Chapter 2: Awakening

3 years later (Liang Xue'er/Maya is now 6 and 2 months old)

"Xue'er!" called Grandpa Jack with an impatient tap of his stick (cane), "Grandpa is going to Xiao San's house to pick him up from his drunken father to the awakening ceremony, you go first."

Liang Xue'er pouted, using her pretty face against Old Jack, she said, "But Xiao San is also my friend. I want to come with you!" She used her fingers and twirled her hair for good measure.

"Fine," Elder Jack gave in, "But I don't want you to miss the awakening ceremony," he huffed and slowly limped towards their Spirit Hall which was basically a wooden building with some cool designs.

Liang Xue'er cheered and quickly ran towards Tang San's hut. Even though she was using all her speed, it still took her a whole 5 minuets. After all her powers where sealed until the awakening and she could only run so fast. The door of Tang San's hut was worn, she knock.

"Xiao San, it's me, Xue'er!" She called.

The door opened. Tang San looked out, "Coming, I just have to heat the porridge up, give me a few seconds."

"Ok, just hurry up, I don't want to be late," said Liang Xue'er impatiently, tapping her foot.

After a 37 seconds, (yes she counted) the door opened again and Tang San finally appeared.

"Race you to Spirit Hall!" called Tang San, without waiting for an answer, he sprinted down the dirt path.

"Cheater!" Liang Xue'er raced after him. When they arrived at the so called Spirit Hall, both of them had puffy red faces and was panting. When they arrived, Old Jack gave her an impatient look and immediately greeted the spirit master that walked up to them.

"Greetings, esteemed Battle Spirit Grandmaster, this time we will inconvenience you."

Old Jack respectfully bowed to the youngster.

The center of the youngsters forehead betrayed an indifferent arrogance. Indifferently bowing slightly, he at last returned the greeting,

"My time is scarce, let's begin."

"Very well. Children, this is a Battle Spirit Grandmaster from Nuoding City. Next, he will guide you to open yourselves to your spirit. You must cooperate well with the great teacher to conduct your spirit awakening; grandpa is looking forward to seeing who among you has the capability to become Spirit Masters." said Old Jack.

"Very well, you said the same thing last year. Do you think becoming a Spirit Master is really that easy? I already passed six villages, and not one of them had a person with spirit power. They also didn't have suitable spirits."

Old Jack's eyes showed a trace of dejection, sighing, he said, "Yes, ah! Only one in very many inherit the aptitude to actually become a Spirit Master. Among us ordinary people, it is indeed most difficult."

Shaking his head, he moved away from the Spirit Hall.

The youngster's gaze fell on the eight children before him. As a Spirit Hall inspecting attendant, helping ordinary people undergo spirit awakening was his compulsory assignment, and he was long since used to it.

"Children, line up."

Towards these children, his manner was quite lukewarm.

The nine children stood in order before the youngster, Tang San gestured her to get into the middle of the line but Liang Xue'er shook her head and dragged Tang San to the end of the line.

The youngster smiled and said, "I am called Su Yuntao, a twenty sixth ranked Spirit Grandmaster, and will be your guide. Now, I will have you undergo spirit awakening one by one. Remember, regardless of what happens, do not be afraid."

While speaking, Su Yuntao unfolded a bundle on a desk to one side, taking out two things from inside: six round pitch-black stones and one sparkling blue crystal ball.

Su Yuntao placed the six black stones on the ground in the form of a hexagon, then motioned the first child on the right to stand inside.

"Don't be afraid, close your eyes and feel carefully."

While speaking, Su Yuntao's eyes suddenly lit up, and before the children's appalled eyes, he shouted in a deep voice,

"Lone Wolf Body Enhancement."

A wisp of thin blue-green light rose from between his eyebrows, following straight up, entering into the hair knot.

Su Yuntao's hair was originally black, but just after that blue-green light poured in, it had turned grey in a flash. Furthermore it quickly grew longer, and similarly colored fur appeared on both his uncovered hands. At the same time, his body also seemed to expand a great deal compared to before, his whole body swelling with muscle.

