The Third Child of the Hongchen Family

Sun Moon Empire, Bright Capital.

Hongchen Duke's Estate.

The morning sunlight slanted through the exquisite long windows, illuminating the fine dust in the air until it floated like golden powder.

In a bedroom on the eastern side of the duke's estate, a young man was still curled up beneath his soft blankets.

The light quietly crept over his cheeks, outlining a youthful face.

The young man's long lashes trembled lightly several times, as though his sleep had been disturbed, before he finally opened his eyes.

He had deep, peach-blossom eyes with slightly upturned corners, thick lashes, and very pale amber irises.

His gaze was calm at the moment, giving him an air of jade-like gentleness that nevertheless made him impossible to see through.

Yan Hongchen stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment before finally shaking off his drowsiness and preparing to get up.

He threw off the covers, got up and tidied the bed, then headed to the washroom to freshen up.

The sound of running water trickled softly. A short while later, a neat and well-groomed figure gradually appeared in the mirror.

Yan Hongchen had changed into a light-gray fitted robe. The fabric draped smoothly; from afar, it appeared plain and clean, but only upon closer inspection could one see the exquisite hidden patterns of sun, moon, stars, and rivers.

The youth in the mirror had short gray hair, a gentle shade that seemed to have shed some of its fiery edge and settled like dust after the storm. Under the light, it carried a faint shifting sheen.

His nose bridge was high and straight, while his jawline was soft and smooth. The corners of his lips naturally curved upward, giving him both a young man's handsome refinement and an elegant temperament.

His skin was fair, and his frame somewhat slender, though not frail—like a young sapling quietly taking root and growing.

Yan Hongchen pushed open the door, crossed the corridor, and entered the spacious hall. A man and a woman were seated at the dining table.

The man was tall and well-proportioned, with a handsome yet resolute face, short gray hair, and a dark-blue robe embroidered with muted golden patterns. His sharp eyes were fixed on the scroll in his hands.

The woman opposite him had skin whiter than snow, slender willow-leaf brows, pale lips, waist-length black hair, and a light-purple long dress. She ate breakfast with graceful poise.

Seeing them, Yan Hongchen raised a hand in greeting. "Dad, Mom, good morning. Is there any breakfast left? I'm hungry..."

Liu Yueming set down her porcelain spoon and turned her gentle gaze toward Yan Hongchen. "Little Yan finally decided to get up. Of course there's still food. Come over."

A servant quietly brought over the meal. Yan Hongchen sat down at the table, drank a glass of water first, then began eating attentively.

A moment later, Yi Hongchen had finished reading the scroll in his hand. He put it away and looked up at Yan Hongchen, who was eating.

"Little Yan, we can't put off your Martial Soul awakening any longer. You can't possibly insist on waiting until your brother and sister return."

Yi Hongchen's words interrupted Yan Hongchen's meal. He hurriedly swallowed the food in his mouth. "Dad, can't I wait for Grandpa and my brother and sister to come back before awakening?"

Though he said that, Yan Hongchen knew full well that he had been in this world for more than six years. Having transmigrated here before birth, he also understood the general situation.

This was Douluo Continent. He was the third son of the Hongchen Family. His grandfather was Jing Hongchen, the current master of Mingde Hall; his father was Yi Hongchen, the current Duke Hongchen; and his mother was named Liu Yueming.

Because of his arrival, this family seemed to differ subtly from the original story. His parents' names had never appeared in the previous tale, and his birth had been entrusted with the simplest of wishes—Yan, signifying peace and tranquility.

Two years ago, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had undergone their Martial Soul awakenings. The two had awakened different Martial Souls, and both possessed boundless prospects.

Jing Hongchen, Yi Hongchen, and Liu Yueming had not demanded that he achieve any great feats, but a Martial Soul awakening was ultimately a step that had to be taken.

Yan Hongchen admitted that he had delayed for a while. He had reached the proper age, yet he still had not undergone his Martial Soul awakening.

