"Now then, the Martial Soul Awakening will officially begin."
After Tang San spoke, he handed the amplification soul device to the master of ceremonies, then sat down on the gilded chair.
The first child to step forward was a child from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Ning Zhiping.
Ning Zhiping awakened his Martial Soul. As expected, it was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, with innate soul power at level 6.
Ning Fengzhi sighed regretfully.
Next came Ning Zhiyuan—Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, innate soul power level 5.
Then Ning Zhixin—Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, innate soul power level 7.
Dai Leping—Martial Soul White Tiger, innate soul power level 7.
Dai Legao—Martial Soul White Tiger, innate soul power level 6.
Yu Tianqi—Martial Soul Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, innate soul power level 7.
Yu Tianshun—Martial Soul Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, innate soul power level 7.
One by one, the children awakened their Martial Souls under Ning Fengzhi's guidance.
Many of them possessed the potential of Soul Emperors or even Soul Saints, but not a single one showed potential reaching the Title Douluo realm.
The various factions watching could only shake their heads—each generation weaker than the last.
But perhaps that was for the best. After all, flowers needed green leaves for contrast. If the leaves outshone the flowers, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of this Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony?
Tang San proudly looked toward his three children at the end of the line, his heart brimming with pride.
Though his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline had been lost, making it impossible for his children to awaken the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, it didn't matter.
The Clear Sky Hammer's quality far surpassed the Soft-Bone Rabbit, so his children were bound to awaken powerful Clear Sky Hammer Martial Souls.
Meanwhile, the audience began to whisper among themselves.
"What kind of Martial Soul will the Child of God awaken?"
"I bet it'll be the Clear Sky Hammer."
"I think so too."
"Maybe it could be the Blue Silver Grass though."
"Blue Silver Grass can't even compare to the Clear Sky Hammer!"
"The future God Tang San's Martial Soul must be something beyond mere Blue Silver Grass. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for his Blue Silver Grass to coexist with the Clear Sky Hammer."
Hearing the chatter, Tang San's so-called "best friends" in the VIP seats nearly burst out laughing.
"Hahaha, I really wonder what expression that little brat will have when he sees his kid awaken his Martial Soul later." Yu Tianheng whispered with sound-transmission.
"I'm looking forward to it as well," Dai Mubai replied, also in sound-transmission. "Though what I'm even more curious about is what kind of Martial Soul that brat Wule will awaken." He looked at Tang Wubai with eyes full of doting affection.
"Your Wubai should be the White Tiger Martial Soul, while my Wuheng should awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul." Yu Tianheng said with absolute confidence.
Though they loved Xiao Wu deeply, they could not deny that the Soft-Bone Rabbit was inferior to the top-tier Martial Souls of the White Tiger and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
"I think Wule's Martial Soul might actually end up being overridden by the Soft-Bone Rabbit." Ma Hongjun muttered through sound-transmission.
Bu Le didn't mind at all. He said carefreely, "So what if it is? I love Xiao Wu anyway. If my child inherits Xiao Wu's Martial Soul, that's fine with me."
Finally, the "green leaves" had all finished awakening their Martial Souls, and only Tang San's three precious sons remained.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at the list and said:
"Next, Tang Wule!"
Tang Wule walked forward. Ning Fengzhi looked at him. At this moment, the boy was wearing jeans, a cowboy hat, his features long and thin, with a sly expression. The protruding buck teeth especially left an unforgettable impression.
Huh? Something about this feels strange, Ning Fengzhi thought with confusion.
But the task at hand was more important. Without doubting further, he smiled kindly at Tang Wule:
"Come, Wule, stand on the awakening platform. Uncle will help you awaken your Martial Soul."
"Mm, thank you, Uncle." Tang Wule climbed up the platform.
Ning Fengzhi began activating the awakening array while guiding Tang Wule to sense his Martial Soul.
Tang Wule shut his eyes tightly. He pressed his hands together, and an energy surged outward from within.
"Good, Wule. Release your Martial Soul and let everyone see your powerful Martial Soul." Ning Fengzhi encouraged.
Tang Wule nodded. Everyone present—Tang San, Tang Hao, and all the guests—held their breath, staring intently at him.
Then, Tang Wule opened his palms.
A strange object appeared in his hand.
It was… two overlapping domes. On each dome's surface was drawn a cute little white rabbit.
"Uh—" Ning Fengzhi froze, utterly dumbfounded.
The entire venue fell silent.
Tang San and Tang Hao stared at the "double dome" in Tang Wule's hands, completely unable to believe their eyes.
