"Another one with innate full soul power?!"
Su Yuntao didn't know whether to feel lucky… or just plain helpless.
The last child with full innate soul power had awakened Blue Silver Grass a martial soul with no offensive capabilities. Even if it were used for support, he couldn't imagine what it could actually support.
And now this one... also born with full innate soul power, had awakened a martial soul in the form of a heart.
But what could a heart even do?
Technically, it did manifest as a Beast Martial Soul—an attached type, residing within the body. But even so... what use was it?
Attack?
Su Yuntao couldn't picture a heart launching attacks. It's such a vital organ—most people would focus on protecting it, not weaponizing it!
Support?
Maybe the heart could enhance physical endurance?
In the end, based on all of Su Yuntao's learning, while he didn't lump Zhou Qing's martial soul in with Blue Silver Grass and other notoriously useless types, he still filed it under "waste martial souls"—just a slightly more advanced kind.
But Zhou Qing knew better.
This was a True Body Martial Soul!
In this era, True Body Martial Souls were incredibly rare. Those who awakened them were mostly commoners, and since there were almost no recorded cases, the cultivation paths were entirely undocumented. As a result, those who did awaken such souls usually suffered rough and uncertain paths of growth—many dying before reaching any potential.
It wouldn't be until ten thousand years later, during the era of Douluo Dalu II, that True Body Martial Souls would rise. That rise was likely due to the fall of the Spirit Hall, which led to the leakage of vast amounts of internal knowledge—research that included data on True Body Martial Souls. With time, trial, and error, soul masters eventually refined the most effective ways to cultivate them.
Zhou Qing was certain: with how powerful Spirit Hall had been, they must have studied True Body Martial Souls. But because research was so difficult and time-consuming and because such souls were extensions of the human body itself it was nearly impossible to classify what types of soul beasts best matched them for soul rings.
At least with most other martial souls, no matter how strange, they had a clear appearance or function. Even someone with limited knowledge could make rough guesses about what kind of beast they should hunt, based on the soul's form and category Tool Soul or Beast Soul.
Take Su Yuntao's Lone Wolf for example. Even if he didn't understand much about cultivation, Zhou Qing was certain he would naturally gravitate toward wolf-type soul beasts when the time came.
That kind of instinctual judgment was common.
But with a True Body Martial Soul...
Given how little people in this era understood the human body, it was no surprise that no one had a clue what soul rings would suit it best.
Zhou Qing, however, had a clear starting point.
Since his martial soul was a heart, he knew this: the soul beasts he chose must have extremely strong life force and blood energy. That was the key. As long as those two attributes were present, everything else could be ignored. Well except darkness or poison types. Those had to be avoided.
As for attack methods?
With a True Body Martial Soul this powerful, once his body's vitality surged like a roaring river, just releasing his soul power might be enough to strike fear into enemies without lifting a finger.
"Such a waste…" Su Yuntao sighed, scribbled down a martial soul certificate for Zhou Qing, and led the children out of the cabin.
"How was it? Any kids with innate soul power?" Old Jack eagerly rushed over.
"Two of them. Both with full innate soul power," Su Yuntao replied calmly.
"Really?!"
Old Jack's eyes bulged with joy. The Saint Soul Village must be blessed by the soul saint of their ancestors! Their future looked brighter than ever.
"But… neither has a very good martial soul. One has Blue Silver Grass, the other… a heart." Su Yuntao pulled Zhou Qing and Tang San forward. "These two look a bit sturdier than the other kids."
"Good, good!"
Even though Old Jack knew Blue Silver Grass was widely seen as a waste martial soul, and had no clue what a heart could do, the fact they were both born with full innate soul power was more than enough. As long as they could obtain a soul ring, Saint Soul Village would gain two soul masters! Even if they didn't grow into powerhouses, steady cultivation alone could raise their level and who knows? Maybe they'd even become Soul Saints one day.
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
Su Yuntao bid farewell and prepared to visit the next village for more awakening ceremonies. But before he left, he turned to Zhou Qing and Tang San and said, "Once you obtain your first soul ring and officially become soul masters, head to the Spirit Hall to register. You'll receive one gold soul coin each month. The stipend continues until you turn thirty—it might just change your lives."
"Thank you," Zhou Qing replied politely.
Tang San mimicked him and bowed in thanks as well.
Only now did Old Jack realize: being a soul master didn't just bring honor—it also brought money. A monthly gold soul coin was equal to a hundred copper soul coins!
In a poor village, that was almost half a year's income!
"No wonder everyone wants to become a soul master…"
Old Jack sighed emotionally. Then he turned to the boys. "Xiao Qing, Xiao San, do you two want to become soul masters? The village has one working student spot, which can go to Xiao San. As for the other, I'll lead some of the strong young men in our village to negotiate with nearby villages who share academy slots. We'll offer food in exchange for one of their spots."
The Spirit Hall usually helped nearby villages conduct awakenings about two to three months before the enrollment period for junior soul master academies. That gave Old Jack some time to act.
But why bring strong young men along?
Because the other villages who shared limited academy spots might be jealous that his village produced kids with soul power. They might refuse to give up their spot. In that case, a show of strength might be needed.
The soul master world revered power. That kind of culture bled into even the behavior of ordinary civilians.
As for those villages possibly fearing future retaliation from Zhou Qing or Tang San?
Not likely. Most wouldn't think that far ahead. In truth, simplicity and pettiness often coexist.
But if Old Jack showed up with the village's muscle and won a good fight, the other side might be more willing to back down and give up their spot.
Zhou Qing, however, spoke up, "That won't be necessary, Grandpa Jack. I have money."
"Don't joke like that."
Old Jack shook his head. "Cultivating as a soul master is expensive. Tuition alone costs a fortune. The money your family saved might only cover one semester's fees and basic living expenses. But working students don't pay tuition, only need to cover food, and the academy will offer them paying jobs."
In this matter, Old Jack refused to listen to Zhou Qing's protest. He immediately rushed off to gather the village's strong young men, taking with him all the food the village had saved, and set out for the surrounding settlements.
"I think Grandpa Jack also wants to show off to the other villages," Tang San said with a wry smile, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
Zhou Qing nodded, half amused.
He knew Jack's temperament well kind and gentle, yes, but also a little boastful. It wasn't a flaw; it actually made him more endearing.
And the reason the young men of the village agreed so quickly?
Because they knew it was for Zhou Qing's sake.
If it had been for Tang San…
Sure, they understood his hardships and knew he wouldn't end up like his good-for-nothing father Tang Hao. But because of Tang Hao's reputation as a drunkard, most villagers simply couldn't muster the same motivation...