"Children, I am Su Yuntao, your guide. I am a Level 26 Grand Soul Master. I will now awaken your Martial Souls."
After a brief self-introduction,
Su Yuntao took out six black stones and arranged them into a six-pointed star formation on the ground.
He also held a blue crystal ball in his hand.
"Very good. Now, everyone follow the order. No matter what you see… don't panic."
Su Yuntao's tone softened when speaking to the children in front of him.
There were a total of nine children.
When the first child stood at the center of the formation, Su Yuntao suddenly shouted:
"Lone Wolf Possession!"
Ye Qiu, Tang San, and all the children looked on with astonishment—some even with fear.
Su Yuntao's muscles visibly swelled, his eyes turned bright green, and his body developed several wolf-like features.
"Don't be afraid. Close your eyes and feel carefully."
Su Yuntao gently reassured the child inside the formation and guided him to awaken his Martial Soul.
A trace of curiosity flashed in Ye Qiu's eyes.
The six-pointed star made of black stones began to glow with golden light, and spots of light entered the boy's body.
"Stretch out your right hand."
Su Yuntao's green eyes locked onto the boy and commanded authoritatively.
The boy instinctively extended his right hand.
In an instant, the light that had entered his body surged out.
A scythe appeared in his palm.
"Alright, let's test your soul power!"
Su Yuntao handed over the blue crystal ball, showing no disappointment, and calmly announced:
"Child, your Martial Soul has no soul power. Next!"
The boy left the formation confused and disappointed.
The Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony continued in an orderly fashion.
"Pickled cucumber Martial Soul, no soul power. Next!"
"Hawthorn flower Martial Soul, no soul power. Next!"
"…"
"Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, no soul power. Next!"
Very soon, seven children had completed their Martial Soul awakening.
As expected—none of them had innate soul power and could not become Soul Masters.
Next was Tang San's turn.
Su Yuntao's voice was mechanical and uninterested:
"Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass… Wait!"
"Huh?! Innate full soul power?! How is this possible?!"
Su Yuntao gasped sharply,
Staring in shock at the blue crystal ball in his hand.
"It's actually innate full soul power!"
Tang San looked curiously at the ordinary blade of grass in his palm.
"What a pity! Such a waste—it's a useless Martial Soul!"
Su Yuntao sighed regretfully after the initial shock.
"Useless Martial Soul?"
Tang San was still confused.
He didn't yet understand Martial Souls clearly.
But the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record had told him: never reveal everything about yourself.
So,
Tang San tightly clenched his left hand—
Inside was a hammer!
"What a shame. Next!"
Su Yuntao composed himself, waved Tang San aside, and turned his gaze to the last child: Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu followed suit and stood inside the formation.
As Su Yuntao poured in soul power,
Ye Qiu saw golden light entering his body and immediately felt his blood boiling—
Something wanted to burst out from within.
Threads of black energy coiled around Ye Qiu's entire body.
Su Yuntao's eyes lit up, and he spoke gently:
"Little one, quickly raise your right hand."
Ye Qiu did as instructed.
Instantly, golden light erupted, black light surged, and energy rapidly gathered.
Even Tang San, who was about to leave, paused at the commotion Ye Qiu was causing.
As Ye Qiu's Martial Soul appeared—
Su Yuntao's eyes gleamed with anticipation… only to freeze in disbelief.
"Is that… a t-tadpole?!"
Everyone looked closely.
Ye Qiu's expression also darkened.
Damn… is this some kind of frog regression? Don't tell me I jinxed myself!
On the tip of Ye Qiu's middle finger lay a comma-shaped black tadpole.
Its dark body featured a large white mark that looked like eyes, taking up half its form.
"Another useless Martial Soul…"
Su Yuntao shook his head disinterestedly.
Even if it's a tadpole—this is just too small!
Low activity. Not healthy!
He thought Ye Qiu was going to unleash something powerful…
But ended up pulling out a mini creature instead.
Ye Qiu sighed, but wasn't too disappointed.
Even though the Martial Soul looked weak, he could feel soul power inside.
That was enough for him to fight for a future!
He didn't know his exact level, but had no expectations.
Tang San, seeing the ceremony had ended, was ready to leave.
Though disappointed, Su Yuntao still had to complete his duties.
"Come, let's test your innate soul power!"
"Alright."
Ye Qiu calmly placed his small hand on the crystal ball.
In the blink of an eye—
The crystal ball glowed with dazzling brilliance.
"INNATE FULL SOUL POWER!!"
Su Yuntao screamed in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock followed by heartache.
What sin did I commit?!
Two useless Martial Souls with full soul power?!
Tang San, just at the door, paused and looked at Ye Qiu in amazement.
Unlike Su Yuntao's despair—
Ye Qiu was filled with ecstasy, his black pearl-like eyes sparkling brightly.
His Martial Soul… was definitely not ordinary!
Ye Qiu was certain!
Innate full soul power—that alone was enough to silence all doubts.
"Ugh… what a waste."
Su Yuntao shook his head helplessly.
Still, he noted Ye Qiu's Martial Soul and soul power level on the registry.
Ye Qiu said nothing.
This was not the time to "redeem" his Martial Soul's name.
He had no influence yet.
Perhaps once he registered at Nuoding City's Soul Master Academy, someone would recognize his worth?
Then, the choice would be his.
---
Not long after,
The nearly crying Su Yuntao brought Ye Qiu and Tang San outside the wooden house.
Old Jack eagerly approached.
"Master, how is it? Do we have a child who can become a Soul Master?"
Su Yuntao's arrogance lessened slightly, but his tone was now tinged with frustration.
He sounded reluctant as he spoke:
"Old Jack, congratulations!"
"Your village has produced two talents this year! See for yourself."
Before he finished,
Su Yuntao stuffed two Martial Soul certificates into Old Jack's arms, then quickly turned to leave.
"Alright, I have many duties. I won't stay."
However—
Before Su Yuntao got far—
Old Jack's wail stabbed into his heart like a blade.
"Heavens—!!"
"Innate full soul power?! What? Two useless Martial Souls?!"
Old Jack felt like he was dreaming.
Innate full soul power and useless Martial Soul—these two phrases made his head spin.
Watching Old Jack nearly collapse—
Su Yuntao felt slightly better and hurried off.
"Truly cursed by the heavens…"
Old Jack cried bitterly.
Two children with innate full soul power—what a waste!
Ye Qiu covered his ears and said helplessly:
"Grandpa Jack, please don't hurt your voice…"
"Ah…"
Old Jack sighed deeply,
Then composed himself, crouched down, and gently patted Ye Qiu and Tang San on the head.
He consoled:
"You two don't be discouraged. At least you can become Soul Masters. In a few days, I'll send you both to the Soul Master Academy."
Ye Qiu smiled, generously grabbing a handful of candy.
"Thanks, Grandpa Jack! Want some candy?"
Old Jack laughed.
"Sure, I won't say no. How about I treat you both to a meal? Xiao San, come too."
Tang San, still thoughtful, shook his head gently.
"Grandpa Jack, I'll pass. My dad's waiting for me to make dinner. As for school… I need to ask my dad first."
"Tsk… That drunkard of a father is really a handful."
Old Jack frowned in disapproval.
Tang San's eyes flickered but didn't argue.
"In that case, Grandpa will walk you home."
Wishing you all a pleasant life!