Chapter 11: "If It Benefits the Xuanming Lineage, I Shall Face Life and Death Alike; The Clan's Legacy Is Our Duty"

Watching closely, Xu Fu observed the crescent mark on Xu Tianxi's brow absorb the descending moonlight, projecting a moon shadow the size of a soybean into the air. He could now confirm with absolute certainty: this was the cultivation state of a Celestial-type martial soul—his heart surged with joy.

In the Soul Master world, several types of martial souls are widely recognized as powerful—Dragon-type martial souls, for instance. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, hailed as the strongest assault-type beast martial soul, is a true dragon. The Holy Light Dragon and Dark Holy Dragon are even more dominant among true dragons.

Similarly, the Xuanming Tortoise martial soul possessed by their Xuanming Sect, inheriting the divine beast Black Tortoise's bloodline, is a body martial soul with the ability to awaken a second time. Along with the Extreme Attribute martial souls, they are genuine top-tier souls.

Though slightly inferior to those, Celestial martial souls are still synonymous with high-grade power. The Sun and Moon martial souls passed down in the Sun-Moon Empire's royal family are extraordinary. It's said the Sun Martial Soul is nearly on par with the Extreme Fire martial soul.

In the Star Luo Empire, the Xu royal family's Stellar Crown martial soul is immensely powerful. Many titled Douluo of the empire wield celestial martial souls. Tiansha Douluo Huang Jinxu, with his Tiansha Lone Star martial soul, though only Rank 91 or 92, can rival even Rank 95 Super Douluo in power.

The top expert of the Douling Empire, Tianyang Douluo, with a spirit power of Rank 97, stands as living proof of the might of the Tianyang Martial Soul.

What makes Celestial martial souls so fearsome—beyond their high innate quality—is their ability to draw strength from astral phenomena in battle and during cultivation. Under special conditions, they can harness forces from the stars and moon, yielding unpredictable and remarkable effects.

In Xu Fu's perception, though Xu Tianxi's soul power flow hadn't clearly accelerated during this unconscious cultivation state, his spiritual power was steadily, gradually increasing.

Each time the crescent mark on his brow reflected a strand of moonlight, his mental strength subtly but surely grew.

Although this process wasn't dramatic, Xu Fu was pleasantly surprised. How could he possibly complain? A little here, a little there—add it up and it becomes a vast ocean.

With this talent—and the help of supplements like whale rubber—he no longer had to worry about Xu Tianxi reaching a point where his body could withstand high-level soul rings, but his spirit couldn't handle the resentment from a soul beast's death.

He squinted and smiled for a long while. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him. Xu Fu leaned in closer, widening his eyes to scrutinize the flickering crescent mark on Xu Tianxi's forehead.

"Can't be too happy just yet… Celestial martial souls, as powerful as they are, come with their own risks. I need to watch a bit longer. Let's hope Tianxi's martial soul doesn't develop any… complications."

As the head of the Xuanming Sect, Xu Fu knew a number of secrets about the Soul Master world. Thinking of certain quirks among Celestial-type martial souls, concern quickly surfaced in his heart.

The Xu clan's Stellar Crown martial soul in the Star Luo royal family is undeniably powerful, but it can only absorb starlight at night to cultivate. Even using soul skills requires pre-absorption of celestial energy—like recharging a soul tool. Once used, it's gone.

Not only is cultivation difficult, but it completely flips a soul master's schedule upside down, making early cultivation stages incredibly uncomfortable.

Worse still, there was Huang Jinxu with his Tiansha Lone Star—a tragic figure. Born motherless, orphaned by eight, and all his friends and kin met untimely ends. Rumor has it, if Huang Jinxu befriended someone, that person was guaranteed a spectacular demise.

Xu Fu didn't understand the workings behind the Tiansha Lone Star, but he silently prayed that Xu Tianxi's Phantom Moon Mystic Eye martial soul had nothing to do with such cursed things. He still wanted to live a few more decades!

He stared for over an hour, practically counting every star in the sky, before he finally confirmed that the mark on Xu Tianxi's brow only absorbed lunar light—no connection to any strange, ominous stars.

Moreover, during his observation, the moon shadow projected by the crescent mark grew clearer and began transforming from illusory to tangible.

Xu Fu was ecstatic. The moon—ah, what a wondrous thing! Even if they had to become nocturnal like the Stellar Crown sect folks, it was still leagues better than ending up like the Lone Star.

And from what he observed, if that mark absorbed enough moonlight, the reflected moon shadow was bound to produce unexpected, wondrous transformations.

This obviously wasn't a third martial soul, but a manifestation of the Phantom Moon Mystic Eye's power. Xu Fu had a strong premonition: once this moon shadow was fully formed, something incredible would happen.

