Chapter 1: Martial Soul—Athena? (2-in-1 Chapter)
Spirit Hall, Orphanage of the Northern District.
A young boy with short, jet-black hair lay on the rooftop, eyes half-lidded as he lazily gazed at the sky. His eyelids would droop shut for a moment, then lift slightly again.
Just then, a round, chubby face peeked over the edge of the roof—baby fat still clinging to his cheeks.
"Beiya, tomorrow's the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony! Aren't you even a little nervous?"
Lin Beiya turned his head slightly, glancing at the chubby boy who had just climbed up. "What's the point of being nervous? Martial souls are inherited from your parents. Worrying about it won't change a thing. You'd be better off eating well and getting some sleep, Shi Nuo. Don't tire yourself out before the ceremony even begins."
Shi Nuo, the little fatty, had been a nervous wreck for days—restless, unable to eat or sleep, terrified that he'd awaken some useless martial soul that couldn't cultivate.
Beiya couldn't really blame him. After all, this was the Douluo Continent, known to some as the fantasy world's sewer—a place overflowing with dazzling martial souls and ruled by strength above all else.
Here, if one failed to awaken a martial soul with innate soul power, they were destined to remain an ordinary person for life.
It wasn't that Lin Beiya didn't care about his awakening—he did—but he also knew that martial souls were entirely inherited from one's bloodline. Worrying would change nothing.
As for his own parents' martial souls... that was something he had no way of knowing.
After all, Lin Beiya was a transmigrator, and like many others of his kind, he had begun his new life with the classic "parents already gone" starter pack.
In his previous life, he had also been an orphan—and a huge anime fan at that. When he heard that his city was hosting a Saint Seiya 30th Anniversary Exhibition, he immediately went to see the legendary God Cloths in person. Yet, as he admired Athena's God Cloth, a loose Victory Goddess Staff fell from its mount—and the next thing he knew, he had been sent to the Douluo Continent.
When he awoke, he found himself as a baby lying near the edge of a cliff. Luckily, the head of Spirit Hall's orphanage had gone there to gather herbs and discovered him. Since he was found on the northern cliff near Spirit Hall City, the headmaster named him Lin Beiya.
Having lost his parents in two lifetimes, Lin Beiya could only accept whatever fate awaited him.
Unlike the anxious Shi Nuo, he didn't let uncertainty bother him—he ate when he was hungry, slept when he was tired. That easygoing maturity made him stand out among the other children of the orphanage.
Shi Nuo—the little fatty before him—was the only one who had managed to befriend him.
"I can't be as calm as you," Shi Nuo muttered. "If I don't have soul power, I'll be a useless commoner forever!"
Beiya chuckled. "Then I hope you awaken a martial soul you like. Just don't forget me when you're famous."
"Of course not, Beiya! You're my only friend—I'd never forget you!"
The little fatty wasn't popular among the other kids. His big appetite often made him a target—others would gang up on him and steal his food.
One day, he stumbled upon Lin Beiya roasting wild meat outside the orphanage and was instantly in awe. Since then, he had insisted on joining Beiya's "hunting trips." After a few shared meals, the two became inseparable—each the other's only friend.
Soon enough, the night passed, and the day that would decide their fates finally arrived.
There were around thirty children of awakening age in the orphanage. At dawn, the headmaster led them to Spirit Hall.
As the spiritual heart of the entire continent, Spirit Hall's architecture radiated solemn majesty. Its towering walls formed a hexagonal layout, with each face adorned by massive reliefs symbolizing the six core types of martial souls—both awe-inspiring and beautiful.
"Finally, the awakening ceremony!"
"Haha, just watch—this young master is definitely awakening a powerful martial soul!"
The one boasting was the self-proclaimed leader of the orphanage kids—the same brat who always led others to bully Shi Nuo.
Hearing him, Shi Nuo scowled and muttered under his breath, "Hmph, acting all high and mighty… Watch, maybe your martial soul won't even be as good as ours!"
Unfortunately, one of the lackeys overheard him. A wave of mocking laughter broke out.
"Hahaha! A glutton and a mute think they'll awaken powerful martial souls? Dream on! Just wait till this young master shows you what real strength looks like!"
"..."
Some things, Beiya mused, never change—whether in his previous life or this world, there would always be people with too much free time. He ignored them, but somehow that only earned him the nickname "the mute."
Seeing Shi Nuo fume beside him, Beiya quickly held him back and shook his head. "Don't. Today's too important. If you get disqualified for fighting before the awakening, it's not worth it."
