Chapter 4: The Altered Innate Soul Power
Ever since re-establishing his small goal that day, Qian Zhaoguang had also slightly modified his original cultivation plan.
Since he intended to win over Huo Yutong as an ally against Tang San in the future, he couldn't possibly let her awaken with only Innate Level 1 Soul Power, as per her original life trajectory, right?
If that were the case, then without several major cheats, Loli Huo would truly be useless.
Qian Zhaoguang carefully recalled the details from the original work. The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm once mentioned that the reason for Huo Yuhao's low innate soul power was childhood malnutrition.
Experts from the Body Sect and Shrek had also indicated that the essence of the Spirit Eyes was a combination of top-tier Body-type Martial Soul eyes and the brain.
The foundation was excellent; it was just postnatal development that was lacking.
With this understanding, things became much simpler.
The foundation and core weren't bad, just issues with later development.
Isn't it just childhood malnutrition?
I'll just supplement her nutrition, and that should fix it.
Besides, the old butler was already dissatisfied with Dai Hao's neglectful behavior and supported him in opposing the Duchess.
Plan approved.
Thus, thereafter, Qian Zhaoguang made it a fixed routine to deliver a relatively sumptuous dinner to the Huo mother and daughter every evening, thereby supplementing Huo Yutong's nutrition.
At the same time, he would also sneak Huo Yutong out through the mansion's back gate every morning for some light exercise, adding an extra meal on the side.
For three years, he did this consistently, rain or shine.
Under these circumstances, Huo Yutong's initially frail body gradually became fuller and healthier, unlike the weak state depicted in the original story.
With the help of Qian Zhaoguang and the old butler, although they couldn't completely lift the Huo mother and daughter out of their predicament, their living conditions were significantly better than before, at least to the point where they weren't unable to afford even a simple white-flour baked bun.
Hopefully, tomorrow Xiao Tong can awaken a higher innate soul power, making the Duchess hesitant to act rashly...
It would be best if those tragic events from the original story didn't happen again.
Recalling the bits and pieces of his experiences in the Duke's Mansion over the past few years, Qian Zhaoguang gradually drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Qian Zhaoguang woke up very early.
After washing up and eating breakfast, he followed the old butler to a cultivation quiet room within the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
On this day every year, a Martial Soul Awakening ceremony was held here specifically for the children of the servants.
Several children of the appropriate age were brought by adults and lined up neatly in the room.
Huo Yutong and Huo Yun'er happened to be positioned just ahead of them.
Seeing Qian Zhaoguang arrive, Huo Yutong even secretly turned her head back to give him a small greeting.
"Children, next..."
A middle-aged man with a somewhat kind face was explaining the points to note during the Martial Soul Awakening.
Already familiar with all this, Qian Zhaoguang didn't pay much attention, his focus elsewhere.
Looking at the six black Awakening Stones arranged in the center of the room, he couldn't help but think back to the era of the first Douluo story in the original works.
Back then, the deacons of the Spirit Hall would travel tirelessly, crossing mountains and rivers, to visit various villages and conduct Martial Soul Awakening ceremonies for the children.
Wait a minute, doesn't the Martial Soul Awakening ceremony seem to have no special requirements?
Why doesn't the old butler conduct the ceremony himself?
Thinking of this, he asked quietly.
"Grandpa, why didn't you help me awaken at home?"
The old butler chuckled softly, patted his head, and replied, "Xiao Guang, do you see the six stones surrounding that child? Those stones are called Awakening Stones. Their origin is unknown, and only the major powers control the method of their creation, which they absolutely never share. Even with Grandpa's status, one cannot privately own them."
Cannot privately own them?
Qian Zhaoguang was secretly startled.
He remembered that during the Douluo 1 era, these Awakening Stones could be purchased simply by spending Gold Soul Coins; even non-Soul Masters could buy them.
"Even a Soul Saint expert like you can't buy them?"
"That's right," the old butler replied, a look of感慨 (gǎnkǎi - complex emotion, sighing with feeling) in his eyes.
"These little rascals are quite fortunate, being born here in the Duke's Mansion, they are guaranteed a Martial Soul Awakening one way or another. It's the truly impoverished families who have nowhere to turn. Going to any major power for a Martial Soul Awakening costs a considerable sum."
