Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Conditions
The Cheng family could restrain both families, controlling the entire whale oil business, a venture jointly managed by several closely related branches—this was the embryo of the family.
If the Cheng family could produce a few more soul masters, they could quickly grow into a smaller soul master family. Clenching one fist and holding a money bag with the other, protecting the money bag with the left fist and supporting the left fist with the money bag—this was a common practice for sects and families.
The Cheng family had ambitions, but unfortunately, their bloodline was not very promising. They had never produced qualified descendants. Cheng Xiao was the first child with innate soul power, but only at the innate first level. This was far from enough to elevate the family to a higher status.
Now they had to go all out to support Cheng Xiao. However, it seemed impossible. Who would invest resources in a child with innate first-level strength and an uncertain future?
What if he got stuck at level twenty-nine for his whole life? What would the family do? Survive on nothing? It could lead to a regression to poverty, just like the times before liberation, and the entire clan might never recover.
Who would have the determination to gamble on such a faint hope? Even Cheng Xiao's mother dared not go against the wishes of the majority and bet everything on Cheng Xiao.
The two fell into silence, and for a moment, the room became eerily quiet.
After a while, Cheng Xiao sighed, realizing he had to reveal more information to reassure the family.
"I have a twin martial soul!"
"You're saying you have a third soul... What!?" Cheng Yu waved his hand, then froze in mid-air, looking at Cheng Xiao in astonishment.
"My martial soul mutated, so I couldn't awaken the second soul at the Soul Hall. But after consuming whale jelly, I awakened my second soul!" Cheng Xiao attributed everything to the effect of the whale jelly.
"Crash..."
Cheng Yu suddenly stood up, almost overturning the table with his exaggerated movement. Items on the table fell to the ground, some even breaking, but Cheng Yu paid no attention. He just stared intensely at Cheng Xiao.
"Show me!" Cheng Yu's voice trembled.
If it was a twin martial soul, the Cheng family would have the possibility of reaching a higher level!
Forget about innate first level, forget about talent; all of that could be ignored! If it was a twin martial soul, even with just the head, cultivation could reach level forty. Two martial souls meant eight abilities, stronger than some ordinary Soul Emperors!
With enough resources, becoming a level sixty Soul Emperor was not impossible!
This strength could benefit the entire family! How could Cheng Yu not be excited?
With Cheng Yu's knowledge, he dared to hope for a Soul Emperor at most. Higher ranks like Soul Douluo or Title Douluo were beyond his imagination. Despite that, it was enough for Cheng Yu to take a gamble.
Cheng Xiao activated his soul power, and the ink of the Yin Fish surged out, and the shadow of the Shadow Monarch appeared behind him.
Then Cheng Xiao's mind moved, and the Yang fish awakened. The fierce power of destruction condensed into a violent light dragon shadow, replacing the Shadow Monarch.
At the moment the light dragon appeared, Cheng Xiao felt a sharp pain in his body. In just a moment, he was sweating profusely.
"These are my two martial souls. One is Shadow, and the other is Dragon Emperor." Cheng Xiao retracted the Destruction Monarch, feeling a bit relieved. He gasped and said, "They are indeed twin martial souls."
"Truly twin martial souls..."
Cheng Yu, dumbfounded, sat back in his chair. His gaze lost focus, and he seemed like a fool. His lips mumbled, but no sound came out.
Cheng Xiao patiently waited for Cheng Yu to digest the information. He understood how impactful the revelation of a twin martial soul could be for an ordinary person, so he didn't disturb Cheng Yu too much.
"Swoosh..."
Suddenly, Cheng Yu stood up, excitedly pacing around the room like someone possessed, incessantly muttering, "Twin martial soul, twin martial soul..."
"Clatter!"
Cheng Yu stopped and turned to Cheng Xiao, his gaze fiery yet sharp. "I can help you maneuver this. Persuade your mother and others! But you must agree to three conditions."
"Tell me!" Cheng Xiao raised an eyebrow.
"First, I'll persuade others to fully support you. All the family assets will be used this time, but it's a one-time deal. From now on, the family won't be able to support you financially. So, you'll have to figure out your own path."
"Okay," Cheng Xiao nodded. He knew the scale of the family's assets, and squeezing out everything for this endeavor was already draining the last drop.
"Second, when you go back this time, don't go to the Novice Soul Master Academy in Nuoding City. Apply for graduation directly. I'll work it out for you to enter Moon Pavilion. You must make connections with the children of influential figures there, quickly gaining their protection. It's crucial to provide financial support to the family. Otherwise, if competitors discover issues in our financial chain, the entire family will be in jeopardy."
Cheng Yu's expression turned serious. "This condition has no room for compromise; otherwise, you won't pass the test of others."
"Fine," Cheng Xiao didn't object. Since he accepted the family's support, he had to bear corresponding responsibilities. There's no free lunch in this world; power and obligations are equivalent. He couldn't take from the family without contributing back.
And he had a bit of a plan; it seemed like Emperor Xue Ye's daughter, Princess Xue Ke, was in Moon Pavilion. What could be more enticing than making connections with her?
"Third, before the age of twenty, participate in the Soul Master Tournament and win first or second place, earning a noble title! Let the others in the family see the return on investment!"
Based on past experiences, winning first or second place in the Soul Master Tournament would attract the attention of the two great empires and the Soul Hall. Choosing loyalty would inevitably lead to being ennobled.
Only by becoming a noble could the family have the capital to stand tall. When Cheng Xiao broke through to Soul Emperor in the future, the Cheng family would undergo a transformation!
Cheng Xiao was speechless. He didn't expect that, even after revealing his twin martial soul, his uncle's perspective would still be so narrow.
Twin martial souls, even any Title Douluo, would be interested in taking such a disciple. A mere noble title couldn't compare to the status of being a disciple under a Title Douluo!
If it weren't for his plans and the restrictions that joining a certain force would impose on him, he would have considered revealing himself and becoming a disciple under Wu Dong, the Titan.
Look at the conditions Clear Sky Clan set for Tang San; now, that was a broad perspective, with both soul rings and soul bones active.
However, Cheng Xiao couldn't blame his uncle. After all, you couldn't expect an ordinary person with a useless martial soul to have much understanding of the world of soul masters.
He might know that a twin martial soul was valuable, but he didn't know exactly how valuable it was—that was a height he could never imagine in his entire life.
"Can you do it? Give me a straightforward answer!" Cheng Yu urged.
"No problem," Cheng Xiao sighed, unwilling to explain further.
"Alright, then. I'll start working on this when I go back this time," Cheng Yu exhaled deeply, revealing a smile. "The Cheng family is finally going to rise."
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