Triple Martial Souls

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Martial Soul Awakening Hall.

The white marble floor shone like a mirror, reflecting the exquisite painted reliefs on the vaulted ceiling. The hall felt solemn and dignified.

A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, along with a tension so thick it seemed almost frozen.

Today was the day the sect's children of the appropriate age awakened their Martial Souls.

Lin Yi stood in line, his eyes lowered slightly.

He was unremarkable in stature among the children his age. He wore the sect's standard light blue robe, washed until it had faded somewhat.

The children around him could barely contain their excitement and apprehension. To Lin Yi, their chatter stirred only the faintest ripple in his heart.

He was an anomaly—a soul that should have been extinguished in the currents of time, yet had been reborn here by chance. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had taken him in, and he had grown up in ignorance until fragments of his past life's memories came roaring back one night. Douluo Continent, Martial Souls, Soul Masters, Tang San, Xiao Wu... and the calamity awaiting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the future.

Those memories weighed heavily on his heart. They also made him understand better than any child his age what power meant.

"Next, Lin Yi."

The clear voice came from the sect official presiding over the awakening ceremony at the center of the hall.

Lin Yi took a deep breath, stepped forward, and stood in the hexagonal awakening array, which was formed from countless tiny soul-guiding runes.

The official infused it with Soul Power. The array lit up at once, and soft white light enveloped Lin Yi.

Warmth flooded him, as if he were soaking in a hot spring. A strange energy rose from the soles of his feet and coursed through his limbs. He could clearly "feel" something inside him being roused by that energy, gentle yet resolute.

It was coming.

A refreshing coolness surfaced first, spreading from his chest. The phantom image of a plant appeared above his head, its body luminous white and its petals as translucent as jade. It turned slowly, radiating a pure vitality that seemed to freshen the air around it.

"A Plant-type Martial Soul? Judging by its shape, could it be... a Snow Lotus?" A flash of surprise crossed the official's eyes, then he nodded. "An excellent support-type Martial Soul. It seems the sect will have another fine healing Soul Master..."

Before he could finish, a sudden change erupted!

An entirely different aura burst from Lin Yi's left hand—bitterly cold and overbearing! A clear dragon's roar rang through the hall without warning. It wasn't a real sound, yet it echoed distinctly in the depths of every soul!

A small, ice-blue dragon, barely a foot long, coiled around his left arm and rose into the air. Its scales gleamed ominously, its dragon eyes were icy, and a bone-chilling cold radiated from its body. The temperature inside the awakening array plunged, and even a thin layer of frost formed on the floor.

"Twin Martial Souls!" the official cried, his composure instantly replaced by sheer disbelief.

The hall erupted in an uproar.

Yet as the Ice Dragon appeared and drew everyone's attention, a subtler force stirred in Lin Yi's right palm. It held the same extreme chill, along with a noble rhythm. It trembled faintly, almost breaking free.

His heart tightened. Drawing on the far stronger mental strength he had gained after crossing into this world, and the wariness born of knowing the "plot," he forcibly suppressed the restless power.

Ice Phoenix.

This Martial Soul must never be exposed. The Snow Lotus and Ice Dragon, one for support and one for combat, were already enough to shake the world.

Triple Martial Souls? That would invite disaster. Until he had the strength to protect himself, he had to keep it buried deep within him.

The Ice Phoenix's mark in his right palm warmed slightly, then vanished completely, leaving no trace. Even the official standing close by failed to notice.

"Twin Martial Souls! A Snow Lotus and... a dragon-type Beast Martial Soul?!" The official's voice trembled. "Quick, go summon the sect master and the two elders!"

The news was relayed as quickly as possible.

Moments later, several powerful auras descended upon the hall.

At the forefront was an elegant, middle-aged man with a face as handsome as carved jade, a straight nose, and a square jaw. He wore a pristine white robe and had a gentle, refined bearing, but his eyes were deep as an abyss.

He was Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Two men stood at his sides.

On the left was a man dressed in white as pure as snow. His features were austere, and his gaze was as keen as a drawn sword. Even standing still, he gave off an air of unstoppable sharpness.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

On the right stood a tall man with a somewhat sinister face. The space around him seemed to warp faintly, as if concealing endless mystery and power.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong.

All three men fixed their eyes on Lin Yi in the awakening array, on the crystal-clear Snow Lotus slowly turning above his head and the roaring Ice Dragon coiled around his left arm.

Even men of their standing and experience could not hide their shock.

