The deep jealousy felt by Yu Yuanzhen was a secret he kept entirely to himself, hidden from the eyes of the world. However, at this specific moment, it seemed that every father with a son felt exactly like Yu Yuanzhen did. They all looked on with envy, wishing their own children could be even half as sensible and dedicated. When these fathers thought back to what their own sons were doing at the tender age of five, they could only sigh in frustration. It was clear to everyone that comparisons are truly odious!
The video continued to play, showing the next scene of Yu Xiaogang's life. Having finally finished his very first day of long-distance running, Yu Xiaogang was completely drained of energy. He was so exhausted that he collapsed right onto the hard ground. He lay there like a log, unwilling to move even a single muscle as his breath came in ragged gasps.
Seeing his son in such a state, Yu Yuanzhen stepped forward with a look of both pity and pride. He gently picked Yu Xiaogang up into his strong arms and carried him toward a nearby room. A thick, white steam was constantly pouring out from the doorway of that room. As a member of a great and noble Family, a medicinal bath was an indispensable part of life after completing basic physical training.
Through the use of a medicinal bath, a cultivator could do more than just recover their energy quickly. It was also vital for preventing internal injuries that might be caused by overexertion. Furthermore, the special herbs in the water helped to further strengthen the body that had just been pushed to its limits during exercise. As the Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Yu Yuanzhen had access to the best resources in the world. The ingredients he could mobilize were all top-tier and extremely rare.
Of course, mobilizing such expensive resources for a child who hadn't even awakened his Spirit yet caused some trouble. Yu Yuanzhen inevitably had to listen to the constant nagging and complaints of the Sect Elders, who felt it was a waste. Even so, he was more than willing to ignore them! His son was just too sensible for his own good. Yu Xiaogang was so worried that his poor natural talent would embarrass his father that he had started training even before his Spirit had actually awakened. Under such circumstances, Yu Yuanzhen felt that if he didn't fully support his son, he would be failing his son's noble intentions.
Arriving at the medicinal bath room, Yu Yuanzhen reached out to feel the water temperature. He nodded in satisfaction before carefully placing Yu Xiaogang into the large tub.
"Hiss! It's so hot!" Yu Xiaogang cried out.
As soon as his skin touched the water, the scalding medicinal liquid stung his tired body. The heat was so intense that Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but sit bolt upright. His face twisted into a painful grimace, which made Yu Yuanzhen burst into a loud, hearty laughter.
"Hahaha, just bear with it for a while," Yu Yuanzhen said while laughing. "After all, only this way can you better absorb the medicinal effects of the herbs!"
Hearing his father's words, Yu Xiaogang immediately forced down his urge to jump out of the tub. He gritted his teeth and endured the sharp pain, sitting perfectly still in the dark medicinal liquid. Soon, as the bath continued and Yu Xiaogang slowly adapted to the high temperature, he began to feel the liquid stimulating his muscles.
His legs, which had been incredibly sore and swollen from the morning run, felt especially strange. Under the power of the medicine, they alternated between a dull ache and a sharp throbbing sensation. This caused Yu Xiaogang's facial expression to shift constantly. He looked as if he were performing a face-changing act on a stage.
Time passed by, minute by minute. Just as Yu Xiaogang started to think he would have to stay in that boiling water forever, Yu Yuanzhen finally spoke up.
"Alright, you can come out of the water now!"
Hearing those words felt like being granted a grand pardon from a king. Yu Xiaogang scrambled out of the tub as fast as he possibly could. He stood on the floor and looked back at the steaming liquid with lingering fear in his eyes. For the first time in his young life, he felt that taking a simple bath could be such a painful ordeal.
"How was it? Do you still want to continue?" Yu Yuanzhen asked, his voice carrying a hint of pressure. "If you still insist on cultivating, everything you did today will become your new daily routine."
"I can persevere! I won't quit!" Yu Xiaogang said categorically, without even a second of hesitation.
"Very good! As expected of my son, Yu Yuanzhen's son!" Yu Yuanzhen replied with a satisfied nod. He reached out and once again stroked Yu Xiaogang's head with pride. With a son this determined, how could he not feel gratified as a father?
