章 2: Chapter 2: Martial Soul Awakening

...

"Hehe, Xiaoyi, why are you so happy today! It's really rare, hahaha!"

Village Chief Mara looked at Zeng Yi, who was bouncing around in front of him, and stroked his pale beard, laughing heartily.

"Just thinking about something happy," Zeng Yi replied with a smile, responding to the village chief. Zeng Yi respected the village chief a lot. Not only was he an old man, but he also took care of him when Zeng Yi's parents were not around. He would often bring food to Zeng Yi's home, which made Zeng Yi very grateful.

"What's the matter?" Mara extended a wrinkled, old hand and gently patted Zeng Yi's head, asking kindly.

Zeng Yi rarely showed such a happy expression. This child always had a distant look and never played with other children. He was always alone. It's a pity that he grew up like this at such a young age. What will become of him?

Thinking of this, Mara couldn't help but sigh.

It must be difficult for Zeng Yi. Although he appeared to be a child, he actually had the soul of an adult inside him. It's better for him to stay quietly by himself than to play with the other kids in the village and get his hands dirty with mud.

"Of course, it's the awakening of a martial soul!"

"Hehe, that's right. Grandpa is getting old. The only thing that can make Xiaoyi happy is the awakening of the martial soul, hahaha."

Mara chuckled and stroked his beard, looking at Zeng Yi's smile. In an instant, he felt that he and other children were the same! He too could show such a pure smile.

"Xiaoyi, you have to do your best! You must become a Soul Master!"

"Of course, I will definitely become a Soul Master!"

"Haha, that's settled then. You must become the first Soul Master in our Lala Village!"

Watching Zeng Yi's determined expression, Mara laughed. In Lala Village, no one had become an honorable Soul Master since its establishment. Zeng Yi's parents had the potential, but unfortunately. However, Zeng Yi was different from other children since he was young. He was intelligent and sharp. Others saw him as a freak, but Mara believed that he was a prodigy.

Perhaps he could break the curse of no Soul Masters in Lala Village and become the first Soul Master in the history of Lala Village.

"Of course!"

...

Zeng Yi followed Village Chief Mara to the ancestral hall of Lala Village, which was already packed with people. Today was the day when the children awakened their martial souls, so everyone put down their farm work to accompany the children in the awakening ceremony.

It was said that the Soul Master from the Soul Hall in the city had come to awaken the martial souls in Lala Village. They had never seen a Soul Master before and didn't know what a Soul Master would be like!

The villagers were buzzing and the entrance to the ancestral hall was crowded.

"My child will definitely become a great Soul Master. With his tall and chubby body, he is naturally suited for it," a loud voice from a middle-aged woman boasted about her child.

"Hehe, your little fatty? No chance at all. In my opinion, my child has a better chance."

"My Airedale as the real material to become a Soul Master."

"Our big dog is also good and will definitely become a Soul Master!"

"Our family..."

...

The villagers boasted about their own children one after another, making the already noisy ancestral hall even more chaotic.

"Why are you all making so much noise! This is where our ancestors rest. Making such a ruckus, what kind of face are you showing! Ahem..."

Village Chief Mara arrived at the ancestral hall and raised his voice, scolding the villagers.

The villagers immediately quieted down. Mara had a lot of authority in the village. As the village chief, he wholeheartedly served the village, and everyone respected him.

"Ahem..."

Mara finished scolding and started coughing uncontrollably. Concerned, Zeng Yi raised his small arm, patting Mara's back to help ease his breathing.

"Village Chief, are you alright?"

Zeng Yi patted Mara's back and asked in concern.

After a while, Mara stopped coughing and gave Zeng Yi a reassuring look.

"Don't worry, I'm fine, hehe."

Mara said kindly to Zeng Yi.

This child really puts one's mind at ease! These people are all adults, but they act like children, really.

"Village Chief, are you okay!" a villager asked Mara anxiously.

"I'm fine! I won't die!"

Mara replied impatiently, making the villagers lower their heads in shame.

"Alright, let's make way for Xiaoyi to proceed with the awakening ceremony."

"Oh!"

The villagers immediately made way, allowing Mara and Zeng Yi to enter.

"Hello, uncles and aunties..."

Zeng Yi greeted the villagers, and they smiled and nodded in response.

There's no help for it, Zeng Yi was just that polite of a child.

Following Village Chief Mara, Zeng Yi entered the ancestral hall.

Inside the ancestral hall, there were already eight children standing and a middle-aged man wearing the specially made Soul Hall clothing, with a black cape draped behind him, looking quite majestic.

He was sitting on a chair, his hand supporting his chin. From his expression, he was already a bit impatient.

He wore three gold emblems on his chest, the symbol of his strength, the third level of power in the Douluo Continent, a Soul GrandMaster.

Yes, one emblem represented one level of power.

Zeng Yi felt it was silly to flaunt one's own strength in such a manner, as if saying to others, look, this is my soul power level, got it!

Mara approached the Soul Master respectfully and bowed.

"Respected Soul Master, everyone is here. We can start the awakening ceremony."

"Mmm!" The Soul Master responded indifferently, his voice carrying a hint of arrogance.

"Now let's begin!" Wang Lang stood up and took out the awakening materials from his bag. To be honest, he had long grown impatient. After visiting several villages over the past few days and not finding a single child who could become a Soul Master, he was disappointed. Now, he didn't have much hope for Lala Village either; it was just to fulfill his mission.

"Don't be nervous. Have confidence in yourselves. Our ancestors will bless you. You will definitely become Soul Masters and change your own destinies," Mara encouraged the nervous children.

Wang Lang sneered inwardly at their aspirations to become Soul Masters. But he didn't mock them aloud; letting them have some joy and then disappointment might make him feel a little better.

Then, he took out six small black balls and one blue crystal ball. Wang Lang arranged the six black balls on the ground in the shape of a hexagram, and then...

"Soul Skill! Steel Staff!"

Wang Lang shouted loudly, and a mysterious brilliance appeared around his body. A two-meter-long iron staff appeared in his hands, surrounded by circles of white and yellow light. This was his spirit ring, the legendary spirit ring!

Wang Lang, a 26th level Great Soul Master.

The sudden change startled them. The powerful momentum oppressed the children, causing some of them to fall to the ground, trembling and crying.

Mara wasn't affected much since he only saw a Soul Master every few years. Soul Masters were always like this, playing tricks on them and scaring the children.

Zeng Yi, on the other hand, remained calm as he watched the dazzling brilliance emanating from Wang Lang's body. It was truly dazzling! Feeling the pressure emanating from Wang Lang's body, Zeng Yi's breathing became slightly labored. His feet trembled slightly, and sweat dripped from his forehead onto the floor.

This... is a Soul Master? Truly... terrifying!

...