"What is this?"
As the inky-black Qi gradually gathered in one place, the phantom of a broken black iron rod bearing dragon patterns slowly appeared in his hand, looking as though it might turn solid at any moment.
But for some unknown reason, several seconds after the phantom appeared, it still had not turned solid. The inky-black Qi rapidly dispersed and condensed into Luo Sanpao again.
At the sight, Long Qianming's excitement was beyond words.
This must be the most unusual aspect of my martial soul. No wonder I have two levels of innate soul power!
Judging by this, my martial soul's special ability is beast martial soul tool transformation.
That broken iron rod must be part of some weapon-a spear, a staff, or perhaps a lance. Any long-shafted weapon is possible.
There are also very few cases of soul masters with the similar ability of tool martial soul beast transformation, with Snake Lance Douluo being the typical example.
After he gained his Martial Soul Avatar, his tool martial soul could transform into a beast martial soul to fight. While retaining the toughness and strong support capabilities of a tool martial soul, it could also gain the beast transformation enhancement of a beast martial soul. That certainly isn't weak.
As for beast martial soul tool transformation, there has never been anyone like it before, nor will there be anyone like it afterward. I may be the only soul master on the entire continent with beast martial soul tool transformation-and external beast martial soul tool transformation at that.
Judging by Snake Lance's tool martial soul beast transformation, my beast martial soul tool transformation will probably have to wait until the seventh soul ring, when I unlock my Martial Soul Avatar, before it can truly reveal its transformed appearance and power.
At that moment, the more Long Qianming looked at Luo Sanpao beneath his stroking hand, the more his spirits lifted.
"Swine martial soul-that name doesn't sound good. From now on, you'll be called 'Tian.'"
"Xiao Tian, let's grow stronger together and stay alive together."
Sensing the change in Long Qianming's state of mind, the black Luo Sanpao kept circling around him. It seemed very pleased with this new name.
However, just as Long Qianming prepared to continue cultivating, Xiao Tian, who had been keeping watch beside him all along, fixed its enormous beast eyes on the door.
"Luo, luo-"
Its cries rang out along with the swaying of the bell on its chest, warning of approaching danger.
Long Qianming swiftly drew eight silver needles from his waist and concealed them between the fingers of both hands. Under Xiao Tian's influence, his hearing, sense of smell, and other perceptions had all improved.
Several orderly knocks sounded at the door.
"Yu Qianming, Yu Qianming, open the door. I have something important to discuss with you."
The speaker was none other than Yu Xiaogang, the number-two seeded candidate with an external trash martial soul to become a powerful soul master in the future.
Long Qianming hurriedly recalled Xiao Tian into his body, then covered the distance in quick strides and opened the locked door.
Yu Xiaogang walked inside and surveyed the shabby stone house without feeling any sympathy. A child like this, who had never received any proper clan resources in six years, was exactly what he wanted.
As long as he shared a small portion of the cultivation resources he received with this down-and-out elder brother, the latter would surely be grateful beyond measure and let himself be ordered around.
"Yu Xiaogang, what are you after, visiting someone who's about to leave?"
Long Qianming spoke coldly. He could muster no goodwill toward this legitimate son whom he had met only a few times, yet who had received so much attention since birth.
Even if Yu Xiaogang had spoken up for him earlier, that had merely been driven by the shared interests of soul masters with the same kind of martial soul.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang could not be bothered to beat around the bush anymore. Adopting the manner of a superior, he said,
"Yu Qianming, we both awakened external trash martial souls, and your innate soul power is even higher than mine."
When he reached the latter half of the sentence, Yu Xiaogang was visibly reluctant. How could a legitimate son of his standing lose in a comparison of innate soul power to an illegitimate son with no resources whatsoever?
"Although Father and the others don't value you, I'm willing to share ten percent of my cultivation resources with you so that you can become a soul master. Are you willing to accept?"
"Me? And ten percent of your resources?"
Looking at Yu Xiaogang, who was still brimming with confidence, Long Qianming momentarily did not know what to say. Someone who had awakened the same martial soul as him still had vast quantities of the clan's resources directed his way, and could even spare some for him. Was this the so-called privilege of a legitimate son?
Then why, twenty or thirty years later, had his soul power still stalled at rank twenty-nine, a Soul Grandmaster?
Seeing the utter astonishment in Long Qianming's eyes, Yu Xiaogang had already begun envisioning a series of theoretical research projects concerning the development of external martial souls. As long as this useless elder brother agreed, he could follow his ideas and test the feasibility of his theories one by one.
Little did he expect that, in the very next second, a single sentence would strike his young heart like five bolts of thunder.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I refuse."
"What? How can you so easily give up such a wonderful opportunity?"
Yu Xiaogang stared at Long Qianming in shock. He could not let such a fine experimental subject slip away just like that.
Since ten percent of his resources was not enough, then twenty percent-or thirty percent at most. He refused to believe that someone who had never received cultivation resources could remain steadfast when suddenly faced with so many.
Yet even when he offered thirty percent of his resources, Long Qianming still refused.
"Why? Why aren't you, a castoff of the clan, tempted by resources? Could it be that you, Yu Qianming, look down on the resources of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
By now, Long Qianming's behavior had angered Yu Xiaogang. When he thought back to how he had possessed enormous quantities of resources, whenever he shared some with others, every one of them had been deeply grateful and accepted gladly.
How was it that, when it came to Long Qianming, an illegitimate son who had never received any cultivation resources and was no better than a stranger, he refused to accept his bestowal?
Long Qianming was deeply displeased by Yu Xiaogang's words. He said coldly,
"How could someone about to leave the clan dare accept such a generous gift from the clan leader's son? If I accepted, how would your mother and father treat me? I'm afraid my life would only become more miserable."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang staggered back several steps. His mind had been set solely on developing the relevant theories. He had never considered what consequences it might cause.
"I-I can give you resources in secret. If it's discovered afterward, I'll take full responsibility myself."
Yu Xiaogang's intentions remained unchanged. As for the consequences? Once his theories were complete, whether this elder brother lived or died would have nothing to do with him.
An illegitimate son is an illegitimate son after all-never fit to be seen in polite company!
"Give them to me in secret?"
Long Qianming gave a cold laugh. If he had not known what sort of person Yu Xiaogang was, he might have simply accepted this supply of resources.
Although Long Qianming was no saint himself, how could he let himself be timid and hesitant now? Since he had chosen to leave the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, which had stifled him for years, he had to sever ties thoroughly enough to keep it from affecting his Dao heart.
"Yu Xiaogang, from now on, I won't accept anything from within the clan, including your share of resources. I'm tired now. Take care on your way out; I won't see you off."
"You, you-"
Yu Xiaogang pointed furiously at Long Qianming. He had never met anyone so impervious to persuasion.
"Fine, fine, fine! You deserve to have fallen this low. Your ambitions tower higher than the heavens-I'd like to see how you survive out there after leaving the clan."
"There's no need to trouble yourself over that, young clan leader."
As the door slowly closed, Yu Xiaogang turned in anger, swept his arm out, and left in a fury.