Luckily, the headmaster's stern glance quieted the group. The children behaved for the rest of the walk, and soon the thirty-odd of them entered Spirit Hall without further trouble.
Even the arrogant "kid king" who'd been so loud earlier fell silent the moment they passed the armored guards—each wearing gleaming silver plates and exuding an intimidating aura. Shi Nuo couldn't help but snicker under his breath at the sight.
Inside a side hall, a middle-aged man in Spirit Hall's official uniform awaited them.
"Director He, thank you for bringing them," the man greeted politely.
"No trouble at all," the headmaster replied.
"We all serve Spirit Hall's future."
After a few pleasantries, the Spirit Hall officer turned toward the gathered children.
"My name is Mian, a rank 41 Soul Ancestor. I'll be overseeing your awakening today. I'm sure you've all been told what to expect."
As he spoke, he retrieved six black stones and a blue crystal sphere from his storage soul tool.
Arranging the stones into a hexagonal pattern, he gestured for the first child to step forward—the "king of the orphans" himself.
"You first."
"Y-yes, sir! I… my name is—"
"That's not important," Mian interrupted curtly. "I have over a hundred awakenings to perform today. I won't remember everyone's names. Step inside."
The boy froze, then obediently walked into the stone formation.
"Don't be afraid," Mian said calmly. "Feel it with your heart."
As his words fell, a golden glow flared behind him—a magnificent Unicorn appeared, releasing a resonant cry that filled the hall.
Even though the headmaster had warned them, several children still trembled under the overwhelming pressure and took several steps back.
Only Lin Beiya and Shi Nuo remained calm, their eyes filled more with curiosity than fear.
Mian raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing. He began the ceremony.
Golden light enveloped the child in the center. After a moment, his right hand lifted involuntarily.
"Don't resist. Let it manifest," Mian instructed.
"Yes… yes, sir…"
A few seconds later, a rusty black scythe appeared in the boy's hand. Mian's brows furrowed instantly. That weapon… didn't look promising at all.
"Hmm. A bad start. Let's check your soul power."
Under the nervous gaze of the boy, Mian held out the blue crystal sphere.
"Now, retract your martial soul with your will, then place your hand on the crystal."
After half a minute of effort, the boy finally managed to withdraw the scythe and pressed his hand to the sphere. They waited. The crystal remained utterly still.
Mian sighed—he had seen this countless times.
"Martial Soul: Scythe. Soul Power: Zero. Incapable of cultivation. Go home and farm."
"Uwaaahhh~~~!" The boy burst into tears.
The once arrogant "king of the orphans" burst into tears the moment he heard the steward's cold declaration.
Sobbing uncontrollably, he dashed toward the hall's entrance, running straight into the rising sun—as if chasing after the youth and dreams that had just slipped through his fingers.
Mian, the Spirit Hall official, merely shook his head at the familiar sight. It wasn't the first time he'd seen a child break down. With a sigh, he waved his hand.
"Next! We're short on time—everyone, move quickly."
The next child stepped into the formation, trembling from what he'd just witnessed. Mian immediately began another awakening.
"Hoe. Innate soul power: zero. Can't cultivate. Next!"
"Little Bee. Innate soul power: zero. Next!"
"Stone... no soul power. Next!"
After a string of useless martial souls, Mian began to feel his eyelids grow heavy. He yawned and muttered to himself, 'What an unlucky day…'
Thankfully, the next child brought him a glimmer of hope.
A little girl—still cherub-faced with traces of baby fat—timidly stepped into the array. Moments later, a small plant sprouted in her palm, its emerald-green leaves gleaming faintly.
"Oh? A plant-type martial soul? Let's test the soul power."
When her hand touched the crystal sphere, ripples of light shimmered across its surface. The glow climbed until it reached one-third of the sphere before gradually fading.
"What's your name, child?"
"My name's Kerong. I'm six years old."
"Kerong, Martial Soul: Clover. Innate Soul Power: Rank Three. You're suited for the auxiliary path."
Finally—someone with potential.
Mian smiled, gently patting her head before sending her to stand by the orphanage director. The old man praised her warmly, both of them watching with renewed hope as the next children took their turns.
Perhaps her awakening broke the bad streak because the following awakenings weren't nearly as hopeless. Out of twenty children, five possessed innate soul power, and one boy with a Hunting Dog martial soul even reached Rank Six.
