The awakening chamber trembled as the phantom's eyes blazed open—scarlet, deep, and utterly terrifying. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees. A suffocating pressure filled the room, making everyone's scalp tingle.
Su Yuntao's legs trembled as he stammered,"Master… what kind of martial soul is this? It's so terrifying!"
Yu Xiaogang forced himself to remain calm, though his back was drenched in cold sweat."Look closely," he said. "This martial soul's features… they're similar to the boy's. That means it's a body-based martial soul."
He frowned deeply."But… all known body-based martial souls manifest as specific body parts — the torso, arms, or even the brain. A Soul Master's combat style depends on which organ or body part is represented."
Yu Xiaogang's voice grew softer."But this… this is the first time I've seen a martial soul encompassing the entire body."
Before either Su Yuntao or Sisi could respond, a metallic clang echoed through the air.
A chain appeared out of thin air behind the phantom — an iron chain so black it seemed to swallow the light around it. The links were lined with spikes, and at its front was a sharp, triangular cone. A heavy ring connected the end, glinting ominously as it circled the phantom's form.
The eerie part was… the two distinct martial souls — the shadowy phantom and the demonic chain — didn't repel one another. Instead, they merged seamlessly, pulsing with dark harmony.
The three onlookers stood frozen, too shocked to speak, until the oppressive energy suddenly faded. Chu Tianxiu withdrew his martial soul calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Yu Xiaogang finally found his voice."Tianxiu," he said, using the name he'd learned on their journey, "do you know what your martial soul is called?"
Chu Tianxiu's eyes gleamed faintly."This phantom… it's my entire body," he replied softly. "As for the chain, it's called the Nine Nether Demon Chain."
Yu Xiaogang, Su Yuntao, and Sisi gasped in unison."Twin martial souls!!!"
Chu Tianxiu nodded with a calm smile."That's right. But these two martial souls are one. They can be used together."
Su Yuntao shook his head violently."Impossible! There's no such thing as twin martial souls that merge perfectly! That's… that's absurd!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression flickered between disbelief and fascination."Then tell me… how do you stack your spirit rings?"
Chu Tianxiu pretended to think before replying evenly,"I need two spirit rings each time I break through. After absorbing them, they merge — and their ages stack together. But I'll still only have nine rings in the end."
The three Spirit Masters fell silent, utterly dumbfounded.
Yu Xiaogang finally spoke, his tone filled with admiration."Although you'll have only nine spirit rings when you reach the Title Douluo level, your actual combat power will far surpass that of other twin-spirit users."
Chu Tianxiu tilted his head innocently."Why's that, Master?"
Yu Xiaogang adjusted his glasses, a flicker of excitement in his eyes."Because you won't need to switch between martial souls. Your spirit rings will also be older — stronger — than those of ordinary Soul Masters."
Chu Tianxiu smiled sweetly and nodded. 'Of course, you don't know the real secret…'
'Once I have two rings, they'll undergo a sublimation of their own. The increase in strength won't just be one plus one — it'll be exponential.'
At that moment, Sisi held out a crystal orb for testing innate spirit power. She leaned forward with a sultry smile, her eyes gleaming mischievously."Little brother," she said teasingly, "quickly test your spirit power~"
Chu Tianxiu's gaze flicked over her with mild amusement. 'Heh, I know this type all too well. The moment they sense power, they swarm like moths to a flame. She's probably already planning how to use me to climb higher in the Spirit Hall…'
Still, he didn't refuse. He placed his small palm on the crystal.
A blinding light burst forth instantly, filling the entire chamber. The crystal trembled violently before glowing brighter than any of them had ever seen.
Yu Xiaogang, Su Yuntao, and Sisi froze, then shouted in unison,"Full innate spirit power!!!"
Su Yuntao's voice cracked with excitement."Little friend, would you like to join the Spirit Hall?!"
Sisi's eyes sparkled even more, her tone dripping with sweetness."Come now, little brother~ why don't you let sister take care of you?"
Chu Tianxiu completely ignored Su Yuntao's desperate expression and dove straight into Sisi's embrace."Sister Sisi~ can you help me register with the Spirit Hall?"
He pressed his small head against her chest again, earning himself another smothering hug.
Sisi giggled triumphantly. "Of course~ sister will take you there right now."
Behind them, Su Yuntao's face turned ashen, and Yu Xiaogang sighed quietly.
As Sisi carried Chu Tianxiu toward the registration hall, the boy smirked faintly to himself.'Step one complete. Now… let's see what opportunities the Spirit Hall holds for me.'
...