Douluo Dalu: Stealing Through The Heavens

Under Old Tom's guidance, Zuzong followed him to the Martial Soul Hall at the center of Holy Spirit Village. Of course, the so-called Martial Soul Hall was just a slightly larger wooden house.

On the Douluo Continent, everyone has a martial soul. Every year at this time, the Martial Soul Hall sends soul masters to awaken the martial souls of the common people.

Zuzong couldn't help but think about how the Martial Soul Hall's system was quite friendly to the common folk. Sometimes, he couldn't understand those who enjoyed the benefits provided by the Martial Soul Hall yet still hated it. Even the nobles of the two great empires had a better reputation in their eyes than the Martial Soul Hall.

Did they want it to be like it would be ten thousand years later, where commoners couldn't awaken their martial souls, and only then would they be happy? Didn't they realize that most of them were also commoners before becoming soul masters?

Just like in the original story, there were eight children in Holy Spirit Village undergoing the martial soul awakening this year. With Zuzong added, there were nine.

Old Jack had arrived a little later with Zuzong, just in time to meet Old Jack and Tang San at the Martial Soul Hall entrance.

Old Jack and Old Tom were old acquaintances, but they were rivals who never backed down when they met.

Old Jack spoke first, "Haha, you old geezer, long time no see. I thought you were dead!"

Old Tom laughed and retorted, "Haha, I did die, but the underworld didn't accept me, so I came back. How could I go down there when you, Old Jack, is still alive?"

After their last encounter, Zuzong and Tang San met again.

When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with anger. Tang San didn't know why, but he was greatly annoyed by this boy of the same age whom he had barely seen a few times.

Whenever he saw the other boy's face, the usually calm Tang San had the urge to punch him.

But with Old Jack beside him, he couldn't act on his impulse. His face turned red with frustration, so he just greeted Old Jack and walked into the Martial Soul Hall to avoid seeing Zuzong.

[Ding! Tang San finds the host annoying. Hatred level rises to 6%. The host gains 100 hatred points.]

Zuzong sneered inwardly but outwardly pretended to know nothing, following Tang San inside.

Besides Zuzong and Tang San, there were nine children in total, and one young man in the Martial Soul Hall. This young man appeared to be in his twenties, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He was quite handsome, dressed in a white, tight-fitting outfit with a black cape. In the center of his chest was the character "soul," the standard attire for members directly under the Martial Soul Hall.

On his left chest was a badge engraved with crossed swords, a total of three swords.

The three swords symbolized the third-tier title of the soul master, the Great Soul Master. The sword indicated that this deacon from the Martial Soul Hall was a Battle Soul Master.

Standing in the last position, Zuzong looked at the young man before him and secretly smiled, "So this is Blind Douluo Su Yuntao. I can finally see the martial soul of a lone wolf."

The young man smiled and said, "My name is Su Yuntao, a level 26 Great Soul Master, and I am your guide. Now, I will awaken your martial souls one by one. Remember, no matter what happens, don't be afraid."

Su Yuntao shouted softly, "Martial Soul Possession—Lone Wolf!"

Zuzong noticed that Su Yuntao indeed turned into a werewolf just like in the original story. A white and a yellow soul ring rose from Su Yuntao's feet.

The fierce and terrifying appearance of the werewolf startled Zuzong, who had been mentally prepared. It was his first time seeing a werewolf in person.

Just like in the original story, the martial soul awakening proceeded in an orderly manner.

As expected, the martial souls of the first seven children were either sickles or Blue Silver Grass, and none of them had soul power.

Next, it was Tang San's turn.

When Tang San awakened his martial soul, the light on his right hand was much grander and more dazzling than the others.

Su Yuntao's face went from hopeful to shocked, and finally to disappointed—innate full soul power of Blue Silver Grass.

Su Yuntao said with disappointment, "Martial soul Blue Silver Grass, innate full soul power. Next!"

Zuzong looked at Tang San's left hand, clenched behind his back, and raised an eyebrow, stroking his chin with his right hand. He thought, "It seems that even without the support of the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, he still awakened twin martial souls." Then he glanced at the Blue Silver Grass in Tang San's right palm with a sinister smile.

Finally, it was Zuzong's turn. Without Su Yuntao's prompting, he stepped into the center of the six black stones.

As Su Yuntao injected soul power into the stones, a faint golden light lit up again.

Zuzong, immersed in the awakening formation, was enveloped in the golden light.

The energy of the formation guided him into a mystical, warm world.

Crack!

Zuzong felt as if something shattered inside him, and all the warmth rushed to his palm.

A Blue Silver Grass, different from Tang San's, larger, thicker, and with unique patterns, slowly condensed in Zuzong's hand.

At the same time, his body began to change. His wheat-colored skin became smooth and white like jade, and his short black hair gradually turned blue-silver, showing signs of growth.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for awakening the martial soul: Blue Silver Emperor. Soul power increased to level 10. Awarded 10 steal attempts.]

[Ding! Tang San feels envy toward the host. Hatred level rises to 8%. The host gains 200 hatred points.]

[Ding! Martial soul awakening complete. Opening the host's personal status panel.]

[Host: Zuzong

Gender: Male

Age: 6 years (25 years)

Martial Soul: Blue Silver Emperor (Awakened)

Innate Soul Power: Level 10

Soul Power Level: Level 10

Base Strength: 15 (Average adult male: 10)

System Inventory: None.

Overall Evaluation: Slightly stronger than trash.

Remaining Steal Attempts: 10

Hatred Points: 800

Stolen World: Douluo Continent

]

Outside the Martial Soul Hall, Old Jack and Old Tom had long stopped quarrelling!

The two old men paced back and forth at the entrance to ease their nervousness.

Creak

The door of the Martial Soul Hall opened, and Su Yuntao came out with the children.

Since there were many children undergoing the martial soul awakening, Su Yuntao had consumed a lot of soul power and was quite exhausted.

But the smile on his face indicated that he was in a good mood. It seemed someone had awakened a decent martial soul.

Old Jack hurriedly approached and asked with hope, "How was it, Master Su Yuntao? Did anyone in Holy Spirit Village awaken their soul power this year?"

Su Yuntao nodded first, then shook his head, saying with regret, "Yes and no. Someone named Tang San awakened innate full soul power in Holy Spirit Village, but unfortunately, it's the useless Blue Silver Grass."

Su Yuntao's eyes dimmed further, and he said bitterly, "Innate full soul power is one in ten thousand. If it were mine, I would already be a Soul King or Soul Emperor, maybe even a Soul Sage."

Old Jack, holding Tang San's hand, asked anxiously, "A useless martial soul? Blue Silver Grass? What should we do? Can this child still become a soul master?"

Su Yuntao stroked his smooth chin, thinking for a moment before answering, "He should be able to, but don't get your hopes up. Blue Silver Grass is undoubtedly a useless martial soul, so its potential is limited."

"Becoming a soul master is good enough! Becoming a soul master is good enough! Our Holy Spirit Village hasn't produced a soul master in decades." At this point, Old Jack's eyes shone brightly, looking at his old buddy Tom with pride. His nose was high up, as if saying, "See that? Innate full soul power from our Holy Spirit Village."

Old Tom ignored Old Jack's gaze and looked around with a puzzled expression.

"Strange, where did that brat from our village go?"