The Spirit Hall attire had very good elasticity; it actually didn't rip when filling to the point of bursting because of his body growing large. Su Yuntao's eyes had already changed to a faint green color. Sharp claws stretched out from the ten fingers on both hands, glimmering coolly with a dazzling gleam. Two concentric halos of light shone brightly up from underfoot, constantly moving from underfoot to the crown of his head. Among them one was white, the other one was yellow. Exceedingly strange.

'Ding! Host, the spirit master has no ill intent to you.' said the System.

Liang Xue'er nodded, "Those are spirit rings, the white one is some where among the tens, not the best, and the yellow must be a hundred ring. it seems that that Spirit Master must be not so powerful," she whispered to Tang San.

The boy he told to stand among the black stones, with eyes staring at Su Yuntao's body transforming, suddenly shouted,

"Aaaaah~~~~~~", about to run away from fear.

The fresh green radiance in Su Yuntao's eyes was truly frightening. Catching hold of that child, he said:

"Don't move. I said not to be afraid. This is my spirit, Lone Wolf. If one of you is capable of becoming a spirit master in the future, they will also be able to employ similar abilities."

As Su Yuntao clapped both hands together, at lightning speed, six faint green lights poured into the black stones on the ground. At once, a layer of golden misty light released from the stones and rose.

For some reason, as the previously noisily crying child was enveloped in the faint golden light, he immediately became quiet, just somewhat dully standing there.

Every speck of the golden light came fluttering up from the black stones, further entering the body of the boy.

The boy's body began to lightly tremble, not knowing whether to shout or remain quiet.

"Extend your right hand."

Su Yuntao's two moss green eyes stared fixedly at the boy, majestically commanding.

The boy extended his right hand with a start, then paused. All the light specks surged out, instantly a sickle appeared in his hand.

It would appear, that sickle wasn't any trick of the light, and rather it truly existed.

Su Yuntao creased his brow,

"It's a Tool Spirit. Can a sickle be regarded as a weapon? It ought to with effort."

The golden light gradually disappeared. The boy, somewhat amazed, looked at the not particularly small sickle in his hand, rather at a loss.

Su Yuntao said, "Your spirit is Sickle, a Tool Spirit. Come, let me test if you have spirit power. If you possess spirit power, even a tool spirit can undergo Battle Spirit Cultivation. After all, a sickle certainly has potential for attack."

"Great-, great teacher, what should I do?"

The boy timidly asked.

Su Yuntao coolly said, "Intentionally recall your spirit. From now try to remember the time you employed it and use that thought to call it out."

The boy tried a long time, just to recall the sickle. Su Yuntao's hands held the blue crystal ball in front of him, motioning him to place his right hand on it.

The boy's immature little hand and Su Yuntao's wolf claws above and below the crystal ball respectively, there was a clear contrast.

A moment later, Su Yuntao somewhat dejectedly said:

"No spirit power. You can't become a Spirit Master. For now, step aside.

Liang Xue'er realized something, it wasn't that good to have 5 spirits, "System, please tell Life that I don't want 5 spirits anymore," she muttered, careful to not let Tang San hear it.

'Ding! Her highness has been notified. Message: you no longer have 5 spirits.'

Liang Xue'er sighed in relief.

Similar scenes continued to play out, and one after another five children had their spirits awakened. Their spirits were all a few pickaxes, sickles and such farm tools. In succession no Beast Spirit appeared, and as for spirit power, all were judged by Su Yuntao to be 'nil'.

When the seventh child's turn came, this was also the last one ahead of Tang San, Liang Xue'er tuned in for this one.

After sustained use of spirit power, Su Yuntao seemed to already be rather exhausted, but he still intended to help all nine children complete the awakening process.

Golden flecks of light gathered, and this once, finally it was no longer a farm tool, and something different appeared. A small stem of light blue grass appeared in this girl's palm, softly fluttering from side to side.

