Autumn had begun to cool the air, and a refreshing breeze carried the scent of the season. As dewdrops quietly formed on fragrant flowers and leaves, the fruits hanging from the branches gradually ripened.
In the early morning, while the sky was still shrouded in white mist, the city of Nuoding was already bustling with activity—for today was the day of the children's Martial Soul Awakening.
Only by lifting the veil of mist and embracing the sunrise filled with hope could one begin the journey toward greatness.
Whether one soars like a dragon or crawls like a worm, whether this day brings sorrow or joy, growth or reward—this is the day that determines it all.
At the entrance of the Martial Soul Sub-Hall, crowds had already gathered. Most of the children eligible for awakening—those who had turned six—were accompanied by their parents to attend the ceremony.
Of course, a few had come without parental escort, arriving instead with familiar companions.
The ceremony would be overseen by Master Matthew Nuo, assisted by eight Soul Masters including Deacon Su Yuntao. Together, they would guide each child through their Martial Soul Awakening.
As he observed the long line of children before him, Master Matthew Nuo nodded slightly. Of the thousands participating today, he expected at least a hundred to possess soul power and become Soul Master candidates.
Turning to Deacon Su Yuntao beside him, Matthew Nuo asked, "Yuntao, I sent you to the nearby villages yesterday to assist with awakenings. Did you find any promising candidates?"
Su Yuntao shook his head with a bitter smile. "There was one, actually—innately full soul power. But his Martial Soul was... Blue Silver Grass. A trash soul."
Matthew Nuo raised his eyebrows in mild surprise. "Innately full soul power? That's a shame. There's no future for a Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass. I've never heard of anyone becoming powerful with it."
Su Yuntao nodded and added proudly, "Exactly. Blue Silver Grass has no offensive, defensive, or support capabilities. It's the textbook example of a useless Martial Soul. Even with full innate soul power, it's no match for my rank-two beast-type Martial Soul... Lone Wolf."
Matthew Nuo snapped, "You may have a decent beast Martial Soul, but your recklessness is troubling. How can I trust you with Sisi's future if you don't learn to act more prudently? Be more composed in the future."
Su Yuntao nodded. "Understood."
Soon, the awakening ceremony began. The thousands of children entered the Martial Soul Sub-Hall one by one.
"Li Dazhuang. Martial Soul: Hammer. Innate Soul Power: Level 2."
Su Yuntao looked the strong-looking boy over before speaking. "Not bad. You qualify as a Soul Master. Stand to the left."
"Thank you, Deacon!" Li Dazhuang said respectfully.
"Next—"
"Wang Tiezhu. Martial Soul: Iron Rod. Innate Soul Power: Level 1."
"Next—"
"Zhang Shufen. Martial Soul: Rose. No soul power."
"Next—"
"Li Ergou. Martial Soul: Hoe. No soul power."
…
Sigh...
Su Yuntao let out a long sigh, wiping the sweat from his brow and recording each child's Martial Soul and soul power in his notebook.
So far, not a single child had soul power above level 3. Even among those with beast-type Martial Souls, none had shown decent potential. All of them had tool-type Martial Souls.
That alone was disappointing—but most of them were farm tools. If one in ten had even level-one soul power, it would be a miracle.
Worse still, nine consecutive children had seemingly decent Martial Souls but ended up having no soul power at all.
If Master Matthew Nuo learned how poor the results were on his end, Su Yuntao would surely miss out on this year's evaluation for outstanding Soul Masters.
Already frustrated, Su Yuntao wore a constant scowl, as if the world owed him money.
"Next—"
"Yao Niming. Martial Soul: Scythe. No soul power."
"Next—"
"Gu Yecheng. Martial Soul: Scythe—don't even bother testing."
Su Yuntao cursed silently. All trash Martial Souls. No innate soul power. What a waste of time.
"But uncle," Gu Yecheng said, confused, "I haven't tested for soul power yet!"
