Awakening Day

Jiede looked forward to it.

Tang San had not awakened a specific Martial Soul yet, and Jiede did not know whether he could successfully absorb the Soul Ring.

After a long while.

Jiede sensed a faint fluctuation of soul power coming from the forest and remained crouched in place without moving.

"Very good. This is a good start."

He knew that Tang San had begun absorbing the Soul Ring.

Another half hour passed before Tang San opened his eyes. Feeling the increase in soul power within him and the breakthrough of the Mysterious Heaven Technique's bottleneck, he could not help but rejoice.

He stood and used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, vanishing within a few breaths.

Only after quite some time did Jiede rise and stretch a little. He walked over to the withered Brittle Bamboo, his gaze sharp.

Tang San had successfully absorbed the Soul Ring. There were two possible outcomes next.

First, Jiede might have helped a tyrant commit evil, only allowing Tang San's soul power to rise even faster.

Second, a year later, when Tang San awakened his Martial Soul, this Ten-Year Soul Ring might manifest and attach itself to either the Blue Silver Grass or the Clear Sky Hammer, ruining one of his Soul Ring slots.

Even if it was the first outcome, Jiede would accept it. Tang San had been the child of destiny to begin with; at most, it would only hasten his path to becoming a god.

But if it was the latter, then everything Jiede had done these past few days would have been worthwhile.

A year later, at night.

"Little De, someone from Spirit Hall will come tomorrow morning to preside over the awakening ceremony. Get a good rest tonight."

"Okay, Grandpa."

Jiede nodded, stripped off his clothes, and crawled beneath the blankets at the head of the heated bed, his heart full of anticipation.

By now, he had successfully fused Tai Chi, Eight Brocades, and the soul power cultivation method, developing a set of Body Tempering Technique.

He had also come up with some wild ideas during the process, supplementing it with the calisthenics he had learned in school. He integrated everything into the Body Tempering Technique and trained it to mastery.

Through a year of unwavering effort, Jiede had sensed a soul power bottleneck two and a half months ago.

He had not slackened because of it. Instead, he worked even harder. The bottleneck would not stop soul power from continuing to grow; the additional soul power would be stored away and reveal itself only after he absorbed a Soul Ring.

If I build up my soul power foundation to the limit the day after tomorrow, perhaps I might awaken a powerful Martial Soul.

Jiede estimated that his soul power foundation had reached level twelve.

This soul power level nearly surpassed everyone his age.

After Tang San absorbed the Brittle Bamboo Soul Ring, the circulation speed of his Mysterious Heaven Technique soul power had increased, raising his level considerably beyond what it had been in the original story.

He was very likely above level fifteen, perhaps even level sixteen.

I'm a late bloomer. Without outside help, I really can't compare to Tang San as he is now...

Jiede let his thoughts run wild for a while, then forced himself to calm down and gradually drifted off to sleep.

Early the next morning.

Old Jack led the children of Holy Soul Village to the Martial Soul awakening ceremony site set up by Spirit Hall in the village.

Old Jack bowed deeply. "Greetings, Deacon."

Su Yuntao nodded slightly. "No need for formalities. Let us begin."

Under Old Jack's arrangements, the children lined up in order.

Tang San stood eighth in line, while Jiede stood twelfth.

Old Jack had originally wanted to place Jiede behind Tang San, but Jiede had his own ideas. He had no intention of standing behind Tang San and eating his farts, so he put several children between them.

Once everything had been arranged, Old Jack turned and left the awakening site to wait outside.

"Scythe Martial Soul, no Innate Soul Power, unqualified. Next!"

"Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, a useless Martial Soul. Next!"

As Su Yuntao's words fell, the little girl who had awakened Blue Silver Grass ran away crying.

Then it was Tang San's turn, with no surprises at all.

He had awakened Twin Martial Souls, but he kept the Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul tightly hidden in his palm and revealed only the Blue Silver Grass.

Jiede saw it clearly. If he had not possessed the perspective of a god, Tang San might have fooled him too.

At that moment, beads of sweat appeared on Tang San's forehead, as if he were suppressing something.

In truth, a vast surge of soul power within him was indeed gathering toward the Blue Silver Grass.

