"Activation!"
Tang Luochuan pressed his palm against the awakening crystal, fighting to suppress the excitement bubbling inside him. The moment he touched it, he silently shouted in his heart.
[Most Promising System successfully bound]
[Host: Tang Luochuan]
[Martial Soul obtained: Golden Dragon]
[The Golden Dragon is a branch of the Dragon King's lineage of the Dragon Clan, possessing ultimate power]
[Innate Talent activated: Full Soul Power]
[Current Cultivation: Level 10 (Zero-Ring Soul Master)]
In the next instant, that mechanical voice resounded clearly in his ears again. Relief washed over him, followed quickly by unrestrained exhilaration flashing in his eyes.
He had succeeded.
Innate full soul power. Golden Dragon martial soul.
This—this talent alone was enough to dominate the heavens!
And now, on top of it all, he had a system. In this chaotic age of dragon kings clashing across the continent, he would carve out his place. He would lead his little brother and together they would challenge the so-called God King Tang!
"Most importantly…" Tang Luochuan exhaled deeply. "At least now, our family can live peacefully. At least Wulin won't have to suffer that frozen torment again."
After so many years of being reborn, he wanted nothing more than safety for his family. To protect them, he needed absolute strength.
"System, what functions do you have?" he asked immediately.
[Ding! I will do my very best.]
[Since you are newly awakened, I have prepared a gift for you——]
[Gift Pack: Heaven-Defying Enlightenment]
[On any cultivation path, you will possess a unique and overwhelming comprehension ability.]
At those words, Tang Luochuan's entire body trembled. His heart pounded fiercely.
Heaven-Defying Enlightenment!
The name alone carried an aura of the extraordinary. Not to mention, even the system itself gave such absurdly high praise to this ability. Without question, it was a cheat beyond cheating.
"The system… really is too generous." He couldn't help sighing inwardly. Still, a question nagged at him. What had the system meant earlier about "trying its best"?
Then, the answer crashed down on him.
[Detected: Host sacrificed twenty years of romantic fate in exchange for an ideal martial soul and talent.]
[System is dissatisfied with this reckless deal. As punishment, Host has been bestowed with twenty thousand years of romantic fortune. Do not attempt such things again.]
Tang Luochuan: ???
"Wait—what?"
"Mr. System…? Excuse me…??" He stood there dumbfounded.
He really hadn't expected that his impulsive sacrifice would actually work. But what he absolutely had not expected… was that the system's so-called punishment was to give him twenty thousand years of romantic luck?
Twenty years he could accept. Even two years, fine. But twenty… thousand years?
What was that supposed to mean—would peach blossoms keep blooming for him until he turned twenty millennia old?!
System, how are you this ridiculous?!
"…Outrageous."
For a moment, his expression twisted strangely. A laugh nearly slipped from his lips. "Still… if all punishments are this beneficial, then I hope you punish me many, many more times."
He shook his head, half amused, half exasperated.
[This system is working diligently for you]
[Your current martial soul is the top beast martial soul, the Golden Dragon. However, this does not match your true destiny. Therefore, I have upgraded it to a higher form: the Golden Dragon King.]
[Note: Those with the Golden Dragon King's bloodline seal within them can at most use 99% of its power. Only one true Golden Dragon King can exist in the world.]
Tang Luochuan stiffened. His breath caught.
His martial soul… upgraded into the Golden Dragon King?
That meant—the Golden Dragon King… was him?
"This is broken."
For a moment, his thoughts spun uncontrollably.
Did this mean Wulin had become… his substitute?
Good news: he could finally protect his little brother.
Bad news: that "protection" might be stronger than even Wulin could handle.
"…."
Before he could process further, the Awakening Master Su Haitao approached him with a deferential expression and led him toward the entrance.
"Please, both parents—come in together." He gestured respectfully at Tang Ziran and Lang Yue.
"Master… you…" Tang Ziran blinked in disbelief. He and his wife froze on the spot. Why would such a figure treat them with this level of courtesy? Had someone discovered their hidden identities? No—that was impossible.
They had kept low profiles on purpose, working as ordinary craftsmen in Aolai City for years. Their lives couldn't be more ordinary. By all reason, the prestigious Soul Master conducting awakenings should not even spare them a second glance.
And yet…
"Master Spiritual Master, you're treating us rather differently," one of the other parents called out with irritation. "Why are they allowed inside while we, the others, must wait out here?"
