Old Jack Could No Longer Bend His Back

So all those suspicions that had haunted him day and night were true.

He really was the son of the traitor reviled by the entire continent, truly a "mongrel born between a human and a Soul Beast," just as people said!

An overwhelming panic engulfed him in an instant. He instinctively clenched his left hand, forcing the other Martial Soul, which was about to appear with its tyrannical, unmatched pressure, back down into his body. He didn't dare let even the slightest trace of its presence escape.

He couldn't let anyone find out that he had a Second Martial Soul.

If this secret came to light, everyone would recognize who he was. Then not only would he be denounced by everyone, but Grandpa Jack, who had always protected him, would be implicated too.

His experiences in his previous life told him that someone in his position was bound to drag the whole village into it. There was no escaping the charge of harboring a fugitive, especially when the fugitive was an outcast like him. Within a hundred miles, not even the chickens and dogs would be spared.

They'd shake the eggs until the yolks broke, dig up the earthworms and line them up upright, and pour several buckets of boiling water into every ant nest.

Deacon Wang looked at his pale little face, assuming he was simply too excited. Smiling, he patted Tang San on the shoulder and said gently, "Don't be nervous, child. You don't need to think of Blue Silver Grass as a Trash Martial Soul. Blue Silver Grass has even produced a Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Soul Beast, so it's no strange thing for it to come with Innate Full Soul Power. It means your Blue Silver Grass has mutated. Even if it doesn't quite measure up to the Blue Silver Emperor, it's close enough. Your future prospects are limitless. Go wait over there."

Tang San managed to force a smile and nod. He put away the Blue Silver Grass in his palm and walked to the side.

The six children who had been hanging their heads in dejection were instantly stunned when he came out. They stared at him with wide eyes, unable to stop themselves from exclaiming softly, "Innate Full Soul Power? Tang San, you have Innate Full Soul Power? You're so amazing!"

Tang San said little. After forcing out a smile, he quietly found a corner and sat down, his heart still heavy.

"The last one, Lin Yue."

Deacon Wang's voice rang out again.

Lin Yue took a deep breath, tamping down her excitement, and strode to the center of the formation in the inner room.

"Stand still, then close your eyes. No need to be nervous. Follow my guidance and feel the power inside you."

Deacon Wang smiled at her. After just witnessing someone awaken with Innate Full Soul Power, he felt a little more hopeful about the young girl who had come in last.

Lin Yue stood where he had told her. The golden formation lit up once more. She closed her eyes and extended her right hand.

[System Notification: Martial Soul awakening in progress... Autumn Leaf Battle Mage template officially activated. Exclusive Martial Soul Evil Repeller is being materialized!]

The instant the system's cold notification sounded, an extreme black light burst from her palm. A long, pitch-black Battle Spear phantom, traced with dark-red patterns, slowly took shape.

The spear shaft was long and sharp, its tip glinting with a chilling light. The moment it appeared, it carried the relentless, razor-sharp aura of battle. The golden light within the entire formation trembled faintly beneath that domineering battle aura.

"A Tool Martial Soul! A Battle Spear!"

Deacon Wang's eyes flew wide open. He cried out in shock, "What a powerful aura! This must be a top-tier Power Attack System Tool Martial Soul!"

Before he had even finished speaking, system notifications were already flooding Lin Yue's mind.

[System Notification: Martial Soul Evil Repeller successfully awakened! Autumn Leaf Battle Mage template officially activated!]

[System Notification: Battle Mage-exclusive passive unlocked—Battle Mage's Will!]

[System Notification: Battle Mage basic skills unlocked—Sky Strike, Dragon Tooth, Double Stab!]

[System Notification: Host's Innate Soul Power detected—Level 10! Innate Full Soul Power! Template compatibility: 100%!]

Lin Yue abruptly opened her eyes. Looking at the Evil Repeller Battle Spear in her palm, exactly as she had imagined it, she felt her heart pounding. Her face brimmed with a joy she could hardly hide.

"Quick, child, test your Soul Power!"

Deacon Wang was so excited that his voice trembled. He hurriedly handed her the Soul Power crystal ball.

One person with Innate Full Soul Power in a village was already a once-in-a-century, perhaps once-in-a-millennium event. Could they really have another one today?

Lin Yue reached out and placed her small hand steadily on the crystal ball.

The same scene as before unfolded once more. Brilliant blue light instantly filled the entire crystal ball, and the tenth marker shone blindingly bright. She, too, had genuine Innate Full Soul Power!

"Another one! Another person with Innate Full Soul Power!"

Deacon Wang actually jumped into the air, his face alight with wild delight. "Good heavens! A remote little village has produced two once-in-a-century geniuses in a row! And one has a top-tier Power Attack System Battle Spear Martial Soul! Unprecedented! This is absolutely unprecedented!"

"Hahahaha!"

Laughing, Lin Yue put away the Evil Repeller Battle Spear and went to the waiting area outside. Tang San and the other six children stared at her, their eyes round with disbelief.

That made all seven children who had come for the Martial Soul Awakening.

Deacon Wang tidied up the awakening records and Soul Power crystal ball, then pushed open the door to the awakening room. Facing Old Jack and the villagers waiting outside, he announced loudly, "The children's Martial Soul Awakenings are all complete!"

The outside fell silent at once. Everyone's gaze turned toward them as one. Old Jack hurried forward, gripping his cane nervously, his voice trembling. "Deacon, how did it go? Are there any children who can become Soul Masters?"

Deacon Wang smiled, first looking at the six children hanging their heads. In a gentle tone, he said, "These six young gentlemen awakened Martial Souls such as a sickle, a hoe, and ordinary Blue Silver Grass. None showed any Soul Power, so they cannot become Soul Masters."

