A New Beginning, Su Yuntao

Early the next morning, loud banging rang out at the front door.

Only then did Zhu Zhuqing and her sister slowly crawl out from under the covers. They opened the door groggily and saw the elderly village chief, her face full of anxiety.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's bleary expression, the elderly village chief knew the child had just gotten up.

"Oh, my sweet little darling! Quick, come with me! The martial soul awakening is about to begin!"

"Here, you can brush your teeth later. If you're hungry, eat something first to tide you over."

The elderly village chief hurriedly took Zhu Zhuqing's little hand and led her outside, passing her the roasted sweet potato she was holding as she went.

Zhu Zhuqing did not resist. Like a little girl who knew no better, she let the village chief lead her by the hand.

Holding the roasted sweet potato in her left hand, she slowly began to eat. It had been so very long since she had tasted this delicious treat, something she had only enjoyed back on Blue Star.

At the entrance to the little Spirit Hall in the center of the village, the elderly village chief carefully wiped Zhu Zhuqing's mouth as though doting on her own granddaughter. "Oh, slow down. Don't burn yourself."

The little Spirit Hall's doors stood open, with a young man stationed at the entrance. Judging by his face and appearance, he was around twenty, with sword-like brows, star-bright eyes, and a rather handsome face.

He wore the standard uniform of personnel directly affiliated with the Spirit Hall: a fitted white outfit and a black cape, with a fist-sized character for "soul" in the center of his chest.

On his left breast was a badge engraved with swords, three blades crossing one another.

He was a Battle Soul Master. This was a distinctive insignia specially established by the Spirit Hall, something any Soul Master who had received a normal education would recognize.

Aside from the young man, two boys stood outside the door, staring at Zhu Zhuqing in amazement. They had never seen such a pretty girl in the village before. She looked so lovely even while eating.

Large eyes, a delicate oval face, long jet-black hair, and a perfect figure-although there was something dirty around her eyes, that hardly mattered.

The handsome young man seemed unhappy today. He asked the elderly village chief coldly, "Is everyone here?"

Seeing that this village had only three children awaiting awakening displeased him. As everyone knew, he, Su Yuntao, was here to earn some extra money. With so few people, how was he supposed to claim expenses and earn spending money to keep his girlfriend happy?

Holding Zhu Zhuqing's little hand, the elderly village chief bowed to the handsome young man before her. "Honored sir, everyone is here. Sorry for troubling you again."

Su Yuntao urged them impatiently, "All right, come inside. The martial soul awakening is starting!"

The elderly village chief spoke reassuringly to the three little children, telling them not to be afraid when they went inside. "If any of you awaken a martial soul, the village will reward each of you with one Gold Soul Coin toward your tuition!"

She was really bleeding money this time, because she wanted to take Old Jack from neighboring Holy Soul Village down a peg.

The two boys' eyes immediately lit up. They happily rushed into the little Spirit Hall, completely forgetting the little beauty they had just been watching outside. They were children, after all, with simple minds.

Zhu Zhuqing wiped her little mouth and stepped into the Spirit Hall. The instant her right foot crossed the threshold, a wondrous voice she had not heard in some time sounded in her mind once again. It was the voice of the Destiny System.

"Ding! The gears of destiny have shifted. The A Song of Blood and Fire arc begins!"

"Special mission activation initiated!"

Option one: Enter the Spirit Hall Branch before you, reveal your twin martial souls to Su Yuntao, and agree to join the Spirit Hall. (Mission completion reward: one God-Given Soul Ring)

Option two: Reveal your first martial soul, the Chaos White Tiger. Since you have already obtained two soul rings, the system can only help conceal those rings. Earn Su Yuntao's appreciation and recommendation, and join the Spirit Hall Branch academy. (Mission completion reward: 2 Destiny Points)

Option three: Reveal your second martial soul, the Sun-Shooting Bow. The system will help conceal your innate soul power and imposing aura, displaying only level-four innate soul power. Refuse to join the Spirit Hall. (Mission completion reward: increase the age of all soul rings by 100 years)

Zhu Zhuqing frowned. The Destiny System was forcing her to choose a side.

If she chose the first option, it would certainly be reported straight to Bibi Dong, the Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong would very likely take her as a disciple, which meant she would stand against Tang San and the other protagonists in the future.

If she chose the second option, she would most likely receive special attention too. After all, her innate full soul power could not be concealed. She would probably still have to make a choice during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament in the future.

If she chose the third option, she could begin an entirely new life. An awakening was just an awakening; she simply had to avoid casually revealing her martial souls afterward. This suited her path of lying low and quietly growing stronger.

While Zhu Zhuqing pondered, the two little boys ahead of her had already begun awakening their martial souls.

Su Yuntao had already activated Martial Soul Possession. Two rings of light rose from beneath his feet, constantly moving between his feet and the top of his head, one white and the other yellow.

His soul ring configuration was terrible. Zhu Zhuqing thought she could take on ten Two-Ring Soul Grandmasters like him. After all, she also had her pet to assist her.

With his martial soul possessing him, Su Yuntao looked very strange. His earlier good looks were gone, replaced by gray fur and green eyes, the features of a wolf unmistakable on his body.

Su Yuntao spoke coldly to the little boy before him. "Martial soul: wrench. Soul power: level zero. You lack the qualifications to become a Soul Master. Next!"

He was deeply disappointed. Neither boy could become a Soul Master, which was such a pity. Both clearly had tool martial souls, so how could this have happened?

The two little boys plainly could not bear the blow. They ran out of the Spirit Hall, crying in anguish.

With a sour expression, Su Yuntao waved Zhu Zhuqing over. "Come here, little girl. You're the only one left."

His voice sounded completely different now. Although his expression remained sour, his tone had clearly become much gentler. Zhu Zhuqing's looks must have moved him.

Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly within the golden dome of light, waiting for Su Yuntao's instructions.

"Little girl, hold out your right hand. Yes, don't be nervous." Su Yuntao sounded like a creepy uncle, his voice impossibly gentle.

Zhu Zhuqing pretended to extend her right hand instinctively, then opened her palm.

The instant she opened it, countless golden motes surged wildly toward her from every side of the golden dome.

Su Yuntao grew excited. This had to be a high-grade martial soul, because low-grade martial souls could only draw in a tiny number of golden motes.

Soon, a small, exquisite golden longbow emerged from Zhu Zhuqing's palm. There was nothing particularly remarkable about it, only a faint golden glow.

"A bow-type tool martial soul!" Su Yuntao froze. This was simply too rare. Once cultivated to a high level, this kind of tool martial soul would become every Soul Master's nightmare. Its wielder could hide in the shadows and assassinate all kinds of Soul Masters of a higher level.

Even if this beautiful little girl had only level-four or level-five soul power, the Spirit Hall would devote considerable resources to cultivating her.

And he, Su Yuntao, would receive a reward from his superiors. He would no longer be a mere low-ranking white-robed deacon, but would rise to become a senior white-robed deacon of the branch hall, perhaps climbing even higher.

His annual salary would rise from 5,000 Gold Soul Coins to at least 10,000 Gold Soul Coins.

"Gulp-"

The sound of swallowing came from Su Yuntao's throat.