On one hand, Jing Hongchen had taken Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen to obtain their second soul rings some time ago. He had hoped that the whole family could be present to witness it.

On the other hand, Yan Hongchen feared that if he turned out to be too mediocre, how much could he truly interfere with what lay ahead? In the face of the coming struggle of the great era, how much could he accomplish?

Yi Hongchen's tone was gentle yet brooked no argument. "Your grandfather's trip with your brother and sister to the Jingyang Mountains to hunt soul rings went smoothly. They only spent some extra time searching for suitable soul beasts in the Ice Sea near Dongyang City. The matter is settled now, and they'll return within the next two days."

"Finish your meal properly now, and I'll take you to awaken afterward. It's only a ceremony; there's no need to be nervous. If you keep putting it off, your brother and sister will laugh at you when they return."

Upon hearing that, Yan Hongchen knew there was no escaping it. If his Martial Soul talent truly was poor... then he would just take drugs. After all, he was in the Sun Moon Empire. There was no shame in relying on drugs.

He set down his bowl and chopsticks, his expression turning serious. "I understand. Then I'll trouble you, Dad."

Yi Hongchen smiled in satisfaction. "We'll go to the meditation chamber after breakfast. I've already prepared everything. If you hadn't agreed, I would've had to drag you there myself. Otherwise, when your grandfather returns, I'll be the one getting beaten."

Yan Hongchen merely curled his lips slightly at Yi Hongchen's complaint. Though he had never witnessed Yi Hongchen's strength firsthand, he had heard of it.

Before Xiao Hongchen awakened the Three-Legged Golden Toad Martial Soul, Yi Hongchen had also been hailed as a peerless genius of his generation. Because he had awakened a Martial Soul different from Jing Hongchen's, his physical constitution was said to be exceptional.

Though Yan Hongchen was worried about his Martial Soul awakening, he also felt a little excitement. What kind of Martial Soul would he awaken? Would he mutate and produce some entirely new Martial Soul again?

With that thought, he quickened his pace and swiftly finished breakfast. Liu Yueming had already risen and instructed the attendants to clear the table.

The three of them passed through courtyard after courtyard, heading toward the meditation chamber deep within the estate, a place specially used for cultivation.

The light in the meditation chamber was soft. A complex awakening formation was inscribed across the floor, while awakening stones were arranged neatly around it, flowing with a lustrous glow.

Yi Hongchen did not waste words. He gestured for Yan Hongchen to stand within the formation, then said, "Little Yan, focus your mind and calm your breathing. Carefully sense the power flowing within your body. Do not be distracted."

As his words fell, Yan Hongchen nodded in understanding. Thick soul power surged from Yi Hongchen's palm and flowed into the awakening stones.

The next instant, all the awakening stones lit up. The formation patterns ignited one after another, silver light flowing like a river as it enveloped Yan Hongchen.

Warm and vast energy rose from beneath his feet, coursing through Yan Hongchen's body along his meridians. Like spring water melting ice, it quietly awakened something slumbering deep within his bloodline.

The first thing to emerge was a cool, nimble power carrying fluctuations on the spiritual level.

Behind Yan Hongchen, a pale-blue halo shrouded in misty vapor gathered. As the radiance gradually receded, the form of his Martial Soul was revealed.

It was neither the Three-Legged Golden Toad nor the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad, but a small and nimble spirit toad.

Its skin was a translucent pale blue, like the clearest lake water, with what seemed to be currents slowly circulating within.

The patterns on its back naturally formed rippling wave-like designs, occasionally emitting a soft blue glow.

Across its broad forehead was a naturally formed ring of golden markings, like ripples on water.

Most distinctive of all were its eyes—iridescent and glasslike, radiating strange, dreamlike fluctuations.

Yi Hongchen was puzzled at first, but then his eyes suddenly lit up, unable to hide his delight. "This seems to be... a brand-new toad-type martial soul!"

Before Yi Hongchen could confirm it, a sudden mutation occurred!