1: The Martial Soul of Luo Sanpao? No, it's the Azure Dragon!

"Our Mengzhang has Innate Full Soul Power! Did the Clan Chief make a mistake? How could he judge Mengzhang as unqualified?"

"Exactly, we've watched Mengzhang grow up; he's been exceptionally smart since he was a child. How could he have a Waste Spirit? Both his parents were warriors of the Family, weren't they?"

"My Lord, please have some consideration, we..."

At the village entrance, several simply dressed farmers, backs hunched and faces wearing ingratiating smiles, were surrounding a well-dressed, tall young man, speaking flattering words.

The tall young man shook his head and frowned.

"Do you think the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would let talent go to waste? Although he has Innate Full Soul Power, his Spirit is a Waste Spirit! Just like... Yu Xiaogang from decades ago, he cannot undergo Spirit Possession!"

"It can't attack, defend, or even provide support. Naturally, it's a Waste Spirit. Fine, I know there's a drought this year and you have no harvest, so you wanted to send a Genius to claim the bounty. The Sect will provide you with a plan; prepare to sell your land."

The tall young man looked at the farmers impatiently.

They were all members of the outer branches of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, their Bloodline extremely thin, forming various villages in the surrounding area.

This year, there was a drought around Heaven Dou City. If the Yu Mengzhang they spoke of was a Genius, they would have received a bounty, and the villagers would have had a way to cope.

Unfortunately, despite having Innate Full Soul Power, Yu Mengzhang's Awakening resulted in the same scandalous Spirit from decades ago... Yu Xiaogang's 'Luo San Pao'!

The tall young man glanced at the little boy nearby, who had black hair, delicate features, fair skin, and an ethereal aura.

He didn't look like someone from a village at all... but unfortunately, he only had a Waste Spirit!

"My Lord, it doesn't matter what happens to us, but Mengzhang's parents sacrificed themselves for the Family. Can't he be allowed to return to the Clan?"

"Yes, if it's a matter of money, we can pool our resources. This child lost his parents when he was young..."

The villagers continued to plead.

The tall young man grew impatient. With a cold snort, his Soul Power erupted, frightening the villagers back, as he said coldly:

"No! Enough nonsense! In a while, the Clan might send someone to take him for the ancestral rites. You can talk to that person then!"

The tall young man flicked his sleeves and strode away.

He couldn't help but sneer inwardly. They wanted Yu Mengzhang to be accepted by the Clan?

It was nothing but the pipe dreams of a bunch of fools.

Because of Yu Mengzhang's Spirit, the Second in Command, Yu Luomian, hated him by association, making it clear he was unwilling to let the boy stay in the Clan.

The villagers watched him leave, their sun-reddened faces showing an unspeakable loneliness.

The young boy, Yu Mengzhang, remained calm; even though this was happening to him, he didn't seem to care.

Having undergone Transmigration to the Douluo Continent six years ago, he was quite composed about Awakening a Waste Spirit now.

But was it really a Waste Spirit?

A green light flew from Yu Mengzhang's palm, transforming beside him into a "Green Lizard" over a meter long with emerald scales and golden eyes. It had a listless, decadent air and remained motionless.

It was indeed very similar to Yu Xiaogang's 'Luo San Pao'.

An Externalized Beast Spirit, it wasn't any known living creature.

Furthermore, it didn't seem to have any offensive power at all.

In the Spirit strength test given to him by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, it had also performed miserably.

"Yu Xiaogang's Luo San Pao was originally a Bright Holy Dragon Spirit, but it failed to evolve because it was hindered by Yu Xiaogang's Innate Soul Power..."

"But I have Innate Full Soul Power. Logically, if it were a Bright Holy Dragon, it would have definitely completed its evolution—unless... it's a Spirit even more powerful than the Bright Holy Dragon!"

Yu Mengzhang thought to himself.

At that moment, the villagers gathered around again, their worries vanishing as they all showed cheerful expressions.

The Village Head crouched down and touched the "Green Lizard," exclaiming:

"Look! Mengzhang's Spirit clearly isn't simple! How extraordinary! He'll definitely make a name for himself in the future!"

"Exactly! Those people really have no vision, talking nonsense! I think Mengzhang's Spirit is very powerful! It looks excellent!"

"Mengzhang, don't listen to them. You worked hard for your Spirit Awakening today. Go back and your Auntie Li will stew some ribs for you!"

"..."

The villagers chimed in one after another with all sorts of praise, as if Yu Mengzhang had awakened some incredible Spirit.

Yu Mengzhang naturally saw the forced nature of their smiles.

Due to the drought this year, the village's harvest was poor, and the villagers were being forced to sell their land.

Originally, if he had successfully awakened a Spirit, he would have received a bounty from the Clan.

But now... "Grandpa Village Head, I want to eat roasted sweet potatoes, not ribs," Yu Mengzhang said with a smile.

The Village Head was stunned, his face twitching slightly. He knew Mengzhang was mature for his age and understood how difficult things were for the village.

"What are you saying?! You brat, today is your big day! You must eat well! The whole village will celebrate with you! If it weren't for your parents back then, our village would have been ravaged by Spirit Beasts long ago."

"Don't listen to others' nonsense; our village has plenty of money! Even three years of drought wouldn't matter!"

The Village Head laughed heroically and rubbed Yu Mengzhang's head.

The village woman who mentioned stewing ribs quietly turned around and wiped her eyes.

When she turned back, there were a few "muddy" streaks on her dusty face.

"..."

Yu Mengzhang remained silent.

In the eyes of these villagers, he was just a child.

They wouldn't let him get involved in such matters.

He thought, "Even if it really is a Waste Spirit, once I get a spirit ring, I can become an official Spirit Master and receive subsidies from the Spirit Hall..."

Surrounded by the villagers, Yu Mengzhang returned to the village.

This child from the Upper Three Sects was thinking about living off subsidies from the Spirit Hall... The village was lively for most of the night.

Despite Awakening a Waste Spirit, Yu Mengzhang received a hero's welcome.

The Village Head and several uncles and elders were all vying to give their daughters to Yu Mengzhang as little wives.

Yu Mengzhang hadn't drunk any alcohol, yet his face was flushed as if he were drunk.

He returned to his room in a daze, which was a side room in the Village Head's house.

Back on his bed, he took a breath, his eyes clear.

He no longer looked like just a carefree child.

The villagers, fearing he would be disappointed and sad, all pretended it was a joyous occasion.

He likewise didn't want to reject the villagers' kindness and also pretended to be very happy.

A green light appeared before him, and the "Green Lizard" lay on the ground, looking listless, letting out two soft whimpers toward Yu Mengzhang.

Yu Mengzhang picked up the "Green Lizard," looking into its beautiful golden eyes.

"I don't believe you are the Waste Spirit they say you are... Can you tell me that you aren't what they say?"

"..."

The "Green Lizard" gave a soft whimper, looking at Yu Mengzhang in confusion.

Yu Mengzhang stared into its eyes for a long time without sensing anything special, finally letting out a bitter laugh.

"Forget it; even if I can't discover your extraordinary nature, I won't give up. We will definitely become the strongest Spirit Masters on the Douluo Continent."

Yu Mengzhang set down the "Green Lizard," the corners of his mouth turning up in a look of relief.

At the very moment he accepted reality.

A mysterious voice suddenly appeared in his heart.

"Head of the Four Symbols, the Azure Dragon of the East!"