Chapter 8: Awakening of the Martial Soul

One year later.

Sacred Soul Village.

The door of a shabby little house was pushed open. A black-haired girl, carrying bundles of things, hurried inside. After searching around the room, she finally spotted a middle-aged man lying in bed, nursing a hangover.

She quickly set down her things and rushed over, shaking Tang Hao vigorously as she urged him, "Dad, why are you still in bed? Old Jack, the village chief, sent me a letter saying today is the day for Xiao San’s Martial Soul Awakening. We have to go see it."

Tang Hao, groggy and rubbing his eyes, frowned and turned over, waving his hand dismissively as he muttered, "It's just a Martial Soul awakening."

Tang Xi pushed him a few more times but seeing he wouldn’t budge, she sighed in frustration and placed her hands on her hips.

Really, Tang Hao had been so serious and responsible when he obtained a soul bone for her back then, enduring humiliation with the grace of a reincarnated Haotian Douluo. But the next day, he had reverted to his old, lazy self.

A year ago, Tang Hao had protected her as she absorbed a head soul bone, which changed her appearance and unique hair color. Since then, no one had dared to bother her. But Tang Hao had slipped back into a drunken, slovenly blacksmith, sober less than an hour each day. All the household chores and expenses fell on the two siblings.

Three months ago, Tang Xi successfully enrolled at Notting Academy to cultivate. After breaking through a bottleneck, she received a letter from the village chief and hurried back on leave.

She looked around, rolled up her sleeves, picked up a broom, and started sweeping while continuing, "When I awakened my Martial Soul, officials ranked ninth grade and above from all over Tiandou City came to witness it. I spent three days unpacking gifts. To celebrate my awakening, the Emperor even granted me a city as my domain! For Xiao San’s awakening, Dad, you could at least catch a chicken for dinner, right? He’s already much shorter than others his age. If he gets sick with this body, it won’t be good..."

The girl’s ceaseless worries finally stirred Tang Hao to sit up from his chair. Watching her back, he murmured, "What have they taught you at Notting Academy? How did you get so talkative at such a young age?"

"Dad, Xiao San is only six years old. When I was six, I was just a kid who couldn’t even speak the Star Luo dialect yet."

Tang Xi turned around as she spoke, putting their clothes into a basin, then added, "My soul power has already recovered to level ten. I took leave from school to come back for Xiao San’s Martial Soul Awakening ceremony. Please take me to obtain the first soul ring again."

"Level ten..." Tang Hao nodded thoughtfully, but then turned around and gave up again: "Then you go catch the chicken."

"Huh?" Tang Xi was stunned and pointed at herself.

Tang Hao nodded, "Catching a chicken should be easy for you now, right?"

...Forget it. Tang San’s survival depended entirely on his own fierce will.

Tang Xi gave up struggling and nudged Tang Hao. "Dad, have you thought about it? Xiao San’s Martial Soul awakening has to be the Haotian Hammer. What if it’s discovered?"

Tang Hao explained calmly, "In a small village like this, which would rename itself just because a minor Soul Saint appeared, who would have heard of the Haotian Hammer? They don’t even know my name. Besides, a Haotian Hammer without a soul ring isn’t much different from other hammer-type Martial Souls."

People at the peak of power and those from small places truly have very different perspectives. Tang Xi recalled the real purpose of attending school and, feeling both tempted and hesitant, asked, "During these months in Notting City, I’ve clearly felt that Tiandou’s manhunt on me has eased. The wanted posters at the city gates haven’t been updated and have yellowed. Can I start the next move?"

A whole year had passed!

Not a day went by without Tang Xi’s heart itching. Every night in her dreams, faces like Xue Qinghe, the avalanche, A Ming, and the Soul Douluo who hunted her flashed by—sometimes mocking, sometimes pleading. The torment of alternating emotions made her want to rush back to Tiandou to seek revenge the moment she woke, yet she feared that if she was late, the fake Xue Qinghe would have already taken over Tiandou completely.

Tang Xi had tried to contact the spiritual version of Xue Qinghe more than once, but since she escaped near death, that ghost had vanished.

Still, it was enough for Tang Xi to know the truth: the real Xue Qinghe was dead, killed by the current "Xue Qinghe."

Tang Hao refused to act. The spiritual Xue Qinghe never appeared. Not knowing the situation in the Tiandou Imperial Palace, Tang Xi felt anxious and an inexplicable loneliness.

Yet Tang Hao waved his hand as before, saying, "Not yet. You’re too impatient. I can tell without even coming near you that your mental state is poor, causing your soul power to be chaotic."

"If you don’t understand, think of it this way: when you forget you are from the Snow Abyss, your revenge truly begins."

Forget she is from the Snow Abyss?

Tang Xi couldn’t grasp the meaning of this at once. Unfortunately, at that moment, Tang San pushed open the door and smiled upon seeing Tang Xi, who hadn’t returned for days.

"Sister, you’re back?"

Before Tang San, the two always tacitly avoided speaking of revenge. Tang Hao returned inside, leaving only, "She’s back to take you for your Martial Soul awakening. Go quickly, don’t disturb my sleep."

Tang San looked at Tang Xi’s less than healthy expression and tentatively asked, "Are you two arguing?"

"No," Tang Xi shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She ruffled her brother’s hair and set aside her worries. "Let’s go, we’re going to be late."

——————

When Tang Xi and Tang San arrived, a young man was already waiting outside the testing hall. Seeing the siblings from the Tang family finally arrive, Old Jack hurriedly said to the children behind him:

"Alright, this is the Soul Master from Notting City. He will lead you to awaken your Martial Souls. You must cooperate fully. Grandpa hopes some of you will become Soul Masters."

The young man was a bit impatient. "You said the same thing last year. Is becoming a Soul Master really that easy?"

Old Jack’s eyes darkened slightly as he sighed, "Yes! Only the heirs of major sects can easily become Soul Masters. For ordinary people like us, the chances are slim. But..."

His gaze fell on Tang Xi, who was helping Tang San adjust his clothes, and he smiled faintly, adding,

"That little girl is only eight years old, and I heard she’s already reached level ten. If she gets a soul ring, she’ll be a genuine Soul Master."

Oh?

The young man showed interest and followed Old Jack’s gaze to look at the girl.