In the blink of an eye, three years passed.
The four little ones who always gathered in Qi Ban Hall had grown up in the blink of an eye. Three of them were now six years old—the customary age for Martial Soul Awakening on the Douluo Continent.
Only the youngest, Oupai, was Guang Ling Douluo's legitimate grandson. He had just turned five, a full year younger than the others. He should have waited until next year for his awakening ceremony, but he had come along to join in the excitement.
The Spirit Hall's dedicated Awakening Hall had been cleaned until it was spotless. The floor was laid with white jade so polished it reflected the light, and six round, pitch-black stones stood in neat formation at the center of the hall, forming a standard awakening array.
More than half of the rarely seen Titled Douluo had gathered today. Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo, Guang Ling Douluo, and the brothers Falling Devil Douluo and Qianjun Douluo stood on either side. Seated in the place of honor was Bibi Dong, dressed in a black-and-red Adjudicator Elder's robe, her aura sharp and cold. Yet every so often, she would lower her gaze to Tang San standing beside her, tenderness hidden in her eyes.
Gui Mengguan and Qian Gujue, both six years old, stood at the front. Oupai clung to Qian Gujue's arm and swung back and forth. The three transmigrators looked perfectly well-behaved on the surface, but inside, their minds had already started scrolling furiously.
"Help, we've finally reached the Martial Soul Awakening! I've practiced the basic breathing method for three years, and I'm sick of it. Whether I get to swagger around Spirit Hall from now on depends on today!" Gui Mengguan secretly nudged Qian Gujue beside him with an elbow and muttered under his breath.
Qian Gujue kept his little face taut. His lips barely moved as he squeezed the words out through his teeth. "Don't talk. My palms are sweating from nerves. What if I awaken a trash Martial Soul like a hoe or sickle? My grandpa, Falling Devil Douluo, could toss me into the Clear Sky Sect to learn the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, then make me train until I die."
Oupai nodded furiously beside them, his little body trembling. He added in a whisper, "I'm even more panicked! I'm only five. I was supposed to awaken next year. Yesterday, I told my grandpa I could feel my Martial Soul and thought I could awaken now. He nearly spanked me till my butt split open! If I can't awaken it later, I'll be a laughingstock!"
As the three whispered among themselves, faint footsteps sounded from a side door of the hall.
Everyone turned toward the sound. A young woman entered, dressed in a moon-white gown edged with gold. Her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her features were exquisitely beautiful. A faint, sacred aura surrounded her. She was Qian Daoliu's legitimate granddaughter, the future heir to the Angel God's Divine Position—Qian Renxue.
Following behind her was a little girl who resembled her around the eyes but had a more lively disposition: her younger sister, Qian Yexue.
The two walked over and stood beside Qian Daoliu. Qian Renxue glanced at the four children in the hall. Her gaze lingered on Tang San for just a moment before she politely looked away and stood quietly in place. There was not a trace of arrogance, much less the gloom and scheming buried deep in her bones in the original story.
The three transmigrators instantly froze, their minds struck by a thunderclap.
"Holy crap! Qian Renxue?! I almost forgot about this legendary powerhouse!" Gui Mengguan's eyes widened as he screamed inwardly. "In the original story, she'd already infiltrated the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace by this point and started her grand plan to seize the throne! Why is she still safe and sound in Spirit Hall?! It really is a completely rewritten world. Big Brother has smashed every rotten plotline to pieces!"
"Thank goodness, thank goodness. At least she didn't go after the throne. Otherwise, she'd have ended up with her Divine Position shattered and her life snuffed out. What a waste." Qian Gujue relaxed, then immediately tensed up again. "No, we absolutely can't say too much. If we give ourselves away and the Angel Clan starts watching us, ten lives wouldn't be enough!"
Oupai nodded furiously and straightened his back at once, putting on the appearance of the most obedient, harmless little darling. He didn't even dare let his eyes wander.
Just then, a hearty shout rang out from outside the hall, accompanied by steady footsteps. A middle-aged man in the robe of a Spirit Hall external elder strode inside.
He held an awakening scroll in his hand and wore a confident, professional smile. His steps were steady. Though his Soul Power was below level forty, he didn't show the slightest fear before a hall full of Titled Douluo. He cupped his hands toward the crowd with practiced ease. "Your subordinate, Su Yuntao, pays his respects to the Grand Pontiff and the Adjudicator Elder. Greetings to all the honored Titled Douluo!"
The three transmigrators collectively turned to stone once more. Their eyes nearly bulged out of their heads. They hurriedly lowered them and covered their mouths, forcing back the laughter that had nearly escaped. "Su Yuntao?! Blind Douluo Su Yuntao?!"
"Holy crap! The little attendant from the original story who couldn't even recognize the Blue Silver Emperor has made it into the elders' ranks? And as an external elder, no less! Big Brother has recruited and promoted the top dog of the awakening world!"
"I'm dying. A steady job really does mean you're set for life! This guy's the real deal, inside the system. In the original, he was a bit player; in fanfiction, he's an elder!"
"It's over, my DNA's tingling. The line 'For Martial Soul Awakening, hold out your right hand' is coming! What's the saying? One 'trash Martial Soul' from Blind Douluo, and a God King's position is guaranteed! We're set! We're set!"
Su Yuntao had clearly seen his share of grand occasions. After bowing to all the Titled Douluo, he turned and walked to the center of the awakening array. He opened the scroll with practiced ease, arranged the six Awakening Stones according to their positions, and channeled his Soul Power into them. Golden light instantly flared from the array, forming a pale golden barrier.
"All right, children, don't be nervous!" Su Yuntao gave the four children his trademark kindly smile and spoke in a clear voice. "I'm your awakening master, Su Yuntao. Just follow my instructions, one step at a time, and I'll make sure we get a clear reading on your Martial Souls! Young Master Qian Gu, you first! Hold out your right hand, calm your mind, feel the power inside you, and draw it out!"
Qian Gujue took a deep breath, his palms sweating with nerves. He obediently stepped into the center of the array, held out his right hand, closed his eyes, and focused on sensing.
A moment later, dazzling golden light burst from his palm. The phantom of a long, pitch-black staff slowly appeared, carved with a coiling dragon pattern. The moment it materialized, a heavy pressure radiated from it, making the floor tremble faintly.
"A Tool Martial Soul! The Coiling Dragon Staff!"
Su Yuntao's eyes lit up as he announced loudly, "A top-tier Power Attack System Tool Martial Soul! It shares the same origin as Lord Falling Devil Douluo's Martial Soul! Excellent! A fine talent!"
Falling Devil Douluo leaped up from his chair and burst into loud laughter. He slapped Qianjun Douluo on the shoulder, his voice loud enough to shake the ears. "Did you hear that? My grandson! The Coiling Dragon Staff! A top-tier Power Attack Martial Soul! I told you the boy was a fine piece of timber!"
Qianjun Douluo rolled his eyes helplessly and cut in, "All right, stop shouting. The whole hall heard you. Test his Innate Soul Power first."
Su Yuntao promptly took out a crystal ball and held it in front of Qian Gujue. "Here, Young Master Qian Gu. Put your hand on it, steady your mind, and channel your Soul Power into it."
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