An orphanage funded by the Holy Spirit Cult, the divine weapon Tianjing Sword, and the demonic weapon Spider Soul

Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou Empire.

Ten thousand years had passed since the battle of the three gods. The Sun Moon Continent had collided with the Douluo Continent, splitting it into four and creating a four-way balance of power. This was also known as the Peerless Era.

The introduction of Soul Tools had shaken the world of traditional Soul Masters.

At that moment, inside an orphanage funded and established by a mysterious organization, a large number of children who had reached the age of six were awakening their Martial Souls one after another.

Gu Ming stood among the children, his bright, alert eyes fixed on the awakening platform above, a trace of longing in his gaze.

That was right—he was a transmigrator, and he had no parents.

As a young child, he had been taken in and raised by this orphanage funded by a mysterious organization.

Today was the day of his Martial Soul Awakening.

As long as he could awaken a decent Martial Soul, even if he could not thrive like a fish in water in this Douluo World, he would at least avoid starving to death.

Two disguised figures in black stood on the awakening platform. They were none other than the orphanage's financial backers.

These two happened to be the leader and Vice Cult Leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, both devoted to building their cause.

Zhongli Wu and Feng Ling.

Smiling warmly, Feng Ling beckoned to the children and said in a sweet voice, "Come here and awaken your Martial Souls, little ones. As long as you awaken a Martial Soul and possess Soul Power, I'll send you to places all across the continent to further your training."

"One day, when the dragon raises its head, you'll all be heroes."

At those words, the children grew even more excited. Dreaming of becoming heroes, they stepped forward one after another to begin awakening their Martial Souls.

Who would not want to possess a Martial Soul and become a hero? It was the noblest profession on the continent.

Besides, awakening a Martial Soul elsewhere cost money. Here, it was free.

Because of this, Feng Ling and Zhongli Wu had become great Lord Soul Masters in the children's eyes.

Soon, the Martial Soul Awakening ceremonies proceeded one after another. Some awakened Martial Souls but had no Soul Power, while some children had only a paltry first level of Soul Power.

Feng Ling sighed. "Those with Soul Power, stand to one side. Those without it can go back. I'll arrange jobs for you later."

Hearing this, the children ran off, thrilled and happy.

For orphans like them, such treatment was already very good. At least their big sister and big brother genuinely arranged jobs for them, unlike certain factions that merely went through the motions.

After helping several more children awaken their Martial Souls, Feng Ling shook her head in disappointment and said to Zhongli Wu beside her, "I'm afraid we'll be going back empty-handed again. Finding a few outstanding people is just too difficult."

With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhongli Wu said calmly, "No matter. What we need is quality, not quantity. One day, we'll encounter suitable talent."

"Ling'er, remember this. As long as we work hard to build our cause, we'll succeed someday. And those opportunities lie among these orphans. They're the most inconspicuous, but they're also the most likely to produce exceptional specimens."

"Shrek and the aristocrats of the Three Great Empires regard them as worthless products, and that gives us our opportunity. Besides, they're easy to support. We only need to allocate a few Gold Soul Coins each year. We're hardly short of those few scraps."

Feng Ling nodded, agreeing with the cult leader's thinking.

This method did not uncover talent every time, but whenever it did, that talent was top-tier.

Otherwise, they would not have been so devoted to building their cause.

Just then, Gu Ming approached and called out, "Big sister, can you help me awaken my Martial Soul now?"

He had waited a long time and overheard an incredible secret, but he chose to remain silent.

As a transmigrator, Gu Ming knew the true identities of the powerful figures before him, yet he chose to keep quiet. Otherwise, he could easily lose his little life.

Feng Ling smiled warmly. "Hold out your hand. I'll check your body."

"Okay."

Gu Ming obediently held out his hand and placed it on the Awakening Stone.

The patterns on the floor suddenly resonated with Gu Ming. Their light could not be contained, dazzling Zhongli Wu and Feng Ling's titanium-alloy dog eyes.

Zhongli Wu's breathing even quickened.

