Chapter 1: Martial Soul Awakening
Douluo Continent, Tianshui City.
"Xiao Han, I don't have time to go with you to the Martial Soul Hall for your martial soul awakening. I've already spoken to Teacher Liu—she'll take you."
"No need. I can go by myself. You do your thing, don't worry about me."
Lin Zhiruo's expression suddenly turned stern.
"You sneaked into the academy yesterday—I haven't even punished you yet. Today, behave yourself and don't cause trouble. Otherwise, I'll settle yesterday's account together with today's, and you'll be in for it."
"Got it."
After Lin Zhiruo left, Xiao Han immediately put on a blue wig.
Xiao Han was a transmigrator. He had been in this world for six years.
In his original world, he came from a family of traditional Chinese medicine and was a medical student in university.
He had been in the womb when he transmigrated. Shortly after his mother gave birth, both she and his father died in the Extreme North. He was adopted by Lin Zhiruo, his mother's best friend.
Lin Zhiruo was a single, unmarried woman, thirty-eight years old, a level-72 agility-type battle soul saint, and vice principal of Tianshui Academy.
She maintained herself well, appearing gentle but with a fiery temper.
For the past six years, Xiao Han had lived under the same roof with her, referring to each other as mother and son.
As a transmigrator who retained memories of his past life, Xiao Han had displayed extraordinary medical talent from a young age.
He could read and recognize herbs and human acupoints early on. By the age of five, he became famous in Tianshui City with his outstanding acupuncture skills and was known as a young genius doctor.
However, in this world where the strong prey on the weak, no matter how great a doctor you were, it didn't matter. Becoming a powerful soul master was every ordinary person's dream.
Of course, Xiao Han wanted that too. But since both of his parents had fairly ordinary martial souls, the dream of becoming a top expert was likely out of reach.
So, he had already planned a backup: if he couldn't become a soul master, he would be the most skilled doctor in Tianshui City.
In a city filled with beautiful women, earning lots of money and winning a beauty's heart wouldn't be a bad life either.
Today was the annual martial soul awakening ceremony.
There were two places for children in Tianshui City to awaken their martial souls: the Martial Soul Hall branch and Tianshui Academy.
Tianshui Academy was open to commoners, so girls aged six and above could attend the academy's ceremony.
However, the academy only accepted girls with water-type attributes and good looks, so only those who met both criteria could stay.
As the vice principal of Tianshui Academy, Lin Zhiruo was always extremely busy on this day.
After getting ready, Xiao Han also left the house.
The academy was right next door, just a few steps away.
Xiao Han wasn't in a rush—after all, it didn't matter where the awakening took place.
He was only six years old this year, and with the wig on, you couldn't tell he was a boy.
At the academy gate, a large crowd had already gathered.
Tianshui Academy was a true girls' school—from the principal to the janitors, everyone was female.
A big sign at the entrance read: "No Men Allowed Without Invitation."
The awakening ceremony was held at the training grounds.
Xiao Han blended into the crowd of hundreds of girls waiting to awaken their martial souls, lining up in a long queue.
The awakening ceremony had two parts: awakening the martial soul and testing soul power.
Everyone in the Douluo Continent had a martial soul, but most were not suitable for cultivation and thus remained ordinary people.
Only a small number awakened martial souls that came with soul power and could be cultivated.
While exciting, the awakening ceremony left most people disappointed.
As Xiao Han waited in line, many disheartened girls passed by.
"Seaweed martial soul, no attack, no defense—another useless martial soul. Next!"
"It's almost my turn!"
The girl in front of Xiao Han exclaimed excitedly.
She had short shoulder-length dark green hair and looked playful and cute.
"Hey, if you don't become a soul master, don't cry, okay?"
"I won't! I'm not that kind of person."
The girl was optimistic and unfazed by Xiao Han's teasing.
"Next."
"It's finally my turn."
She confidently stepped forward.
Xiao Han lowered his head quietly, avoiding eye contact with Lin Zhiruo on the viewing platform.
A tall, gentle-looking woman stood at the front of the line.
"I'm your guide. Let me help you awaken your martial soul. Don't be afraid."
"I'm not afraid at all."
The girl boldly stepped into a circle formed by six blue ice crystals.
The guide then released her Ice Goose martial soul and injected soul power into the six blue crystals on the ground.
Light burst forth from the ice crystals, forming a blue glow that enveloped the girl.
Blue dots of light floated from the crystals and landed on the girl's body.
"Stretch out your right hand."
The girl instinctively held out her right hand, and in the blink of an eye, a small dolphin, pure and translucent like jade, appeared in her palm.
Seeing this, the guide's eyes lit up with excitement.
"A Glimmering Jade Dolphin—combines speed and attack. Finally, a useful martial soul among so many girls. Use your will to retract your martial soul, then come test your soul power."
"Okay."
The girl nodded happily and tried to retract her martial soul.
She stepped out of the circle and placed her small hand on a blue crystal ball used for soul power testing.
"There is soul power. Level seven. What's your name?"
"Shui Yue'er."
"Very good. You can become an agility-type soul master. You're accepted into our academy. Go register over there."
"Thank you!"
As she left, Shui Yue'er glanced back at Xiao Han and playfully gestured.
"I'm going to become a soul master! You're next—good luck!"
Xiao Han hadn't expected this girl to be Shui Bing'er's half-sister, Shui Yue'er.
Just as he looked up at her, he accidentally locked eyes with Lin Zhiruo.
She instantly sensed something was off and stood up angrily, shouting:
"Xiao Han! What are you doing here?!"
In a flash, Lin Zhiruo appeared in front of Xiao Han and grabbed his ear.
"You think I wouldn't recognize you like this? I told you to awaken your martial soul at the Martial Soul Hall—why are you messing around here?!"
(End of this chapter)