Nan Feihuang led Dian Wei and the other two into the inner hall, following behind Nan Tianchen and Lan Xue.
A specially prepared awakening formation awaited Nan Feihuang, though it was small and could only awaken one person at a time.
Nan Tianchen frowned as he glanced at the three people following behind his son.
"I say, Huang'er, are you sure you want these three to awaken their martial souls alongside you?" Nan Tianchen asked, clearly displeased.
Nan Feihuang nodded firmly. "Of course, Father. Didn't you teach me that a ruler needs trusted confidants? People you can trust wholeheartedly to handle important matters. And the best confidants are those raised from a young age. These three are the ones I've chosen."
Nan Tianchen sighed helplessly. "I did tell you to raise confidants, but I didn't mean pick such... odd ones." He had to wonder if his son's eyes saw the world differently than others.
In most ways, Nan Feihuang was an ideal child—obedient, diligent, and quick to learn. He made his father proud in nearly every aspect.
Except for his choices in people.
One was mentally challenged, another was mute, and the last had a name that no one could pronounce correctly. They were all born as slaves, so how could these three possibly be qualified to serve as his future confidants?
"Alright, alright," Lan Xue interjected gently. "Huang'er is still young and doesn't fully understand. He probably just picked them based on appearance. Let them awaken their martial souls first, and we'll see."
The three were indeed an unusual bunch.
Dian Wei was a hulking boy with a wide, simple face, clearly someone who acted more than he spoke and followed Nan Feihuang's every word like a loyal fool.
Xun Yu had a refined, scholarly appearance. Nan Feihuang likely kept him around just to have someone to study with.
As for Lü Lingqi, though still young, it was obvious she would grow into a stunning beauty. Her future attractiveness could rival anyone's, though it was a pity she was mute. Otherwise, she could have made a good match for her son.
"Fine, let's see their martial souls first," Nan Tianchen relented, waving his hand dismissively.
But Lan Xue noticed a hint of coldness in his tone. If these three showed no talent, Nan Tianchen, as the king, would not allow his son—the future ruler—to rely on such individuals.
After all, they were merely slaves. Their lives meant nothing to Nan Tianchen.
"You go first," Nan Tianchen pointed at Dian Wei.
Dian Wei stood there motionless until Nan Feihuang spoke up. "Erlai, go ahead."
"Oh!" Dian Wei responded blankly and walked forward with heavy steps.
Nan Tianchen, instead of being irritated, found this obedience rather pleasing. Though Dian Wei seemed slow-witted, he clearly listened to his master's every command.
The most important trait of a confidant was loyalty, and Dian Wei embodied that perfectly.
"Alright, let's see your potential. Don't disappoint my Huang'er," Nan Tianchen muttered as he activated the awakening formation with his spirit power.
His martial soul, the Ancient Thunder Tome, manifested in his hand, surrounded by seven rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black. Among all the monarchs, Nan Tianchen's strength was considered top-tier, second only to the White Tiger Emperor of the Star Luo Empire.
In contrast, the Heaven Dou Empire's Snowy Night Emperor reportedly didn't even have the power of a Spirit King—a stark difference.
Under the influence of Nan Tianchen's spirit power, Dian Wei's body floated up, his hands glowing brightly. Suddenly, a fierce killing intent filled the room, as if they were in the midst of a battlefield.
After all, in his past life, Dian Wei had been a mighty general who slaughtered countless enemies on the battlefield.
Lan Xue's eyes gleamed with interest. She knew such a killing aura couldn't come from a six-year-old child, but from his martial soul. To have such an overwhelming presence at the moment of awakening—this martial soul was definitely extraordinary.
Finally, the light in Dian Wei's hands settled, revealing two halberds glowing with flames.
These weren't twin martial souls but a pair of weapons—dual iron halberds.
Each halberd was three and a half feet long, with flat sides and tips adorned with sharp, inch-long spikes. The hilt was connected by three protruding spheres, and the spikes were conical with sharp tips. The blade was thin, curving outward, becoming thinner and sharper towards the ends. Dian Wei wielded one in each hand.
These were none other than Dian Wei's signature weapons from his previous life. Had it not been for Huchu'er stealing them, the Zhang Xiu army would have had a much harder time killing him.
In this reincarnation, these halberds were named Blazing Explosive Dual Halberds, designed by Beixuan. The left halberd contained powerful fire attributes, while the right one held explosive properties, making this a martial soul focused entirely on brute strength.
"What a fine martial soul!" Lan Xue couldn't help but praise. "A halberd-type, just like mine. And dual halberds, no less—a rarity."
"Let's test your innate spirit power," Nan Tianchen said, pulling out a crystal ball. His tone towards Dian Wei softened considerably.
Just by appearance alone, he could tell this martial soul was extraordinary. The innate spirit power accompanying it couldn't possibly be low.
Those in high-ranking positions understood well that the quality of a martial soul was directly proportional to the innate spirit power it awakened with.
"Erlai, withdraw your martial soul and touch the crystal ball," Nan Feihuang instructed.
"Yes!" Dian Wei obediently withdrew his halberds and placed his hands on the crystal ball. Instantly, a dazzling light filled the room, the brilliance of which left no doubt that the entire ball was filled.
Lan Xue was stunned. "The crystal ball only needs to glow faintly to show the presence of spirit power. This blinding light—comparable to what I saw in my own youth—could it be? No, it must be—innate full spirit power!"
Nan Tianchen wore the same shocked expression as his wife. Who would have thought that the seemingly slow-witted boy they took in was actually a rare gem with full innate spirit power?
A loyal, simple-minded individual with overwhelming strength—wasn't that the perfect confidant?
Nan Tianchen now held some hope for the other two. If one treasure had appeared, why couldn't there be a second or third?
"Step aside for now, child. Let me awaken your friend's martial soul next," Nan Tianchen said kindly, patting Dian Wei's head.
This world respected power. If you had worth, you earned respect. Without it, no one would care if you died.
"Aaah... Aaah..." Lü Lingqi walked forward, pointing to herself, indicating that it was her turn next.
Nan Tianchen nodded and activated the awakening formation once more. Like before, Lü Lingqi's body floated in the air.
In her hands, a peculiar martial soul appeared—resembling a massive windmill in shape.
It was another halberd, but this time, even rarer than dual iron halberds—a cross halberd.
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