Chapter 19 Even the Heavenly Soul Emperor has made his move! He bestows a title to win over Liu Yuan!
As Poison Undying's deafening announcement faded, the entire Elders' Hall fell into a brief silence.
All eyes were focused on Liu Yuan, their expressions complex.
There was envy, awe, and awe, but no jealousy.
Because everyone knows that a gold-level second awakening potential is truly the mark of a "chosen one".
Such a person is destined to stand at the pinnacle of the continent. Jealousy is far too cheap and laughable for such a being.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Liu!"
Chen Lu was the first to react. Although he was much older than Liu Yuan, the sect had strict rules, and those who were accomplished were considered teachers.
Especially the direct disciples who have the right to inherit the sect leader's position, their status is far above that of ordinary core disciples.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Liu!"
Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, and others followed closely behind, bowing respectfully in unison, their tone filled with sincere reverence.
Even Vina, the most esteemed among them, suppressed her playful expression, straightened her clothes, stepped forward, bowed slightly to Liu Yuan, and called out in a clear voice, "Senior Brother Liu, please take good care of your junior sister in the future."
This sudden change in status left Liu Yuan somewhat unaccustomed to it.
He quickly waved his hand and said, "Fellow disciples, there's no need for such formalities. We are all fellow disciples, and we should support each other in the future."
"Haha! What a great example of mutual support!"
A burst of hearty laughter rang out, and Long Aotian strode up to Liu Yuan.
He showed no resentment at being overshadowed; instead, his eyes burned with an even more intense fighting spirit and passion.
He reached out his strong hand and patted Liu Yuan's shoulder heavily:
"Junior brother, welcome to our ranks! From today onwards, we will carry the banner of the younger generation of the Body Sect together!"
"I have always longed for a true rival and partner to walk alongside me, and God has finally sent you here."
"If you have any questions about cultivation in the future, feel free to come to me! Let's make progress together and strive to complete that Gold-level Second Awakening as soon as possible!"
Looking into Long Aotian's sincere yet wild gaze, Liu Yuan felt a surge of pride and nodded vigorously: "Of course, I will certainly live up to Senior Brother's expectations!"
...
"Alright, stop dawdling here."
Poison Undying waved his hand impatiently, interrupting the exchange of pleasantries among his fellow disciples.
He looked at Liu Yuan with a hint of fanaticism in his eyes, and beckoned, saying, "Disciple, come with me."
"Yes, Master."
Liu Yuan responded and, amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, followed behind Du Busi and left the Elders' Hall.
...
Inside the Sect Master Hall.
Du Busi dismissed all the servants, leaving only Liu Yuan behind.
He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the twelve-year-old boy in front of him with satisfaction in his eyes.
"Liu Yuan, now that you've joined my sect, you should know that the Body Sect is your home."
"Although I have a bit of a temper, I'm known for being fiercely protective of my own."
"From now on, if anyone dares to bully you outside, no matter who it is, just say my name! I'll get revenge for you!"
Hearing this domineering declaration that practically screamed "lawless," Liu Yuan felt a warmth in his heart and respectfully bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Master."
"Hmm." Du Busi nodded, then took out an ancient book made of some unknown material from his pocket and tossed it to Liu Yuan.
"This is a gift for you, and it is also the foundation of our Body Sect—the Body Secret Technique."
Liu Yuan took the book and felt that it was as warm and smooth as jade. The cover had four large characters engraved in ancient seal script, which exuded a desolate and ancient atmosphere.
"This is no ordinary soul power cultivation technique," Poison Undying explained.
"This is a supreme secret manual created specifically for us who possess the original martial soul. Cultivating it will not only double your soul power cultivation speed, but more importantly, it can continuously stimulate and strengthen your martial soul's origin through a special energy path."
"Only by strengthening your origin to the extreme can the gold-level potential within you truly be transformed into real power, thereby completing the final second awakening!"
At this point, Poison Undying's expression turned serious: "This technique is obscure and difficult to understand. Even Ao Tian spent several months before he truly grasped its essence. Although you are exceptionally talented, you must not be impatient. Take it back and study it carefully. If there is anything you don't understand, don't force yourself to practice it. Come and ask me anytime."