The routine was set. In the morning, Yu Xiaogang completed his grueling physical training and his medicinal bath. In the afternoon, under the direct guidance of Yu Yuanzhen, he began his meditation training. As one of the top-tier Sects on the Douluo Continent, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect naturally had its own exclusive meditation method.
Unfortunately, that specific meditation method was designed specifically for those who had already awakened the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit. At the very least, a person needed a lightning-attribute martial soul to use it safely. Therefore, for the time being, Yu Xiaogang could only use a basic meditation method. Even so, the basic method he was given was still far superior to the common versions found in the markets of the Douluo Continent.
Under the watchful eye of Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Xiaogang began to meditate. Through this process, he attempted to absorb the spirit power from heaven and earth into his own body. He wanted to convert that energy into his own personal spirit power. However, because his Spirit had not yet awakened, Yu Xiaogang felt absolutely no change after his meditation session. He felt exactly the same as he did before he started.
Despite this, Yu Xiaogang was not discouraged at all. He knew that if a person could notice changes after just a single session of meditation, cultivation on the Douluo Continent wouldn't be restricted to after the Martial Soul Awakening. After finishing his daytime cultivation, Yu Xiaogang used his evenings to study books about the history and rules of the Douluo Continent.
Although Yu Yuanzhen had told him many stories over the past five years, those were only superficial accounts. To gain a truly deep understanding of the world, he knew he had to study the ancient books himself. During this learning process, Yu Xiaogang did not work alone in the library. Whenever he encountered a concept or a word he didn't understand, he would immediately ask Yu Yuanzhen for help. Then, he would sit and reflect on the answer by himself.
For example, he once found a confusing record in the library.
"Father, I was reading the Family records," Yu Xiaogang said, looking up at Yu Yuanzhen. "They say the maximum limit for obtaining a first spirit ring is around four hundred years. But it also says some people fail even when they try to absorb a three-hundred-year spirit ring. What do you think is the reason for this?"
"That's actually quite simple," Yu Yuanzhen explained. "The record for the highest limit was set by a true Genius of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect who possessed a powerful Beast Spirit. Most Beast Spirits are born with naturally strong physiques. Because of that, the age of the spirit rings they can safely absorb can be much higher. Tool Spirits simply do not have the same physical advantages as our Beast Spirits. This holds true even for the Clear Sky Hammer, which is known as the world's number one Tool Spirit."
Yu Yuanzhen spoke with a face full of immense pride for his sect.
"In other words, having a strong physique is a necessary condition for obtaining high-age spirit rings," Yu Xiaogang whispered to himself. He silently noted this important information and continued browsing through the Sect's records.
Over the next six months, Yu Xiaogang followed this fulfilling daily routine without fail. His actions were observed by the other members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. Many of them shook their heads frequently as they watched him run and study. They thought he was rushing to cultivate before his Spirit had even awakened. To them, it seemed like his mind wasn't fully clear or that he was simply delusional.
Just like that, the day for the Martial Soul Awakening finally arrived. Because there were no particularly famous or dazzling young figures in this year's group, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect did not hold a grand ceremony. Perhaps Yu Xiaogang's status as the son of a Titled Douluo made him important, but because people thought he was strange, no one believed he would awaken a powerful Spirit.
The reality of the situation was exactly what everyone had expected. As Yu Xiaogang stood in the center of the Awakening Formation, a bright golden light enveloped his body. For a moment, the sound of dragons roaring filled the air, but then the light suddenly shattered with a loud bang. A small beast that looked like a fat pig appeared at Yu Xiaogang's feet.
Regarding this disappointing result, the crowd felt no surprise. Since they never held any expectations for him, they felt no disappointment either. Only Yu Yuanzhen, looking at his son standing in the middle of the formation, felt a deep worry flash in his eyes.
Then, they performed the Innate Spirit Power test. The final result was only Rank 1. The Awakening Ceremony for Yu Xiaogang came to an end. Meanwhile, beneath the heavenly curtain, all the powers of the world were in a complete uproar!