This aura... it seems to be an extremely powerful Martial Soul. We've finally picked up a treasure at this orphanage.

It's in the bag!

This time, it's definitely in the bag!

Then the piercing light faded, and a sea-blue longsword appeared in Gu Ming's hand, radiating dazzling light.

Holding the sword, Gu Ming heard a familiar voice and froze.

This is... the divine weapon Tianjing, with its many forms, from the world of Shen Bing Kids. Nangong Wentian's partner.

Its current form was Justice Tianjing.

Gu Ming released his right hand, and the Tianjing Sword instantly transformed into the Tianjing Beast, who nodded to him.

Beside him, Feng Ling exclaimed in delight, "It's actually a Detached Martial Soul, and it can even transform into a tool Martial Soul! I've really struck gold!"

Of all the orphanages funded by the Holy Spirit Cult, this was the first time they had opened a top-tier mystery box.

She took out a crystal ball and called, "Little one, test your innate Soul Power. I can tell you for certain that you definitely possess Soul Power. You'll be able to become a Soul Master!"

Gu Ming nodded in agreement and placed his hand on the crystal ball.

In an instant, the light bursting from the crystal ball once again dazzled Feng Ling and Zhongli Wu's dog eyes.

Both stood frozen in shock.

"It's actually innate full Soul Power!"

Feng Ling covered her mouth with a startled cry, then crouched down and smiled warmly. "Little one, would you like to come with me? I'll help you become a lofty Soul Master."

"Big sister..."

Gu Ming hesitated, not daring to agree or refuse.

Either of the two before him could crush him to death with a flick of a finger. Nothing he wanted to do would be simple, and he had no right to choose.

Just then, Zhongli Wu gave an odd laugh beside him. "Little one, if I'm not mistaken, you have another Martial Soul, don't you?"

Gu Ming's eyes widened.

He discovered it even though I didn't reveal it? Well, he did indeed have another Martial Soul. He had discovered it during the awakening just now.

With a thought, Gu Ming found himself tightly gripping a three-section staff—a Demon Weapon wreathed in black energy and brimming with demonic power.

The Demonic Weapon Spider Soul—Spider King—was also the strongest demonic weapon in Shen Bing Kids. Unlike Tiger Soul, a divine weapon beast that had been corrupted, he was an innate demonic weapon beast, an existence that had nearly brought the protagonist to his end.

Even Gu Ming had never expected to possess both the divine weapon Tianjing, which represented justice, and the Demonic Weapon Spider Soul, which represented absolute evil.

Moreover, two supreme energies coursed through his body.

If he wished, Gu Ming could be a king of justice or a demon king of evil.

Now, however, Gu Ming would soon lose the ability to choose between justice and evil, because someone would make that choice for him.

At that moment.

Zhongli Wu stared wide-eyed at the Demonic Weapon Spider Soul, clicking his tongue in wonder. "Such a potent evil attribute! To think I'd actually open a top-tier mystery box. Keh keh keh..."

Feng Ling also laughed sweetly. "Who would have thought it would be such a rare Martial Soul? Our Holy Church is destined to rise!"

Zhongli Wu's laughter frightened Gu Ming. He backed away two steps and said, "Big brother, could you stop laughing like that? I'm scared."

Only then did Zhongli Wu realize that his laughter was too sleazy and had frightened their future Holy Son. He turned and barked, "Ling'er, stop laughing! What if you frighten His Highness the Holy Son?"

Feng Ling gave a "Hmph," thinking that men really were all the same.

Then Zhongli Wu pulled a large pile of candy from his pocket and distributed it among the children, sending them all off to play. Today's Martial Soul Awakening ceremony was over.

Zhongli Wu turned back to Gu Ming and said with a genial chuckle, "Little one, you want to join our Holy Church, don't you? Let me tell you, our Holy Church is the greatest organization of all. Not only do we specialize in looking after the elderly as they pass away, but we also raise children and nurture countless talents. On behalf of the Holy Church, I approve your admission."