My Martial Soul Was Actually a Pokémon Ball?!

Douluo Continent, southwestern Heaven Dou Empire, Peach Forest Village.

At the break of dawn, livestock raised by some unknown household began to cry out loudly.

In a dilapidated house at the village entrance, a boy who looked only five or six years old was jolted awake by the annoying racket.

He rubbed his bleary eyes, but sleep seemed to have the upper hand and was about to pull him back under.

But a few seconds later, the boy suddenly sat up with a messy bird's-nest head of hair and shouted excitedly:

"Today is the day of Spirit Awakening!"

The thought instantly dispelled all his drowsiness. He decisively threw off his quilt and got out of bed, efficiently dressed himself, brushed his teeth and washed his face, chopped firewood, lit the stove, and began making breakfast...

The entire series of movements was practiced and natural, completely at odds with his age.

In truth, this child's body housed the eighteen-year-old soul of someone who had transmigrated from Earth.

In his previous life, after Qian Bing's college entrance examinations, his father—who always rewarded him with a beating from a bamboo board—had finally shown mercy and allowed him to relax to his heart's content.

So he dug out the game console his father had confiscated and gleefully played "Pokémon" for three days and three nights.

Whether his body had been unable to bear the abuse because he stayed up too late, or whether Heaven had chosen him as the new protagonist of Douluo Continent, he had ultimately transmigrated in the midst of his elation and tragedy.

Qian Bing's start seemed rather unfortunate. He had grown up without parents under his grandfather's care, and a year ago, his elderly grandfather had also passed away.

He had followed the standard protagonist script of being an "orphan" beneath the halo of destiny.

Fortunately, his grandfather had been five when he died, and with his old soul controlling this small body, Qian Bing could more or less take care of himself.

Relying on the tens of thousands of Soul Coins his grandfather had left behind and the aid of the kindhearted people of Peach Forest Village, he had finally made it to the age of six.

On Douluo Continent, everyone had to undergo Spirit Awakening upon turning six. Qian Bing was already six years and eighteen days old, so he had just managed to catch this year's ceremony.

After finishing breakfast and cleaning up the dishes, he went to the mirror and combed his messy hair smooth.

Before long, he heard the voice of the village chief, Qian Xiao, coming from the doorway.

"Xiao Bing, Xiao Bing, are you up? Grandpa's here to take you to awaken your Martial Soul."

"Coming!"

Qian Bing called out in response, immediately set down his comb, and happily ran out the door.

"Good morning, Grandpa."

"Good morning, Xiao Bing. Have you eaten breakfast?"

"I've already eaten."

"Good. Then let's set out."

The villagers of Peach Forest Village were all quite fond of the sensible and obedient Qian Bing, who had been that way since childhood. After kindly patting Qian Bing's head, Qian Xiao took his little hand and led him toward the Spirit Hall in the center of the village.

Since Peach Forest Village was rather poor, despite being called the Spirit Hall, it was actually nothing more than a slightly larger wooden house.

Because children everywhere had to undergo Spirit Awakening each year, Spirit Halls could be found practically anywhere on Douluo Continent.

Qian Bing, brought by Qian Xiao, was the last to arrive among the six children who would undergo Spirit Awakening this year.

Seeing that the other five had already gathered, he led them into the Spirit Hall together.

The other children were so nervous about the imminent Spirit Awakening that they could barely speak. Only Qian Bing, with his old soul, still had the leisure to look around.

He saw a handsome young man with sharp brows and bright eyes standing in the center of the room.

He wore a white martial outfit and a stylish black cloak. On his chest was a fist-sized character meaning "soul," clearly the standard uniform of a Spirit Hall official.

Pinned to his left chest was a badge bearing three long swords, seemingly an emblem meant to display his strength.

On Douluo Continent, everyone could awaken their own unique Martial Soul. In addition, Soul Beasts produced Soul Rings, and the lucky ones whose Martial Souls could be cultivated had formed a respected profession known as Soul Masters.

In his previous life, Qian Bing had read through the entire Douluo Continent novel series at astonishing speed, reading ten lines at a glance. Although much of the plot had been submerged in the chaotic currents of his memories, he still retained a basic understanding.

He knew that Soul Masters were divided into Soul Warriors, Soul Masters, Great Soul Masters, Soul Elders, Soul Ancestors, Soul Kings, Soul Emperors, Soul Saints, Soul Douluos, and Titled Douluos. The young man's badge, bearing three long swords, clearly marked him as a third-rank Great Soul Master.

At that moment, Qian Bing had no time to make any further observations. Village chief Qian Xiao respectfully bowed to the young man and said:

"Esteemed Great Soul Master, greetings. We'll be troubling you again this time."

The young man's brows carried a faint trace of pride. He casually bent slightly, which counted as a return salute, then got straight to the point.

"I still have to visit Holy Soul Village today, so let's not waste time. We'll begin immediately."

Qian Xiao smiled and replied, "Good, good," then urged the children forward to cooperate with the young man in beginning their Spirit Awakening.

As usual, the young man had the six children stand in a row. Since Qian Bing was the tallest, he stood at the front.

Then, following the Spirit Hall's standard procedure, the young man said calmly:

"Children, my name is Su Yuntao. I'm a level-twenty-six Great Soul Master from the Spirit Hall of Notting City. Today, I'll serve as your guide and awaken your Martial Souls one by one. Remember, no matter what happens in a moment, don't be afraid."

After speaking, Su Yuntao opened a bundle on the table beside him and took out six pitch-black, round stones and a shining blue Crystal Ball.

He quickly arranged the six black stones into a hexagon on the floor, then gestured for Qian Bing, who stood at the front, to step inside.

"Don't be afraid. Close your eyes and feel carefully."

As Su Yuntao spoke, a sharp glint lit up in his eyes. Under the children's horrified gazes, a faint cyan light emerged from between his brows and flowed along the skin over his forehead into his hair.

As the cyan light surged in, his head of glossy black hair instantly turned gray and began growing rapidly.

Before long, his exposed hands were covered in gray fur as well. His body also swelled noticeably, with every muscle clearly defined and radiating power.

By then, Su Yuntao's eyes were glowing with a ghostly green light, and icy, razor-sharp claws had somehow grown from his fingers. Two rings of light, one white and one yellow, lit up beneath his feet, drifting and hovering continuously.

Qian Bing had lived through two lifetimes, after all. Although the scene before him was completely unfamiliar, he was not overly frightened.

Seeing how calm he was, Su Yuntao felt a flash of surprise, but he still lowered his head and comforted him as usual:

"Don't be afraid. This is only my Martial Soul, Lone Wolf. If you're fortunate enough to become a Soul Master in the future, you'll also possess abilities similar to mine."

Qian Bing nodded.

Su Yuntao said no more. He struck six streams of pale green light into the six black stones on the floor.

In an instant, a golden radiance poured out of the six stones, forming a pale golden screen of light that enveloped Qian Bing.

He immediately felt golden specks in the air surging through his skin and pouring into his body. A warm current flowed throughout him, comfortable yet accompanied by waves of prickling pain. In short, it was an extremely contradictory sensation.

At that moment, Qian Bing heard Su Yuntao issue a stern command:

"Extend your right hand."

Hearing this, Qian Bing instinctively stretched out his right hand and spread his palm before him.

In an instant, all the specks of light burst forth. After churning and shifting like clouds and mist, they transformed into a sphere divided along its central axis into red on top and white on the bottom, appearing in Qian Bing's palm.

He was stunned after just one glance, ten thousand questions drifting through his mind...

My Martial Soul is actually a Pokémon Ball?!