The scorching sun hung high in the sky, its blazing rays enveloping the city of Tianhai. This small city on the western coast of the Sun-Moon Federation was especially lively today—because the once-every-six-years Martial Soul Awakening Day had arrived.
Martial Soul Awakening held immense significance in the hearts of all Douluo citizens. Regardless of whether the awakened martial soul was strong or weak, it always contributed positively to society. The diversity and functionality of martial souls ensured that each one found its rightful place, allowing its potential to be fully realized.
Tianhai Orphanage
At this moment, a rare look of relief crossed Shen Yue's face. She had spent the past few days worrying about how the children in the orphanage would undergo their Martial Soul Awakening.
She had applied for government aid multiple times, but without exception, there had been no response.
Now, with the Awakening Day just around the corner, she had finally received an answer—someone from the Federation's Soul Master Volunteer Association would be coming to help the children awaken their martial souls.
"It's time to get them ready." Shen Yue smiled faintly, but a trace of sorrow surfaced in her heart. She knew all too well how difficult it was for orphans to truly become soul masters.
Gu You stared blankly at the sky. It had been six years since he arrived in this world, and it felt as if he had forgotten many things.
"Douluo... Martial Soul..." he murmured. By normal standards, he should already be at the age for Martial Soul Awakening.
"Strange, why is there still one missing?" Shen Yue frowned. The Awakening Master had already arrived some time ago, but the children had yet to fully gather.
"What do you think?" She turned her head and startled a child hiding behind her.
"I-I don't know," the boy stammered, his eyes vacant.
Shen Yue patted his head reassuringly. She didn't want to scare him—his mind was already a little slow. It would be better to ask one of the brighter children.
"Teacher...?"
"Hmm?"
Gu You's ears twitched slightly. He had always had good hearing, and from the conversation just now, combined with the movements of the orphanage staff earlier that morning, he deduced that something significant was happening today.
Shen Yue shuddered slightly and turned back to look at the boy with delicate features. She was about to scold him, but knowing that today was an important day, she merely nodded.
"The Awakening Ceremony is about to start. Get ready." She reminded him before walking away.
Awakening!
Gu You was momentarily stunned. A surge of excitement and unease exploded within him. He was finally going to have his own Martial Soul. But what if it had no soul power? Even if it did, would it be strong?
This was a common concern. Once experienced in reality, people often found themselves unknowingly growing nervous. Soul power determined one's future—it was synonymous with strength. It was the energy that nourished and enhanced martial souls. Though everyone had a martial soul, only a tiny fraction—perhaps one in a thousand—possessed innate soul power. Even among those who did, the level of soul power varied greatly.
"Lord Soul Elder, all the children have arrived," Shen Yue said respectfully. The young Soul Elder before her not only had government backing but also possessed potential beyond her imagination.
"I see." Xin Ya, the Awakening Master, smiled gently, his gaze warm as he looked at the children.
"You go first," he said, pointing to a child.
The chosen child hesitated shyly, unwilling to step forward.
Xin Ya, however, showed no impatience. He was professionally trained for this and had no complaints—especially since completing this task would earn him volunteer contribution points.
At that moment, a soft white light appeared in Xin Ya's hands, immediately capturing Gu You's attention.
Is this soul power?
Gu You muttered internally. As he watched the white light, he felt as if something within him was about to surge forth.
Xin Ya extended his finger toward the air, and the soft white light slowly merged into the shy child's body. The moment the light flashed, a small knife appeared in the child's hands.
"You have soul power—not bad! Half a rank," Xin Ya commented coolly.
The shy child almost jumped with joy upon hearing he had soul power, but when he realized it was only half a rank, tears welled up in his eyes.
Shen Yue, feeling a headache coming on, sighed and took the child aside.
As the Awakening Ceremony neared its end, Xin Ya sighed. "As expected, there aren't many promising ones."
But just as he spoke, the slow-witted boy from earlier made contact with Xin Ya's soul power. Instantly, the soft white glow around him transformed into a brilliant yellow.
Under Xin Ya's stunned gaze, a massive, rounded dragon-like shadow appeared behind the boy.
"Eight-rank soul power!" Xin Ya exclaimed, his excitement evident. If he reported this talent to the Federation government, the rewards he would receive would be immense.
The entire orphanage erupted in an uproar. Shen Yue was so shocked that she nearly fainted. Even Gu You was astonished—dragon-type martial souls, no matter how weak, were far superior to ordinary ones.
The most slow-witted child in the orphanage had turned out to have the highest talent...
What kind of martial soul is this?
Xin Ya was not a professional Awakening Master like those from the Spirit Pagoda, but his knowledge was extensive. Otherwise, the Federation wouldn't have entrusted him with a task that carried such significant public impact.
After contemplating for a moment, he shook his head. It wasn't his concern—he would report it, take his contribution points, and move on.
With his spirits high, Xin Ya finally turned to Gu You.
Gu You stepped forward resolutely, and Xin Ya nodded slightly.
Good courage.
As the soul power entered Gu You's body, a tingling sensation spread through him, as if he were submerged in a warm and intoxicating sea. His body trembled uncontrollably.
His vision blurred. Countless images flashed through his mind.
Kill! Kill!
"Our Emperor! Our Emperor—fight!!"
Countless giant dragons roared in fury.
In the heavens, a colossal purple dragon, exuding boundless destructive divine power, clashed violently against a nine-colored dragon. Space trembled as blood and flesh rained down from the sky.
In the end, the purple dragon fell, vanishing into nothingness. The dragons that had once supported it were also slaughtered by the nine-colored dragon, their bodies torn asunder.
"AHHHH!"
Gu You suddenly let out a scream, shocking Xin Ya.
Normally, children felt little during Martial Soul Awakening. Only a rare few, with fragile bodies unable to withstand the energy influx, experienced severe reactions—cases where the ceremony had to be halted.
Just as Xin Ya was about to stop the process, a purple glow burst from Gu You's body.
A power of utter annihilation and destruction began to erode everything around him.
ROAR!
A high-pitched dragon's cry, brimming with deep resentment, erupted from his mouth.
Faced with this sudden turn of events, Xin Ya immediately released his own martial soul and gritted his teeth, struggling to suppress the outpouring power.
(End of Chapter)