Qi Martial Soul

Su Ming and Tang San walked over and chose to stand on Old Jack's other side.

A clear dividing line separated them from the other seven children.

The village children had their own little cliques in private, but when facing Su Ming and Tang San, those cliques united against them.

Tang San had been reborn, and at first, he looked down on these children and had no desire to interact with them.

Over time, things naturally became this way.

Of course, after Tang San had been corrected several times by Su Ming's Character Correction Punch, he could now be considered a normal person.

But some notions from his previous life still remained with Tang San.

Su Ming chose to stop while he was ahead.

Gradual, subtle reform was the most cost-effective approach.

If he used a large amount of Votive Power to create something like Kotoamatsukami and forcibly alter Tang San's personality,

that would be a complete waste. There was no point in it.

Demonic modifications had to be done step by step.

Only then could he maximize his harvesting of Votive Power!

As for why Su Ming was isolated by the other children,

it was purely because the talent he had displayed was too terrifying, enough to fill those children with awe and fear.

Su Ming had never entertained the idea of playing the pig to eat the tiger.

If I have talent and strength but don't show them, wouldn't that mean I have them for nothing?

What was more, displaying those talents could stir emotional fluctuations in the people around him.

After all, no matter how small a mosquito leg was, it was still meat.

If he harvested the emotional fluctuations of every ordinary person across Douluo Continent, the gains would be quite considerable.

Meanwhile, led by Old Jack, they entered Spirit Hall.

Su Ming curiously sized up the young man inside Spirit Hall.

The man looked to be in his twenties. He wore a fitted white outfit and a black cloak draped behind him.

At the center of his chest was a soul character the size of a fist.

That was right. This was the Spirit Hall deacon known in fanfiction as the Blind-Eyed God King—Su Yuntao.

Unfortunately, that was only a joking title. In the original storyline, Su Yuntao did not have much influence.

So today's harvest of Votive Power would still depend on Tang San and Tang Hao, who was hiding in the shadows.

Just now, to be safe and to make arranging the plot easier, Su Ming had spent a tiny bit of Votive Power on a mental scan.

Sure enough, just as he had expected, Tang Hao really was hiding nearby.

Perfect timing. I can harvest a wave of Votive Power. Su Ming rejoiced inwardly.

Tang Hao carried tremendous weight in the original storyline.

"Greetings, esteemed Battle Spirit Master. We'll have to trouble you this time." Old Jack respectfully bowed to the young man.

"Then let's not waste time. We'll begin the Spirit Awakening now."

Su Yuntao spoke proudly and gave a slight, perfunctory bow in return.

In this world where Soul Masters stood above all else,

Soul Masters could truly be called people above people.

The fact that he was willing to return a greeting to an ordinary person at least showed that Su Yuntao was a decent person.

Su Ming took all of this in.

Then Old Jack turned around and began instructing the children.

He explained Su Yuntao's identity and the precautions to take during Spirit Awakening.

Finally, he offered the children his blessings, hoping that they would become Soul Masters in the future.

"Hurry up. Don't waste time.

The chances of a child with Soul Power appearing in a small place like this are pitifully low."

Su Yuntao impatiently waved his hand, urging Old Jack to get started.

He still had to head to the next village to conduct the Spirit Awakening ceremony.

Then Su Yuntao took out six pitch-black round stones and a blue crystal ball.

After arranging them into a hexagon on the ground, he gestured for the first child on the right to stand inside.

Meanwhile, Old Jack waited nervously outside the door.

He silently prayed for the heavens to bless his grandson Su Ming, allowing him to awaken a good Martial Soul and possess Soul Power!

"Lone Wolf! Possession!"

After giving the child a few instructions, Su Yuntao officially began the Spirit Awakening ceremony.

"Hoe. Waste Martial Soul. No Soul Power."

"Sickle. Waste Martial Soul. No Soul Power."

"..."

Seven children in a row awakened Waste Martial Souls and possessed no Soul Power.

Su Yuntao had already given up hope.

When it was Tang San's turn, he saw a flash of blue light appear in Tang San's right hand and was already used to it.

Blue Silver Grass. Another Waste Martial Soul.

There was not even any need to test his Soul Power.

"Your turn, handsome little fellow."

At last, Su Yuntao turned his gaze to Su Ming, who had yet to awaken his Martial Soul.

Because Su Ming had displayed such extraordinary bearing, Su Yuntao felt that this child was very likely to possess a Martial Soul.

After all, Martial Souls were inherited from one's parents.

The bearing of a child whose parents were Soul Masters was completely different from that of a child whose parents were ordinary people.

What was more, Su Yuntao constantly sensed an ethereal yet indescribable quality from Su Ming.

He had to be the offspring of nobility who had ended up wandering outside!

And not just any noble offspring, but one with an extremely powerful background!

However, before Su Ming awakened his Martial Soul, after his and Tang San's insistent requests and persuasion,

Tang San was allowed to undergo a Soul Power test.

"My heavens! Innate Full Soul Power!"

Su Yuntao's face was filled with shock and disbelief!

As he explained Innate Full Soul Power to Tang San, he secretly lamented as well.

Why had a child with Innate Full Soul Power awakened a Waste Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass?

"All right, your turn."

Since Tang San's Martial Soul was the Waste Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass, Su Yuntao still placed his hopes on Su Ming.

Moreover, the natural and distinctive aura surrounding Su Ming was not something that could be imitated.

Other than a very small number of lucky exceptions, Martial Soul awakening was basically determined by bloodline!

Without another word, Su Ming walked inside.

As the ceremony began, he felt a warm sensation.

Very soon, the exclusive Martial Soul he had designed for himself revealed itself.

Amid the astonishment of everyone around him,

and as he felt the Votive Power within him rising,

a milky-white Qi emerged from Su Ming's body. In an instant, it covered his entire body, dyeing even his skin white.

His entire aura changed abruptly!

Without any external force acting upon him, Su Ming's feet silently left the ground. He was clearly flying.

Everyone noticed that white mist brimming with vitality was radiating from Su Ming's entire body!

"Qi!"

"My Martial Soul is called 'Qi,' an inherited Martial Soul unique to my family!"

Su Ming opened his eyes and announced the name of his Martial Soul.

The inspiration for his Martial Soul came from the Qi in the manga Hitori no Shita: The Outcast!

Its manifestation was the Triple Reverse Cultivation of Trinity Gate!

The good show was about to begin!

PS: This novel will expand upon Douluo Continent's worldbuilding somewhat, making it more reasonable.

Since this is a behind-the-scenes story, the plot will undergo demonic modifications.