Faced with Sword Douluo's intimidating presence, Jun Yi knew better than to act rashly. He quickly released Ning Rongrong's wrist, letting her go without a second thought.
Ning Rongrong spun around, glaring at him with her hands on her hips, a pout forming on her lips. "What's wrong with you? I came to find you, but you weren't home!"
Jun Yi shrugged helplessly. "How was I supposed to know? I only just got here with Brother Qinghe."
"Hmph! You're avoiding me on purpose."
"If I'd known you were coming to the palace, I'd have escaped long ago."
"You—!" Ning Rongrong began, but was cut off by her father.
"Alright, Rongrong, enough," Ning Fengzhi interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "This is the Tiandou Palace, not our home. Mind your manners."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong swallowed her retort. She knew better than to cause a scene in such a formal setting, even if she was still fuming. With one last glare at Jun Yi, she turned and rejoined her father.
Ning Fengzhi nodded towards Xue Qinghe. "Your Highness, Emperor Xueye summoned us to discuss urgent matters. Once Jun Yi's martial spirit awakens, we should proceed to the imperial study."
Xue Qinghe gave a polite smile. "Understood. After the awakening ceremony, we will head there at once."
Ning Fengzhi turned his gaze back to Jun Yi. "He's always been quite clever. I'm eager to see what kind of martial spirit he'll awaken."
"Hmph! I awakened the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda today, and my innate soul power is level nine—one level higher than my father's was! If your spirit isn't as impressive as mine, you'd better listen to me from now on. Understood?" Ning Rongrong declared proudly, her arms crossed and a smug grin spreading across her face.
Jun Yi felt the urge to punch her. He couldn't stand her arrogance, but he held himself back.
Xue Qinghe motioned for the middle-aged soul master to continue with the ceremony. The soul master stepped forward, placing the awakening crystal near Jun Yi. A blue stream of soul power flowed from the man's hand into the crystal, then into Jun Yi's body.
The crystal glowed softly, its golden light wrapping Jun Yi in warmth. He could feel something shift deep inside, as though a barrier was being broken down. The warmth surged through him, rushing toward his hand.
"The host is awakening their martial spirit. Congratulations! You are about to become a soul master. We have prepared a special gift for you—please check it!"
A cheerful system notification echoed in Jun Yi's mind. He felt like he was being embraced by a warm, comforting world. It was an indescribable sensation.
His heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nerves. This is it. He raised his right hand, waiting for the martial spirit to reveal itself.
Everyone watched with bated breath.
"It's coming," Jun Yi muttered as the energy in his body gathered, forming a sphere in his palm.
Suddenly, a red, heart-shaped fruit appeared in his hand—a Devil Fruit.
Ning Rongrong's face lit up with glee. "A fruit? That's it?" She was about to mock him, but noticed her father and Sword Douluo's expressions. They were clearly disappointed.
"A fruit? Of all things…" Ning Fengzhi thought. "No matter how gifted, an auxiliary soul master is still just support."
Ning Rongrong glanced at Xue Qinghe. Unlike the others, his expression hadn't changed. He still looked at Jun Yi with the same calm, encouraging gaze. This unnerved Ning Rongrong. Why doesn't he seem disappointed?
She bit her lip. Jun Yi's martial spirit looks so weak. How can I keep playing with him if Father won't allow it?
Meanwhile, Jun Yi could barely contain his excitement. He had awakened the Fruit of Operation—the most expensive Devil Fruit in One Piece, worth a staggering five billion berries! Not only that, but with this fruit, even if his body was torn apart, he could still piece himself back together. And its ultimate power? The ability to grant immortality, though at the cost of the user's life.
Jun Yi couldn't hold it in anymore. He burst out laughing, his voice echoing through the palace. "Hahaha! This is amazing!"
Everyone stared at him, baffled. Ning Rongrong took a step back, unsure whether to be concerned or embarrassed by his outburst.
Xue Qinghe, worried about Jun Yi's mental state, approached him carefully. "Xiao Yi, your martial spirit seems… unique. What exactly can it do?"
Jun Yi waved him off, still grinning ear to ear. "Brother Qinghe, give me a moment! I'll show you soon enough."
Without hesitation, Jun Yi bit into the red fruit, swallowing it in one gulp. A sour, bitter taste filled his mouth. "Blegh! It tastes terrible—like biting into the peel of an unripe orange!"
But as he forced it down, a rush of energy surged through him, and a small, semi-transparent dome appeared in the palm of his hand.
"Martial spirit awakening complete. Status updated."
Name: Jun Yi
Age: 6
Soul Power: Level 10 (Can break through with the addition of a soul ring)
Martial Spirit: Fruit of Operation (Unawakened)
Abilities: ROOM, ability to manipulate objects within a certain space.
"Haha, it's ROOM!" Jun Yi shouted gleefully. He flexed his hand, watching the small sphere of power expand. "This is incredible! I'm officially a devil fruit user!"
Xue Qinghe, still worried, called out, "Xiao Yi, are you okay?"
Jun Yi snapped back to reality. He realized he had been a bit too loud and overexcited. Quickly regaining his composure, he bowed apologetically. "I'm fine, Brother Qinghe. I was just… a little too thrilled about my martial spirit."
Xue Qinghe nodded, his expression softening. He pulled out a blue crystal ball and handed it to Jun Yi. "Now, let's test your innate soul power."
Jun Yi placed his hand on the ball, and almost immediately, a strong suction force began pulling his soul power into it. The crystal lit up with a brilliant blue glow, filling the room with dazzling light.
"Innate full soul power?" murmured Xue Qinghe.
Everyone in the room was left in awe.