Invincible Divine Sword Chapter 5 - 5 Chen Yuan Takes a Disciple
Previously on Invincible Divine Sword...
In an instant, every gaze shifted toward Yang Xiaotian.
Noticing Yang Zhong’s mocking stare, Yang Xiaotian vaulted onto the Martial Arts Stage and landed firmly. “Why would I be afraid?” he challenged.
Intrigued by the boy’s spirit, Chen Yuan smiled and questioned Yang Ming, “Who is this child?”
Yang Ming’s expression flickered with embarrassment as he let out a strained, awkward sound.
Standing nearby, Li Guang, the Patriarch of the Li Family in Xingyue City, offered Chen Yuan a smile. “Elder Chen Yuan, this youngster is Yang Xiaotian, the grandson of Yang Ming. Interestingly, he awakened his Martial Soul on the very same day as Yang Zhong.” He paused for effect before adding, “However, Yang Xiaotian only awakened a second-level Tortoise Martial Soul!”
A second-level Tortoise Martial Soul!
Li Guang’s voice carried clearly across the grounds, triggering a wave of mockery and laughter from the spectators.
Taken aback by the revelation, Chen Yuan simply shook his head in disappointment.
Yang Ming’s face flushed deep red with shame. Feeling thoroughly humiliated, he looked at Yang Xiaotian on the Martial Arts Stage and found the boy more irritating by the second.
Up on the stage, Yang Zhong was pleased that his bait had been taken. Seeing Yang Xiaotian standing before him, he laughed, “Yang Xiaotian, go ahead and summon your Martial Soul. Since I’ve let you off for a few days, I’ll act like a proper elder brother and let you have the first move.”
Yang Xiaotian didn't hesitate. Without summoning his Martial Soul, he closed the distance with a burst of speed and threw a direct punch.
Though he didn't utilize any Fighting Spirit or inner strength, the strike was incredibly fast. Caught off guard, Yang Zhong failed to react and took the hit directly.
Stumbling back while clutching his left eye, Yang Zhong’s face twisted in agony. “You!” he shouted, pointing a finger. But before another word could leave his mouth, Yang Xiaotian’s second punch connected with his right eye.
Yang Zhong reeled backward, tears of pain streaming down his face.
The sudden turn of events left the entire audience speechless.
Witnessing Yang Zhong being struck, Yang Ming’s expression darkened with rage. He barked out a reprimand, “To strike your own brother so ruthlessly is disgraceful!”
The moment the words were spoken, Yang Zhong let out a roar. With a murderous glare, he lunged forward, putting all his strength into a double-fisted strike aimed straight at Yang Xiaotian’s heart.
“Xiaotian, get out of the way!” Yang Chao cried out instinctively, his face pale with worry.
Facing Yang Zhong’s frantic assault, Yang Xiaotian performed a subtle sidestep to evade the blow. He then countered with another punch, but this time, he channeled the Fighting Spirit of a first-level warrior.
Boom!
The impact sent Yang Zhong crashing violently to the floor.
“What?!”
The crowd gasped in collective shock at the sight.
“That is Fighting Spirit—the mark of a first-level warrior!” Li Guang and several other experts from Xingyue City stared at Yang Xiaotian in disbelief.
Wasn't Yang Xiaotian’s Martial Soul only second-level? How could he have broken through to become a first-level warrior in less than a single month?
Even Chen Yuan of the Divine Sword Academy was visibly startled.
Reaching the first level in under a month was a feat that even some of the elite disciples at the Divine Sword Academy might struggle to achieve.
Suddenly, a figure blurred as it rushed onto the stage. It was Yang Ming. Glaring at Yang Xiaotian, he accused, “How did you reach the first level so fast? Did you steal and consume the family’s Dragon-Tiger Elixir?”
Yang Ming had spent a fortune on that Dragon-Tiger Elixir recently. Seeing the boy’s rapid progress, he immediately assumed the elixir had been pilfered. In his mind, there was no other way a second-level Martial Soul could advance so quickly.
“I did no such thing,” Yang Xiaotian answered firmly despite his grandfather’s fury.
“You dare talk back!” Yang Ming roared. He then turned to the old steward, Yang Lin, and commanded, “Go at once and check the status of the Dragon-Tiger Elixir.”
Steward Yang Lin bowed respectfully and hurried away.
Yang Hai stepped forward, his voice dripping with spite. “He definitely stole it. There’s no other explanation.”
Unable to stay silent, Yang Chao snapped back, “Big brother, which of your eyes actually saw Xiaotian take that elixir?”
As the brothers bickered, Steward Yang Lin returned. He spared a glance for Yang Xiaotian before approaching Yang Ming. “Manor Lord, the Dragon-Tiger Elixir remains untouched.”
Yang Ming froze, stunned by the report.
Chen Yuan from the Divine Sword Academy stepped toward Yang Xiaotian. “Child,” he began, “could you summon your Martial Soul for me to examine?”
If the boy hadn't used the Dragon-Tiger Elixir, his rapid advancement was a mystery that needed solving.
After a brief hesitation, Yang Xiaotian complied and called forth his Martial Soul.
A massive tortoise materialized before the crowd.
The sight prompted another round of snickers and quiet laughter from the onlookers.
Chen Yuan’s high hopes vanished instantly upon seeing the Giant Tortoise. Regardless of how the boy had been training, the Martial Soul was undeniably second-level.
“Elder Chen Yuan, what is your verdict?” Yang Ming asked, his voice filled with anxiety.
Shaking his head, Chen Yuan explained to the gathered group, “What you see is a second-level top-tier Black Iron Giant Turtle, accompanied by a small Black Water Snake. These are parasitic Martial Souls that exist as one.”
Yang Ming’s hope for a miracle died the moment he heard those words.
Chen Yuan was the Vice President of the Divine Sword Academy and possessed legendary insight. If he claimed it was second-level, there was no room for doubt.
Yang Hai, Yang Zhong, and their faction were secretly delighted to hear that Yang Xiaotian’s talent was limited by a parasitic Martial Soul.
Yang Xiaotian quietly observed the smug expressions of his relatives.
A second-level parasitic Martial Soul?
He was well aware that in a parasitic bond, only the primary soul could absorb the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth, leaving the other useless. However, both of his souls were capable of devouring energy, proving they were not parasitic.
Furthermore, the idea that he was only second-level was laughable. He had surged through four levels in just twenty days; such a feat was impossible for a low-level soul.
Despite this, Yang Xiaotian chose to remain silent and offered no explanation.
Losing interest in Yang Xiaotian, Chen Yuan turned his gaze to Yang Zhong and requested to see his power. Immediately, a massive bird wreathed in roaring flames appeared.
“It truly is the Green Phoenix, the Ancient Mythical Beast!” Chen Yuan marveled at the sight. He turned to Yang Zhong with a wide smile. “Yang Zhong, are you willing to become my disciple?”
Yang Ming and Yang Hai were nearly overcome with joy.
“This disciple pays his respects to Master,” Yang Zhong replied, bowing deeply with profound respect.
“Excellent!” Chen Yuan laughed loudly. Taking a disciple with a tenth-level top-tier Martial Soul made his long trip to the Yang Family Manor completely worthwhile.