A long while later—
"All right, put away your martial soul," said Zhu Changhe.
He looked at his son with great satisfaction. His son truly was outstanding—steadfast and intelligent like himself, and now also gifted with both full innate soul power and twin martial souls. Truly exceptional!
Zhu Ziyang withdrew his martial soul. Seeing his father's serious expression, he knew what was coming.
"This is an important matter, Yangyang. Which martial soul do you plan to cultivate first?" Zhu Changhe asked solemnly.
"Of course, the Radiant Scythe!" Zhu Ziyang had already anticipated this question and had long made up his mind. Without hesitation, he answered directly.
"Good! Very good!" Zhu Changhe's eyes filled with even more pride. Still, he reminded Zhu Ziyang, "Remember, until you are strong enough, never reveal that you have twin martial souls. Not everyone is like your mom and me."
"I understand," Zhu Ziyang replied seriously.
"Hey! You two! Aren't you going to ask for my opinion at all?" Liang Ying, who had been listening to the father-son conversation for a while, finally protested. "Why should Yangyang cultivate his tool-type martial soul first? Aren't beast-type martial souls stronger? And Yangyang's beast martial soul is the Frost Tyrant Dragon—one of the strongest sub-dragon martial souls in the north!"
"Pff..." Zhu Changhe looked at his wife speechlessly, inwardly thankful that his son took after him and not her. His wife was wonderful in every way—except she was far too naive, unexposed to the dangers of the world.
He explained gently, "Think about it. When Yangyang awakened his martial soul, it was the Radiant Scythe that appeared. Everyone saw it. If he suddenly started cultivating the Frost Tyrant Dragon, wouldn't it be obvious he has twin martial souls? What if someone malicious—like an evil soul master—found out? Yangyang would be in danger!"
"Oh…" Liang Ying didn't fully grasp the explanation, but it still startled her. She immediately grabbed Zhu Ziyang's hand and said, "Yangyang, listen to your father. You must never reveal your twin martial souls! I've heard evil soul masters have even started forming their own sects—please be careful!"
"Don't worry, Mom. I know," Zhu Ziyang said, reassuringly gripping her hand in return.
—
Night – Zhu Ziyang's Room
Usually, he would be at his desk reading at this time, but tonight he had gone to bed early.
It was time to cultivate.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Zhu Ziyang didn't immediately begin cultivating using the meditation method his father gave him. Instead, he instinctively used the Little Light Breathing Technique.
To his surprise, the wisp of energy in his Heart Center Acupoint didn't move. No matter how much he practiced the breathing technique, it remained unmoved, like it had taken root there. After several failed attempts, he gave up in frustration.
This only made him more curious about the Little Light Breathing Technique.
Setting aside his confusion, Zhu Ziyang began cultivating soul power for the first time.
As he activated the meditation method, soul power stirred inside him. Under his control, it began to circulate through his meridians, starting from his Sea of Qi acupoint and flowing through his entire body.
For soul masters, soul power cultivation involves circulating energy through the body's major meridians and acupoints—a process called a major cycle. Each full cycle strengthens the body and cleanses impurities. The better the quality of soul power, the greater the enhancement it provides. And soul power quality is directly tied to martial soul quality, which is why high-grade martial soul users are far stronger than those with ordinary souls.
Zhu Ziyang smoothly completed his first soul power cycle. It was effortless—he encountered no blockages or difficulties. Unlike most soul masters, who struggle through their first cycle, his progress was like flowing water.
He realized it was all thanks to the Little Light Breathing Technique. Years of practicing it had already circulated energy through all his major meridians countless times. Impurities had long since been cleared, and his meridians were widened and reinforced, becoming both broad and resilient.
That alone proved how extraordinary the technique was—being able to widen meridians and improve talent was the dream of every soul master.
After finishing the first cycle, Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but smile with excitement and continued cultivating.
When he finally stopped, it was already six in the morning. Opening his eyes, his joy was evident—he had completed nine full cycles overnight! For a first-time cultivator, that was incredibly rare.
Normally, the first cultivation session is the hardest. Most beginners don't know how to control soul power, aren't familiar with their meridians, and often can't even complete one full cycle. But he had completed nine!
Zhu Ziyang knew this was all thanks to the mysterious energy from the Little Light Breathing Technique.
—
Morning – Village Path
A boy and girl jogged side by side.
"Nannan, did you cultivate last night?" Zhu Ziyang asked. Using the Little Light Breathing Technique during the run made his steps steady and firm.
"Yes! I completed six cycles!" the little girl answered happily. Her bright eyes curved like crescent moons with joy.
"Really? That's amazing, Nannan!" Zhu Ziyang was surprised and delighted. The better her talent, the more it validated his judgment. She truly was a worthy childhood companion!
"Heehee!" Delighted by the praise, she let out a bell-like laugh.
"At this rate, you'll probably reach level 10 within two months and be ready to get your first soul ring," Zhu Ziyang predicted.
"That would be wonderful! I'll do my best to keep up with you, big brother!" Jiang Nannan replied eagerly. She had learned from her mother just what full innate soul power meant.
"You will!" Zhu Ziyang stopped and gently stroked her hair. "I'll help you!"
"Mhm!" Her face flushed slightly, and she smiled shyly. "Let's keep running, big brother!"
Together, under the rising sun, the boy and girl ran down the village path.
After finishing their run, they parted ways and went home.
Before leaving, Zhu Ziyang taught Jiang Nannan the Little Light Breathing Technique and told her to practice it once before every cultivation session and use it during their morning runs.
Jiang Nannan was obedient—unlike Zhu Changhe and Liang Ying, who had long since learned the breathing method but practiced it inconsistently.
Zhu Ziyang wanted to test something: whether the Little Light Breathing Technique could enhance a person's talent.
If it worked, it would be a perfect complement to Jiang Nannan's already excellent potential.