The next morning, just as the sun was rising,
Old Jack knocked on Gu Xian's door.
"Gu Xian, it's getting late. We should go awaken our spirits."
Gu Xian opened the door upon hearing the voice.
Two figures, one large and one small, stood outside the room.
The one in front was the village elder, Old Jack.
Standing next to the latter was Tang San.
"Grandpa Jack."
Gu Xian bowed slightly and greeted him.
According to his memory, the original owner knew Tang San.
However, their relationship wasn't particularly close.
Although they lived next door, they had barely exchanged a single word.
Judging from the looks of it, Tang San must have just left.
Old Jack nodded, then led Gu Xian and Tang San to the Spirit Hall in the center of the village.
A very ordinary wooden house.
A young man stood in the Spirit Hall.
He looked to be in his twenties, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a very handsome appearance.
He wore a white suit with a black cape at his back. A fist-sized "Soul" character was emblazoned on his chest.
This was the standard attire for Spirit Hall direct employees.
The surrounding children all looked at the Spirit Hall steward with great curiosity.
Only Gu Xian couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
This must be the legendary Blind Douluo Su Yuntao.
He couldn't see such a massive hammer; no wonder he earned such a nickname. "Greetings, respected Battle Spirit Master, I'm sorry to trouble you this time."
Old Jack bowed respectfully to Su Yuntao.
A hint of pride etched across his brow, the latter returned the greeting with a slight bow.
"I don't have much time. Let's begin now."
Old Jack gave a few more instructions before leaving.
Only Su Yuntao and the eight children preparing for their Martial Spirit Awakening remained in the room.
Su Yuntao glanced briefly and introduced himself.
"My name is Su Yuntao, a Level 26 Great Spirit Master!"
"Now, I will awaken your Martial Spirits one by one."
"Children, stand in a line."
As he spoke, Su Yuntao opened his package on the table beside him and took out two items.
Six round, jet-black stones and a sparkling blue crystal ball.
He arranged six black stones in a hexagon on the ground, then gestured for the first child on the right to stand inside.
Tang San stood second to last.
Gu Xian was the last.
So, the two of them were next to each other.
Everyone's eyes turned to the single child.
Tang San and Gu Xian did the same.
However, the latter seemingly unintentionally touched Tang San's right leg with his left hand.
The only restriction on signing a demon contract is contact.
At this moment, Gu Xian secretly summoned the system in his mind.
"System, sign Tang San's demon contract!"
[Ding!]
[Contract signing, estimated to take one minute, please wait.]
Hearing the familiar, beautiful female voice in his mind, Gu Xian finally felt relieved and looked up at Su Yuntao.
"Lone Wolf, possess!"
He shouted softly.
A faint green light first emanated from the center of his brows, flowing upward along the line until it entered his hair.
After the spirit possessed him, two halos, one white and one yellow, rose from his feet.
Then they spiraled upward.
After a brief pause, Su Yuntao swiftly clapped his hands.
Six faint green lights poured into the six black stones on the ground.
Instantly, a golden glow emanated from the six stones.
Gradually, a pale golden light shield formed, enveloping the child.
"Extend your right hand."
Su Yuntao's deep green eyes fixed on the boy, commanding with authority.
The boy subconsciously extended his right hand.
Suddenly, all the points of light burst forth.
The next second, a sickle appeared in his palm.
"Spirit: Scythe, Weapon Spirit!"
Then, Su Yuntao held the blue crystal ball in front of him, motioning him to place his right hand on it.
After a few breaths, the former shook his head in disappointment.
"No Spirit Power, next!"
The first child withdrew, and the second stepped forward.
[Ding!]
[Tang San successfully signed the Devil Contract!]
[The contract consumes one year of Tang San's lifespan!]
[Congratulations, host, on completing the Novice Mission!]
[Mission Rewards:]
1. Split Tang San's full Innate Spirit Power equally! (Already distributed, the host's Innate Spirit Power is currently five.)
2. The host's Spirit will be upgraded from a regular sickle to a Shadow Scythe! (Rewards will be distributed after the host completes their Spirit Awakening.)
At this moment, the system's beautiful voice resounded in Gu Xian's mind.
The moment the words fell, Tang San, beside him, suddenly felt dizzy.
He almost collapsed onto Gu Xian.
Forcing himself to activate the Mysterious Heavenly Art, Tang San's condition improved slightly.
But the sudden discomfort still made him shudder.
Could it be that he had been training too hard these past few days and his body couldn't take it?
Fine beads of sweat oozed from Tang San's forehead. He felt as if his body had been hollowed out.
He felt a little weak.
But it happened to be the critical moment of his Spirit Awakening.
Tang San could only hold on.
He could never imagine the culprit behind his predicament.
Standing beside him now, he gazed at Su Yuntao calmly, seemingly oblivious to everything.
This was all thanks to Gu Xian's professional training.
He managed his expressions well.
He'd naturally noticed Tang San's expression, which seemed like he had kidney deficiency.
It was quite difficult to hold back his laughter while pretending to be clueless.
In the intervening time, two more people had awakened their spirits.
Without exception, all were useless spirits devoid of spirit power.
At this moment, Su Yuntao continued.
"Blue Silver Grass, useless spirit, no soul power, next!"
"Chrysanthemum, useless spirit, no soul power, next!"
"Shovel, weapon spirit, no soul power, next!"
"Toad, beast spirit, no soul power, next!"
A few minutes passed, and only Tang San and Gu Xian were left without a spirit awakening.
A hint of fatigue crossed Su Yuntao's face.
The constant awakening of spirits had consumed a considerable amount of his soul power.
It was Tang San's turn. Although still weak, he forced himself to step forward and stand in the center of the six black stones.
As Su Yuntao injected six soul powers, the pale golden light shone again.
The warm feeling made his entire body feel comfortable.
The discomfort he had just felt also subsided.
Su Yuntao's eyes suddenly lit up.
Within the golden light shield, more golden dots appeared than before.
He couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
However, when the Blue Silver Grass emerged from Tang San's right palm, Su Yuntao was speechless.
Another Blue Silver Grass?
He then handed the blue crystal ball to Tang San.
"Swish!"
After a brief flash of blue light, a flicker of surprise crossed Su Yuntao's face.
"A Level 5 Spirit Power!"
"What a shame! A useless Martial Spirit!"
"Next!"
Su Yuntao shook his head slightly, then set his sights on the final child.
It was Gu Xian!
(End of Chapter)