My head was spinning, like I'd stayed up for three nights straight binge-watching all of Douluo, then gotten knocked out with a club. I pushed myself upright and stared at the earthen walls and old wooden table before me, frozen in place.
"What's going on? Wasn't I just in bed, cursing Tang San for being a hypocrite and Yu Xiaogang for being a fraud? How'd I end up in this dump?"
I rubbed my temples as unfamiliar memories suddenly flooded my mind—Douluo Continent, Holy Soul Village, six years old, and today was the day of Martial Soul Awakening!
I came to instantly, my heart pounding—not from fear, but excitement! But the next second, I forced myself to calm down. I couldn't let the heat go to my head.
[Memories suddenly interrupt]
I'd watched Douluo several times in my previous life. Tang San looked harmless on the surface, but he was as devious and hypocritical as they came. He grabbed every advantage and pushed all the blame onto others, all while preaching about justice. And Yu Xiaogang was even worse. His Martial Soul had mutated into the useless Luo Sanpao; he had no combat ability whatsoever and relied entirely on hot air to fool people. Only Tang San treated him like a father and worshipped him. Anyone with half a brain could see that his theories were all armchair nonsense! Watching those two show off all the way through the story had nearly made me smash my phone. I'd wanted nothing more than to get inside and crush their pride underfoot!
[Memories abruptly stop, forcibly returning to reality]
Fine. Since fate had sent me here, I'd make them pay for it! But I wasn't stupid. Douluo Continent was a world where the strong preyed on the weak, and Twin Martial Souls were an unbeatable trump card. I absolutely couldn't let anyone find out. Making a scene at the start and revealing my cards would be asking to die. I had to keep them hidden until my dying breath! The more ordinary I looked, the better. I'd plot in secret, take it one step at a time, and finish those two off!
"Lin Chen! Hurry up! Martial Soul Awakening's about to start. Quit dawdling!" Village Chief Old Jack's booming voice shook the air outside. I called back, brushed the dust off my clothes, and ambled out. My face was calm, but I knew exactly what was going on.
At the open ground by the village entrance, Su Yuntao had already set up the awakening formation. He swished his black robe and chanted with exaggerated solemnity: "Lone Wolf possession! Martial Soul Awakening!"
A group of little kids waited in line, chattering away. I scanned them but didn't see Tang San. I understood at once—the kid was probably hiding at home, secretly figuring out his Twin Martial Souls. As a transmigrator, he was craftier than anyone.
When my turn came, I took a deep breath and firmly locked away the aura of the Heavy Profound Iron Sword Martial Soul. Not a trace could escape. I let out only a faint ripple from the Ink Shadow Spirit Cat, then stepped into the formation, keeping everything tightly restrained.
Su Yuntao released his Soul Power as the procedure required. Pale golden light enveloped me, and the next second, a palm-sized ink-black kitten slowly appeared. Its fur gleamed, its gaze was reserved, and an almost invisible aura of shadow clung to it. It looked like an utterly ordinary shadow-type cat Martial Soul, with nothing remarkable about it. Toss it into a crowd of Martial Souls, and no one would give it a second glance.
Su Yuntao glanced at it and curled his lip, not taking it seriously at all. "Beast Martial Soul, Ink Shadow Cat. Nothing special. Let's test your Soul Power, just to make up the numbers."
I remained composed and gently placed my hand on the crystal ball. The next instant, it blazed with dazzling light—Innate Soul Power Level 10, Innate Full Soul Power!
"Good heavens! Innate Full Soul Power?!" Su Yuntao's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He leaned over the crystal ball and checked it again and again, his face full of disbelief. "This unimpressive Martial Soul actually has Innate Full Soul Power?!"
I kept a calm expression, as though it were nothing special, but inside I was overjoyed. At the same time, the system's notification rang silently in my mind:
[Ding! Eternal Suppression System bound successfully!]
[Core Rule: The host's soul power level will always be 10 levels higher than Tang San's. Every time Tang San gains a level, the host will automatically level up to match, with the optimal soul rings and skills automatically assigned. No deliberate cultivation is needed. The host can freely rein in their soul power aura, conceal their martial soul's fluctuations, and completely hide their trump cards!]
