Just as Yu Xiaogang was about to approach, he saw a faint dark light emanate from Chu Tianxiu's right palm.The Mandala Snake, which had been writhing moments before, collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
Yu Xiaogang froze mid-step, his eyes widening.
At that exact moment, Chu Tianxiu also noticed the newcomer.He immediately withdrew his Soul-Gathering Hand, letting the last traces of black energy fade.Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned toward Yu Xiaogang with an innocent smile.
"Uncle, who are you? Are you from the outside world?"
Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed slightly. "Child, have you lived here since you were little?"
"Yes, I've always lived here," Chu Tianxiu replied, puffing his cheeks slightly. His soft, childish voice carried a hint of naivety.
"Then what is your Martial Soul?" Yu Xiaogang asked, a trace of astonishment in his tone. "It can actually absorb the soul power of soul beasts…"
Chu Tianxiu blinked his bright eyes, feigning confusion."Martial Soul? What's that? I was just… born with this ability."
Of course, he knew exactly what Yu Xiaogang meant.He had expected to meet this man eventually, but he couldn't risk revealing his true trump card.Still, Chu Tianxiu thought Yu Xiaogang could be useful—for now.
After all, Yu Xiaogang was an honorary elder of Spirit Hall…and the son of a Super Douluo of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Xiaogang's mind spun. A child who hasn't even awakened his Martial Soul… yet can absorb soul power like a Soul Venerable?
His heart trembled at the thought.After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"There's only one possibility for your condition," he said slowly."That is, your Martial Soul is extremely powerful. To avoid damaging your body, its abilities must have manifested prematurely."
He looked at the child before him with something like envy—perhaps even longing.
Almost everyone on the Douluo Continent knew Yu Xiaogang's story.Born into the prestigious Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he was the youngest son of the sect leader, Yu Yuanzhen.But due to a mutation in his Martial Soul, his innate soul power was barely half a level.He could never break through to rank thirty.
Though he had since become known as The Master for his theories on Martial Souls,in the power-driven Douluo Continent, such titles meant little.People might show respect to his face, but behind his back… they mocked him.
'A scholar with no proof, a theorist with no power.'
"Oh! So that's how it is!" Chu Tianxiu exclaimed, pretending to be impressed.
But inside, he sneered.
'Premature manifestation? My foot! This is the Soul Clan's secret art...''Forget it. I'll let it slide for now. I'll be sleeping with your ex-girlfriend later anyway.'
Unaware of the sarcasm behind Chu Tianxiu's bright smile, Yu Xiaogang's heart was burning with excitement.His whole life, he had been trapped by the limitations of his Martial Soul, mocked for his unproven theories.But now—this child before him might be the proof he had been waiting for.
"Would you like to become my disciple?" Yu Xiaogang asked earnestly.
Chu Tianxiu tilted his head. "Aren't you afraid I might be a transformed soul beast? Or… the human form of a ferocious beast?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head with calm logic."First, I've examined your bone structure—you're no older than six. Even if you were a transformed soul beast, your form and aura would differ. A soul beast needs at least a hundred thousand years of cultivation to take human form, and even then, its martial soul will reflect its original body."
He paused briefly before continuing."But you—your body shows no signs of martial soul awakening at all."
"Furthermore," he added, "if you were a ferocious beast in human form, I wouldn't be able to read your bone age at all.And a ferocious beast would never target only decade- or century-old soul beasts. Your pattern of hunting is purely human."
Chu Tianxiu blinked again and said softly, "Uncle…"
"You can call me Master," Yu Xiaogang interrupted, straightening his posture slightly.
'Hah. Not strong, but full of pride. Typical Yu Xiaogang,' Chu Tianxiu thought, suppressing a smirk.
Yu Xiaogang looked at him expectantly. "Well? Are you willing? I can teach you everything I know about Martial Soul cultivation theory."
Chu Tianxiu clasped his hands together and said with apparent admiration, "Master, your knowledge is so profound!"
Yu Xiaogang's chest swelled with pride—until Chu Tianxiu added casually,
"But, I'm not willing!"
The air froze.Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened, as if he had just swallowed a dead rat.
After a long, painful silence, he gave a bitter smile."That's true… Who would want a useless man like me as their master?"
Chu Tianxiu smiled sweetly. "Master, can you take me out? I want to see the outside world."
Yu Xiaogang sighed but nodded. "Alright. I'll bring you to the Spirit Hall first to awaken your Martial Soul, then to Notting City Junior Academy."
Chu Tianxiu's eyes gleamed with mock gratitude. "Thank you, Master!!"
And so, under the golden light of dawn, the two figures—one tall and solemn, the other small and mischievous—walked side by side toward Notting City.
Their silhouettes slowly disappeared into the depths of the forest...