The two of them arrived at the Tang household.
"You're eating, huh? Tang San, after you finish, Grandpa will take you to the awakening ceremony." Old Jack looked at the sparse, rice-less porridge that Tang San and his father were drinking, and couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart.
This child has it tough. No wonder he's always out catching rabbits with Suifeng. Old Jack didn't say much, only silently made a note of it in his heart.
Tang San drank several big bowls of porridge and then looked up at Tang Hao with a bit of longing.
"Come back quickly," Tang Hao said coldly and curtly.
"Mm-hmm, okay, Dad!" Tang San nodded happily.
Old Jack took the hands of two children and urged, "Let's hurry, the steward from the Martial Soul Sub-Hall of Nuoding City is coming in person to help awaken the children's martial souls this time. He's a Grand Soul Master!"
Tang San asked curiously, "Grandpa Jack, what's a Grand Soul Master?"
Old Jack patiently explained, "Soul Masters all possess soul power from their martial souls. Based on the strength of that power, they're divided into ten ranks. Each rank has ten levels. The entry-level, after awakening the martial soul, is called Soul Scholar. Everyone starts as a Soul Scholar. If the martial soul can be cultivated and the soul power reaches level 11, you advance to the next rank: Soul Master. A Grand Soul Master is the third rank in the sequence. Reaching that level means you're already a pretty powerful Soul Master. The ten overall ranks are: Soul Scholar, Soul Master, Grand Soul Master, Soul Expert, Soul Sect, Soul King, Soul Emperor, Soul Sage, Soul Douluo, and Titled Douluo. The name of our continent, Douluo, comes from this system. It's said that once someone surpasses level 90 and becomes a Titled Douluo, they can give themselves a title. They're practically invincible!"
His eyes sparkled with pride. "A hundred years ago, our Holy Soul Village produced a Soul Sage of the eighth rank! That's extremely rare, even in all of Nuoding City and the Fasno Province."
Tang Hao scoffed and curled his lip in disdain. "Hmph, Soul Sage? Just a legend, not worth taking seriously."
His scorn was evident—and perhaps justified. After all, isn't it normal for a Titled Douluo to look down on a mere Soul Sage?
Old Jack immediately flared up like a triggered husky, turning back to glare at Tang Hao. "What do you mean, not worth taking seriously? You're a blacksmith, and you look down on a Soul Sage? Do you have any idea how powerful a Soul Sage is? They can soar through the sky and dive into the earth, do anything! If you dare speak disrespectfully of a Soul Sage again, don't blame me for driving you out of Holy Soul Village!"
"Hmph. If it weren't for Tang San's sake, do you think I'd want to come to this doghouse of yours?"
Unwilling to argue with the old village chief, Tang Hao let out a cold snort and turned to go back inside.
Suifeng stood off to the side, dumbfounded. My dear Grandpa Jack, you might be the unquestioned authority in Holy Soul Village, but do you even realize the Soul Sage you worship day and night... the blacksmith you just lectured could probably crush two of them with one hand?
"Hmph, Tang San, Suifeng, let's go. Don't be like your father Tang Hao—such a slacker. You must work hard. If you awaken a martial soul that can be cultivated, that would be wonderful. Our village hasn't produced a Soul Master in a long time."
"Okay, Grandpa Jack." Tang San nodded. Suifeng, on the other hand, was speechless: I'd love to be a slacker—just make me a Titled Douluo already.
Tang San glanced at Suifeng.
"Hmph!" Tang San snorted coldly.
"Uh..." Suifeng looked at the stubborn Tang San, feeling a little awkward. I helped him dig three times yesterday, and today he's acting like this... I don't know what to say.
Aside from Suifeng and Tang San, who came with Old Jack, there were eight other children. Altogether, there were only ten kids.
There was also a young man in his twenties, with sword-shaped eyebrows and bright eyes. He wore a white martial robe with the character for "soul" emblazoned on it, exuding an air of aloofness.
