Snagging an Awakening Slot

The wild fruits at the western end of the village really were sweet. Xiao Xiaoxiao ate until her mouth was covered in juice, and her heart felt even sweeter.

Tang San did not speak much, but he was very attentive. He told her which fruits were fully ripe and tasted best, and even broke off a few low-hanging fruit branches for her. As Xiao Xiaoxiao ate, she racked her brains for topics to talk about.

"Tang San, what do you usually do?" she asked, putting on an innocent expression.

"Blacksmithing, cooking, chopping firewood in the mountains." Tang San's answer was concise, nothing like that of a six-year-old child.

"Oh... that's amazing." Xiao Xiaoxiao praised him aloud while muttering inwardly, As expected of an old hand who's lived two lives. He's so composed. "I'm bad at everything, and I'm always falling down." She pitifully lowered her little head at just the right moment.

Tang San glanced at her but did not reply. He simply handed her a large, bright-red fruit in silence.

The little person in Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart began dancing again. See? My idol is so thoughtful!

Before long, Xiao Xiaoxiao had become a familiar face to Tang San. Every now and then, she wandered around near Tang San's home under all sorts of excuses, such as "looking for fruit," "gathering firewood," or "getting lost," occasionally "happening" to run into Tang San as he left home or returned.

After it happened enough times, even Tang Hao, that drunkard, noticed that a little girl was always hovering outside his door. One day, when Xiao Xiaoxiao was "passing by" again, a hoarse, impatient growl came from the rundown blacksmith shop. "Xiao San, is that little girl outside looking for you again? She's noisy as hell!"

Xiao Xiaoxiao shrank her neck in fright and hurried away. Her future father-in-law really did have a temper that was not to be trifled with.

Tang San showed no particular reaction. Whenever he saw her, he remained as calm as ever, nodding to her and sometimes saying a few words, while other times simply going about his work. Still, Xiao Xiaoxiao could feel that he was no longer quite so unfamiliar or guarded around her.

That day, Xiao Xiaoxiao was helping Granny Wang feed the chickens when she saw Village Chief Old Jack walking from house to house with his cane, looking spirited as he announced, "Attention, everyone! Tomorrow morning, Lord Soul Master will be coming to our village to awaken the martial souls of children of the proper age! Don't forget! It'll be at the little square in the middle of the village!"

It's here! The key plot point!

Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart pounded wildly. She had to take part in this awakening ceremony! Otherwise, if she did not even have a martial soul, how could she stick with Tang San in the future? How would she level up and fight monsters? How would she intercept... no, cultivate their relationship?

But she was unregistered! Her name definitely would not be on Village Chief Old Jack's list.

What should she do? Force her way in? Beg while crying?

That night, Xiao Xiaoxiao tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally, she gritted her teeth. You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing the bait. A thick skin gets you a full meal!

Early the next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, quite a few people had gathered in the small square at the center of the village. They were all children around six years old and their parents, each of them nervous yet expectant.

Xiao Xiaoxiao crouched behind a large tree at the edge of the square, her eyes scanning the crowd like radar. There! Tang San stood alone near the outer edge of the crowd, quietly waiting.

She took a deep breath and straightened the best clothes she had on—still old clothing Granny Wang had given her, washed until it had faded white. Then she fiercely pinched her thigh. The pain instantly filled her eyes with tears. Lowering her head and hunching her shoulders, she put on the appearance of a timid, pitiful little girl who had gathered immense courage, then shuffled toward Village Chief Old Jack in small steps.

"V-Village Chief Grandpa..." Her voice was tiny and trembling as she reached out with her little hand and gently tugged at Old Jack's sleeve.

Old Jack was busy counting heads. When he looked down, he saw an unfamiliar little girl with reddened eyes, like an abandoned kitten.

"Hm? You are... that adopted girl from Old Wang's house?" Old Jack had a vague impression of her.

