Chapter 4: A Martial Soul with Dual Forms and a Small Man’s Gambit

Chapter 4: A Martial Soul with Dual Forms and a Small Man's Gambit

It wasn't just Matthew Nuo and the others who were dumbfounded Han Li himself was at a loss.

He had watched Douluo Dalu before. In his previous life, he had practically mastered Douluo 1 and made it halfway through Douluo 2 before dropping it. He had also skimmed through plenty of fanfictions. Yet, even with all that, he had never seen a martial soul awakening as ridiculous as this.

Faced with the others' bewildered gazes, Han Li didn't know how to respond. Instead, he closed his eyes and focused his mind on the martial soul before him, attempting to control it.

After a moment, he opened his eyes. With a single thought, the bow like martial soul trembled before splitting back into two curved blades, reappearing in his hands.

Then, with another thought, he merged them once more, returning to the bow form.

As he experimented, the three others finally snapped out of their daze. In a few quick strides, they surrounded him, with Matthew Nuo unable to contain his excitement.

"Xiao Li, quickly, tell Grandpa what's the deal with your martial soul? Is this twin martial souls?"

Seeing that even the usually composed Matthew Nuo was getting anxious, Han Li decided not to keep them guessing.

"Grandpa Matthew Nuo, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I do not have twin martial souls."

"You… but… two different forms…" Su Yuntao couldn't help but interject.

"You shut up and let Xiao Li explain!" Matthew Nuo scolded him before turning back to Han Li with a smile. "Take your time, no rush."

His rapid shift in tone left Han Li momentarily stunned. Xiao Zhan, standing behind him, winked playfully, urging him to speak.

Han Li chuckled, understanding Matthew Nuo's eagerness. The old man had spent his entire life awakening martial souls and researching them. Now, in his twilight years, witnessing such a phenomenon was naturally thrilling.

"My martial soul should be a mutated martial soul."

As he spoke, the bow separated once more into dual blades. Han Li extended his hands slightly toward the three, continuing, "I believe I inherited my parents' twin sabers, but they underwent a positive mutation based on their original martial souls."

Matthew Nuo and the others leaned in, examining the twin blades closely. They were all familiar with Han Li's parents' martial souls, so identifying them wasn't difficult.

It was a strange coincidence Han Li's parents had both come from the same small city, and their ancestors had even intermarried generations ago. Though their families had long since declined, by the time they were born, their martial souls had both undergone a reversion mutation, regaining the form of a powerful ancestor's martial soul.

Moreover, their martial souls had experienced a further positive mutation one inheriting a faint fire attribute and the other a faint ice attribute. Since their martial souls had an elemental component, their innate talent was also above average, with both being born with 4.5 innate soul power.

This was one of the main reasons why, after Han Li's parents' passing, both the Notting City Lord and Spirit Hall had taken such an interest in him. Not only did they have strong personal ties, but as their only son, Han Li had a high chance of inheriting an innate soul power of at least level 3. In this small city, that was enough to be considered a "genius" worth investing in.

"It really is their martial soul… and a positive mutation at that. Xiao Li, congratulations. But what about the bow?" Matthew Nuo confirmed his theory before looking back at Han Li with uncertainty.

"I have no idea," Han Li admitted. "It is a bow, but one thing I can say for certain it's not a twin martial soul, just an alternate form of my martial soul."

As he spoke, he merged the blades again. This time, he channeled a bit of soul power, and a fine white string extended between the top and bottom edges, proving his point.

"Even if it's not twin martial souls, you've still hit the jackpot, Xiao Li! Without the risk of soul overload, your martial soul is essentially two in one… no, three, counting the dual attributes of the sabers!"

Su Yuntao had already grabbed the soul power crystal and was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Hurry, let's test your soul power. You're the first awakening I've personally conducted, and my name will be recorded in Spirit Hall's history!"