"Once you've mastered that, I'll teach you the rest."
"Disciple understands." Liu Yuan solemnly put away the manual.
"Alright, go ahead. I've already arranged a new place for you to stay, right next to Aotian's, in Tingtao Pavilion. It's one of the places in our sect with the most abundant spiritual energy." Du Busi waved his hand. "Go see if you're satisfied."
"Yes, disciple takes his leave."
...
After leaving the sect master's hall, a disciple who had been waiting outside immediately came forward and respectfully led Liu Yuan to the Listening Waves Pavilion.
It was an independent pavilion built against the mountain, with a quiet and secluded environment. Below it was a deep, emerald-green pool. A gentle breeze blew through the pines, making it a truly ideal place for cultivation.
Liu Yuan entered the attic, briefly surveyed the surrounding environment and facilities, and nodded in satisfaction.
"From today onwards, this is my new starting point."
Without much rest, he sat cross-legged in the cultivation room on the second floor and took out the book "Secret Techniques of the Body".
"So this is the secret technique that can stimulate the second awakening of the main body's martial soul...?"
Liu Yuan took a deep breath and turned to the first page.
Now that we have such good resources, we must not waste them.
Let's learn it first!
...
Meanwhile, outside the main sect's mountain gate.
A beautiful figure stood at the end of the mountain path, turning back to take a deep look at the cloud-shrouded main peak.
"Your Highness, it's time to set off."
A royal guard in civilian clothes stepped forward and whispered a reminder.
Vina nodded and looked away.
Although she also wanted to stay at the Body Sect longer, as a princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire, she had a heavy burden on her shoulders.
Besides cultivating as a Soul Master, she also needs to learn the ways of governing a country, handle royal affairs, and even navigate between various forces for the future of the empire.
"Let's go back to the Heavenly Soul Imperial City."
Vina turned and boarded the carriage. With a crisp crack of the whip, the carriage slowly drove away from this mysterious and powerful sacred ground of the sect.
...
Several days later, in the Heavenly Soul Empire, at the Heavenly Dou City Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Study was brightly lit.
His Majesty the Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire sat behind his desk, listening to Vina, who had just returned to the palace, report on the events of her trip to the Body Sect.
At first, he was just a little nonchalant, after all, Vina would bring back some news every time she went to the Body Sect.
But when Vina mentioned the boy named Liu Yuan, who had tested positive for "Gold-level secondary awakening potential" during the sect entrance test—
"Smack!"
The memorial in the emperor's hand fell to the ground. He stood up abruptly, his usually calm and dignified face now filled with shock.
"What did you say? Gold-level?! The same Gold-level as Long Aotian?!"
"It's absolutely true, Father." Vina nodded, her tone certain. "Moreover, I saw it with my own eyes. The Poison Undying Sect Master has already accepted him as his second personal disciple and listed him as a candidate for the sect master's successor."
"hiss--"
The emperor gasped, then paced back and forth in his study, his expression excited.
"Great! Excellent! Vina, you've really done a great job this time!"
The emperor abruptly stopped, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. "Such a future peerless expert was discovered and recommended by you. That's an immense favor!"
"However..." the emperor frowned slightly, "This mere act of introduction is not enough. Far from enough!"
"Those guys from the Body Sect are fiercely protective of their own, but they're also extremely arrogant. If we wait until Liu Yuan truly matures before trying to win him over, the cost will be enormous. We must seize the opportunity now, before he fully rises to power, and bind him firmly to our Heavenly Soul Royal Family!"
Vina blinked: "So, Father means..."
"Issue my decree!"
The emperor waved his hand and immediately shouted at the chief eunuch outside the door:
"Imperial decree! In recognition of Liu Yuan's meritorious service in protecting the princess and his exceptional talent, he is hereby granted the title of 'Baron'!"
"Furthermore, grant him the 'Qinghe fiefdom' closest to the Body Sect, along with the surrounding five hundred households of fiefdom!"
"Immediately dispatch a special envoy with the imperial edict and rewards to the Body Sect to read them aloud!"
(End of chapter)