"Ye'er, wake up! Ye'er..." Bai Chen's voice echoed in Bai Ye's ears.

Opening his bleary eyes, Bai Ye realized he had unknowingly fallen asleep. Standing beside him was his father, Bai Chen, looking anxious and concerned.

"Ye'er, are you alright? Why did you sleep on the ground? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Father, don't worry, I'm perfectly fine," Bai Ye replied, feeling warmth in his heart. He subtly checked his Heavenly Soul, barely containing his excitement.

Sixth tier!

"Good to hear," Bai Chen surveyed the room, his confusion dissipating. "Ye'er, I came to talk about yesterday's incident."

"Please speak, father."

"Everyone in the family knows about it. Though they publicly disapprove of you provoking Ye Qian, they silently consented after hearing her conditions. No one will blame you."

"Actually, it was Ye Qian who provoked me," Bai Ye said helplessly.

"The family head sees this as an opportunity for the Bai family. But Ye'er, I believe it's also an opportunity for you."

Bai Ye was puzzled, "How so?"

Bai Chen smiled, "You might not know, but marrying Ye Qian could awaken your Heavenly Soul. I've decided to let you compete!"

Bai Ye was utterly confused.

Bai Chen explained, "Ye Qian is no ordinary person. With her Pure Spirit Body, marrying her could heal all ailments. You haven't awakened your Heavenly Soul in eighteen years, likely due to some physical condition. Ye Qian might cure you. I've thought it over. Without a Heavenly Soul, losing won't be shameful, and forfeiting your cultivation doesn't matter to you."

"Father, you said it yourself, I can't cultivate the soul path. How could I possibly win?" Bai Ye feigned ignorance.

Bai Chen mysteriously smiled, "I'll prepare a 'Soul-Breaking Pill' for you to defeat Ye Qian."

"Soul-Breaking Pill?" Bai Ye was secretly shocked.

The pill temporarily enhances a Heavenly Soul practitioner's realm. Even ordinary people could gain third-tier Power Soul realm strength for about the duration of half an incense stick. But such an item was rare, even for the Bai family. Given Bai Chen's current standing, how could he have it?

"Father, how did you obtain the Soul-Breaking Pill?" Bai Ye asked cautiously, sensing something amiss.

"Don't worry about it; I have my ways," Bai Chen assured.

Bai Ye shook his head firmly, "If father won't tell me, I refuse to participate in this competition!"

"Ye'er..."

"As far as I know, only uncle Bai He has a Soul-Breaking Pill. He received it from grandfather for his contributions years ago. You must have sought his help. But he has always been against you for the position of family head. He will surely let his son Bai Mo compete, not lend you the pill. Unless you paid a price he couldn't refuse!" Bai Ye spoke calmly, as if seeing through everything.

Bai Chen was stunned, not expecting such insight from his son.

He sighed, "You're right... If I forfeit my cultivation, Bai He can easily become the family head. I plan to trade my cultivation for the pill."

Bai Ye felt a pang in his heart and firmly said, "If father intends to do so, it's pushing me into an unfilial position. I cannot agree. Even if I cultivate the soul path, I'll be plagued by demons, and my cultivation won’t last."

"Don't you want to be a Heavenly Soul practitioner?" Bai Chen asked in surprise.

"It's not about wanting. My inability has made you suffer in the Bai family, and I feel guilty. My desire to become a Heavenly Soul practitioner is to prove to the world that Bai Chen's son is not incompetent!"

Bai Chen stared at Bai Ye, then burst into laughter, patting his shoulder.

"My son has truly grown up. I believe you'll achieve great things. But this time, let me help you once more."

"Father, trust me, even without the Soul-Breaking Pill, I won’t let you down!"

Bai Ye spoke earnestly, choosing to keep his awakened Heavenly Soul a secret. If Bai Chen knew, he would never let him compete. But Bai Ye was determined to participate, not only to resolve the issue with Ye Qian but also to stand up for his father.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

...

Bai Chen couldn't persuade Bai Ye. In his view, although Bai Ye stood no chance in the competition, his life wasn’t at risk.

After Bai Chen left, Bai Ye went to the courtyard and practiced the "Frost White Fist Technique".

He needed to master the operation of soul power as quickly as possible to increase his chances against Ye Qian!

Now with his Soul House shattered and the Heavenly Soul awakened, stimulating the soul released a flood of power. His punches felt like they could freeze the earth, their power far more terrifying than before.

What thrilled Bai Ye was the soul power accumulated over the years, released all at once when the Soul House broke. As he continued to use it, his body heated up, showing signs of a breakthrough.

He didn’t resist the urge, continuing to punch as the soul power was released, causing changes in his flesh and bones.

Whoosh!

A breath surged from every pore, and his body 'cracked' as if something had broken.

"Power Soul realm, second tier!"

Bai Ye gasped for air but didn’t stop.

The surging soul power didn’t cease with the minor breakthrough but continued to transform Bai Ye's physique.

The peculiar Heavenly Soul, now in the sixth tier, was greedily absorbing the pure and robust soul power, carving his body like a skilled carpenter.

Crack!

