The moment the Azure Dragon Martial Soul manifested, a surge of divine power burst out, shaking the heavens and earth and attracting attention from countless factions across the continent.
Within the ancestral grounds of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the manifestation of the dragon coiled around Yu Chen like a sovereign deity descended upon the world.
"Awakening the martial soul… this power, it's overwhelming."
Clenching his fist, Yu Chen felt an unprecedented strength coursing through his veins. His previously frail body, once weaker than the average soul master's, had transformed, becoming as resilient as refined iron.
His strength had leaped far beyond his peers in the family.
"No… this can't be!"
"Yu Chen, you were always a piece of trash! How could you—how could your martial soul surpass mine?!"
Yu Haoyun's eyes were bloodshot as he knelt on the floor, trembling in disbelief. His once proud Eighth-Grade Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul quivered uncontrollably.
"You've said enough."
Yu Chen's gaze turned icy cold, locking onto Yu Haoyun.
ROAR!
A deafening dragon cry echoed throughout the hall. Behind Yu Chen, the massive Azure Dragon's ethereal form let out a bone-chilling roar, its dragon eyes locking onto Yu Haoyun like a predator eyeing its prey.
That gaze alone was enough to make Yu Haoyun's martial soul instinctively submit.
A terrifying phenomenon unfolded—Yu Haoyun's martial soul began to visibly degrade!
Eighth Grade…
Seventh Grade…
Sixth Grade…
…
First Grade!
Under the pressure of the Azure Dragon Martial Soul, Yu Haoyun's Eighth-Grade Tyrant Dragon devolved into a faint illusion, its once mighty figure now as insignificant as a worm. It had become a crippled martial soul—completely destroyed!
"You… you—!"
PFFT!
Yu Haoyun's body convulsed violently, blood gushing from his mouth. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed, unconscious.
Gasp—!
"Heavens! That's…"
"Young Master Yu Chen's martial soul is terrifying! It forcibly regressed Yu Haoyun's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?!"
"Could his martial soul be… the king of dragons?!"
The elders and juniors present in the Dragon Soul Palace were visibly pale, cold sweat dripping down their temples. Some trembled uncontrollably, unable to comprehend the power they'd just witnessed.
"Elder," Yu Chen said calmly, withdrawing his gaze from Yu Haoyun. "You may now announce the results."
The elder stood frozen for a moment, then snapped out of his daze.
"Yu Chen… possesses a mutant martial soul. Rank unknown!"
"However, it is without question that it surpasses the Ninth-Grade Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon! It is a supreme, peerless martial soul never before seen in our clan!"
The Azure Dragon Martial Soul was unprecedented on the continent, and though its rank couldn't be officially classified, the truth was apparent to all—it far exceeded the top-tier martial souls known to humankind.
"A mutant martial soul, as expected!"
At that moment, a majestic figure clad in a blue-golden robe appeared mid-air with several elders—Yu Yuan, the Patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Haoyun!"
The Grand Elder, upon seeing his grandson lying unconscious on the floor, rushed over in panic and ordered him taken for immediate treatment.
He was unaware that Yu Haoyun's martial soul had been completely crippled.
Should he discover that his grandson's pride, the Eighth-Grade martial soul, had been annihilated, there was no telling how he'd react.
"Father."
Yu Chen respectfully bowed to Yu Yuan. As he did, the Azure Dragon Martial Soul slowly retracted into his body.
WHOOSH!
With the martial soul withdrawn, the suffocating pressure vanished. The younger generation, previously crushed by the spiritual might, gasped in relief and wiped away cold sweat.
Those who had mocked Yu Chen earlier were now pale as ash, unable to even lift their heads. Some even soiled themselves in fear.
They had just witnessed Yu Chen regress a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul—none dared to test if he could do the same to them.
"Chen'er, was that truly your martial soul just now?"
Yu Yuan, a peak Title Douluo, stared at his son with disbelief and awe.
"Even as a Title Douluo, I could sense faint oppression from your soul! Could it be… that your martial soul stands above even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?"
In the Heaven Dou Empire, everyone cultivated using their innate martial souls, and soul power was measured in levels from 1 to 100. Every ten levels represented a new stage.
Yu Yuan's status as a Title Douluo meant his power ranged between Level 90 and 99.
Above that was the legendary realm of the gods—Level 100. No one had reached it in over ten thousand years.
From this, one could only imagine Yu Yuan's strength—and how shocked he must be to be awed by his son's soul.
"Congratulations, Young Master!"
"To awaken such a divine martial soul—the future is limitless! Young Master will surely inherit the position of patriarch!"
"Indeed! His soul power has already reached Level 10! He'll be at the pinnacle of the continent in time!"
The crowd quickly changed their tune. Even those who had previously stood with the Grand Elder now sang praises of Yu Chen.
Before, they'd favored Yu Haoyun due to his high-rank martial soul. Now, Yu Chen had proven overwhelmingly superior.
"Patriarch, the Young Master's future is promising beyond measure."
"However, we must choose an academy for his cultivation. The Imperial Academies may know more about this unknown martial soul."
As the excitement settled, three elders in blue stepped forward to offer advice.
Despite the clan's own strength, they couldn't match the structured education of the empire's top academies. It was tradition to send outstanding juniors to the Heaven Dou Empire's elite schools.
"The young master should go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy," one elder added.
"Haoyun and Tianheng are there already. They can help guide him."
The Grand Elder, still unaware of Haoyun's spiritual downfall, clung to his influence and sought to control Yu Chen's path.
Yu Yuan ignored him and turned to Yu Chen. "Chen'er, what do you want to do?"
Ding! The Divine Selection System has been activated! Please choose:
1. Attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Reward: 1000 gold coins.
2. Stay in the clan for private cultivation. Reward: 100-Year Spirit Ring.
3. Go to Notting Junior Academy, where Clan Brother Yu Xiaogang resides. Reward: 10,000-Year Dragon-Type Spirit Ring!
You have 30 seconds to make a choice!
"Spirit ring…"
Yu Chen's eyes flickered.
A spirit ring allowed soul masters to gain new abilities and breakthrough cultivation bottlenecks. The age of the spirit beast hunted determined the strength of the ring—higher age meant greater power.
A 10,000-Year Dragon-Type Spirit Ring was rarer than anything else on the continent—especially for a dragon-type martial soul.
"Father," Yu Chen said, his tone resolute, "I choose to go to Notting Junior College for cultivation."
The future of the Azure Dragon had just begun.