A system? What was a system?
Walking home, Tang San hurried along, yet countless questions surfaced in his mind.
Where had this voice, which had appeared in his mind ever since his Martial Soul awakened, come from?
Could this so-called system be one of those fantastical things from the storybooks of his past life? Had it actually appeared in his mind?
"System, what does challenging oneself mean?"
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Tang San finally spoke softly and voiced the question in his heart.
[Challenge yourself in a parallel world and prove your strength and uniqueness to receive more blessings from Heaven, greater fortune, and more rewards.]
Huh? There was actually such a thing?
Having understood the system's function, a thoughtful look crossed Tang San's face.
He, Tang San, had always considered himself no weaker than anyone else. But facing another version of himself from a parallel world...
[After accepting the challenge, you may synchronously observe the life trajectory of your other self in another world.]
What? He could even see another path in life?!
This system possessed such power? Did that mean that if he truly won the match, he could obtain rewards beyond anything he had ever heard of?
At that thought, Tang San's breathing quickened, and a few traces of longing for greater strength appeared in his eyes.
He had been born into a farming family with no background whatsoever. Although he possessed the Mysterious Heaven Skill and had awakened Twin Martial Souls with Innate Full Soul Power, he still knew far too little about this world. If the system could help him, perhaps he truly could transform from a golden-scaled fish into a dragon and leap through the Dragon Gate!
Suppressing his trembling, Tang San made one final confirmation. "System, will the other me also have Twin Martial Souls... and cultivation techniques?"
[Not necessarily. In parallel worlds, anything is possible. The host possesses fundamental differences from the corresponding counterpart.]
Fundamental differences? In other words, the other person might not have transmigrated at all and could very well just be an ordinary farm boy?!!
Delight flashed across Tang San's face, and he hesitated no longer.
"System, I agree!"
He clenched his fists and pulled his lips into a confident smile.
Twin Martial Souls, Tang Sect hidden weapons, and the experience of two lifetimes—compared to those mediocre country villagers in parallel worlds, he was a hundred times more confident in victory!
[System attachment successful. Next match: three months later.]
Three months? By then, he should have entered the Junior Soul Master Academy and obtained his First Spirit Ring, right? He wondered what the other him in that parallel world would be like.
A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes. Filled with anticipation for the future, Tang San strode forward, unable to suppress the smile on his face.
This wonderful world was truly something to look forward to.
"I agree. I accept the mission."
After staring at the system mission for ten minutes and recalling Xiao San's usual training from his memories, Lin Yue knew perfectly well that the soul inside this girl had likewise come from another world.
The Mysterious Heaven Skill, Purple Demon Eyes, Controlling Crane Catching Dragon, the Hundred Hidden Weapon Techniques... Aside from the difference in gender, she was almost no different from Tang San of the original world.
Of course, with all the food he had fed her, this Tang San's physical condition might be considerably better than Xiao San's in the original world...
[Mission accepted. Next match: three months later.]
Three months. By then, they should both have obtained their First Spirit Rings, right? The timing was rather well matched.
By raising Xiao San, he could obtain more opportunities. He had not expected the system to have such a function.
Rubbing his chin, Lin Yue ignored the thrilled and affectionate Xiao San beside him and examined everything in his mind, taking stock of the Arad System's functions.
For now, it seemed that this system, which had appeared after his awakening, possessed two functions.
The first was rewarding combat. After awakening the system, any battle he experienced would grant corresponding points so long as he won. The stronger the opponent, the more points he would receive. It was somewhat like grinding dungeons in DNF.
The points he acquired could naturally be exchanged for all kinds of items in the system's Point Shop, such as enhancement coupons and amplifiers.
At that thought, Lin Yue browsed through the system shop in his mind, and his breathing could not help growing heavier.
[Basic Spirit Ring Enhancement Coupon: Can enhance a Spirit Ring by 1–100 years. Guaranteed success.] [Basic Amplification Coupon: Can achieve a leap from a hundred years to a thousand years. Guaranteed success.] [Single-Use Enhancer: Can enhance all things. Warning: If the enhancement level is too high, enhancement failure may reset the enhancement level to zero.] [Single-Use Amplifier: Can amplify all things. Warning: If the amplification level is too high, amplification failure may damage the original item.] [Sub-Profession Transfer Book: After use, obtain one sub-profession from Disassembler, Puppet Master, Alchemist, and Enchanter. Maximum uses: four.]
Once the shop opened, a dazzling array of goods filled his sight. Yet behind every item was no point price, only a red warning that his balance was insufficient.
"Without points, I can't get anywhere..."
Thinking that, Lin Yue glanced at the girl beside him.
The first function was obtaining points through victory in battle. As for the second, it was commissions and missions.
Looking at the huge question mark above Tang San's head, marked by the system, Lin Yue wiped away nonexistent sweat from his cheek and opened the task list in his mind.
[Commission from Tang San—The Path of a Soul Master (I) Mission Content: She wishes to attend the Soul Master Academy with Brother Lin and embark on a new journey of growth. Mission Reward: 100 points.]
It was simple enough, but...
As he pondered, Lin Yue glanced sideways at the villagers passing along the roadside. His gaze swept over the question marks above their heads—
[Aunt Liu's Anxiety: Help Aunt Liu gather today's firewood. Mission Reward: 10 points.] [Jack's Long-Standing Wish: Achieve success as a Soul Master, prove Holy Soul Village's worth, and let Grandpa Jack bring honor to his ancestors for once. Mission Reward: 200 points.]
This Arad System seemed to rarely issue missions on its own. Instead, it collected the wishes and hopes of those around him, turned them into commissions, and issued them to him. As long as he completed them, he could obtain corresponding points.
Naturally, all kinds of commissions could be refused, and the system imposed no penalties.
