Chapter 1: Martial Soul Awakening

On the Barbaric Ancient Continent, a Martial Soul was an essential factor for every Warrior's cultivation.

Martial Souls were graded into ranks, from low to high: Yellow, Xuan, Earth, Heaven, Emperor, God.

"Brother Lin Bai, your Soul Strength is getting stronger and stronger, with your current talent, your Martial Soul awakening today should, at least, be of the Earth Grade, right?"

On a path in the Lin Family residence, a lovely girl, clinging affectionately to the proud and confident youth beside her, was beaming.

This girl was Lin Zi'er, the daughter of the Grand Elder of the Lin Family. Since childhood, she was exceptionally talented and was recognized as the number one genius girl in Lingxi City. The boy beside her was her playmate from an early age, Lin Bai.

Lin Bai, the only son of the previous Patriarch Lin Duo, displayed astounding Martial Arts talent since his youth. He and Lin Zi'er were dubbed the "golden boy and jade girl" of Lingxi City.

"After consuming so many Soul Nourishing Elixir Pills left by my father these years, my Soul Strength has greatly improved. I also believe that my Martial Soul is now above the Earth Grade." Lin Bai spoke, his gaze steady, flashing with a unique glow.

It could be seen from Lin Bai's gaze that today's Martial Soul awakening was incredibly important to him.

"Once I awaken an Earth Grade or higher Martial Soul, I will have enough strength to find my father. When my father disappeared without saying goodbye, I suspect it has something to do with my mother," Lin Bai slowly said.

Lin Zi'er giggled obediently, "Brother Lin Bai, no matter why Uncle Lin Duo left without saying goodbye, I believe, with Brother Lin Bai's talents, you can definitely find him. Moreover, you will surely find your mother."

"Hmm, let's go, Zi'er, it's getting late, we should head to the Martial Arts Arena."

Lin Zi'er smiled obediently and held Lin Bai's hand affectionately as they walked towards the Martial Arts Arena.

...

Upon entering the Lin Family Martial Arts Arena, the crowd swelled with disciples waiting for their awakening.

"Martial Soul Awakening, it begins now!"

"Lin Hai, step forward for your awakening."

In the center of the Martial Arts Arena was a platform with a giant black stone. This was the Martial Soul Stone.

Hearing the call, a robust young man stepped onto the Martial Soul Stone with excitement. He placed his hands on the stone for a moment before it lit up with a burst of crimson glow.

"Lin Hai, Yellow Level fifth Grade Martial Soul, Swift Thunder Leopard!"

The disciple named Lin Hai heard his Martial Soul was Yellow Level fifth Grade, and immediately burst into joyous tears, "Hahaha, I'm Yellow Level fifth Grade, Yellow Level fifth Grade. Haha, I'm going to become a Warrior. I'm going to become a master."

A Yellow Level fifth Grade Martial Soul was already considered high among the disciples of the Lin Family.

Under the envious gazes of the warriors, Lin Hai walked down from the platform.

"Next, step down. Next one, Lin Zi'er," called the Elder.

Lin Zi'er displayed a smile to Lin Bai, "Brother Lin Bai, I'm going."

Lin Bai replied with a smile, "Go on, give it your best."

"Hmm."

Lin Zi'er obediently nodded and ascended the platform.

Soon after Lin Zi'er placed her hands on the Martial Soul Stone, a pillar of crimson light exploded towards the sky. This spectacle could be seen by all warriors within thousands of miles.

"The crimson light reaches the sky! It's Heavenly Grade!"

"Heavenly-grade Martial Soul!"

"My god, even Lin Duo back then was only at Earth Grade. Lin Zi'er actually reached Heavenly Grade!"

The Elder standing next to the Martial Soul Stone, startled by the crimson light, remained speechless for a long while before exclaiming in shock, "Lin Zi'er, Lin Zi'er, Lin Zi'er, Heaven Level Fifth Grade!"

"Lin Zi'er, Heaven Level Fifth Grade Martial Soul, Primordial Divine Woman's Way!"

"Heaven Level Fifth Grade!"

"Primordial Divine Woman's Way, what kind of Martial Soul is that!"

Hearing the astonished voices around him, Lin Bai calmly remarked, "Primordial Divine Woman's Way is a Martial Soul with the potential to reach God-Level. Once the Martial Soul is awakened, it is granted a unique cultivation technique. It's probably ranked within the top one hundred Martial Souls at the Heavenly Level!"

"Sister Zi'er really didn't let me down."

Lin Bai laughed, "Sister Zi'er's Soul Strength is not as good as mine. Since she has awakened a Heavenly Grade Martial Soul, since my Soul Strength is stronger than hers, then my Martial Soul... would it not be..."

At that thought, Lin Bai felt his heart race with excitement.

Lin Zi'er's face turned red from excitement. Surrounded by the admiration of thousands of warriors, she joyously ran to Lin Bai's side and cheerfully shouted, "Brother Lin Bai, did you see that?"