"Mm..." Xiao Xiaoxiao nodded hard, letting one or two tears fall at just the right moment. "Village Chief Grandpa, c-can I awaken a martial soul too? I can't remember anything. I don't know where I'm from, and I don't know how old I am... But, but I think... I'm probably about the right age..." The more she spoke, the quieter and more pitiful she became. Looking up at him with her small face, she was filled with longing and the fragile fear of being rejected.

Seeing the thin, frail little girl and her tear-filled eyes, Old Jack's heart immediately softened. Children suffered in these troubled times. If one more child underwent awakening and happened to become a Soul Master, that would be an honor for the village as well. Rules were dead, but people were alive!

He patted Xiao Xiaoxiao's head. "Ah, don't cry, don't cry. Being about the right age is good enough. Come on, go stand with the others. When Lord Soul Master arrives, you mustn't make any noise, understand?"

"Thank you, Village Chief Grandpa! You're such a good person!" Xiao Xiaoxiao smiled through her tears, bowed to Old Jack, and quickly wiped them away. But her heart was pounding so hard it felt ready to leap out of her chest—she had succeeded!

She hurriedly ran into the cluster of children, inching her way over without drawing attention until she finally managed to stand not far from Tang San.

Tang San saw her as well. A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes, but he said nothing and merely nodded slightly.

Xiao Xiaoxiao made a victory sign in her heart, though outwardly she still looked timid. She even quietly edged a little closer to Tang San, as if seeking a sense of safety.

Before long, a young man in his twenties approached. He wore a fitted white outfit and a black cloak, his expression somewhat indifferent. He was Su Yuntao, a deacon from Spirit Hall.

Old Jack hurried over and respectfully said a few words. Su Yuntao nodded faintly and swept his gaze over the children. "All right, children. Form a line and come in with me."

The makeshift tent was somewhat dim. Su Yuntao briefly explained martial souls and soul power before beginning the awakening ceremony.

"Lone Wolf, possess!"

Green light flashed as Su Yuntao's body expanded, hair sprouted across him, his claws and fangs sharpened, and the white soul ring rising beneath his feet brought a wave of pressure. The children cried out in fright, and several were nearly in tears.

Xiao Xiaoxiao cooperatively put on a frightened expression and quietly shrank a little closer to Tang San. Tang San, however, remained very calm, merely studying the transformed Su Yuntao with curious eyes.

One child after another stepped forward, stretched out a hand, and awakened their martial souls beneath the crystal ball. Sickles, hoes, Blue Silver Grass... none possessed soul power.

Very soon, it was Tang San's turn.

Xiao Xiaoxiao held her breath and stared intently. Though she already knew the result, she still could not help feeling excited.

Tang San extended his right hand, and a small clump of pale-blue grass quietly appeared, its blades swaying gently.

"Blue Silver Grass." Su Yuntao's voice carried a hint of regret. "A standard useless martial soul."

A few low snickers came from the children.

Tang San's eyes dimmed for a moment, but he remained calm.

Just then, his left hand seemed to move unconsciously, but it quickly steadied again.

Xiao Xiaoxiao knew that was the Clear Sky Hammer! But she could only pretend she had seen nothing.

Following procedure, Su Yuntao had Tang San test his soul power. The instant Tang San placed his hand on the crystal ball, dazzling light burst forth, illuminating the entire tent!

"I-Innate Full Soul Power?!" Su Yuntao cried out in shock, his face full of disbelief.

The tent fell silent. All the children were stunned.

At the appropriate moment, Xiao Xiaoxiao revealed an expression of shock and admiration. She stared at Tang San with her eyes wide open.

Su Yuntao excitedly explained to Tang San what Innate Full Soul Power was, then lamented that his martial soul was Blue Silver Grass. Tang San merely listened quietly. In the end, he gave a polite bow and walked back.

As she passed Xiao Xiaoxiao, Xiao Xiaoxiao looked at him with what she thought was the most sincere gaze imaginable—though it was really just starry eyes—and whispered, "Tang San, you're amazing!"

Tang San glanced at her, seemingly a little surprised by her reaction. He gave a soft "Mm" but said nothing more.

Soon, it was Xiao Xiaoxiao's turn.

