Su Yuntao's eyes lit up slightly. Within the golden barrier, the light spots that appeared this time were no fewer than those from Tang San's awakening just moments ago.
He could faintly sense that a powerful martial soul was about to emerge. His excitement was difficult to conceal.
For deacons of Spirit Hall, responsible for awakening the martial souls of commoners, discovering a child with extraordinary potential was a rare stroke of fortune. If they could recruit such a child into Spirit Hall, the merit and recognition gained would be invaluable—an opportunity that could greatly aid their future promotion.
In Su Yuntao's expectant gaze, a dreamlike brilliance suddenly burst forth from Wang Shenmeng's head. The light condensed in the air, transforming into an exquisitely beautiful butterfly.
Its body gleamed like amethyst crystal, while its wings shimmered with flowing hues of red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet. Seven colors danced across its delicate wings, and with each flutter, radiant halos spread outward, filling the hall with a surreal, enchanting glow.
The children were instantly captivated. Their eyes followed the butterfly with rapt attention, expressions softening into smiles of pure joy, as though they were gazing upon the very embodiment of their dreams.
Only one child remained clear-headed—Tang San. His brows furrowed as he stared at the butterfly, sensing the subtle, invisible influence it exerted on the mind.
"What martial soul is this?" he muttered, his tone edged with wariness.
Sensing the pull of that invisible force, Tang San's vision suddenly blurred. For an instant, he seemed to see the seventeen elders of the Tang Sect torturing him one after another. His heart trembled, but he immediately circulated the Xuantian Technique, and in an instant his mind cleared.
If not for his cultivation of the Xuantian Technique and the Purple Demon Eye, his mental strength would never have surpassed that of ordinary children. Against this strange power that directly penetrated the soul, he might have been dragged into the illusion and lost himself completely.
Recalling the nightmare he had nearly fallen into, Tang San's expression darkened. His gaze toward Wang Shenmeng grew especially cold.
"This is… a colorful butterfly? Although it differs somewhat from the records, it appears even more beautiful, noble, and ethereal. It should be a mutant martial soul, but still within the category of the Colorful Butterfly."
Su Yuntao's eyes widened as he stared at the dazzling martial soul. Yet after a brief moment of awe, disappointment clouded his face once again.
"What a pity. Such a grand display, yet it's only a low-level martial soul. The Seven-Colored Phantom Butterfly—fragile, with no use beyond its beauty. It's only a little better than Blue Silver Grass. In the end, it's still a waste martial soul. Pass."
Having gone from hope to disappointment twice in a row, Su Yuntao's mood soured. The fatigue of continuously outputting soul power only made him more irritable. With a wave of his hand, he said impatiently, "Alright, children, you may go back."
But Wang Shenmeng quickly stepped forward. "Uncle, I haven't tested my soul power yet."
Su Yuntao sighed, his tone dismissive. "The Colorful Fantasy Heart Butterfly is just a low-level martial soul. Even if it possesses innate soul power, it would only reach one or two ranks at most. It makes no difference whether it's tested or not."
Wang Shenmeng said with disappointment, "Is the Colorful Phantom Heart Butterfly really so useless? I thought it was amazing…"
Su Yuntao glanced again at the two-to-three-meter-long butterfly hovering in the air. Its beauty was undeniable, and even he was momentarily entranced. But he still shook his head.
"The Colorful Phantom Heart Butterfly has only a minor illusion ability. At best, it can barely be considered a low-level beast spirit, not much better than an ordinary butterfly. What use is such a martial soul? Its illusions are too weak to affect a true spirit master, and its possession form grants little strength or defense. The only advantage is flight—but even then, its speed is slow and of little use in combat."
"Is that so…"
Wang Shenmeng's eyes flickered, but he said no more. Instead, he straightened his back and insisted, "Uncle, please help me measure my soul power."
Seeing the determination in his eyes, Su Yuntao paused. After awakening his martial soul, the boy's delicate features seemed even more striking, and there was a quiet resilience about him that stirred a trace of fondness.
"Ah… children these days are all so independent."
Shaking his head helplessly, Su Yuntao extended the crystal ball and infused it with his remaining soul power.
Wang Shenmeng first followed the method Su Yuntao had taught, drawing the butterfly martial soul back into his body with his mind. Then, he pressed his small hand onto the crystal ball.
