Mu Chen's Adopted Son, Martial Soul Black Dragon

Eastsea City, Spirit Pagoda.

The car was driving on the way to the martial soul awakening ceremony.

Yao Chuan sat in the backseat, staring blankly at the scenery flying past the window, lost in his thoughts.

Although six years had already passed.

The fact that he, a mere reader, had actually transmigrated into the world of Soul Land: Dragon King still felt like a cruel twist of fate.

Fortunately, his luck wasn't bad; shortly after he was born, he had been adopted by Mu Chen, the branch president of the Eastsea Blacksmith Association, becoming his foster son.

And today was the day his foster father, Mu Chen, and his older sister, Mu Xi, were taking him to awaken his martial soul.

Looking at the city outside the window, besides feeling a bit dazed, Yao Chuan couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

As a reader of Soul Land: Dragon King, who didn't have a dream of possessing a martial soul?

I just don't know what I'll awaken. I hope it's not too trashy...

Mu Xi, sitting beside him, caught sight of Yao Chuan's dazed expression.

She assumed her younger brother must be nervous.

After all, today was a big day that would determine the direction of his life.

She reached out, gently patted the back of Yao Chuan's hand, and spoke in a very gentle voice.

"Don't be nervous, Yao Chuan, just relax."

"There's nothing to be afraid of with the martial soul awakening. It's just a routine procedure. Just follow your sister inside."

Mu Xi was also quite curious in her heart.

This younger brother who had grown up in her home since he was small.

He was usually quiet, but his eyes sometimes looked particularly deep, not like a child's at all. She wondered what kind of martial soul he would awaken.

The car pulled to a steady stop at the grand entrance of the Spirit Pagoda.

The three of them got out.

The Spirit Pagoda today.

Was, as expected, packed with people.

It was the annual martial soul awakening day.

The lobby was crowded with parents and children.

The air was thick with the scent of tension and anticipation.

Yao Chuan followed Mu Chen and Mu Xi inside.

He was considered tall among his peers.

His skin was exceptionally fair, and his features were handsomely striking.

Even though he was young, that cold and aloof temperament, combined with his overly refined face.

Attracted quite a few gazes the moment he stepped through the door.

Especially the little girls who had also come for their awakening; several of them stared wide-eyed, whispering to each other with flushed faces.

"Wow, look at that boy."

"He's so handsome, his skin is so fair, his eyes are so bright. Whose family is he from?"

In the crowd.

A sturdy, dark-skinned boy.

Was craning his neck to watch the commotion.

He was Zhou Changxi.

Seeing Yao Chuan attract so much attention from the girls the moment he arrived, especially the pretty ones he liked staring at Yao Chuan, he felt a wave of jealousy. He couldn't help but curl his lip.

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for people to hear.

"Tch."

"What's so great about him? He's just a bit fair-skinned, a total pretty boy. Looks good but useless, he doesn't look like he could take a punch."

A little lackey beside him chimed in to stir the pot.

"Exactly."

"Brother Zhou is right, this kind of person is just a decorative pillow. If you awaken your soul, Brother Zhou, you could knock him down with one punch."

Hearing this, Zhou Changxi felt a bit better and deliberately lifted his chin, acting as if he knew everything.

"That's right, what's the use of being handsome? In the world of soul masters, strength is the only hard truth."

"He just got lucky being adopted by the Mu Family, otherwise, who would even know who he is?"

These words drifted, neither too soft nor too loud, straight into Mu Xi's ears.

Mu Xi's fiery temper flared up in an instant; she regarded Yao Chuan as her own younger brother, and she would not stand for anyone disparaging him like that.

She whipped her head around, her almond-shaped eyes wide and glaring fiercely in the direction of Zhou Changxi.

"Hey."

"You, Black Charcoal Head, who are you talking about? Keep your mouth clean. If you dare to wag your tongue again, see if I don't tear it out."

Mu Xi's voice was crisp and laced with anger, instantly drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

Zhou Changxi felt his face burn from being scolded in public, but upon realizing it was the eldest daughter of the Mu Family, he lost his nerve. He opened his mouth, but didn't dare to retort, merely huffing in defiance before turning his head away.

Yao Chuan, however, remained calm; he gently tugged on Mu Xi's sleeve.

"Forget it."

"Why bother with a brat like that? We have more important things to do."

His voice was indifferent, as if he hadn't been the one being insulted just moments ago. His gaze, too, was calm as he swept a glance over Zhou Changxi, treating him like a stone on the side of the road, not worth a second thought.

This dismissal made Zhou Changxi feel even more stifled, his face darkening further.

Just as he was about to speak again.

Movement stirred from the side of the Awakening Ceremony, and a staff member wearing the uniform of the Spirit Pagoda used a megaphone Soul Tool, their voice echoing throughout the hall.

"Quiet. Please maintain order, parents."

"The Awakening Ceremony is about to begin. When your name is called, please come forward."

The very first name called caused a small stir.

"Eastsea City, Xie Family."

"Xie Xie."

The crowd automatically parted to create a path.

A boy dressed in an exquisite little black formal suit.

Walked out with an expressionless face.

He was not very old.

But his eyes were quite cold, his chin slightly lifted.

He carried the reserve and sense of distance typical of a child from a prestigious family.

"It's the young master of the Xie Family."

"I heard his family is a famous mecha clan in Eastsea City."

"Just look at that temperament; it's extraordinary."

The onlookers whispered among themselves.

Their eyes were filled with envy.

Yao Chuan watched this future member of the Shrek Seven Devils, his eyes flickering, though he said nothing.

Xie Xie walked to the center of the Awakening Array and stood still.

The Spirit Master activated the array.

A soft white light enveloped him.

Immediately after, two rays of light shone from his body.

