In the Xu Clan's backyard training ground, Xu Zhengyang stood facing his father, Xu Haoyang.
Xu Zhengyang's eyes were like a fierce tiger's as he gripped a Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear over three meters long. Its shape somewhat resembled his Martial Soul, and it weighed nearly five hundred jin. He had specially commissioned it.
Xu Haoyang, however, appeared exceptionally calm. He had not even summoned his Sun Martial Soul.
Gripping the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear, Xu Zhengyang thrust at Xu Haoyang with all his strength, aiming straight for his throat. The thrust looked incredibly swift and fierce, with ample force behind it.
But Xu Haoyang merely raised his hand slightly. Soul Power covered his entire arm, and even his whole hand seemed like flame as he forcibly blocked the spear thrusting straight toward him.
Even with all his strength, Xu Zhengyang could not advance the spear an inch. Even its head had been caught in his father's grip.
Xu Zhengyang suddenly roared and twisted his entire body with force, sweeping the spear through the air. Then he brought its butt around in a backhand smash, swinging it straight at Xu Haoyang's shoulder.
Unfortunately, no matter how fast he was, his attacks were like child's play before Xu Haoyang. A single finger was enough to block Xu Zhengyang's attack.
Xu Zhengyang even felt an astonishing force travel through the spear's butt, as though he would be sent flying in an instant.
Yet Xu Zhengyang was ferocious at that moment, like a fierce tiger released from its cage. He turned and thrust the spear back, driving its head straight toward the joint of Xu Haoyang's left leg.
A slight change came over the previously unruffled Xu Haoyang's gaze, but he merely lifted his foot and blocked Xu Zhengyang's strike with his long leg.
With his successive attacks blocked, Xu Zhengyang instead grew braver with every exchange. He leaped up and flicked the spear tip forcefully upward, knocking Xu Haoyang's finger aside, then thrust down from above straight at his throat.
Unfortunately, Xu Haoyang's gaze remained casual. He abruptly slapped out with his other arm, knocking the spearhead away. Xu Zhengyang instantly felt a terrifying recoil surge through the spear.
Even so, Xu Zhengyang braced the spear's butt against the ground. The entire spear followed his body through a circle in the air before he thrust back once more-a move that drove straight into the yellow dragon's lair.
Only then did a trace of appreciation appear on Xu Haoyang's face. Unfortunately, no matter how swift and fierce this thrust into the yellow dragon's lair was, he still neutralized it with ease.
Xu Zhengyang's attacks were thwarted one after another, but his momentum only grew stronger. Thrust followed thrust, each like a gale and a torrential downpour, rapidly attacking different parts of Xu Haoyang's body. An ordinary person would probably have long since been overwhelmed.
Unfortunately, Xu Haoyang was far too powerful-at least countless times stronger than Xu Zhengyang, who had yet to become a Soul Master. His body was also covered in searing-hot Soul Power, and Xu Zhengyang could not break through his defenses at all.
After they had fought continuously for several dozen minutes, Xu Haoyang suddenly shifted his stance. Five Soul Rings-two yellow, two purple, and one black-instantly appeared around him, while a fiery-red sun appeared behind him. Immediately afterward, he struck with his palm, a sun-shaped mass of Soul Power gathering in his hand, radiating heat and moving extremely fast.
Xu Zhengyang's expression changed drastically. He swept the spear tip outward, forcibly placing the heavy shaft in front of Xu Haoyang's palm. This was a blocking spear move.
Unfortunately, the gap in their strength was simply too vast. Even though Xu Zhengyang had reacted and resisted with all his might, the entire spear seemed unable to withstand such tremendous force, and especially that terrifying heat. Its shaft deformed instantly, and Xu Zhengyang himself was sent flying.
By the time everything settled, the spear in Xu Zhengyang's hands had been bent double. He sat on the ground, panting heavily. Although he was uninjured, his forehead was covered in sweat.
Ever since he had begun practicing spearmanship, Xu Zhengyang had occasionally sought instruction from his parents in addition to practicing against targets.
Previously, however, he had always sparred with his mother, who had mostly taught him by feeding him moves, showing great restraint.
Having broken through to rank ten this time, Xu Zhengyang had been brimming with confidence and planned to spar with his father to test the results of his arduous training.
The result was that his father had defeated Xu Zhengyang in a single move without even using a Soul Tool, or so much as a Soul Skill.
After all, Xu Zhengyang was only eight years old. Even after training for so long, even though he was nearly 1.6 meters tall and had firm muscles, when faced with a true Soul Master, the gap between him and his father was ultimately far too great. His father was a genuine rank-fifty-six Soul King, and his Martial Soul was the attack-oriented Sun.
Xu Haoyang nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad, Zhengyang. Your two years of spear practice have indeed borne some fruit. Among your peers, there should be very few who can defeat you. You've also built a very solid foundation in spearmanship, and you react quickly to changes."
"Unfortunately, you're still far too unpracticed at varying your moves, and the transitions between them are a little disordered. This five-hundred-jin spear is still somewhat too heavy for you."
Xu Zhengyang carefully considered his father's guidance. These were indeed all his shortcomings. No matter how hard he trained, he had ultimately spent too little time cultivating. He was still too young, lacking both combat experience and awareness.
After they talked things over, Xu Haoyang finally said, "Zhengyang, you're rank ten now. What plans do you have for your Soul Ring?"
Xu Zhengyang thought for a moment before saying, "Father, I want a tiger for my first Soul Ring, preferably one inclined toward yang and toughness, around five hundred years old."
Xu Haoyang's gaze tightened at those words. "Why would you choose a tiger? And I'm afraid five hundred years would already exceed what your body can withstand."
"Your physique may be good, but when you absorb a Soul Ring, its energy will surge against your meridians and blood vessels, and even every cell in your body. That isn't something you can withstand merely by being physically strong."
Xu Zhengyang hurriedly said, "Father, I've studied my Martial Soul carefully. Its name should be the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear. The spearhead in particular seems to faintly possess a tiger's imposing might. But my Innate Soul Power was too low, and my Martial Soul didn't fully awaken. Only by absorbing tiger-type Soul Rings can I make my Martial Soul break through and further strengthen its tough, yang attributes."
"As for five hundred years, I've considered that carefully too. Given my current situation, if I don't take a gamble, my Martial Soul will ultimately place far too severe a restriction on me in the future. I have to find a way to make it undergo a second awakening."
Xu Haoyang looked thoughtful. "In other words, according to your plan, every Soul Ring for your Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear will have to come from a tiger-type Soul Beast, and one inclined toward yang and toughness at that? I'm afraid those won't be easy to find."
Xu Zhengyang nodded. "Yes. And my plan is for every Soul Ring to exceed the age limit for my current stage. Only then might I break through my Martial Soul's limitations and become stronger."
Xu Haoyang remained silent for a long time before speaking. "All right. Since you've already made your plans, I'll set out tomorrow and take you to the Jingyang Mountain Range. There are more tiger-type Soul Beasts there."