C4 Flame Dragon Transformation!

Early in the morning, as Guu Tianyi opened his eyes, he was greeted by an aged face hovering above him.

"Damn, are you trying to scare me to death?" Guu Tianyi blurted out in a curse.

But there was something oddly familiar about that face.

"Grand Elder!" Realization dawned on Guu Tianyi, and he was instantly covered in a cold sweat.

Within Guu Mansion, the most esteemed position was not held by the Patriarch, but by the Grand Elder. In the hierarchy, the Grand Elder ranked even above Guu Tianyi's own grandfather.

While Guu Tianyi was debating whether to apologize, he noticed the Grand Elder's unwavering gaze fixed on him—or more precisely, on his eyes.

Moreover, the Grand Elder's expression was a mix of intense curiosity and profound astonishment.

"The Purple Polar Dragon Eye, indeed!"

The Grand Elder suddenly cried out in amazement.

Confronted with the Grand Elder's peculiar behavior, Guu Tianyi promptly rose to his feet and bowed respectfully, "Guu Tianyi pays his respects to the Grand Elder."

"Haha, Tianyi, no need for such formalities. Come, show me your Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon Martial Soul," the Grand Elder said with a chuckle.

At the Grand Elder's request, Guu Tianyi's complexion turned ashen.

Had the Grand Elder discovered that he had taken the Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon Martial Soul and was now confronting him about it?

"Do you still intend to keep secrets? Your Purple Polar Dragon Eye has betrayed you," the Grand Elder said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Purple Polar Dragon Eye?" Guu Tianyi pondered inwardly.

With the Grand Elder clearly excited, Guu Tianyi decided to reveal his secret. His Genuine Qi surged, and the Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon materialized within the Purple Fire. It had grown significantly since yesterday, now measuring about two feet in length.

"So it is the Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon. It appears the external rumors are unfounded. Your selection by our ancestor to inherit the Martial Soul is testament enough to your virtuous nature," the Grand Elder said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Typically, the Grand Elder was a figure of stoic silence and reserve. Yet today, in the presence of the Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon, he was markedly transformed.

"Grand Elder, you're not upset with me?" Guu Tianyi ventured cautiously.

"Why would I be upset with you? The ancestor once said that the Soul Suppressing Stone harbors myriad wonders, accessible only to those descendants with the wisdom to unlock them. Alas, generations have passed without insight. Your inheritance of the Martial Soul from within the stone marks you as the insightful one our ancestor spoke of."

"In the time of the First Ancestor, our Guu family reigned supreme in the Azure Nether Country. But our influence has waned over the years, to the point where even the minor Lo family of Heavenly Fire City dares to challenge us. Your emergence is the beacon of hope for the Guu family's resurgence."

"Should you encounter any uncertainties in your cultivation henceforth, seek me out. I shall be your mentor."

The Grand Elder's gaze upon Guu Tianyi was laden with expectation.

"Grand Elder, there is indeed a matter I wish to discuss. My father..."

He was cut short as the Grand Elder's smile stiffened into a grimace. The Grand Elder shook his head and let out a weary sigh.

Guu Tianyi felt a heavy weight in his chest at the sight.

"Tianyi, all I can divulge is that your father is safe, free from mortal peril. But the particulars... those I cannot share," the Grand Elder said, his aged face etched with regret.

"He's my father. I have every right—and every reason—to know everything about him. I won't act rashly!"

Yet the Grand Elder could only sigh, his face a portrait of distress.

Guu Tianyi persisted, and after much entreaty, it seemed he had finally moved the Grand Elder, who relented, "Very well, Tianyi. I make you this promise: if you can pass the trials to join the Three Sects and secure first place in the Heavenly Fire Competition, I will reveal everything to you."

"Agreed!" Guu Tianyi declared with unwavering resolve.

"You have two days before the Heavenly Fire Competition kicks off. Use this time to master any Martial Skill at Guu Mansion. Should you need resources, just say the word, and I'll fulfill your requests to the best of my ability. Take this, too."

Martial Skills were special techniques that could stimulate Genuine Qi to unleash attacks beyond one's natural limits, categorized into Mortal, Yellow, Profound, Earth, and Heaven Levels.

While speaking, the Grand Elder handed Guu Tianyi an ancient Beast Skin Scroll.

"What's this?"

"It contains information on the Purple Polar Dragon Eye from the previous bearer of the Purple Polar Heavenly Flame Dragon Martial Soul. It should prove invaluable to you."

After a brief conversation, the Grand Elder departed to avoid interrupting Guu Tianyi's training.

