While Zhu Ziyang's family was still talking, Jiang Nannan had already completed her Martial Soul awakening.
"Good heavens! Another one with innate soul power at level eight!" came Hong Zhen's loud and booming voice. His surprise and admiration immediately caught the attention of Zhu Ziyang and his parents.
They looked over and saw that Jiang Nannan was currently undergoing her soul power test. The blue crystal ball before her was glowing brightly—though it hadn't reached the point of completely filling like Zhu Ziyang's, it was still lit more than halfway. That indicated innate soul power at level eight!
"Today really is something else! First we get a full innate soul power, and now a level eight? Is our Anyang City about to rise up?" Hong Zhen muttered excitedly. He looked at Jiang Nannan with delight and asked, "Little girl, what's your name?"
"My name is Jiang Nannan," she answered instinctively, though her eyes remained fixed on the glowing crystal ball. After spending so much time around Zhu Ziyang, she understood full well what level eight innate soul power meant. She was absolutely overjoyed—her eyes curved into crescent moons from smiling.
"Jiang Nannan?!" Upon hearing her name, Hong Zhen immediately realized who she was. A trace of guilt flashed across his face as he said, "You're Jiang Ning's daughter."
"Yes, Brother Hong." Zhu Changhe stepped forward and responded on her behalf, his gaze toward Jiang Nannan filled with both sympathy and comfort.
Jiang Nannan, however, paid no attention to their conversation. Though she knew they were talking about her father, the little girl didn't want to touch that subject. Instead, she bounced over to Zhu Ziyang with a bright smile.
"Brother Ziyang, I'm a Soul Master now too!" she called out excitedly, her eyes full of joy like she was announcing a proud achievement.
"Mm-hmm! Nannan, you're amazing!" Zhu Ziyang smiled and reached out to pat her head affectionately.
He was genuinely surprised. Jiang Nannan's Martial Soul was the relatively ordinary Soft Bone Rabbit, yet she had awakened with innate soul power at level eight. That kind of talent was unquestionably outstanding. He had never expected his adorable childhood friend to be so gifted too. Heaven really was being kind to him.
"That's right, Nannan is amazing!" Liang Ying also took the little girl's hand and smiled fondly.
She had always liked this sweet and sensible girl. Not only was Jiang Nannan delicate and adorable, but she also had such rare talent. She and their Yangyang were simply a perfect match. Thinking that, Liang Ying's gaze grew even gentler as she said, "If your mom finds out, she'll be so happy."
"She definitely will!" Jiang Nannan beamed with joy. If they weren't waiting for everyone else to complete their awakenings, she probably would've run straight home already.
After Jiang Nannan, the remaining seven children also completed their awakenings one by one. Unfortunately, the wave of gifted children that Hong Zhen had been dreaming of didn't continue.
Of the seven, only two possessed soul power. The remaining five had Martial Souls that couldn't be cultivated—essentially useless. Of the two who could cultivate, one was named Zhu Xiaoling. She had level three innate soul power and a scythe Martial Soul, though unlike Zhu Ziyang's Radiant Scythe, hers was just a common farming tool. The other was Jiang Cheng, whose Martial Soul was Blue Silver Grass and whose soul power was only level one. At best, he would never reach higher than three soul rings in his lifetime.
Outside the City Lord's Mansion, as the group prepared to leave, Zhu Changhe stood beside the carriage and called out to Hong Zhen.
"Brother Hong, we'll be heading back now. See you at the end of the month."
"Alright, Brother Changhe. See you then," Hong Zhen replied. "And don't forget—make sure Little Yang enrolls in Anyang Academy. With talent like his, who knows? Maybe Anyang Academy will finally produce a Soul Master worthy of entering Shrek Academy!"
His face was full of smiles, and his eyes sparkled with admiration and longing at the mention of Shrek Academy.
"If that really happens, I'll die with no regrets," Zhu Changhe responded, just as hopeful.
Zhu Ziyang overheard their conversation, and his heart stirred slightly. Shrek Academy…
Someone as well-read as him could never be unfamiliar with that legendary institution known as the greatest academy in the world. In the biographies he'd read, at least five out of every ten Titled Douluos were graduates of Shrek Academy. That alone spoke volumes about its influence on the continent.
He would get in—he had to.
"Alright, you all go. I've got another village's children waiting for their awakening," said Hong Zhen, sweeping away his earlier sentiment and turning back to his duties.
"Got it. We'll be off then," Zhu Changhe replied as he climbed up into the carriage.
"Goodbye, Uncle Hong!" Zhu Ziyang leaned out and waved.
"Goodbye!" Hong Zhen called back.
Zhu Ziyang hoped to build a good relationship with Hong Zhen—after all, he might need his help in the future when hunting soul rings.
The carriage rumbled along and quickly returned to Beihezhuang.
Outside the Zhu residence, the children's parents were already waiting, having stood there for quite some time. Their eyes were fixed in anticipation, anxious to hear the results that would determine their families' futures.
At the very back of the crowd stood a beautiful woman leaning against the wall. Her face was pale, her body frail, and her eyes tinged with sorrow. She bore a strong resemblance to Jiang Nannan—this was her mother, Bai Xinyi.
When the carriage arrived, the children climbed down one after another and rushed toward their families. Those from families without soul power looked lost and hollow. Those with soul power were all smiles. The difference was painfully clear—it was as if they now lived in two separate worlds.
"Mom!" Jiang Nannan spotted her mother at the back and immediately sprinted toward her, her radiant smile enough to warm anyone's heart.
"You're back," Bai Xinyi whispered as she pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.
"Mom, I awakened my Martial Soul! It's the Soft Bone Rabbit! And I've got level eight soul power!" Jiang Nannan lifted her chin proudly and declared with joy.
Hearing that, Bai Xinyi clutched her daughter even tighter. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Brother Ning, did you see that? Nannan awakened the Soft Bone Rabbit…"
"Mom, don't be sad..." Jiang Nannan's smile faded when she saw her mother in tears. She immediately offered comfort like the thoughtful child she was.
"No, no. Mommy's just happy." Bai Xinyi wiped her tears and smiled. "My good Nannan, let's go home. I'll make you something delicious."
"Yay!" Jiang Nannan cheered and grinned from ear to ear. She turned to wave at Zhu Ziyang. "Brother Ziyang, I'm heading home!"
"Alright. See you later," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile. "Don't forget to practice tonight!"
"Don't worry, I won't!" the little girl called back as she left hand in hand with her mother.
"Village Chief, we'll be heading off too," said the other parents one after another.
"Alright, I won't see you off," Zhu Changhe replied casually. He especially reminded the parents of the two children who had soul power. "Xiao Jiu, Jiang Wu—make sure you prepare the school fees. Soul power isn't easy to come by. They have to go to Anyang Academy."
"Understood, Second Brother," the two parents responded immediately.
(End of Chapter)
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