Half-Rank Innate Soul Power, but an Element Martial Soul

White Tiger Duke Residence.

"Innate Soul Power, Rank One!"

Looking at the girl's scarlet pupils, within which tiny black tomoe slowly turned, Grandmaster Su Yunhai, who was specifically responsible for conducting Martial Soul Awakenings for the children of the duke residence, spoke indifferently as he announced, "Martial Soul: Spiritual Eye! A useless Martial Soul."

The moment the middle-aged man's words left his mouth, everyone present froze for a moment. Then, laughter spread like a plague.

"It's actually not the White Tiger Martial Soul? Well, that makes sense. How could the king among beast Martial Souls, such an incomparably domineering top-tier Beast Martial Soul, possibly appear in a girl like her?"

"Heh, Spiritual Eye? Could that be her mother's Martial Soul? Who knows whether she's even the Duke's child."

"Keep it down! How many heads do you have to lose? Don't get your blood all over me!"

Amid the merciless mockery coming from all around, Huo Yuhao's face turned deathly pale. Her body trembled slightly as her helpless gaze involuntarily shifted toward a spot within the crowd.

"Ahem."

With a light cough, the people nearby immediately lowered their voices and stopped chattering. Yet their gazes still could not help drifting toward the youth who stood out among the crowd.

The youth was plainly dressed, but his clothes were clean and neat. His short black hair made him look energetic. Though his clothing was old-fashioned, it was obvious that he differed from the other servants, slaves, and children of ordinary attendants.

Lin You stepped forward and came to Huo Yuhao's side. After giving her an encouraging look, he led her away before standing among the six pitch-black Awakening Stones. Smiling, he said, "Uncle Hai, let's begin."

The indifference in Su Yunhai's eyes gradually faded. He smiled and said, "Little You, I wonder whether you'll awaken your father's Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade or your mother's Precious Lotus this time. Either one would mean a boundless future."

Lin You's face immediately showed a hint of helplessness. With a sigh, he said, "If you can call mine a useless Martial Soul for good luck later, I'll be more than satisfied."

Then he added inwardly, After all, you have some connection to that blind God King. If you can call the Spirit Eye a useless Martial Soul, then it must be pureblooded as hell. That's a huge blessing.

When he recalled that even Huo Gua had become a girl in this parallel world, his feelings grew even more complicated.

That God King Tang was a genuine daughter doting man. He wouldn't really turn Tang Wutong into Wang Dong forever just to charm her, would he?

Before long, six faint beams of light entered the Awakening Stones on the ground. A hazy golden glow spread out, forming a pale golden dome that enveloped Lin You.

Golden specks entered his body one after another. Lin You could not help closing his eyes as he felt the warm, gentle points of light gradually draw out the power buried within him. His entire body seemed wrapped in mild sunlight, leaving him indescribably comfortable.

The next moment, a complicated chart flashed before his eyes.

It was covered in symbols, nearly all of them dim. Yet in the upper-left corner, a tiny sliver of blue light glowed faintly.

From ruthenium, uranium, neptunium, promethium, and americium to curium, berkelium, californium, einsteinium, and fermium, the symbols were complex and numerous, arranged in perfect order. To an ordinary person, they would be dizzying, like a heavenly script.

Yet it also seemed to contain some great truth, carrying a mysterious and wondrous feeling.

"How is this possible? The Periodic Table?"

Lin You instinctively raised his right hand. Incredibly, the exact same thing that had happened when Huo Yuhao awakened occurred again.

No Tool Martial Soul floated above his right palm, and no phantom image appeared behind him as it would for a Beast Martial Soul awakening.

Nor did his body undergo any transformation like Huo Yuhao's Body Martial Soul. It was as though he had awakened air itself.

"?"

Su Yunhai stared blankly at the silent scene before him, his brows knitted tightly. He guided the process again, but nothing changed. There was still not the slightest reaction, and he was instantly shocked.

Having awakened Martial Souls for so many years, he had seen it all. What kind of scene had he not witnessed before? (Crossed out.)

He had really never seen this scene before!

Not only Su Yunhai, who possessed merely Soul Ancestor cultivation, but even Butler Dai, who had been lying in a recliner some distance away with his eyes closed in the sun, opened his eyes. His cloudy gaze swept over Lin You's body. He walked over, circled him several times for a careful inspection, and likewise revealed a puzzled expression.

How strange. Even he, a Soul Douluo, could not quite see through this child's Martial Soul. Could it truly be so wondrous?

"Ahem, Little You, what did you awaken? A transparent Martial Soul?" Su Yunhai asked in confusion.

Lin You still held up his right hand. His pupils retained traces of the shock of having learned the essence of his Martial Soul as he softly said, "It's in my hand. It's just very, very small."

"Calling it air wouldn't be wrong."

Butler Dai paced quietly, stroking his beard as he sighed. "I never expected there to be such strange people and strange happenings. An Air Martial Soul is simply unheard of."

