The morning sun cast a pale glow over Holy Soul Village as the villagers gathered in the square. Six children, all around six years old, stood nervously in a row. Today, their futures would be decided.
At the center of the square, Su Yuntao raised his Spirit Hall badge, his green robe swaying in the breeze. His eyes swept over the children and villagers with practiced detachment.
"Don't be nervous," he said, his tone calm but firm. "The Martial Spirit Awakening Ceremony is simple. No matter what spirit you receive, accept it. If you awaken innate soul power, then you may take the first step toward becoming a Spirit Master."
His words sent ripples of excitement through the crowd. For common villagers, this was as close to glory as they would ever see.
The six-pointed star array glowed faintly as Su Yuntao planted his black staff into the ground. With a surge of soul power, six dim light spheres rose into the air, casting a soft glow over the space.
"First child. Step forward."
A boy with messy hair and trembling legs shuffled into the array. Light swirled around him, and in his hand appeared… a single stalk of wild grass, limp and colorless.
"Wild grass." Su Yuntao's voice was flat. "Useless. Test soul power."The boy placed his hand on the crystal sphere. No light appeared. Su Yuntao shook his head. "No innate soul power. Next."
The villagers sighed.The second child entered. His spirit was a crooked wooden stick. No light in the crystal. Another disappointment.
The third—an old shoe sole, frayed and foul. No soul power. The villagers chuckled uncomfortably.The fourth—a chipped ceramic bowl. No soul power.
"Next child," Su Yuntao said, expression indifferent. "Step forward."Tang San walked into the array. His small face was calm, his steps steady. As the light surrounded him, a tender blue vine sprouted in his palm. It swayed gently, carrying a faint fragrance.
"Blue Silver Grass." Su Yuntao's voice carried a trace of disdain. "The most common trash spirit."
The villagers sighed again.
"Even Tang San, poor boy… always working hard, but fated with nothing."
"His drunkard father has cursed him with bad luck."
Su Yuntao waved his staff impatiently. "Test soul power."Tang San placed his hand on the crystal sphere. At first, nothing. Then—light exploded, filling the sphere with dazzling brilliance, every corner glowing with intensity.
The villagers gasped. Su Yuntao himself froze.
"Innate full soul power…" he muttered, stunned. His eyes narrowed, lingering on Tang San. "Innate full soul power? Master, what does that mean?" Tang San asked, his tone calm but respectful.
Su Yuntao gave him a long look before answering. "It means your body has been born with the maximum amount of soul power possible. With the first spirit ring, you can immediately cultivate as a Spirit Master."
The villagers, however, only exchanged confused looks."Full? Full of what?" "It looked bright, but… didn't Su Yuntao say it's Blue Silver Grass? Isn't that trash?" "Perhaps it just means he's unlucky but strong?"
To them, the words were meaningless. Blue Silver Grass had already marked Tang San as "useless" in their eyes.
"Last child."
All eyes turned to Xiao Tian.He entered the array, his heartbeat thundering. The light surged, wrapping around him. A shadow rose from his body, coalescing into sharp claws in his palm. Behind him, the blurred phantom of a black tiger flickered into being, its eyes gleaming cold.
The villagers gasped aloud. "A tiger spirit!" "That's a true beast spirit!" "Not trash like grass!"Su Yuntao's brows rose slightly, though he quickly regained composure. "Variant-type Black Tiger. Some potential, but not rare. Test soul power."
The crystal sphere was placed before him. Xiao Tian pressed his hand against it, and light bloomed faintly—four bright segments shining steadily.
"Innate soul power, level four," Su Yuntao announced. His tone was lukewarm, but the villagers erupted in cheers."A Spirit Master! He can really become one!" "Level four is already amazing!" "Our Holy Soul Village finally has hope again!" The children stared at Xiao Tian with wide eyes, admiration and envy filling their faces.
When the ceremony ended, Su Yuntao packed away his staff and tools with little care. To him, it had been just another awakening. But to Holy Soul Village, it was unforgettable.
The villagers crowded around Xiao Tian, showering him with praise. Tang San, however, stood quietly aside, ignored by most. Only Old Jack gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before helping Su Yuntao tidy up.
Later, as the noise faded, Xiao Tian leaned against a tree at the edge of the village, his gaze following the path Tang San had taken.
Blue Silver Grass… to them, it is trash. But I know better. With full soul power, and with what I know, Tang San will not stop there. His true secret… is that he holds not one, but two martial spirits. The hidden Hammer within him will one day shake the entire continent.
"Last child."
All eyes turned to Xiao Tian.He entered the array, his heartbeat thundering. The light surged, wrapping around him. A shadow rose from his body, coalescing into sharp claws in his palm. Behind him, the blurred phantom of a black tiger flickered into being, its eyes gleaming cold.
The villagers gasped aloud. "A tiger spirit!" "That's a true beast spirit!" "Not trash like grass!"Su Yuntao's brows rose slightly, though he quickly regained composure. "Variant-type Black Tiger. Some potential, but not rare. Test soul power."
The crystal sphere was placed before him. Xiao Tian pressed his hand against it, and light bloomed faintly—four bright segments shining steadily.
"Innate soul power, level four," Su Yuntao announced. His tone was lukewarm, but the villagers erupted in cheers."A Spirit Master! He can really become one!" "Level four is already amazing!" "Our Holy Soul Village finally has hope again!" The children stared at Xiao Tian with wide eyes, admiration and envy filling their faces.
When the ceremony ended, Su Yuntao packed away his staff and tools with little care. To him, it had been just another awakening. But to Holy Soul Village, it was unforgettable.
The villagers crowded around Xiao Tian, showering him with praise. Tang San, however, stood quietly aside, ignored by most. Only Old Jack gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before helping Su Yuntao tidy up.
Later, as the noise faded, Xiao Tian leaned against a tree at the edge of the village, his gaze following the path Tang San had taken.
Blue Silver Grass… to them, it is trash. But I know better. With full soul power, and with what I know, Tang San will not stop there. His true secret… is that he holds not one, but two martial spirits. The hidden Hammer within him will one day shake the entire continent.
He exhaled softly, black aura flickering faintly around his hand.Tonight, he'll tell Tang Hao. The villagers call that man a drunkard, useless, lazy. But I know his true identity—the Clear Sky Douluo. Tang San is destined for greatness under his guidance.
Xiao Tian's eyes hardened, a fierce smile tugging at his lips.And I… I won't be left in his shadow. With my Black Tiger, my training, and my own knowledge, I will walk beside him. His path may lead to the peak of this world, but mine will roar just as loud. When the time comes, the world will hear not only the Clear Sky Hammer… but the roar of the Black Tiger.
The night wind rustled through the trees, carrying his vow into the darkness.