Chapter 3: Martial Soul Awakening
Led by Old Tom, Zu Zong followed him to the Spirit Hall at the center of Sheng Hun Village.
Of course, the so-called Spirit Hall was really just a slightly larger wooden house.
In Douluo Dalu, everyone had a martial soul, and every year at this time, the Spirit Hall would send soul masters to help commoners awaken theirs.
It had to be said, the Spirit Hall's system was quite friendly to civilians. Sometimes, Zu Zong really couldn't understand those who enjoyed the benefits of the Spirit Hall while still harboring hatred toward it. Even the two great empires' useless nobles had a better reputation in their eyes than the Spirit Hall.
Did they really want it to be like it was ten thousand years later, where commoners couldn't even awaken their martial souls before they were satisfied? Did they forget they themselves were once civilians before becoming soul masters?
Just like in the original story, there were eight children in Sheng Hun Village undergoing martial soul awakening this year. But with Zu Zong added, the number became nine.
Old Jack brought Zu Zong over a little later than the others and just so happened to bump into Old Jack and Tang San at the door of the Spirit Hall.
Old Jack and Old Tom were long-time acquaintances, but the two old men never got along. Any meeting was bound to end in bickering.
Old Jack was the first to speak. "Haha, you old thing, long time no see. I thought you were dead already!"
Old Tom laughed heartily and shot back, "Haha, I did die, but the underworld didn't want me, so I came back. If even you haven't gone down there yet, how could I?"
This was the second time Zu Zong had encountered Tang San.
When enemies meet, emotions flare. For some unknown reason, Tang San felt irritated just looking at this peer from a neighboring village.
Every time he saw Zu Zong's face, calm and composed Tang San had an urge to throw punches.
But with Old Jack beside him, he couldn't act out. His face flushed red with suppressed frustration, and to avoid trouble, he simply greeted Old Jack and walked into the Spirit Hall without a word to Zu Zong.
[Ding. Tang San is displeased with the host. Hatred level increased to 6%. Hatred points +100.]
Zu Zong sneered coldly inside, but on the surface, he remained calm and followed them in.
Inside the Spirit Hall, besides the nine children including Zu Zong and Tang San, there was also a young man.
He looked to be in his twenties, with sharp brows and bright eyes, and a strikingly handsome face. He wore a white outfit with a black cape on his back. At the center of his chest was a soul symbol the size of a fist—standard attire for personnel directly affiliated with the Spirit Hall.
On the left side of his chest was a badge engraved with three crossed longswords.
Three swords represented the third soul master rank: Grand Soul Master. The sword symbol indicated that he was a Battle Soul Master.
Standing at the very end, Zu Zong looked at the young man and smirked to himself. "So this is the blind Douluo, Master Su Yuntao. I finally get to see the single-dog martial soul in action."
The young man smiled and said, "I am Su Yuntao, a Level 26 Grand Soul Master, and I will be guiding your martial soul awakenings. No matter what happens, don't be afraid."
With a soft shout, Su Yuntao called, "Martial Soul Possession—Lone Wolf."
Just like in the original, Zu Zong saw Su Yuntao transform into a werewolf. Two soul rings—white and yellow—rose from beneath his feet.
The savage appearance of the werewolf startled even Zu Zong, who had mentally prepared himself. This was the first time he'd seen a werewolf in person.
Just like in the original, the awakenings proceeded in an orderly manner.
As expected, the first seven children all awakened ordinary martial souls—scythes or Blue Silver Grass—and none had soul power.
Then came the eighth child, Tang San.
When he awakened, a radiant light gathered in his right hand. Compared to the others, it was far more majestic and brilliant.
Su Yuntao went from hopeful, to shocked, to disappointed. Blue Silver Grass with innate full soul power.
With a disappointed expression, Su Yuntao calmly said, "Martial soul: Blue Silver Grass. Innate full soul power. Next."
Zu Zong noticed Tang San's tightly clenched left hand behind his back and narrowed his eyes, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "So even without the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, he still awakened twin martial souls," he muttered, then looked again at the Blue Silver Grass in Tang San's palm, a strange smile appearing on his face.
Finally, it was Zu Zong's turn. Without needing Su Yuntao to call him, he stepped into the center of the six black stones.
As Su Yuntao injected six streams of soul power, a faint golden light lit up once again.
Immersed in the awakening array, Zu Zong was enveloped in golden radiance.
The energy of the array pulled at him, and Zu Zong felt as if he had entered a mysterious, warm realm.
Crack!
Zu Zong clearly felt something shatter inside his body, and all the warmth instantly surged into his palm.
A Blue Silver Grass, far larger and thicker than Tang San's, with intricate patterns across its surface, began to take shape in Zu Zong's hand.
At the same time, his body started changing. His wheat-colored skin turned milky white, his short black hair gradually shifted to a bluish-silver hue, and even showed signs of growing longer.
[Ding. Congratulations to the host for awakening the martial soul: Blue Silver Emperor. Soul power increased to Level 10. Reward: +10 theft attempts.]
[Ding. Tang San feels envious of the host. Hatred level increased to 8%. Hatred points +200.]
[Ding. Martial soul awakening complete. Automatically opening personal panel.]
[Host: Zu Zong
Gender: Male
Age: 6 (Mental age: 25)
Martial Soul: Blue Silver Emperor (Awakened)
Innate Soul Power: Level 10
Soul Power Level: Level 10
Base Strength: 15 (Average adult male: 10)
System Inventory: None
Overall Evaluation: Slightly stronger trash
Remaining Theft Attempts: 10
Hatred Points: 800
Theft World: Douluo Dalu]
Outside the Spirit Hall, Old Jack and Old Tom had long stopped arguing.
The two paced back and forth in front of the door, trying to ease their nervousness.
Creak—
The doors of the Spirit Hall opened. Su Yuntao led the children out.
Having awakened the martial souls of so many kids, Su Yuntao had exhausted a fair amount of soul power and looked visibly fatigued.
But judging from the smile on his face, he was clearly in a good mood. It seemed someone had awakened a decent martial soul.
Old Jack eagerly stepped forward and asked with great anticipation, "Well, Master Su Yuntao, did anyone from our Sheng Hun Village awaken soul power this year?"
Su Yuntao first nodded, then shook his head, and said with a sigh, "Yes and no. A boy named Tang San from Sheng Hun Village awakened innate full soul power, but unfortunately, it was just the useless Blue Silver Grass."
The light in Su Yuntao's eyes dimmed as he added bitterly, "Innate full soul power like that is one in ten thousand. If I had it, I would've already reached Soul King or Soul Emperor—maybe even Soul Sage."
Old Jack quickly grabbed Tang San's hand and asked anxiously, "Useless martial soul? Blue Silver Grass? What do we do now? Can this child still become a soul master?"
Su Yuntao rubbed his clean-shaven chin and thought for a moment before replying, "He probably can. But don't get your hopes up. Blue Silver Grass is undoubtedly a trash martial soul—his future accomplishments will be limited."
"As long as he can become a soul master, that's enough! That's enough! Our Sheng Hun Village hasn't produced a soul master in decades."
At this, Old Jack's eyes grew brighter. Even the way he looked at his old friend Tom carried a touch of pride. His nose was raised high, as if to say, "See that? Innate full soul power—from our Sheng Hun Village."
Old Tom, however, didn't pay him any mind. His face was full of confusion, glancing left and right.
"Strange… where did that brat from our village run off to?"
(End of Chapter)