Chapter 4: Innate Full Soul Power!
As Tang San stepped forward to the center of the six black stones, Su Yuntao clapped his hands, sending six streams of faint green soul power into the array. A golden light began to glow, more radiant than with any of the previous children.
The other children watched with wide eyes, their expressions full of anticipation for what might be a miracle. Shen Lang, however, observed the scene calmly.
Su Yuntao's eyes sparkled with excitement. This unusual intensity of light gave him hope that a powerful martial soul was about to emerge. After all, if a genius appeared, recruiting them into the Spirit Hall could lead to immense benefits for his career. But soon, his hopes crumbled.
A blue light suddenly shone from Tang San's hand—a familiar, mundane hue.
Blue Silver Grass.
The same useless martial soul as the previous child.
"Another useless martial soul," Su Yuntao muttered, disappointed. "This trip to the Holy Spirit Village is just another waste of time. Next!" His tone was exasperated, dismissive.
Tang San, however, didn't move. "Uncle, you haven't tested my soul power yet," he said, his voice steady and his gaze unwavering.
Su Yuntao hesitated. "There's no need. Blue Silver Grass has never produced soul power. My years of experience say so."
But Tang San's determined look made him reconsider. "Fine, it won't hurt to test it," he relented, handing over the crystal ball.
Tang San placed his hand on the crystal ball, his body trembling slightly. Suddenly, the entire crystal ball radiated a brilliant blue light, illuminating the room as if submerged in a glowing ocean.
The other children gasped in awe. Even Shen Lang smiled knowingly.
"Innate full soul power!" Su Yuntao exclaimed, astonished. He turned to Tang San, his tone softening. "This is incredibly rare. To explain, when a martial soul awakens, the amount of soul power you have determines your cultivation speed. Innate full soul power is the highest starting point anyone can have."
He sighed, his excitement tempered. "But it's such a pity your martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. Even a hoe would have been better."
Turning to Shen Lang, Su Yuntao waved him forward. "All right, you're next. Let's finish this."
As Shen Lang stepped into the center of the formation, Su Yuntao repeated the awakening process, injecting the soul power into the stones. Golden light erupted once more, this time even brighter than during Tang San's awakening.
"What?! This can't be!" Su Yuntao shouted, his disbelief audible.
The other children watched with wide eyes as Shen Lang extended his hand. A vision flashed through his mind—a vast sea of clouds, mountains piercing the skies, and a shrill cry that seemed to shake heaven and earth. A pitch-black figure burst through the clouds, trailing black flames like a comet descending to the mortal world.
When Shen Lang came back to his senses, a black bird materialized in his hands, its feathers glossy and its tail adorned with elegant plumes.
Su Yuntao frowned. "Another useless martial soul. It's just a Black Canary." His tone was dismissive, but Shen Lang shook his head. "This isn't an ordinary bird."
"Oh? Then what do you think it is?" Su Yuntao scoffed, clearly unimpressed.
Instead of arguing, Shen Lang calmly said, "Let's test my soul power."
"Testing is a waste of time for a martial soul like that," Su Yuntao retorted. "But fine, it's my duty, so I'll humor you."
He handed over the crystal ball. As Shen Lang placed his hand on it, he felt its cool surface. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a deliberate effort, he activated the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art.
The crystal ball erupted with dazzling blue light, even brighter than before. It was as if the entire room had been transported into a shimmering ocean of radiance.
Tang San murmured in awe, "Shen Lang, you're truly incredible. You also have innate full soul power!"
Su Yuntao, red-faced and flustered, stammered, "Another... another one with innate full soul power?! This... this can't be real!"
Just as he was processing this revelation, the crystal ball emitted a series of cracks, shattering under the intensity of Shen Lang's soul power.
"What is happening?!" Su Yuntao exclaimed, staring at the broken crystal ball in disbelief. For the second time that day, his experience and judgment had been proven wrong.
Meanwhile, Shen Lang closed his eyes as a powerful wave of energy surged through him. A deep resonance echoed in his mind, signaling the awakening of his second martial soul.
End of Chapter