What the hell kind of Martial Soul was this?!
Soon, many women and "experienced" men in the crowd realized what it was. Their expressions instantly turned strange.
"Th-this…" Ning Fengzhi stammered in disbelief, pointing at the Martial Soul. "Child, what… what kind of Martial Soul is this?"
"This is the Heavenly Net Double Dome, my Martial Soul. It's a control-type Martial Soul." Tang Wule declared proudly, even casting a provocative glance at Tang San.
Noticing his son's expression, Tang San's face darkened instantly. His blackened face absorbed all colors of light except for green, which reflected dazzlingly bright!
People around exchanged odd glances between Tang San and Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu still looked calm and serene, while Tang San's face was so black it was deep as a void, yet so green it was glowing!
"T-this…" Ning Fengzhi wiped cold sweat from his brow. Then suddenly, he exclaimed:
"I understand! Yes, I understand! This must be a Martial Soul mutation, evolved from the Clear Sky Hammer! Right, it must be that—the Clear Sky Hammer is an artifact-type Martial Soul, and this Heavenly Net Double Dome is also an artifact-type!"
Once he said this, everyone caught on.
"Yes, yes, it must be a mutation! The Clear Sky Hammer mutated into this! Since it can mutate into the Noble Circle, it's not strange for it to mutate into this thing either."
"No, I think it's more likely a mutation from Blue Silver Grass. In history, we've woven clothing from Blue Silver Grass—so weaving that kind of thing isn't impossible!"
"Yes, yes! It must be a Martial Soul mutation!"
Everyone quickly accepted this explanation. Only Tang San and Tang Hao looked black-faced and sickened.
Bu Le was just a nobody—on the Douluo Continent, Martial Souls were countless and diverse. Not everyone could know them all. The nobles didn't recognize the Heavenly Net Double Dome, but Tang San could never forget.
Especially after his experiences in his past life, where he had seen Xiao Wu and Bu Le's illusions in the Year Fantasy Realm. The sight of that lecherous man was forever burned into his memory.
And Bu Le was even sitting right now in the VIP seats—as Xiao Wu's "best friend."
"Xiao Wu, tell me what's going on here?" Tang San's voice rumbled low.
Tang Hao also sound-transmitted with a sharp tone:
"Xiao Wu, what's the meaning of this? Why did Wule awaken that Martial Soul?"
Tears welled in Xiao Wu's eyes. She whispered, "Ah San giegie, I think they're right. Wule's Martial Soul just mutated… You're not doubting me, are you?"
"Do you think us father and son fools, Xiao Wu? The Heaven Net Double Cover martial spirit is exactly that Bu Le's martial spirit!" Tang Hao's bloodshot eyes glared as he questioned in a voice so sharp it cut like a blade.
"Tang Hao, aren't you just trying to prove that I've been sneaking around behind Ah San giegie's back with some wild man? But all these years I, Xiao Wu, have been right under your watchful eyes. When would I have had the chance to find some wild man?" Xiao Wu retorted in the same cutting tone.
Her counter-question left both Tang Hao and Tang San momentarily uncertain. Indeed—ever since Tang Hao had taken Tang San and Xiao Wu away, they had lived in seclusion.
Xiao Wu was under Tang Hao's constant surveillance every day. When could she have possibly had time for an affair?
Yet… that didn't extinguish the suspicion festering in their hearts.
They hadn't noticed before, but when Tang Wule awakened the Heaven Net Double Cover, Tang San and Tang Hao couldn't help but compare him to Bu Le.
The same pointed monkey-like face, the same lecherous temperament, the same buckteeth, the exact same martial spirit—how could one not suspect?
Still, they both knew this wasn't the place to raise such doubts. Fortunately, very few nobles here knew about the Heaven Net Double Cover martial spirit, and most assumed it was simply a mutated martial spirit. At least, for now, it hadn't become a scandal.
Seeing that the murmurs of the crowd had been suppressed, Ning Fengzhi finally let out a sigh of relief.
What he thought would be a glorious occasion—the awakening of the God's child's martial spirit—had turned into a disastrous farce that nearly cost him half his life.
Looking strangely at this wretched-looking child, Ning Fengzhi said:
"Come, child, let's test your innate soul power."
Tang Wule nodded, stepped up to the crystal ball, and placed his hand upon it. Immediately, light flared.
"Innate full soul power," Ning Fengzhi muttered in disbelief.
The surrounding crowd burst into discussion.
