Tang San acknowledged with an answer and then stepped out of the blacksmith's shop.
Under Old Jack's guidance, Tang San followed him to the Martial Soul Hall located at the center of the village. Of course, this so-called Martial Soul Hall was merely a slightly larger wooden hut.
Since everyone possessed a Martial Soul and children underwent Martial Soul Awakening every year, the presence of Martial Soul Halls could be found in any corner of Soul Land. Of course, these were all just branch halls, and their levels varied.
This year, there were a total of eight children in Saint Soul Village undergoing Martial Soul Awakening, and Tang San, guided by Old Jack, was the last to arrive.
The children in the village didn't think highly of Tang San. The disdain for poverty and the preference for wealth are not found only among nobles; it is even more pronounced among commoners. As Tang San himself had lived two lifetimes, his actual age had already surpassed thirty; naturally, he wasn't inclined to interact with these children. To him, any spare time would be better spent on cultivation. Thus, he lacked childhood friends.
Aside from Village Chief Jack and the eight assembled children, there was a young man in the Martial Soul Hall. He appeared to be in his twenties, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, and was quite handsome. Dressed in a white outfit with a black cloak on his back, there was a fist-sized "Soul" character in the center of his chest, the standard attire for a core member of the Martial Soul Hall.
On his left chest was a badge carved with a Longsword, upon which three Longswords were interlaced. Old Jack, who was well-versed in Soul Masters, knew that the three blades represented the third-level title of Grand Soul Master, and the Longsword indicated that this deacon from the Martial Soul Hall was a Battle Soul Master.
"Hello, honorable Battle Grand Master, we'll be troubling you this time," said Old Jack, respectfully saluting the young man.
The young man's brows exuded a faint arrogance as he slightly bowed, which was considered a return of the greeting, "I don't have much time, let's start now."
"Alright. Children, this is the Battle Grand Master from Notting City. He will lead you in awakening your Martial Souls. You must cooperate with the Grand Master in your Martial Soul Awakening. Grandpa is looking forward to seeing some of you become Soul Masters," said Old Jack.
The young man said impatiently, "Alright, you said the same thing last year. Is it really that easy to become a Soul Master? I've been to six villages already and haven't found a single person with Soul Power, nor a suitable Martial Soul."
A trace of sorrow showed in Old Jack's eyes as he sighed, "Indeed! Only the heirs of the great sects have the easiest time becoming Soul Masters. For us common folks, it's just too difficult." Shaking his head, he walked out of the Martial Soul Hall.
The young man's gaze fell upon the eight children in front of him. As an inspector deacon of the Martial Soul Hall, aiding ordinary people in their Martial Soul Awakening was his mandatory duty, and he had long become accustomed to it, "Children, line up," he said, his tone much gentler towards the kids.
The eight children formed a line in front of the young man, with Tang San standing on the far left. His figure was thinner compared to the children of the same age.
The young man smiled and said, "My name is Su Yuntao, a level 26 Grand Soul Master, and I am your guide. Now, I will perform the Martial Soul Awakening on you one by one. Remember, no matter what happens, do not be afraid."
While speaking, Su Yuntao opened his package on a table nearby, taking out two items: six black round stones and a bright blue crystal ball.
Su Yuntao arranged the six black stones on the ground in a hexagonal shape, then motioned for the first child on the right to stand in the middle.
"Don't be afraid, close your eyes and feel carefully," he said. As he spoke, Su Yuntao's eyes suddenly lit up. As the children watched in horror, he shouted, "Lone Wolf, embody!"
A faint glimmer of blue light first emerged from the center of his forehead, tracing upward along his brow to his hair.
Su Yuntao's hair was originally black, but as soon as the blue light entered, it turned gray in an instant and grew quickly. Hair of the same color appeared on the backs of his hands exposed to the air, and at the same time, his body also seemed more swollen than before, filled with a sense of muscle.
The specific clothing of the Martial Soul Hall was quite elastic and did not burst despite his enlarged body. Su Yuntao's eyes had turned a glimmering green, and claws gleamed on his fingertips with a faint cold light. Two rings of light emerged at his feet, moving continuously from his feet to the top of his head. One was white and the other yellow, each distinctly eerie.
The boy who was called into the midst of the black stones began to scream, "Ah—" in fright, ready to run.
The green glow in Su Yuntao's eyes was indeed frightening, but he grasped the child firmly, "Don't move. As I said, don't be afraid. This is my Martial Soul, Lone Wolf. If any of you become a Soul Master in the future, you will be able to use the same power."
The only one who was not too afraid was Tang San, who immediately circulated his power throughout his body as Su Yuntao underwent the transformation.
More than surprise, Tang San was curious. The appearance of gray hair, green eyes—those were indeed the characteristics of a wolf. Could it be that after the Martial Soul adorned the body, a person became a wolf? No, that wasn't right; it should be having the abilities of a wolf. Then, the profession of a Soul Master must be about better utilizing the powers of the Martial Soul.
For the first time, Tang San found himself interested in the profession of Soul Master. He was now eager to find out what his Martial Soul would be.
Su Yuntao quickly slapped his hands, and six faint green lights were infused into the six black stones on the ground. Suddenly, a layer of golden light emitted from the stones, forming a pale golden barrier that enveloped the previously mentioned child.