At once, a powerful suction force erupted from the blue crystal sphere. A mysterious energy within Wang Shenmeng surged forth, as though it had finally found an outlet.
In the very next instant, the crystal ball blazed with dazzling blue light. From the first flicker, it spread rapidly, until the entire sphere shone like a flawless sapphire. A faint blue halo rippled outward, indescribably radiant and moving.
Su Yuntao's mouth fell open in shock. "Again… another child with innate full soul power?"
When Tang San had awakened his own innate full soul power earlier, Su Yuntao had already explained its meaning. The children understood in theory that it was something extraordinary, but being so young, they couldn't truly grasp its weight. They only knew it was very powerful.
"Amazing! Brother Shenmeng is incredible!"
"Yeah, the Butterfly Martial Soul is so strong—I just ate chicken legs!"
"What are you talking about? It was roasted pig's trotters!"
"Nonsense, it was candied haws!"
"No, I became Wang Dahu's daughter and had a full meal!"
"…"
Unlike Tang San, Wang Shenmeng was well-liked. The seven other children crowded around him, chattering excitedly, still immersed in the dreamlike illusions they had experienced under the influence of his butterfly spirit. Their faces glowed with admiration and joy.
Tang San, however, stood apart as always. His cold gaze swept over the noisy children, his expression dark. A smoldering fire seemed to burn in his chest, making him deeply unsettled as he watched Wang Shenmeng bask in their affection.
"How is it possible… that he also has innate full soul power? A native, a lowly little beggar—why? And his martial soul… it's even a little better than my Blue Silver Grass…"
His fists clenched tightly, veins bulging.
"Hateful!"
For Tang San, once the peerless genius of the Tang Sect, to be compared unfavorably to a village orphan was nothing short of humiliation.
After Su Yuntao's initial shock, his expression quickly shifted into deep disappointment.
"What a pity. Born with innate full soul power, yet burdened with a low-level martial soul. No matter how he cultivates, his achievements will be limited. There's no value in recruiting him."
He sighed inwardly. "Why is my life so miserable? If only one of them had awakened a high-level martial soul… If I could bring such a child into Spirit Hall, it would be a great contribution!"
With another sigh, Su Yuntao began packing up his things, his mood heavy, and walked toward the door.
Wang Shenmeng, meanwhile, took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart. At that moment, the invisible shadow that had long weighed upon him seemed to dissipate. The world before his eyes suddenly felt different—brighter, lighter.
"Old Jack!"
The door creaked open, and Old Jack hurried in, his face tense with worry. "Master, how is it? Is there anyone in our village who can become a spirit master this year?"
Su Yuntao looked at him, sighed, and replied, "There are two… but it's a pity."
Old Jack's eyes widened in surprise. He asked cautiously, "Master, what do you mean?"
Su Yuntao said, "Among the nine children this year, only two possess soul power—and both are rare cases of innate full soul power. Unfortunately, their martial souls are the Seven-Colored Phantom Heart Butterfly and Blue Silver Grass. You understand?"
"Colorful Phantom Heart Butterfly and Blue Silver Grass… both with innate full soul power? Heavens above…"
Old Jack's expression grew even more bitter than Su Yuntao's. As village chief for so many years, he naturally understood the significance of innate full soul power.
The Seven-Colored Phantom Heart Butterfly was at least a little better—it could cultivate, even if weak. But for such a rare gift to appear alongside the Blue Silver Grass… that was truly disheartening.
Old Jack frowned deeply. "Master, is it truly impossible for Blue Silver Grass to cultivate?"
Su Yuntao could sense Old Jack's disappointment, but he no longer carried the pride he had shown at the beginning. He patted Old Jack on the shoulder and said,
"It's not that they can't cultivate at all. But think about it—if Blue Silver Grass could improve through cultivation, what would it evolve into? A waste martial soul is still a waste martial soul. Even if one becomes a spirit master, they would still be a waste spirit master. As for the Colorful Phantom Heart Butterfly, it's not much better. A pity, really, that both are born with full soul power. Alright, I'll take my leave. I still have to visit the next village."
After speaking, Su Yuntao packed up and left Holy Spirit Village without looking back.
Without Su Yuntao present, Tang San immediately ran up to Old Jack, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Grandpa Jack, what is a spirit ring? How can I obtain one?"