Douluo Continent, Southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire, Fasinuo Province.
Notting City, Holy Soul Village.
"Knock, knock."
"Uncle Tang Hao, I'm here to see Xiao San."
A delicate-looking child gently knocked on the door. Without waiting for Tang Hao's response, he directly pushed the door open and peeked inside.
In the dimly lit room, Tang Hao lay on the bed, drunkenly holding a slightly yellowed porcelain bottle of liquor. He didn't even notice Xiao Lin entering.
"Xiao San isn't here?"
Xiao Lin glanced around for a moment, shook his head, and closed the door.
It seemed that Xiao San had gone to practice the Mysterious Heaven Technique again.
Looking at Tang San's impoverished home, where even the dining area was merged with the bedroom, Xiao Lin was certain that Tang San wouldn't cultivate the Mysterious Heaven Technique in front of Tang Hao.
Even after three years of interaction, providing Tang San with food, clothing, and shelter, Tang San had never shared the Mysterious Heaven Technique with him.
However, Xiao Lin didn't blame him for it.
After all, Tang San was a transmigrator, and this was his biggest secret. Not even Tang Hao knew about it.
How could a mere friend of three years expect Tang San to hand over such a technique?
A technique that could supposedly be used all the way into the fourth installment of the series.
At least, that's what he'd heard.
Xiao Lin wasn't entirely sure—he had only come across such discussions online in his past life. Some people even claimed that the Douluo Continent was the lowest of the low in the power system.
But Xiao Lin didn't care about that.
As long as this world allowed him to fly, achieve immortality, and become a god, then it was a great place.
Helping out the pitiful Tang San was also part of his plan—to cling tightly to his future success.
As long as his awakened martial soul had an innate soul power of at least level five, even if he ended up with the "trash among trash"—Blue Silver Grass—he could still leech off immortal herbs and become a Titled Douluo eventually.
Of course, if he could awaken a powerful martial soul, that would be even better.
But Xiao Lin had little hope for that.
He was an orphan, picked up and raised by Old Jack.
No great family would abandon their child in a remote village like this.
—
Xiao Lin quickly ran toward the small hill where Tang San always trained.
At this moment, the sky was just beginning to brighten, with a faint white glow on the eastern horizon.
From the base of the hill, Xiao Lin could already see a small, thin boy, around five or six years old, training at the top.
"Xiao San, didn't I tell you today is your Martial Soul Awakening Day?"
"Hurry up and come down! Don't keep Brother Tao waiting!"
Xiao Lin said with mild annoyance.
"Coming, Lin-ge!"
From the hilltop, Tang San's voice rang out.
Xiao Lin frowned slightly, standing in place, watching Tang San swiftly descend.
"Not bad, he's pretty fast."
Even though Xiao Lin didn't have a special cultivation technique like Tang San, he wasn't a fool.
He had taken the initiative long ago, heading to Notting City to study soul master knowledge.
He currently practiced the most common meditation technique on the continent, along with the basic distraction control technique.
Both of these were free to learn at the Martial Soul Hall in Notting City.
There wasn't much to explain about meditation techniques, and while the distraction control technique wasn't as good as what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect used, it was still decent.
Unlike their specialized martial-soul-based technique, the general version was much weaker and had a slower training speed.
Still, thanks to his transmigrator's advantages, Xiao Lin had trained his distraction control technique to the third level: "Three Apertures Mind Control."
—
"Lin-ge, let's go."
By the time Xiao Lin snapped out of his thoughts, Tang San had already reached the bottom of the hill.
He wore a simple gray cloth outfit, his short black hair neatly trimmed, and his skin was a healthy wheat color.
Even after running down the hill, he wasn't out of breath or blushing.
Xiao Lin exhaled deeply, acting like a mature elder brother.
"You… You never stop, do you? I already told you today's the awakening ceremony."
"If you awaken some trash martial soul, what will you do then?"
Xiao Lin said irritably, dragging Tang San toward the Martial Soul Hall in the village center.
Calling it a "Martial Soul Hall" was a bit of an overstatement—it was just a slightly larger wooden house.
At this important moment of their Martial Soul Awakening, Xiao Lin and Tang San were both excited, running all the way to the hall's entrance.
—
"Possessed by the Lone Wolf!"
Inside the room, Su Yuntao let out a low roar.
His body suddenly expanded, his exposed skin covered in gray-green fur, and his eyes turned glowing green.
His sharp claws gleamed in the dimly lit room, and at his feet, one white and one yellow soul ring flickered faintly.
"That's the Tao-ge I told you about, a Soul Master from Notting City."
Xiao Lin whispered to the already shocked Tang San.
"Looks like we arrived just in time."
But Tang San wasn't listening.
He just stared blankly at Su Yuntao's transformed state.
"So this is the law of this world… I wonder what my martial soul will be."
Tang San activated his Purple Demon Eye, trying to analyze the awakening process.
Seeing Tang San's focused expression, Xiao Lin rolled his eyes, knowing that his words had been ignored.
He turned his attention to the other children awakening their martial souls.
"No matter how many times I see it, it never gets old. If my martial soul turns out to be garbage, then I'll have to rely on Tang San's backing."
Without sufficient power, Xiao Lin wouldn't dare to steal immortal herbs or go against the Martial Soul Hall alone.
With his cautious, research-oriented mindset, he firmly believed that staying alive was the most important thing.
—
Soon, the other children finished their awakening ceremonies.
Only Xiao Lin and Tang San were left.
"Xiao Lin, do you want to go first?"
Su Yuntao asked, sounding a little tired but willing to continue since only two remained.
"Hehe, let Xiao San go first."
Xiao Lin stepped back, pushing Tang San forward with an encouraging look.
"Xiao San, even if your martial soul turns out to be trash, don't worry—Ge will look after you."
Xiao Lin shamelessly continued flattering Tang San, securing his future backing.
Tang San's eyes flashed with a trace of gratitude before he quickly regained his composure and stepped forward.
Under Su Yuntao's awakening ritual, Tang San's martial soul awakening went exactly as in the original story.
However, Xiao Lin secretly noticed the faint glow on Tang San's hidden left hand.
If he hadn't been deliberately observing, no one in this dimly lit room would have noticed Tang San's secret.
"Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass… a trash martial soul."
Su Yuntao sighed, already used to such results.
He had hoped Xiao Lin's friend would surprise him.
Just as Su Yuntao was about to call Xiao Lin forward, Tang San suddenly asked, "Can you test my soul power?"
—
And then, the shocking revelation came—
Innate Full Soul Power!
"T-this… Blue Silver Grass with innate full soul power?! Child, do you want to join the Martial Soul Hall?"
Su Yuntao stammered, visibly shaken.
"Alright, Tao-ge, he needs to ask his father first. Now hurry up and awaken mine!"
Xiao Lin swiftly provided Tang San an excuse before stepping forward excitedly.
"Yes, I need to ask my dad."
After Tang San bowed politely to Su Yuntao, he stood aside, quietly waiting for Xiao Lin to awaken.
—
(End of Chapter)