Chapter 29: New Disciples
As of now, Tianxing Academy held only five students, making it feel more like an exclusive training ground for this small group. Occasionally, Ye Buyi would stop by to check on things, but otherwise, the place remained very quiet. If not for the people of Shenghun Village, no one would even know that a small soul master academy was hidden away in such a remote area.
Today, however, marked a change. Seeds Ye Wen had planted years before had finally sprouted.
Five young children, barely over six years old, now stood nervously before him. Their expressions showed awe, respect, and admiration as they looked up at Ye Wen. Each was a product of Ye Wen's soul master cultivation program, and every one of them possessed a minimum innate soul power of five ranks. In this far off region of Notting City, such aptitude placed them among the top young talents.
Ye Wen had personally overseen each child's martial soul awakening. In a rural area where years might pass without a single child awakening any soul power, five such talented soul master candidates had appeared seemingly out of nowhere a phenomenon that raised eyebrows.
Through these awakenings, Ye Wen also came to recognize a systemic inequality in this world. Although the Spirit Hall dispatched soul masters to awaken martial souls for children in villages, these children were still at a disadvantage compared to the children of wealthy merchants and nobles who could afford to awaken their souls in the cities. While this difference seemed minor, it ultimately created a clear divide between the ordinary and privileged classes.
These five children had been born within close timeframes and were part of Ye family's affiliated clans. From a young age, they'd sworn sibling bonds and referred to each other as brothers and sisters. The eldest among them was Su Qiaoqiao, a girl with a delicate and elegant demeanor. Her martial soul, a needle, had initially seemed unremarkable, but through Ye Wen's guidance and herbal treatments, her innate soul power reached five ranks, and her martial soul evolved into a high level soul tool known as the Embroidery Needle. This soul tool, according to records, had once been used by a Soul Saint who had gone on to found a sect centered on textile arts, though it had long since faded into obscurity.
The second child, Hu Rou, was a spirited girl with an impish personality. Unlike Su Qiaoqiao's quiet elegance, Hu Rou was vivacious and mischievous, often causing trouble by teasing dogs or chasing geese when she wasn't behaving for the adults. Ye Wen made sure to give her moral guidance, as he didn't want her to turn out like the brash Xiao Wu in Douluo Dalu.
Hu Rou's martial soul was an unusual case. Though her family's martial soul had been rabbit based for generations, her martial soul had mutated significantly, evolving into a high level Soft Bone Rabbit, nearly reaching the level of a super martial soul. Her innate soul power was an impressive six and a half ranks, almost reaching seven. While little was said about the Soft Bone Rabbit's abilities in the original story, the skills of teleportation and Invincible Golden Body alone made it clear that this martial soul, though not very aggressive, was exceptional in defense and escape.
The third child was Xu Teng, who came from a family that inherited the Ivy martial soul, a common parasitic plant. But when Xu Teng awakened his soul, a dramatic change occurred. The normally green ivy leaves turned a dark purple, and thorny tendrils appeared on the vines, giving them a menacing look. Using soul imprints, Ye Wen quickly identified the true nature of this soul an aggressive soul beast known as the Demon Vine. Unlike ordinary plant based soul beasts, the Demon Vine was extremely combative. It usually lay in wait like a plant, but when prey came within its range, the vine would strike, latching onto the target with its barbs. If the captured creature failed to escape immediately, it would either suffocate or be shredded by the tightening tendrils.
Xu Teng's innate soul power reached a staggering seven ranks. Although puzzled by such exceptional results, Ye Wen ultimately attributed it to the world's favor for him, which might also be benefiting those close to him with an inexplicable boost.
The fourth child was a chubby boy named Wang Bao, whose martial soul was an alchemy cauldron. Yes, alchemy cauldrons did exist on the Douluo Continent, as evidenced by Tang San's later alchemical practices at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Though his cauldron wasn't yet large enough to reach Ye Wen's waist without a soul ring, his innate soul power was respectable at six ranks, making his martial soul a high level tool.
Finally, there was the fifth child, a gentle looking girl named Dongfang Jiaojiao. During her martial soul awakening, she received what could only be described as an extraordinary enhancement. Dongfang Jiaojiao inherited a staff martial soul, an elegant staff about her height. Carved with intricate floral designs and crowned with a radiant golden gem, the staff exuded a powerful, serene energy. Her innate soul power was the highest of all five children, reaching an astounding nine ranks. Ye Wen's analysis of her martial soul revealed that it emitted a soothing "Light Tranquility" aura, enabling practitioners to achieve peace of mind while cultivating. In the end, he concluded that Dongfang Jiaojiao's staff martial soul was an unrecorded super martial soul, and he decided to give it a name.
"Radiant Staff," Ye Wen declared, signifying a staff embodying peace and light.
The parents of these five children were deeply grateful to Ye Wen for nurturing their children's talents, fostering respect and loyalty for him, which in turn made the children even more devoted and respectful.
Before their martial souls awakened, Ye Wen had not officially accepted the children as disciples. However, he had instructed them in basic physical training, such as long distance running, to gradually strengthen their bodies. Although this regimen didn't enhance their soul power directly, it laid a solid physical foundation for future training.
With his fifth ring hunt looming, Ye Wen realized that all five disciples had reached the threshold of soul master status with their tenth rank, ready for their first soul rings. However, Tianxing Academy was an unofficial institution, meaning he couldn't obtain free permits for entry into the Soul Hunting Forest.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10