Xu Fu readily agreed and gave Xu Sanshi a surprisingly kind look.
"Son, you've had a rough two hours. Come, let me take you to rest, get cleaned up, and have a good meal."
Xu Sanshi instantly flipped backward several meters in alarm. A huge grin spread across his face, his hands blurred with motion, and his words fired off like a machine gun:
"Not rough at all! I'm totally fine! Don't worry, I know the rules! I swear on my Martial Soul, I won't tell a soul what happened! Please don't silence me—I'm your biological son too!"
As he spoke, a strange sense of déjà vu crept over him. Had he said something like this before?
Xu Fu looked briefly startled, then blinked calmly.
"I just meant I'd take you to wash up, get some food, and let you sleep. What were you thinking?"
"Our Xuanming Sect is vast and has a long, proud lineage. A genius like your third brother isn't such a surprise, is it?
"He only has such powerful combat strength because he awakened a top-tier, mutated spiritual-type Martial Soul. He can take tonics that you can't—it's not favoritism."
Xu Fu spouted this with a perfectly straight face, not even blinking.
Xu Sanshi finally relaxed, letting out a long breath as the weight lifted from his heart. Then he turned to look at Xu Tianxi, tsk-tsking in wonder.
"Dad, our Xuanwu Turtle Martial Soul is one of the strongest defensive Martial Souls out there. Even in Shrek Academy's outer court, no one beats me. What kind of Martial Soul did Third Bro awaken to go wild like that just from eating some tonic?"
As a core bloodline disciple of the Xuanming Sect, and someone who had studied at Shrek Academy, Xu Sanshi understood well that Martial Souls—even with the same soul power—could differ greatly in what they offered their wielders. A top-tier Martial Soul brought natural benefits, while a weak one might not even allow basic cultivation.
He wasn't bragging, but under the nourishment of the Xuanwu Turtle, his physical condition was top-tier among his peers. Even some Soul Elders from the outside world couldn't compare.
Earlier during their spar, Tianxi was all brute strength and no technique for the first half hour. Xu Sanshi had the upper hand and could've won easily—if not for the healing support from the Moon Elder.
Even so, Tianxi's sheer strength shocked him. He was no weaker than some of the Grand Soul Masters at Shrek Academy—geniuses with solid Martial Souls and optimal soul ring setups.
That was deeply alarming.
Considering how young Tianxi was, if his Martial Soul weren't at least top-tier, there was no way his body could withstand such a powerful tonic, let alone fight so fiercely.
Worse yet, as time passed, the medicinal power in Tianxi's body seemed to burn even hotter. Every few minutes, his punches grew a bit stronger. And the more he fought, the more energized he became.
Xu Sanshi had landed a few solid Iron Mountain Leans, but Tianxi popped right back up like a carp flipping out of water, ready to brawl again. Sure, the healing helped—but that wasn't all.
After a full hour of sparring, most of Xu Sanshi's soul power was gone, while Tianxi was still full of energy—if not more manic than before. His fiery gaze made even a battle-hardened defensive Grand Soul Master like Xu Sanshi feel a little afraid.
In the final half hour, the roles reversed. Worn down and discouraged, Xu Sanshi began to fall behind and eventually lost the will to continue fighting.
It was humiliating. Not even that damned Bei Bei had ever made him feel this powerless.
No way Tianxi's Martial Soul was inferior—he couldn't believe that for a second.
Xu Fu knew he couldn't keep hiding it. Since Tianxi might be testing soul skills on Xu Sanshi later, he explained without changing expression:
"No need to keep it a secret. Your third brother's Martial Soul is the Illusory Moon Mystic Eye, a top-tier innate Martial Soul of the spiritual type. It's a mutated version of your stepmother's Martial Soul."
"Since he doesn't need to undergo a second awakening like with the Xuanwu Turtle, he can consume strong tonics freely. That's why I gave him Millennium Whale Rubber, which is what led to today's results."
"A top-grade innate Martial Soul? And it's the eye—the most important organ in the human body? That explains everything. No wonder I couldn't figure out what his Martial Soul was."
When Xu Sanshi heard it was an innate Martial Soul, he wiped his sweat and let out a long sigh of relief.
At least his loss wasn't unjustified.
In the current soul master world, there were said to be three unmatched powers:
The Sea God's Pavilion of Shrek Academy, a transcendent force.
Mingde Hall, the heart of the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool research.
And the mysterious and mighty Body Sect, shrouded in secrecy.
The first two had strong national backing. The Body Sect stood on its own, with every disciple wielding an innate Martial Soul—just like how the Xuanming Sect cultivated for the second awakening.
That alone showed how terrifying the Body Sect's power was.
According to the sect's ancient records, cultivating an innate Martial Soul improved physical attributes far beyond even many top-tier Martial Souls. Their soul ring configurations were often irregular and mysterious, perhaps due to secret techniques—or maybe just pure overwhelming talent.
"No need to be discouraged. Our Xuanwu Turtle Martial Soul, once it undergoes the second awakening, transforms dramatically. You'll be able to fight across ranks. And when that time comes, you'll be able to use Whale Rubber freely too."
Xu Fu patted his son's shoulder with his massive hand, then lifted him like a sack of potatoes and leapt away in a flash.
Xu Sanshi's voice echoed in the air as he shouted how exhilarating that jump was.
Xu Xiaoyun watched them disappear, a smile tugging at his lips, eyes glittering with thought.
