Adding Legs to a Snake

Xu Mengqing nodded. "Don't worry, Dad! So what if it's Blue Silver Grass? I'll definitely become a powerful Spirit Master!"

Xu Zhan nodded as he looked at the fire in Xu Mengqing's eyes.

It seemed that the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul had not affected him.

That made him breathe a slight sigh of relief. Although he was somewhat disappointed that Xu Mengqing had not awakened the Bright Serpent Martial Soul, he was even more worried that Xu Mengqing would lose his fighting spirit because of the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.

Xu Zhan took Xu Mengqing's small hand, and the two headed home.

The streets were crowded with people, most of them dejected parents and children. Occasionally, cheers rang out—some family's child had awakened a decent Martial Soul, drawing waves of envy. Xu Mengqing watched silently, yet his heart remained unusually calm.

Level-three Innate Soul Power, Blue Silver Grass.

That truly was not a good start. It could even be called dismal.

Fortunately, he still possessed another Martial Soul within his body.

When they returned home, Meng Ling'er was already waiting by the door, her eyes full of anticipation and worry.

"Xiaoqing, how did it go?" She hurried over and looked her son up and down.

Xu Mengqing flashed a brilliant smile and spread his arms. "Mom, I have Innate Soul Power, and it's level three!"

Meng Ling'er's body trembled slightly before she revealed a relieved smile, even becoming somewhat excited. "Level three? As long as you have Innate Soul Power, that's enough! As long as you have Innate Soul Power, that's enough!" She hugged her son tightly, tears welling in her eyes. "That's wonderful. Mom knew my Xiaoqing could do it!"

Xu Zhan silently watched it all from the side.

After hugging him for a while, Meng Ling'er wiped the corners of her eyes. "By the way, Xiaoqing, did you awaken your father's Bright Serpent Martial Soul?"

Xu Mengqing glanced at Xu Zhan, who nodded at him, signaling him to tell her.

After all, she would have to know sooner or later.

Meng Ling'er seemed to notice the exchange between the two of them, and her heart sank.

"Mom, I didn't awaken the Bright Serpent Martial Soul. I awakened Blue Silver Grass, just like you."

"What? How... how could this happen?" Meng Ling'er froze. Tears immediately surged forth, impossible to hold back, and guilt filled her heart.

"It's all Mom's fault. If only..."

Xu Mengqing took the initiative to hug Meng Ling'er. "Mom, Blue Silver Grass is pretty good too."

Xu Zhan embraced both of them, patting Meng Ling'er on the back as if comforting her guilt.

A warm current flowed through Xu Mengqing's heart as he looked at Meng Ling'er. He sighed, seeming to make up his mind.

"Dad, Mom, it seems I have more than just Blue Silver Grass as my Martial Soul!"

Upon hearing that, Xu Zhan froze, then suddenly shouted, "What?!"

Meng Ling'er was stunned as well, but after hearing Xu Zhan's shout, she came to her senses and shot him a glare.

Xu Zhan quickly covered his mouth.

The news from Xu Mengqing dispelled some of Meng Ling'er's sorrow. She wiped the corners of her eyes again before asking doubtfully, "Xiaoqing... are you saying there's another Martial Soul inside you?"

Xu Zhan stared intently at Xu Mengqing as well.

Xu Mengqing nodded. Seeing his mother blame herself and feel so upset made him feel terrible too.

"Yes, Mom. When the Spirit Transmitter helped me awaken my Martial Soul, I could sense another Martial Soul inside me. But I forcibly suppressed it at the time, so it didn't appear."

As he spoke, Xu Mengqing extended his left hand. Brilliant golden light immediately shone from his palm.

Xu Zhan and Meng Ling'er stared at the dazzling golden light and slightly narrowed their eyes. As the light fell upon them, both felt warmth spread through their bodies, without the slightest discomfort. On the contrary, it felt extremely pleasant. When the light dimmed and they opened their eyes, they saw a snake-shaped Martial Soul hovering above Xu Mengqing's palm, about fifty centimeters long.

"What kind of Martial Soul is this?" Xu Zhan asked in confusion.

Xu Mengqing also looked at his second Martial Soul with a strange expression.

In form, Xu Mengqing's second Martial Soul somewhat resembled the Bright Serpent. However, the Bright Serpent was white, while his Martial Soul was platinum-colored. Even stranger, Xu Mengqing and Xu Zhan could clearly see four sharp claws on his second Martial Soul.

It gave off the bizarre feeling of adding legs to a snake.

Unlike Xu Zhan, Meng Ling'er revealed a faint smile. As an ordinary person, she did not know much about Martial Souls, but she still knew about Twin Martial Souls.

Xu Zhan thought for a moment before speaking. "Xiaoqing, your second Martial Soul should be a mutation of my Bright Serpent. It changed from a snake into a lizard."

Xu Mengqing nodded, but a storm had already risen in his heart.

As he released his second Martial Soul, he also sensed its attributes: light, holiness, destruction, uh... and devouring. What the hell was this?!

Why were light and holiness mixed together with destruction and devouring?

Did light cheat, or did darkness have an affair?

Holy crap.

Could this be my golden finger? These four utterly opposing powers actually coexisted within the same Martial Soul. It was simply unimaginable.

Meng Ling'er's voice choked with excitement. "Good child, my Xiaoqing is amazing!"

Xu Zhan grinned beside them, his large hand forcefully patting his son's shoulder. The atmosphere from earlier, when they had learned he awakened Blue Silver Grass, had completely vanished. The family of three was immersed in a rare celebratory mood, and their small home was filled with warmth and hope.

Xu Mengqing withdrew his second Martial Soul into his body, and the room instantly returned to calm.

Xu Zhan solemnly nodded and looked at his son, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Xiaoqing, your Martial Soul is an unprecedented new mutated Martial Soul. By custom, you can personally give it a name."

Xu Mengqing thought briefly. Platinum-colored, four claws, light attribute, lizard—then he said:

"Let's call it... the Holy Light Lizard."

"Holy Light Lizard?" Xu Zhan repeated, nodding repeatedly. "A good name! Holy and bright—it suits your Martial Soul very well."

With the Martial Soul's name decided, the last trace of gloom in the family's hearts completely dispersed.

Meng Ling'er could no longer contain her joy. She turned and eagerly rushed into the kitchen.

Long before Martial Soul Awakening Day, she had bought a large amount of ingredients in advance, waiting to celebrate for her son. Now that she had learned Xu Mengqing possessed the one-in-ten-thousand Twin Martial Souls, she was even more determined to personally cook the most lavish dinner and celebrate properly.

Soon, the kitchen was filled with the cheerful clatter of cookware, and a fragrance gradually spread through the house.

Xu Zhan watched the busy figure in the kitchen, his expression suddenly turning serious. He lowered his voice and said to Xu Mengqing, "Xiaoqing, remember this: you must not reveal a single word of your Twin Martial Souls secret to outsiders."

He understood how complicated the outside world was. Twin Martial Souls with level-three Innate Soul Power? He did not want it to bring a deadly disaster upon his son.

"Tell others that you awakened Blue Silver Grass with level-three Innate Soul Power. Once you're strong enough in the future, you can reveal it gradually. Also, I'll talk to your mother."

Xu Mengqing nodded, his little face full of seriousness. "Dad, I understand. I'll protect this secret."

Before long, a table full of fragrant dishes was set out. Meng Ling'er kept placing food into Xu Mengqing's bowl, her eyes and brows overflowing with irrepressible joy.