The sun was just beginning to rise.
Behind Yang Family Manor, a child around seven or eight years old was constantly moving about, sometimes as still as a maiden, sometimes as swift as a darting rabbit. As he threw punches, there was actually a strong gust of wind.
Yang Xiaotian had been in this world for seven years now and had started practicing the Taiji Scripture since he was four.
In his previous life, he was a descendant of the Wudang Sect on Earth. The Taiji Scripture was a profound and secret martial art of the Wudang Sect. Although he had only practiced it for three years now, he already had quite a bit of inner strength in his body.
Don't look at him as just a child; with a single punch, he could send an ordinary adult flying several meters back. Two or three ordinary adults could not get anywhere near him.
While Yang Xiaotian was practicing the Taiji Scripture, the sound of footsteps came from the foot of the mountain.
Yang Xiaotian didn't need to look back to know who it was.
He stopped practicing and looked over to see a little girl with a long braid, round and large eyes that were both cute and elf-like.
Seeing the little girl, Yang Xiaotian showed a smile.
The little girl was his younger sister, Yang Ling'er, a year younger than him.
As Yang Ling'er climbed up the mountain and saw Yang Xiaotian from afar, she sweetly laughed and said, "Big brother, I knew you sneaked off to the back mountain to play the monkey again."
Play the monkey?
Black lines formed on Yang Xiaotian's forehead as he said, "This isn't playing the monkey. This is the Wudang Sect's profound Taiji Scripture." He had explained this to the little girl countless times already.
However, Yang Ling'er stuck out her tongue, with a mischievous grin, and said, "It is playing the monkey."
Yang Xiaotian was speechless; he could never win a verbal argument with this little girl.
"What are you looking for me for?" Yang Xiaotian asked his sister, who seemed small but was devilishly clever. Every time she came to the back mountain to find him, it was surely not for anything good.
"It's father and mother who are looking for you," said Yang Ling'er, twirling her little braid with a mysterious look on her face. "It seems they want to take you into the city for a Martial Soul Awakening."
Martial Soul Awakening!
Yang Xiaotian's heart gave a great thump.
Of course, he knew what a Martial Soul Awakening was. In this world, known as the Martial Soul World, when children reached a certain age, they had to undergo Martial Soul Awakening.
Only after awakening a Martial Soul could one cultivate.
Yang Xiaotian clenched his fists tightly, his emotions stirred. He had long awaited this day. Having been in this world for several years, he had always wanted to know whether he possessed a Martial Soul or what kind of Martial Soul it might be.
"Big brother, you better go back quickly. If father and mother can't find you, they will definitely get angry and spank you," Yang Ling'er said seriously, tilting her chubby face upward.
"Alright, let's head back quickly," Yang Xiaotian said with a smile, and tugged on Yang Ling'er's little braid as they walked down toward Yang Family Manor.
Yang Ling'er shouted from behind, "Big brother, if you pull my braid again, I'll tell mother and father that you were playing the monkey on the back mountain."
The siblings chased and laughed, one after the other.
Soon, they returned to Yang Family Manor.
When they arrived back at Yang Family Manor, the hall was already filled with quite a number of people. For this Martial Soul Awakening, besides Yang Xiaotian, there was also his uncle's son, Yang Zhong.
Yang Chao saw his son Yang Xiaotian return and snorted, his face stern. However, he did not reprimand Yang Xiaotian in public. He glared at him, thinking, I'll deal with you when we get back.
Yang Xiaotian's grandfather, the old Manor Lord Yang Ming of Yang Family Manor, saw that everyone had arrived and declared loudly, "Now that everyone is here, let's set out."
As only the nearby Xingyue City had the Formation for conducting a Martial Soul Awakening, their destination was Xingyue City.
Yang Family Manor was not far from Xingyue City, so it took only a little over an hour before everyone arrived at the square in Xingyue City that hosted Martial Soul Awakenings.
