Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 3: Soul Awakening

In the royal palace, the Awakening Hall.

The Elder Council is located in the Baihu Mountain range outside the imperial city. Baihu Mountain is known as the ancestral home of the imperial family, and due to its distance, a branch office is also set up within the royal palace.

The Elder Council handles all major matters concerning the clan, and since the royal family is part of the Baihu bloodline, the awakening of each royal prince's soul is managed by the Imperial Clan Affairs Office.

Over time, the Youming Spirit Cat clan, a marriage ally of the Baihu clan, has become a subordinate branch of the Baihu clan. Therefore, the awakening of their soul powers is also overseen by the Elder Council.

"I'll take you to the Awakening Hall. Once inside, someone will guide you. Just follow their instructions. Don't worry. Even if your soul is weak, I'll ensure your safety," said Dai Hengyu, kneeling on one knee, his hand gently resting on Dai Yao's head in comfort.

"Thank you, Third Uncle."

After Dai Hengyu left, Dai Yao walked toward the Awakening Hall. On either side of the hall's doors stood two stone tigers, their rough outlines vivid and lifelike, giving the impression that they were about to leap forward and pounce.

"This is the most powerful beast soul in the Douluo Continent—the White Tiger. Boy, your veins run with the blood of the White Tiger," a gruff voice sounded beside Dai Yao.

Dai Yao turned to see an elderly man, his muscles bulging like a humanoid Tyrannosaurus. His hair and beard were a fiery red, and he looked like a flaming inferno incarnate.

The Fifth Elder looked at Dai Yao, noting his ragged clothing, and used his large hands to smooth out the messy hair on Dai Yao's head. "Child, even when you face adversity, don't lose hope. Keep going. The pride of the Baihu clan's bloodline rests on your generation to uphold."

"Who are you?" Dai Yao asked.

"You can call me the Fifth Elder," the man replied.

The Fifth Elder, named Dai Weilie, was a Soul Douluo with soul power reaching level 85. He ranked fifth among the Elder Council and was highly respected. He had a fiery temperament and hated evil with a vengeance, which had caused trouble in the Douluo Continent. To keep him under control, the Elder Council had stationed him in the imperial palace to oversee the soul awakening of the princes.

"Let's go. I'll take you to awaken your soul. Many of the children are already here."

As the saying goes, countless people have traveled to the Douluo Continent, but Tao Ge's awakening is half of them.

"Alright, the Awakening Master Su Yun Tao has been unemployed." Dai Yao muttered inwardly, following the Fifth Elder with a sense of amusement.

When they arrived at the Awakening Hall, it was already bustling with children talking among themselves.

In the center of the crowd, two children stood out like stars surrounded by the moon. One was noticeably taller than the others, with dazzling golden hair. His handsome features and broad shoulders radiated confidence, and the most striking feature was his heterochromatic eyes.

The other child was a girl, her black hair flowing like a waterfall. She had her hair styled into two cat-ear-like buns on either side of her head, and her black attire gave her an elegant, dignified appearance. However, her black eyes were void of any warmth, resembling ice—this contrasted starkly with her exceptionally beautiful face.

"Heterochromatic eyes, that must be Dai Mubai?" Dai Yao immediately recognized the boy based on his distinct feature.

"By age, hasn't he already awakened his soul? Why is he here?"

"If that's Dai Mubai, then the girl next to him must be Zhu Zhuqing."

Among all the female characters in the original Douluo Dalu, Dai Yao liked Zhu Zhuqing the most. She was a stunning beauty with a fiery body, and she was fiercely loyal in love.

Dai Mubai had chosen to escape the competition for the throne and had gone to Tiandou City, leaving Zhu Zhuqing behind in Xingluo Empire. Yet, Zhu Zhuqing had remained loyal, following him and urging him forward.

In Dai Yao's past life, such a girl was as rare as a phoenix feather.

"You're Dai Yao?" Dai Mubai looked down from his height as he spoke with disdain.

"Yes," Dai Yao replied, feeling small compared to the tall and imposing Dai Mubai.

"You look like a beggar," Dai Mubai sneered.

Dai Mubai's mother was the current empress, and she loathed Dai Yao and his mother. Dai Mubai had come to the Awakening Hall today for two reasons: first, to see Zhu Zhuqing's talent; if it was good, they could arrange a marriage; second, to humiliate Dai Yao.

"That woman caused my mother so much humiliation. Today, I will represent my mother and show you some consequences," Dai Mubai said.

Dai Yao's eyes narrowed, but he immediately lowered his head, pretending he didn't hear. He understood that he didn't have the strength to retaliate against such malice at this point.

For now, he had to endure and wait until he had the power to repay all these grievances.

"Quiet!" The Fifth Elder stepped between the two of them, warning Dai Mubai, "Third Prince, bullying the weak does not align with the rules of our Baihu clan. The competition between the princes can be fierce, but you should show more tolerance to other clan children."

Although the Fifth Elder had a fiery temperament, he was patient and kind when it came to educating the children.

He then walked to the center of the hall and stepped forward. A golden array of symbols appeared on the floor.

With a strong and clear voice, he proclaimed, "Children, your soul determines your destiny."

"Our Xingluo royal family has passed down the White Tiger soul for generations, and every one of our Dai clan has awakened the White Tiger soul with pride!"

"Every emperor of Xingluo has been the possessor of the White Tiger soul. They have risen through cruel selections, and this harsh tradition has created great emperors, who can lead this great nation."

"Today, I hope that among you, there will be one who awakens the White Tiger soul."

"Now, who will be the first to awaken their soul?"

The Fifth Elder's words stirred the children's spirits, and they eagerly stepped forward. He selected one child from the group.

When the boy stood in the center of the array, the Fifth Elder waved his hand. A white light shot into the ground, causing the array to glow brightly. Golden points of light emerged from the floor, forming a pale gold energy shield that enveloped the boy.

The sudden change caused the boy to become restless.

"Calm down, feel the changes within you," the Fifth Elder reminded.

As the golden points of light entered the boy's body, he gradually relaxed.

Soon, a pair of red cat-like ears emerged from his head, his hair turned bright red, and a long tail appeared behind him.

"Red Cat Soul," the Fifth Elder announced.

"Now, let's test your innate soul power." The Fifth Elder held up a crystal ball, motioning for the boy to place his hand on it.

As the boy touched the crystal ball, it immediately glowed with a faint grey light.

"Level 4 Soul Power."

The Fifth Elder sighed inwardly. This child had limited potential.

Among the vast imperial clan, very few awakened the White Tiger soul.

Looking at Dai Mubai, the Fifth Elder silently reflected, "Perhaps, there will only be three royal princes this generation."

"Next, let's have the next child awaken their soul."

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