Marco slowly opened his eyes, the depths of his ice-blue pupils seeming to flicker with a wisp of azure flame before growing even more profound and luminous. He looked down at the remarkably solid sphere of light in his palm—representing his Innate Full Soul Power—and felt the surging, torrential energy within him, now more than ten times stronger than before. Along with it was his Martial Soul, perfectly fused with his very being, as natural and effortless as breathing, as if it had been with him since birth. Understanding and tranquility washed over him. Just as expected... the Azure Flame Phoenix had awakened in this world alongside his soul that had crossed worlds!
With a slight thought, he attempted his first Soul Fusion.
"Hum!"
A faint, beautiful, and mysterious flame, resembling azure glass, quietly emerged over his body. It burned calmly, not scorching or oppressive, but instead carrying a warm and vast vitality that made Ye Wantang, standing nearby, feel remarkably comfortable. The flames weren't uniformly distributed; rather, they seemed alive, primarily gathering and flowing along his arms, transforming his forearms into what appeared to be ornate greaves made of pure azure fire. The flames danced and rippled, containing explosive power. Simultaneously, on either side of the corners of his eyes, delicate and elegant azure flame patterns traced upward like ancient, mystical war paint, adding a touch of ethereal, noble, and mysterious beauty to his already handsome and refined young face.
Instinctively, he raised his right hand—it hadn't transformed into sharp claws—but when he gently swept his arm forward, a faint trail of azure flame clearly sliced through the air, accompanied by a subtle yet distinct whistling sound. The flame seemed sentient, undulating and coiling around his arm in response to his will, clearly indicating that powerful flame energy would naturally accompany any attack.
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" Li Zhaoyan exclaimed three times in a row, his excitement evident as he strode forward and gave Marco a firm pat on the shoulder (carefully avoiding the flames). "Marco, your Martial Soul... is incredibly powerful and extraordinary! This azure flame harbors both the power of life and the might of attack, complementing each other perfectly as one—unprecedented! How about naming it 'Azure Flame Phoenix'? And this Innate Full Soul Power solidifies an unshakable foundation for you to reach the pinnacle in the future! Excellent! Truly splendid! Heaven has blessed my son!"
"Azure Flame Phoenix... it sounds very fitting and pleasant. Thank you, Father," Marco said, releasing the Soul Fusion and bowing respectfully. The perfect alignment of the name stirred a strange sense of destiny within him.
"Brother is so amazing! Such beautiful light!" Ye Lingling clapped her little hands nearby, her large eyes filled with admiration and envy. The earlier tension had long been swept away by the awe her brother inspired, leaving only pride in him.
After the excitement and elation subsided, it was Ye Lingling's turn. She took a deep breath, glancing at her parents' encouraging and proud faces, then at her brother, who nodded at her with a smile. Marco said softly, his voice imbued with a reassuring strength, "Don't be afraid, Lingling. Just relax and feel, like I did. Your Martial Soul will definitely be incredibly amazing too."
Summoning her courage, Ye Lingling stepped into the center of the formation, her small face a mix of determination and a lingering trace of nervousness.
Her hand touched the Awakening Stone, and light shone once more. This time, it wasn't the blazing, domineering azure glow but a soft, sacred pink radiance filled with healing and tranquility. An exquisitely detailed, layered, and vibrant begonia flower illusion slowly emerged in her palm, gently swaying. The pink halo spread warmly throughout the quiet room like ripples, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze—refreshed and at ease, as if all weariness and anxiety had been soothed away.
"Nine Heart Begonia! It truly is the Nine Heart Begonia!" Ye Wantang murmured excitedly, tears welling up in her eyes once more. The family's inherited Martial Soul, the continent's top-tier auxiliary-type Item Martial Soul, had finally manifested perfectly in her daughter. A weight lifted from her heart, and immense relief and pride surged within her.
Immediately after, the testing crystal lit up with a dazzling, condensed, and pure brilliance. Though slightly smaller than Marco's sun-like orb of light, it far surpassed that of ordinary children. Its density and brightness clearly indicated exceptionally outstanding talent.
"Innate Soul Power level nine! Excellent! Truly excellent!" Li Zhaoyan laughed heartily again, his voice booming with unrestrained joy, as if he were more thrilled than if he had achieved a breakthrough himself. His daughter had perfectly inherited her mother's top-tier auxiliary Martial Soul and possessed extraordinary talent. Though not reaching the legendary Full Soul Power, level nine was already one in a hundred million, a rarity among rarities. Her future achievements would undoubtedly be limitless! With both children being outstanding, their Martial Souls top-tier and their talents astonishing, how could he not be overjoyed!
Ye Lingling opened her eyes, curiously gazing at the beautiful and magical begonia flower in her palm—connected to her by blood—and feeling the warm, powerful energy within her. A happy yet slightly shy smile appeared on her little face as she sweetly called out, "Father, Mother, Brother!"
In just one day, both children had awakened the most supreme Martial Souls with world-shaking talent! Li Zhaoyan and Ye Wantang exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with immense relief, pride, and boundless anticipation for their children's bright futures. The servants waiting outside, hearing the rare, hearty laughter of their master from within, understood the outcome and rejoiced, sharing in the family's happiness.
Li Zhaoyan waved his hand grandly, his voice resounding like a bell, as he declared, "Today is a day of great celebration for the Li family! All members of the household shall be richly rewarded!"
