Three days had passed since Lin Xiaoyu's awakening, and the village had not stopped buzzing with whispered conversations. Twin martial souls were the stuff of legends, spoken of in the same breath as the great Titled Douluo who shaped the continent's history. Now their quiet village had produced such a prodigy, and everyone seemed to have an opinion about what it meant.
Xiaoyu sat in the small courtyard behind their cottage, her eyes closed in meditation as Master Chen had instructed. The morning sun warmed her face while she attempted to feel the flow of soul power through her meridians. It was a strange sensation—like trying to grasp smoke with her bare hands. The energy was there, she could sense it, but controlling it proved frustratingly elusive.
"Focus on your breathing," came Master Chen's patient voice from beside her. He had been visiting daily, taking it upon himself to provide basic instruction before she left for proper training. "Soul power follows the rhythm of your life force. Don't try to force it—guide it."
She exhaled slowly, and for a moment, she felt it. The warm current of energy flowed from her heart outward, spreading through her limbs like liquid sunlight. Her martial souls stirred in response, the Golden Titan Ape's presence growing stronger in her consciousness while the Jade Runic Staff hummed with potential.
"There," Master Chen said approvingly. "You're beginning to understand. Now, tell me what you know of the ancient legends."
Xiaoyu opened her eyes, meeting his serious gaze. "Which legends, Master?"
"The Monkey King, of course." His words made her heart skip a beat. "I've spent the last three days researching in the Spirit Hall's archives, and I believe your ape martial soul is connected to that legendary bloodline."
The very air seemed to grow heavier with his words. Sun Wukong—the Monkey King who had once challenged the heavens themselves, master of 72 transformations, wielder of the legendary Ruyi Jingu Bang. Even children knew those stories, though most dismissed them as mere folklore.
"But those are just myths," Xiaoyu protested, though uncertainty colored her voice.
Master Chen shook his head. "In the world of soul masters, the line between myth and reality is often thinner than we imagine. Your ape spirit bears too many similarities to be coincidence—the golden fur, the noble bearing, the incredible potential. And that staff..." He gestured toward her, and she instinctively summoned her weapon martial soul.
The Jade Runic Staff materialized in her hand, its jade-green surface gleaming in the sunlight. The golden runes along its length seemed to pulse with their own inner light, and for a moment, Xiaoyu could have sworn she heard a distant echo—like the sound of wind through mountain peaks.
"The Ruyi Jingu Bang was said to be able to change size at will, from a tiny needle to a pillar that could support the heavens," Master Chen continued. "Your staff already shows signs of similar properties. Watch carefully."
He placed his hand over hers on the staff's shaft. "Don't think about making it change. Instead, imagine what you need. If you were facing a distant enemy, what would serve you better—a short weapon or a long one?"
Xiaoyu closed her eyes and pictured herself standing across a wide courtyard from an opponent. In her mind, she needed reach, needed to bridge the distance between them. The staff in her hands seemed to respond to her thoughts, and when she opened her eyes, she gasped.
The weapon had grown from its original height of just over a meter to nearly two meters in length, while maintaining its perfect balance and proportions. The change felt natural, as if the staff had always been meant to be this size.
"Incredible," Master Chen breathed. "Most weapon souls require soul skills to manifest such changes, but yours responds to intent alone. This confirms my suspicions about your heritage."
"What does it mean?" Xiaoyu asked, experimentally thinking the staff back to its original size. It shrunk obediently, the transformation smooth as silk.
"It means your potential is even greater than we initially believed," came a new voice from the courtyard entrance.
They turned to see a woman approaching—tall, elegant, with silver hair despite her apparent youth. Her presence commanded immediate respect, and the soul power radiating from her made even Master Chen bow deeply.
"Soul Saint Liu Wei," he said formally. "I wasn't expecting—"
"I came as soon as I received word," the woman interrupted, her keen eyes fixed on Xiaoyu. "Twin martial souls, level 10 innate power, and now confirmed Monkey King bloodline? The Spirit Hall council is very interested in this young woman."
Xiaoyu felt a chill run down her spine. Interest from the Spirit Hall council could be either a blessing or a curse, depending on their intentions.
"With respect, Soul Saint," Master Chen said carefully, "the girl has only just awakened. Surely she deserves time to develop naturally?"
Liu Wei smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Naturally, yes. But with proper guidance. I'm here to offer her a place at the Spirit Hall Academy—full scholarship, access to the finest resources, personal instruction from Titled Douluo masters."
The offer was generous beyond measure, but something in the woman's tone made Xiaoyu's martial souls recoil. The Golden Titan Ape stirred restlessly in her soul space, its ancient instincts sensing a trap.
