Another New Connection

Not long after, Xu Tianran escorted Xu Tianzhen out of the Awakening Palace.

Judging by the slight smile on Xu Tianran's lips and Xu Tianzhen's mix of excitement and disappointment, it was clear that Xu Tianzhen's awakening had gone smoothly.

As for her disappointment, it was likely due to failing to awaken the specific martial soul she desired.

Xu Tianzhen skipped over to Liuxing and Liuying, smiling as she said, "Liuxing, Liuying, I've awakened the Sun Martial Soul, and I have innate Full soul power! You two need to work hard too!"

Xu Tianran gave Xu Tianzhen a helpless look and smiled at Liuxing and Liuying, saying, "Don't feel too pressured. As long as you possess soul power, you can still become strong."

Although his words were lighthearted, Xu Tianran knew that there were indeed some individuals who, despite having low innate soul power, had risen to great heights through sheer determination and hard work.

While their limits might be capped at the level of a Soul.Douluo, with no hope of reaching the Title Douluo realm, it was worth noting that even a Soul Saint was considered a formidable force on the Douluo Continent.

In the four major empires, a Soul Saint would be welcomed with open arms and granted a noble title.

Of course, there were rare exceptions, individuals with low innate soul power who defied the odds and rose to prominence.

However, such cases were exceedingly rare, perhaps one in a hundred million, and thus not a reliable reference.

Xu Tianzhen realized she might have misspoken and stuck out her tongue in embarrassment.

While waiting in line, she had seen many of her peers leave dejectedly after failing to awaken their soul power.

Even at her young age, she understood that these individuals would no longer share the same world as her.

Even former playmates, bound by family ties, would inevitably drift apart if they failed to awaken soul power.

She didn't want Liuxing and Liuying to end up like that. Although she had initially approached them at her brother's behest, she genuinely wanted to make friends.

Liuxing and Liuying didn't mind her behavior. They understood that a child's vanity was just that, childish. In fact, Xu Tianzhen's straightforwardness left a positive impression on them.

Xu Tianran didn't linger for long. After exchanging a few words, he left with Xu Tianzhen.

He had only accompanied his sister for the martial soul awakening ceremony and didn't want to overstay his welcome.

Fire Phoenix Douluo and Luan Yu escorted the two to the Awakening Hall. The Awakening Master, a Soul Saint, was well-aware of the influential figures in the Sun and Moon Empire. Recognizing Fire Phoenix Douluo and Luan Yu, he immediately bowed and greeted them respectfully, "Greetings Lady Fire Phoenix Crown, Lady Ice Phoenix Crown."

Compared to Prince Xu Tianran, he was more respectful toward the two Titled Douluo. After all, strength was respected, and the Sun and Moon Empire had no shortage of princes. He was not one.

Fire Phoenix Douluo nodded and said, "It must be troublesome for you. Let's follow the rules."

The Awakening Master smiled and replied, "It's no trouble at all. This is our duty."

After saying that, the Awakening Master gestured for them to proceed and led the four of them toward the depths of the Awakening Hall.

Walking through the corridor leading to the Awakening Hall, Liuxing observed the rows of stone pillars on both sides.

The intricate moiré patterns carved into the pillars were so vivid and delicate that they seemed to flutter in the wind.

At the same time, a subtle fragrance emanated from the stone, filling the air with a calming scent that made Liuxing feel at ease.

Noticing Liuxing's curiosity, the Awakening Master smiled kindly and explained, "These stone pillars are carved from a rare and precious material. They naturally emit a soothing fragrance that helps soul masters enter a meditative state more easily, enhancing their cultivation speed. It also promotes tranquility, ensuring that participants undergo the martial soul awakening ceremony in the best possible condition."

Liuxing nodded in understanding. As expected of the largest Awakening Hall in the Sun and Moon Empire, its wealth ran deep, and the resources available to its soul masters were extravagant.

Even something as valuable as these pillars was displayed openly in the corridor.

At that moment, two figures emerged from the direction of the Awakening Hall, one tall and one small. They seemed to be the ones who had completed their martial soul awakening just before them.

