"Your Highness will be staying in Nuoding City. This subordinate will immediately arrange accommodation..."
"No need." Su Yu interrupted him. "I have matters to attend to and will take my leave now."
With that, he turned and walked out of the hall, his figure quickly disappearing through the doorway.
Hall Master Niu stared in the direction Su Yu had departed, remaining dazed for quite some time before snapping back to reality. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he murmured:
"Why would the Holy Son suddenly take interest in a village's Martial Soul Awakening..."
Though filled with doubts, he didn't dare show the slightest neglect and immediately relayed Su Yu's instructions.
Early the next morning—
Su Yu arrived at the Spirit Hall branch, where Hall Master Niu Ma had arranged for an attendant to accompany Su Yu to Holy Soul Village.
Under the attendant's guidance, Su Yu made his way toward Holy Soul Village. After about an hour, the two arrived at their destination.
Beneath the old locust tree at the village entrance, Old Jack stood waiting, leaning on his cane.
His date-red coarse cloth jacket had been washed to a faded hue, and traces of soil still clung to the wrinkles on his face.
Hearing footsteps, his cloudy eyes lit up, and he hurried forward to greet them. Cupping his hands toward the leading attendant, his voice carried a tone of reverence:
"Honored Soul Master! You've finally arrived!"
The attendant waved his hand dismissively and stepped aside to reveal Su Yu behind him:
"Village Chief Jack, Attendant Su is responsible for Holy Soul Village's Martial Soul Awakening this year."
Only then did Old Jack notice Su Yu, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the young man.
The youth before him wore a plain-colored robe of seemingly ordinary material, yet he stood with his back perfectly straight.
His eyes and brows carried an indescribable calm dignity, unlike the typical flamboyance of ordinary attendants. Instead, he resembled a deep lake—unfathomable and not to be underestimated.
"Attendant... Attendant Su!"
Old Jack quickly adjusted his posture, also cupping his hands toward Su Yu, his tone growing even more respectful.
"Thank you for making this journey! The village children are all waiting in the village. I'll take you to them right away!"
Su Yu gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the stone tablet at the village entrance carved with the three characters "Holy Soul Village."
The tablet's edges showed signs of wear, and sunlight fell upon it, reflecting a weathered sheen.
Su Yu spoke calmly: "I'll trouble the Village Chief then."
Old Jack hastily waved his hands: "No trouble at all! Having an honored Soul Master come to awaken the children's Martial Souls is our village's great fortune!"
As he spoke, he led the way ahead, his cane tapping lightly against the ground with a "thump-thump" sound.
"Although our village is called Holy Soul Village, we haven't had a child with Soul Power for many years. This old man just hopes that this year we might have a child with talent..."
Su Yu followed behind him, listening to Old Jack's continuous chatter about village affairs. His eyes rested calmly on the children playing by the roadside.
Holy Soul Village wasn't large—a few dirt paths winding and intersecting, earthen houses with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys. The air carried the fresh scents of soil and vegetation.
Before long, the group arrived at the most spacious building in the village center.
About a dozen children had already gathered at the doorway, their small faces filled with tension and curiosity. Upon seeing Su Yu and the others, they instinctively quieted down.
Old Jack cleared his throat: "Line up properly! Let Attendant Su awaken your Martial Souls!"
The children immediately obediently formed a line, their eyes uniformly fixed on Su Yu.
Su Yu watched this scene, a barely noticeable curve forming at the corner of his lips—Tang San should be among these children, right?
Su Yu led the children into the house, and as the earthen door was pushed open, it stirred up a faint cloud of dust.
Su Yu entered first. The interior was sparsely furnished, with only a worn wooden table and a few long benches.
Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting several slender patches of light on the floor.
He retrieved six pitch-black Awakening Stones from his Storage Soul Tool. With a slight movement of his fingers, the stones levitated to the center of the room, emitting a faint energy fluctuation.
Next, he took out a blue Soul Power Test Crystal and handed it to the accompanying attendant, gesturing for him to stand to the side.
"Children, line up over here."
Su Yu's voice was gentle yet carried a convincing authority.
A dozen or so children immediately lined up as Old Jack had instructed earlier.
Their small heads tilted upward, curiously staring at the floating Awakening Stones, their eyes sparkling with anticipation for the unknown.
"In a moment, I will activate the Martial Soul Awakening Stones. Follow my guidance, extend your right hand, and focus your mind to sense the power within your body."
Su Yu walked to the front of the line, his gaze sweeping over each youthful face.
"After awakening your Martial Soul, go to that uncle over there to test your Innate Soul Power. Understood?"
"Understood!"
The children answered in unison, their voices tinged with excitement.
Su Yu nodded, turned, and walked to the side of the Awakening Stones. A gentle Soul Power gathered at his fingertips and flowed into the stones.
Instantly, the six Awakening Stones glowed brightly, and pale golden energy rings expanded, enveloping the little boy at the front of the line.
"Extend your right hand."
The boy nervously clenched his fist before complying.
A yellow light emerged from his palm, quickly coalescing into a small hoe that hovered in mid-air.
"It's a farming tool Martial Soul, no Soul Power."
The attendant in charge of testing handed over the crystal. Seeing no reaction from it, he made a note in the register.
A flicker of disappointment crossed the boy's face, but he obediently stepped aside.
Next, the children stepped forward one by one. Most of the awakened Martial Souls were farming tools like sickles and hammers.
Occasionally, one or two Beast Spirits appeared, but they were ordinary ones like chickens or ducks, and none possessed any Innate Soul Power.
Old Jack stood at the doorway, his initial anticipation gradually turning into worry. The force with which he leaned on his cane grew heavier.
In the blink of an eye, only one girl remained out of the dozen or so children. Su Yu looked at the girl standing alone, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
The girl wore old, faded clothes, her hair tied up with a simple wooden hairpin.
Her face was thin, and when she noticed Su Yu looking at her, she instinctively shrank back.
Her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her clothes, her eyes filled with timid wariness, like a startled fawn.
Something's not right. Could it be that Tang San hasn't arrived yet?
"Come over here."
Seeing the girl's nervousness, Su Yu softened his tone, and the Soul Power fluctuation at his fingertips gentled as well.
The girl hesitated for a moment before taking small steps to the center of the Awakening Stones, keeping her head down and not daring to look at him.
Watching this girl, a glimmer of hope appeared in Old Jack's eyes.
The other children were all from village families, and their parents were ordinary people with no Martial Souls—that was perfectly normal!
The child had wandered into their village. Seeing her pitiful state, he took her in, hoping she would bring him a pleasant surprise!
"Don't be nervous, just relax!"
"Yes! Sir, I understand!"
Su Yu moved his fingers slightly, and six Awakening Stones began revolving around the girl.
A golden radiance enveloped the girl, and a violet glow emerged in her palm.
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