"Innate full soul power?! Then it's certain—Tang Wule's martial spirit must be a mutation. Otherwise, he could never have such talent. As expected of the God's son, he truly inherited his father's gift."
"That's right, it must be a mutation. There's no other explanation."
But Tang San, who knew the truth, could not smile. In his heart, he had already accepted this child as a bastard, a disgrace. And now, to see this bastard with such high talent—it was unbearable.
Still, at least this convinced everyone present that Tang Wule truly was the son of a god.
Standing, Tang San forced a hearty laugh and said:
"Hahaha! Good, good, very good. Truly worthy of being my son—you are excellent, outstanding indeed!"
Tang Wule turned his head toward Tang San, his eyes brimming with defiance.
"Good, good, good," Tang San repeated, smiling all the while.
Tang Wule… your name has already taken the top spot on my list of those who must die. Very well. You, bastard child, one day I, Tang San, will kill both you and your wild father.
After Tang Wule stepped down, Tang San sat back with only one thought left: this fiasco with Tang Wule was humiliating. He could only hope that the other two children, Wuheng and Wubai, would redeem him—perhaps by awakening the Clear Sky Hammer with innate full soul power.
Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, pulled out the name list, and said:
"Next, Tang Wubai."
Silently, Ning Fengzhi prayed in his heart: My little ancestor, please don't scare me again.
Tang Wubai quietly walked up to the altar.
Tang San's eyes fixed on him—especially the golden hair, the fair and handsome face, and those heterochromatic eyes. The image of young Tang Wubai overlapped in his mind with that of Dai Mubai!
These features had never struck him as odd before. In fact, Tang San had even been quite fond of them. But after what happened with Tang Wule, his suspicions surged to the extreme.
Could it be…? A dark thought flashed across Tang San's mind.
No. It must be coincidence, nothing more. Tang Wubai is my son. How could he have anything to do with that Dai Mubai, that wretch who has chosen the path of death? He silently forced himself to believe.
Yet the moment Ning Fengzhi laid eyes on Tang Wubai—even before the martial spirit had awakened—he was already drenched in cold sweat.
Could it be… this child as well…?
"Sect Master Ning, please proceed with the awakening," Tang San's voice came low, impatient, urging.
He was desperate to know. If this child awakened the Clear Sky Hammer—even the Blue Silver Grass—Tang San would shower him with endless favor. He would even bestow upon him the precious Sea God's position, and in the future, aid him in becoming a God-King. But if not…
"Yes, respected future god." Ning Fengzhi felt trapped, regretting ever accepting this task.
With no choice, he set up the martial spirit awakening array and said gently to Tang Wubai:
"Come, child, step into uncle's array."
Tang Wubai entered, and Ning Fengzhi activated the formation. Everyone held their breath.
A flash of intense light burst forth. Ning Fengzhi wiped the sweat from his forehead and cautiously said:
"Come now, child, show everyone your awakened martial spirit."
Inside, Ning Fengzhi was roaring desperately: Please be the Clear Sky Hammer! Even if not the hammer, then at least the Blue Silver Grass, or the Soft Bone Rabbit—anything but…
"Yes, Uncle Fengzhi." Tang Wubai nodded.
He spread his hands, and at once a tiger's roar echoed. Behind him appeared the phantom of a majestic, domineering White Tiger martial spirit.
It was nearly identical to the White Tiger inherited by the Dai family of Star Luo, with one tiny difference: on this White Tiger's forehead was an image of a cute little white rabbit.
The hall fell into utter silence.
Ning Fengzhi's sweat poured like rain. Dai Tianfeng's mind went blank. Tang Hao and Tang San's faces both darkened—Tang San's so black it seemed to swallow all light, leaving only a sickly green glow flickering around him like a pathetic lamp.
"This is… the White Tiger martial spirit…" someone finally broke the silence.
At once, eyes turned toward Dai Tianfeng. Others looked to the honored guests Dai Weisi and Dai Mubai. When they noticed Dai Mubai's distinct heterochromatic eyes, realization dawned on their faces.
Dai Tianfeng was stunned for a moment, then—though usually a man of iron—collapsed weakly in fright.
Others, recalling Tang Wule, began making connections. These nine honored guests had all been invited by the god's wife herself. People could not help but speculate.
When Yu Yuan Zhen looked at Yu Tianheng, he broke out in a cold sweat.
When Emperor Xue Ye looked at Xue Beng, he too was drenched in sweat.
When the Wind Clan patriarch looked at Feng Xiaotian, sweat streamed down his back.