"That's right!" another grumbled angrily. "My son Wang Teng is clearly Soul Master material! If parents can't accompany, then how come they can?"
Su Haitao's gaze turned icy. "Why?" His voice dripped with authority. "Because their child is a genius, a talent significant enough to shock even the upper echelons of the Spirit Pagoda. That… is reason enough."
The murmuring parents instantly fell silent.
Then, without bothering to care about their feelings, Su Haitao led Tang Luochuan and his family into the tower.
"W-what? Top talent?!"
"No wonder the Awakening Master showed such respect…"
The crowd finally understood.
Back among them, the parent who had protested earlier broke out in a cold sweat. He had nearly questioned the Spirit Pagoda's judgment! If not for Su Haitao's measured temper, that comment might have had fatal consequences.
"Uncle… you said my brother is a top genius, right?" Inside the tower, Tang Wulin's eyes shimmered with excitement. He could barely contain himself.
"Master… my son…?" Tang Ziran asked quietly, still stunned yet filled with suspicion. His voice trembled. The Spirit Pagoda dealt with countless Awakenings daily. For Su Haitao to personally declare his son a 'top genius'… could it really be true?
"Full innate soul power," Su Haitao replied slowly, enunciating each word.
The moment those words rang out, both parents' eyes widened in shock.
Innate full soul power!
These four simple words carried weight heavier than mountains. Since ancient times, every person born with such a gift, so long as they did not die young, inevitably ascended to become a figure standing at the peak—whether as Douluo or beyond.
Tang Ziran and Lang Yue exchanged glances, trembling.
They themselves had only possessed level-seven innate soul power. Through sheer perseverance and talents in secondary professions, they had clawed their way up to become top-ranked mecha masters recognized by the Federation.
But their son, with full innate power… his future achievements were unimaginable. Perhaps even… Titled Douluo? Super Douluo?
"Full innate soul power!" little Tang Wulin echoed in awe, his eyes glowing with pride. His brother really was that incredible!
"Mom, Dad, Wulin—you all came." Tang Luochuan greeted his family warmly, smiling brightly.
"Luochuan." Tang Ziran stepped close, unable to hide the curiosity burning in his eyes. "Show us your martial soul."
Lang Yue nodded eagerly beside him.
"Alright." Tang Luochuan smiled knowingly.
In the next moment, light flared behind him. A majestic golden dragon's shadow coiled upward, filling the hall with an oppressive aura. Golden roars echoed as waves of power rippled through the chamber.
His body gleamed with dazzling scales of gold, armored in majesty.
Su Haitao paled in disbelief. Somehow, even though he had just witnessed the awakening, this martial soul now radiated an even more terrifying presence, more potent than any dragon he had ever seen.
"What a… terrifying dragon," Tang Ziran stammered, shock flooding his expression.
"I knew it!" Little Tang Wulin beamed, hopping on the spot. "I knew big brother would awaken an amazing martial soul!"
To him, the details didn't matter. All he saw was boundless potential radiating from his admired elder brother.
"I believe it too," Wulin said resolutely. "I'll definitely awaken a great martial soul as well!"
In his heart, a small fire of hope burned.
"My brother said that among martial spirits, the White Tiger, Divine Dragon, Seven-Killing Sword, and Clear Sky Hammer are all outstanding," Wulin muttered. "He hopes I'll awaken one of those. As long as it's not Blue Silver Grass… everything will be fine."
Tang Luochuan grew solemn at those words. His gaze darkened slightly.
Memories of his previous life surged bitterly. Tang San—using Wulin as a pawn for his long scheme, giving him the worst foundation possible. And what did Wulin get? Innate third-level soul power… and Blue Silver Grass? Unacceptable.
Aloud, Su Haitao smiled kindly and said, "Don't be nervous, little one. Uncle will help awaken your spirit. Since your brother possesses such heaven-shaking talent, yours absolutely won't fall short. Relax, breathe steady, and trust me."
"Yes, Uncle!" Tang Wulin puffed his cheeks adorably, nodding with determination.
His thoughts were innocent. As long as his martial soul wasn't weak, that was enough. Above all—
"Please… not Blue Silver Grass," he whispered in his heart.
The ritual commenced.
Light surged. Spirit energy hummed.
And then…
Tang Wulin looked down.
On his palm lay a fragile, spindly stalk of grass—blue and silver, swaying gently. Ordinary. Fragile. Utterly lacking offensive power.
His expression froze. His mind filled with question marks.
Blue Silver Grass.
Why… why was it Blue Silver Grass?