"That's very kind," Xiaoyu said slowly, "but I haven't decided where I want to study yet."
"Oh, but surely a girl of your background would appreciate such an opportunity?" Liu Wei's voice carried a subtle edge. "Small villages rarely produce students worthy of our attention. This is a chance to transcend your origins entirely."
The condescending tone sparked something fierce within Xiaoyu. The Golden Titan Ape's presence flared, and for just a moment, her eyes flashed with golden light.
"My origins aren't something I need to transcend," she replied, her voice steady despite the anger building inside her. "They're something I carry with pride."
Liu Wei's eyebrows rose slightly at the display of spirit, but her smile never wavered. "Admirable sentiment, but pride doesn't unlock potential. Power does. And the Spirit Hall can offer you power beyond your wildest dreams."
"At what cost?" The question slipped out before Xiaoyu could stop herself.
The Soul Saint's expression grew cold. "Loyalty, naturally. Is that so much to ask in exchange for elevating you to heights your village bloodline could never reach otherwise?"
Master Chen stepped forward, his own soul power flaring defensively. "Soul Saint Liu, perhaps it would be better to allow the child time to consider—"
"The child can speak for herself," Liu Wei cut him off, her gaze never leaving Xiaoyu. "Can't you, dear? After all, someone with the Monkey King's blood should have the courage to make bold decisions."
Something about the way she said it—the slight emphasis on 'Monkey King's blood'—made Xiaoyu's instincts scream danger. This woman knew more than she was letting on, and her interest felt predatory rather than nurturing.
"I need time to think," Xiaoyu said finally. "Such an important decision shouldn't be rushed."
"Of course," Liu Wei agreed smoothly, though disappointment flickered across her features. "But don't take too long. Opportunities like this don't wait forever, and there are others who might not be so... accommodating in their approach."
The threat was subtle but unmistakable. Xiaoyu felt her mother's presence behind her—Lin Mei had been listening from the doorway, her face pale with worry.
After Liu Wei departed with promises to return in a week for an answer, the courtyard fell into heavy silence. Master Chen looked troubled, his weathered hands clasped behind his back as he paced.
"Master," Xiaoyu said quietly, "what aren't you telling me about the Monkey King bloodline?"
He stopped pacing and met her eyes. "Sun Wukong was powerful beyond measure, but his story didn't end well in the ancient texts. He challenged authority, fought against those who sought to control him, and eventually..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Eventually, he was sealed away for his defiance."
"Sealed?" Xiaoyu's blood ran cold.
"The legends say he was trapped beneath a mountain for five hundred years, until someone worthy could free him. But here's what troubles me—those same legends speak of his bloodline continuing, hidden and scattered across the continent. If the Spirit Hall knows about your heritage, they might know things about that bloodline that we don't."
Lin Mei finally stepped forward from the doorway. "Then we leave," she said simply. "Tonight, before they can force the issue."
"Mother—" Xiaoyu began.
"No," Lin Mei's voice was firm. "I've seen what the Spirit Hall does to those they consider assets. You're my daughter, not their property. We'll find another way, another teacher."
Master Chen nodded slowly. "There is another option. Shrek Academy—they're independent, and they have a reputation for protecting their students from political pressure. But getting in won't be easy, and the journey to Soto City is dangerous for someone at your level."
Xiaoyu felt the weight of decision settling on her shoulders. Stay and potentially become a pawn in the Spirit Hall's games, or flee into uncertainty with only her potential as protection.
She closed her eyes and reached out to her martial souls. The Golden Titan Ape's presence was strong and defiant, radiating the same rebellious spirit that had driven Sun Wukong to challenge heaven itself. The Jade Runic Staff hummed with readiness, eager to grow and change as needed.
When she opened her eyes, her decision was clear.
"We leave for Soto City tomorrow," she declared. "If I truly carry the Monkey King's bloodline, then I'll forge my own path, just as he did."
Master Chen smiled for the first time since Liu Wei's departure. "Spoken like a true descendant of Sun Wukong. But first, you'll need to obtain your first soul ring. The journey ahead will be perilous, and you'll need every advantage you can get."
As evening fell over Greenstone Village, Xiaoyu began preparing for the greatest adventure of her life. Tomorrow would bring the first step toward her destiny—hunting her first soul beast and claiming the power that was her birthright.
The Golden Titan Ape stirred in anticipation, its ancient memories whispering of battles yet to come, while the Jade Runic Staff pulsed with the promise of growth beyond imagination.
The Monkey King's heir was ready to begin her legend.