She walked forward nervously, her heart nearly leaping into her throat. What would her martial soul be? Please, don't let it be a hoe or sickle! Give me something decent! Otherwise, how could she keep up with her overpowered heartthrob?

She stretched out her right hand and focused.

A warm, strange sensation surged out from within her, as though something had awakened.

Soft white light gathered in her palm, gradually taking shape.

It seemed to be a... tiny snow-white fox? It was only palm-sized and fluffy, but its eyes seemed veiled by a faint, hazy moonlight, giving it an air of mystery. It was not a physical entity, but formed from condensed light. It sat obediently in her palm, and its large, fluffy tail gently swayed behind it.

"This is..." Su Yuntao leaned closer, somewhat uncertain. "It seems to be some kind of fox martial soul. It looks rather unusual—perhaps it has mental or illusion-related traits? Its quality is quite good, though. Come, let's test your soul power."

Xiao Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and placed her hand on the crystal ball.

The crystal ball lit up. Its glow was clearly brighter than those of the previous children, though far less dazzling than Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power.

"Soul Power Rank Seven. Not bad—a talent somewhat above average." Su Yuntao nodded, his tone much gentler than before. "Your martial soul is fairly unique as well. If you cultivate diligently, you may have a chance to become a Soul Master in the future."

Soul Power Rank Seven! She wasn't trash! The huge weight in Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart finally lifted, and wild joy surged through her! It wasn't top-tier, but it was absolutely enough! And her Phantom Moon Fox sounded perfectly suited for someone like her, who planned to pull tricks on her heartthrob! Hehehe...

She tried hard to suppress the corners of her mouth from shooting upward, putting on an innocent yet delighted expression as she bowed to Su Yuntao. "Thank you, Lord Soul Master!"

As she turned and walked back to the group, her steps became much lighter. When she passed Tang San, she could not help flashing him another broad smile, her eyes sparkling.

Tang San looked at her smile, then at her little face, which had turned faintly red with happiness. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said softly, "Congratulations."

Xiao Xiaoxiao froze, and fireworks exploded in her heart!

My heartthrob actually spoke to me first! He even congratulated me!

Worth it! This was an absolute steal!

The awakening ceremony ended, and the children dispersed. Old Jack was still deeply regretful over Tang San's "useless martial soul." Tang San headed back alone.

Xiao Xiaoxiao hurriedly caught up to him, skipping along at his side as she began her performance. "Tang San, Tang San, you actually have Innate Full Soul Power! That's amazing! You'll definitely become a very powerful Soul Master someday!"

Tang San did not stop walking. He merely said blandly, "Blue Silver Grass is a useless martial soul."

"It isn't!" Xiao Xiaoxiao immediately retorted, beginning to feed him some motivational "soup"—or spoilers. "No martial soul is absolutely useless or useful; it only depends on how you use it! I think your Blue Silver Grass is very special. Maybe it'll develop into something incredible in the future! And your soul power is so strong!"

Tang San's steps paused slightly. He turned to look at her, seeming surprised and thoughtful at her words.

Xiao Xiaoxiao secretly snickered. Laying the groundwork early, influencing him subtly—I'm such a clever little thing!

"Oh, right." Xiao Xiaoxiao struck while the iron was hot. "Lord Soul Master said that anyone with soul power can study at the Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy. Village Chief Grandpa will definitely recommend you, right? We... might even be able to go together!"

After saying that, she looked at Tang San nervously.

Tang San nodded. "Mm, that's what Village Chief Grandpa said."

"That's great!" Xiao Xiaoxiao cheered. "Then we'll be classmates! We can study and cultivate together from now on!"

Sunlight fell over the two small figures, one steady and quiet, the other lively and exuberant.

Xiao Xiaoxiao looked down the road ahead, happily making plans in her heart. Nuoding Academy—was Sister Xiao Wu about to make her appearance? No problem! I have the advantage of being close at hand, and I'll make the most of it! Tang San, your academy life is destined to gain one more "good friend" named Xiao Xiaoxiao!

Step Two of the Intercepting Plan: Success!