again and again, Kong Deming chose to tell him the truth without holding anything back.
He trusted that his nephew wouldn't grow complacent with pride. If he couldn't even keep his own mindset in check, then Kong Deming's earlier guess might have been wrong.
And things turned out just as he had expected.
After hearing that his full-power strike could rival a Soul Ancestor, Xu Tianming was excited for only a little while before his expression returned to normal. His composure was so remarkable that Kong Deming could hardly believe he was looking at a six-year-old child.
As expected, a peerless genius born in response to the times couldn't be judged by ordinary standards.
"So, Uncle, is this why you want to support me in claiming the crown prince's position?"
At that, Kong Deming nodded.
Seeing this, Xu Tianming took a deep breath, then looked at him with a firm gaze and said:
"Uncle, I think it's too early to talk about that now. Father is in his prime and still strong. As for the crown prince's position, I think it's better not to get involved in the competition too soon. My older brothers have always had their eyes on that seat. If they find out I want to compete too, it could cause a lot of trouble in my day-to-day life."
Calm and rational, yet not without ambition.
After quickly assessing his nephew's character, Kong Deming patted his shoulder once more:
"All right, I'll listen to you. We won't compete for it yet. Whenever you think the time is right, tell me. Then I'll do everything in my power to help you take that seat! Even if someone gets there first, I can still make him willingly yield it to you!"
Before you continue