Chapter 19: Even the Emperor of Heavenly Soul Acts! Ennobling and Recruiting Liu Yuan!
The deafening echo of Du Busi's announcement finally settled, leaving the massive expanse of the Elder Hall submerged in a heavy, suffocating silence. Hundreds of eyes locked onto the twelve-year-old boy standing at the center. The gazes were heavy, swirling with a complex mixture of emotions.
Awe. Shock. Deep, burning envy.
Yet, conspicuously absent from the room was any trace of jealousy.
Every person present understood the brutal reality of the cultivation world. A Gold-grade Secondary Awakening potential did not just mean talent; it meant Liu Yuan was a true Chosen Son of Heaven. He was a monster destined to stand at the absolute apex of the continent, looking down upon the masses. To harbor jealousy toward an existence so far beyond their reach felt entirely laughable. One might envy a peer, but they could only revere a god in the making.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Liu!"
Chen Lu broke the silence. He stepped forward, bowing deeply. Though he was years older than the boy before him, the Body Sect operated on an absolute, ironclad hierarchy. Attainment and status dictated seniority, not age. As a Personal Disciple with direct succession rights to the Sect Master, Liu Yuan now stood on a summit far above ordinary Core Disciples.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Liu!"
Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, and the surrounding disciples immediately followed suit. Their voices merged into a unified, echoing chorus of sincere respect, their heads bowed low.
Even Vina, the one with the most exalted background in the room, dropped her usual playful demeanor. She smoothed the fabric of her elegant dress, stepped forward gracefully, and offered a flawless, shallow curtsy.
"Senior Brother Liu," she said, her crisp voice carrying a teasing yet respectful lilt. "You must take good care of your Junior Sister in the future."
The sudden, massive shift in his standing caught Liu Yuan slightly off guard. He was a pragmatist, used to fighting for every inch, not having a crowd of elites bow to him.
He quickly waved his hand, his expression calm and measured. "Junior Brothers and Sisters, there is no need for such heavy formality. We are all fellow disciples of the same sect. We will support each other on the path ahead."
"Hahaha! Well said! A fine 'supporting each other'!"
A booming, hearty laugh shattered the formal atmosphere. Long Aotian strode forward, his large steps eating up the distance between them. There was not a single ounce of bitterness in his expression over having his spotlight stolen. Instead, his eyes blazed with a wild, fervent battle intent.
He reached out with a thick, muscular arm and slapped his palm heavily onto Liu Yuan's shoulder. The impact echoed with a dull thud.
"Junior Brother, welcome to the true core of our ranks!" Long Aotian grinned, his teeth flashing. "From today onward, the banner of the Body Sect's younger generation rests on both our shoulders!"
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a passionate rumble. "I have spent years yearning for a rival, a true partner who could walk alongside me at the peak. The heavens have finally delivered you to my doorstep. If you encounter any bottlenecks in your cultivation, come find me! We will push each other forward and strive to complete that Gold-grade Secondary Awakening as soon as possible!"
Meeting Long Aotian's wild, completely sincere gaze, Liu Yuan felt his own blood heat up. This was the kind of environment he thrived in—no hidden daggers, no hypocritical politics, just pure, unadulterated strength and camaraderie.
He nodded firmly, his eyes sharp. "Count on it. I will not fail to live up to Senior Brother's expectations."
"Alright, enough dawdling."
Du Busi waved his large hand with gruff impatience, cutting through the disciples' pleasantries. He turned his gaze back to Liu Yuan, the fanatical gleam returning to his eyes. He crooked a finger. "Disciple, come with me."
"Yes, Master."
Liu Yuan offered a final nod to Long Aotian and Vina before turning on his heel. Under the burning, envious stares of the entire hall, he followed the towering figure of Du Busi out through the heavy wooden doors.
The Sect Master's Hall was a stark contrast to the bustling Elder Hall. It was vast, quiet, and steeped in an ancient, oppressive pressure.
Upon entering, Du Busi casually waved a hand, dismissing the few attendants present. The heavy doors clicked shut, leaving only the master and his new disciple.
The Level 98 Super Douluo stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked down at the twelve-year-old boy, his weathered face softening into an expression of immense satisfaction.
"Liu Yuan, since you have formally entered my tutelage, you must engrave one thing into your bones: the Body Sect is your home."
