Douluo: The Celestial Book

All rights reserved to the respective authors.

"Dialogue": Represented in double quotes for conversations between characters.

'Thoughts': Represented in single quotation marks, indicating the characters' internal reflections.

[Diary]: Represented in square brackets, used for messages intended for the heroines or entries written by Tenshin.

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[Ding! It has been detected that the host has awakened his Martial Soul. The Celestial Library is now active. Do you wish to link with your Martial Soul?]

Tenshin hesitated for a split second. For three long years, he had waited for the arrival of a "golden finger." Now that it had finally appeared, questions flooded his mind. 'Why now? And why does it need to link with my Martial Soul?'

He closed his eyes briefly, trying to steady his thoughts. 'I cannot afford to waver now,' he resolved, his gaze fixed on the panel before him.

Without another word, his mind responded, 'Yes.' The confirmation echoed within him, a surge of power rushing through his veins. His heart raced with anticipation, as if a great burden had finally been lifted.

Then, a flash of wry humor crossed his mind. 'Three years… Was the Library lost in limbo this whole time?'

[Congratulations, host! Your Martial Soul is now connected to the Celestial Way Library. To access it, enter deep meditation and channel your mental energy.]

Tenshin furrowed his brow as he pondered the message. 'Mental energy…' he thought. According to his understanding, it was the internal force that governed emotions, focus, and perception—key for controlling soul abilities, refining spiritual techniques, and even influencing the Spiritual Sea.

'If I need this energy to access the library, then it must reside within my Spiritual Sea.' He couldn't help but feel that he had an advantage. iI should have more mental energy than most people my age, thanks to my reincarnation and the passive boost from my Martial Soul.'

'But even with this energy, I can only access the Library through deep meditation. If I increase my reserves, perhaps I could enter more freely,' he speculated.

His thoughts drifted back to the past three years—three years of relentless physical training, a distant echo of his lost former life. Yet, despite the effort, the vivid memories of his previous existence were slowly fading, slipping away like forgotten dreams.

Before he could lose himself further in thought, the lively commotion around him demanded his attention. As expected, Tang San was on the verge of awakening his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. In an almost instantaneous flash, a luminous, silver-blue grass materialized in Tang San's right hand. However, a subtle tension flickered in his left hand, which he quickly clenched, as if hiding something.

Tenshin's keen eyes caught the brief, furtive gesture. So, the twin Martial Souls have awakened, he mused silently.

"By the heavens! Incredible! Full innate spiritual power!" Su Yuntao exclaimed, marveling as a crystalline orb shone in Tang San's grasp. Never had anyone imagined that the so-called 'trivial' Blue Silver Grass could reveal such formidable potential. Yet Su Yuntao's initial wonder quickly turned to regret as he added softly, "What a shame... Such rare talent wasted on a useless martial soul. It's much like Tenshin's situation."

Tang San shifted uncomfortably at the unintended comparison, but quickly regained composure, refocusing on his left hand. Two are better than one, he reassured himself silently. In that moment, he realized how little he truly understood about spiritual masters and the workings of Martial Souls. Filled with renewed determination, he asked eagerly, "Uncle, what does it mean to have complete innate spiritual power?"

Su Yuntao's gaze flickered briefly from Tang San to the thoughtful Tenshin. 'I suppose I can explain this,' he mused internally. With a graceful gesture, he withdrew his martial soul, allowing a soft green radiance to envelop his body. After a measured sigh, he began his explanation.

"When a person awakens their martial soul…" he started, his voice calm.

Meanwhile, Tenshin's thoughts drifted. 'Of course, thanks to Xuantian Kung Fu and the partial activation of the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, it's no surprise Tang San had this advantage from the start.'

A moment later, Su Yuntao beckoned both Tenshin and Tang San closer. With deliberate care, he retrieved two small booklets from within his robes and handed one to each of them.

"These are the General Meditation Methods, prepared by the Spirit Hall," he announced. "They contain essential guidelines on how spiritual masters should cultivate their spiritual power, along with several important precautions. The academy opens in only two months, and time is of the essence. Remember, in the initial stage of a spiritual master's journey, progress is swift. A little practice now may serve you well."

Tenshin took the booklet with little thought, his fingers brushing the modest cover. As he opened it, his mind briefly drifted to the methods of cultivation in this world, the path ahead now more clearly defined.

Without another word, Su Yuntao tucked away the crystal orb. His face showed only a slight annoyance at Tang San's persistent questions. Then, gathering the children, he led them out of the building. Meanwhile, Old Jack—the ever-jovial village elder—beamed with pride. Two new spiritual masters had emerged in Sacred Soul Village; it was a moment worth celebrating.