Su Yunhai chuckled obligingly. "The world is vast, and anything can happen. All sorts of strange Martial Souls are bound to appear now and then. Haha, let's test your soul power. A wondrous Martial Soul must have something unique about it."

The middle-aged man brought out the Crystal Ball and gestured for Lin You to place his palm on it.

The next second, the Crystal Ball emitted an extremely faint glow. If his eyesight had not been sharp, he might even have thought he was seeing things!

"This Innate Soul Power... half a rank?"

His expression was strange, and even his words carried a trace of hesitation.

Butler Dai's previous smile vanished at once, his entire face falling. The loose brows on his forehead furrowed so deeply that they seemed capable of crushing two flies.

Then they slowly relaxed again, and he said lightly, "What a pity. Your father and mother were both rare fierce generals in the army. Since you couldn't inherit their Martial Souls, there's nothing to be done. Little You, don't worry. There are plenty of jobs in the residence. As long as this old man has a bite to eat, you won't go hungry."

The old man's voice was clear and bright, without the slightest senility. Yet his words were clearly meant for the others to hear. Those who had wanted to say something immediately shut their mouths awkwardly, their gazes shifting uncertainly.

"Old Dai, Uncle Hai, I'll be going now."

Lin You did not look disappointed or upset in the slightest over awakening such a useless Martial Soul. He smiled gently, stepped aside, and took his leave first.

Before leaving, he also grabbed Huo Yuhao, who stood alone by the wall, and led her out of the awakening room.

"You-ge, you..."

Huo Yuhao's eyes were slightly red as she sniffled, hesitating over whether to speak. Originally, she had thought that she was the one receiving the coldest stares, but Lin You's Innate Soul Power was half a rank lower than hers!

She knew better than anyone that although Lin You appeared gentle on the outside, he was actually quite proud inside. This must have dealt him a huge blow, right? Then she should not cry either. She ought to show the same gentleness as her mother and comfort him.

As she thought about it, she recalled how her mother soothed her. She stretched out her fair little hand and patted Lin You on the head. The motion was clumsy, but it carried the girl's heartfelt concern.

Lin You caught her small hand and laughed easily. "Why are you copying Aunt Huo now? I'm fine. On the contrary, I'm very happy right now."

Sensing that Lin You's confidence came sincerely from the heart, without the slightest falsehood, Huo Yuhao finally relaxed. She quietly stayed close to his side as they walked toward the small courtyard, softly saying, "I didn't awaken the White Tiger Martial Soul. Mom must be very sad, right? It would have been nice if it were the White Tiger. Then I could protect Mom from being bullied."

"That's not true. As long as you have soul power, Auntie will be very happy. Ordinary people are the ones who truly have no means of protecting themselves. At least you can become a soul master. Maybe when we get back, we can have a big meal." The two gradually walked farther away and disappeared from sight.

White Tiger Duke Residence.

Radiant Light Hall.

As one of the most magnificent residences in the Star Luo Empire, it was immense in scale and lavish beyond measure. Its buildings were grand and imposing, exuding an imperial air. As the residence of the White Tiger Duchess, it sat at the heart of the estate, meticulously arranged and radiating solemnity and nobility.

Behind a screen inlaid with dazzling gemstones, a soft yet luxurious light faintly shone, illuminating a beautiful woman in elaborate court attire and jeweled hair ornaments.

She sat upright in an exquisite pearwood chair. Her face was cold and elegant, while her eyes held an unquestionable authority as she calmly listened to her subordinate's respectful report on the latest news.

When she learned that the girl named Huo Yuhao had awakened a Martial Soul other than the White Tiger Martial Soul, her brows drew together slightly, and a dark, complicated emotion instantly arose in her heart.

To the White Tiger Duchess, since Huo Yuhao was not the possessor of the White Tiger Martial Soul, there was no longer any need to fear Huo Yun'er. The anger and dissatisfaction she had suppressed for so long had finally found a reasonable outlet.

At that thought, a cold smile curved her lips. She had already made her decision.

Just then, one of her subordinates seemed to discern her thoughts. Hoping to ease her burdens, he volunteered to handle this "trouble."

However, his action earned a cold laugh from the White Tiger Duchess, one filled with disdain and mockery. "What? Are you going to make the decision for me?"

The subordinate's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly dropped to his knees and repeatedly cried that he would not dare, banging his forehead heavily against the floor in search of forgiveness.

The White Tiger Duchess merely waved a hand, signaling for him to withdraw. "Enough. Leave. Don't dirty my Imperial Cloud-Viewing Carpet. Your life cannot afford to compensate for it."

Afterward, she summoned a servant from her own household. Her tone carried an authority that allowed no objection. "Xu Kai, spread the news that Huo Yun'er has contracted an extremely severe contagious disease and must be immediately sent to the woodshed for isolation. She is not to come into contact with anyone again. Then drive her there. Remember, do it cleanly."

New author, new book. Woohoo, setting sail!

Also, a question for everyone: what kind of side stories do you prefer? Ones where the protagonist did something that will never be mentioned in the main story, or simple side stories that share the same timeline as the main story? That way, I can plan them out.