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Opening the Martial Soul Awakening Manual, Lu Xian glanced over it a few times and quickly grasped the awakening process. According to the manual, every person has something called a Martial Soul within them, and awakening it is more like a process that guides the Martial Soul from deep within.
Lu Xian hadn't forgotten why he was here today. He took out the Martial Soul Awakening Stone and arranged a hexagonal awakening formation on the ground.
"Nannan, stand in the center. Lu-ge is going to try awakening your Martial Soul."
The little girl obediently responded with a soft "Okay" and stood in the middle of the formation, looking as well-behaved as ever. Seeing this, Lu Xian didn't hesitate. He followed the manual's instructions, continuously channeling his soul power into the Awakening Stone. The stone emitted a dazzling golden light, enveloping the girl within.
"Nannan, do you feel anything?" Lu Xian asked as he maintained the formation.
"Warm and comfy, like snuggling under the blanket last night." The little girl squinted her big eyes into crescent moons and answered sweetly.
"Uh…"
"I mean, do you feel like something is trying to come out of your body?"
The little girl tilted her head, thinking for a moment. She didn't feel like she needed to pee or anything.
Lu Xian had her lift her palms to check, but nothing appeared—no Devouring Demon Urn, no Dao Treasure Bottle…
Clearly, she hadn't become a Xia Lan…
Ahem! More likely, she didn't have a Martial Soul at all.
Just as Lu Xian was about to shake his head and give up, a misty glow suddenly flowed out from Nannan's body. The glow condensed behind her, forming a tall, ethereal figure dressed in a moon-white robe.
Her long hair billowed, shimmering with stardust-like radiance. Her elegant robes fluttered as if she stood in another realm. Her presence was breathtakingly extraordinary, exuding an aura of absolute transcendence, like an immortal gracing the mortal world.
On her jade-like neck, instead of a world-shaking beauty's face, a ghostly mask covered her features, leaving only her lower jaw and a pair of clear, autumn-water-like eyes visible.
Her gaze was calm, void of joy or sorrow. After pausing briefly on Lu Xian, she turned her eyes toward the world around her…
Holy crap, she has her own consciousness. This is the real Empress!
Lu Xian froze for a moment, then felt his scalp tingle.
First Soul Skill—Activate!
🎵 "Being invincible is so… so lonely…" 🎵
🎵 "Being invincible is so… so empty…" 🎵
🎵 "Standing alone at the peak…" 🎵
🎵 "The cold wind keeps blowing…" 🎵
The mix of over-the-top lyrics and exaggerated singing formed a ridiculous yet bizarrely captivating performance. The Empress's gaze returned to Lu Xian, eyes behind the ghostly mask sweeping over his glowing shield with an expression of intrigue.
If Ye Fan were here, he'd definitely say, "Lu bro, I know that look. The Empress approves!"
Approves your ass—
It must've been that time when he transported Nannan back and forth, something unknown must've happened. The Empress had likely left a wisp of her consciousness within Nannan. Otherwise, no matter how powerful she was, she shouldn't be able to break through the world's barrier and descend upon Douluo Star.
Lu Xian quickly pieced everything together.
But now that his "Invincible" soul skill was active, he wasn't as panicked. What should a normal person do in this situation?
Lu Xian didn't know what others would do.
But if it were him—
With a blank expression, he raised his phone and snapped a photo—click!
Then he turned slightly, stepped back, flashed a grin, and threw up a peace sign—click!
Next—
He pulled out a pen and paper, put on a confident smile, and…
Fake-laughed, "Your Majesty, hello! I'm actually a huge fan from another world. May I… uh… get an autograph?"
The moon-white-robed figure didn't even glance at the offered pen and paper. She simply continued to stare at Lu Xian, her gaze unwavering. His fake smile was on the verge of crumbling.
"Sigh… No autograph? Oh well." Lu Xian chuckled awkwardly, stuffing the pen and paper away. Then he reached into his storage ring and… pulled out a spiked club.
"Oops, my bad. Nervous hands… grabbed the wrong thing."
He rummaged again and pulled out a rattling drum he had bought for Nannan. Holding it like a microphone, he asked, "May I interview you?
As the most astonishing Empress in Beidou's history, who was your strongest opponent? That whole 'fighting until even the Dao itself eroded' thing—was that real?
What's your favorite food? What do you do when you're bored? Do you need a cute guy to follow you around? Any plans to sponsor a pretty-boy disciple?"
The corner of her lips twitched slightly, her indifferent gaze finally wavering. Before Lu Xian could ask more, the figure vanished as suddenly as she had appeared.
"Hey, don't go! I wasn't done yet!"
"Damn… What a waste."
Opportunities to interview a living legend don't come by every day. Lu Xian sighed in regret, rattling the drum in frustration. If he had built up a stronger connection, maybe he could've lived the soft life under a powerful sugar mommy!
"Why do all the women I meet have zero compassion?"
[Lu Xian: Empress photo.jpg]
[Lu Xian: Peace sign selfie.jpg]
[Lu Xian: Just caught a wild Empress, but she escaped. Heartbreaking. Also, screw you, Ye Black! Almost got me killed! Luckily, my invincibility skill saved me. We fought three hundred rounds, nearly erased the Dao itself, and in the end, she had to back off!]
[Lu Xueqi: Seems like it was just a projection?]
[Xiao Yan: So this is the legendary Empress? Do all strong people like wearing masks?]
[Ye Fan: Lu bro, you had time to take pictures? The atmosphere seems pretty chill?]
[Flame Spirit Princess: You weren't even a little scared facing someone like that?]
[Lu Xian: What's the point of being scared? As if fear could save me? We all start as ordinary people. She's just lived longer, that's all. My Dao heart fears no one. I crush all enemies! I consume all rivals! I am destined to dominate the world!]
Right, System!
Give me a lottery pull!
[Spent 100 Abstract Points: Received a lollipop]
[Spent 100 Abstract Points: Received a box of tissues]
[Spent 100 Abstract Points: Received a box of condoms]
[Spent 100 Abstract Points: Received a bag of sunflower seeds]
[Spent 100 Abstract Points: Received a power bank]
Remaining Abstract Points: 39,000.
Mother—
That's all I got from five pulls?
Wait, the power bank might be useful. Lu Xian took it out and checked.
Damn, it's out of power!
If I pull another 100-point prize, I'm a dog!
[Ye Fan: That last line… If I remember right, that's my line.]
[Lu Xian: Your line was great, but now it's mine! ]
He peeled open the lollipop and stuck it into the still-dazed Nannan's mouth. The other random items were tossed back into his storage ring.
"Alright, Nannan, place your hand on this and let's test your soul power." He pulled out a soul power crystal. Since the Empress projection appeared, he considered her Martial Soul officially awakened. Naturally, he had to complete the process properly.
"Okay!" Nannan nodded, holding the lollipop in her mouth as she placed her tiny hand on the crystal ball.
In an instant, the crystal ball shone brightly—then cracked with countless spiderweb-like fractures.
Lu Xian's eyes widened. He snatched the ball and hurled it away.
A muffled explosion echoed in the distance, followed by a miserable scream.
"....."