"But... it would be nice if I could come across some good rewards."
With a soft sigh, Lin Yue accepted Tang San's and old Jack's missions, put away the system panel, and looked toward Grandpa Jack, who seemed to have something to say.
Seeing both children looking at him, Grandpa Jack smiled kindly and said:
"Children, although neither of you wants to join Spirit Hall, that's all right. You can still become honored Soul Masters by entering the Soul Master Academy!"
Jack knew these two children's family circumstances well. Whether it was Xiao San, who had a father but had never been raised by one, or Lin Yue, the little orphan he had picked up, both lived in dire poverty.
But that was no problem. Although the village had only one work-study student slot, the neighboring villages had always failed to produce children with Innate Soul Power. Those slots would likely go unused. If he went to speak with a few old friends, he could surely secure the slots.
"All right, children, you needn't worry. Grandpa Jack will handle the work-study student slots. Just take good care of yourselves. In a few days, the two of you can head to the city and attend the junior academy together."
Straightening his back, Grandpa Jack smiled contentedly at the only two promising Soul Master seedlings among the children, then strode briskly toward the neighboring village.
He was not worried about Tang Hao at all, because he knew that little fellow Lin Yue would settle the matter.
"Come on. Let's go persuade your father together."
With his hands in his pockets, Lin Yue followed beside Tang San as they slowly headed toward the village's only blacksmith shop.
"Blue Silver Grass, Innate Full Soul Power?"
Still red-faced and reeking of alcohol, Tang Hao barely propped himself up with an elbow and sat at the table, his expression complicated.
"Hmph, what use is Innate Full Soul Power? Blue Silver Grass is merely a useless Martial Soul. It can't change anything."
His eyes reddened as Tang Hao slammed the wine flask in his hand down and roared:
"Get out, get out, get out! Why attend a Soul Master Academy? You're a girl. Stay obediently in the village."
"But, Dad..."
Her face pale and her heart yearning for the outside world, Tang San turned to glance at Lin Yue by the door. In the end, she could not hold herself back and shouted clearly:
"But Dad, I have a second Martial Soul!"
As she spoke, the girl extended her hand, and a tiny black hammer appeared out of thin air in her soft palm.
The seemingly ordinary hammer Martial Soul felt as heavy as a thousand jun, dragging the girl's arm downward the instant it appeared.
What?
The moment he saw the Clear Sky Hammer, the drunkenness in Tang Hao's eyes vanished instantly. He stepped forward in two strides, tightly seized the girl's arm, and looked as though he had been struck by lightning.
Clear Sky Hammer, Blue Silver Grass, Twin Martial Souls.
If that was the case, then there was hope for rising to power, reviving the sect, returning to their ancestral land, and bringing honor to their ancestors...
So overwhelmed that his body began to tremble slightly, Tang Hao was consumed by emotion.
But the next second, as though he had realized something, his gaze turned sharp, and his eyes carved toward the boy standing at the door like blades.
"Tch, why did you have to say that in front of me?"
Under Tang Hao's intensely warning stare, Lin Yue's heart skipped a beat. He had never expected Tang San not to hide it from him at all.
He seemed to have underestimated his importance in Tang San's heart. She had actually revealed something as significant as Twin Martial Souls before him, and so loudly at that, with no intention of concealing it whatsoever.
If he had known, he should not have lingered out of worry... He should have gone home earlier.
"Dad, you're not allowed to treat Brother Lin like that."
Summoning her courage, the girl in a pale blue dress spread her arms and stood between Tang Hao and Lin Yue like a hen protecting her chicks. She said firmly:
"Brother Lin also has Innate Full Soul Power. We're going to the Soul Master Academy together, and we'll become Soul Masters together."
"What? That brat has Innate Full Soul Power too?!"
Tang Hao's expression changed, and his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked toward Lin Yue!
Innate Full Soul Power was as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns! So long as nothing went wrong, such talent carried the potential to reach the rank of Titled Douluo. It was even possible to go a step further and become a Super Douluo or even an Ultimate Douluo!
That damned brat, a mere country villager, had actually awakened Innate Full Soul Power!
"Dad..."
Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from her father, Xiao San's frail body trembled slightly, but she refused to move aside. Gritting her teeth, she stood between the two of them.
This was the first time she had defied her father's wishes. Yet her actions were incomparably resolute. Her red lips were clenched so hard that threads of blood seeped out, but she did not retreat even half a step.
The killing intent in Tang Hao's eyes slowly faded. He looked at the two children, then finally let out a helpless sigh.
How could he not understand what his daughter meant? Over the past few years, Xiao San had been cared for by that fellow almost every day. Her eyes had long contained nothing but that brat's figure...
"She's a girl, after all. Sigh, if she were a boy... Forget it."
At the very least, that brat's talent was not bad. He could barely be considered worthy of her. In the future, perhaps he might even prove useful...
The killing intent in his eyes gradually vanished. Recalling his painful past, tears glimmered in Tang Hao's eyes. He crouched down and, for the first time, slowly yet firmly embraced Tang San.
"Remember, Xiao San. Before your cultivation reaches a certain level, do not attach any Spirit Rings to your second Martial Soul. And promise Dad that you'll use the hammer in your right hand to protect the grass in your left..."
"Tch..."
Standing with his back turned at the doorway, Lin Yue curled his lips and let out a quiet sound of disdain.
Those pretty words sounded nice, but in reality, that hammer was useless. It would collapse after the slightest setback. Meanwhile, the grass was left battered and shattered for the hammer's sake.
Still, this time might be somewhat different.
Lin Yue lowered his head and loosely clenched his left hand, sensing the vast power that had suddenly appeared within his bloodline. A smile tugged at his lips.
Only battle could bring growth.
Since that was the case, he would settle all those troublesome conflicts from the original story himself!