Thirty minutes later.
Wu Tong and Da Zhuang leisurely made their way back to the village.
"Grandpa Carl, we didn't miss it, right?"
Wu Tong grinned as he spoke to the white-haired elder in front of him.
The elderly man was named Carl, the village chief of Panyan Village, and also the one who had adopted Wu Tong.
After arriving in Douluo Continent and becoming a helpless infant, Wu Tong had been left lying under a tree outside the village.
Had it not been for Old Carl passing by and discovering him, Wu Tong might have perished shortly after transmigrating.
Old Carl had taken Wu Tong in and brought him home.
From then on, the two lonely souls had become a pair of mutually dependent grandfather and grandson.
"You little rascal, get in line! We're about to start," Old Carl said, pretending to scold.
Once Wu Tong had joined the line of children waiting for their Martial Soul Awakening,
Old Carl addressed them again: "Children, listen closely. In a little while, a Battle Spirit Master from Nuoding City will arrive to help you awaken your martial souls. Make sure to cooperate. Grandpa Carl hopes that some of you will become true Soul Masters."
An hour later.
A young soul master appeared before them.
All the children, except Wu Tong, gazed at the soul master with endless curiosity and admiration.
The young man wore a flowing black robe.
The robe was delicate and light, as if woven from clouds, soft yet resilient.
Silver-threaded cloud patterns adorned the robe, flowing under the moonlight like real mist, adding a touch of mystery and grace.
His black hair draped casually over his shoulders, a few strands fluttering with the wind, giving him an air of unrestrained freedom.
Pinned to his left chest was a brooch depicting three crossed swords.
This was the symbol of the Martial Soul Hall's enforcement officers—the crossed swords denoting that he was a Battle Spirit Master, and the three swords indicating that he was at the Soul Elder level.
His every move exuded calm confidence, the kind that came from experience.
"Are all the children here?" the young man asked Old Carl, a trace of pride coloring his tone.
After all, as a patrol officer of the Martial Soul Hall—the continent's most powerful organization—he had every reason to be proud.
"Yes, Soul Master. All the children who need to awaken their martial souls are present," Old Carl replied quickly.
"Good. Let's get started. I still have several villages to visit," the young man said coldly.
He then led the group of children toward the center of the village.
There stood the so-called Awakening Hall.
Though called a hall, it was really just a small house.
Yet, perhaps out of gratitude for the Martial Soul Hall's annual services, the villagers ensured it was kept immaculately clean, with someone assigned to maintain it every week.
After entering the house, sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a bright, clean glow over the room.
The young man pulled two strange items from a pouch he carried: six round, pitch-black stones and a crystal-clear orb.
The black stones were for Martial Soul Awakening, while the crystal orb was used to test soul power.
After arranging the six stones neatly on the ground, Mo Xuan raised his head and looked at the group of children in front of him, a hint of anticipation flickering in his heart.
If he could awaken a talented child, he would receive a reward from the Martial Soul Hall.
"Alright, children, stand in a line. We'll go one by one."
Once everyone had lined up, the young man spoke again.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Mo Xuan. I am a Level 31 Battle Soul Elder and your guide today. I will now begin awakening your martial souls one by one. Remember, no matter what happens, don't be afraid."
After speaking, he motioned for the first child on the left to step forward.
Wu Tong stood on the far right—he would be the last.
Amidst the wide-eyed, fearful looks of the children,
Mo Xuan planted his feet firmly and shouted, "Flame Tiger, Martial Soul Possession!"
As his voice fell, flames burst forth from Mo Xuan's body.
With the Martial Soul Possession, his black hair turned crimson red. His exposed skin sprouted faint red fur. His eyes morphed into vertical pupils, radiating an intense dominance and ferocity.
His muscles swelled rapidly, enlarging his frame, while his fingernails elongated and hardened, gleaming with a metallic sheen.
As Mo Xuan's transformation completed, three soul rings appeared beneath his feet: one white and two yellow rings.
These were the essential soul rings that marked a Soul Master's breakthrough.
One was a white ten-year ring, and the other two were yellow hundred-year rings—though of average quality, indicating his choices had been rather casual.
Because Mo Xuan's new form was so imposing and the aura he exuded so terrifying,
the gathered children stood trembling, visibly intimidated.
Seeing this, Mo Xuan quickly called out, "Don't move! I already said there's nothing to be afraid of. This is my Martial Soul, Flame Tiger. For Battle Soul Masters with beast-type martial souls, this kind of transformation is normal. Some of you may have similar abilities."
"Alright, let's get started."
As the first child stepped into the awakening array,
Mo Xuan's hands moved rapidly, soul power surging around him.
Guided by his soul power, faint red light flowed into the six black stones.
A moment later, a pale golden glow rose from the stones, forming a protective barrier around the child.
Soon, the glow faded.
In the child's hand appeared a small blue grass.
Mo Xuan glanced at it and immediately lost interest.
"Blue Silver Grass... a useless martial soul. Let's check your soul power."
The child placed his hand on the crystal ball.
After a while, there was no reaction.
"No soul power. Next."
Mo Xuan's cold voice echoed, and he summoned the next child.
"Shovel, no soul power. Next."
"Ball of string, no soul power..."
"Wooden stick, no soul power..."
.........
(End of Chapter)