Host detected. Host is in the process of martial soul awakening. Unlocking novice gift package.
Hun Jiang's expression, behind his closed eyes, did not change. In his previous life, he had been an avid reader of system novels. A part of him had almost expected something like this.
Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Divine Bow. Your innate soul power has been raised to the maximum: Level 10.
The internal voice fell silent. The warm energy from the awakening ritual peaked. Hun Jiang opened his eyes.
In his right hand, light was coalescing, solidifying. It formed the shape of a bow. It was not made of wood or metal, but of pure, shimmering golden light. The body of the bow was elegantly curved, and its string glowed with a soft, white radiance. The moment it fully materialized, its brilliant light pushed back the shadows in the large hall, making the rough wooden walls seem to glow.
Su Yuntao, who had been watching with fading interest, suddenly straightened up. His tired eyes widened. The boy's martial soul had a presence, a visual power he hadn't seen in any of the other village children today.
"A weapon martial soul again... but this..." he muttered, his professional detachment giving way to sharp interest. "This appearance is extraordinary. This must come with soul power."
His mood, which had grown gloomy with each failure, suddenly brightened. There was a chance, however small.
He looked at Hun Jiang, and for the first time, a genuine, encouraging smile touched his lips. His voice became gentle. "Well done, child. Now, come here. Touch this crystal ball for me." He held out the blue crystal ball, his movements now careful, almost reverent.
Hun Jiang walked over. He already knew the result but still did it as a formality. Level 10 innate soul power. The system had said it. He reached out and placed his palm on the cool, smooth surface of the blue sphere, perfectly relaxed.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then, the crystal ball in his hand began to shine.
It started as a single point of brilliant blue light in its very center. In a flash, that light exploded outward, flooding every part of the sphere. In the blink of an eye, the dull crystal was transformed. It became a resplendent gem, a source of dazzling blue luminescence that filled the entire Martial Soul Hall with a cool, aquatic light. The light was so bright it made everyone squint. It was beautiful and undeniable.
A gasp came from Su Yuntao.
According to tradition, if the crystal ball showed any light at all, even the faintest trace, it meant the child possessed soul power. But this... this was not a faint trace. This was a blazing sun contained in a sphere. There was only one possible explanation for such a radiant, full response.
The color drained from Su Yuntao's face, replaced by stunned awe. He stared from the blazing ball to the boy holding it, then back again.
"Heavens," he breathed, the word barely a whisper that echoed in the suddenly silent hall. All the children had stopped fidgeting. Old Jack's mouth hung open. "It... it actually is... innate full spirit power!"
The brilliant blue light from the crystal ball slowly faded, leaving the hall in a stunned silence. Su Yuntao stared at Hun Jiang, his earlier professional cool completely gone, replaced by blazing excitement. Innate full soul power! And with a martial soul that looked so extraordinary! This wasn't just a success for the village; this was a discovery that could be a great merit for him, the soul master who found it.
He saw his chance and didn't waste a second. He stepped closer to the boy, his voice dropping into a low, earnest, persuasive tone.
"Child," Su Yuntao began, his eyes intense. "That was innate full spirit power. Level ten. Do you understand what that means?" He didn't wait for an answer. "It means your future is limitless. With your talent and this martial soul, any force would fight to have you. But you have the best choice right here."
He gestured around the simple hall, but his meaning was clear. "Join the Spirit Hall. I can take you with me when I leave. I will personally recommend you. Inside the Spirit Hall, with your talent, you will be heavily favored. You will receive the best guidance, the best resources—everything you need to grow strong. It is the greatest opportunity. It is the surest path to reaching the very top of the soul master world."
His words were rushed, full of conviction. In his mind, it was an unimaginable offer. To refuse the Spirit Hall was unthinkable for a poor village child with talent. It was like refusing a king's ransom.
Hun Jiang listened quietly. He had known this question was coming. In his mind, the reasons for refusal were crystal clear, drawn from knowledge of a future that hadn't happened yet. He knew the Spirit Hall would become the enemy of the story's protagonist, Tang San. He knew great wars and destruction were coming, centered on that organization. Getting close to a major force like that meant getting caught in the storm. More than that, he simply didn't want to be tied down. He wanted to understand his own power, this "Divine Bow",on his own terms, away from the prying eyes and demands of a giant institution.
His decision was firm.
