Fasnuo City, Spirit Hall Main Hall

"Scythe Spirit. Innate Soul Power Level Two. You can become a spirit master!"

"Blue Silver Grass Spirit. No soul power. Sorry, you cannot become a spirit master."

"Hammer Spirit. Innate Soul Power Level Three. Quite good. Besides, you're a blacksmith, right? You won't have to worry about food or drink in the future."

"No soul power."

"No soul power."

"Oh? Bronze Sword Spirit, Innate Soul Power Level Five! Not bad. It's even higher than mine. You might become a Spirit King in the future and earn the title of imperial viscount."

"Rabbit Spirit? Innate Soul Power Level Four, the same as mine. Maybe you can become a Soul Elder like me. Keep it up, child!"

"Boar Spirit, Tusked Boar? Innate Soul Power Level Six! Not bad, not bad. Second only to Xiao Lin. What's your name, child?"

"My name is Zhu Guangzhi."

This year, fourteen people in Tianhun Village awakened their spirits. Six could become spirit masters, and three had soul power above Level Five. What a joyous occasion!

Old Hank's face creased even more deeply with laughter. It was clear just how happy the old man was.

Master Su was also very happy today. An unexpected harvest—one Level Five, one Level Six, and one Level Seven. All had decent spirits, and their talent was even greater than his own.

Two had already agreed to join Spirit Hall. Only Chen Xilin remained hesitant. Still, it was no great issue. His quota had long since been exceeded; once he returned from this assignment, he might even receive a promotion.

"Hahaha, Old Hank, just as I thought—you villagers are my lucky stars. I'll treat you to drinks next month. I'm off!" Su Tianyu patted Old Hank on the shoulder and left.

"You're too kind, Master Su!" Old Hank shouted in the direction Master Su had departed.

The parents of the children who had awakened good spirits had already been waiting there and took their children home. Only Chen Xilin left by himself.

Chen Xilin headed toward his home. Looking at his hand, he used his thoughts to control his spirit, and waves of black qi immediately rose from his palm.

If it's a Dark Attribute, perhaps I can use that incomparably sinister martial art. There's no Nine Yang Divine Skill in this world anyway, so this move has no counter!

Darkness is yin. The Nine Yin Manual might suit this spirit even better, though the Muscle Tendon Classic's all-encompassing nature isn't bad either. But what kind of miraculous effect would Dragon Claw combined with the Nine Yin White Bone Claw produce?

Now that my spirit has awakened, it's time to hunt a Spirit Beast. But I don't even know any Spirit Beasts yet. I need to find Old Chen; he might have connections.

Chen Xilin returned home and packed his things. From beneath his bed, he found a disk made from special materials, with a pale green jade stone embedded in its center.

A Storage Spirit Tool!

It was Old Chen Chen's gift to him this year: a Storage Spirit Tool. Its grade was not particularly high, with only one cubic meter of storage space. It counted as a beginner-grade Storage Spirit Tool.

Chen Xilin had placed all the money he had saved over the years inside the Storage Spirit Tool. There was nothing else in it. This time, he packed up his clothes and placed them inside the spirit tool.

Then, slinging a beast-hide backpack over his shoulders, he left the house. He was somewhat out of place in this village and rarely spoke to anyone. Only the old village chief, Hank, knew him a little better.

In truth, Old Hank merely wanted to build a connection with Chen Xilin's guardian, Old Chen Chen. Though Old Chen Chen had only been a Soul Elder his entire life, he had once been an administrator at a Spirit Hall Branch Hall.

Although Old Chen Chen had retired, his network of connections remained. To Old Hank, Chen Chen was still someone far above him. Old Hank's son worked at the Spirit Hall Main Hall.

Once, while drinking with Chen Chen, Chen Chen had drunkenly said that he had connections at the Fasnuo Spirit Hall Main Hall and might be able to help Old Hank's son. Old Hank had remembered those words ever since.

That was why Old Hank treated Chen Xilin so well. More than anything, he valued Chen Chen's connections.

After packing his things, Chen Xilin looked at the deep blue sky and took a deep breath.

"The weather's nice today. Perfect for a stroll. I'll head to Fasnuo City and look for Old Chen, then stop by the Spirit Hall Main Hall while I'm at it."

Chen Xilin set off on an impromptu journey.

In just half an hour, Chen Xilin had already caught sight of Fasnuo City.

As the provincial capital of Fasnuo Province, Fasnuo City's gates were relatively plain and not lavishly decorated. Its walls were ancient and weathered, making them seem incredibly old.

Upon entering Fasnuo City, Chen Xilin found that unlike its simple, ancient gates, the city itself was bustling. The streets were orderly, and all sorts of shops lined both sides—fruit shops, beverage shops, cake shops, and practically every other kind of store one could imagine.

Surrounded by fertile grain-producing regions, Fasnuo City had an especially strong atmosphere of trade. Jewelers, farmers, military officers, and others flowed in and out through its gates, proclaiming the city's prosperity.