Even though it wasn't a farm tool, the disappointment in Su Yuntao's eyes was even more evident,

"It's a useless spirit. It doesn't have potential for attack, doesn't have defensive power, and doesn't have assisting ability. Blue silver grass is also considered as the standard of useless spirits."

While speaking, he held out the blue crystal ball to the girl in accordance with procedure, and just like he predicted, like before no spirit power appeared.

It was Tang San's turn, Su Yuntao didn't have to speak, he already stepped ahead to stand in the center of the six pitch black stones. Su Yuntao's eyes abruptly shone, because within that golden light, there appeared so many golden flecks that it was even more than what all the previous children possessed together. He faintly sensed, as if a correspondingly powerful spirit would appear. Excitement showed in his manner.

Speaking of those Spirit Hall attendants responsible for ordinary people's spirit awakening, if they could awaken a potentially outstanding child, then bring him to Spirit Hall, they could acquire many first class benefits. With regard to getting promoted it was enormously advantageous.

But very quickly Su Yuntao lost heart.

Liang Xue'er saw Blue Silver Grass appear, then she noticed something, in Tang San's left hand, was a small hammer. She only saw it for a split second because Tang San clenched his fist and it disappeared.

'Ding! That is the Clear Sky Hammer ranked 6 in all the good tool spirits.'

Su Yuntao gave him the ball, feeling dejected not expecting Tang San have any Spirit power.

The ball suddenly shone like the sun.

"Heavens!" exclaimed Su Yuntao, "Is it? It is... Through all my life, I would never expect to meet someone with a full Innate 10! Even if it is only Blue Silver Grass, I can't believe it."

Oh how wrong he actually was...

"Uncle, what is innate full spirit power?"

Su Yuntao dully looked at him, and subconsciously explained:

"For everyone at the time of spirit awakening, apart from a spirit's form, while deciding whether it is big and powerful, the amount of spirit power is also extremely important. Vast amount of people at the time of spirit awakening do not have spirit power, like the several children before this. They are destined to be unable to become spirit masters in their lifetime. But provided spirit power appears, even if only a little, anyone can undergo meditation cultivation. And at the time of spirit awakening the spirit power amount is crucial for setting spirit master cultivation starting level. With higher spirit power level, acquired cultivation rate is greater. Moreover, because of starting level, the fundamentals will naturally also be practiced earlier than others. What is known as innate full spirit power is that at the time of spirit awakening, one is innately capable of attaining the highest spirit power."

The other children very jealous and amazed, yet Liang Xue'er was unfazed. This time, she stepped into the circle. A circle of blue and gold light appeared and swirled around her right hand. Once again, Su Yuntao was full of hope.

They swirled and once Liang Xue'er opened her right hand, a screech cut through the silent air. A magnificent ice phoenix flew down and screeched again. The temperature dropped at rapidly till the candles were all out. The phoenix did a dance and it started snowing, this all happened in about 3 seconds.

The children (including the spirit master and Tang San) were full of aw. More than half of them had their jaws stuck to the ground.

"This is.. This is..." stammered Su Yuntao. "It can't be the legendary Heavenly Variant Snow Fire Phoenix!"

Su Yuntao's eyes stared down at her, "Tell me, what's your name."

Liang Xue'er said, "My name is Liang Xue'er," but she wasn't really paining attention, her left hand was forcing itself open too, she opened it, a purple cat like animal appeared for half a millisecond, then it disappeared. Then she felt a warm sensation through her body.

'Ding! Congratulations! Host has unlock Valkyrie powers and awakened 3 spirits! The Heavenly Variant Snow Fire Phoenix, the 10-lives Nether Moon Civet, and the Golden Spirit Lily Lotus!'

Liang Xue'er held in a groan, "I should of asked for only 2 spirits." she muttered.

Meanwhile Su Yuntao was thinking, he couldn't rejoice before testing her spirit power, he was sure of her having a very high spirit power but he just needed to check. He eagerly held out the blue ball.