At those words, most of the hope vanished from Old Jack's face. He let out a heavy sigh, and the villagers around him likewise looked disappointed.

Holy Soul Village hadn't produced a Soul Master in many years. Was this year going to come up empty again?

But just then, Deacon Wang changed tack, his voice rising sharply with unconcealed delight. "However, this Martial Soul Awakening has produced two once-in-a-century geniuses in Holy Soul Village!"

He stepped aside, revealing Tang San and Lin Yue behind him, and announced loudly, "Tang San awakened a beneficially mutated Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, with Innate Full Soul Power, Level 10! Lin Yue awakened a top-tier Power Attack System Battle Spear Martial Soul, with Innate Full Soul Power, Level 10!"

"Innate Full Soul Power?! And two of them?!"

Old Jack's voice shot up. He trembled with excitement, and the cane in his hand clattered to the ground. Tears welled up in his eyes as he repeated, "Wonderful! Wonderful! Holy Soul Village has produced Soul Masters! Two geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power!"

"Hahahaha, Holy Soul Village finally hit the jackpot!"

It nearly made Old Jack lose his mind for a moment, like Fan Jin passing the imperial examinations. He almost choked on his own phlegm.

The villagers erupted around them. One after another, they crowded around Tang San and Lin Yue, their faces full of admiration and praise. The entrance to the village office was instantly as lively as New Year's.

They had lived their whole lives without seeing—or even hearing of—a remote little village producing two geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power at once. A single ordinary Soul Master would have been reason enough to burn incense in thanks.

Deacon Wang waited until everyone had calmed down a little before speaking again. His gaze settled on Tang San and Lin Yue, his tone full of sincerity. "Tang San, Lin Yue, you're both rare talents, the kind one sees only once in a century. On behalf of Spirit Hall, I formally invite you to join us and study at the core Soul Master Academy in Spirit City. We'll provide you with the finest cultivation resources on the entire continent, the most outstanding Titled Douluo instructors, and the most complete training system, ensuring you can grow without any obstacles."

He paused, then added, "Of course, even if you don't want to join Spirit Hall for now, that's fine. Spirit Hall won't force you. Under Spirit Hall's new rules, anyone who tests with Innate Full Soul Power can receive a cultivation stipend of Gold Soul Coins, whether or not they join Spirit Hall. You'll get one Gold Soul Coin per level to cover your early cultivation expenses."

Ten Gold Soul Coins!

At those words, the villagers present all drew in a sharp breath.

One Gold Soul Coin was worth a hundred Silver Soul Coins, or ten thousand Copper Soul Coins—enough to let an ordinary family live comfortably for an entire year. Ten Gold Soul Coins was a fortune beyond their wildest dreams!

Old Jack quickly came to his senses and tugged at Tang San's arm, urging him to accept.

The chance to study at the core academy in Spirit City was one countless Soul Masters across the continent would kill for!

But Tang San lowered his head and clenched his fists, then gently shook his head. "Thank you for the invitation, Deacon, but I don't want to go to Spirit City just yet. I'd like to go to the junior Soul Master Academy in Nuoding City first and build a solid foundation."

He didn't dare go to Spirit Hall.

The moment he set foot in Spirit City, the secret of his birth could be exposed at any time. Then he might not even be able to hold on to the little peace he had now.

Deacon Wang was taken aback, but he didn't push. He simply nodded. "That's all right. Everyone has their own path. If you change your mind someday, you can take Spirit Hall's certificate to any Spirit Hall Branch and apply to join. Spirit Hall's doors will always be open to you."

Then he looked at Lin Yue. "What about you, Lin Yue? Would you like to join Spirit Hall?"

Lin Yue weighed the Evil Repeller Battle Spear that had gathered in her hand again, tilted her head, and thought it over. Then she shook her head too. "I won't go either. I've only just gotten my Battle Spear, and I want to make sure I've mastered the basics on my own first. I'll think about it again once I've gotten stronger."

She didn't know much about Spirit Hall, and she didn't want to be bound by an academy's rules. She only wanted to wield her Evil Repeller Battle Spear, hone her Battle Mage skills to perfection, and roam the continent freely, seeing just how vast this world was.

"Ah... all right, then."

Deacon Wang was a little disappointed, but he didn't say more. He immediately took out twenty Gold Soul Coins, split them into two portions, and handed one to each of them. He also issued them Spirit Hall's official Soul Power certificates and smiled. "Very well. Whichever path you choose, I wish you a bright future. May you soon become Soul Masters who shake the continent and shine your light upon the world."

"Train hard, future powerhouses."

The two children accepted the Gold Soul Coins and thanked Deacon Wang sincerely.

The villagers crowded around the two children and walked them back into the village, chatting and laughing all the way. They told everyone they met that Holy Soul Village had produced two geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power.

Old Jack walked at the front, his back ramrod straight and the smile never leaving his face. He seemed to see the village being renamed Titled Douluo Village someday.

No, it should be called Twin Titled Douluo Village.

He had no regrets left in life.

After a lifetime of bending his back, he might never be able to bend it again.

Tang San clutched the heavy Gold Soul Coins in his hand, but his heart remained just as heavy.

The truth about his birth weighed on his heart like a boulder. He looked at the rolling green mountains in the distance, confusion filling his eyes. He had no idea where his future was supposed to lead.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue walked beside him, excitedly waving the Evil Repeller Battle Spear in her hand. She felt the Soul Power flowing through her body and the clear Battle Mage skill tree in her mind, her eyes shining.

Who should she find to test it out on?