"Even if the state sets up some stations in cities for obligatory awakenings, how can those people possibly get there? Some people living in remote areas might never leave the hundred-li radius around their village in their entire lives."
At that moment, something seemed to touch Qian Zhaoguang deep inside, causing a strong emotional tremor.
"Your name is Huo Yutong, right? Step into the center."
Just as he was lost in thought, it was Huo Yutong's turn for the Martial Soul Awakening.
Qian Zhaoguang glanced around; the only unawakened children left in the room were himself and Huo Yutong. The others had already left.
Six faint rays of light flowed into the Awakening Stones on the ground. A layer of pale golden radiance emerged from the stones, forming a light-gold shield that enveloped Huo Yutong.
Countless golden specks of light entered her body, gradually converging upwards.
"Clench your fists and place them at your waist."
The middle-aged man, now with his Martial Soul presumably active, sounded somewhat cold, far less warm and gentle than before.
Huo Yutong subconsciously did as instructed, but initially, nothing happened.
In the back of the awakening room, a middle-aged woman watched the scene unfold through an observation hole.
She quietly breathed a sigh of relief, a cold sneer forming on her lips.
"As long as she didn't inherit the White Tiger Martial Soul, it's fine. Hehehe, little bitch..."
The next moment, the previously mentioned golden light spots surged upwards rapidly.
Huo Yutong's eyes burst forth with an azure radiance, and a subtle spiritual fluctuation emanated outwards slightly.
"A Body-type Martial Soul? The eyes?"
Huo Yun'er gasped, covering her mouth, her heart filled with panic.
What do we do? Xiao Tong didn't inherit the White Tiger Martial Soul, what will happen now...
The middle-aged man was clearly surprised and cast a quick glance towards the observation hole.
Quickly recovering, he addressed the still bewildered Huo Yutong, "Stop spacing out. Next, we test your innate soul power."
Huo Yutong looked down at her hands, somewhat lost, then looked up, blinking her eyes.
"Uncle, where is my Martial Soul? Why don't I have one?"
The middle-aged man appeared somewhat impatient.
"Your Martial Soul is your eyes. Alright, you'll understand these things later. Now, let's test your innate soul power. Place your hand on the crystal ball."
"Okay..."
Huo Yutong was a little scared and agreed in a small voice.
Her small, fair hand rested atop the crystal ball, creating a stark contrast with the large, fearsome tiger claws (presumably the man's Martial Soul manifestation) positioned below it.
Almost instantly, the crystal ball lit up intensely, shining brilliantly.
The few adults present were stunned.
The middle-aged man and the old butler exclaimed simultaneously in astonishment: "Innate Level 9 Soul Power!"
Huo Yun'er was overcome with joy, crying tears of happiness, so excited she could barely stand steady.
Huo Yutong was also overjoyed, turning to look back at her mother and the grandfather-grandson pair of Qian Zhaoguang.
The old butler's heart sank. He cursed inwardly, This is bad.
The moment he saw Huo Yutong possessed Innate Level 9 Soul Power, he knew Huo Yun'er was in grave danger.
An Innate Level 9 Body-type Martial Soul had the potential to reach the rank of Titled Douluo!
Knowing the Duchess's jealous and cruel nature, there was absolutely no way she would allow the Huo mother and daughter to survive until Dai Hao returned.
However, he didn't let his fears show. Instead, he forced a smile, helped Huo Yun'er up, and said, "This time, you mother and daughter have finally overcome your hardships. When that brat Dai Hao gets back, I will definitely have a serious talk with him."
From now on, I can only act tougher, the butler thought grimly. My only hope relies on the Duchess's contempt for the mother and daughter, perhaps allowing me to take the two children away from this place of strife after Huo Yun'er dies.
If it had been Innate Level 1 soul power, it might have been manageable.
But Innate Soul Power as high as Level 9...
Huo Yun'er was undoubtedly marked for death.
Author's Note: As old readers know, updates are fixed at 12:00 PM daily. Since the book started, I have never missed an update or taken leave.
(End of Chapter)