The chamber fell into a respectful silence as Su Yuntao, junior deacon of Spirit Hall, stepped forward. His eyes—sharp yet kind—swept over the gathered children with practiced ease. Clad in simple yet dignified robes, he held a polished wooden staff engraved with spirit runes—emblematic of his authority.
"Welcome, young ones," Su Yuntao began, his voice calm and steady. "Today, you will awaken your Martial Souls—the essence of your power and the foundation of your destiny. The path you walk from here will be shaped by what lies within."
One by one, the children were called forward. Each stepped up, trembling with anticipation or bursting with confidence, onto the platform beneath the hall's vaulted ceiling.
The first was a slender boy, no older than Li Shen. As he stood under the ancient stone arch, Su Yuntao raised his staff. A gentle hum filled the air.
The boy's eyes fluttered shut. Then, in a burst of brilliant light, an ethereal form swirled into view—solidifying into an azure wolf, its fur shimmering with faint electric sparks.
"Azure Wolf Martial Soul. A good one," Su Yuntao noted, nodding in approval. "Affinity with lightning and speed."
The boy's eyes widened with pride and wonder.
"Place your hand on it," Su Yuntao instructed.
The boy hesitated briefly, then laid his hand on the spirit manifestation stone. It glowed warmly beneath his palm.
"Level 6. Impressive," Su Yuntao said, turning toward the boy's beaming parents, who eagerly awaited their child's results.
One after another, children awakened their Martial Souls. While none equaled the Azure Wolf in flair, their spirits were strong in their own ways.
Then came Li Shen's turn.
"Little Shen, it's your moment," Su Yuntao said, his smile kind and warm.
Li Shen stepped forward, equal parts nervous and determined. Su Yuntao had known the original Li Shen, watched over him. The affection in his eyes calmed Li Shen's nerves. He returned a small, genuine smile.
The rest of the hall quieted. Eyes turned toward Li Shen—curious, hopeful.
He stepped onto the platform. Su Yuntao lifted his staff once more, and the chamber filled with a resonant hum—ancient and potent.
Light surged around Li Shen's chest. His Martial Soul stirred.
Spectators leaned forward, expecting something grand: a dragon, a phoenix, perhaps another powerful beast.
The light spun into a vortex… then settled.
Floating before Li Shen was a simple, undecorated book—plain, with a blank cover, like a page yet to be written.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Confusion flickered in their eyes.
"A book?" someone whispered. "Is that even… a Martial Soul?"
Su Yuntao frowned slightly. He stepped in for a closer look. The boy's hand trembled as he extended it toward the spectral book.
"Your Martial Soul is… a book?" another voice murmured from the back.
Su Yuntao sighed—softly, not unkindly. "Not the most imposing spirit, Little Shen," he murmured, almost to himself.
He placed his hand over Li Shen's forehead, channeling a stream of soul energy to test his potential.
His brow furrowed. Then rose.
"Level 10… Innate full spirit power?" Su Yuntao blinked. His voice, barely above a whisper, carried notes of shock.
The elders around the hall stirred in surprise.
"Such high spirit power… but paired with that?" someone muttered.
"Pity," Su Yuntao sighed, shaking his head gently. "With that level of innate spirit power, you had the potential to become a powerful Douluo… but your Martial Soul is merely a book."
The Spirit Hall elders looked upon Li Shen with a mixture of sympathy and resignation.
But Li Shen wasn't listening to their doubts.
In his mind, the system's voice chimed softly, and information flooded his senses like starlight.
[Book of Infinity – Martial Soul Identified]
-A Martial Spirit of limitless potential.
-The Book of Infinity appears blank but holds the essence of infinite paths.
-Its true power emerges upon absorbing the first Spirit Ring.
-The element of the first Spirit Ring will determine the book's form—flame, frost, wind, or more.
-Each ring reshapes the book's nature: Grimoire of Summoning, Elemental Codex, or Archive of Binding.
-The Book of Infinity is an oathbound vessel of endless growth.
Li Shen's eyes trembled—not with fear, but awe.
So… it's not useless. It's limitless.
A warm hand ruffled his hair.
"It's okay, Li Shen," Ma Nuo said gently, offering a smile that held both comfort and concern. "Maybe it's more powerful than it appears. That might explain your full spirit power."
His tone was warm, yet uncertainty crept beneath it.
Li Shen nodded quietly.
He wasn't hurt by their doubt—he understood. Even he wouldn't have believed it without the system's help.
Ma Nuo studied Li Shen's expression. He saw the boy trying to be brave, trying not to ask the question in his heart: Will I ever become strong?
Instead, silence hung between them.
"You've awakened. That's what matters," Ma Nuo said at last. "Rest for now. Tomorrow we'll begin the journey to acquire your first Spirit Ring."
Li Shen gave a respectful nod, then turned and walked out of the chamber.
Sisi, watching him go, whispered sadly, "I really wanted him to awaken something powerful."
Nearby deacons exchanged sympathetic glances.
"We can't choose our spirits," one muttered.
Su Yuntao stood in quiet thought, eyes lingering on the retreating boy. His heart felt heavier than he expected.
He had known Li Shen since he was small—like a younger brother, even. He had hoped… perhaps more than he realized.
But now? With a Martial Soul like that… could the boy truly walk the path of a Spirit Master?