Spirit Soul?

Tang San did not want to lose this father and sister, nor did he want anyone to learn about his past. Naturally, he would not tell Tang Hao or Lan Xue that this was because he cultivated the Tang Sect's Mystic Jade Hands.

For a good hidden weapon, the most fundamental requirement was the fusion of eyesight, hand strength, and mental focus. Where the mind went, the eyes followed; where the eyes went, the hands followed. Thus, the Tang Sect inner sect's cultivation methods placed extremely high demands on eyesight and hand strength.

Purple Demon Eyes was cultivated during the brief moment at sunrise when violet qi arrived from the east, greatly improving one's eyesight.

Mystic Jade Hands could make one's palms extraordinarily tough and ward off all toxins.

This ability was a required course for Tang Sect inner sect disciples. Although Tang San's Mystic Jade Hands were still far from mastery, they were enough to keep his hands from blistering.

"Keep at it. We'll finish today." Tang San and Lan Xue swung their hammers with all their strength. Though the work was dull, their hearts were far from calm. Tang San's understanding of this world was still rudimentary; after all, this was only a small village. Lan Xue, meanwhile, wanted to test her Spirit Soul as soon as possible.

This world was called Douluo Continent. There were two great empires on the continent, or perhaps they could be called two alliances. Within both empires, vast territories had been granted to feudal lords, and nobles with armed forces were countless.

One was the Heaven Dou Empire, where Tang San and Lan Xue lived. The other was the Star Luo Empire to the south.

Fano Province lay at the border between the two nations, while Nuoding City near Holy Soul Village was less than two hundred li from the Star Luo Empire.

From the villagers' conversations, Tang San learned that Douluo Continent had none of the martial arts from his former world. Instead, it had something called Spirit Souls. Everyone was said to possess their own Spirit Soul, though only a very small number could cultivate theirs. These people formed a profession known as Soul Masters. Across the continent, Soul Masters were the most prestigious profession. The Soul Saint said in legends to have emerged from Holy Soul Village a century ago had been a Soul Master. Soul Saint was a title granted to Soul Masters who reached a certain level.

Spirit Souls were divided into two major categories: Tool Spirit Souls and Beast Spirit Souls. As the names implied, those whose Spirit Souls were tools possessed Tool Spirit Souls, while those whose Spirit Souls were animals possessed Beast Spirit Souls. Comparatively speaking, Tool Spirit Souls covered a broader range. Most people possessed Tool Spirit Souls, and the proportion of Tool Spirit Souls that could not be cultivated was also greater than that of Beast Spirit Souls.

Tang San and Lan Xue had once seen a villager whose Spirit Soul was a hoe. It was clearly a Spirit Soul that could not be cultivated, but even so, he was still faster than ordinary villagers when tilling fields.

That was all Tang San knew. Since everyone had their own Spirit Soul, he too wanted to know what his was. Would it be a Tool Spirit Soul or a Beast Spirit Soul? And could it be cultivated?

On Douluo Continent, Spirit Awakening took place at the age of six. In a few days, Tang San would turn six. For some reason, he faintly felt that his inability to break through in the Mysterious Heaven Skill seemed to be related to his Spirit Soul.

Tang San was not particularly interested in becoming a Soul Master, but he was determined to become a hidden weapon expert of Tang Sect inner sect caliber. How could he do without inner strength?

"Tang Hao, keeping busy?" While Tang San was working toward his ten-thousandth strike, an aged voice came from outside.

It was afternoon, and Tang Hao was working on some farm tools. At the sound, he merely grunted.

Curious, Tang San stepped out of his room and saw an elderly man. He looked to be in his sixties, lean and tall yet full of vigor. His clothes were clean and neat, and his hair was combed without a strand out of place. Compared to Tang Hao, they were complete opposites.

Tang San knew this man. He was Old Jack, the village chief of Holy Soul Village.

"Little San, come here. Let Grandpa have a look." Old Jack beckoned to Tang San.

The village chief was a kind old man, and everyone in the village respected him. When Tang San's family had been at its poorest a few years ago, Old Jack had often brought them food.

"Hello, Grandpa Jack." Tang San walked up to Old Jack and bowed respectfully. He always remembered those who treated him well. "Hello, Grandpa Jack." Lan Xue walked over as well. "Hmm? This is?" "Ah, Grandpa Jack, this is Lan Xue. Father and I adopted her," Tang San hurriedly explained.

Tang Hao said coolly, "What is it, Village Chief?" Old Jack was less than ten years older than him, yet he insisted on being from an older generation, which had always annoyed Tang Hao.

Old Jack seemed accustomed to Tang Hao's attitude. "Tang Hao, Little San will be six soon, right? He should take part in this year's Awakening Ceremony. Little Xue should come along too."

Tang Hao glanced at Tang San and Lan Xue, then said flatly, "Then let them participate. What day is it?"

"In three days. I'll come pick them up then." Looking at Tang Hao, it was obvious Old Jack wanted to say that if they relied on him to take them there, they would probably be delayed.

Tang Hao nodded and ignored the village chief again.

Tang San asked curiously, "Grandpa Jack, what is an Awakening Ceremony?" Lan Xue remained silent.

Old Jack's expression turned serious. "Every one of us has our own Spirit Soul. When we reach around six years old, we undergo an Awakening Ceremony. Once awakened, a Spirit Soul enhances some aspect of our abilities. Even the most ordinary Spirit Soul can be helpful. If you happen to possess an outstanding Spirit Soul that can be cultivated, you may even become a Soul Master. The Awakening Ceremony only happens once a year, so I can't let you miss it. An official from the Notting City Spirit Soul Branch Hall will personally come to help the children in our village awaken their Spirit Souls. That official is a Soul Grandmaster-level Soul Master."

When he mentioned the words "Soul Grandmaster," Jack's eyes clearly revealed envy.

Hah, Tang Hao is a Titled Douluo, Lan Xue scoffed inwardly.

Tang San had only heard vague things about Soul Masters before. Naturally, he would not let this chance slip by, and immediately asked, "What does Soul Grandmaster mean?"