In his left hand appeared a small, pale-gold glowing dagger, the Light Dragon Dagger, and in his right, a dagger that looked like a shadow, carrying a dark aura—the Shadow Dragon Dagger.

"Twin Martial Souls."

"The Xie Family has truly produced a genius this time."

Exclamations erupted instantly.

The rarity of Twin Martial Souls.

Was enough to make anyone take notice.

Xie Xie's face remained expressionless, as if he were not surprised by this result.

Only deep in his eyes did a trace of imperceptible pride flash by.

He retracted his Martial Souls and, amidst the envious and jealous gazes of the crowd, walked back to his family with a cold face, still not saying a word.

Zhou Changxi watched with his eyes wide open.

The next name called was Zhou Changxi himself.

"Zhou Changxi."

Zhou Changxi took a deep breath.

Suppressing his envy, jealousy, and hatred toward Xie Xie, and feeling a bit of excitement, he strode forward.

He stood inside the array, the light flared, and accompanied by a low ape roar, the phantom of a muscular, powerful-looking ape appeared behind him—it was the Great Strength Divine Ape Martial Soul.

"Wow."

"It's a power-type beast martial soul."

"Great Strength Divine Ape. Although not as rare as a Twin Martial Souls, its potential is very high. It will be very suitable for the assault system in the future."

Listening to the surrounding discussion, Zhou Changxi grinned, feeling wonderful inside.

He deliberately puffed out his chest, glancing toward Yao Chuan with a hint of provocation.

"See that? This is real talent."

The more he spoke, the more smug he became, not even bothering to lower his voice.

The Spirit Master frowned and said in a deep voice.

"Quiet! Student Zhou Changxi, please step down once your awakening is complete. Do not disturb the others."

Zhou Changxi retracted his voice sheepishly and walked off the stage, though the smug look on his face had yet to fade.

Finally, the Spirit Master called out that name.

"Yao Chuan."

Swish.

Almost everyone's gaze converged on Yao Chuan.

There were those who were curious, those who were expectant, and those like Zhou Changxi who were waiting to see a joke.

Mu Xi squeezed Yao Chuan's hand and whispered.

"Don't be nervous, go ahead."

Yao Chuan nodded, his expression remaining calm, and walked steadily toward the center of the Awakening Array.

Zhou Changxi stood in the crowd with his arms crossed, a cold sneer hanging on his lips.

"Hmph, putting on an act. Let's see what kind of trash you awaken."

Yao Chuan stood still.

The Spirit Master activated the Awakening Array as before, and a soft white light shone once more, enveloping him.

At first, everything was normal; the light flowed as if probing for something.

Suddenly.

Hum!!!

An indescribable, terrifying aura erupted from Yao Chuan without warning, feeling like an ancient beast that had been slumbering suddenly opening its eyes.

Cold, majestic, and domineering.

Filled with the oppressive sensation of a ruler descending upon the world, it instantly swept through the entire awakening hall.

The air seemed to solidify, the temperature plummeted, and all sound vanished, leaving only a heart-stopping silence.

Thump.

Thump.

Some of the children with weaker soul power were so frightened by this sudden pressure that their legs went soft, causing them to collapse onto the floor with pale faces.

The adults also felt a suffocating tightness in their chests, their faces full of shock, not knowing what had happened. The Spirit Master, standing closest, bore the brunt of it; he stumbled back several steps, the blood draining from his face as he stared at the center of the array in utter horror.

On Yao Chuan's shoulders, the space seemed to distort.

Two dragon-shaped phantoms, pitch-black as ink with scales shimmering in cold, eerie light, appeared slowly, their forms majestic and ferocious.

They coiled around his shoulders, dragon heads held high, silently opening their massive maws toward the void.

"ROAR--!!!"

A dragon roar that seemed to come from the primordial era exploded directly in everyone's minds, carrying supreme majesty and ferocity.

"Ah!"

Zhou Changxi was not far away, and his newly awakened Great Strength Divine Ape martial soul—

The moment the dragon roar sounded, it let out a cry of extreme terror, as if it had encountered its natural predator.

The phantom trembled violently.

Then, before Zhou Changxi's disbelieving and terrified eyes.

His pride and joy, the Great Strength Divine Ape martial soul.

Actually...

Bang!

Like a pricked bubble, it collapsed and dissipated instantly!

The intense pain and dizziness from the martial soul backlash caused Zhou Changxi's vision to go black; without even a groan, he fell straight backward and fainted.

The entire hall was deathly silent, everyone stunned by this terrifying scene. Mu Xi, who had been anxious just moments before, saw this spectacle and her cherry lips opened into an 'O' shape.

When she finally regained her senses, before she could even speak, low gasps were already echoing from all sides.

"Th-that... what is that? A dragon?"

"A black dragon?"

"It's terrifying..."

"Zhou Changxi's martial soul was shattered just by that roar?"

"My god..."

Whispers rose like a surging tide.

Yao Chuan himself was somewhat surprised. He felt the sense of blood-linked intimacy radiating from the two black dragon phantoms on his shoulders, along with that overbearing will that looked down upon the entire world, and his thoughts raced.

A black dragon?

And two of them?

This appearance... why does it look so much like...

That anime.

The one from Chronicles of Wu Geng... Black Dragon Heaven?

He subconsciously raised his hand and lightly touched the illusory dragon scales on his shoulder.

Cold.

Hard.

Carrying an indescribable sense of nobility.

The corner of Yao Chuan's mouth couldn't help but curl into an imperceptible arc.

Interesting.

Black Dragon Heaven's black dragon has become a martial soul, and it ended up on me?

Does this mean I'm supposed to play the role of the King of Gods in this world too?

However, in this era of Soul Land: Dragon King, becoming a god is not such an easy task.