Fasnuo City's public security was also excellent. Chen Xilin had barely entered the city when he spotted two patrols of Spirit Hall Main Hall knights.

From what Chen Xilin knew of Fasnuo City, it was no ordinary place. Since it was one of the Heaven Dou Empire's granaries, its city lord was a powerful Spirit Saint.

The master of the Spirit Hall Main Hall here was also a Spirit Saint.

This vast city even had an advanced spirit master academy called Purple Star Advanced Spirit Master Academy.

From what Old Chen had mentioned, Fasnuo City was full of hidden talents. Yet Old Chen was not worried. In Fasnuo City, he could swagger about as he pleased, even as an elderly Soul Elder with one white and two yellow Soul Rings.

Arriving in Fasnuo City's residential district, Chen Xilin stopped before a residence. It was similar to the Siheyuan courtyards from his previous life, but such homes were not expensive in Fasnuo City.

Any Soul Grandmaster could afford one, while Soul Elders and above could live somewhere even better.

Chen Xilin pulled out a large key from his pocket, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

However, the moment he entered the residence, Chen Xilin began creeping around on tiptoe. He was not sure whether Old Chen had brought a woman back to indulge in daytime revelry.

After carefully sensing the surroundings, he found that no one seemed to be home. Chen Xilin relaxed and strode inside without restraint.

He took a packet of tea leaves from the storeroom, then went to the kitchen to boil a kettle of water. He had been walking for a long time, so he would make himself some tea first.

About half an hour later,

Chen Xilin emerged from the kitchen carrying the teapot and sat down directly in the main room. He poured himself a cup of fragrant hot tea and began savoring it.

"Hmph, hmph~"

An aged voice sounded. An old man who looked to be in his seventies walked in. He wore a gray fitted outfit, though his upper garment was somewhat disheveled, and a faint red lipstick mark remained on his neck.

"Hm? Xiao Lin, why are you here?" The old man was Chen Xilin's guardian, Chen Chen.

"Why can't I come? Old Master, today was the day my spirit awakened. Did you forget? Are the women at Yiyue Tower really so unforgettable?"

Chen Xilin was speechless. At his age, Old Chen had better be careful not to die on a woman's belly someday.

"Oh? Your spirit awakened? Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah... I forgot. Sorry. Grandpa will take you out for something delicious today to celebrate.

Right, right. Let Grandpa see the certificate for the spirit you awakened today."

Only then did Chen Chen remember that Chen Xilin was supposed to awaken his spirit today. He had genuinely forgotten. It was all because Liu Hua Kui of Yiyue Tower had been too intoxicating.

Chen Xilin gave Old Chen Chen a disdainful glance and handed him the certificate from Spirit Hall.

Chen Chen took it and was immediately shocked. "What?! Innate Soul Power Level Seven! Dark Demonic Flood Dragon Spirit? This spirit again? Good heavens, Xiao Lin, you have Spirit Saint potential!

Enough said. Tell me what you want to eat tonight, and Grandpa will prepare it all for you! Take this—it's Grandpa's belated gift!"

A blue bracelet appeared in Chen Chen's hand. It had four jade stones set into it.

"A spirit tool?" Chen Xilin raised his brow and looked at Old Chen Chen in confusion. Old man, you really are rich.

"Yes, a Storage Spirit Tool. It's a pretty good little item. It has four storage spaces, each holding four cubic meters. Wear it on your wrist, but remember to hide it well so no one steals it."

Chen Chen said with a chuckle.

"Thanks, Old Master. How are you so rich?"

Chen Xilin was also puzzled. Old Chen was clearly only a Soul Elder, so why was he so wealthy? He could just give away a spirit tool?

"Hehe, I'll tell you tomorrow. Today, we'll celebrate your arrival properly."

The next day,

Old Chen Chen brought Chen Xilin to Fasnuo City's Spirit Hall Main Hall early in the morning.

Every time he came to the Spirit Hall Main Hall, Chen Xilin could not help marveling at its dazzling splendor. The main hall was already like this—what must the Spirit Holy Hall be like? What about the Pope's Palace?

Chen Xilin loved the scenery of Douluo Continent. Although its architectural style differed somewhat from his previous world, he still liked this medieval aesthetic very much.

"Halt! Please present your pass!"

Two knights stood at the entrance to the Spirit Hall Main Hall like iron towers, imposing and majestic. They crossed the weapons in their hands, blocking the pair's path.

Chen Chen took a token from his spirit tool. Three symbols were engraved upon it: a golden human silhouette, a crocodile, and a crown.

"Very well, please enter!"

The knights withdrew their spears, and their tones were far gentler than before.

Chen Chen led Chen Xilin through the main hall, heading straight for its inner chambers.

"Hm? Administrator Chen? Didn't you retire? You should be enjoying life. Why have you returned? And you brought a child with you?"