Even more intriguing, he clearly sensed this semi-real shadow carried spiritual sentience—its aura was robust, seamlessly fusing with Xu Tianxi's soul power. It felt like a fusion between spirit power and soul power.

Such a fusion was the very essence of creating advanced self-developed techniques.

Xu Fu had to admit, even with his temperament, he now felt a twinge of envy toward Xu Tianxi's talent. This boy's gifts were downright unfair.

He himself was a Rank 93 Titled Douluo, with both a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone. In theory, he only needed time to break through to Rank 95 Super Douluo.

But at this critical juncture, one had to perfectly merge spiritual and soul power into a natural, unified state.

By his estimation, he'd need another three to five years if all went well—maybe ten if not. But with a martial soul like Xu Tianxi's, he'd have absolute confidence to reach that realm in just three years.

Such an innate gift… was simply made for deep comprehension.

"According to Xuanming Sect records, only a very rare few mutated or body martial souls come innately blessed with such talents.

The Body Sect always claims their body martial souls are gifts from the gods, that body-type soul masters have an easier time achieving enlightenment and fusing soul and spiritual power. Seems they weren't exaggerating."

Watching his son step onto a path that would clearly allow him to surpass his own limits, Xu Fu couldn't help but mutter inwardly—maybe the Xuanming Tortoise line wasn't quite enough after all.

He'd long known that body martial souls had unique advantages in soul ring absorption, and provided physical and spiritual enhancements that even most top-tier martial souls couldn't match.

The current Body Douluo, Du Busi, had managed to absorb three 100,000-year soul rings—evidence enough.

Now it seemed even his understanding of body martial souls was insufficient. This was nothing short of a miracle. Coupled with the Xuanming Shield, an extreme water martial soul with Black Tortoise bloodline, Xu Fu could barely imagine how powerful Xu Tianxi would be in a few decades.

"Well, no matter. No matter how strong a body martial soul is, he's still part of my Xuanming Sect. As the Sect Master, I can use this opportunity to study and gain insight for my own breakthrough…"

Xu Fu quickly consoled himself with mental gymnastics. No matter how talented the kid, he was still his son. He could study this merging process of spirit and soul power firsthand—for free.

"San Shi said Tianxi stayed in the Library Pavilion for a long time. Seems he likes reading. Once he wakes up, I'll give him a few good books…"

The moon dipped at its peak, dawn approached, and time slipped by unnoticed—soon, a whole night had passed.

No longer absorbing moonlight, the crescent mark on Xu Tianxi's brow ceased its flickering. The moon shadow, now the size of an egg, dissolved into silvery-white light and flowed back into the mark.

As the light entered his mind, Xu Tianxi gradually regained consciousness. His brain had never felt clearer—he could even recall most of the math, physics, and chemistry he'd learned in high school.

At this moment, he felt scarily powerful, ready to walk back into the Gaokao and crush it again!

"Ahh~ That was one satisfying sleep…"

Stretching with a yawn, Xu Tianxi slowly opened his eyes—only to be startled by Xu Fu's face looming right above him.

That intense stare… what was going on? Had Xu Fu lost it?

Creak—

The door opened. Old Yue walked in, carrying a pot of soup that reeked with a heavy fishy smell. Smiling, he ladled it into a bowl and placed it before Xu Tianxi.

"Young Master, this is a special broth made with thousand-year whale rubber and other rare ingredients. It greatly enhances physical strength—reinforces muscles, bones, and meridians. Please drink while it's hot. The Sect Master had it prepared specially for you."

Xu Tianxi blinked. Whale rubber? Wasn't this some kind of supreme tonic? The Xuanming Sect's hospitality sure was generous.

Without hesitation, though slightly queasy at the smell, he gulped down three big bowls. Only after a loud burp did he finally stop.

He wasn't ungrateful—this kind of top-tier treatment was something others could only dream of. He knew very well what whale rubber could do: increase the limit of soul ring absorption.

Before he could even say thanks, Xu Fu grinned and brought out a whole stack of books, lining them up as he said excitedly:

"Come, Tianxi! See which of these books catches your eye. I'll explain the deeper truths to you."

Xu Tianxi glanced over, and his mouth twitched uncontrollably as he read the titles:

"Ten Secrets of the Xuanming Clan's Ten-Thousand-Year Legacy in the Douluo Continent"

"If It Benefits the Xuanming Lineage, I Shall Face Life and Death; The Clan's Legacy is Our Duty"

"From the Collapse of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Royal Shift, See the Strength of a Sect's Legacy"

"Don't Ask What the Empire Did for You—Ask What the Clan and Sect Did"

Good grief… this Xuanming Sect sure had a unique flavor. He wouldn't be surprised if he suggested investing in the Sun-Moon Empire to diversify risks and they agreed enthusiastically.

This kind of open-minded sect was exactly his style. Maybe he really could slip away to the Sun-Moon Empire and dodge Tang San's divine wrath after all.