Three days later.
"Tang San! Tang San, hurry up! Today's the Martial Spirit Awakening!"
Outside Tang Hao's house, Old Jack smiled as he watched Qian Jue call out for Tang San.
Since returning that day, Old Jack had reflected and realized his words to Tang Hao had been too harsh. Feeling awkward, he didn't enter again, choosing instead to wait outside. Qian Jue also stayed outside, too excited to sit still, eagerly awaiting Tang San.
"Dad, I'm going now."
Inside, Tang San, already prepared, looked back at his father, who was still lying in bed.
"Go. Come back early." Tang Hao's voice was as flat as ever. Yet Tang San felt—perhaps it was just his imagination—that his father seemed a little less cold than before.
"Yes!"
Answering with a hint of excitement, Tang San turned and walked out.
"Come on, Tang San! Let's hurry. The Spirit master from Spirit Hall is already here—we can't keep him waiting!"
Instead of answering Qian Jue, Tang San bowed respectfully to Old Jack first. Then, with a small sigh, he said to Qian Jue, "Don't be so nervous. Being anxious won't awaken you a rarer Martial Spirit."
"Heh, I'm just excited. Let's go already!"
Qian Jue laughed, grabbing Tang San's hand and dragging him toward the village's Martial Spirit Hall.
"Grandpa Jack, hurry up!" he shouted back.
"You two slow down, these old bones can't run!" Old Jack called, quickening his pace.
The so-called Martial Spirit Hall of the village was merely a large wooden hut. This kind of hall, at the village level, was the lowest branch of Spirit Hall—so unimportant that no one was stationed there. Its only function was to provide a place for the annual awakening ceremony.
When Qian Jue and Tang San arrived, eight people were already inside: seven children about to awaken, and one young man—the soul master sent by Spirit Hall this year.
The man looked about twenty-something, handsome, dressed in crisp white combat attire. A black cape draped over his shoulders. On his chest was an embroidered golden character "魂" (soul), and pinned to his left chest was a badge depicting three crossed swords—the insignia of a Spirit Hall deacon.
Qian Jue and Tang San didn't yet know the meaning: the three swords signified his rank as a *Spirit Grandmaster*, the third rank of Spirit masters, and the swords marked him as a Battle Soul Master.
After a while, Old Jack arrived, panting from the run.
Confirming all the village children were present, he bowed respectfully. "Honored spirit master, I must trouble you again this year."
The young man returned a small bow, pride flashing in his brows. "Are all the children here?"
"Yes, they are."
"Good. Then let's begin. My time is limited."
He walked to a table, opened a pack, and took out six black stones and a bright blue crystal sphere.
Arranging the stones into a hexagon, he addressed the children: "Don't be afraid. My name is Su Yuntao, a twenty-sixth ' Spirit Grandmaster of Spirit Hall. I will be conducting your awakenings today. No matter what happens, you will not be harmed. Understood?"
Qian Jue, Tang San, and the others quickly nodded.
"Good. Let's hope there's a talented one among you. Wolf Spirit—possess!"
With a low shout, pale green light burst from his forehead, spreading over his body. His black hair turned ash gray, the fur extending to his arms. His fingernails lengthened into sharp claws, muscles bulged, and beneath his feet appeared one white and one yellow soul ring. His whole figure radiated power.
The children gasped and shrank back in fright—everyone except Tang San and Qian Jue.
Shaking his head, Su Yuntao said, "I told you not to worry. This is simply my Martial Spirit—Lone Wolf—in its possessed form. If any of you awaken a beast-type Martial Spirit, you'll gain similar abilities."
He then looked at Tang San and Qian Jue. "You two are brave. You'll go first. Who wants to start?"
They exchanged glances. Qian Jue decided inwardly to let Tang San go first. After all, Tang San's Martial Spirit was already known—he might as well test fate first.
Seeing Qian Jue remain silent, Tang San stepped forward. "I'll go."
Tang San wasn't too worried. Even if his Martial Spirit turned out weak, he still had the 'Mysterious Heaven Technique' and Tang Sect arts. That was enough for a lifetime.
"Good. Stand in the center, don't move, just close your eyes and feel."
Su Yuntao guided Tang San to the center of the six-stone array. With six quick strikes, beams of green light entered the stones. Golden light surged up, forming a cocoon around Tang San.
Golden motes streamed into his body. Tang San closed his eyes, a blissful expression on his face. The glow intensified, more and more motes flooding into him.
Su Yuntao's eyes brightened. The more motes, the stronger the Martial Spirit being awakened. And this… this was more than he had ever seen.
But then—disappointment.
In Tang San's hand appeared not some rare spirit, but the most common plant in the world: Blue Silver Grass.
Su Yuntao shook his head with regret. "What a waste. Such strong resonance, yet a trash Martial Spirit. No need to test his soul power—next!"
He patted Tang San's shoulder, motioning him aside, then beckoned to Qian Jue.
Tang San stepped back, staring at the grass in his hand, puzzled. Yet in his heart he thought of the strange fluctuations of the 'Mysterious Heaven Technique' during his awakening. Though Su Yuntao called it useless, he didn't feel too discouraged. He still had the Tang Sect skills.
Meanwhile, Qian Jue hurried to the array and obediently closed his eyes.
Su Yuntao, pleased by his readiness, struck the stones again.
This time, the golden cocoon surrounded Qian Jue.
Warmth—that was the first sensation. A comfortable heat, as though wrapped in a soft embrace. 'No wonder Tang San looked so blissful,' Qian Jue thought.
The warmth seeped deeper, flowing into his body. Slowly, he sensed two silhouettes rising from his soul.
The shapes grew clearer. Qian Jue finally glimpsed what his Martial Spirits were.