The square for Martial Soul Awakening was an open space. As long as one paid a certain amount of Gold Coins, they could undergo Martial Soul Awakening.
By the time everyone arrived, the square was already packed with people, not only from Yang Family Manor but also disciples from other families in Xingyue City who had come for their Martial Soul Awakening. The scene was bustling.
Soon, it was the turn of the Yang Family members.
Yang Ming stepped forward, paid the fee for the Martial Soul Awakening, and as a master from Xingyue City infused power into the array, it activated the formation. Suddenly, a hexagonal formation map rose from the ground.
"Zhong'er, you go first," Yang Ming said warmly, beckoning Yang Zhong with a smile.
As the eldest grandson of the Yang Family, Yang Ming was very fond of Yang Zhong.
"Yes, Grandfather," Yang Zhong replied. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he walked to the center of the formation map.
Enveloped by the power of the formation map, a radiant light surged around Yang Zhong's body, and suddenly, a phoenix cry resonating through Heaven and Earth rang out, revealing a giant bird appearing above and behind Yang Zhong.
The giant bird was engulfed in flames, its wings stretched wide, spanning ten meters in length, and an astonishing aura spread from it.
The crowd on-site was shocked.
After the initial surprise, Yang Ming couldn't help but tremble with excitement, "It's the Green Phoenix! It's the level ten Martial Soul, Green Phoenix!"
The ranks of Martial Souls go from low to high, from level one to ten, or even beyond with the Supreme Martial Spirit.
Supreme Martial Spirits are exceedingly rare, and level ten already signifies supreme talent, so it's no wonder Yang Ming was so excited.
Yang Zhong's father, Yang Hai, and the high-level experts of the Yang Family who were present were all thrilled.
"Congratulations, Manor Lord Yang," Li Guang, the Li Family Patriarch from Xingyue City, stepped forward with a congratulatory fist and palm salute, smiling, "Yang Family has produced an incredible talent, truly enviable."
Being one of the largest families in Xingyue City, the Li Family was slightly stronger than Yang Family Manor. Hearing Li Guang's words, Yang Ming laughed heartily and returned the gesture politely, "Thank you, Brother Li. Your care and consideration in the future will be much appreciated." It was clear to everyone that Yang Ming was feeling proud and excited.
The experts from the other families in Xingyue City also came forward to congratulate Yang Ming and Yang Hai.
Yang Ming and Yang Hai smiled widely, unable to hide their joy.
In the envious gaze of everyone, Yang Zhong walked out from the Formation Map, his brilliance attracting all eyes. Even though he was young, he understood what it meant to have a level ten Martial Soul.
From now on, he would be the favorite of Heaven!
As he passed by Yang Xiaotian, he looked at him with a hint of pride.
Seeing Yang Zhong's triumphant look, Yang Xiaotian frowned. Though Yang Zhong was his elder uncle's son, he often targeted him and his younger sister, Yang Ling'er, taking advantage of their grandfather's doting nature.
Although it was always Yang Zhong who instigated the conflicts, their grandfather always took Yang Zhong's side, often leaving him and his sister Yang Ling'er to face the scolding.
"Xiaotian, it's your turn now," Yang Ming said to Yang Xiaotian.
Yang Xiaotian responded and then walked to the center of the formation map.
Given that Yang Zhong had a level ten Martial Soul, Xiaotian felt somewhat nervous standing at the center of the formation map.
After all, in the Martial Soul World, whether one has a Martial Soul and the level of that Martial Soul would determine a person's future.
The experts from the other families in Xingyue City also watched Yang Xiaotian, curious to find out what Martial Soul the grandson of Yang Ming would awaken.
Yang Chao was equally tense, watching his son and silently praying in his heart.
In the center of the formation map, wrapped in its power, Yang Xiaotian felt a warm sensation, and soon light began to surge around him.
Yang Chao's heart tightened.
Hum!
With a faint sound, a phantom flew out from within Yang Xiaotian's body, looming above and behind his head.