"Twin Martial Souls... Excellent! Excellent! Heaven favors our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!" Ning Fengzhi clapped his hands, his eyes blazing.

Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the world's foremost support-type Artifact Martial Soul, it had one limitation: it could not break through level eighty.

If the sect could raise a disciple with Twin Martial Souls and the potential to become a top Battle Soul Master, it would mean a great deal.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin stepped forward and appeared before Lin Yi in a single stride. His gaze flashed over the Snow Lotus before settling on the Ice Dragon. Its cold eyes met his, and a hint of defiance seemed to shine within them. "Such a powerful ice-attribute dragon-type Martial Soul. Its quality is exceptional."

Bone Douluo Gu Rong marveled as well. "A Snow Lotus for support and an Ice Dragon for offense. This boy is practically born to be a Battle Soul Master. I want to take him as my disciple, so don't you dare try to steal him from me!"

Chen Xin ignored Gu Rong completely and addressed Ning Fengzhi. "Fengzhi, I want to take this child as my personal disciple."

Ning Fengzhi nodded with a smile. "Having Uncle Jian teach him would be best."

The matter was settled.

Just then, the official came forward with the crystal ball used to test Soul Power. His voice shook with even greater astonishment, almost breaking into a different pitch. "Sect... Sect Master, Elders, his Innate Soul Power..."

The crystal ball neared Lin Yi. In an instant, blinding light burst forth, illuminating every detail of the entire hall!

Its brilliance far surpassed that of an ordinary Innate Full Soul Power reading!

"This is... Innate Soul Power, level thirty?!" Ning Fengzhi's composure finally broke, and he cried out in shock.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong changed expression at the same time, their pupils contracting.

Innate Full Soul Power was already one in ten thousand. Innate Soul Power at level twenty was unheard of—and this child had level thirty!

That meant the moment he obtained a Soul Ring, he would become a Soul Elder!

"Today's events are the sect's highest-level secret!" Ning Fengzhi quickly recovered, his voice solemn and carrying unquestionable authority. "Everyone here will swear an oath not to reveal a single word to outsiders! Anyone who disobeys will be punished according to sect rules!"

The hall turned grim in an instant. The officials and disciples, along with the children who had come to awaken their Martial Souls, were all shaken by the sudden order and the grave expressions of the sect's three highest authorities. They lowered their heads and accepted the command.

Several days later, on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky. The air carried the fresh scent of plants and the faint smell of decaying leaves, while the distant roars of unknown Soul Beasts drifted through the forest.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin led Lin Yi through this dangerous place as casually as if they were strolling in a garden.

A formless sword intent radiated naturally from him, driving away every low-level Soul Beast that came lurking.

Their goal was clear: to obtain the first Soul Ring for Lin Yi's Snow Lotus Martial Soul.

The process proved unexpectedly smooth.

Beside a stream in a secluded valley, they found a White Jade Snow Lotus King that had cultivated for about three hundred years.

Under Chen Xin's protection, Lin Yi killed it with ease, then sat cross-legged and absorbed the Soul Ring, which gave off a soft white glow and a crisp lotus fragrance.

Faint white specks of light flowed into his body. Lin Yi could feel the Snow Lotus Martial Soul rejoicing, while his own Soul Power steadily rose during the absorption, growing denser and more substantial.

At the same time, information about a Soul Skill surfaced naturally in his mind—Healing Light.

It rapidly healed injuries and dispelled negative conditions. For a first Soul Ring, it was an exceptional support skill.

When he finished absorbing it and opened his eyes, he saw an unusually grave expression on Sword Douluo Chen Xin's face.

Chen Xin looked at him and remained silent for a long while before finally speaking. Every word weighed like a thousand catties. "Lin Yi, your Snow Lotus Martial Soul's future Soul Rings will be planned by me. But your second Martial Soul, that Ice Dragon..."

He paused, his gaze as sharp as a sword, as if he meant to pierce straight into Lin Yi's soul. "Remember what I told you. Before you reach the Soul Douluo realm, do not—under any circumstances—give it even a single Soul Ring!"

Lin Yi's heart tightened. He knew the secrets and dangers of Twin Martial Souls. Bibi Dong and Tang San were examples enough. But he showed nothing on his face, merely nodding obediently as he answered in a childish yet resolute voice, "Yes, Teacher. I'll remember."

Seeing how sensible he was, Chen Xin's eyes flashed with approval. He nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to signal for him to follow.

"Come, I'll find your second Soul Ring!"