Blueleaf Village's Soul Hall was filled with a faint fragrance of incense and the excited murmurs of children. Sunlight filtered through the worn wooden windows, casting strips of light upon the awakening platform.
Su Yuntao, a deacon of the Soul Hall, stood before the group of six-year-olds. His expression carried a trace of weariness; he had long grown accustomed to disappointment in remote villages like this. Still, he maintained his duty.
"Alright, children," he said, his voice calm yet dignified. "Let's begin the awakening ceremony."
The first child stepped forward.
"Li Su," Su Yuntao read from his register. He placed a hand on the awakening crystal and gently infused it with soul power. Light rippled across the array, and a faint glow appeared around the boy's hand. A small sickle manifested, its edge dull and lifeless.
"Try touching the soul power testing crystal," Su Yuntao instructed.
Li Su obeyed, but the crystal remained dim, showing no reaction.
Su Yuntao sighed softly. "No soul power. You may return."
The next few children followed, one after another — none showing even the faintest glimmer of potential. Disappointment flickered in Su Yuntao's eyes, but he still moved on to the final child.
"Sanhartha," he called.
The boy stepped forward calmly, though his heart was pounding. He looked at Su Yuntao — this man, known in his past life as the Blind Douluo in stories — now stood before him, very much alive.
He had been reborn into this world six years ago. Once, he had been an ordinary college student on Blue Star, killed in a fire accident caused by a short circuit. When he opened his eyes again, he was an infant in this unfamiliar world — the Douluo Continent.
Since then, he had lived quietly under the care of Village Chief Luo, reading, learning, and waiting for this very day.
Su Yuntao looked at him expectantly. "You are the last one for this year. Come, let's see what fate has in store for you."
He pressed his palms against the awakening crystal, sending a warm surge of soul power into it. A gentle light rose and enveloped Sanhartha.
Sanhartha felt the warmth seep into his body, stirring something deep within. A strange force began to awaken — it was as if something ancient and fiery was breaking free from the depths of his soul.
Behind him, a crimson light erupted, coalescing into a magnificent phoenix shadow. Its feathers glowed like burning embers, its wings unfurling in silent majesty.
Everyone in the hall froze in shock. Even Su Yuntao's eyes widened — his fatigue vanished in an instant.
"A phoenix martial soul…" he murmured. "How rare…"
Excitement flashed in his gaze. A martial soul like this would never appear without soul power!
"Let's test your innate soul power," he said quickly, placing the glowing crystal before Sanhartha.
Sanhartha placed his small hand upon it. Light flared immediately — brighter and steadier than before.
"Innate soul power… level four!" Su Yuntao exclaimed, visibly pleased. "Good! With hard work, you can definitely become a soul master. Boy, do you wish to join the Soul Hall?"
Sanhartha hesitated. Though grateful, he already had plans. "Thank you, Master Su, but I wish to study first at Notting Junior Soul Master Academy. I will consider joining the Soul Hall after graduation."
Su Yuntao nodded approvingly. "A wise child knows his path."
Later, he led the children to Village Chief Luo's residence. "Chief Luo, among this batch, one child possesses soul power — he can cultivate to become a soul master."
Chief Luo's old face lit up with joy. "Truly? This is wonderful news!"
When his gaze fell on Sanhartha, something gentle stirred in his eyes — a mixture of relief and melancholy.
"Well," Su Yuntao said, handing over a small parchment, "this is his martial soul certificate. With this, he can enroll at Notting Junior Soul Master Academy."
After Su Yuntao's departure, Chief Luo led the children back to their homes, his steps slower than usual. Behind him, the evening sun bathed the small village in gold, and among the laughter of children, one boy stood silently — eyes reflecting the faint crimson glow of his newly awakened phoenix soul.
His journey had just begun.