"Father has never been angry with Big Brother."
"I've never looked down on Big Brother because of his mutated Martial Soul."
"In fact, Father has always cared deeply for Big Brother."
Glancing at the new set of options that flashed across his consciousness, Yu Chen walked up to Yu Xiaogang and gently patted him on the shoulder.
Yu Chen understood very clearly—Yu Yuan had never once resented Yu Xiaogang!
Ding! Congratulations to the host for making a selection. Reward received: Sacred Dragon Bloodline!
[Sacred Dragon Bloodline]: Can be used to elevate the quality of a negatively mutated Martial Soul!
As Yu Chen spoke with Yu Xiaogang, the system prompt echoed in his mind, and a radiant golden dragon shadow emerged in his sea of consciousness.
"Is that true?"
"But my Martial Soul mutated into such a disgraceful form—I can't forgive myself!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression softened slightly upon hearing Yu Chen's words, but almost immediately fell back into deep remorse, plagued by self-loathing.
"Xiaogang, no one can control the nature of their Martial Soul's awakening. Don't be too hard on yourself…"
Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the others—Dai Mubai, Oscar, and the rest—gathered around after hearing the exchange, each trying to console Yu Xiaogang with kind and sincere words.
In the Heaven Dou Empire, Martial Souls were everything. Everyone awakened their Martial Soul at the age of twelve, but the form it took depended heavily on one's innate talent. Mutated Martial Souls were extremely rare—one in a million—and whether the mutation was positive or negative, it was entirely outside of human control.
"If the bloodline of a Martial Soul can be enhanced, would Big Brother no longer blame himself?"
As the others continued their attempts to comfort Yu Xiaogang, Yu Chen lowered his eyes thoughtfully and spoke softly.
"…Enhance a bloodline? It's not that easy!"
"Xiaogang and I have roamed the continent together for years. Half that time was spent searching for ways to strengthen his bloodline. The final conclusion? It's impossible—unless one attains the legendary 'Divine Realm'!"
Everyone fell silent after hearing Yu Chen's question. Flender shook his head with a helpless smile and looked at Yu Chen, his tone laced with disappointment and resignation.
Yu Xiaogang's expression dimmed even further.
Just as stated before—once a Martial Soul mutated, no amount of effort could reverse it. Even reaching the realm of a Titled Douluo wouldn't help!
"Now!"
As despair filled their hearts, Yu Chen took a step forward. Behind him, a 100-meter Azure Dragon Martial Soul materialized, radiating with divine might!
Simultaneously, the crimson Vermillion Bird erupted into an ocean of flames.
Above, the sky split in two: one half filled with roaring thunder and lightning from the dragon's domain; the other engulfed by the blazing inferno from the Vermillion Bird.
Ang—!
A thunderous dragon roar merged with a phoenix's cry as an orb of brilliant golden light shimmered into existence above Yu Chen's head.
"Go."
Yu Chen raised his hand gently and flicked it toward Yu Xiaogang.
Whoosh!
The golden orb, bursting with ancient dragon blood, shot directly into Yu Xiaogang's chest!
"What… is this?"
As everyone stared in astonishment at the double Martial Souls behind Yu Chen and the mysterious golden orb, confusion and awe filled their faces.
They could feel the overwhelming pressure, but none could comprehend what Yu Chen had just done.
"Huh? What's Chen'er up to now?"
"I can sense an incredibly pure dragon aura from this direction…"
Far away, tens of thousands of miles from Shrek Academy, "Blue Lightning Douluo" Yu Yuan looked toward the academy with narrowed eyes, astonished by the sudden shift in the atmosphere.
"Forget it. I need to return to the clan and resolve the matter with the Garo Empire's Dark Iron Armored Dragon Clan!"
After pausing for a moment, Yu Yuan turned, accompanied by nine majestic spirit rings, and headed back to his family grounds.
He had become accustomed to the natural phenomena triggered by Yu Chen's breakthroughs. Although the aura felt primal and ancient, it still couldn't compare to that of the Azure Dragon.
So Yu Yuan chose not to linger.
Back at Shrek Academy, the moment the golden light entered Yu Xiaogang's body, a powerful dragon aura burst forth from him, and a majestic golden dragon shadow took form behind him!
Though it was incomparable to Yu Chen's Azure Dragon, this aura rivaled even the top-tier Ninth Grade Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!
Ang—!
As the golden light fused with him, Yu Xiaogang's mutated Martial Soul responded. A clear dragon's cry echoed across the academy.
Luo San Pao—his pig-like Martial Soul—began to transform. Its limbs regressed, golden light enveloped its body, and slowly, it reshaped into a gleaming golden dragon!
One zhang…
Two zhang…
Three zhang…
…
In a mere blink, Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul had evolved from a beastly pig into a ten-zhang-tall Sacred Golden Dragon!
The dragon aura it exuded was rich and refined, even surpassing that of the Ninth Grade Lesser Heavenly Dragons from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
Not only that—his spirit power had also surged, breaking through to the Soul Sovereign level, crossing the threshold of Rank 30!
"…This…"
"…The Master's Martial Soul… it actually evolved?! Only a god should be capable of such a feat! Brother Chen, you're terrifying!"
Everyone—students and teachers alike—gawked at Yu Xiaogang. His Martial Soul had become a ten-zhang Sacred Golden Dragon, and their shock was beyond words!
Especially Flender, who had traveled the continent with Yu Xiaogang for years. His eyes were stretched wide in disbelief, unable to comprehend the miracle before him.
He had once concluded that a mutated Martial Soul could never be changed—unless touched by a divine hand.
And now, Yu Chen had done exactly that—strengthening a negatively mutated Martial Soul and transforming it into a Sacred Dragon!
"Not bad."
Surrounded by his Azure Dragon and Vermillion Bird, Yu Chen looked upon the Sacred Golden Dragon behind Yu Xiaogang and nodded calmly.
This miracle was thanks to the [Sacred Dragon Bloodline] reward he had just received.
That sacred bloodline was specifically designed to enhance negatively mutated Martial Souls. While Yu Chen's own spirits were also mutated, both the Azure Dragon and Vermillion Bird were positive mutations and required no enhancement.
So naturally, Yu Chen didn't need it—but for Yu Xiaogang, it was a perfect match.
Although this Sacred Dragon couldn't rival Yu Chen's Azure Dragon, it was still an immense leap from the pig-like creature it used to be.
"Xiao… Xiao Chen!"
As his Martial Soul completed its evolution, Yu Xiaogang stood still, his eyes moist, his voice shaking with emotion.
He was overwhelmed, unable to express his gratitude, stammering from joy.
I'll be posting advance 39+ chapters on my patreon account when this book reaches chapter 36