"Mmm, congratulations, Zi'er," Lin Bai said sincerely.

Lin Zi'er grinned, "Zi'er's soul power is too weak, not matching up to Brother Lin Bai. But since Zi'er can awaken a Heavenly-grade Martial Soul, Brother Lin Bai must have at least an Emperor-grade Martial Soul! I want to congratulate Brother Lin Bai first."

"Hahaha. I haven't awakened yet. It's too early to congratulate me." Lin Bai chuckled, shaking his head, his heart pounding with anticipation.

"Lin Bai, step forward for your Martial Soul awakening!"

The Elder called out loudly and Lin Bai stepped up onto the high platform in response.

"It's Lin Bai! He's the Lin Family's top prodigy!"

"His father is Lin Dou, who once possessed an Earth Grade 9 Martial Soul. Lin Bai is his son, and he has taken so many soul power elixir pills since childhood. I believe Lin Bai's Martial Soul will be even more astonishing."

"Yes, I'm really looking forward to it. Lin Bai's Martial Soul should be at least of the Heaven level!"

Lin Bai stepped onto the platform and placed his hands on the Martial Soul Stone. Then, the Martial Soul Stone illuminated with a red glow.

The Elder next to him saw the glow and could hardly believe his own eyes.

After his initial shock, the Elder chuckled disdainfully and announced, "Lin Bai! Yellow Level First Grade Martial Soul! Sword Martial Soul."

"What?"

"Yellow Level First Grade?"

"Hahaha, this is hilarious. Lin Bai is actually Yellow Level First Grade."

"The Lin Family has been in Lingxi City for three hundred years, and there hasn't been such a useless Martial Soul!"

"Hahaha, is this piece of trash not going to get off the stage? How embarrassing, even I have a Yellow Level fifth Grade Martial Soul. You're only Yellow Level First Grade." Lin Hai, who had awakened his Martial Soul earlier, pointed at Lin Bai and laughed.

"What kind of prodigy is this? Total bullshit!"

Standing on the platform, Lin Bai smiled bitterly after a brief moment of surprise. As he returned to Lin Zi'er's side, he asked, "Is this the nature of people?"

"Let's leave, Zi'er."

Having awakened a Yellow Level First Grade Martial Soul and becoming the laughingstock of the Martial Arts Arena, Lin Bai had no desire to stay.

He reached out to hold Lin Zi'er's hand.

Slap!

Lin Zi'er forcefully slapped Lin Bai's extended hand turning it purple-red.

Lin Zi'er sneered, "Hmph, just who exactly do you think you are to dare to hold my hand!"

"Lin Bai, you should be mindful of your place in the future. A Yellow Level First Grade piece of trash like you even dares to approach me?" Lin Zi'er coldly laughed, "I warn you, if you dare to get within three steps of me in the future, I swear I'll cut off your head!"

"Zi'er, even you..." Lin Bai stared at Lin Zi'er, disbelief evident in his eyes.

The Lin Zi'er who used to cuddle up to him, who used to be docile and pleasant, had now shown him a completely different face.

Lin Bai's face turned red with anger, grinding his teeth he sputtered out, "Fine, fine, fine. It appears I misjudged people for these past years!"

"It's not that you misjudged people, it's me. I had initially thought that given your father Lin Duo's awakening of an Earth Grade 9 Martial Soul, his son would at least have an Earth Grade 9 Martial Soul."

"But who could imagine that you're nothing but a piece of trash who awakened a Yellow Level First Grade!"

"I was the one who was blind. I was thinking that you could pave a Martial Arts path for me in the future. Now it seems I've wasted a decade or so on you." Lin Zi'er looked at Lin Bai with a look of disgust.

Lin Bai was astonished, "You stayed close to me just so I could pave a Martial Arts path for you... What about the vows we once made? What about our promises of eternal love?"

Lin Zi'er laughed mockingly, "Hahaha, if your Martial Soul was superior to mine, I might have actually considered marrying you. But look at yourself now, a Yellow Level First Grade piece of trash, we are destined to live in two different worlds. Don't get your hopes up, toads can't eat swan meat!"

"I'm a toad? Hahaha, fine, Lin Zi'er, I will make you regret this. Just you wait and see!" Lin Bai said, then stormed out of the Martial Arts Arena in anger.

Along the way, countless warriors from the Lin Family pointed at Lin Bai, laughing loudly, "Hahaha, the so-called top prodigy of the Lin Family is nothing but a Yellow Level First Grade piece of trash."

"Trash, why are you looking at me? I'm a Yellow Level Third Grade, stronger than you. Keep staring, and I'll gouge out your eyes!"

"Trash will always be trash, why are you getting angry? A piece of trash like you, do you even have the right to get angry?"

The ridicule along the way was too much for Lin Bai to bear. Clenching his fists, Lin Bai insisted firmly, "I will make all of you regret this!"