A soft, white halo enveloped Yao Xuan's body as energy subtly radiated from him. The Spirit Master's eyes lit up with genuine pleasure.
"Oh! You have innate soul power! Excellent!"
Finding a child with soul power among commoners was a rare occurrence, often happening only once in a long day of awakenings. For the Spirit Master, it meant a welcome bonus and the satisfaction of discovering talent.
"Come, raise your right hand. Let me see what your martial soul is."
"Okay, Uncle."
Yao Xuan extended his right hand, palm up. A faint, nine-colored glow emanated from his palm, coalescing into a martial soul about fifty centimeters long—a creature shaped like a dragon, its form shimmering with latent potential.
"A beast spirit! And a rare sub-dragon type at that! Combined with your innate soul power, you have excellent soul master aptitude, child!" the Spirit Master said, his voice warm with approval.
'This is no sub-dragon spirit. This is the Ancestral Dragon, the progenitor of them all,' Yao Xuan thought inwardly, a quiet amusement in his heart. With his bloodline only 0% unlocked and his soul power suppressed to level 5, the true, overwhelming aura of his martial soul remained hidden. It was a disguise he would maintain.
"Now, child, place your hand on this crystal ball. Let's test your innate soul power level."
The Spirit Master held out a familiar blue crystal ball. 'Twenty thousand years, and they're still using this same design,' Yao Xuan mused, but he obediently placed his hand on the sphere.
As his soul power flowed into the crystal, points of light ignited within it—one, two, three... until five steady points of white light glowed at its core.
"Innate Soul Power level 5! Congratulations, child! With diligent cultivation, you have a great chance to reach the Soul Elder realm, and perhaps even challenge the ranks of Soul Sage and Soul King," the Spirit Master explained, his smile broadening.
"I understand, Uncle. I will definitely work hard," Yao Xuan replied, his voice filled with a determined sincerity that was only half-feigned.
"Excellent. Now, come with me. We need to update your file and complete your registration."
After the formalities at Red Mountain Academy, Yao Xuan's life was set on a new course. His Soul Master aptitude granted him a place in the academy's elite, tuition-free Soul Master class. Furthermore, as was custom, he was to be adopted by a practicing Soul Master. His new guardian was Lin Ximeng, a teacher at the academy herself.
"Yao Xuan, we heard you have soul power!"
"I'm so envious!"
"Come back and visit us!"
The other children from the orphanage crowded around him, their voices a mix of admiration and wistfulness. Yao Xuan accepted their words with a calm nod, completing the adoption procedures with Lin Ximeng before leaving the orphanage behind without a backward glance.
"Come on, Yao Xuan. This will be your new home from now on," Lin Ximeng said softly, opening the door to her apartment after a thirty-minute walk. "I am Lin Ximeng, your guardian."
"Thank you... Mom," Yao Xuan said, the title feeling foreign on his tongue. While part of him chafed at this new dependency, he saw the kindness in Lin Ximeng's eyes and knew this was a necessary step.
"Good boy," she replied, her expression softening with a warmth that reached her eyes. She gently patted his head. "You must be tired. Rest for a while. I'll prepare a meal. The food at the orphanage couldn't have been very nourishing."
Lin Ximeng had initially been hesitant about taking in a child, but upon meeting Yao Xuan, she had been disarmed by his composed demeanor and the inexplicable, calming charm he seemed to radiate. She found herself willingly accepting the role.
Her apartment was located in a working-class district of Aolai City, but as a Level 22 Great Soul Master, her income afforded a comfortable living space—nearly 80 square meters, with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Soul-guided lamps, a fan, and other modern appliances made it feel not so different from a home on Earth.
Sitting on the sofa, Yao Xuan took a deep breath. He summoned his martial soul again, feeling the familiar flow of soul power within him. Thanks to his [Enhanced Comprehension], the energy felt like a natural extension of himself, responsive and precise.
'It's still nascent,' he thought, looking at the simple dragon form in his hand. 'But it will grow. This power will become the mightiest in all of Douluo.'
His thoughts then turned to the future. "School starts tomorrow. Soon, I will meet the Chosen One of this world, Tang Wulin." A cool, calculating focus settled over him. 'If utilized correctly, he will be a perfect source of Golden Evolution Points. By guiding his growth and being present at key moments, I can reap rewards from the destiny that follows him.'
This was not about friendship, but about strategy. Tang Wulin was a cornerstone of his plan to accumulate the power needed to not just survive, but to dominate, and to ultimately be worthy of standing beside the Silver Dragon King when the time came.