He looked up at the eager soul master and shook his head slowly. "I am sorry, respected Soul Master," he said, his young voice calm but definite. "I cannot join the Spirit Hall."
The words hung in the air. The few other children who were still paying attention blinked in confusion. Old Jack looked horrified, as if the boy had just thrown away a chest of gold.
Su Yuntao was completely thrown off. His persuasive smile froze, then melted into pure, baffled shock. He took a half-step back, his brow furrowed.
"Why?" he asked, the word bursting out of him. He couldn't comprehend it. "Why would you not join the Spirit Hall?" He spoke as if stating a fundamental truth of the world. "The Spirit Hall is the greatest soul master organization on the continent. It has the most resources, the most powerful masters. For someone with your talent, joining us is the only logical path. It tilts the entire world of Douluo in your favor! There is no better place. No reason to refuse."
Hun Jiang looked at Su Yuntao's shocked and insistent face. He understood immediately that a flat "no" would not work. This man was a Spirit Hall soul master with two soul rings. He himself was just a child who had awakened his martial soul minutes ago. If Su Yuntao became angry or decided to push the issue, there was nothing he could do to stop him. He needed a reason that would make sense, a reason that would let the man back down without losing face.
He adopted a thoughtful, almost wistful expression. When he spoke, his tone was respectful and reasonable.
"Esteemed Soul Master," Hun Jiang began. "It is not that I do not wish to join the Spirit Hall. It is only that I cannot join… for now." He paused, letting the words settle. "I have lived my whole life inside this village. The world outside these hills is just a story to me. As a child, I… I wish to see a little of it first. To walk on my own for a while. Going directly from this small hut to the great halls of the Spirit Hall feels too sudden. That is my only reason."
He kept his gaze steady and sincere, selling the image of a simple village boy both awed and intimidated by the vastness of the opportunity.
Su Yuntao listened, and the tight knot of frustration in his brow began to loosen. He looked at the serious little boy and, to his own surprise, felt a wave of amused understanding. Of course, he thought. This wasn't a refusal of the Spirit Hall's power; it was the naivete of a child who didn't know the world's dangers. Any other child with this talent would have grabbed his offer with both hands, thinking only of power and glory. This one was thinking about… sightseeing. It was foolish, but it was an innocent, human kind of foolishness. The boy wasn't rejecting the Hall; he was just asking for time.
His stern expression softened into a resigned, slightly entertained smile. The boy had a unique perspective, he'd give him that.
"Ah, I see," Su Yuntao said, his voice losing its hard edge. He couldn't force a child who spoke so politely. The boy's talent was recorded; that was enough for his report. The Hall could always find him later if his "roaming" brought him to his senses.
He reached into a pocket of his white robe and pulled out a small token. It was simple, made of dark metal, engraved with the symbol of the Spirit Hall. "Take this," he said, offering it to Hun Jiang. "Keep it. If your mood changes, or when you finish your… travels… this token will help you find a branch of the Hall. Show it, and they will know you were discovered by me."
Hun Jiang bowed his head slightly and took the token. It was cool and heavy in his small hand. "Thank you, Lord Soul Master."
He then walked to the side of the hall where Old Jack stood. He expected the old village chief to be furious, to scold him for throwing away the village's hope and his own future.
Old Jack's face was a mix of emotions—confusion, worry, disappointment—but as Hun Jiang approached, the old man simply placed a heavy, calloused hand on his thin shoulder. He didn't yell. He just let out a deep, tired sigh.
"Ah, child," Old Jack said, his voice low and rough with emotion. "I won't say anything. It is your life. It is your choice to make. I just hope you know what you are doing."
The unexpected understanding, the lack of pressure, sent a genuine wave of warmth through Hun Jiang's chest. In this strange, new, and dangerous world, there was at least one person who respected his decision, even if they didn't understand it. He looked up at Old Jack and gave a slow, grateful nod, his eyes sincere.
Feeling more settled, Hun Jiang turned his attention back to the center of the hall. The last child was stepping forward. It was Tang San. The protagonist of this world, the son of the hidden powerhouse Tang Hao. Hun Jiang watched with quiet interest as the boy stepped into the awakening circle.
Su Yuntao, having put the strange case of Hun Jiang aside for now, refocused on his duty. His expression slid back into one of professional detachment. The light flashed once more as he began the familiar ritual for the final child, unaware that the most significant soul in the room was now standing before him.