As they drew closer, Liuxing got a clear view of them. The taller one was a woman dressed in a flowing red gown, breathtakingly beautiful.

Her long chestnut hair was styled into an elegant cloud bun, complementing her enchanting figure. Despite her alluring appearance, an air of holiness radiated from her, making her a true stunner.

Beside her, she held the hand of a six-year-old girl with golden-blonde hair and striking golden eyes, as delicate and exquisite as a porcelain doll.

"Ohh! Isn't this Luan Yu? Long time no see!" The woman in red beamed as she laid eyes on Luan Yu.

Then, spotting Liuxing and Liuying, she smirked playfully. "Could these two be your secret children? How scandalous, Luan Yu! You got married and didn't even tell me? My heart is broken!"

Hearing this, Liuxing's mouth twitched slightly. His gaze shifted to Luan Yu with a peculiar expression, Good grief! No wonder she never showed any interest in marriage… Turns out she's into women!

Luan Yu shivered slightly, sensing the odd looks directed at her. She shot a glare at Liuxing before turning to the woman in red with a look of disgust. "Shangguan Wei'er, get lost! Don't spout nonsense. I don't have a family, they're my adopted children."

Seeing Luan Yu's firm denial, Liuxing felt a tinge of disappointment. Judging by her reaction, he had clearly been overthinking things. What a pity.

Liuying looked at Liuxing with a strange expression, convinced that he was thinking about something inappropriate.

Shangguan Wei'er, the woman in red, covered her mouth and let out a playful gasp before taking the blonde girl's hand. With a smile, she said, "Come, Guyi, greet your Aunt Luan Feng and Aunt Luan Yu."

The blonde girl showed no hint of shyness. She bowed gracefully to Luan Feng and Luan Yu and called them "Aunt" twice in her soft voice. The originally cold expressions on Luan Feng and Luan Yu's faces melted instantly.

After all, who could resist a polite and adorable little girl?

"Luan Yu, you're not training this kid for that, are you?"

Luan Yu gently patted the blonde girl, Ye Guyi, on the head, then turned to Shangguan Wei'er with an unkind expression.

She was well aware of what Shangguan Wei'er did for a living, and that was precisely why, despite being classmates, she never liked her.

"How could I?" Shangguan Wei'er waved her hand dismissively. "This child is incredibly talented, and her martial soul is quite special. There's no way I'd waste her on something like that. Of course, I'm raising her properly, she'll become one of the pillars of my Common Alliance in the future."

Shangguan Wei'er knew Luan Yu had a lot of opinions about her, but she didn't care. As Luan Yu's classmate, she understood her well, always meddling, too kind for her own good, and inflexible when it came to morality.

If she had really been training Ye Guyi for questionable purposes, Luan Yu would have intervened the moment she found out. However, if she had only heard vague rumors about it, she wouldn't have gotten involved.

"These two kids are adorable," Shangguan Wei'er continued, glancing at Liuxing and Liuying. "Almost as cute as my little Guyi. Here, a little gift from your big sister, you must accept it! If you refuse, I'll be heartbroken."

With a bright smile, she pulled out a Yin-Yang fish pendant, split it into two pieces, and handed one to Liuxing and the other to Liuying.

Luan Yu's eyes flickered as she immediately recognized the pendant, it was a pair of storage-type soul guides.

They could function separately or merge into one. Since soul guides required soul power to use, she had originally planned to prepare something similar for the two children after they awakened their martial souls.

But since someone was offering them as a gift, she saw no reason to refuse.

At Luan Yu's subtle nod, Liuxing and Liuying accepted the Yin-Yang fish pendants and responded politely, "Thank you, sister."

Liuxing hung the pendant around his neck, though he couldn't help but complain internally, As expected of Luan Yu's acquaintance, just as shameless as she is. She really made us call her 'sister' so naturally.

With the gifts exchanged, Shangguan Wei'er seemed quite pleased. In return, Fire Phoenix Douluo and Luan Yu didn't hold back either, they gave Ye Guyi a pair of soul guides, one for defense and another for storage.