As the sect master, Tang Xiao naturally wouldn't accompany Tang Hao and his son, as he had his own matters to attend to.
By the time the sun had fully risen, children dressed in exquisite clothing filed out from both sides of the vast central square at the heart of the Clear Sky Sect, eventually forming neat rows as they stood waiting for their Martial Souls to awaken. Tang San stood prominently at the most conspicuous position.
Listening to the clamor around him, Tang San couldn't help but feel slightly dazed. There were at least several thousand children of his age present—and this was only counting those with direct blood ties to the sect, not even including the branch families or vassals. This was a testament to just how massive the Clear Sky Sect truly was.
"Is that Tang San, Tang Hao's son?"
Upon Tang San's appearance, many craned their necks in anticipation, their eyes fixed on his every move. Everyone wanted to know what kind of Martial Soul this practically predetermined young sect master would awaken.
"Tang San is Tang Hao's son. As a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect, isn't he guaranteed to awaken the Clear Sky Hammer?"
"How could that be? The Clear Sky Hammer is a top-tier Martial Soul. Just having Clear Sky Sect blood doesn't mean you'll awaken it. Even among direct descendants, the chances are minuscule."
"Fate is truly something to envy—having a Titled Douluo as a father." Some of the younger generation Soul Masters of the Clear Sky Sect, whether out of envy or other reasons, felt particularly bitter as they watched Tang San standing at the center.
"Tang San..." On the elevated platform overlooking the square, a strikingly beautiful man with skin as delicate as a baby's stared intently in Tang San's direction.
Before the effeminate man could make a move, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him: "I didn't expect the Spirit Hall to send you, Yue Guan."
!!!!!
Yue Guan's heart tightened. As a powerhouse with the strength of a Titled Douluo, he hadn't sensed anyone approaching him from behind!
However, just as Yue Guan tried to turn around, a hand pressed down on his shoulder. Instantly, his hair stood on end, and his pupils contracted sharply. It felt as if a mountain had descended upon him—an overwhelming surge of soul power suppressed him, rendering this Titled Douluo of the Spirit Hall completely immobile.
There were only a handful of people on the continent who could appear behind him undetected and restrain him with a single hand. Figuring out the identity of this person wasn't difficult.
Once he realized who it was, Yue Guan no longer panicked. Raising his right hand, he lightly brushed back his flowing hair and said in a soft, melodious voice, "Hehehe, Clear Sky Douluo, is this how you welcome guests?"
A strange glint flashed in Tang Hao's eyes as he chuckled and slowly withdrew his hand. "For guests, we have fine wine. For jackals, we have hunting rifles. If you've come to share in our celebration, the Clear Sky Sect naturally welcomes you. But if the Spirit Hall has other intentions... we will ensure your blood stains our Clear Sky Hammers."
Feeling the killing intent in Tang Hao's tone, Yue Guan couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. Gulping, he forced himself to remain composed and said, "Clear Sky Douluo, you misunderstand. I've merely come on the Pope's orders to deliver congratulations. There are no ulterior motives."
Tang Hao slowly withdrew his hand upon hearing this. Only then did Yue Guan dare to turn around and take out a wooden box. Inside the opened box lay a token adorned with six patterns: a sword, a hammer, a crown, an incomplete human figure, a dragon, and a chrysanthemum.
Yue Guan continued, "The Pope has stated that there have been many misunderstandings between our Spirit Hall and your Clear Sky Clan. I have come to resolve these misunderstandings. Regardless of what Martial Soul awakens, Tang San, son of the Clear Sky Douluo, may enter the Spirit Hall to study and receive treatment befitting a Holy Child."
Looking at the Pope Token, which represented the authority of the Spirit Hall's elders, Tang Hao simply waved his hand and said, "Take that thing away. My son's training will be handled by our Clear Sky Clan. We don't need the Spirit Hall interfering."
