On the continent of Douluo, the higher a person's Martial Soul quality, the longer the awakening takes—and the stronger the innate Spirit Power that follows.
Judging by how long Gu Xuan's awakening lasted, his Martial Soul's quality was clearly extraordinary.Even the most conservative guess placed his innate Spirit Power at level 9—perhaps even the legendary innate full Spirit Power.
"So this is Spirit Power… how incredible… this is supernatural strength?"
Gu Xuan could feel the change inside him: a heat like liquid fire coursed through his body, burning yet never harming him.After years of waiting, he had finally stepped into the world of the extraordinary.
Time blurred. Then, all at once, a surge of energy rushed toward his right hand.By instinct, Gu Xuan raised it—and felt a matching current trying to erupt from his left.
He coolly slipped his left hand into his pocket, feigning a nonchalant pose—half arrogance, half flair.Yet beneath that calm façade, his hidden fist clenched tight, suppressing the strange force within.
All eyes were drawn to his raised right hand.No one suspected a thing; they only thought the young man's stance looked strikingly heroic.
As his Spirit Power condensed, a faint yellow carving appeared above his palm—a sculpture like a coiled serpent, its center dominated by a snarling dragon's head.
"What kind of Martial Soul is that?"Gu Rong cut off the energy flow, curiosity gleaming in his cloudy eyes.
It looked like a mutated Martial Soul—something with draconic traits, but not quite a true dragon.
Gu Xuan didn't answer immediately. He stared at the carving, his expression slowly twisting into something odd.
Why does this look so familiar…?Then it hit him. Wait—this looks exactly like the Holy Lord from Jackie Chan Adventures!*How on earth did that become my Martial Soul?*
The stone dragon's body bore twelve empty slots—except one, where a dragon-shaped talisman gleamed.
"Holy Lord," he blurted out without thinking.
"Holy Lord?" Gu Rong echoed, puzzled. "It looks more like a statue to me."
Ning Fengzhi stepped closer, nodding thoughtfully."Old Bone, your own Martial Soul is the Bone Dragon—also not of flesh and blood. Perhaps this boy's is a similar variant, a Stone Dragon. Let's test his Spirit Power before guessing further."
He handed Gu Xuan a crystal sphere.
Gu Xuan rolled his eyes internally. Bones and stones both have calcium, sure—but that doesn't make us relatives.Still, he was curious to see his result.
He placed his right hand on the crystal ball.The moment his skin met the glass, light flared—bright, pure, and impossibly fast.Within seconds, the entire sphere blazed sapphire-blue.
"Innate… innate full Spirit Power!"
Ning Fengzhi's voice trembled. His hand shook as he gazed at the glowing orb.If Gu Xuan could grow safely, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would prosper for another three centuries.
"Rongrong!" he barked suddenly.
The shout made Ning Rongrong flinch and bury her head deeper in Chen Xin's arms.
"Fengzhi—" the Sword Douluo began, but Ning Fengzhi wasn't listening.
Whatever this "Holy Lord" Martial Soul was, its awakening vision and innate full Spirit Power were real.This boy was the sect's future.And his daughter—spoiled or not—would apologize.
He marched over, grabbed Ning Rongrong by the collar, and set her before Gu Xuan.
"Right now. Apologize to your Brother Xuan."
The girl froze, wide-eyed and speechless.
"Uncle Ning, that won't be necessary."
Gu Xuan's voice was calm but edged with quiet disgust.So this is how fast adults change sides—one moment cold, the next fawning.He neither needed nor wanted such hollow gestures.
Without sparing Ning Rongrong a glance, he turned to Gu Rong."Grandfather, help me test my Martial Soul's power. Use yourself as the target, if you don't mind."
"Hah! Gladly."Gu Rong's grin split wide—what greater joy could there be for an old man than seeing his descendant's potential bloom before his eyes?
He led Gu Xuan to the center of the hall. Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin watched intently from the side.
"Grandfather," Gu Xuan said, "my Martial Soul is called Holy Lord. It's a fire dragon stripped of its strength.For now, only its draconic flame remains. To restore its full power, I'll need to collect various Spirit Rings to fill the empty seals.
What I'll test today is the strength it still possesses—its technique: Dragon Burst!"
"A dragon stripped of power, hmm?" Gu Rong's eyes sparkled. "Come then, let's see what heat your little flame can muster."
"Here it comes."
A sigil flashed across Gu Xuan's eyes, the dragon mark igniting.Fiery energy surged within him; with a flick of his hand, a massive fireball roared toward Gu Rong.
The old man's eyes lit up. The attack couldn't harm him, but out of courtesy he lifted a hand and slapped the fireball apart.
Boom!
The moment his palm struck, the fireball exploded violently.Gu Rong's grin widened.
"Good temperature—excellent explosive force! Its power's on par with an average Great Spirit Master's skill."
Gu Xuan smirked. "Then how about this?"
He raised his right hand again; flames spiraled upward.
Whoom!
A thick pillar of fire erupted, blasting straight toward Gu Rong.
The elder laughed, braced himself, and took it head-on.
Crackling and roaring filled the hall. The air shimmered with heat; the temperature climbed by several degrees.
At last, when Gu Xuan's Spirit Power began to wane, he cut off the attack, chest heaving slightly.
"Well done—very well done!"
Gu Rong appeared beside him in a flash, slapping his shoulder with a booming laugh.
"Your full-power strike carried both searing heat and continuous detonations. Its force could rival the full output of a Spirit Elder!"
His laughter echoed through the hall.
Heaven truly blesses the Gu family!
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