Qin Muchu

Heaven Dou Empire, Fasinuo Province, Nuoding City.

On the street, a little boy walked toward Spirit Hall in the city center.

"I wonder what Martial Soul I'll awaken. Could I be like Tang San and awaken Twin Martial Souls, with Innate Full Soul Power?"

The boy's name was Qin Muchu, and he came from Blue Star. In his previous life, he had been an ordinary office drudge working nine to six. One day, he came across a photo of his ex-girlfriend's baby and remembered that she had once recommended the Douluo anime. With nothing better to do, he secretly started watching it. But just as he finished the finale, his boss caught him red-handed. The shock gave him a fatal heart attack, and when he opened his eyes again, he was in his mother's womb in this life.

To ordinary people, Qin Muchu's parents were respected "Lord Soul Masters." Though they were only three-ring Soul Elders, they were still people of some standing in little Nuoding City.

Unfortunately, three years ago, two Soul Emperors had burst into the city and fought a fierce battle right near his home. Qin Muchu's parents had tried to protect him, but both were caught in the aftermath and killed.

Qin Muchu had grieved for a long time. He had been an orphan in his previous life, and after finally having parents in this one, he had lost them just like that.

He had never liked his name much. "Qin in the morning, Chu by evening" made him sound like someone who changed sides with the wind. He had planned to discuss changing it with his parents when he grew older. But after they died, his name became one of the few things he had left to remember them by, and he never brought it up again. They had left him a modest inheritance, enough to last until adulthood if he spent it carefully.

He had already decided that if he had decent talent, he would go to Shrek Academy. He knew that Ning Rongrong and Oscar would both become gods one day, and they would have the Martial Soul Fusion Skill Resurrection Divine Light. As their classmate, surely getting them to revive his parents would not be a problem.

Besides, he had been especially fond of Xiao Wu, that rabbit, when he watched the anime. Now that he had crossed over, he might as well try to win her over. If he did, Tang San could not be allowed to stay at Nuoding Academy. Otherwise, if Xiao Wu did not end up with Tang San, there was no telling what Tang Hao might do.

Over the past few years, he had secretly visited Holy Soul Village several times. He knew Tang San was his age, and Su Yuntao would probably go there to awaken his Martial Soul in another two months. Qin Muchu had to hurry.

An awakening deacon from Spirit Hall visited a tiny village like Holy Soul Village only once a year. In Nuoding City, however, a free group Martial Soul Awakening ceremony was held every month, and at other times, one could pay Gold Soul Coins to have a deacon perform the awakening. It was far more convenient.

Before long, Qin Muchu arrived at the Spirit Hall Branch. Spirit Hall truly was the largest Soul Master organization on the Douluo Continent. Even this small branch in Nuoding City had an imposing building, grander by far than the city lord's residence.

Following the signs, Qin Muchu reached the side hall where the awakening ceremony would be held. Its doors had not yet opened, but seven or eight children awaiting their awakenings were already in line, their young faces full of anticipation.

While he waited, more than a dozen children arrived one after another and lined up behind him.

Spirit Hall's free Martial Soul awakenings for commoners were the one thing Qin Muchu approved of without reservation. Its aim might have been to recruit Soul Masters, but a gentleman judged deeds, not hearts. The benefits it brought ordinary people were real.

As for the subsidies paid to low-ranking Soul Masters, opinions differed. Everyone had a fair idea where those Gold Soul Coins came from. Of course, as someone who benefited from them, Qin Muchu was hardly going to criticize the practice. He was no saint.

Another hour or so passed before the side hall's doors finally opened.

"What the—Blind Douluo?" Qin Muchu's eyes widened at the face, which looked remarkably like the one in the anime.

Seeing that Blind Douluo Su Yuntao would personally awaken his Martial Soul, Qin Muchu felt even more confident that he would awaken extraordinary talent. He had completely forgotten that, apart from Tang San, not one child in that group had awakened the potential to become a Soul Master.

"Come in, children. I'll awaken your Martial Souls now."

At his words, Qin Muchu and the others filed into the side hall without incident.

It was not that the children were especially well-behaved. Before coming, the adults in their families had warned them again and again to behave themselves in Spirit Hall. They were all from ordinary families with neither strength nor connections and could not afford to offend a Lord Soul Master. Wealthy and powerful families invited Soul Masters to perform awakenings at home; they rarely came to Spirit Hall for the free ceremony.

"My name is Su Yuntao. I'm a level twenty-six Soul Grandmaster, and I'll be conducting your awakening ceremony today. I'll awaken your Martial Souls one by one. Remember, no matter what you see in a moment, don't be afraid," Su Yuntao said gently to the children standing neatly in line.

With that, Su Yuntao took out six Awakening Stones and a blue crystal ball for testing Soul Power, then arranged the stones on the floor.

Qin Muchu had a good impression of Su Yuntao. He knew the man's Martial Soul was a wolf. Using Martial Soul Possession without warning would frighten the children, so Su Yuntao was giving them time to prepare themselves.

When everyone was ready, Su Yuntao shouted, "Martial Soul Possession!"

Instantly, two Soul Rings appeared, one white and one yellow. A faint thread of blue-green light then emerged from between his brows and swept upward, turning his black hair gray and making it grow rapidly.

Gray fur also sprouted across his bare hands, and his body swelled dramatically. He looked like a werewolf from a movie Qin Muchu had seen in his previous life.

"Ah!"

Sure enough, Su Yuntao's Martial Soul Possession frightened several of the children. Even Qin Muchu, who had known what to expect, jumped. It had been one thing to watch on a screen; he had not expected it to feel so intimidating in person. The beastly aura rolling off Su Yuntao made Qin Muchu narrow his eyes.

With Su Yuntao's reassurance, the children gradually calmed down.

"All right, little fellow. Step into the awakening formation."

Su Yuntao gestured to the boy at the front of the line.

Once the boy was in place, Su Yuntao thrust out his hands in quick succession, pouring Soul Power into the six Awakening Stones on the floor.

Countless golden motes of light poured from the stones and surrounded the boy. He instinctively held out his hand, and a miniature suit of armor appeared on it.

"Oh? Armor. That's unusual. Come, let's see whether you have Soul Power. If you do, you can become a Soul Master someday."

"My lord, what should I do?" the boy asked timidly.

"Try to put away your Martial Soul with your mind, then place your hand on this Soul Power testing crystal." Su Yuntao held the blue crystal ball out to him.

The boy withdrew his Martial Soul and laid his hand on the crystal ball. It immediately began to glow.

"Not bad, not bad! Innate level-three Soul Power. You could become a Soul Elder someday, and if you work hard, even a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor isn't out of reach. How about joining Spirit Hall, little fellow?" Su Yuntao looked pleased. The first child to awaken today had Soul Power, and innate level-three Soul Power at that. Things were off to a smooth start.

"My lord, can I really join Spirit Hall?"

"Of course you can."

"Then I want to join Spirit Hall."

Su Yuntao's smile grew wider.