“Brother A’zu, when will you awaken your Martial Soul?” Xiao Wu asked one afternoon, sitting on the stone mill in the courtyard and swinging her slender legs.
She was originally supposed to go to Nuoding Academy at the age of six, but after encountering danger and getting injured, and also because she cherished the warmth of the Yan family and the protection of the Qilin, she made an agreement with Yan Zu.
They would wait until next year when Yan Zu turned six and awakened his Martial Soul, then go to Nuoding Academy together to study.
Yan Zu was polishing an ordinary iron sword he had obtained from a Check-in reward—though calling it a sword was generous; it was more like a piece of iron sheet with a few rust spots on the blade.
It looked exactly like something picked up from a scrap yard.
Yan Zu seriously suspected the system had questionable taste, but at least it was a sword, so he could make do with it.
Hearing her question, he looked up and smiled.
“Soon. In three days, it’ll be my sixth birthday. Father will help me awaken my Martial Soul then.”
“Great!” Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up.
She jumped down from the stone mill and ran over to Yan Zu.
“Then we can cultivate together and go to the academy together!”
Remembering the auspicious aura around Yan Zu that made her feel at ease, she was filled with anticipation for his Martial Soul.
Finally, the day of Yan Zu’s sixth birthday arrived.
As dawn broke, Yan Zu woke up in bed and immediately recited silently in his mind, “Check-in.”
[Ding! Today’s Check-in successful!]
[Congratulations, host, for reaching the six-year-old growth milestone, triggering the annual Critical Hit Reward!]
[Obtained core item: Martial Soul Mimetic Training Ground!]
[Item description: Can guide consciousness into an independent cultivation space during sleep, supporting two main functions— First, simulate battles against any Soul Master or spirit beast not exceeding 30 levels above the user’s own level. Opponent strength and Martial Soul types can be adjusted for martial skill refinement. Second, supports inviting one other person’s consciousness to enter. Allows for joint cultivation and sparring with no real-world risks. The training ground’s time flow ratio to reality is 3:1, usable for 4 hours per day.]
Yan Zu was delighted; this reward came at just the right time.
Although he hadn’t awakened his Martial Soul yet, he had been cultivating the Nine Yin Manual for years.
His physical body and spiritual power far surpassed those of his peers, and he needed a safe environment to refine his martial skills.
The function of inviting others to cultivate together would also allow him and Xiao Wu to improve together in the future.
He was determined to outpace all those peers who were still sound asleep at night.
Suppressing his excitement, he washed up briefly and stepped out of his room.
In the small courtyard, Su Qing had already prepared steaming longevity noodles.
Yan Hu was carefully polishing a smooth Awakening Stone, his face full of anticipation and solemnity.
Xiao Wu had also gotten up early, wearing the new clothes Su Qing had sewn for her.
She bounced around the courtyard, waiting with curiosity shining in her eyes.
“A’zu, happy birthday!” Su Qing handed Yan Zu a bowl of longevity noodles sprinkled with chopped scallions.
“Eat up, soak in the festive spirit. I hope you awaken a powerful Martial Soul and become a formidable Soul Master.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Yan Zu took the bowl and began eating heartily.
The noodles were chewy, the broth fragrant and delicious, carrying a faint vitality nourished by Su Qing’s Green Sprout Martial Soul.
It flowed warmly into his stomach.
Yan Hu walked to his side and placed the Awakening Stone on the stone table in the center of the courtyard.
“A’zu, after you finish the noodles, Dad will help you awaken your spirit. Don’t be nervous. Just follow the method I taught you—focus your mind and feel the power within your body.”
“I understand, Dad.” Yan Zu set down the empty bowl and nodded.
Xiao Wu leaned close to the stone table, curiously examining the pale blue Awakening Stone.
“Uncle Yan, is this the Awakening Stone? It’s amazing—I can feel a warm energy inside.”
“This child’s senses are truly sharp.” Yan Hu nodded approvingly. The source of this chapter is g.com.
“That’s right. The Awakening Stone can guide the spirit within the body. Many children rely on it to awaken their spirits.”
Once everything was ready, Yan Hu had Yan Zu sit cross-legged before the stone table, placing his hands on the Awakening Stone.
Yan Hu stood to the side, circulating his soul power and carefully channeling a gentle stream of Iron Axe soul power into the stone.
“Close your eyes, focus your mind, and feel the changes within your body. Don’t resist—let that power emerge naturally.” Yan Hu’s voice was steady and powerful, carrying a soothing quality.
Yan Zu closed his eyes as instructed, sinking his consciousness into his body.
He could clearly sense the gentle soul power from the Awakening Stone acting like a key, lightly touching the connection between him and the two spirit phantoms.
In his mental world, the jade-colored Qilin Phantom and the ancient Xuanyuan Sword Phantom seemed to sense something, becoming unusually active and radiating increasingly dense auras.
He didn’t deliberately guide them, but simply followed the incantation of the Martial Soul Synchronization Heart Technique, allowing the Nine Yin Soul Power within him to flow naturally, nourishing the two great spirit phantoms.
Suddenly, a gentle energy surged from Yan Zu’s body, flowing through his hands into the Awakening Stone.
Immediately afterward, the entire small courtyard was enveloped in a soft, jade-colored glow—no blinding light, only a warmth that brought comfort to the body.
“Hum—”
A faint hum sounded, and a jade-colored light slowly coalesced in the empty space before Yan Zu.