"Sanshi may not match Tianxi in talent, but he's still an exceptional prospect. When Tianxi rises to greatness, he'll need allies he can trust. It's worth investing in him."
The Xuanming Sect was destined to reach the peak of the soul master world once Tianxi matured, but that didn't mean others could be ignored.
Xu Sanshi was talented—not far behind what Xu Xiaoyun had been in his youth. If trained well, he could reach Rank 98, and help Tianxi with things he wouldn't have time for.
A true powerhouse couldn't do everything personally.
"Changfeng has done well managing the merchant guild in Hanhai City. Getting more oceanic goods won't be hard. But since Yue'er's death, he's hated Shrek deeply. In a year or two, I should take Tianxi to visit him..."
Thinking of his most accomplished disciple, worry flickered in Xu Xiaoyun's eyes.
He had his reasons for dealing with Yan Shaozhe. Even if he died of old age, someone would be there to protect the Xuanming Sect.
But that disciple—born of hardship—was driven by emotion. Since Kong Xiyue's death, he had come to see Shrek as a sworn enemy. His desire for vengeance might lead him down dangerous paths.
His gaze returned to Xu Tianxi, whose body was still trembling—shoulders twitching—yet whose expression remained calm and determined.
He looked just like Kong Xiyue.
"Back then, your mother saw your grandmaster as both teacher and father. Now, only you can bring him peace. If he can help balance relations between the Three Nations and the Sun Moon Empire, your path will be smoother…"
"We will avenge your mother. That's a promise."
—
At this moment, Xu Tianxi was fully focused on resisting the Evil Eye soul ring's lingering spiritual backlash. He had no awareness of the outside world.
Silver light streaked across his vision like lightning. The greatest pressure hit his eyes, then his brow, then his brain and body in turn.
He seemed to be floating in a cold, pristine mental space. Overhead, a moon-shaped shadow glowed with silver light. Outside this space, a massive phantom loomed—a projection of the Evil Eye. Its gaze pulsed with murderous intent, unleashing a flood of spiritual power.
It struck him like tidal waves against a fragile boat.
Tianxi understood: with his strength during the sparring match, a normal spirit-type soul beast couldn't pose such a threat.
Only a top-tier Evil Eye with pure blood could push him like this.
In the realm of spiritual soul beasts, it stood on par with the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear for land beasts, and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King of the deep sea.
Even though it was just a century-old beast, its spiritual power surpassed that of many thousand-year ones. Some ten-thousand-year soul beasts wouldn't even measure up.
If it were alive, even a fully-powered Xu Sanshi would have to flee in terror. No chance of winning.
"So you're a true descendant of the Evil Eye Emperor. Your resentment is intense—but tough luck meeting me. If I can't overcome you, then I've wasted my time here."
"Don't think I'm defenseless—let me show you what I've got!"
After taking hit after hit, Tianxi's fighting spirit ignited. He reached out with his will to connect with the crescent moon in the spiritual space.
He could wait and endure, allow the soul beast's will to fade, and absorb the ring by default.
But that wasn't his way.
Ever since entering this spiritual space, he'd felt a deep resonance with the moon. It pulsed with cold energy—like it was waiting for his command.
He wasn't sure if it was a projection of his Illusory Moon Mystic Eye, but top-tier Martial Souls often protected their hosts. With Xu Xiaoyun guarding him, there was no need to hold back.
With a single thought, the moon flared.
It flew from the mental sky, shining with blinding light, and clashed with the Evil Eye's beam head-on. The cold energy spread into a silver halo, freezing the assault in place.
SHRAK!
Like a divine blade, the crescent moon cleaved the resentment in two. The Evil Eye's will shattered into silver particles and dispersed completely.
"Got it."
Tianxi let out a breath.
The shattered silver light began merging into the crescent moon, making it more solid. His own body in the mental space also became more real—almost like it had flesh and blood.
As his first soul ring fully took shape, the mental space beneath him gained texture. Silver dots of light condensed, forming a vast, shimmering sea.
"A Spiritual Sea, huh? Not bad. That soul ring absorption felt amazing. Time to return."
—
Outside, Xu Xiaoyun's eyes were locked on Tianxi.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened.
"A top-tier Martial Soul… protecting its master? And a Spiritual Sea formation?"
The crescent mark on Tianxi's forehead flared brightly for two full seconds. The rebellious Evil Eye soul ring abruptly calmed, settled under his feet, and fused with his body.
His Rank 10 bottleneck instantly shattered.
A torrent of soul power—spiritual and water-attributed—surged within him. He shot up to nearly Rank 13 before stabilizing.
Xu Xiaoyun nodded, satisfied.
"At this rate, he'll catch up to the Hongchen siblings—breaking through at eight years old and becoming a Grand Soul Master…"
"Ancestor, I succeeded." Tianxi opened his eyes and smiled brilliantly.
"Good boy. I knew you wouldn't disappoint." Xu Xiaoyun clapped his shoulder and grinned.
"Come on. Let's get you some rest. Once you're recovered, you can test your soul skill on your second brother."
"Alright!"
Tianxi responded cheerfully, but then hesitated.
"But Ancestor… my first soul skill might be a little too powerful. What if he can't take it?"
"You're overthinking it. Defense-type Soul Masters grow through getting hit. You're helping him gain combat experience against spiritual-type opponents."
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin