Tang Feng strode into the awakening formation. The instant it activated, the external Soul Power slipped like a precisely fitted key into some sleeping keyhole deep within his body. In the depths of his bloodline, some ancient, domineering power seemed to awaken abruptly and ignite! A scorching current rose from his lower abdomen, surging through his limbs and bones.
Already mentally prepared, Tang Feng raised his right hand without hesitation. Golden light surged like a tide, and a dark gold Clear Sky Hammer materialized in his grasp.
Tang Feng instinctively examined it. Faint crimson patterns were engraved on the hammerhead, and its handle was a meter long. Only after seeing that it was no different from his grandfather Tang Lie's Martial Soul as he remembered it did he slowly breathe a sigh of relief.
Unlike the disciples who had been caught off guard earlier, Tang Feng merely bent his knees slightly. The muscles of his right arm instantly tensed, and he caught the Clear Sky Hammer steadily in a proper weight-bearing stance.
The hammerhead dipped slightly under the momentum of its own weight. He followed its motion, letting his arm hang naturally, his movements fluid as he handled the heavy weight with an ease beyond his years.
Even so, the solid, dragging weight pressing on his arm still made his blood churn slightly. This hammer felt far heavier in his hand than the thirty-jin iron hammer he normally practiced with. He estimated it weighed around fifty jin!
His grandfather had once mentioned that a Martial Soul usually manifested only about a tenth of its true weight in its owner's hands. But that was only an approximation, varying with the person and the Martial Soul. By that calculation, the true weight of his dark gold Clear Sky Hammer was probably close to five hundred jin.
As thoughts flashed through his mind, he instinctively glanced at his empty left palm. That trace of unrealistic fantasy in his heart shattered.
Sure enough, there aren't that many Twin Martial Souls. It's not as if I'm some chosen son of destiny. A faint trace of self-mockery flitted through Tang Feng's mind.
He looked at the Clear Sky Hammer in his right hand. This was his foundation, the starting point of everything in his future. It was like his own child; he wanted to give it the best of everything. Inwardly, he vowed that he would never let it languish in obscurity.
His grandfather Tang Lie's gaze had stayed firmly on him throughout. Only after seeing Tang Feng catch the hammer steadily without his breathing becoming disordered did the old man's taut shoulders quietly relax, a glimmer of gratification passing through his eyes.
"Mm, good. Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul. Judging by the patterns and color... it seems to possess a fire attribute!" Before Tang Feng could examine the sensation closely, the Second Elder's voice pulled him back to reality. The Second Elder continued, "Put away your Martial Soul and come test your Soul Power."
Tang Feng did as instructed, withdrawing the Clear Sky Hammer with his will. Dark light flowed over the massive dark gold hammer as it slowly shrank and returned to his body, and the heavy pressure vanished with it.
Tang Feng approached the Second Elder and placed his right hand on the crystal. He felt something within his body respond as though to a powerful pull, surging into it as the crystal's light climbed steadily.
It finally stabilized above the two-thirds mark, barely reaching the standard for innate level-seven Soul Power. He had only just crossed the threshold of level seven.
The Second Elder said evenly, "Mm, good. Innate Soul Power, level seven. So far, yours is the highest Soul Power awakened today."
The great stone weighing on his grandfather Tang Lie's chest finally fell away. Innate Soul Power level represented cultivation talent and directly determined one's future cultivation speed. Level seven already counted as excellent aptitude.
The children around him, both those waiting to awaken and those who already had, cast envious looks at Tang Feng. In this world where strength reigned supreme, a higher starting point meant a broader future.
Tang Feng withdrew his hand, and the crystal ball's light dimmed with it. He quietly stepped over to the disciples who had already awakened, calm on the surface while slight ripples stirred within.
Innate Soul Power at level seven? Although that's the best result I predicted, the gap is far too wide compared to the original protagonist Tang San's Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power.
Tang Feng drew a soft breath, suppressing that inevitable trace of comparison, and slowly walked aside.
The ceremony continued. The remaining disciples stepped forward in turn, and their Martial Soul Awakening results held no surprises: every last one was a Clear Sky Hammer. Their Soul Power mostly ranged between levels five and six. Not a single Martial Soul other than the Clear Sky Hammer appeared.
This once again confirmed the ironclad rule Tang Feng knew from the book: the bloodline inheritance of top-tier tool Martial Souls was stable to the point of rigidity. Inheritance was the norm; mutations were the freaks.
Sect Master Tang Xiao and the elders sat high at the head of the hall, watching the entire process with calm expressions.
Everyone awakening a Clear Sky Hammer was cause for gratification, but the highest Innate Soul Power among today's participants was only level seven. Ultimately, that left a touch of blandness mixed into their gratification.
After experiencing that catastrophe which had nearly wiped out the sect, perhaps everyone in the sect secretly hoped, deep down, for a dazzling genius capable of lifting their spirits.
