Invincible Divine Sword Chapter 2 - 2 Grandpa’s Favoritism

Chapter 2: The Patriarch's Prejudice

A colossal black tortoise manifested behind Yang Xiaotian.

Coiled around the massive creature was a tiny black serpent. The snake was so minute that most people would easily miss its presence.

Shock filled the faces of everyone present the moment Yang Xiaotian’s Martial Soul appeared.

“What an enormous turtle!” A master from Xingyue City suddenly roared with laughter. “It’s actually a Tortoise Martial Soul! Hahaha! Yang Ming, your grandson certainly has a unique Martial Soul.”

The realization spread through the crowd, and many other experts from the city joined in the mocking laughter.

Yang Ming’s expression soured as he stared at the giant tortoise floating above Yang Xiaotian. The ridicule stung.

A tortoise?

While a tortoise wasn't classified as a useless first-level Martial Soul, it was barely a step above—an incredibly weak second-level Martial Soul. Such a soul absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth at a snail's pace. With a Tortoise Martial Soul, a full year of Cultivation wouldn't even equal ten days of progress for a normal person.

Yang Chao’s face drained of color. Having spent the day praying for a miracle, he now felt as though he had plummeted into a dark abyss. His son’s Martial Soul was a tortoise? With such a soul, it was impossible to ever become a true Soul Master, no matter how desperately one practiced.

The master from Xingyue City spoke up again, laughing. “Is this the first Tortoise Martial Soul in the history of Xingyue City? Yang Ming, it seems your grandson has set a new record for us all.”

Yang Ming’s face twisted further with rage and shame.

As the laughter of the spectators echoed around him, Yang Xiaotian stood motionless, staring at his Martial Soul in deep contemplation. The creature looked remarkably like the Black Tortoise from the ancient legends of Earth. In those myths, the Black Tortoise was a Supreme Divine Beast.

Seeing Yang Xiaotian standing dazed within the Formation Map, staring at his own pathetic tortoise, Yang Ming lost his temper. “You disgrace! Get down from there this instant!” he barked.

Stepping out of the Formation Map, Yang Xiaotian looked at his furious grandfather. After a moment of hesitation, he tried to explain, “Grandpa, my Martial Soul might not actually be a tortoise.”

Yang Ming’s face turned a shade of bruised blue at the boy's defiance. “Take this little brat home!” he snapped. Unable to endure the humiliation any longer, he turned and stormed off.

The members of the Yang Family Manor followed their Patriarch's lead, quickly retreating from Xingyue City. Li Guang, the Patriarch of the Li Family, watched them leave and shook his head in pity. It was a strange twist of fate that one of Yang Ming’s grandsons possessed a tenth-level Martial Soul while the other had a mere second-level one.

Back at the Yang Family Manor, Yang Ming’s fury only intensified the more he dwelled on the event. He glared at Yang Chao. “Look at the son you’ve raised! If he ever dares to show his face outside this manor again, I’ll break his legs myself!”

The boy had made him a laughingstock in front of every master in the city. With a sharp flick of his sleeves, Yang Ming marched away.

Once the Patriarch was gone, Yang Hai looked at Yang Chao with a thin smile. “Second brother, don’t take it to heart. You know how Father is. Although, I must admit, I never expected Xiaotian to end up with a tortoise.” The mockery in his voice was thinly veiled.

Yang Hai then turned to leave with his son, Yang Zhong, and the rest of their followers.

Before departing, Yang Zhong smirked at Yang Xiaotian. “Xiaotian, we should have a good sparring match during the year-end family competition. But you better train hard; I wouldn't want to blow you away with a single punch.”

Yang Chao’s expression was grim as he watched them walk away. He turned to his son, intending to speak, but he only let out a heavy sigh. “It’s alright, Xiaotian. If you work hard enough, you can still become an Innate Martial Artist and keep up with Yang Zhong.”

But even as he said it, he wondered if such a thing was even possible.

The father and son returned to the western courtyard. Upon their arrival, Huang Ying, Yang Xiaotian’s mother, rushed out with a joyful smile. “How did it go? What kind of Martial Soul did Xiaotian awaken?” she asked eagerly.

The light left Yang Chao’s eyes. Seeing his wife’s excitement, he could only shake his head and remain silent.

Yang Xiaotian considered explaining, but he realized words would mean nothing now. He decided to let his future progress prove the truth. He quietly retreated to his room.

Night fell, draping the world in darkness.

Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Yang Xiaotian activated his Martial Soul using the Prajna Skill his father had taught him earlier that day. The massive shadow of the tortoise materialized above him once more.

The soul that Yang Ming and the others dismissed as a useless second-level tortoise opened its maw and began to draw in energy. Suddenly, the spiritual energy of the surrounding nature surged toward Yang Xiaotian like a tidal wave.

Boom!

Yang Xiaotian’s frame shuddered. The sheer intensity of the incoming spiritual energy was nearly overwhelming. He was stunned. This is far too powerful!

He had suspected his soul might be the legendary Black Tortoise, but the speed at which it devoured spiritual energy was beyond anything he had imagined. The energy flooded his Meridians, rapidly converting into internal fighting spirit.

As his soul power nourished the Martial Soul, it began to glow brightly. The small black snake coiled around the tortoise also grew larger, opening its mouth to feast on the spiritual energy as well. Despite its size, the serpent’s devouring speed matched that of the Black Tortoise.

Watching both creatures consume energy simultaneously, a startling thought occurred to Yang Xiaotian. Could I have Twin Martial Spirits?

Furthermore, the snake's rank seemed just as high as the tortoise’s. His heart pounded in his chest. He had lived in this Martial Soul World for years and knew its legends. While Supreme Martial Spirits existed, he had never heard of anyone possessing two of them at once.

The night passed in a blur of Cultivation.

When dawn arrived and Yang Xiaotian ceased his meditation, he was shocked by his own progress. In just one night, he had successfully broken through to the first rank!

His uncle, Yang Hai, who possessed a top-tier eighth-level Earth Bear, had taken months to reach the first rank. Even his grandfather, with his eighth-level Grey Wolf, had required half a year. He had accomplished the same feat in a matter of hours.

Yang Xiaotian stepped into the courtyard and struck a large boulder. His fist left an indentation several inches deep. It was no dream; he was truly a first-rank martial artist. Excitement surged through him. If he maintained this pace, reaching the tenth rank and becoming an Innate Expert would happen in no time.

Suddenly, the sound of an argument drifted from his parents’ room. It was strange, as they rarely ever fought. He moved closer to listen.

“Father is being completely unfair!” his mother, Huang Ying, sobbed. “The rules of the Yang Family Manor state that every disciple who awakens a Martial Soul receives Foundation Building Spiritual Liquid. It was his own rule! Yet last night, he gave Xiaotian’s portion to Yang Zhong!”

“And then there’s the silk business you’ve managed for years. He suddenly announced you’re being removed and gave control of the mines and the silk trade to your elder brother! What is he trying to do?”

“Yang Hai and Yang Zhong are his family, but aren’t you and Xiaotian his flesh and blood too?”

“Father’s favoritism has gone too far!”