Du Busi took a slow step forward, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous gravel. "I am a man with a notoriously foul temper, but the entire continent knows I protect my own to the death. In the future, if any outsider dares to lay a finger on you—no matter their background, no matter their strength—you throw my name in their face! I will personally tear them apart and settle the score for you!"
A rare, genuine warmth settled in Liu Yuan's chest. This was no empty political promise. This was a lawless, heaven-defying declaration of absolute protection. For a transmigrator who viewed the world through a lens of cold pragmatism, this tangible, overwhelming backing was worth more than any hypocritical praise.
He bowed deeply, his spine straight. "Thank you for your grace, Master."
"Mm." Du Busi grunted in approval. He reached into his deep robes and pulled out an ancient, heavy book. He tossed it through the air.
Liu Yuan caught it effortlessly. The material felt incredibly strange against his skin—smooth and cool, almost like polished jade, yet entirely flexible. Four massive characters were carved into the cover in an archaic seal script, radiating a desolate, ancient aura.
"Consider this a meeting gift," Du Busi explained, his tone turning serious. "It is the absolute foundation of our lineage—the Body Secret Method."
Liu Yuan ran his thumb over the ancient characters, feeling the faint thrum of energy within the pages.
"This is not some ordinary spirit power cultivation technique," Du Busi continued, pacing slowly. "It is a supreme scripture forged specifically for those of us who possess Body Martial Souls. Cultivating it will multiply your spirit power accumulation, yes, but that is secondary. Its true value lies in its special Qi circulation routes. It will continuously stimulate, temper, and strengthen your Spirit Origin."
Du Busi stopped, his piercing eyes locking onto Liu Yuan. "Only by pushing your Origin to its absolute limit can the Gold-grade potential dormant in your blood truly solidify into raw, unstoppable power. That is the only path to completing the final Secondary Awakening."
The old man's expression grew stern. "However, this technique is incredibly obscure. The concepts are dense and difficult to grasp. Even a monster like Ao Tian spent several agonizing months just to cross the threshold. You possess heaven-defying talent, but you must not let impatience cloud your mind. Take it back. Study it carefully. If you hit a wall, do not force the Qi circulation. Come to me immediately."
"Once you have mastered the basics, I will personally guide you through the next phase."
"Disciple understands." Liu Yuan carefully tucked the jade-like manual into his robes, treating it with the utmost gravity.
"Good. Be on your way." Du Busi waved his hand dismissively. "I have already ordered the deacons to prepare a new residence for you at Tingtao Pavilion. It sits right next to Ao Tian's quarters and rests on one of the densest Spiritual Qi veins in the entire sect. Go see if the accommodations suit you."
"Yes. Disciple takes his leave."
The moment Liu Yuan stepped out of the Sect Master's Hall, a Deacon Disciple waiting respectfully by the stone pillars hurried forward. With a deep bow, the deacon led him along a winding mountain path toward Tingtao Pavilion.
The residence was an independent, multi-story pavilion built directly into the side of a steep cliff. The environment was breathtakingly tranquil. A deep, emerald-green pool rested at the base of the cliff, its surface completely still. As the mountain breeze swept through the ancient pines surrounding the building, the needles rustled with a deep, rhythmic sound that mimicked crashing ocean waves. The Spiritual Qi in the air was so thick it felt like a cool mist against the skin.
Liu Yuan stepped through the wooden doors, his sharp eyes sweeping over the spacious, elegantly furnished rooms. He nodded, entirely satisfied.
"From today on, this is my new starting point."
He did not waste a single second admiring the view. He walked straight up to the second floor, entered the reinforced cultivation room, and sat cross-legged on the woven mat.
He pulled the Body Secret Method from his robes, resting the jade-like book on his lap.
"So this is the key to forcing a Body Martial Soul into a Secondary Awakening..."
Liu Yuan took a slow, deep breath, centering his mind. He had secured the best resources on the continent. Now, it was time to convert those resources into absolute power. He opened the heavy cover to the first page.
Learn it first. Master it next.
Meanwhile, far below the towering peaks, outside the massive stone gates of the Body Sect.
A slender, beautiful figure stood at the edge of the descending mountain path. Vina stared deeply into the thick, swirling mist that shrouded the main peak, her eyes lingering on the distant silhouette of the sect she called home.
"Your Highness, it is time to depart."
A royal guard, dressed in unassuming plain clothes to avoid drawing attention, stepped forward and bowed low, his voice a quiet murmur.