It was a Qilin the size of a small dog.
It simply crouched before Yan Zu, its entire body smooth and lustrous like jade, with tiny, delicate antlers—so small they looked like two newly sprouted mushrooms.
Its ox tail swayed gently, its fish scales shimmering with a faint glow under the light, and its tiger paws were tender and pink, even the pads a soft pink.
It opened its large, watery eyes, curiously observing its surroundings, then tilted its head and let out a childish chirp:
“Ee-ya—”
The sight was as adorable as could be, utterly charming.
The Auspicious Beast Qilin Martial Soul had made its debut!
Su Qing was stunned for a moment, instinctively asking, “Is… is this a spirit or a pet?”
Yan Hu was also taken aback.
Having hunted spirits for many years, he had seen countless spirits—ferocious tigers, majestic lions, blazing eagles—all imposing and awe-inspiring when manifested.
But this little thing before him…
could it really fight?
The Qilin seemed to understand their doubts and let out a dissatisfied “Ee-ya,” trotting around the courtyard on its short legs.
Wherever it passed, the withered autumn weeds sprouted fresh, tender shoots so delicate they seemed ready to burst with moisture.
The potted rose in the corner of the courtyard, which Su Qing had kept for three years and nearly killed with overwatering, instantly bloomed with vibrant, crimson-purple flowers.
Even the few withered yellow leaves on the old locust tree by the courtyard entrance turned a bright, glossy green on the spot.
“What… what kind of spirit is this?” Su Qing covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock and delight.
Yan Hu also stared wide-eyed, his tiger-like gaze brimming with disbelief.
Having lived for decades, he had never seen such a spirit—one that could heal?
That could grow vegetables?
If this were used for farming, wouldn’t the yield of their two meager acres of land double?
But Xiao Wu’s reaction was the most intense.
Her eyes widened as she stared fixedly at the little Qilin, her expression shifting from shock to ecstasy, and then from ecstasy to…
an indescribable sense of dependence.
Because she could clearly feel that the auspicious aura emanating from this jade-colored little Qilin shared the same origin as the Auspicious Beast Heart-Linking Talisman, yet it was even more potent. New chapters come out on novelping . com first.
When the Qilin ran past her, the spirit beast essence within her seemed to be summoned, becoming exceptionally active, while her own spirit beast aura was completely concealed—so much so that even she could barely sense it.
What did this mean?
It meant she could walk openly under the sun, no longer needing to worry about being discovered by humans!
The little Qilin seemed to sense her goodwill.
It stopped in its tracks, approached her hand, and nuzzled her palm.
The soft, warm sensation made Xiao Wu’s face instantly bloom with a radiant smile, brighter than the potted roses in the courtyard.
She crouched down, carefully stroking the Qilin’s fur, growing more and more captivated as she did so, murmuring, “So soft, so soft, so soft…”
Yan Zu watched from the side, thinking: If outsiders saw this scene, they’d probably think it was just two little animals interacting.
Just then, another change occurred!
A low hum of a sword emanated from within Yan Zu’s body, starkly different from the Qilin’s gentle aura.
A heavy, majestic presence suddenly spread out.
This aura was not sharp, yet it carried a sense of oppression originating from the dawn of civilization, causing everyone in the courtyard to instinctively hold their breath.
Before Yan Zu, alongside the jade-colored Qilin, another black light shadow coalesced.
It was an ancient short sword, about five feet long, entirely pitch-black without any ornate decorations, yet faint golden patterns—the Xuanyuan Patterns—subtly flowed across its surface.
The sword emitted a faint “Evil-Shattering” Aura of Might, causing birds and beasts occasionally flying past outside the courtyard to instinctively steer clear, not daring to approach.
The Xuanyuan Sword!
Two spirits, one beast and one sword, hovered simultaneously before Yan Zu, resonating with each other, coexisting harmoniously without the slightest sign of soul power conflict.
Yan Hu froze for three seconds before suddenly snapping back to reality:
“Twin… Twin Souls!”
His voice cracked, breaking into a high pitch that sounded like a rooster whose neck had been stepped on: “A’zu, you’ve awakened Twin Souls!!”
Su Qing was also so moved that her eyes reddened.
She covered her mouth, tears nearly falling.
Twin Souls!
That was a legendary existence!
Rarely seen across the entire Douluo Continent!
Her son actually possessed such heaven-defying talent!
Yan Zu focused his will on the Xuanyuan Sword.
The short sword trembled slightly, slowly rising half a foot off the ground, rotating gently before him.
With a thought, the Xuanyuan Sword flew toward a bluestone slab in the courtyard.
The sword emitted a faint sword intent, and with just a light touch, the stone was cleanly split in two, the cut smooth and even.
“So amazing!” Xiao Wu watched with shining eyes, unable to resist clapping and cheering.
Yan Zu withdrew the Xuanyuan Sword, a sudden clarity dawning within him.
He could sense that both of these spirits were in an incomplete state of awakening, as if enveloped by an invisible barrier.
From the depths of the Xuanyuan Sword came an ancient consciousness, telling him that this was the “Sword of Civilization’s Orthodoxy.” Only by promoting the growth of civilization on the Douluo Continent could it be fully unsealed, revealing its true power that surpassed the divine level.
Meanwhile, the Qilin Martial Soul conveyed the message of the “Civilization’s Fortune Totem,” which likewise required the prosperity of civilization to fully awaken.