Morning mist wove delicately through the tranquil Holy Soul Village, cloaking the quaint stone houses in a soft, silvery gossamer. The awakening day echoed with the cheerful trills of birds perched high in the trees, yet inside the Tang household, a tempest brewed.
"Mother! No, please! Don't let Father tie the sash. He's a tyrant! And San-ge? Keep your hands off me!" Tang Yan contorted dramatically, clutching the ceremonial robe around his waist like a delicate maiden fending off scandalous advances, his wide eyes alight with indignation.
Tang San, already clad in his ceremonial attire and seated with an impressive posture that spoke of quiet strength, couldn't help but twitch in annoyance. "...You're impossible."
Ah Yin stifled a soft giggle as she deftly secured the intricate knot at Tang Yan's waist, her fingers dancing over the fabric. "He's your brother. This is the routine by now; you should be accustomed to it."
"I am," Tang San replied, his voice muffled with exasperation, "but that doesn't make it easier."
At the doorway, Bi Ji stood with arms crossed and a playful pout gracing her lips. "I used to be Aunt Bi Ji, you know."
Tang Yan shot her a sidelong glance, a grin playing on his lips. "Ah, but promotions to direct-service staff bring their perks. You get benefits... like the honor of brushing my illustrious hair." He flicked his braid flamboyantly, punctuating the air. "Right?"
Tianmeng Iceworm, lounging lazily on the window ledge, let out a melodramatic groan. "Each day with this one is like pulling a gacha for patience."
The Three-headed Mastiff barked a low, rumbling laugh, a sound like thunder in the distance.
Tang Hao moved closer, his voice soft yet laden with authority. "Enough of the circus," he said firmly, his gaze warm with pride as it roamed over his sons. "Today marks the beginning of your journey as soul masters. Whatever power you awaken, wield it with honor."
A shared grin flickered between the brothers, a silent understanding passing between them that needed no words.
**The Ceremony Begins**
In the sunlit courtyard, a soul awakening array pulsed gently with a faint glow—an intricate design painstakingly inscribed by Tang Hao. Unlike the grand, formal ceremonies of Spirit Hall, this one shimmered with intimacy, reverence, and a touch of the sacred.
As Bi Ji, Tianmeng, and the Mastiff formed a vigilant perimeter around the circle, Ah Yin stood quietly beside Tang Hao, her presence soothing yet watchful.
Tang Hao raised his hand high, calling forth his eldest. "San, you're first."
With the calm of a still lake, Tang San stepped into the heart of the array.
Tang Hao placed a steadying hand on his son's back, energy unfurling like gentle waves through Tang San's meridians. A delicate green light sprang from his hand—the Blue Silver Grass, vibrant and rhythmic, as if it thrived on breaths of life.
But behind him, the atmosphere thickened, shadows swirling in anticipation.
A deep, resonant hum echoed as an enormous black hammer shimmered into existence, its head wide and curved, veins of violet light snaking across its surface, forming the formidable Terror Clear Sky Hammer.
Tang San exhaled slowly, his voice barely a whisper. "It's... heavy."
Tang Hao's brow furrowed in concern as he withdrew his hand. "It weighs nearly 1900 kilograms—a weight far beyond standard. A Clear Sky Hammer typically measures around 150 kg."
Reaching to the side, he retrieved a soul power crystal, its surface gleaming invitingly.
"Touch it," he instructed.
With a hesitant determination, Tang San reached out, and the crystal burst to life with a brilliant glow, a harmonious hum crackling in the air... then, with a sudden fracture, it shattered into a kaleidoscope of gleaming shards.
Stunned, Tang Hao's eyes widened. "Level 15 soul power."
A rare smile graced his lips, transforming his usually stern demeanor.
**The Storm Awakens**
"Now, it's your turn, Yan."
With a casual stretch, Tang Yan stepped forward, exuding nonchalance. "Right. Time to awaken the plot."
**System:** "Would you like background music, Host? I recommend 'Boss Theme #9 – Planet Destruction.'"
"Maybe later," Tang Yan murmured, a grin of mischief on his face.
Tang Hao placed his hand firmly against Tang Yan's back.
In an instant, the ground shuddered violently beneath them.
A blinding golden-blue light erupted around Tang Yan as the Blue-Gold Warlord Trident manifested behind him—sleek, radiant, and thrumming with raw, divine energy.
But then—boom.
A second soul surged forth: the Destructive Clear Sky Hammer.
Blacker than the depths of night, it bore molten cracks that pulsed with a fierce aura, howling like a collapsing realm—a visible distortion rippling through the air.
Tang Yan's eyes widened, astonishment blossoming on his face.
Then, the transformation seized him.
**The Transformation**
Energy cascaded through Tang Yan's being, bones cracking and reshaping, muscles swelling and contorting into new forms.
He grew, transforming from a modest 130 cm to nearly 2 meters tall, his entire figure engulfed in a draconic metamorphosis.
Dark-gray and metallic scales engulfed him, shimmering with volt green and blood-red veins that glowed like circuits. Majestic wings unfurled from his back, stretching an impressive three meters, while a thick, armored tail snapped behind him, a testament to his newfound might.
Breathing deeply in awe, he marveled, "Okay. This is cool... but if I hold this too long, I'm going to be panting and ruin my looks."
Bi Ji stumbled backward, her eyes wide with shock.
Tianmeng squealed, overwhelmed. "W-what is this pressure?!"
The Mastiff growled low, instinctively tucking its tail between its legs.
Even Ah Yin's usual calmness was replaced with concern.
Tang Hao's eyes widened with disbelief—this wasn't merely a transformation. This was an awakening of bloodline power.
**Soul Power Test — The Shattering**
Still reeling, Tang Hao handed Tang Yan a new crystal, his expression a mixture of awe and determination.
With a deliberate touch, Tang Yan's finger grazed the crystal, sending an eruption of energy surging through it upon contact.
"...Level 18," Tang Hao whispered, disbelief coloring his tone. "Unrecorded… impossible… yet, it is real."
His gaze remained fixated on the magnificent weapons before him.
"Trident—1000 kg. Hammer—2500 kg," he calculated, realization dawning.
Tang Yan, cracking his neck with a satisfied smirk, quipped, "No wonder I felt like I was carrying a mountain."
**Attribute Analysis**
Harnessing his spiritual sense, Tang Hao scrutinized both Martial Souls.
Tang Yan:
- **Blue-Gold Warlord Trident**: Life, Ultimate Gold, Killing
- **Destructive Clear Sky Hammer**: Ultimate Power, Destruction, Dark Star Power
Tang San:
- **Blue Silver Grass**: Life, Wood, Healing
- **Terror Clear Sky Hammer**: Power, Terror, Control
And with that, the moment simmered with untapped potential, promising an extraordinary journey ahead for the brothers.