In the outside world, this single Pope Token could stir up a storm of bloodshed, as it represented not just the opportunity to train within the Spirit Hall but also a symbol of power. Of course, to Tang Hao, it was nothing more than a piece of scrap metal.
With that, Tang Hao didn't trouble Yue Guan further. In a flash, he returned to the viewing platform where the Clear Sky Clan's higher-ups were seated. Taking out his gourd of wine, he sipped leisurely while waiting for the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony to begin.
Seeing Tang Hao leave, Yue Guan let out a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "Such overwhelming pressure—this is not something an ordinary Titled Douluo could possess. Could he have already reached the level of a Peak Douluo? How is that possible? Tang Hao only broke through to Titled Douluo a few years ago. How could he progress so quickly?"
As Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo, was lost in his thoughts, the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony had already begun in the square.
Generally, the annual Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony was overseen by the clan's elders. However, this year was special—the ceremony was being conducted by the clan's leader, Tang Xiao. No one objected or questioned this, as it was only natural for the clan leader to take charge, especially since his own nephew was among the participants.
Tang Xiao wore a kind smile as he glanced at Tang San before sweeping his gaze over all the children waiting for their awakening in the square. Gently, he said, "Children, just follow what you've learned earlier."
As his voice faded, nine Soul Rings instantly appeared beneath Tang Xiao's feet—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—a nearly perfect configuration. A hammer crackling with lightning materialized in his upturned palm, the Clear Sky Hammer rising slowly into the air, as dazzling as the sun, as if it could outshine its very light.
Immediately, a golden radiance emanated from Tang Xiao's Clear Sky Hammer, forming a sky-blue barrier that enveloped all the Clear Sky Clan disciples, including Tang San.
Subsequently, motes of soul power, like stars, floated before them.
"The Awakening Ceremony begins—light the Soul Incense!" Tang Xiao declared. The yellow Soul Incense, already set up in the square, was promptly ignited.
The Soul Incense had no special effects; it was purely a timer. After all, the Martial Soul Awakening couldn't go on indefinitely. If the Soul Incense burned out before the awakening was complete, it could indicate a problem.
The children of the Clear Sky Clan had long been taught about Martial Souls. Everyone instinctively extended their right hands, allowing the soul power motes to enter and guide their bodies through the awakening.
Soon, the square was alight with the colorful glow of awakening Martial Souls.
The Clear Sky Sect disciples responsible for recording walked briskly into the square, notebooks in one hand and pens in the other.
"Sickle Martial Soul, no soul power, cannot become a Soul Master."
"Plow Martial Soul, no soul power, cannot become a Soul Master."
"Silver Wolf Martial Soul, Innate Soul Power level five, can become a Soul Master."
"Clear Sky Hammer? Oh... just a big iron hammer Martial Soul, Innate Soul Power level two, can become a Soul Master. Pity it's not the Clear Sky Hammer." Upon hearing the recording disciple's words, the child who had awakened the big iron hammer Martial Soul instantly fell from heaven into hell and began wailing loudly.
Amid the recording disciples' monotonous announcements, one Martial Soul name after another was read out. Awakening a Martial Soul was much like opening a blind box—what appeared was completely unpredictable, naturally bringing joy to some and sorrow to others.
However, the vast majority of those present had no interest in what ordinary Clear Sky Sect disciples awakened.
"The Clear Sky Sect truly has an abundance of talent. The number of Soul Masters here far exceeds that of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," said Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, with some resignation. There wasn't the slightest sign of decline visible in the Clear Sky Sect.
Beside him, Sword Douluo Chen Xin glanced at Tang Hao, who was seated in the host's position, and remarked, "It's not just the younger generation. I can no longer fully gauge Tang Hao's strength either. I fear he's not much weaker than me now."
Just as the crowd buzzed with various comments, a sudden, resounding hum echoed through the square as a dazzling light erupted. A hammer radiating an extraordinary glow appeared.
"Clear Sky Hammer!"