Vina let out a soft sigh and finally withdrew her gaze. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.
Part of her desperately wanted to stay on the mountain, to cultivate alongside Long Aotian and this mysterious, terrifyingly talented new Junior Brother. But she was not just a Body Sect disciple. She was the Princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire. The invisible crown resting on her head was heavy.
Beyond mastering her spirit power, she had to study the ruthless art of governance, manage endless royal affairs, and handle the treacherous political waters between rival empires and hidden factions. Her future was tied to the survival of her nation.
"Let's go," she said, her voice losing its youthful teasing and taking on the cold, refined edge of royalty. "Back to Heaven Dou City."
Vina turned gracefully and stepped into the waiting carriage. A crisp crack of the driver's whip echoed through the quiet valley, and the heavy wooden wheels began to turn, slowly carrying her away from the mysterious holy land of the Body Sect.
Several days later. Heavenly Soul Empire, Heaven Dou City Palace.
The imperial study was bathed in the warm, bright glow of soul lamps. The Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire sat behind a massive desk carved from dark ironwood. He rested his chin on his hand, casually listening to Vina report on her recent trip to the Body Sect.
At first, his demeanor was relaxed, almost absentminded. Vina always brought back minor intelligence regarding the sect's movements, and it rarely required his immediate attention.
But then, Vina's tone shifted. She mentioned the entry test. She mentioned a twelve-year-old boy named Liu Yuan.
And then, she spoke the words: "Gold-grade Secondary Awakening potential."
Clatter!
The heavy bamboo memorial slipped from the Emperor's fingers, slamming onto the polished floorboards.
He shot up from his throne, his chair scraping violently against the floor. The usually calm, majestic mask of the ruler shattered, replaced by raw, unadulterated shock.
"What did you just say?" The Emperor's voice cracked slightly. "Gold-grade?! The exact same Gold-grade potential as Long Aotian?!"
"It is absolutely true, Father," Vina replied, her posture perfect, her tone unwavering. "I witnessed the pillar's light with my own eyes. Sect Master Du Busi has already accepted him as his second Personal Disciple. He has officially been listed as a candidate for the Sect Master's succession."
Hiss—
The Emperor sucked in a sharp breath of cold air. He stepped out from behind the desk, pacing rapidly across the length of the study. His hands clasped and unclasped behind his back, his eyes burning with a feverish excitement.
"Good! Excellent!" The Emperor stopped and looked at his daughter, a wide, predatory smile spreading across his face. "Vina, you have truly achieved a monumental merit this time!"
He resumed his pacing, his mind spinning with political calculations. "A future peerless powerhouse, discovered and introduced to the sect by my own daughter. This is a massive favor we hold over him!"
Suddenly, the Emperor stopped again. His thick brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing into shrewd slits.
"However..." he muttered, his voice dropping into a calculating whisper. "The favor of an introduction alone is not enough. It is far from enough!"
He looked toward the window, staring out at the sprawling capital city. "Those old monsters in the Body Sect are fiercely protective, but they are also arrogant beyond measure. If we sit back and wait until this Liu Yuan truly matures into a powerhouse to try and recruit him, the price will be astronomical. Perhaps even impossible to pay."
The Emperor spun around, his imperial robes snapping through the air. "We must strike now! We must take advantage of the present, while his wings are still growing, to bind him tightly to the Heavenly Soul Royal Family!"
Vina blinked, her sharp mind already catching up to her father's train of thought. "Then Father means to..."
"Pass my decree!"
The Emperor waved his hand with explosive force, his voice booming through the heavy doors of the study to the attendants waiting outside.
"Chief Eunuch! Draft the imperial decree immediately!"
The doors opened, and an elderly man in lavish robes hurried in, bowing deeply with a brush and scroll already in hand.
"Record this!" The Emperor commanded, his voice echoing with absolute authority. "Because the youth Liu Yuan has performed exemplary meritorious service in protecting the Princess, and possesses heaven-defying talent, he is hereby specially granted the noble title of Baron!"
The Emperor's eyes flashed with decisive ruthlessness. He was willing to bleed for this investment.
"! Grant him the Qinghe Fief, located directly adjacent to the Body Sect's territory, along with the taxation rights to the surrounding five hundred households of commoners!"
He pointed a finger at the eunuch. "Prepare the imperial decree and the rewards tonight! Dispatch a special envoy to the Body Sect at first light to announce it to the world!"
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