Chapter 2

Two days later, in the central square of Calabash Village.

In other words, the central square was actually just an open space in the middle of the village, about the size of a basketball court in Wang Xiaofeng's previous life.

All the villagers, young and old, had gathered together. After all, it was the annual martial soul awakening ceremony. Everyone hoped their child would awaken a powerful martial soul or be born with innate soul power surpassing others.

Wang Xiaofeng arrived early to secure a good seat. The weather was quite hot, and if he came late, he wouldn't even get one.

"Xiaofeng is getting cuter as he grows. I wonder which little girl he'll marry in the future." An elder sighed, regretting that he didn't have a daughter himself.

"Xiaofeng, look at my little flower. Isn't she adorable? Why not let her be your future wife?" A woman teased, holding up her baby girl.

Wang Xiaofeng looked helplessly at the baby sucking on her tiny hands. "Don't make decisions for me." ヽ(￣д￣;)ノ

"Aunt Wang, what's a daughter-in-law? Is it something you eat?" Wang Xiaofeng feigned innocence, attacking Aunt Wang with his cutest expression.

"Ah! Xiaofeng is too adorable!" Aunt Wang clutched her chest dramatically.

Wang Xiaofeng wiped away nonexistent sweat from his forehead. Why does the marriage-urging brigade exist in every world?

As the sun rose higher, the person responsible for the awakening ceremony finally arrived.

"Wang Feng, you're late," village chief Wang Daniu said with dissatisfaction, eyeing the man in white robes bearing the emblem of the Spirit Hall.

"My apologies, village chief," Wang Feng said with an apologetic smile. "Su Yuntao's promotion to level 20 had us celebrating all night, and I overslept."

"Alright, alright," Wang Daniu grumbled, giving Wang Feng a light punch on the shoulder. "Hurry up and awaken the children's martial souls first. We can talk later."

So this is the person responsible for awakening martial souls? Wang Xiaofeng's drowsy mind instantly sharpened as he watched Wang Feng walk to the center of the square.

"Children, in a moment, you must focus on sensing your martial soul and manifesting it. No matter what happens, do not be afraid," Wang Feng instructed in a gentle voice. His experience was evident—many of the six-year-olds, intimidated by the crowd, were on the verge of tears, but his calm reassurance quickly settled them.

"Martial Soul Possession!" Wang Feng extended his right hand, and a blue gourd appeared in his palm.

Two soul rings—one white and one yellow—floated up and down around him.

Holding six black stones, Wang Feng placed them in front of him. "When I call your name, step into the center of the awakening formation. Wang Xiaobai!"

A timid boy stepped forward and stood in the middle of the six black stones. His face was filled with fear.

Six faint green lights surged into the stones, and a golden brilliance radiated outward, enveloping Wang Xiaobai in a pale golden glow. His expression shifted to pure bliss, as if he were ascending to heaven.

Wang Xiaofeng watched in a daze. Is martial soul awakening supposed to be this… dramatic?

Golden light specks floated from the stones and entered Wang Xiaobai's body. Instinctively, he raised his right hand, where a green light flashed—revealing a gourd identical to Wang Feng's.

This was expected. The village was called Calabash Village because all its long-time residents had awakened the same green gourd martial soul.

Wang Xiaofeng had visited all the villagers before, so he already knew this. Only outsiders who settled here awakened different martial souls, like hoes or sickles.

But after a few generations, even their descendants would awaken the green gourd.

Isn't this just genetic inheritance? Wang Xiaofeng smirked. I see right through it.

"Very good. Let's check for soul power," Wang Feng said, holding a crystal ball.

After a moment, the ball faintly glowed with a dim blue light, flickering like a candle in the wind.

But Wang Feng smiled. "Innate soul power of level one! It looks like Calabash Village will gain another soul master."

Soul masters were an elite class in the Douluo Continent, usually ranking among the upper and middle classes. For a small village, even a single soul master was a rarity.

Calabash Village was unique. Unlike most villages that struggled with food, this village was near Star Dou Forest, allowing them to occasionally hunt ten-year soul beasts. Eating soul beast meat strengthened their bodies, increasing the chances of producing soul masters.

Because of this, the Spirit Hall paid close attention to the village, even sending awakened children to the Spirit Hall Junior Academy in the Barak Kingdom. If they performed well, they could advance to the Intermediate Academy, or even the Advanced Academy. Wang Feng himself had graduated from the Intermediate Academy.

"Next, Wang Erbai!"

"...Very good. Innate soul power of level two!"

As time passed, the awakening ceremony concluded.

"This year's results are excellent, village chief. Three out of five children can become soul masters, and one has an innate soul power of level two. Our village is about to have a Grand Soul Master. If he works hard, he might even become a Soul Elder!" Wang Feng said happily.

"The Spirit Hall's annual assessment for Calabash Village only requires at least one child with soul power. This year, we have three! That's a nice bonus. I'm happy (≧▽≦)/"

"Haha, this year is indeed much better than last year," Wang Daniu laughed. "We're almost able to afford another medicinal bath for your cultivation!"

Wang Daniu highly valued this junior from the village. Born with level two soul power, Wang Feng had worked hard to reach level 23 at age 27. If this continued, the village might one day have a Soul Sect.

"I'm getting there. Without the Spirit Hall's medicinal baths, I wouldn't have cultivated this fast."

"But they're way too expensive," Wang Daniu sighed. "A single medicinal bath costs 100 gold soul coins, and it only lasts five days!"

"But the effects are worth it. If they didn't weaken over time, I'd soak in them every day."

"Alright, enough bragging," Wang Daniu said gruffly. "Tonight, I'll drink you under the table!"

"Isn't my surname already Wang?"

"Hey, you brat! Do you need a beating?"

As the two walked off, bickering, Wang Xiaofeng—who had been completely forgotten—dusted himself off and followed them helplessly.