Old Jack sighed in relief, shoulders loosening. "That's… that's a comfort to hear."
Su Yuntao placed his hand over his chest, tracing a circular motion before his heart and then spreading his fingers outward."Praise the Almighty Angel."His voice was solemn, firm, like a quiet prayer carried by the wind.
Old Jack, though unfamiliar with the gesture, tried to mimic him. His movement was clumsy, but the faith in his eyes was genuine."P–Praise the Almighty Angel!" he echoed.
Su Yuntao stepped forward, the door closing behind him with a faint echo. The air inside the Spirit Hall branch turned still, solemn — the faint scent of burning incense mixed with the earthy aroma of fresh wood.
Without further delay, Su Yuntao lifted his right hand and declared in a calm but commanding voice:"Martial Soul — Wolf!"
At once, a surge of light burst out around him.A deep gray shadow formed at his back, coalescing into the vague outline of a powerful wolf. Its eyes glowed with a faint green luminescence, and as the spirit possessed him, Su Yuntao's body changed — his hair bristled slightly, his pupils sharpened, and an invisible pressure spread through the small hall.
Several children flinched in fright, some even taking a step back. The low growl of the spirit wolf reverberated through the wooden floor like a heartbeat.
Seeing their fear, Su Yuntao's stern expression softened a little."Fear not, children," he said gently, his voice carrying warmth beneath its authority. "This is my martial soul, a part of me. When your turn comes, you too will awaken yours. Do not be afraid — for this is the beginning of your path as soul masters."
His calm tone steadied them. The children began to breathe again, their fear giving way to nervous excitement.
Su Yuntao then waved his hand. A small storage soul guide gleamed faintly at his waist, and several black awakening stones appeared in midair, falling in a precise hexagonal pattern on the floor before him. The stones pulsed faintly with light, forming a ring of spiritual energy.
His wolf-like eyes scanned the line of children. "You there — the boy at the far end. Come forward."
The little boy hesitated, eyes wide, before taking timid steps toward Su Yuntao. His hands trembled as he extended them.
Su Yuntao grasped his hands firmly, closed his eyes, and released a pulse of soul power.The awakening stones shimmered, and faint light gathered around the child's palms. A dim yellow aura flickered, and an object began to take shape — a small sickle appeared in the boy's grasp.
Su Yuntao's eyes flickered with mild disappointment."Martial Soul: Sickle," he said flatly. He then produced a crystal orb, transparent yet filled with mist that swirled faintly within. "Now, check your innate soul power."
The boy obediently placed his hand upon the orb. For a moment, the orb remained dull and lifeless. No light appeared.
Su Yuntao sighed softly. "Useless martial soul. Innate soul power — zero."
The boy's shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head in shame. Su Yuntao, though hardened by experience, gave him a brief reassuring pat. "Don't lose heart. Even ordinary people have their worth."
But Tang San wasn't paying attention.His gaze had been drawn somewhere else — toward the center of the hall, where a strange structure stood that he didn't remember from his past life.
It was a tall cross-shaped monument, carved of pale stone and etched with fine golden lines. In its center rested an eye — half-open, half-shut — surrounded by a faint golden halo. Twelve sculpted wings spread from behind it in perfect symmetry, as if ready to embrace the heavens.
Tang San felt a chill crawl down his spine. For a brief instant, he thought the eye blinked. He forced a breath and shook his head.
Yet… that cold sweat on his neck refused to fade.
'This symbol..,' he thought, frowning deeply. 'I never saw anything like this. This wasn't part of the Spirit Hall branch as far as I remember. What is this thing?'
If he had not isolated himself from the villagers all these years — if he had joined their evening gatherings, their humble prayers — he would have known the truth.
That symbol, the Eye with the Cross of Twelve Wings, was not just a decoration. It was the new emblem of the Angel Goddess, decreed by Spirit Hall and installed in every branch across the continent just one year ago — after the soul beast tide across the entire continent.
But Tang San didn't know. He only knew that the gaze of that sculpted eye made his skin crawl… as though something ancient and divine had quietly turned its attention toward him.
He tore his eyes away, trying to dismiss the unease.He whispered coldly in his heart:'Angel Goddess, Spirit Hall, fate… It doesn't matter. I will still crush all of you beneath my feet.'
Tang San, lost in thought before the strange angelic monument, only snapped back to reality when Su Yuntao's voice reached him.
"Next! Come here!"
Tang San blinked, realizing his turn had come. The girl before Tang San had just finished awakening, and Su Yuntao was already beginning to gather the awakening stones, his tone slightly weary.
"Blue Silver Grass. Useless martial soul, innate soul power zero," Su Yuntao muttered as he wrapped up the process.
But before he could conclude, Tang San's calm voice broke the rhythm.
"Wait," he said. "You haven't awakened my martial soul yet."
Su Yuntao raised an eyebrow, a little annoyed at the interruption, but after a moment's hesitation, he gestured. "Fine. Come forward, then."
Tang San stepped into the center of the hexagonal formation. His expression was serene, but deep within, his heartbeat had already quickened.