There was complete silence as she touched the ball, nothing than, the ball shone brighter than Tang San's and it cracked under her hand, she quickly with threw it.

'Ding! Host has awakened Innate 20 spirit power.'

Liang Xue'er's feet touched the ground as Su Yuntao stopped the flow of spirit power. Su Yuntao was astonished, greater than Innate 10! The pope would have a field day!

"Child! Do you want to join Spirit Hall?" asked Su Yuntao, way too eagerly, he just found a rare treasure and she can't be snatched by others.

Liang Xue'er wasn't sure, but the system basically decided for her.

'Host, please take care, the Pope of Spirit hall is the antagonist of the original Douluo Dalu.'

"Umm. I'm just 6 years old, once I grow older, I will consider joining Spirit Hall." said Liang Xue'er firmly, she didn't want to hurt Su Yuntao's feelings so she still gave him some useless hope.

The disappointment in Su Yuntao's eyes very clear but he sighed and gestured to the children to follow him out the door. Su Yuntao had already picked up the bundle and headed to leave.

"Old Jack."

Door open, old Jack with a tense face went to meet Su Yuntao.

"Grandmaster, what do you think. Do this year's village children possibly have capability of becoming spirit masters?"

Su Yuntao looked at him, made a sighing sound, and said, "There are 2, one is with a trash spirit, Blue Silver Grass and Innate full of Spirit Power and the other one... A girl with the spirit Heavenly Variant Snow Fire Phoenix! With higher than Innate 10 Spirit Power! Pity she didn't want to join Spirit Hall yet. Pity."

"Blue silver grass? Innate full spirit power? Higher than Innate full of spirit power? The legendary Heavenly Variant Snow Fire Phoenix!? Heavens."

On Jack's face was a downcast expression which was much more grave compared to Su Yuntao when he heard the Blue Silver Grass part. He who had been village chief for so many years, naturally understood what significance innate full spirit power represented. But this innate full spirit power appeared with blue silver grass spirit; that truly was...and the other one? He was so proud!

"Grandmaster, blue silver grass truly has no way of cultivation?"

Jack asked with a frown.

Su Yuntao could understand old Jack's state of mind. Instead of his earlier arrogant manner, patting old Jack's shoulder, he said, "It is not entirely unable to cultivate. Only, you consider blue silver grass in rate of spirit promotion; what can evolution accomplish? Useless spirits are in the end useless spirits. Even while becoming a spirit master, he probably will be a useless spirit master. This innate full spirit power truly is a pity. Well then, I will leave first, I must still go to another village."

Su Yuntao in the end did not wait for Tang San to continue asking questions, departing from the village. With no Su Yuntao, Tang San could only run to Jack outside, asking his most urgent question,

"Jack grandpa, what is a spirit ring? How can one obtain a spirit ring?"

Old Jack, as if still thinking over Su Yuntao's words, subconsciously answered:

"I also do not know what spirit ring is. In order to obtain spirit ring, one seemingly must hunt spirit beasts. This is very a very dangerous task that only spirit masters are capable of."

"Oh."

Tang San and Liang Xue'er were the last to exist the building.

"Liang Xue'er, Tang San, could it be you two, the great spirit master was mentioning?" asked Old Jack.

Liang Xue'er smiled and replied, "Of course it would be use, cause I not called Liang Xue'er for nothing!"

Tang San said, "Xue'er, I have something to tell you about my other hand."

"Don't worry, I already know," said Liang Xue'er with a smirk. At the look of confusion on Tang San's face, she explained, "Do you really think NO ONE saw your other spirit?" She was jumpy, once she unlocked her powers, all the Valkyrie stamina got boiled up.

"..."

"Xiao San, Xue'er, tell Grandpa if you whether or not you want to go to a special school to study spirit master cultivation method. Only that place has access to the most accurate knowledge about spirits."

"I will go," said Liang Xue'er, making up her mind.

"Not until I ask my dad," said Tang San.

