The villagers watched the enraged Su Yuntao, their hearts filled with terror. They stood there dumbstruck, at a loss, and didn't dare make another sound. The whole world had fallen quiet.
The seven children inside the wooden hut were even more frightened. They huddled together, trembling as they looked at Su Yuntao's furious expression.
The Spirit Hall's Soul Master was angry. What were they supposed to do?
Su Yuntao looked at the villagers standing there dumbly without moving aside. His displeasure deepened, and he was about to scold them again when Old Jack's roar rang out.
"What are you all standing around for? The Soul Master told you to move aside. Didn't you hear him?"
Old Jack hurried over, pulling Tang San along. Like an enraged old lion, he nearly raised the cane in his hand to strike those people.
They quickly moved aside, not daring to offend Old Jack's authority.
Old Jack continued to scold them. "Have you lost your minds? If the Soul Master gets angry, who will awaken our children's Martial Souls? Lord Su Yuntao is the greatest person there is. Do you understand?"
The villagers finally came to their senses and hurriedly shouted, "Lord Su Yuntao, we know we were wrong!"
Su Yuntao's expression softened. He was quite pleased with Old Jack's flattery, and said gently, "Let the children come in. I'm a little pressed for time."
But someone still gathered the courage to say, "Village chief, Jiang Chen..."
Old Jack glared at him without replying, then spoke directly to Jiang Chen. "Xiao Chen, go inside. Remember to keep a safe distance."
"No problem!" Jiang Chen hurried in, his smile absolutely radiant.
The so-called safe distance meant staying at least five meters away from everyone else, so they wouldn't have to worry about being harmed by his aura.
"You all wait outside," Old Jack instructed, leading Tang San inside.
The doors of Spirit Hall slammed shut, leaving all the adults in the village outside to wait anxiously.
"Lord Su Yuntao, sorry for the trouble," Old Jack said respectfully, standing beside Su Yuntao.
Su Yuntao was very pleased with Old Jack's attitude. "Let's get started. Children, line up."
As soon as he finished speaking, the seven children scrambled to line up at the front. Tang San was helplessly squeezed to the back, with Jiang Chen behind him.
Since Tang San had the mind of an adult, he had never been able to get along with these children over the years. It was only natural that they all shunned him.
There was no need to mention Jiang Chen. He sensibly took the last spot on his own, folded his arms, and leaned against the wooden door behind him, looking rather lazy.
Old Jack noticed Jiang Chen's posture and immediately bristled with anger, his beard twitching as he repeatedly signaled for Jiang Chen to straighten up. Jiang Chen had no choice but to stand up straight.
Five meters in front of him, Tang San kept turning around to warily watch Jiang Chen, as if afraid Jiang Chen would suddenly pounce on him and deliver a "fatal blow."
Seeing Tang San's wary little face, Jiang Chen found it amusing. He raised both claws to his fair cheeks, bared two adorable little canines, and stared lasciviously at Tang San.
Tang San shuddered all over and quickly turned away, not daring to look at Jiang Chen again.
Once the children were lined up, Su Yuntao spoke. "My name is Su Yuntao. I'm a level twenty-six Soul Grandmaster, and I'll be your guide. Next, I'll awaken your Martial Souls. When I release my Martial Soul, it may seem a little frightening, but please don't be afraid! Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid!"
He had said it three times for emphasis. Su Yuntao was helpless, too. Children often got so scared that they ran away, seriously slowing down his work.
After speaking, he took the tools for awakening Martial Souls from his tool bag: six pitch-black stones and a blue crystal ball.
He arranged the six black stones into a hexagram and motioned for the first child to step inside.
"Close your eyes and focus on what you feel. Don't open them until I tell you to."
Before you continue