This was a village like a hidden paradise, isolated from the kingdoms.
Nestled deep in the mountains and forests, the village housed no more than thirty families. No one knew when it had been established, nor what its people did. Everyone wore black robes adorned with strange crimson patterns. Their hair ornaments and attire were nearly identical, and each person exuded a chilling, sinister aura—like a secretive organization hiding from something, refugees from a forgotten war.
From as early as he could remember, Ming Tian knew that his parents rarely spoke and always seemed cold toward him. Only his younger sister, Ming Xue, would play with him.
The villagers were always on edge, nervously going about whatever it was they were doing. But Ming Tian could feel it—something dark, something cold, emanated from them all.
Today, he turned six. His sister Ming Xue was also six. Strangely, their parents weren't as distant as usual. Instead, they prepared a whole table full of delicious food. It was the first time their home had ever felt warm.
"Ming Tian, stop playing with your sister and come eat."
"Okay! Xiaoxue, let's go eat!"
Ming Tian grabbed his sister's hand and walked to the table. Their father, Ming Jue, gently patted both their heads and smiled.
"Do you know what day it is today?"
"Of course! It's our birthday!" Ming Tian said happily.
"Yes, but not just that," Ming Jue smiled. "Xiaotian, did you know? Here on the Douluo Continent, when children turn six, they undergo Spirit Awakening—and begin their journey to become Soul Masters."
"Soul Masters? Like you, Dad?"
"That's right. I'm looking forward to seeing what spirits you and Xiaoxue awaken."
"Unfortunately, we don't have our own Awakening Master in the village. So the village chief brought someone in from outside. I'll take you there shortly."
As he spoke, his wife, who had been serving food, paused slightly at the mention of the outsider. After dishing up the rice, she leaned in and whispered:
"Can we trust the Awakening Master Zhongli Su brought in? You know most Awakening Masters are with the Spirit Hall... and we..."
"Don't worry," Ming Jue replied quietly. "Of course we considered that. This one is absolutely reliable—he's a trusted contact of our Holy Spirit Sect from the outside."
"You know Spirit Hall gained its dominance by exterminating so-called Evil Soul Masters like us. Their Angel Spirits have a natural suppressive power over us. That's how they rose to their current power—almost surpassing the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires. Under Qian Daoliu's leadership, the Spirit Hall is terrifying."
"We've spent years in hiding just to preserve the remnants of our sect. If no younger generation awakens, our Holy Spirit Sect truly faces extinction."
"That's why we can't delay Awakening Day. We need the Awakening Master. Don't worry—everyone will ensure their safety."
Ming Jue patted her on the shoulder. Their voices were low; the two children, focused on eating, didn't hear a word.
Meanwhile, in the village's Awakening Hall, Zhongli Su had already brought the Awakening Master. He wore the same black robe and was followed by over a dozen people, each with a strange, foreboding air about them.
"Master, all thirteen of our operatives from outside have returned. Today is the Holy Spirit Sect's grand day for Spirit Awakening. It's only right we all witness it."
"Mm, Gui Mei, well done. You're already at level eighty-nine, aren't you? Almost a Title Douluo. Hahaha! Once you reach it, I'll pass the position of Sect Master to you."
Zhongli Su laughed heartily, clearly trusting Gui Mei completely. Gui Mei smiled as well, though a faint chill flashed in his eyes.
"Oh, right. This is the Awakening Master I invited—an old friend I happened to meet. Completely trustworthy."
Gui Mei gestured toward a man in yellow robes, with yellow hair and eyes.
"I am Yue Guan, Spirit Douluo, level eighty-eight. My spirit is the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum. I met Gui Mei by chance and discovered we could perform a Spirit Fusion Technique. We became friends. I have great respect for the Holy Spirit Sect."
"Oh? A Spirit Fusion Technique between the two of you? That's rare. If Gui Mei vouched for you, then I'm at ease."