"Go, little San. Grandpa will accompany you back home."

"Me too!" said Liang Xue'er.

Before noon was Tang Hao's routine nap time, and the smithy was very quiet.

"Tang Hao, Tang Hao."

Old Jack did not care whether Tang Hao was asleep. Concerning this slovenly blacksmith, he truly loathed him very much. Were he not forging farm tools very cheaply, he wanted to kick Tang Hao out of the village long ago.

"Why is everything here so," Liang Xue'er wrinkled her nose, "Dirty?"

At the same time, Old Jack looked around everywhere, at first wanting to find a chair to sit on, but seeing those broken tattered worn out things, he prudently did not have the courage to pull one over. His age was already not inconsiderable, and he had a thought that if he fell in here he would not only pull muscles or break bones.

"Who is making such a fuss?"

Tang Hao's somewhat angry voice resounded. Pushing aside inner room door curtain, he unhurriedly came out.

He first caught sight of his son, only then shifting his gaze to Jack,

"Old Jack, what are you doing?"

Jack angrily said, "Today is the day of your son's spirit awakening. Don't you know how important this is? Other people's families have both parents accompanying. You should go as well, and it still is like always."

"Uncle Hao!" cried Liang Xue'er.

Tang Hao, ignoring Jack's taunts as usual, he greeted Liang Xue'er warmly then, his gaze once again shifted to his son,

"Little San, your spirit awakened? What is it?"

Tang San said:

"Dad, it's blue silver grass."

"Blue silver grass?"

For some reason, despite being disinterested in other matters all along, once Tang Hao heard these three words, his body suddenly trembled all at once, and in his eyes also showed a trace of sparkling brilliance.

Tang Hao's expression changed, only paying attention to Tang San. Old Jack naturally didn't care what the slovenly blacksmith's expression was, and immediately said, "Though it's blue silver grass, but little San still has innate full spirit power. Tang Hao, I've decided that this year our village's one student quota goes to Tang San. Let him go to Nuoding city primary spirit master academy to study. The village will guarantee the costs."

"Blue silver grass, blue silver grass."

Tang Hao again and again murmured these few words, abruptly lifting his head. In his eyes showed a strong light Tang San had never seen before. He said quietly, "Won't do."

"What did you say? I heard it wrong."

Jack dug in his ear, taken aback staring at Tang Hao, "You should know just how valuable this opportunity is. Even if our Holy Spirit village produced a spirit saint once upon a time, every one year we also only have one student quota. For other villages, more than two or three villages have to share one person's quota, don't you know? This is a good opportunity. Perhaps little San is capable of becoming an exalted master. My Xue'er is a genius and is the Great spirit master gave her the money to enroll at Nuoding Academy!"

"What use is being exalted? I just know that if he leaves, no one will make me food. Blue silver grass, what do you think cultivating blue silver grass can accomplish? That is only a useless spirit."

"Uncle Hao is the Clear Sky Titled Douluo but still doesn't know how too make his own food!" Liang Xue'er was giggling, finding that piece of information very funny.

"What?" Tang Hao's gaze shifted to Liang Xue'er, how did she know?

Old Jack, due to his hearing problems did not hear her, "But he has innate full spirit power, as long as he is able to obtain a spirit ring, even if it's the least quality spirit ring, he is also immediately capable of becoming a spirit master. Spirit master, you understand? Our village already has not produced a spirit master in so many years."

"Haha. A Titled Douluo, let alone the Clear Sky Douluo won't let his son become a Spirit Master even if his son has twin Spirits!" Liang Xue'er teased. This was all part of the plan to get Tang Hao to let Tang San go to school with her, Liang Xue'er won't admit it but she was afraid to go alone.

Surprise. That was the only thing that was on his face.

"Fine, Xiao San can go if he wish," said Tang Hao after hearing Liang Xue'er, "Now leave."

"Bye! Remember our meeting!" called Liang Xue'er as she ran out the door leaving a very very curious Tang Hao.

"..."