Looking at Lin Ye and Tang San, Su Yuntao felt a glimmer of anticipation.
However, as a respected Battle Soul Master, he kept his face expressionless. With his hands behind his back, he spoke indifferently to the group of children who had been terrified into a heap on the floor.
"Didn't I tell you? Do not be afraid. This is a normal phenomenon after possessing a Beast Martial Soul. If any of you can become a Beast Soul Master in the future, you will possess similar abilities."
Hearing Su Yuntao's explanation and thinking of the strange and varied Martial Souls of legend, the children finally regained their composure and cautiously stood up.
Lin Ye, however, was quite speechless at Su Yuntao's words.
While he didn't deny that the "beastification" was related to the Lone Wolf Martial Soul, the change in appearance wasn't the real trigger for the fear—it was that earlier roar and the strange shockwave of energy.
That surely can't be an inherent trait of a Beast Martial Soul, can it?
Having practiced the Nine Yang Divine Art, Lin Ye felt that a Soul Master's "Soul Power" should be similar to his "True Qi." Such an energy shockwave couldn't possibly be emitted for no reason. Su Yuntao was clearly hiding something. But what was the purpose of that roar?
It probably wasn't just to scare them for fun. Could it be... a test?
A flash of inspiration struck Lin Ye. He stole a glance at Su Yuntao and noticed that the way the man looked at him and Tang San was markedly different from how he looked at the others; there was a hint of relief and satisfaction in his eyes. Lin Ye felt certain of his guess.
"Alright, let us begin the Martial Soul Awakening!" Su Yuntao announced once the children had settled down.
"You, come here."
He pointed to the first boy on the left, gesturing for him to step into the hexagram formation made of six black stones.
Though fearful, the boy stepped forward cautiously. As he entered the formation, Su Yuntao's hands began to move in a blur. He struck out six streaks of green light, injecting them into the black stones. Instantly, countless golden specks of light drifted out from the stones and surged into the boy's body.
"Close your eyes and sense the Martial Soul within you!"
The boy obeyed. As everyone watched curiously, time ticked by. After a dozen seconds, seeing the golden light fading, Su Yuntao barked, "Summon your Martial Soul!"
As if waking from a dream, the boy snapped his eyes open and instinctively spread his right hand. A small sickle, appearing somewhere between illusion and reality, materialized in his palm.
"A sickle? A Tool Martial Soul... it barely has some offensive power," Su Yuntao remarked with a frown. He picked up the blue crystal ball from the table and handed it to the boy. "Place your hand on this. Let's test your Soul Power."
The boy complied, placing his left hand on the crystal. Unfortunately, nothing happened.
"No Soul Power. You do not have the qualifications to become a Soul Master." Su Yuntao sighed with disappointment.
"I can't be a Soul Master?" The boy's mouth hung open. Dejected, he lowered his head and walked out of the hall. Watching him leave, Su Yuntao shook his head in sympathy. On the Douluo Continent, it was far too difficult for commoners to awaken as Soul Masters. Having done this for a long time, he was used to it.
"Next!"
After the first boy, others followed. After the sickle came a wooden stick, a hoe, and a rake—all farm tools. One girl even awakened Blue Silver Grass, which Su Yuntao flatly labeled a "Trash Martial Soul."
Watching the process six or seven times and listening to Su Yuntao's commentary, Lin Ye began to understand the requirements. Awakening a Martial Soul was just the foundation; the crystal ball had to glow to prove one possessed Soul Power.
Lin Ye pondered: Soul Power seems to rely entirely on the strength of the Martial Soul. But my Nine Yang True Qi has similar effects to what they describe as Soul Power. Could my True Qi count as Soul Power, or even replace it?
"Next!"
After the third-to-last child left in despair, it was Tang San's turn. Su Yuntao's anticipation rose. In his earlier "test," only this boy and Lin Ye had stood their ground.
Tang San stepped into the hexagram. Su Yuntao repeated the process, and golden light flooded Tang San's body.
There seems to be hope... The light continued to surge into Tang San for over a minute without stopping. Su Yuntao's excitement grew. Finally, as the light subsided, he said urgently, "Summon your Martial Soul!"
Tang San paused for a moment, then extended his left hand. With a flash of light, a stalk of pale blue grass appeared in his palm, swaying gently.
"How is this possible? Blue Silver Grass?!" Su Yuntao couldn't believe his eyes. How could someone who stayed in the awakening formation for so long produce such a useless trash soul?
Despite his disbelief, the fact was right in front of him. Utterly disappointed, Su Yuntao sighed and handed over the crystal. "Test your Soul Power."
Tang San placed his right hand on the crystal. Su Yuntao expected nothing to happen, but suddenly, the blue crystal ball erupted with a blinding, dazzling light.
"What?! How can this be?! This is... Innate Full Soul Power?!" Su Yuntao's expression changed drastically.
Would you like me to translate the next chapter to see Lin Ye's awakening? Or perhaps you'd like to know more about the different ranks of Soul Masters?