"For you, Father, I'll give it everything I've got!" Clutching the Beast Skin Scroll, Guu Tianyi's gaze was filled with fierce determination.

The origin of the scroll, crafted from the hide of an unknown Demon Beast, remained a mystery, yet it had endured for millennia, still tough and resilient.

Upon unfurling the scroll, the words "Purple Polar Dragon Eye" leapt into view, sparking excitement in Guu Tianyi's eyes.

"This is Bloodline Thaumaturgy!"

Martial Soul inheritance was deeply intertwined with one's bloodline, making even identical Martial Souls unique due to bloodline variations.

Bloodline Thaumaturgy was a unique Martial Skill, custom-made for one's Martial Soul and imprinted within the bloodline. It didn't require constant practice, akin to an innate gift. Through enlightenment, it was etched into both bloodline and Martial Soul.

Yet, Bloodline Thaumaturgy faced two significant constraints. The first was a limitation on the number of bloodlines; each individual could only comprehend one bloodline at a time.

A Martial Cultivator could wield just one Bloodline Thaumaturgy, a Martial Master two, and a Martial Sovereign up to five.

The second challenge was the sheer difficulty of comprehending Bloodline Thaumaturgy.

It was akin to understanding the Dao; each Martial Soul followed its own unique path.

For the Guu family, the Soul Suppressing Stone played a crucial role in guiding its members to enlightenment of their Bloodline Thaumaturgy.

For Guu Tianyi, Guu Zhantian's Beast Skin Scroll was a shortcut, with the profound secrets directly transcribed. Since they shared the same Martial Soul, their Bloodline Thaumaturgy was identical.

"The First Divine Ability, Flame Dragon Transformation!"

A middle-aged man in a golden Taoist robe entered the opulent hall of Guu Mansion.

Despite his Taoist attire, an elusive aura of menace surrounded him.

He was Faang Yunhe, an envoy from the Spirit Void Sect, summoned by the Third Elder.

A lavish feast awaited in the hall, with even the beverages crafted from Spiritual Essence, greatly beneficial to any Martial Cultivator's health.

After some jovial toasting, the Third Elder beckoned Guu Linyuan forward, introducing him with a smile, "Envoy Faang, meet my grandson, Linyuan."

Guu Linyuan greeted him politely, "Greetings, Elder Faang!"

The Third Elder nodded, his eyes brimming with pride as he regarded Guu Linyuan.

Faang Yunhe, ever astute, responded with a series of approving nods. "At fifteen, to be a Level Six Martial Cultivator speaks volumes of your potential. Senior Guu once did me a great service. In tomorrow's assessment, if you perform to your usual standard, I assure you a place in the Spirit Void Sect."

"Thank you, Elder Faang!" Guu Linyuan said quickly. Barring any surprises, he was on his way to becoming a disciple of the Spirit Void Sect.

He was about to depart when something else occurred to him. "Elder Faang, I shouldn't speak out of turn, but as I'm soon to be a disciple of the Spirit Void Sect, I feel obliged to prevent any deception against you and the esteemed seniors," he said.

"What is it you wish to disclose?"

"There's a young man from the Guu family, named Guu Tianyi. Have you heard of him?"

"Guu Tianyi?" Faang Yunhe's brow furrowed as he reflected for a moment. "Are you referring to the one who practiced forbidden arts and aimed to usurp another's Martial Soul? Wasn't he cast out from the Star Cloud Sect just a few days ago? Would he even dare show his face at the Heavenly Fire Competition?"

Guu Linyuan couldn't help but smile at Faang Yunhe's response; his scheme had worked.

"Linyuan, rest assured, I will not allow such an individual to infiltrate the Three Sects ever again," Faang Yunhe declared.

"Your assurance is all I need, Elder Faang."

Over the next two days, Guu Tianyi focused on cultivating his Genuine Qi and solidifying his realm. He also delved into the teachings of the Beast Skin Scroll, seeking to master the Bloodline Thaumaturgy.

Additionally, he selected two martial skills from the Guu Mansion's Martial Skill Pavilion and mastered them. His efforts had been fruitful; although he hadn't quite reached the sixth level of Martial Cultivation, he was tantalizingly close.

On that day, a crowd had already gathered in front of the City Lord's Mansion. Guu Tianyi stood with his family, gazing at the familiar scene before him.

"A year ago, Xia Ningjing and I faced a trial here together and were accepted into the Star Cloud Sect. Now, a year later, this marks the beginning of a new chapter for me!"

"Xia Ningjing, wait for me at the Star Cloud Sect. I'm on my way to you!"

With these words, a fervent glint shone in Guu Tianyi's eyes.