Martial Soul Awakening!

Bibi Dong let out a sigh of relief.

She walked over with light, cautious steps.

Only when she reached Lin Qiu's back did she crouch down.

She reached out her arms and wrapped them tightly around him from behind.

Her soft, delicate body pressed against Lin Qiu's back.

It carried a reassuring warmth.

Lin Qiu slowly opened his eyes.

He wasn't startled; he simply turned his head and nuzzled against Bibi Dong's cheek.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you in a bad mood?"

Bibi Dong rested her chin on his shoulder.

Her voice sounded muffled.

"No."

"I just wanted to hold you."

She paused, then added in a soft whisper:

"Don't take those words from the outside to heart."

"They are just a bunch of mediocre fools."

"As long as I am here, no one dares to show you any disrespect."

"Even if you never cultivate for the rest of your life, you will always be the son I, Bibi Dong, am most proud of."

Lin Qiu could hear the worry and protectiveness in her tone.

He turned around.

He faced Bibi Dong.

Looking into those purple eyes filled with concern.

Lin Qiu smiled.

His smile was radiant and confident.

"Mom, don't worry."

"I haven't awakened my Martial Soul not because I'm afraid."

"But because I was waiting for the right opportunity."

"And now..."

Lin Qiu looked out the window.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"The opportunity has arrived."

Bibi Dong looked at his determined gaze, and for some reason, the lingering anxiety in her heart vanished in an instant.

She chose to believe in him unconditionally.

"Good."

"No matter what you want to do, Mom will support you."

Early that very morning.

The long-absent mechanical voice rang out in Lin Qiu's mind.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations to the host, the survival mission has been completed.]

[Mission Reward: ??? (Pending Collection)]

[Collection Condition: Perform the Martial Soul awakening immediately; the reward will automatically integrate into the awakening process.]

It had finally arrived.

Lin Qiu leaped up from the bed.

He stretched his limbs.

A series of crackling pops echoed from his entire body.

After lying dormant for half a year.

It was time to take back what belonged to him.

Martial Soul Hall held multiple awakening sessions for disciples each year, rather than just once annually.

He remembered that today happened to be the day for this batch of elite disciples at Martial Soul Hall to awaken their martial souls.

Perfect.

He would go and join in the fun.

Martial Soul Hall, Awakening Hall.

It was exceptionally lively here today.

Dozens of six-year-old children stood in neat rows, waiting for the verdict of their fate.

Above the main hall.

Bibi Dong sat upright on the Pope's throne, her expression majestic.

On both sides of her sat several elders and enshrined experts.

Although they were somewhat at odds on ordinary days, everyone gave enough face when it came to such a major matter concerning the future of Martial Soul Hall.

"Next, Hu Liena."

The Cardinal in charge of the awakening shouted aloud.

A little girl with short hair walked out.

She was very cute, like a carved jade figurine.

Yet, between her brows, there was an innate charm.

She walked to the center of the awakening formation.

As soul power was injected.

A phantom of a fiery red Demon Fox appeared behind her.

At the same time.

The testing crystal ball lit up with a dazzling radiance.

"Martial Soul, Demon Fox."

"Innate Soul Power, level nine!"

The Cardinal's voice trembled slightly, filled with excitement.

Whoosh!

The hall erupted into an uproar.

Innate level nine!

This was a top-tier genius, second only to those with Innate Full Soul Power!

As long as she did not fall prematurely, she would surely become a Titled Douluo in the future!

The elders and enshrined experts sitting at the top also nodded one after another, satisfied smiles appearing on their faces.

"Not bad, a good seedling."

"It seems that this generation has produced another leader."

"Cultivate her well; she will surely achieve great things in the future."

Listening to the praise around her, Hu Liena's little face flushed red with excitement.

Like a proud little peacock, she held her head high and walked off the Awakening Platform.

Just then.

A commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the hall.

The originally noisy crowd consciously cleared a path.

A little boy wearing a white training suit, hands in his pockets, walked in slowly.

It was Lin Qiu.

The moment they saw him.

The atmosphere in the hall became somewhat strange.

The discussions died down instantly, turning into whispers.

"Why is he here?"

"Wasn't it said that he didn't dare to awaken?"

"He's been dragging it out for half a year; what, did he finally come to his senses?"

"Tch, he was probably forced into a corner; if he doesn't awaken now, he'll really become a joke."

Those elders and enshrined experts also frowned slightly upon seeing Lin Qiu.

Clearly, they did not think highly of him.

Only Bibi Dong.

Her originally cold gaze softened the moment she saw Lin Qiu.

She leaned her body slightly forward.

It seemed as if she were ready to stand up at any moment.

Although Lin Qiu had told her he was confident, as a mother, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous at this very moment.

She had even prepared herself.

If the awakening results were unsatisfactory, she would throw out anyone who dared to show even the slightest hint of mockery.

Lin Qiu ignored the various gazes around him.

He walked straight toward the Awakening Platform.

As he passed by Hu Liena.

Hu Liena curiously sized up this legendary "adopted son of the Pope."

She had only seen him from afar a few times before; this was her first time being this close to him.

He looked... really good.

Better-looking than any boy she had ever seen.

His eyes were bright and sparkling, as if they held stars within them.

Hu Liena was a sucker for a pretty face.

Seeing such a beautiful little brother, her favorability toward him instantly shot up.

She gathered her courage, leaned in, and whispered:

"Hey."

"You're Lin Qiu, right?"

"Don't be afraid."

"I just awakened with innate rank nine soul power, you know."

"If anyone dares to bully you in the future, just use my name."

"Sister Nana will have your back."

After saying this, she puffed out her chest, which hadn't even begun to develop yet, with great seriousness.

She had the air of a big sister.

Lin Qiu stopped in his tracks.

He looked at this little loli with a hint of amusement.

The future Saintess of the Martial Soul Hall was still a warm-hearted, naive girl at this stage.

"Alright."

"Then I'll thank Sister Nana in advance."

Lin Qiu winked at her.

Hu Liena felt her heart skip a beat.

This little brother's smile was just too unfair.

Lin Qiu didn't linger any longer.

He stepped onto the Awakening Platform.

He stood in the center of the six black Awakening Stones.

"Begin."

He said to the Cardinal, who was still in a daze.

The Cardinal snapped back to reality and instinctively glanced at Bibi Dong.

Seeing the Pope nod slightly, he finally dared to proceed.

"Focus your mind and calm your breath."

"Feel it with your heart."

As soul power was injected, six golden beams of light enveloped Lin Qiu.

Everyone's eyes were fixed intently on this spot.

There was anticipation, mockery, and indifference.

Lin Qiu closed his eyes.

He recited silently in his heart.

"System, claim the reward."

Boom!

At that very instant.

An indescribable, terrifying fluctuation erupted violently from within Lin Qiu's body.

It was not soul power.

It was an aura far more ancient, far more vast.

It felt as if a deity that had slumbered for billions of years was slowly beginning to awaken.

Crack!

The Awakening Stone beneath his feet, unable to withstand the weight of this pressure, shattered into a web of fissures.