"There's no need," Su Yuntao said coldly. "Scythes are considered trash Martial Souls. You can't become a Soul Master. Next!"
Today's task was heavy—nine people handling over a thousand children, each responsible for more than a hundred. Taking shortcuts here and there made the job more bearable, saving both physical and mental energy.
Su Yuntao may have been easing his own burden, but for Gu Yecheng, this was a devastating blow.
He didn't want to become a Soul Master for himself—but so he could one day collect a stipend from the Martial Soul Hall and support his hard-working mother, who labored daily from dawn until dusk with barely any time for him.
Being a sensible and mature boy, Gu Yecheng had come alone for today's awakening. In his heart, he had sworn that he would become a Soul Master.
"Uncle, scythes can be used in combat. I've heard that some people with scythe Martial Souls do have soul power. Please, just let me try."
But Su Yuntao, driven by personal frustration, dismissed him again. "I said no, and that's final. Who's the Deacon here—me or you?"
"You know as well as I do: only a small fraction of scythe awakenings result in soul power. Too bad—you're not one of them."
Gu Yecheng pleaded, "Uncle, please just let me try the crystal ball—just once, I beg you!"
He refused to give up even the faintest glimmer of hope. Even if he only had half a level of soul power, even if he could only acquire a white soul ring, he was determined to walk the path of a Soul Master.
"Begging won't help. I've seen plenty of kids like you—persistent and hopeless. Don't waste my time. Move aside so I can test the next gifted child."
But Gu Yecheng didn't move. Seeing this, Su Yuntao shook his head coldly and said, "Fine. I'll give you a chance."
At those words, Gu Yecheng's eyes lit up. Following the instructions, he placed his palm on the crystal ball in Su Yuntao's hand.
No light appeared.
Su Yuntao sneered. "I told you—you have no potential. Now you believe me?"
Gu Yecheng protested, "There must be something wrong with the crystal! I'm way stronger than other kids—I must have soul power! Let me try again!"
Su Yuntao snorted in contempt.
"A chicken is still a chicken—it'll never become a phoenix. I know better than you the odds of awakening soul power with a scythe. It's not that simple."
Gu Yecheng asked again, "Can I still join the Martial Soul Hall? I truly love the Martial Soul Hall. Even if it's just sweeping floors, I'm willing."
He believed soul power resided within him. If the standard awakening failed, perhaps staying close to the Hall would give him another chance.
"Hmph." Su Yuntao snorted. "Get out. The Martial Soul Hall isn't a charity. No soul power? You're not even qualified to guard the door!"
"Yesterday in Saint Soul Village, I even saw a Blue Silver Grass with innate full soul power. What a waste of talent. You're nowhere near that Tang San kid."
His words shattered Gu Yecheng's dreams. A single awakening ceremony had determined his entire future. How cruel.
Without another word, Gu Yecheng left the Martial Soul Hall alone, head down. As he walked away, he couldn't help but look back at the place he once saw as sacred.
His love for the Martial Soul Hall and Soul Masters had been irrational, almost obsessive. But now, that path was forever closed to him.
Martial Soul Hall. Su Yuntao.
These names were forever engraved in his memory—not with blind reverence, but with painful reflection.
Children from single-parent homes often grow up fast. Gu Yecheng had been ready to dedicate his life to the Hall. But from this moment forward, he no longer admired Su Yuntao the Soul Master. He no longer trusted the so-called cradle of Soul Masters—the Martial Soul Hall.
The awakening ceremony merely revealed potential. It didn't determine one's destiny.
Years later, the name Gu Yecheng would shake the entire Soul Master world. Even the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, Bibi Dong, would personally seek to recruit him.
But by then, things had changed. The Martial Soul Hall would pay a steep price to bring him back.
His title: The Duel of Life and Death Douluo—a Titled Douluo who controlled the fates of others. Life or death, at his command.
Thus, a legendary Titled Douluo was born.
(End of Chapter)
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