That result alone met Mian's expectations.
After all, this was merely one of several orphanages in the northern district of Spirit City—he couldn't expect every child here to be a prodigy.
"Next child!"
Hearing his name called, Shi Nuo swallowed hard, then stepped forward.
The moment Mian's hand touched his forehead, a brilliant golden light erupted—far brighter than before. The steward's expression instantly changed from fatigue to astonishment.
"Well, well… a surprise! Child, try to release your martial soul."
"Yes, sir!"
"Moo!"
A deep, resonant bellow echoed through the hall as a massive orange bull with gleaming horns manifested behind Shi Nuo.
"A Vigorous Demon Bull! Excellent! Strength-type beast martial souls like this usually come with impressive innate soul power."
Quickly handing over the crystal ball, Mian's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"What's your name? Shi Nuo, was it? Good child—test your soul power."
"Yes!"
Now filled with confidence, Shi Nuo placed his chubby hand onto the crystal. Ripples of soul power surged rapidly upward, climbing past the halfway point and continuing to rise. By the time it stopped—nearly filling four-fifths of the sphere—Mian's face was lit with pure joy.
"Shi Nuo, Martial Soul: Vigorous Demon Bull. Innate Soul Power: Rank Eight! Exceptional talent!"
Mian could barely contain his excitement. Compared to the Rank Six boy earlier, this was a genuine achievement—a rare gem among ordinary children.
"Child, come with me to the Spirit Academy. You'll receive the best training and resources. With your talent, surpassing me will be only a matter of time!"
So focused was Mian on his new protégé that he nearly forgot there was still one more child left. Thankfully, Shi Nuo—loyal to the end—spoke up.
"Sir, my friend hasn't awakened his martial soul yet! Could you please wait?"
"Oh! Right, right—look at me, forgetting something that important." He laughed awkwardly. "Come, boy! Let's make this quick."
As Mian hurriedly urged Lin Beiya into the array, his attention remained half-locked on Shi Nuo—as if afraid the talented boy might vanish if he blinked.
Beiya sighed inwardly. 'Seriously? Already writing me off? Just wait—I'll awaken something that'll make your jaw drop!'
Mian placed his palm against Beiya's forehead, channeling his power. A warm current surged through Beiya's entire body. After several seconds, his right hand began to tremble and lift on its own.
From Mian's perspective, a blinding golden radiance burst forth—brighter and purer than even Shi Nuo's awakening. His entire body began to shake with excitement.
"I… I'm going to get a promotion and a raise for this!"
At that exact moment, deep in the back mountain of Spirit Hall, within the Douluo Hall, an elderly man with long, silver hair abruptly opened his eyes. Golden light flickered across the angelic statue before him, reflecting in his grave, discerning gaze.
"What's this? Someone's martial soul… resonating with the Six-Winged Angel?"
He stood instantly, his expression turning solemn.
"No. I must see for myself."
In the next heartbeat, his figure vanished—leaving behind only silence, as if he had never been there at all.
The dazzling golden light within the awakening hall lasted for nearly five full minutes before slowly fading. When it finally subsided, all eyes turned toward Lin Beiya—only to see a tiny stone statue resting quietly in his palm.
"...What?"
"A… stone?" Mian rubbed his eyes hard, certain he must be seeing things. A phenomenon that grand... for a rock?
Even if it was carved into a humanoid shape, it was still just a rock!
"You… you…"
Not only Mian—even Lin Beiya himself was momentarily dumbstruck. But unlike the steward, his shock wasn't disappointment—it was recognition.
The figure carved on the stone was one he knew better than anyone.
'Athena… You sent me here by accident in my last life, and now you're chasing me down again?!'
Indeed, the small statue depicted Athena—her expression serene and divine, holding the Victory Goddess Staff in her right hand and the Aegis Shield in her left.
Realizing what his martial soul truly was, Lin Beiya suppressed the surge of excitement in his chest and turned to Mian calmly.
"Sir, I haven't tested my innate soul power yet."
"Eh? Well, no… but with a martial soul like a rock, you shouldn't expect much."
Under Shi Nuo's encouraging gaze, Beiya placed his hand onto the crystal sphere.
In the next instant, ripples burst forth—far stronger than Shi Nuo's earlier display.
The water-light climbed rapidly until it filled the crystal ball, illuminating the entire side hall with a blinding brilliance.
"Innate Full Soul Power?!" Mian stammered, his jaw slack with disbelief.
—
End of Chapter