Suifeng instantly recognized him—could this be the Grand Soul Master Su Yuntao, known for having the "Single Dog" martial soul???
Old Jack clapped his hands to get the kids' attention.
"Alright children, this is Su Yuntao, a steward from the Martial Soul Hall of Nuoding City—Master Su. He will guide you through your martial soul awakening. I hope some of you will become Soul Masters."
"Ugh, it's the same old speech every year. But in the past few years, we haven't even gotten one potential Soul Master. I just passed through six villages, and not a single one had a child with potential. Looks like another month of zero performance. At this rate, when am I ever going to save up enough to get married?" Su Yuntao said helplessly.
Old Jack sighed too. "It's true. Becoming a Soul Master is incredibly hard. Only the inheritors of the great clans have a real chance. For us commoners... better not to think about it."
As he spoke, his gaze lingered thoughtfully on Suifeng. In his opinion, if anyone had hope, it was this mysterious boy whose origins were unknown.
"Come in with me," Su Yuntao called, leading the children into the martial soul awakening chamber.
Turning to face them, he said, "I am Su Yuntao, a level 26 Grand Soul Master, your guide today. I will now awaken your martial souls one by one. Remember—no matter what happens, don't panic."
The children nodded.
"Mm-hmm. Usually, we're not afraid," Suifeng added obediently.
Su Yuntao looked at Suifeng and noticed he stood out from the others. The other kids were cute in their ways, but this one had a clean, fair face shaped like a melon seed, gently arched eyebrows, bright, sparkling eyes, and a clear aura like a fresh spring—impossible to dislike.
"Alright." With that, he took out the tools for awakening martial souls: six black round stones and a glowing blue crystal ball—items that had created countless miracles, though Master Su remained unaware.
"You, come here. Put your hand on the crystal ball."
A nervous child timidly placed his dark hands on the gem-like ball.
"Don't be scared. Focus and feel it," Su Yuntao said as his eyes glowed green. "Lone Wolf Possession!"
His hair stood on end, muscles swelled, and even hair grew along his arms. His body expanded to two or three meters tall—but miraculously, his clothes didn't rip. Martial Soul Hall quality—guaranteed premium. I endorse Martial Soul Hall™.
The children backed away like startled rabbits—except for Suifeng and Tang San, who showed no fear.
"Don't be afraid. This is my martial soul, the Beast-type Lone Wolf. If you awaken a beast martial soul, you'll experience something similar," Su Yuntao patiently explained. "Keep your hand on the crystal ball and focus."
As he spoke, the six black stones began spinning and dancing around the first boy's head.
The boy, scared, kept his eyes shut tight.
Soon, the crystal ball showed no reaction, but a small hoe-shaped martial soul floated up from the boy.
"Sigh... a Tool Martial Soul—Hoe? If that counts as a weapon... still, without soul power, you're not qualified to be a Soul Master." Su Yuntao shook his head in disappointment.
The boy sighed and walked off the platform.
"Next. Tool Martial Soul—Scythe. No soul power. Not qualified."
"Next. Tool Martial Soul—Rolling Pin. No soul power. Not qualified."
"Next. Blue Silver Grass? Trash martial soul. No soul power. Not qualified."
"Next. Wheat? A food-type martial soul? No soul power. What a pity. Not qualified."
Eight in a row. An eight-chain defeat.
None of the supporting characters qualified to become Soul Masters. They comforted each other in disappointment as they left the room.
Su Yuntao sighed as well. Finding someone with potential in a rural village was just too hard. How could a phoenix rise from a chicken coop?
"Alright, you two are the only ones left. Let's get this over with. Ugh, another fruitless day on base salary..." Su Yuntao said, looking at the last two.
[The next chapter got blocked again—why "again"?]
Signed the contract, time to plan out the plot. Please bookmark the story! As for the rest, I'll go with the flow. I'll try to update twice a day when I can, though I'm not full-time. Four-Eyes thanks you all!