As Tang San watched Su Yuntao's retreating figure, he couldn't ignore the occasional disapproving glances cast by a few of the village children. Tenshin noticed this too, his lips curling into a discreet, knowing smile.

Tang San, however, observed how Tenshin seemed to receive admiration from everyone—children, parents, and even Old Jack's warm congratulations. 'The power of recognition remains unchanged,' he reflected.

'Just a common method of practice—nothing as potent or intricate as my Mysterious Heaven Skill,' Tang San mused wryly, glancing down at the booklet in his hand.

Before he could lose himself in thought, he hurried over to Old Jack, a lingering question pressing on his mind. "Grandpa Jack, what exactly is a spiritual ring? And how might a spiritual master acquire one?"

Old Jack's kindly eyes crinkled into a smile. "I don't know the answer at all," he replied gently. "But it seems you must hunt spiritual beasts. Xiao San, you'll understand more once you enter the academy and truly become a spiritual master. The instructors there will explain everything in due time."

Tang San merely nodded, accepting the answer without further inquiry. Meanwhile, Old Jack continued his customary duty: as the village head, he always escorted the local children to the "Spiritual Hall" whenever it was time for them to awaken their Martial Souls, and then returned them to their families or homes.

Tenshin's dwelling lay close by, while Tang San's home was situated at the far western edge of Sacred Soul Village. After ensuring that all the children were safely returned to their families, Old Jack began the solitary journey toward the village's western edge, accompanying Tang San.

Amid the whirlwind of recent events, Tenshin found himself lost in thought. Before his awakening, he might have eagerly rushed toward the Spirit Hall, enticed by its vast resources and promise of power. Even now, he still held a favorable view of the Hall—appreciating its inclusivity and support for civilians—but he was not blind to the costs.

"Joining the Spirit Hall would grant me incredible resources," he mused, "but it would also bind me with obligations that might unconsciously limit my freedom. For now, I intend to explore this world on my own terms. Later, I'll decide whether to create my own force or align with an existing one—but only on my terms, in my own time."

After all, this was his second chance at life, and he was determined to make the most of it. He knew his talents were not yet at the pinnacle—even with his seventh-level innate soul power—and, as such, he wouldn't be a priority for the Spirit Hall if he joined now.

Later, in the solitude of his home, Tenshin prepared to access the Celestial Library. Seating himself in the lotus position, he closed his eyes and channeled his mental energy. Slowly, he felt himself being drawn into a vast metaphysical space—carried along by a gentle yet insistent current. His breathing steadied, and a faint pressure enveloped his head, reminiscent of plunging into deep, silent waters. The sounds of the physical world faded, replaced by an all-encompassing silence.

When he opened his eyes, an awe-inspiring sight unfolded before him. The Library stretched endlessly in all directions, its towering shelves engraved with mysterious symbols. A soft, ethereal glow danced across the books, as if they pulsed with a life of their own. A single window offered a glimpse into his Spiritual Sea. Yet, to Tenshin's astonishment, the Library was not the pristine sanctuary he had envisioned. Chaos reigned—torn pages fluttered like ghosts of forgotten knowledge, scorched covers lay in disarray, and haphazard piles of books littered the floor, resembling scattered fragments of memory.

"What happened here…? Could this be a consequence of my transition between lives? Maybe my age when my memories returned caused this… I remember the unbearable pain in my head at that time," he murmured, his voice laced with both uncertainty and reason. A phantom ache pulsed in his skull, as if echoing that distant moment.

He reached out and touched a nearby book—a volume with a cover etched in symbols that stirred a deep sense of familiarity. The moment his fingers brushed against it, a torrent of memories surged through his mind: flashes of battles, scenes from anime he had watched in his previous life. But these memories were different—more vivid, more immersive. It felt as though he were there, not merely a spectator, but a participant in those battles.

For a long moment, Tenshin stood frozen, overwhelmed by the raw intensity of the memory. "Why does it feel so real?" he muttered. "I only watched that battle on a screen…" Yet as he relived it, he felt everything—the pain, the emotions, the sheer exhaustion of combat.

Pulling himself back to the present, he refocused on the chaotic state of the Library. He realized then that if he wanted to unlock his full potential, he first needed to bring order to this place. It wasn't just a collection of books—it was a manifestation of his mind and memories. If he could restore its structure, he theorized, his thoughts would become sharper, his recollections more precise. Perhaps, with enough refinement, he could even develop a photographic memory.

At that moment, as if responding to his resolve, the Celestial Book—his Martial Soul—materialized before him. It radiated a soft, otherworldly glow, pulsing with an unseen energy. He could feel it calling to him, as though he held the key to restoring the Library's lost order.