Tang San immediately sensed that something was wrong. He desperately suppressed his soul power and painstakingly withdrew the Blue Silver Grass.

Seeing how difficult it was for Tang San even to control the Blue Silver Grass, Su Yuntao had even less hope that Tang San could awaken Innate Soul Power. He waved his hand. "Step down."

But at Tang San's earnest request, Su Yuntao still tested his Innate Soul Power.

Su Yuntao cried out, "Heavens, Innate Full Soul Power! What a pity it's Blue Silver Grass!"

"A useless Martial Soul. Next!"

After Tang San came outside, Old Jack learned of his situation. He felt both sorrow and joy, but still said reassuringly, "Don't lose heart, Tang San. Having Innate Soul Power means you can become a Soul Master."

Tang San hurriedly asked Old Jack about becoming a Soul Master.

Old Jack did not conceal anything and slowly told him everything he knew.

Inside, it was soon Jiede's turn.

He took a deep breath and slapped a hand onto the crystal ball.

The next second, Jiede's expression changed abruptly.

He suddenly squatted down, one hand clutching his stomach while the other was raised in the air. A pitch-black pellet appeared in his palm, giving off waves of foul stench.

His heart churned with shock. He was also a Twin Martial Soul wielder, so he pretended that his stomach hurt and used his other hand to block everyone's view.

After thinking it over, Jiede understood the reason.

Tang San had not possessed Innate Full Soul Power from the very beginning either. He had cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Technique for a long time before reaching acquired full soul power.

The most likely possibility was that Tang San originally had only one Martial Soul. After cultivating himself to acquired full soul power, his foundation had become so deep that one Martial Soul was insufficient to unleash all his potential, which was why he awakened a second Martial Soul.

He was likely in the same situation.

Both of their soul power levels had already surpassed level ten. It was simply that the soul power testing ball Su Yuntao had brought was the most basic kind and could not fully reveal it.

If they were tested with a high-grade soul power orb, soul power beyond level ten would definitely show up.

"What the hell is that thing?"

Su Yuntao covered his nose and stumbled back two steps in horror.

Everyone around him began retching.

"Ugh! It stinks so badly!"

The children behind Jiede, who had been eagerly waiting to step forward for their awakening, all fled far away.

Seeing this, Jiede's expression changed. He lowered the hand he had been holding in the air and hurriedly looked toward the Stinky Mud Pellet.

That one look was enough to make even him gag from the smell.

The mud pellet was a little stinky, but he knew perfectly well that it was definitely not an ordinary Martial Soul.

This Martial Soul had definitely mutated. He simply could not figure out the direction of the mutation in such a short time.

Su Yuntao patiently waved his hand and urged, "Put it away quickly. It reeks too much."

Jiede nodded and withdrew his Martial Soul.

"Stinky Mud Pellet, a useless Martial Soul. Next!" Su Yuntao shouted.

Jiede's mouth twitched. As expected of the Blind Douluo.

Just as Tang San had done earlier, Jiede also said, "Handsome big brother, you haven't tested my soul power yet."

Su Yuntao had wanted to refuse, but being called handsome big brother made him bloom with delight.

"Ah, fine. At least this will make you give up."

Jiede stepped forward and placed his hand on the soul power orb.

The next second, incomparably dazzling golden light shot into the sky.

"Another Innate Full Soul Power!"

Su Yuntao was stunned. In a single day, his understanding had been completely overturned.

"Innate Full Soul Power paired with a useless Martial Soul... what a shame..."

Su Yuntao composed himself and sighed. "Your Martial Soul has no offensive power at all. How will you face enemies in the future?"

"Throw it out and stink your enemies to death?"

"A useless Martial Soul. Next!"

After Jiede came outside, he happily showed Old Jack the Stinking Pellet Martial Soul.

Seeing that it was not a proper Martial Soul, Old Jack sighed in disappointment.

But then he could not help covering his nose. He had wanted to move farther away, but ultimately held himself back.

He stepped forward, patted Jiede on the shoulder, and comforted him.

"Little De, it's all right. There's nothing wrong with living an ordinary life."

Jiede reminded him, "Grandpa, my Martial Soul has Innate Full Soul Power."