Chapter 6: Xiaomen's Martial Soul
Yu Yuanzhen stroked his beard helplessly and turned to the elders beside him. "If awakening with innate soul power above level nine were so easy, then the birth of the Clear Sky Twin Stars wouldn't have shocked the entire continent."
In Tang Chen's era, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had been suppressed for a whole generation under the shadow of the Clear Sky Sect. Just when Tang Hao's family seemed to be losing their grip, fortune blessed them again: Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, both awakened the Clear Sky Hammer with full innate soul power. Either of them had the potential to become the next Tang Chen.
Such blessings were something Yu Yuanzhen and his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect could only envy. He sighed, muttering, "Now, my only real hope lies with Xiaogang."
He felt a sense of déjà vu. His brothers—the four current elders—had all awakened with seven- or eight-level soul power, managing to reach the rank of Soul Douluo later in life. He alone had reached Titled Douluo level and held up the entire sect's legacy on his shoulders.
While the elders muttered with concern, Yu Xiaogang was brimming with delight. His cousins' results—level seven and eight innate soul power—were decent but not enough to be the pride of one of the Three Upper Sects. With such mediocrity surrounding him, his own awakening would shine all the brighter when the time came.
"Next, Yu Xiaomen!"
At the call of his name, the elders cast the boy only passing glances, with little expectation. Though he carried Yu Yuanzhen's blood, his mother Yun Niang was not even a soul master. How good could her child's martial soul possibly be? At best, he would be a mere footnote.
Yu Xiaomen had long grown used to cold stares, but that couldn't silence the wave of emotion stirring in his chest. Today would be the day he awakened his martial soul—the beginning of change. The indifference of his father, the humiliation and death of his mother, the years of bullying at the hands of the sect disciples—all had forged an unyielding determination deep within him. If he became a soul master, if he gained enough strength, he would leave this cruel sect forever.
He stepped onto the Awakening Platform. The awakening master guided him to the center, beginning the ritual.
Below, Yu Xiaogang watched his half-brother with thinly veiled contempt. He knew Xiaomen's martial soul would almost certainly be the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—just like everyone else's—but his soul power couldn't possibly be high. Yet, spite simmered in his chest as he cursed inwardly, "That filthy bloodline taints our noble heritage. You'd best awaken with a deformed martial soul and less than level three innate soul power. Trash deserves nothing more."
But reality quickly shattered his expectations.
A piercing dragon's roar burst forth, shaking the entire hall. Behind Yu Xiaomen, the shadow of a mighty Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon manifested—vast, domineering, radiating a pressure that eclipsed the three cousins who had awakened before him. The elders exchanged startled looks.
Yu Xiaogang froze, his mind going blank for a heartbeat. Impossible. Absolutely impossible. It must just look impressive, nothing more.
With trembling hands, the awakening master retrieved a crystal sphere. "Come," he said, voice shaking with excitement. "Test your innate soul power."
Yu Xiaomen nodded and pressed his small hand to the sphere. The moment he did, the entire hall fell silent. Yu Yuanzhen and the elders held their breath.
Then, dazzling light burst forth from within the crystal, blanketing the Awakening Hall in radiant brilliance.
"Martial soul—Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon…" the awakening master stammered, his eyes wide. After confirming twice, he exclaimed, "Innate soul power—level nine point five!"
At that, Yu Yuanzhen shot to his feet, laughing heartily. "Excellent! Excellent! When I awakened, I too was nearly full innate soul power. Truly my blood—this child is my son indeed!"
"The sect master's bloodline is unparalleled," Yu Luoguan marveled. "Even a son born of a concubine can possess such power. He's destined for the Titled Douluo realm, perhaps even to touch the rank of Super Douluo."
Yu Luotang beamed. "If Xiaomen's power is this high, then wouldn't Xiaogang's awakening surpass even that? It seems our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect will soon witness its own twin stars!"
All eyes turned toward Yu Xiaomen—admiring, envious, astonished. Only one pair of eyes burned with denial and hatred: Yu Xiaogang's.
No. Impossible! he screamed internally. He's a bastard! A servant's spawn! Mother's tonics poisoned him for years, I bullied him, crushed him, sabotaged him from the shadows—he shouldn't even have a complete spiritual foundation! And now you tell me he awakened with nine point five levels of innate soul power?!
But reality cared nothing for denial. It simply was.
Yu Xiaogang's fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. That useless bastard, meant only as a foil to his own brilliance, now threatened to outshine him. Even if he—Yu Xiaogang—awakened with full innate power, nothing could change that Yu Xiaomen had stolen his father's attention, the elders' admiration, and the sect's future hopes.
"Next, Yu Xiaogang."
Yu Xiaomen suppressed his overwhelming excitement and quietly stepped down from the platform.
As they passed each other, Yu Xiaogang sneered. "Don't get cocky. If a servant's son like you can reach that level, then my soul power will certainly be higher."
"Then I sincerely hope you awaken with full innate power," Yu Xiaomen replied softly, smiling.
"Don't call me brother," Yu Xiaogang snapped coldly. "In this sect, you address me as Young Master Xiaogang."
Without another glance, he turned and strode up toward the platform.
All eyes followed him, flooding his heart with twisted satisfaction. See, Yu Xiaomen? Even if you're talented, who commands the sect's attention now? he thought, wearing a false smile. Your gift means nothing. I'll awaken something greater—I'll be born for glory.
But beneath that smug surface, his heart seethed. He had wanted his brother to remain a wretched failure forever, living only in his shadow. Yet now, the dream was shattered. Even if he achieved full innate soul power, it might not be enough.
No… I'll surpass him, he thought darkly. Only if I awaken the Golden Holy Dragon—our ancestral martial soul—will I reclaim my pride. Then I'll destroy him with my own hands.
As these sinister thoughts festered, Yu Xiaogang stepped into the awakening circle.
(END CHAPTER)
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