Perfect! With this system and my deliberate secrecy, no one would ever discover the secret of my Twin Martial Souls! Tang San had Innate Soul Power Level 10, while I'd automatically be Level 20. But I'd keep my aura suppressed at Level 10 the whole time. To everyone else, I'd just be an ordinary Ink Shadow Cat Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power. I'd have the whole playing-the-pig-to-eat-the-tiger routine down!
Before long, Tang San came strolling over in coarse clothes, looking honest and unassuming, though a trace of smugness lurked in his eyes.
When it was his turn, Blue Silver Grass slowly appeared. His test also showed Innate Full Soul Power. Tang San looked calm on the surface, but he was already floating with pride inside, convinced that his talent was unmatched and that he was destined for greatness.
I barely looked at him, let alone mock him. I just stood quietly in the corner, making myself look like a reserved, ordinary genius. Inside, I sneered. That's it? A trash Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass, and you'll always be ten levels below me. What are you acting so smug for? I'll deal with you later. Every second I spend near you now is another chance to give myself away!
Tang San noticed that I also had Innate Full Soul Power and turned to look at me, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. I immediately lowered my head, pretending to be shy, and avoided his gaze altogether. The less we interacted, the better.
The awakening ceremony ended quickly. Village Chief Old Jack was so excited that he grabbed Tang San and me by the hands and practically sprayed us with saliva as he spoke. "Good! Good! Holy Soul Village has produced two geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power at once! I'll apply for work-study student spots for you right away, so you can further your studies at Nuoding Academy!"
I knew perfectly well that Nuoding Academy was the key. It was where Tang San and Yu Xiaogang would meet, where I'd meet Xiao Wu, and the first step in my plan. I acted grateful and said, "Thank you, Grandpa Jack," while inwardly figuring out how to keep a low profile and avoid revealing any of my trump cards.
I packed a few changes of clothes and turned down Old Jack's offer to see me off. Then I set out for Nuoding Academy alone, keeping my head down and not speaking to anyone, afraid I might let slip even the smallest clue about my Martial Soul.
I kept a low profile on the road. When I reached Nuoding Academy's entrance, I saw a middle-aged man in a gray shirt with a small mustache arguing with the gatekeeper. He was holding an ugly little dog Martial Soul. Who else could it be but Yu Xiaogang?
Yu Xiaogang noticed me too. Sensing that I had Innate Full Soul Power, he immediately put on the airs of a theoretical master and spoke in an affectedly profound tone. "Young friend, I can tell you have Innate Full Soul Power, yet no one to guide your cultivation. I'm Yu Xiaogang, and I consider myself unmatched in theory. Become my disciple, and I'll make sure you learn a great deal."
Here it comes. This guy's starting his pitch!
I sneered inwardly, but kept my expression calm. In a casual Sichuan-Chongqing dialect, I turned him down without any fuss. "Thanks for the offer, but I can cultivate on my own. No need to trouble yourself. Let's just leave each other be."
I didn't insult him, expose him, or make a scene. I simply refused, so I wouldn't attract trouble or give myself away.
Just then, Tang San arrived too. He scampered over to Yu Xiaogang and bowed respectfully. "Teacher!" Then he glanced at me, a hint of inexplicable hostility in his eyes.
I ignored the pair of them. I used Level 20 Soul Power to subtly suppress the gatekeeper and slipped into the academy without making a sound. I didn't reveal any of my strength, much less the secret of my Twin Martial Souls. I kept an extremely low profile.
I knew exactly what I had to do. Twin Martial Souls were my trump card for staying alive, and I absolutely couldn't tell anyone about them. I had to hide my strength and keep my edge sheathed. First, I'd lie low, seize opportunities, and build connections. Then I'd gradually shut off every path for Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. Once I was strong enough, I'd settle the score with them, one debt at a time! As for Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others, I'd get to know them after entering the academy. There was no need to rush!
Before you continue