A new beginning

Eight years old, at the peak of rank 19. That's a pretty good cultivation speed—even better than Yan Feng's! Xu Yan thought.

After all, body martial souls generally had very low innate soul power.

Yan Feng's Bone Dragon Martial Soul, on the other hand, had given him rank 9 innate soul power.

Only with the addition of his gold of life had Yan Feng undergone a transformation and reached Soul Grandmaster a few days earlier.

It seemed Long Aotian's innate soul power, like his own, was not low.

It might even have reached rank 9!

"Master, who are they? New disciples the sect has taken in?"

The little girl beside Mo Yuan hugged his arm and asked softly.

Her lively eyes kept blinking as she studied Xu Yan curiously.

So handsome!

A boy with such striking good looks was truly rare.

Especially with Xu Yan's composure, far beyond that of his peers, and his cool, distinctive air.

For an innocent girl like Vina, it was devastatingly attractive.

Mo Yuan gently rubbed her little head and murmured with a smile:

"Don't rush. You'll find out in a moment."

"Hey, Brother Yan, that little girl keeps sneaking looks at you."

Yan Feng suddenly nudged Xu Yan's arm and teased him in a low voice.

Xu Yan rolled his eyes helplessly. "She's the same age as you."

From the way Mo Yuan addressed the little girl, Xu Yan had more or less figured out who she was.

Vina, a princess of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Not only did she have twin martial souls, but her talent was also excellent.

She should have been around eight that year, the same age as Xu Yan.

In the original story, she was Long Aotian's fiancée.

He just did not know whether the two were together at this point in time.

Xu Yan felt little stir in his heart over Vina.

After all, they came from different countries and stood on different sides.

In the original story, Vina had swallowed her pride to preserve the Heaven Dou Empire, even offering her body to plead with Huo Yuhao.

She was a typical royal who placed her family and country above all else.

Unless he abandoned his goal of unifying the continent or submitted entirely to the Heavenly Soul Royal Family, the two would most likely be enemies rather than friends.

"Let me introduce him to everyone."

Du Busi raised a hand and patted Xu Yan's shoulder, his smile hearty and his voice carrying across the grounds:

"This is my new direct disciple, Xu Yan.

He's the same age as you, Ao Tian, and has already broken through to Soul Grandmaster. You fellow disciples should get along well from now on."

"What!"

The moment he said that, the noisy training grounds fell utterly silent.

Everyone had already guessed that the newcomer was a new disciple. After all, the sect master often brought back talented youngsters.

But no one had expected him to be the sect master's direct disciple!

"The sect master actually took a disciple? Then what about Senior Brother Ao Tian?"

"I thought the sect master would definitely take Senior Brother Long Aotian this time..."

"Senior Brother Ao Tian's skin martial soul is already top-tier, and his talent crushes everyone his age. Even that wasn't good enough for the sect master?"

"Could this Junior Brother Xu Yan's martial soul and talent far surpass Senior Brother Ao Tian's?

Could he have the extremely rare heart body martial soul?"

"We don't know his martial soul yet, but anyone who can reach Soul Grandmaster so young must have terrifying talent! I just wonder how strong he is."

The disciples murmured among themselves, full of shock and bewilderment.

Xu Yan turned toward Long Aotian first, smiling as he raised a hand in greeting:

"Hello, Senior Brother."

An almost imperceptible change flashed through Long Aotian's eyes.

After a moment of surprise, he quickly gathered himself and smiled openly, his bearing generous:

"No need to be so polite, Junior Brother. I only arrived two years before you.

If there's anything you don't understand about cultivation, you can ask me anytime.

Of course, if you want to spar, I'm always ready!"

Although he had always hoped to become Du Busi's disciple and could not help regretting the missed opportunity, he had no intention of taking it out on Xu Yan.

Resources in the Body Sect were distributed equally, with no special treatment based on whether someone was the sect master's direct disciple.

Compared with that title, he was more curious about his new junior brother's true strength.

A fierce desire to fight had already flared in his heart.

Seeing this, Xu Yan's mouth twitched.

Well, another martial arts fanatic, just as expected. Now old Ji has a partner.

Du Busi hurriedly interrupted when he saw this. "All right, everyone, get back to cultivating.

Ao Tian, all of you can disperse. I'll take Xu Yan and the others to get settled in their lodgings first."

Noon was almost upon them, and he genuinely feared that Xu Yan would turn Long Aotian into a mist of blood with a single punch.

Although Du Busi had yet to see Xu Yan at noon himself, Yan Feng and the others had already told him about it on the way here.

Ten times his combat strength at noon—even if it lasted only a minute, that was enough to blow a Soul Elder apart.

Let alone a rank 19 Soul Master.

To be safe, he had to hurry and take Xu Yan away.

Afterward, Du Busi led Xu Yan and the others away from the training grounds.

They passed along several stone-paved paths within the sect and arrived at a secluded little courtyard.

The courtyard was not large, but it was very tidy.

An ancient locust tree grew in its center, its luxuriant branches and leaves casting dappled shade.

Four separate rooms stood side by side in the courtyard, each with bright windows and spotless interiors, their doors loosely closed.

Du Busi stopped and introduced the place:

"This courtyard is quiet and close to both the training grounds and the dining hall. It's ideal for cultivating in peace.

There are four rooms. Divide them among yourselves."

Looking at the plain, simple rooms before him, Xu Yan felt a rush of emotion.

Only yesterday, he had been living in a lavish palace in Mingdu, his sleeping quarters resplendent with gold. Today, he was moving into a humble room in the mountains.

Although the conditions were worlds apart, all the restlessness in his heart faded, leaving only peace and stability.

For some reason, this place put his heart at ease.

"This courtyard's pretty nice! It reminds me a little of my old home!"

Yan Feng looked around the courtyard, his face full of delight.

Then he rushed eagerly toward the rooms at either end, not forgetting to turn back and warn:

"Old Ji, you snore when you sleep. Stay away from me! Don't disturb my rest!"

Ji Juechen's mouth twitched slightly, and he could not be bothered to respond.

He walked expressionlessly toward another room.

Xu He also took the opportunity to choose one of the middle rooms and move in.

Within moments, only Xu Yan and Du Busi remained in the courtyard.

Du Busi turned around, raised a hand, and took out a yellowed ancient book bound in beast hide.

Its pages were worn, its patterns archaic, and it carried the weight of years.

"Little Yan, this is the secret body martial soul cultivation method exclusive to our Body Sect.

Take it and study it first. If there's anything you don't understand, come ask me anytime tonight."

Xu Yan reached out to accept the ancient book, his gaze falling on its cover.

Four ancient characters, their strokes dancing like dragons and phoenixes, caught his eye.

[Secret of the Body].

"I still have sect affairs to handle, so I'll be leaving first.

A disciple will come by shortly to show you around the sect and arrange your meals. I'll come see you again tonight."

"Mm. Go take care of your business, Master."

Xu Yan nodded slightly, knowing perfectly well what was going on.

Du Busi was probably eager to return and take inventory of the enormous haul of soul tools and rare ores they had plundered, then put it all away.

After a few more brief reminders about the sect's rules and everyday matters, Du Busi turned and left.

Xu Yan walked into his room.

Its furnishings were minimal: a table, a chair, a bed, and a bookshelf, all neat and tidy.

He gently placed Secret of the Body on the table, then raised a hand and pushed open the wooden window.

The ancient locust tree came into view outside. A cool breeze passed through the courtyard, rustling the leaves in tranquil serenity.

"A new environment, a new beginning!" Xu Yan murmured.