"One hundred ninety-eight... one hundred ninety-nine... two hundred."
Early in the morning, in a small courtyard, Lu Feng was dripping with sweat as he pushed through a set of push-ups.
With the final count, he strained to push himself up and took deep breaths of the fresh morning air.
For the past month, Lu Feng had stopped going out to hunt. Every day, aside from cultivating the Xuantian Technique, he focused on physical training.
During this time, he had roughly figured out the pattern of cultivation.
He could cultivate soul power twice a day, each session lasting an hour. However, he couldn't do them consecutively—he needed to pause in between to eat and replenish his mental energy.
Lu Feng had tried staying up late to cultivate once.
The next day, he looked pale, his whole body sore and limp, as if he had been drained dry by a female demon.
Cultivation was just like studying—it not only consumed brainpower, but was also extremely physically demanding.
Because of this, Lu Feng put great importance on physical conditioning.
In the original novel, Tang San spent a long time working as an apprentice at the blacksmith shop while at Nuoding Academy—perhaps for similar reasons.
Born into a hunter's family, Lu Feng had always eaten well since childhood. While he didn't have meat with every meal, his diet was far better than Tang San's daily thin porridge.
Lu Feng was currently shirtless. Though not particularly muscular, his body was brimming with vitality.
He walked over to the water tank and splashed cold water on his face. As he looked at his blurred reflection in the water, he couldn't help but curl his lips.
"Peh. So what if I'm good-looking."
Knock knock knock—a series of knocks echoed from the gate.
"Lu Feng, you home? Today's the big day—Martial Soul Awakening!"
Old Jack's voice rang out from beyond the courtyard.
Lu Feng opened the gate to find Old Jack holding Tang San's hand, both waiting outside.
Old Jack was an elderly man with graying hair and a slightly hunched back. Since Martial Soul Awakening was a major event in the village, he had specially dressed in new clothes for the occasion.
"Village Chief, Tang San—good morning," Lu Feng greeted them with a smile.
He had actually finished getting ready earlier. Though his hair was a bit messy, his bright eyes betrayed a trace of excitement.
Martial Soul Awakening!
Two lifetimes, and this would be his first time!
"Look at this messy kid—don't know how to clean himself up. What man keeps long hair, anyway?" Old Jack shook his head disapprovingly, though affectionately.
He truly liked Lu Feng.
The boy had lost both parents young. His old hunter of a grandfather had passed even earlier. A pitiful child.
Old Jack had once wanted to adopt Lu Feng, but his daughter-in-law wasn't too keen on the idea.
The village chief's family didn't have extra food, after all.
Yet, who would've thought—Lu Feng not only lived well on his own, he even had the strength to help other villagers. What a good child!
"Village Chief, you don't get it," Lu Feng grinned, putting on an innocent front.
"Being strong is temporary—but being handsome lasts a lifetime!"
As he spoke, Lu Feng struck a dramatic pose.
"Hahaha!"
Old Jack burst into laughter at the boy's playful antics.
---
Holy Soul Village – Martial Soul Hall
Of course, this so-called Martial Soul Hall was really just a large wooden house.
There were nine children undergoing martial soul awakening this year in Holy Soul Village. Lu Feng and Tang San were in the final group.
"All right, parents please leave now,"
The young man in the center of the room spoke once all the children had arrived, ushering the adults out.
After closing the door, the young man announced loudly, "I'm Su Yuntao, a Level 26 Grand Soul Master, and your guide for today."
As he spoke, Su Yuntao took six black round stones and a shiny blue crystal ball from his pack.
He arranged the six stones into a hexagonal pattern on the floor and motioned for the first child on the right to step into the formation.
Lu Feng watched Su Yuntao with curiosity—this "god-tier admissions officer" from the Divine Realm had awakened probably hundreds if not thousands of deities in his hands!
Would he be fortunate enough to receive a blessing from Brother Tao?
"Lone Wolf, Possession!"
A shout broke Lu Feng's train of thought.
Su Yuntao's muscles swelled, his hair turned long and gray. Sharp fangs, green eyes—his whole body transformed into a werewolf.
"Ahhh!" The children immediately screamed in fright.
The little boy closest to the formation tried to flee in panic.
Su Yuntao, long used to such reactions, patiently explained until the children calmed down.
"Hm? These two kids aren't scared? Especially the tall one..." Su Yuntao glanced at Lu Feng curiously.
The martial soul awakening continued.
Scythe, hoe, pitchfork…
Most of the children awakened mundane farming tools as martial souls—and none had innate soul power.
Su Yuntao wasn't surprised. He had already visited six villages before this one, and not a single child had shown innate power.
It was just too hard for regular people to become soul masters.
Until it was Tang San's turn.
"Full innate soul power!" Su Yuntao exclaimed, shocked by the dazzling blue light filling the room.
Recovering from his shock, Su Yuntao's gaze toward Tang San grew complex.
A genius with full innate power once in a hundred years—yet his martial soul was only Blue Silver Grass. Su Yuntao wasn't sure whether to congratulate or pity him.
Whatever—full power or useless martial soul, it was all fate.
At least the boy had soul power—meaning Su Yuntao's bonus was guaranteed.
Should he treat Si Si to a meal? Or buy her flowers?
"Next," Su Yuntao said wearily.
Lu Feng stepped into the awakening formation, nervous. He'd never done this in his last life either—no experience to speak of.
Su Yuntao channeled his soul power into the array. Gradually, golden light spread out.
Lu Feng felt a warm energy surge into his body, his soul power stirring. It felt like soaking in a hot spring—his body warmed, and color returned to his face.
"Hmm? Still not awakening?"
Su Yuntao increased the soul power flow. He had a hunch—this child might awaken something extraordinary.
Ten seconds…
Thirty…
Three minutes…
"Phew~"
Su Yuntao collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
"I've used up all my soul power… and this kid still hasn't awakened?" He stared at Lu Feng like he was a monster.
"Could it be… you have no martial soul?" Su Yuntao gasped.
"Uh, Master Su, are you okay? Want something to eat first?" Lu Feng took out a piece of dried meat and handed it over.
He was just as baffled.
Neither the original novel nor fanfics ever mentioned someone unable to awaken a martial soul.
Transmigrated into Douluo Dalu, and no martial soul?
Might as well transmigrate into Love Nikki instead!
If he couldn't cultivate martial power… then all that was left was flirting with girls.
After eating the dried meat, a thought struck Su Yuntao.
"Actually, I might know what's going on—but we need to test it."
He placed the blue crystal ball in front of Lu Feng. "Here, put your hand on it. Let's test your innate soul power."
"Huh? But I haven't even awakened a martial soul yet," Lu Feng said in confusion.
Su Yuntao smiled. "There are thousands of martial souls on the continent, but they fall into two main types: Tool Souls and Beast Souls. My Lone Wolf is a beast soul. The hoe, scythe, and even Blue Silver Grass are all tool souls."
"But there's a third type—extremely rare. They're parts of the human body. Like arms, legs, or even eyes."
At this point, Su Yuntao's lips curled into a confident smile. "I suspect… your martial soul is one of the legendary Body Martial Souls."
Lu Feng's eyes widened at the statement.
"No way—Brother Tao really does know a thing or two. Isn't the OP guy in Douluo Part 2 just like that?"
With newfound respect, Lu Feng cast a glance of approval at Su Yuntao.
"Master Su truly is—"
But just as Lu Feng was about to sing his praises…
Several glowing lights suddenly dropped out of the awakening array.