Chapter 14: The Stirred Fate
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Xu Yuan had a problem.
It wasn't exactly paranoia, but it could be called "Fear of Insufficient Martial Soul Strength."
At this point, he was deeply interested in any direction that could enhance the quality of his martial soul.
While studying the foundational materials for mech design, Xu Yuan's mind still lingered on his earlier train of thought.
"A martial soul must exist in dependence on the soul master and can grow stronger as certain aspects of the soul master improve. Body martial souls are the best example."
If he could find a direction and truly develop a method to directly enhance the quality of his martial soul—essentially 'forging' his own martial soul according to his own ideas—it would represent an endless path of improvement.
"Unfortunately, there's just so much theory involved in mech design, manufacturing, and repair."
Xu Yuan knew that he wasn't yet qualified to undertake such development.
He had the brain martial soul, but not some divine ability like "thinking power."
All development was based on sufficient foundation. Without a thorough understanding of martial souls, spirit souls, and cultivation, even the wildest imagination wouldn't translate into actionable steps.
"No rush—I'm only six years old. For the next few years, I'll focus on theory. With my brain martial soul's advantages, I can absorb the theories of mech design, manufacturing, repair, and auxiliary forging while also paying attention to martial soul and spirit soul theories."
Xu Yuan planned to ask his uncle for some Spirit Pagoda materials about spirit souls once he returned to Tianhai City after finishing his current training.
Given his uncle's position as a Spirit Emissary, obtaining these materials shouldn't be difficult.
"Besides, studying will also help me further develop my brain martial soul."
The process of learning itself was a form of training for the brain. Due to the unique nature of his martial soul, as he developed his brain, his spiritual power would also increase—a fact that remained Xu Yuan's greatest advantage.
Strong spiritual power meant perpetual strength!
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Shrek City
Shrek Academy
Sea God Island
No one on the continent could have imagined that from this sacred land of soul masters, bursts of silvery laughter akin to the tinkling of bells would ring out, as if men and women were frolicking and playing.
On Sea God Island, an elegant and handsome man held a beautiful woman in his arms as they sat together on a swing.
The laughter came from the woman, while the man simply gazed at her with gentle eyes.
Suddenly, the man furrowed his brow.
The woman in his arms noticed his change in expression.
"Ming Ge, what's wrong?" Holy Spirit Douluo Ya Li couldn't remember the last time she saw such an expression on her husband's face.
"Ya Li, I felt something… as if something has been stirred." Yun Ming's expression was distant, and ripples began forming in his previously calm heart.
That fleeting sensation seemed to have altered something in his fate.
Looking toward the east, Yun Ming's gaze grew distant.
"In that direction… who is it?"
"Ming Ge, since you've sensed a change, let's go take a look."
"Alright."
Yun Ming wrapped his arm around Ya Li's waist, and in the next instant, the two vanished without a trace.
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Eastsea City
A brilliant silver glow shone brightly.
On the sandy beach, a little girl stood with a dazed expression, unsure of what had just happened.
Far away, another six-year-old girl watched from a distance, surrounded by several figures emanating an obscure and mysterious aura.
"My Lord, will he come?" a black-haired, golden-eyed man asked.
"He will come. Leaving Na'er in their care is sufficient," Gu Yue said emotionlessly, her gaze exuding an undeniable authority. "Even if he doesn't come, it doesn't matter. Na'er's existence is solely for me to experience human emotions. Spending a few years in Eastsea City might be better. At most, within three years, if he doesn't come, I'll personally intervene to correct things."
The black-haired, golden-eyed man lowered his head and said no more.
Gu Yue's gaze shifted toward the direction of Aolai City, though her doubts hadn't fully dissipated.
"His presence…"
In that brief moment, Gu Yue had felt an impulse to send Na'er to Aolai City, but memories of events from six years ago suddenly surfaced, cooling her resolve.
"Also… how does Douluo Star have consciousness?"
Gu Yue narrowed her eyes, perturbed by the fact that she had been influenced.
"I'll personally investigate the Golden Dragon King's presence. As for Na'er—" Gu Yue's thoughts were abruptly interrupted as she turned her gaze toward where Na'er was.
In that spot, a spatial ripple appeared, and a man and woman materialized silently.
Gu Yue felt a wave of relief.
"As for Na'er, let her grow alongside them. This way, nothing unexpected should happen."
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Tiandou City
"Uncle, if we continue, my body really won't be able to handle it anymore—it's going to break down!" Xu Yuan collapsed beside the forge, drenched in sweat, his arms hanging limply.
"You cunning little brat, how am I supposed to know your limits unless you push yourself to the brink? Besides, didn't you voluntarily suggest helping with willpower training?" Zhen Hua chuckled coldly and suddenly added, "You still have some strength left. Swing the hammer one hundred more times!"
"Ah!" Xu Yuan let out a pitiful cry.
He regretted opening his big mouth.
Although Xu Yuan was a reincarnated soul, possessing a mature mindset, he wasn't some elite soldier in his past life—just an ordinary person. He knew his own weaknesses well; his willpower wasn't particularly strong. However, in terms of cultivation, neglecting willpower training wasn't an option. Moreover, after Xu Shengqun's earlier analysis, Xu Yuan understood the importance of willpower training for his future.
Thus, he casually mentioned his idea of training his willpower to Mu Ye.
And Zhen Hua overheard.
"Training willpower? Just follow Uncle and learn blacksmithing."
And so began Xu Yuan's formal introduction to some blacksmithing techniques. Even auxiliary forging required actual exposure to the forging process. According to Zhen Hua, even if Xu Yuan didn't specialize in becoming a full-fledged blacksmith and only pursued auxiliary forging, he'd still need a solid foundation to collaborate with powerful blacksmiths in the future.
Eating so many precious resources, forging helped him digest them while simultaneously fulfilling the requirement of willpower training.
Three birds with one stone.
The final hundred hammer swings took Xu Yuan a full hour to complete.
"Uncle, I really can't go on anymore."
Zhen Hua nodded, looking somewhat satisfied, but still kindly reminded Xu Yuan:
"Xiao Yuan, because of your little schemes, we spent half an hour longer than planned. That's all time you'll need to make up for when studying theory."
Breathing heavily, Xu Yuan weakly nodded.
"This is the path you chose. If you have greater ambitions, you'll need to work harder than others!"
Xu Yuan didn't blame his uncle. Instead, he truly realized just how unbearable reaching one's limits could feel.
However, amidst the suffering, a sense of exhilaration from pushing those limits began to emerge.
Whether or not he could endure hinged on this fine line.
Only by truly reaching his limits and experiencing this thrill would he have something to look forward to in the future.
Otherwise, every session of willpower training would merely feel like self-inflicted torment.
Deep down, Xu Yuan silently thanked his uncle.
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