Third tier!

Bai Ye was exhilarated.

However, at the third tier, the soul power weakened considerably.

Nine days remained, plenty of time.

"No one knows I've awakened my Soul House. This will be my trump card."

Once he mastered the use of soul power, Bai Ye left Luo City to train under a waterfall outside the city, letting the water continuously pummel his body.

Power! One strike after another.

The waterfall's impact wasn't strong, but it was relentless.

"The Indestructible Vajra" technique for awakening the Heavenly Soul with the 'Nine Acupoints Simultaneous Opening' was just the beginning. The subsequent chapters, titled 'Harnessing Strength in the Body,' focused on defensive techniques. As the name suggests, it involved countering brute force with one's own strength. When an opponent's force hit the body, an internal force would erupt to counter the external attack, not only withstanding it but even retaliating!

Over the next few days, Bai Ye practiced relentlessly, almost never resting. Bai Chen grew suspicious but didn't interfere too much.

In just a few days, Bai Ye absorbed all the pure soul power from his shattered Soul House, skyrocketing his cultivation. He broke through to the fourth tier and entered the fifth-tier strength.

Bai Ye could hardly believe his progress in just ten days, a feat unachievable for others in years. Ultimately, it was all thanks to his dormant Heavenly Soul.

...

...

"Hurry, hurry, Master Gu is about to start teaching!"

Early in the morning, noisy chatter and footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

About to leave, Bai Ye paused, going to the door to see many Bai family members and guards heading towards the martial field.

"What's happening?" Bai Ye grabbed a guard to ask.

"You are... Young Master Bai Ye? Don't you know? Master Gu Cao of the Absolute Soul Sect visited our Bai family yesterday and is about to teach at the martial field!" The guard recognized Bai Ye and replied indifferently before running off.

Absolute Soul Sect? A master's lecture?

Bai Ye perked up.

The Absolute Soul Sect, renowned around Luo City, was respected for its members' dedication to helping others and doing righteous deeds.

This was a rare opportunity.

After a moment's thought, Bai Ye joined the crowd heading towards the field.

The Bai family martial field was bustling. Every young member and several guards were present.

Bai Ye glanced around the field, a place he seldom visited, preferring to practice in his small courtyard.

In the center, an elderly man with white hair and simple attire sat resting in a chair, flanked by a handsome young man and a pretty young woman, both disciples of the Absolute Soul Sect.

Everyone sat quietly on the ground, not daring to make noise. Bai Ye found a corner to sit down.

"Bai Ye?"

A voice of surprise floated from nearby. It was Bai Hong's son, Bai Mu!

"What are you doing here?" Bai Mu glanced at Bai Ye disdainfully.

"Listening to the lecture," Bai Ye replied calmly.

"You think you'll understand?"

"Can't I listen if I don't understand?" Bai Ye retorted.

Bai Mu was annoyed but restrained himself, warning in a low voice, "I heard you dared to provoke Ye Qian. You really don’t know how to live! I warn you, behave yourself here. It's rare for a master from the Absolute Soul Sect to visit our Bai family. If you mess things up, I'll make you pay!"

Bai Ye ignored him, turning his attention elsewhere.

Bai Mu, fuming with anger, couldn't do anything.

As the crowd gathered, whispers and curious glances were directed at Bai Ye, but he remained undisturbed.

As the appointed time arrived, the martial field quieted down.

Master Gu Cao, the white-haired elder, opened his old eyes and stood up.

"I am grateful for your attendance at my humble lecture. Time is precious, so I'll get straight to the point."

He paced back and forth, speaking slowly but clearly, his voice reaching every corner of the field.

Master Gu Cao's lecture, though simple, was full of invaluable insights and experiences from his cultivation journey.

Bai Ye listened intently, completely absorbed.

In the distance, Bai family head Bai Qingshan, accompanied by Bai Chen, Bai Hong, and Bai He, watched the scene.

"Although the Absolute Soul Sect is not a major sect, it has the demeanor of one. They send disciples annually to teach and aid the common folk, an honorable practice. I plan to send more Bai family members to train with them," Bai Qingshan spoke thoughtfully.

Bai He glanced at Master Gu Cao, murmuring, "Father, this is a good opportunity to strengthen ties with the Absolute Soul Sect. I support your decision."

"But the sect might not agree," Bai Chen interjected. "Their first criterion for accepting disciples is integrity and moral character. Many in our family are spoiled and arrogant, likely to be rejected."

Bai Qingshan remained silent.

Bai He scoffed, "Third brother, our family does have its share of proud and arrogant members, like your son. Despite having no soul power, he dared to provoke Miss Ye of the Ye family. I think your son is beyond just pride and arrogance."

"I've investigated the matter. It's not Ye'er's fault but the Ye family's provocation. If my son had backed down, where would our family's dignity be?" Bai Chen responded calmly.

Bai He grew irritated and was about to retort when a commotion erupted nearby.

They turned to see a Bai family member, seated at the edge, standing up and seemingly speaking to Master Gu Cao. The surrounding people looked at him with astonishment.

Bai Chen saw that the young man was none other than Bai Ye...