Su Yuntao, Forged of Iron

Two days had passed since the last beating.

During that time, Ye Zhiqiu had finally gotten his hands on the first Hidden Weapon of his life from Tang San: the Silent Sleeve Dart.

To Ye Zhiqiu, who possessed the mindset of a modern person, Hidden Weapons were shrouded in mystery.

Ye Zhiqiu had fiddled with it several times and familiarized himself with how to use it.

That morning, Old Jack, the village chief, brought Tang San to Ye Zhiqiu's home.

After exchanging pleasantries with Ye's Parents, he took Ye Zhiqiu away.

Ye Zhiqiu knew that the plot of Douluo Continent was beginning at this very moment.

Whether his own path lay ahead of him would soon be revealed as well.

Led by Old Jack, Ye Zhiqiu and Tang San soon arrived at the Spirit Hall in the center of the village.

Though it was called a Spirit Hall, it was really just a somewhat larger wooden house.

Its furnishings were much better than those of the other homes in Holy Spirit Village. In such a small village, a house of this standard was already quite impressive.

On Douluo Continent, six-year-old children underwent Spirit awakening every year, so Spirit Halls like this could be found everywhere.

Of course, this was merely a branch of the Spirit Hall—one that could not even truly be called a branch.

Such branches were not recognized by the Spirit Hall. In their eyes, places like this were merely temporary sites for awakening children's Spirits.

This year, there were nine children in Holy Spirit Village undergoing Spirit awakening. Led by Old Jack, Tang San and Ye Zhiqiu were the last to arrive.

Besides Old Jack and the nine children awaiting their Spirit awakening, there was also a young man in the Spirit Hall. He had sharp brows and bright eyes, handsome features, and an air of upright righteousness.

He wore a moon-white robe, with the character for "Spirit" embroidered at the center of his right chest. This was the attire of direct Spirit Hall personnel.

On his left chest was a badge engraved with three crossed swords. The three swords represented that he was a Soul Grandmaster, the third rank among Spirit Masters, while the swords signified that this young man was a Battle Spirit Master.

However, not everyone on Douluo Continent dressed this way. This attire was standard issue for low- and mid-level Spirit Hall personnel.

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

A faint look of pride showed between the young man's brows. He gave a slight bow in return. "My time is limited. Let's begin now."

Old Jack hurriedly nodded, then turned to Ye Zhiqiu and the other nine children. "Children, this is a Battle Spirit Master from Nuoding City. He will guide each of you in awakening your Spirits. You must cooperate with Grandmaster during the awakening. This old man hopes that one of you will be able to become a Spirit Master."

The young man beside him frowned and spoke impatiently. "Enough. You said the same thing last year. Becoming a Spirit Master isn't that easy. I've already passed through six villages and haven't found a single child with Soul Power."

After hearing the young man's words, Old Jack's eyes dimmed slightly. He sighed. "Yes, becoming a Spirit Master is truly too difficult. Ah..." Shaking his head, he walked out of the Spirit Hall.

The young man's gaze fell upon the nine children before him, and the impatience on his face eased somewhat. His attitude toward the children was clearly much better.

Looking at them, the young man smiled. "My name is Su Yuntao. I'm a level twenty-six Soul Grandmaster and your guide. I will now awaken each of your Spirits one by one. Remember, no matter what you see later, don't be afraid."

As he spoke, Su Yuntao opened the bundle on a nearby table and took out several pitch-black stones and a Blue Crystal Ball the size of a human head.

After arranging the Black Stones into a hexagon, he motioned for the first child on his right to step inside.

"Don't be afraid. Close your eyes and feel carefully." After reminding the child standing within the circle, Su Yuntao bent slightly and shouted, "Lone Wolf, possess me!"

One white and one yellow spirit ring rose from beneath his feet, circling and pulsing around him. At the same time, Su Yuntao's body rapidly expanded, brimming with strength.

Behind him, the phantom of a gray wolf flickered in and out of view, looking somewhat ferocious and terrifying.

The sight stunned many of the children, and instinctive fear made them retreat one after another.

The first child being tested stood inside the hexagon formed by the Black Stones, closest to Su Yuntao.

Seeing Su Yuntao's transformation, he immediately cried out, "Ahhh!" He was so frightened that he turned to run, tears and snot smeared all over his face.

Su Yuntao helplessly grabbed and held him in place. "I told you not to be afraid. This is my Spirit, Lone Wolf. If you awaken a Beast Spirit and have Soul Power to cultivate, you'll have abilities like mine in the future too."

After Su Yuntao comforted him, the child calmed down somewhat and obediently stood there waiting for his Spirit awakening.

Ye Zhiqiu watched the scene before him with curiosity. So this was what it looked like when a Beast Spirit possessed someone?

It made him look much uglier, but the wolf-shaped phantom behind him was pretty cool.

If I awaken a Dragon Spirit, with a divine dragon coiled behind me, wouldn't that be insanely awesome? Ye Zhiqiu began looking forward to his own Spirit awakening. His anticipation even overwhelmed his worry that he might lack Soul Power and be unable to cultivate.

Su Yuntao took a deep breath and repeatedly struck out with both hands. Streaks of green light shot into the six Black Stones on the ground. At once, a faint golden glow flickered from the stones, enveloping the child.

"Extend your right hand," Su Yuntao shouted.

The first child hurriedly held out his hand, and a small sickle appeared in his palm.

Su Yuntao frowned. A sickle for cutting grass—if it had Soul Power, it could barely be used in battle.

He took out the Blue Crystal Ball to test him, but there was no reaction.

Su Yuntao shook his head in disappointment.

"No Soul Power. You can't cultivate. Next."

The first child walked out with a face full of disappointment.

Immediately afterward, the second child stepped into the hexagonal circle formed by the Black Stones.

"Spirit: hoe. No Soul Power. Next."

"Spirit: Blue Silver Grass. No Soul Power. Next."

Seven children passed in a row, all without Soul Power, and their Spirits were all ordinary.

After continuously helping these children awaken their Spirits, Su Yuntao's expression had grown somewhat weary.

"Next," Su Yuntao said quietly.

Tang San stepped forward.

Whoosh!

The golden light of Tang San's Spirit awakening was far denser than that of the other children, causing Su Yuntao's eyes to light up.

This child seemed promising.

However, when he saw the Blue Silver Grass emerge in Tang San's right palm, his face instantly darkened.

Blue Silver Grass—the synonym for a Waste Spirit.

A Spirit like this was basically a death sentence.