An old man who looked about the same age as Old Chen Chen approached them. Unlike Chen Chen, who resembled an old farmer, this old man was robust and vigorous, dressed in magnificent red robes.

His face was stern and dignified, and his eyes held a resolute, profound depth. Chen Xilin could sense that this old man was very powerful. He was only slightly weaker than Chen Xilin had been in his previous life in the White Tier Futu state, roughly at the level of a first-rate martial sect leader.

"Greetings, Bishop Yasqi." Chen Chen bowed to the Red-robed Bishop. Then he looked at the dazed Chen Xilin and said:

"Xiao Lin, this is Bishop Yasqi, the master of this Spirit Hall Main Hall. He is an extremely powerful Spirit Saint."

Hearing the old man's words and seeing him bow, Chen Xilin copied him and bowed to Bishop Yasqi.

"Hello, Bishop Yasqi. Greetings, Bishop Yasqi!"

"Hehe, good, good, good. Chen Chen, why be so formal with me? Come, come, come. Have some tea with me." Yasqi stroked his beard and smiled.

Chen Chen also smiled, then took Chen Xilin along as they followed Yasqi into a room.

The room's furnishings were simple and antique, forming a stark contrast with the opulence outside.

Yasqi took his seat. Chen Chen poured him a cup of tea, then poured cups for himself and Chen Xilin.

"Tell me, why did you bring a child here today? As I recall, you old fellow never married, so he can't possibly be your grandson. Besides, he doesn't look like you."

Yasqi took a sip of tea and smiled.

"I found this child six years ago. I took him in because he was pitiful. Though we aren't related by blood, he is still my grandson, hahaha.

I came today to see Bishop Hans. I never expected to run into you instead! What a coincidence. Take a look at this."

As Chen Chen spoke, he handed Yasqi a special metal plate. It was Chen Xilin's Spirit Master's Handbook.

The Spirit Master's Handbook was a palm-sized metal plate specially made by Spirit Hall to record a spirit master's identity. Under normal circumstances, it would remain with a spirit master for life.

The palm-sized metal plate bore ten engraved lines, recording every advancement in a spirit master's cultivation. The first line recorded the registration time, location, and the spirit master's spirit. Starting from the second line were the dates of each advancement and the levels of their Soul Rings.

On the reverse side of the Spirit Master's Handbook was Spirit Hall's primary emblem: a longsword. All spirit masters had the same handbook, with only those from Spirit Hall having a few additional distinctions.

"Chen Xilin, six years old. On Douluo Calendar Year 2607, awakened the Dark Demonic Flood Dragon Spirit, Innate Soul Power Level Seven.

Hiss—half a level higher than I was back then. His talent is the same as that brat Hans's. Dark Demonic Flood Dragon... not bad, not bad. An exceptionally fine spirit."

Yasqi looked at Chen Xilin with delight, a broad smile on his face. "Chen Xilin, may I call you Xiao Lin?"

"Yes, Bishop Grandpa," Chen Xilin said timidly.

"Bishop Grandpa..." Yasqi savored the title, and the smile at his lips deepened. "Xiao Lin, your talent is quite good. Your future achievements will not fall below mine; you may even reach Spirit Douluo.

This advanced Meditation Method is for you. You can begin cultivating your soul power. And here is a book introducing Dark Attribute Spirit Beasts. Read it as well. Once you reach Level Ten, how about Bishop Grandpa personally taking you to hunt a spirit beast?"

"Okay. Thank you, Bishop Grandpa." Chen Xilin put on a proper show and bowed to Bishop Yasqi.

Yasqi was overjoyed. His old friend had brought in a genius, someone who would surely become a pillar of Spirit Hall in the future. Old Chen Chen himself had once been an administrator at the Spirit Hall Main Hall.

Once the child grew up, he would naturally be a member of Spirit Hall. That was already certain. Chen Chen's cultivation talent had not been good in his youth, but his luck had been excellent.

Back then, Yasqi had entered the Spirit Hall Main Hall alongside Chen Chen. Yasqi's talent had been slightly better, so he had soon been sent to the Spirit Holy Hall to study.

Chen Chen had remained here, awakening spirits in the surrounding villages every year. His luck had been good as well. He had once awakened an Innate Soul Power Level Eight genius, along with several Level Seven geniuses.

Among them was the Bishop Hans he had just mentioned. Chen Chen had awakened Hans's spirit back then, and when Hans entered the Spirit Hall Main Hall, Chen Chen had given him considerable assistance.

Hans was now a Spirit Emperor-level powerhouse. Though he was only a Black Bishop and deputy hall master at the Fasnuo Spirit Hall Main Hall, Yasqi knew that after he retired, the position would be given to Hans.

Perhaps Hans would even be sent to work at a higher-ranking Spirit Holy Hall, or even Spirit City. After all, Hans was still young, and his future was bright.

Hans had far greater potential than an old man like Yasqi. Yasqi himself would retire within a few years. He could find somewhere to spend his old age, or simply retire here in the main hall.