Matthew Nuo and Xiao Zhan snapped out of their thoughts, their gazes locking onto the crystal ball with anticipation. Given his martial soul, his innate soul power had to be at least level seven, right?

"Alright."

Han Li was also eager to know. He placed his left hand onto the crystal, and in an instant, a brilliant blue glow illuminated the room.

"Full innate soul power!" ×3

The three of them shouted in unison, momentarily forgetting to control their volume. Fortunately, Xiu'er had closed the door upon entering, and the room's soundproofing was decent. Otherwise, the entire Notting Spirit Hall would have been alarmed.

"Yes! Hahaha! Yes! I, Su Yuntao, am the greatest awakening master in Notting City!"

Su Yuntao managed to keep his voice in check, but his twisted grin showed just how ecstatic he was.

After all, he had previously awakened an innate full soul power… Blue Silver Grass. His colleagues had mocked him for ages over it.

Awakening a full soul power trash martial soul was still worth recording in Spirit Hall's history but this? This was completely different!

Right now, he wanted to ask who could possibly match this feat?

Seeing Su Yuntao more excited than himself, Han Li couldn't help but laugh.

He hadn't expected to boost Brother Tao's career like this. Given how well he had treated him over the years, he had certainly earned this.

Matthew Nuo, watching the usually composed Su Yuntao losing his mind with joy, also chuckled before quickly regaining his seriousness.

He looked at Xiao Zhan and Su Yuntao with a solemn expression. "Gentlemen, we must keep this a secret. Xiao Li's martial soul is too unique. I'll report this to Spirit City first and wait for their decision. Xiao Zhan, you know the ways of the Heaven Dou Empire better than I do."

Xiao Zhan and Su Yuntao exchanged glances before nodding gravely. They had already considered the risks Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were notorious for eliminating potential threats outside their influence. The same applied to the noble families. This wasn't a secret. With how special Xiao Li's martial soul was, the three of them alone wouldn't be enough to protect him.

"Understood. I'll make contact immediately. As for the certification, Yuntao, handle it as usual don't record his soul power level. We must ensure no one else finds out."

"List the martial soul as 'Ice Fire Bow,'" Han Li suggested.

"Alright."

Matthew Nuo gave him a deep look but didn't object.

"By the way, Grandpa Matthew Nuo, how do you plan to report this?" Han Li suddenly asked.

Matthew Nuo raised an eyebrow. "Do you have something in mind?"

"You mentioned that when my parents' affairs were handled, Lord Guang Ling was involved. He even held me as a child and said he had a connection with me. I hope you include that at the end of your report."

Even with his past life experiences, Han Li's face reddened slightly as he said this. But he still gritted his teeth and finished his request.

"A bow… Guang Ling… You really dare to dream big, kid."

Matthew Nuo was momentarily stunned before realizing Han Li's reasoning. He couldn't help but be intrigued. The odds were slim, but… what if?

Su Yuntao and Xiao Zhan reached the same conclusion and looked at Han Li with admiration. They couldn't imagine having this level of foresight at his age.

"Fine. I'll add it. Whether it works or not, that's up to fate."

Matthew Nuo hesitated briefly before agreeing. This was the best way they could help Xiao Li. Hopefully, it would work.

"Thank you, Grandpa Matthew Nuo."

Han Li bowed deeply to the old man, determined to repay this favor in the future.

Matthew Nuo patted his head, said nothing, and strode into another room.

A while later, Xiao Zhan led Han Li out of Spirit Hall, with Xiu'er following behind. All three wore smiles one glance was enough to tell that the results were good.

That very day, Notting Spirit Hall spread the news:

"Han Li, mutated martial soul Ice Fire Bow, innate soul power level seven."

At the same time, a letter was sent through official channels.

In secret, Matthew Nuo also activated a special route, transmitting a top priority encrypted document through an old, long unused soul guide communicator, sending it straight to the Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City.

At the very end of the document, a special note was attached:

"As a child, he was once held by Lord Guang Ling, who claimed to have a fated connection with him."

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