Once the last disciple had finished testing, the Second Elder slowly stepped forward and announced the arrangements in a resonant voice:
"Now that you have all awakened your Martial Souls, the sect will begin teaching you the fundamental essentials of Martial Souls and the Advanced Meditation Method together tomorrow. Assemble in the Black Tortoise Hall at the hour of the dragon tomorrow. Do not be late. Your instructors will arrange your lessons then. Have you all understood?"
"Understood!" the eleven children answered in unison.
Sect Master Tang Xiao nodded slightly and offered a few words of encouragement along the lines of "cultivate diligently, and do not fail your ancestors." Only then did the disciples bow in order and slowly disperse.
After leaving the hall, Tang Feng kept walking, heading straight toward the training grounds.
From a distance, he saw Tang Jian waving vigorously at him, anticipation on his face as he asked, "Little Feng! Over here! How did it go?"
Tang Feng walked up to him with a smile. "Same as you. Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul, with a fire attribute. Innate Soul Power at level seven."
Hearing this, Tang Jian grinned and bumped him with his shoulder. "Not bad, kid! Your big brother will be counting on you to watch his back from now on!"
"Watch your back, my foot." Tang Feng laughed and gave him a shove. "You're only half a level below me. If you dare slack off and let me overtake you, see if Grandpa doesn't pound you with his hammer."
Tang Jian gave an exaggerated shudder at that and hurriedly grabbed Tang Feng's arm, dragging him toward the dining hall. "Come on, come on, enough about that. Let's celebrate! I heard there's Soul Beast meat today. I can't wait!"
It was not yet lunchtime at the ancestral grounds' dining hall. Only a few people were there, and a faint aroma of meat still drifted from the stoves.
Tang Jian slipped over to the serving window with practiced familiarity and passed two plates inside. "Uncle, I heard some Soul Beast meat came in today. Give us two servings, please. Hindleg meat, with extra sauce!"
Inside the window, a clan uncle with an honest face and a leather apron, who was handling the cooking, teased him with a smile. "Xiao Jianzi, you're well informed, aren't you? All right, two servings of hindleg meat coming up!"
In moments, two servings of Soul Beast hindleg meat, glossy and enticing beneath their thick sauce, were dished onto the plates, along with two complimentary bowls of wild vegetable porridge.
Carrying the tray, Tang Jian swaggered over to a stone table by the window and pushed one serving in front of Tang Feng. "Quick, eat it while it's hot! Build yourself up! From now on, we can cultivate Soul Power together!"
With that, he impatiently grabbed a piece of meat himself, lowered his head, and began wolfing it down.
His mouth stuffed full, he suddenly remembered something and continued somewhat indistinctly, "Oh, right. I just broke through to level ten a few days ago. The day after tomorrow, the sect's taking our group out to hunt for our First Soul Rings. You'll have to practice on your own for a while."
Tang Feng was sincerely happy for him. "Congratulations, Brother Jian! You've finally reached level ten. You'll be a real Soul Master soon!"
"Hehe, if I hadn't broken through soon, Seventh Grandpa really would have taken a hammer to me. When I come back, I'll tell you what it's like outside!" Tang Jian waved a hand and swallowed his food, excitement in his eyes.
"Mm, make sure you're careful. I've heard Soul Hunting is dangerous. Even with elders accompanying you, don't get careless."
"Relax. Have some faith in your Brother Jian!" Tang Jian patted his chest, looking thoroughly carefree.
The two chatted as they ate and soon swept their plates clean. Rubbing their slightly swollen bellies, they returned to Stone House Six, where their grandfather Tang Lie was already waiting inside.
Seeing them return, Tang Lie's expression grew serious, and his gaze first settled on Tang Feng. "Little Feng, you've awakened your Martial Soul. From now on, you can use it to practice the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. This will both deepen your understanding of the Clear Sky Hammer and help you familiarize yourself with your own strength as soon as possible."
"Yes, Grandpa," Tang Feng answered solemnly.
"Once both of you can use your own Martial Souls to stack thirty-six strikes of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer in one uninterrupted sequence, I will teach you the subsequent advanced methods."
Tang Lie's gaze swept over the two, his tone growing firmer. "Remember, do not chase quick results and advance recklessly, leaving hidden injuries. Nor may you slack off and idle away your time."
"Yes, Grandpa," the two hurriedly answered in unison.
Tang Lie took out a small booklet and handed it to Tang Feng. "This is the sect's Advanced Meditation Method. Xiao Jian has already been practicing it. Take it and study it carefully. If you have any questions, come ask me at any time."
Tang Feng accepted it with both hands. "Thank you, Grandpa. Rest assured, I'll cultivate diligently."
"You've always been a sensible child, so I'm not worried about you slacking off. But you must also remember that going too far is as bad as falling short. Building a solid foundation is the path to lasting progress." Tang Lie's gaze softened, and he waved a hand. "All right, you're both tired today. Go back to your rooms and rest for a while. Head to the training grounds to cultivate this afternoon as usual."