Martial Soul Awakening
Three days later.
In a shabby house at the corner of Holy Soul Village, the continuous clinking of hammer against metal echoed through the small forging room. Tang San and Qin Wei were both hammering pieces of iron, gradually removing the impurities trapped within them.
Tang Hao emerged from the inner room and glanced at the two boys. Both were so focused on their work that they barely noticed his arrival.
"Hmm... Looks like you've made some progress."
His gaze settled on Tang San's iron piece, which had already shed most of its impurities. After a moment, he turned toward Qin Wei and nodded unconsciously.
"Looks like Wei'er has put quite a bit of effort into learning the hammer."
After all, he only started three days ago.
Qin Wei stopped hammering and examined the piece of iron held in his tongs. He then glanced at Tang San's work.
Two-thirds more purified than mine, huh?
He smiled wryly.
As expected of someone who has been reincarnated with the memories of Tang San's world. Even if I know what he's capable of, seeing it firsthand is still frustrating.
Just then, Old Jack's voice rang out from outside.
"Xiao Wei! Xiao San! Come out quickly! The Spirit Hall's Spirit Master will be here soon!"
Qin Wei, who had been adopted by the village chief in this life, immediately answered, "Understood, Grandpa!"
He placed the hammer aside before turning toward Tang Hao. His eyes silently sought permission.
Tang Hao studied him for a moment before nodding.
Only then did Qin Wei turn toward Tang San.
"Let's go, Brother San."
Tang San nodded, put away his tools, and followed him outside.
Neither boy noticed the faint glimmer that appeared for an instant on the surface of Qin Wei's iron piece.
Nor did either notice the subtle shadow that seemed to linger behind him before vanishing into the sunlight.
The central square of Holy Soul Village was already crowded when the two boys arrived.
Several children of roughly six years of age had gathered in front of a young man dressed in a white robe. A black cloak rested over his shoulders, and a badge bearing the insignia of the Spirit Hall was pinned to his chest.
He looked to be in his twenties, with a somewhat arrogant expression and a sharp gaze.
Beside him stood Old Jack, who was speaking with him in an unusually respectful manner.
"Master Spirit Master, these are the children of our village who have reached the age for their martial soul awakening," Old Jack explained. "I hope you can help them awaken their martial souls and determine whether any possess innate spirit power."
The young man nodded impatiently.
"My name is Su Yuntao. I'm a Spirit Grandmaster. I'll be conducting your awakenings. Now, line up properly. Don't waste my time."
Qin Wei stood beside Tang San, quietly observing the man.
Su Yuntao. The same Spirit Master who awakens Tang San's Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer.
His gaze drifted toward the six black stones arranged in a hexagonal formation.
And today is the day everything begins.
He flexed his fingers.
In his previous life, he had read about this scene countless times. Yet standing here, breathing the air of this world and witnessing the beginning of Tang San's journey with his own eyes, felt strangely unreal.
This world is no longer a story.
And neither am I merely a reader.
"Now, the first child. Step forward!"
Su Yuntao began the awakening ritual.
He placed the six black stones in a hexagonal formation and motioned for the first child to stand inside. Then he released his spirit power.
"Solitary Wolf. Possession!"
A green light flashed across his body. His muscles bulged slightly, sharp claws emerged from his fingers, and a pair of wolf-like ears appeared on his head.
A yellow spirit ring rose beneath his feet.
The children gasped and stepped backward.
"Don't be afraid," Su Yuntao said, his voice carrying a trace of impatience. "This is my martial soul. Now, stand still."
Golden light rose from the six stones, enveloping the child inside the formation.
A moment later, a small sickle appeared in the child's hand.
"Your martial soul is a sickle. Extend your right hand."
Su Yuntao placed a blue crystal ball before him.
The child touched it, but nothing happened.
"No spirit power. Next."
One by one, the children stepped forward.
Hoe. Wooden rake. Small grass blade.
Some had ordinary tools, while others awakened common plants. Unfortunately, none possessed innate spirit power.
With each failed awakening, Old Jack's shoulders sank a little further.
Qin Wei remained silent.
He already knew how this would end.
Eventually, only Tang San and he remained.
"Next. You, the blue-haired one."
Tang San stepped forward.
Su Yuntao gestured toward the formation.
"Stand in the middle."
Tang San did as instructed.
"Close your eyes and feel the energy around you. Don't resist it."
The six stones lit up simultaneously.
Golden light surged upward, surrounding Tang San's small body. Unlike the previous awakenings, the glow seemed unusually intense, and the air around the formation began to ripple.
Su Yuntao's expression changed slightly.
What's this?
The golden light gathered toward Tang San's right hand.
A faint blue glow emerged.
Tiny strands of grass appeared in his palm, delicate and unremarkable, their thin leaves swaying in the still air.
"Blue Silver Grass?"
Su Yuntao stared at it for a moment before shaking his head.
"Another ordinary plant-type martial soul."
Tang San opened his eyes.
His expression remained calm, though Qin Wei, standing outside the formation, noticed a brief flicker of disappointment.
Here it comes, Qin Wei thought.
Su Yuntao handed him the blue crystal ball.
"Now test your spirit power. Place your hand on it."
Tang San obediently pressed his palm against the crystal.
The next instant—
Whoosh!
A brilliant blue light erupted from within the crystal ball.
The entire sphere illuminated the square, its radiance far surpassing anything the children had seen before.
Su Yuntao's eyes widened.
"Innate full spirit power!"
He grabbed Tang San's wrist in excitement, then quickly released it, as if remembering his own composure.
"Excellent! What a pity your martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. Otherwise..."
He shook his head, his tone filled with regret.
Qin Wei watched the scene without speaking.
Innate full spirit power. Just as expected.
But beneath his calm expression, another thought surfaced.
Now it's my turn.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a strange uneasiness settle deep in his chest.
Not fear. Not excitement.
Something else.
Something that seemed to have been waiting for this very moment.
"Next!" Su Yuntao called.
Qin Wei stepped forward.
"Name?"
"Qin Wei."
"Fine. Stand in the middle of the formation."
He walked between the six black stones and stopped.
The moment his feet settled into place, Qin Wei felt a faint chill crawl up his spine.
What...?
He glanced down.
For a fraction of a second, the shadows beneath his feet seemed to stretch in the wrong direction.
Then they returned to normal.
"Close your eyes," Su Yuntao instructed.
Qin Wei obeyed.
"Release your thoughts. Feel the energy around you."
The six stones began to glow.
Golden particles floated into the air, gently surrounding his body.
At first, everything seemed normal.
The warm light seeped into his skin, bringing with it a strangely comforting sensation. Qin Wei could almost feel an invisible current flowing through his limbs, gathering somewhere deep within his chest.
Then—
His heartbeat missed a beat.
Thump.
A second heartbeat answered it.
Thump.
Qin Wei's eyes flew open.
For an instant, he could have sworn he heard something moving behind him.
A faint scraping sound.
Like countless tiny legs crawling across stone.
"Don't move!" Su Yuntao barked.
The golden light suddenly intensified.
Qin Wei clenched his teeth as a peculiar pressure descended upon him. It wasn't painful, exactly, but it felt as though something deep within his soul was struggling to break free.
What is this?
He had expected a martial soul.
He had prepared himself for the possibility of a powerful one.
But this feeling—
It was as if something ancient had just opened its eyes.
The six black stones began to tremble.
Su Yuntao stared at them in disbelief.
"Impossible..."