Poor Zhongli Su had no idea—Gui Mei had already defected to Spirit Hall. The two before him would one day become Spirit Hall's most powerful Title Douluo!
"Sect Master, the children are waiting outside," said Ming Jue, who had just arrived.
Ming Jue, thirty-five years old, was a level seventy-five Soul Saint. His spirit: the Silver Eagle Beast.
The Silver Eagle Beast was a rare soul beast capable of copying both soul beast and soul master abilities.
"Ah, right. Your two kids are six this year too, aren't they? I'm really looking forward to seeing their awakenings. Ideally, the boy inherits your Silver Eagle Beast, and the girl... well, it'd be great if she inherited You Huamo's Dark Blue Silver."
"Sect Master, are you teasing me again?" Ming Jue smirked.
Ming Jue's wife, You Huamo, was thirty-four years old and a level seventy-four Soul Saint. Her spirit: Dark Blue Silver Grass, capable of devouring any soul power to enhance her own.
"Hehe, how could I dare? I have high hopes for your kids. If either of them awakens with innate full soul power, I'll personally help you hunt down the hundred-thousand-year-old Blue Silver Emperor. I remember—you've coveted it for a long time. Your Dark Blue Silver Grass mutated from it after inheriting the devouring trait."
"Hmph. That Blue Silver Emperor won't wait quietly for me to knock on her door. She's been trying to re-cultivate and take human form for ages."
You Huamo sneered, then glanced at Yue Guan with a quiet "Hmm?" As a plant-type spirit master, she could sense the righteousness within Yue Guan's spirit—completely out of place with their sect.
"This is...?"
"This is the Awakening Master—Yue Guan."
Yue Guan nodded politely toward her. He was startled as well; the aura of her Dark Blue Silver made him uneasy.
You Huamo stepped back with a hint of suspicion. Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhongli Su finally declared the Awakening Ceremony officially underway.
One by one, the six-year-olds entered. Yue Guan pulled out the Awakening Crystal and began performing the ritual with practiced precision.
"Zhongli Quan, soul power level 8, spirit: Blood Shadow Demon Puppet."
"Leng Yu, soul power level 7, spirit: Dark Phoenix."
"Long En, soul power level 9! Spirit: Dark Holy Dragon!"
Hiss—!
The entire leadership of the Holy Spirit Sect, including Yue Guan, were stunned.
At just six years old, Long En exuded an oppressive aura of dominance. A black dragon shimmered faintly around him.
"Incredible! But… still not innate full soul power."
"Even so, the average soul power is already level 7, and the spirits are absurdly high in quality. If they're allowed to grow... this could become a major threat."
Yue Guan thought to himself: This trip was absolutely the right move. Wiping them all out today will destroy the Holy Spirit Sect once and for all.
Based on my signal, Lord Qian Daoliu should be arriving soon…
"Lu Jiong, soul power level 8, spirit: Abomination…"
"Ye Zhaohuo, soul power level 7, spirit: Devil Marionette…"
…
"Hurry! We're going to miss the Awakening Ceremony!"
Ming Tian urged his sister. After lunch, Ming Xue had suddenly gotten injured, and he stayed with her until she recovered a bit. Now they were rushing to the hall.
"Don't rush me, Brother Ming Tian, I'm coming," Ming Xue pouted, catching up.
Ming Tian felt bad for her and reached out. "I'll carry you."
"Okay."
As the siblings walked, a powerful pressure suddenly descended from the sky. Both looked up—and so did Zhongli Su and the others, their faces paling.
"This aura…?"
"Holy Spirit Sect! Zhongli Su! I've been hunting you for a long time. Today, your sect falls!"
A thunderous voice rang out from above, and a figure with angelic wings descended, radiating overwhelming pressure.
"No... it can't be! Qian Daoliu?! How did he find us?!"
Zhongli Su's expression twisted in horror as the terrifying aura overwhelmed him.
(End of Chapter)