His eyes burning with intensity, he looked at Marco, his tone excited and meticulously planned: "Marco, your Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit is exceptionally unique, combining powerful offense with special life attributes. Its potential is limitless and unprecedented. In the coming days, I will consult the clan's ancient texts and Soul Beast records to find the most compatible and powerful first Spirit Ring for you—one that can fully unleash the potential of your Azure Flame traits and ensure your talent is perfected!"
However, Marco shook his head. Taking his younger sister's hand, he said with firm clarity, "Father, there's no rush to find a Spirit Ring. If we go, I want to go with Lingling. When she reaches level ten, we'll obtain our first Spirit Rings together."
Li Zhaoyan furrowed his brows slightly upon hearing this, a trace of hesitation and contemplation appearing on his face: "Marco, your father understands your intentions. The deep bond between siblings is a good thing. However, in the cultivation of a Soul Master, the early timing is crucial—one step ahead, and you stay ahead. You have already reached the tenth level with Full Soul Power. Without obtaining a Spirit Ring, your Soul Power cannot continue to increase. This will delay your golden period of cultivation and cause you to fall behind others. Although Lingling has exceptional talent, even with our guidance and her own efforts, it will take at least several months for her to progress from the ninth to the tenth level. The gap during this period..."
Marco raised his head, his gaze clear and resolute, without the slightest wavering. He calmly explained: "Father, have you forgotten the theory mentioned in the 'Ten Core Competitiveness of Soul'? It clearly states that when a Soul Master reaches a bottleneck, it is not that their Soul Power cannot grow—it simply cannot manifest in terms of level. The Soul Power accumulated through cultivation remains latent, continuously building up. Once a Spirit Ring is obtained, it will burst forth in a combined surge. Although I cannot break through now, the Soul Power I continue to accumulate through cultivation will not go to waste. When Lingling reaches the tenth level, we can go soul hunting together. This will not affect my foundation; on the contrary, the accumulation during this period may allow me to build up strength and make a stronger start."
These logically clear, well-reasoned words, completely unlike what a six-year-old child could utter, once again astonished Li Zhaoyan and Ye Wantang. Li Zhaoyan looked at him in surprise and repeated: "'Ten Core Competitiveness of Soul'? Marco, are you referring to... those things proposed by that so-called 'theoretically invincible' Yu Xiaogang? Where did you see them?"
Marco nodded, his expression unchanged, and said: "Yes, Father. I came across transcribed excerpts while browsing miscellaneous books in the study. I believe the discussion on Spirit Ring bottlenecks and Soul Power accumulation is based on extensive observation and case summaries, and it has its own logic and practicality." He deftly attributed the source to the vast collection of books in the study.
Li Zhaoyan pondered for a moment, his expression somewhat complex, and finally nodded slowly: "That Yu Xiaogang... he can hardly take care of himself, with his low Soul Power. Most of what he proposes is impractical and pedantic. That 'Soul Ring Limit Absorption Theory' is too rigid, ignoring the importance of individual differences among Soul Masters, willpower, and special opportunities... These fallacies are narrow-minded and only serve to deceive those commoner Soul Masters who lack heritage and guidance."
He then shifted his tone, speaking more gently: "However, his theory on Soul Power bottlenecks, along with some summaries on the basic classification of Martial Souls and the characteristics of common Soul Beasts, can be considered among the few relatively practical contents worth mentioning. At the very least, it has popularized some key knowledge to those commoner Soul Masters without guidance, preventing them from completely halting their cultivation during the bottleneck period and wasting their time. It has made some insignificant contribution. As for his more core so-called 'profound theories,' which attempt to guide high-level Soul Masters in their cultivation direction and even touch upon the essence of Martial Soul evolution," Li Zhaoyan chuckled lightly and shook his head, "they lack empirical evidence, are like castles in the air, not worth a mention, and only invite ridicule."
He paused, his gaze falling upon Marco's determined and earnest young face, then shifting to his daughter who was beaming with joy because her brother chose to wait for her. The scales in his heart finally tipped. He smiled, his tone turning lighthearted: "Very well. Since you insist so strongly, and this bottleneck theory does hold some merit—it's not baseless nonsense—I shall agree. You siblings shall cultivate together, urging each other onward. Once Lingling also reaches level ten, I will personally take you both to the Soul Hunting Forest and secure the most suitable, most excellent Spirit Rings for you!"
"Thank you, Father!" Marco and Ye Lingling exclaimed in unison, their voices brimming with delight. Ye Lingling tightly hugged her brother's arm, her small face full of happiness and dependence, saying in a milky voice: "Brother is the best!"
Marco held his sister's hand, feeling the family's joy, tolerance, support, and that weighty expectation. The Martial Soul had awakened; the path lay beneath his feet.
Time flew—six years had passed since Marco transmigrated. He speculated that Tang San, bearing memories of two lifetimes, should have been born by now and would be about one year old. Had Pope Qian Xunji died? In the original work, he did not survive long and had most likely perished; perhaps the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect had already begun their conflict. Marco thought of Tang San's future Tang Sect secret techniques, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and Seagod Island opportunities, deeply aware that the winds of change across this continent were quietly gathering around the new generation. With these thoughts, he calmed his mind and steadied his spirit, ready to welcome the coming dawn.