Rewards, Heading to the Spirit Pagoda

"Mom, Na'er, I did it! Just now, I successfully broke through to Level 10!"

Walking out of his room, Yao Xuan wore a radiant smile as he excitedly announced the news to Lin Ximeng and Na'er.

"Congratulations, my child!"

Hearing Yao Xuan's words, Lin Ximeng revealed a proud smile and congratulated him. Breaking through to become a Soul Master was absolutely an occasion worth celebrating for anyone on Douluo Continent.

What was more, Yao Xuan was only seven and a half years old. Breaking through to become a Soul Master so quickly also proved his potential for future advancement, and Lin Ximeng was genuinely happy for him.

"Brother Yao Xuan, you're the best!"

Meanwhile, Na'er, who had been sitting on the sofa with a lollipop in her mouth, came over to Yao Xuan's side. Tugging on his arm, she offered him her congratulations with a smile.

Although the words "Soul Master" always brought an inexplicable discomfort to Na'er's heart, she felt none of that unease when she learned that Yao Xuan was about to become a Soul Master. Her heart was filled only with joy and happiness.

The next day, Red Mountain Academy, the principal's office.

"Oh, Yao Xuan, right? You said your Soul Power has already broken through to Level 10. Then let's test it now."

Upon hearing Yao Xuan's report, the principal of Red Mountain Academy, Yang Yuzhuo, showed a hint of approval. He then led Yao Xuan and Lin Ximeng to the academy's Soul Power testing room.

The testing device activated. Yao Xuan relaxed his entire body and slowly released his Soul Power.

One, two... ten!

In less than five seconds, the number on the Soul Power tester jumped from one to ten. Seeing the result on the screen, Yang Yuzhuo nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad. Breaking through to Level 10 at seven and a half years old, Yao Xuan, your results are the best Red Mountain Academy has seen in the past ten years! Also, since you are the first student in your grade to break through to Level 10 and become a Soul Master, the academy will reward you with a free ten-year Soul Spirit!"

Looking at Yao Xuan, Yang Yuzhuo patted him on the shoulder and offered encouragement.

"Thank you, Principal!"

Hearing Yang Yuzhuo's words, an excited smile appeared on Yao Xuan's face, and he quickly thanked him.

"It's nothing. Rewarding outstanding students has always been the academy's practice. Receiving this reward is what your hard work has earned you. Also, once you successfully become a Soul Master, you'll have to give a speech at the next grade assembly to spur on and inspire the other students."

"Now that you've successfully broken through, the academy is granting you a special day off today. Teacher Lin will take you to the Spirit Pagoda to obtain a Soul Spirit. Here, this is a voucher for a ten-year Soul Spirit. Take it to the Spirit Pagoda, and a Spirit Master will select a suitable ten-year Soul Spirit for you."

As he spoke, Yang Yuzhuo took out a bronze-brown card and handed it to Lin Ximeng. Soon afterward, Lin Ximeng took Yao Xuan to the Spirit Pagoda branch in Aolai City.

Fifteen minutes later, the central district of Aolai City, Spirit Pagoda branch.

"Yao Xuan, we're here."

Looking at the building before them, a trace of nostalgia appeared in Lin Ximeng's eyes. She then explained it to Yao Xuan beside her.

"Yes, Mom. What a magnificent building."

As he replied, Yao Xuan raised his head and looked toward the Spirit Pagoda before him.

It was an octagonal, three-story building. Its exterior was square and stately, making it look grand and imposing. Its front doors stood wide open, and the floor was paved with marble, giving it an air of great splendor.

However, there were not many people coming and going outside the Spirit Pagoda. After all, only Soul Masters came to the Spirit Pagoda, and in a small place like Aolai City, the number of Soul Masters was truly very small.

For that very reason, the Spirit Pagoda in Aolai City was only a lowest-level branch. Even so, it was still one of the largest buildings in Aolai City.

Above the low-level Spirit Pagodas were seven-story intermediate Spirit Pagodas, located in medium-sized cities of the Sun Moon Federation. Spirit Pagodas in large cities stood thirteen stories tall, while the Spirit Pagoda headquarters was located in Shrek City. It had a full eighty-one stories and was one of the grandest buildings on Douluo Continent.

As for the Spirit Pagoda itself, it was an organization founded by Huo Yuhao ten thousand years ago. Thanks to their era-defining research—Artificial Soul Spirits—the Spirit Pagoda's influence had now even surpassed the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy. It was a superpower that spanned the Sun Moon Federation, the Heaven Dou Empire, and the Star Luo Federation, with countless powerful experts under its command.

As Yao Xuan examined the Spirit Pagoda, all sorts of information about it surfaced in his mind. At the same time, he silently swore in his heart that one day, his footsteps would conquer this place. He would become the strongest person on Douluo Continent and change the tragedies that should never have happened.

"Yao Xuan, let's go in."

Seeing Yao Xuan spacing out beside her, Lin Ximeng called softly to him. She then took his hand and led him into the Spirit Pagoda.

Like its exterior, the Spirit Pagoda's interior was equally spacious. Closed arched doors lined the surrounding walls, while a counter stood in the center. Behind it sat a Spirit Master around forty years old, dressed in a gray robe and resting with his eyes closed.

"Hello, sir. My child's Soul Power has already broken through to Level 10. I brought him here today to purchase a Soul Spirit. Here is our voucher."

Arriving at the counter, Lin Ximeng took the bronze-brown card from her pocket and spoke.

"Very well, I understand. Let me first verify whether this card is genuine."

Hearing Lin Ximeng's words, the Spirit Master opened his eyes, took the card she handed over, and swiped it across a verification terminal beside him.

"Yes, there's no problem with your ten-year Soul Spirit exchange card. It can be exchanged for a ten-year white Soul Spirit suitable for your martial soul. Child, come with me first. I'll test your Spiritual Power. Also, the Spiritual Power test costs one hundred Federal Coins, so please pay the fee first."

Seeing the green light illuminate on the terminal, the Spirit Master nodded and spoke in a businesslike tone.

"All right, here you go."

Hearing the Spirit Master's words, Lin Ximeng took out a one-hundred Federal Coin note and handed it to him. The Spirit Master then led Yao Xuan into a room, while Lin Ximeng waited in the hall.

It was a rather modern-looking room, unlike the antique style outside. Many instruments had been placed within. The Spirit Master gestured for Yao Xuan to sit in a large chair, then pressed several buttons on the control panel. A device resembling a metal helmet slowly descended from the ceiling and settled over Yao Xuan's head.