Martial Soul Awakening, Divine Steed Ban?

Everything was ready. Qian Xunji came to the front and took his seat, overseeing the entire Martial Soul Awakening ceremony.

Without wasting words, he simply waved a hand and instructed the Cardinal beside him.

"Begin."

"Yes, Your Eminence."

The Cardinal nodded respectfully, then hurried forward and took the roster from the orphanage director, calling out the names one by one.

"Name: Fang Yuan. Martial Soul: Rove Beetle. Innate Soul Power: level five. Not bad. You can join the Spirit Hall. Keep working hard at your studies."

"Name: Yun Shang. Martial Soul: Green Leaf Cat. Soul Power: level six. Excellent. You can enroll in Spirit Academy. Make sure you study hard."

As the Cardinal awakened the children's Martial Souls one after another, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Qian Xunji's mouth.

Not one of the children had Innate Soul Power above level eight, but that was still quite good.

After all, talent was a rare thing, and most of these children came from commoner families with no connections.

Besides, if they were properly trained, they could absolutely become pillars of the Spirit Hall and contribute to it. He wouldn't have come all this way for nothing.

"Only..."

Qian Xunji's gaze drifted toward Ban Shu, standing in the middle of the line.

This boy had spent years with Bibi Dong. Qian Xunji had come in person this time for the express purpose of seeing him.

He had long since noticed that there was something different about the child. His bearing and expression made Qian Xunji feel as if Ban Shu were a mature adult.

Bibi Dong had probably been drawn to that unique air about Ban Shu, which was why they had become friends.

And his instincts told him that the boy might be a promising talent, worth cultivating.

Qian Xunji trusted his judgment. So he didn't mind Bibi Dong growing close to Ban Shu, and let them spend time together.

Today, Qian Xunji planned to formally take Bibi Dong as his disciple.

If Ban Shu's talent failed to satisfy him, then there would be no need for the two of them to keep spending time together.

I hope you don't disappoint me, Ban Shu...

Qian Xunji thought to himself, his eyes drifting toward Ban Shu as the boy walked up to the awakening platform.

Ban Shu reached the platform and stood quietly upon it, not a flicker of emotion crossing his face.

His calm composure drew an extra glance from the Cardinal, but the man thought nothing of it and continued with the usual procedure.

"Child, clear your mind. Focus on the power of the Martial Soul in your right hand, and release it."

The Cardinal began guiding Ban Shu through the awakening ritual.

At his words, Ban Shu slowly opened his right hand. Before long, a red glow began to flicker across his palm.

The light grew brighter and brighter, until it engulfed Ban Shu. The people nearby hurriedly raised their hands to shield themselves from its glare.

The red light blazed brighter still, shooting into the sky and piercing the clouds until it dyed the horizon crimson.

The children had never witnessed anything like it. One after another, they cried out in amazement.

Qian Xunji rose to his feet as well. The extraordinary sight before him proved that Ban Shu's Martial Soul was no ordinary one.

After who knew how long, the light finally faded. At the same time, a Painted Halberd more than two meters long appeared in Ban Shu's hand. Its edge gleamed with deadly sharpness.

The entire halberd shone like black metal. Its crescent-shaped double blades radiated a bone-chilling cold, red patterns adorned the center, and a red tassel was wrapped around the spike at its base. It was a fearsome sight.

Ban Shu, too, had fallen into some sort of change after awakening his Martial Soul. His eyes were closed, and he stood motionless.

Watching the long halberd in Ban Shu's hand, Qian Xunji slowly sat back down. His expression shifted as he sensed that this Martial Soul was no ordinary one!

An ordinary person would have seen only a beam of red light. But as a Titled Douluo, he had seen it clearly: within that light stood a figure like a demon god!

"Quick! Test his Soul Power!"

Qian Xunji's voice was urgent as he prodded the stunned Cardinal.

"Ah, yes! Right away!"

The Cardinal snapped out of his shock and hurriedly grabbed the crystal ball used to test Soul Power, intending to bring it to Ban Shu.

But Ban Shu suddenly opened his eyes. A flash of red light passed through them, and the Cardinal felt his body go numb. The next second, he fell to the ground, and the crystal ball rolled off to one side.

Qian Xunji's heart skipped a beat. What a domineering gaze! That was not something a six-year-old could possibly produce.

"Could it be a problem with this Martial Soul?"

Qian Xunji touched the spot over his heart. He had felt it: when that figure appeared, his Angel Spirit had trembled faintly. It definitely wasn't his imagination.

Ban Shu's weapon was no ordinary thing. Judging by the figure in that red light, perhaps this wasn't even its complete form.

But even as it was, the inherited Martial Soul of the Clear Sky Sect, a power the Spirit Hall feared, couldn't match even a tenth of this Painted Halberd's might.

Meanwhile, Ban Shu had also been slow to recover after opening his eyes. When he had closed them, he'd seen a general clad in dark armor staring at him inside his mind.

"Boy! Don't let my power go to waste!"

With that, the general swept his hand through the air, and the Painted Halberd appeared in Ban Shu's grasp.

Ban Shu knew this guy all too well. Wasn't this the warrior who'd tilted him into a rage? Or was he a ninja? Either way, it was Divine Steed Ban.

He never expected Divine Steed Ban to become his Martial Soul. Now he was set!

Ban Shu's heart surged with joy. With Divine Steed Ban, what was there to fear in Douluo Continent?

It was time to let the natives of Douluo Continent experience what the Jade Emperor was truly capable of!

Peerless!

Seeing the Cardinal down on the ground, Qian Xunji immediately stood up and glared at him. Then he took the crystal ball himself and walked over to Ban Shu.

"Child, put your hand on this and test your Innate Soul Power."

Ban Shu came back to himself, excitement over obtaining Divine Steed Ban's Martial Soul still coursing through him. He placed his hand on the crystal ball held out to him, and it immediately blazed with dazzling white light.

"Innate Full Soul Power!"

The Cardinal swallowed. The white light was dazzlingly bright. There was no doubt at all: Ban Shu had Innate Full Soul Power!

"Ha ha ha! Excellent!"

Qian Xunji laughed heartily. With the Angel God watching over them, the Spirit Hall would surely rise to greatness!

"Child, are you willing to take me as your master? I'll cultivate you with the finest resources on Douluo Continent! Your future will know no bounds!"

Qian Xunji's voice brimmed with impatience. He was even more eager than he had been when he first met Bibi Dong.

After all, even when Bibi Dong had awakened Twin Martial Souls with Innate Full Soul Power, he hadn't lost his composure like this.

Qian Xunji was certain that this child's Martial Soul was most likely a god-level Martial Soul, on the same level as his own Angel Spirit!

He was destined to be a heavenly prodigy, and he was fated to join the Spirit Hall! Qian Xunji had to take him in as his disciple!