Martial Soul Awakening Certificate, the Confident Xiong Batian

"Sir, is something wrong?"

The City Lord's Mansion official's enormous reaction made Mo An wonder whether choosing to reveal his level-seven Innate Soul Power had been too much.

He went over his reasoning several times in his head but could not find a flaw. It all made perfect sense.

"Nothing, nothing. Please, both of you, sit down. I'll issue your Martial Soul Awakening certificate right away."

The official quickly composed himself. His earlier coldness vanished as he warmly invited Uncle Fu and Mo An to sit, then took out a tin of fine tea and brewed a pot.

After swiftly writing out Mo An's certificate, the official set the freshly brewed tea before them and smiled. "Please wait a moment. I'll go get this stamped and be right back."

Without waiting for an answer, he pushed open the door and hurried toward the City Lord's Mansion. He had to report this to the city lord.

A genius with level-seven Innate Soul Power! Reporting him would surely earn a reward from the city lord.

"Young master, that official is probably going to report this. The city lord may come to recruit you shortly. Level-seven Innate Soul Power is rare here..."

Seeing the confusion on his young master's face, Uncle Fu picked up his teacup and explained where the official had gone, what might happen next, and why.

Back when the Azure Bamboo still existed, he had recruited talented commoner Soul Masters on its behalf. He knew the routine well.

After hearing Uncle Fu's explanation, Mo An finally realized what he had overlooked.

He had chosen to reveal level-seven Innate Soul Power while thinking in terms of everyone his age undergoing Martial Soul Awakening across the entire Douluo Continent, and of someone who might one day become a Titled Douluo.

But he had forgotten that North Sea City was a remote, underdeveloped place. It had few Soul Masters, and its strongest permanent resident was only a Soul Ancestor.

In North Sea City, level-seven Innate Soul Power truly stood out.

Now that he understood the official's reaction, Mo An still did not think revealing it had been a mistake. He could not stay in North Sea City forever. Once his Soul Power Level rose, level-seven Innate Soul Power would provide a reasonable explanation and keep stronger people from setting their sights on him.

As for the City Lord's Mansion trying to recruit him, let them try. It would only cost him a few words, not a chunk of flesh.

While Uncle Fu was passing on his life experience to Mo An, a huge figure barged through the office door, bringing a gust of cold air with him.

"Hahaha! Greetings, you two. I'm Xiong Batian, city lord of North Sea City."

The burly man who had thrown open the door clasped his hands in greeting to Uncle Fu and Mo An, introducing himself as he did.

Xiong Batian, city lord of North Sea City, was a Power Attack System Soul Ancestor whose Martial Soul was the Icefield Giant Bear. He had risen from an ordinary commoner to city lord and married the eldest daughter of the Ximen Family. His life was the very model of turning one's fortunes around, and countless commoner Soul Masters in North Sea City idolized him.

The little brat living next door to the Azure Bamboo Pharmacy spent all day declaring that he would become the next Xiong Batian, rule North Sea City, marry a beautiful young lady from a great family, and give his own family a good life.

"This humble old man is Fu An. My grandson Mo An and I greet the city lord."

Once Xiong Batian had introduced himself, Uncle Fu quickly pulled Mo An to his feet, and they bowed. Officially, Uncle Fu was Mo An's grandfather; that was the identity under which they had settled in North Sea City.

"You're far too polite, Uncle Fu. I heard your grandson has level-seven Innate Soul Power?"

A straightforward man, Xiong Batian did not beat around the bush. He went straight to what he most wanted to know.

"That's right. Little An's Innate Soul Power is indeed level seven. After we tested him at home, he kept saying he wanted to grow up to be someone important like you."

Uncle Fu slipped a little praise into his answer, making Xiong Batian burst out laughing.

Everyone liked hearing compliments, and Xiong Batian was no exception.

"Hahaha! Those old experiences aren't worth mentioning. There's nothing to tell."

Neither Uncle Fu nor Mo An believed him. The look on Xiong Batian's face plainly said he wanted to hear more.

Having once worked as a steward, Uncle Fu caught the hint. He followed up with several more compliments, each touching on something Xiong Batian took particular pride in. The praise nearly made him forget why he had come.

At last, Uncle Fu could think of nothing else to praise. Seeing that Xiong Batian still wanted him to continue, he sighed inwardly. "My lord, if there's nothing else, my grandson and I should head back. We can't neglect the pharmacy."

"Oh, right, right! I nearly forgot the important part."

Xiong Batian slapped his forehead, remembering why he had come.

"Here's the thing. I'd like to invest in your grandson and recruit him to work with me in the future. I came up through the ranks as a commoner Soul Master myself. Without resources, connections, or a background, it's far too hard."

"If you agree, I won't promise anything else, but I'll cover all his cultivation needs below level thirty. Leave his First Soul Ring, Second Soul Ring, and third Soul Ring to me. I guarantee the optimal yellow-yellow-purple combination. His talent won't go to waste."

"Thank you for thinking so highly of him, my lord. This has come rather suddenly, and I wasn't prepared. Could you let us go home and give it careful thought?"

Uncle Fu had expected this and gave an answer both sides could accept.

"It was rather sudden. Take your time thinking it over. Once you've decided, just come find me at the City Lord's Mansion."

Xiong Batian thought nothing more of it. He took a token proving his identity from his robe and placed it in Uncle Fu's hand, then waved Uncle Fu and Mo An off warmly. He was sure that when Mo An needed a Soul Ring, the boy would discover how difficult it was for a commoner Soul Master to obtain a suitable one.

When that time came, Xiong Batian would only have to lend a hand. He could easily bring this commoner genius into his fold and earn the boy's deepest gratitude.

If Mo An had been an ordinary commoner Soul Master, that truly would have been the best approach. Unfortunately, he was not.

Even if Mo An genuinely needed help and wanted a powerful faction to support his rapid growth, Xiong Batian would not be his choice.

After leaving the City Lord's Mansion and returning to the Azure Bamboo Pharmacy, Uncle Fu and Mo An settled back into their quiet lives.

Uncle Fu continued running the pharmacy and preparing meals and medicinal baths for his young master each day, keeping himself happily busy. Now that he had something to look forward to, he smiled noticeably more often.

Mo An went out and bought two more pieces of still fairly fresh Whale Rubber. He continued strengthening his body, hoping to surpass the 423-Year Soul Ring Limit cited in Yu Xiaogang's published Soul Master theory with his very First Soul Ring.