patreon.com/StarMoon10
for Advance Chapter
Chapter 12: The Name of Soulforger, The Heart of Seven Treasures
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Central Plaza.
The morning sunlight filtered through thin layers of clouds, gilding the grand white marble pillars and the polished stone floor with a pale gold hue. Normally, this place was filled with the vitality and noise of students practicing, sparring, or chatting in small groups. But today, the atmosphere was entirely different.
A near-frozen solemnity enveloped the plaza. Every student, regardless of grade or martial soul quality, stood in neat ranks, their gazes fixed collectively on the temporary high platform at the front. Atop the platform stood the academy's three Spirit Douluo-level education committee members—Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin—standing side by side with a rare gravity.
Even Bai Baoshan, usually smiling and resembling a wealthy merchant, had tucked away his smile. Zhilin's gaze was like lightning, slowly scanning the sea of people below to ensure total silence.
In the oppressive quiet, the only sound was the snapping of flags against the poles at the edge of the plaza.
Standing toward the front of the student ranks were Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dugu Yan, who had officially become students of the academy. Xiao Wu wore a form-fitting pink dress that made her skin appear even fairer. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze not on the stage but drifting through the crowd toward the faculty lounge, a faint, submissive, and secret smile playing on her lips. Her soft dark hair framed her large pink eyes, fluffy rabbit ears twitching cutely, and her perky breasts rose and fell with each excited breath. Zhu Zhuqing remained in her usual black attire, her cold, beautiful face devoid of extra expression, standing as straight as a blade tucked in its scabbard; only her occasional glances toward the same direction as Xiao Wu betrayed a deep sense of belonging. Her sleek athletic body with noticeably larger and fuller breasts strained slightly against her clothes, long black tail swaying slowly behind her, cat ears alert. Dugu Yan stood slightly behind them, arms crossed, her emerald eyes filled with lazy playfulness as she watched the students around her, who were stiff with tension, as if enjoying an interesting spectacle. Her tall, curvaceous figure with full prominent breasts and long shapely legs was accentuated by her dark green combat attire, golden snake-scale patterns faintly glowing on her pale skin.
"Silence!" Meng Shenji finally spoke, his aged but powerful voice reaching everyone's ears through the help of soul power. "The academy has gathered you today to announce a major event concerning our future—one that will shake the entire soul master world."
He paused, scanning the crowd to ensure he had everyone's undivided attention.
"After unanimous deliberation by the three committee members and formal filing with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, we hereby officially grant our academy's specially appointed teacher—Mo Bai—the title of Titled Douluo!"
"Boom—!"
Despite the premonitions and the scattered rumors, when the words "Titled Douluo" were officially and solemnly proclaimed by Meng Shenji, the entire plaza instantly "exploded."
Gaps of surprise, sounds of cold air being drawn in, and disbelieving whispers... like a giant stone dropped into a calm lake, it triggered wave after wave of ripples. Countless gazes became fervent, shocked, envious, and even reverent. A Titled Douluo! That was a being standing at the very peak of the soul master world! There were only a handful of Titled Douluos on the surface in the entire Heaven Dou Empire, and now, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy possessed one? And such a young... specially appointed teacher?
Meng Shenji did not stop the commotion; he understood the impact. Once the noise died down slightly, he continued in a deep voice: "Lord Mo Bai possesses extraordinary talent and unfathomable strength. His martial soul characteristics and cultivation philosophy are unique. With Lord Mo Bai's consent, his title is designated as—'Soulforger'!"
"Soulforger Douluo..."
The name was whispered in the hearts of countless people, mulling over its meaning. Forger of souls? Or forger of martial souls? It sounded indescribably profound and... mysterious.
"Effective immediately," Meng Shenji's voice rose, "Lord Mo Bai will serve as the academy's Special Grade Mentor, enjoying the highest standard of treatment. He will periodically hold open classes to guide students with potential in... deep cultivation." His tone was slightly subtle when he mentioned "deep cultivation," but most of the students, immersed in shock, did not notice.
"Now, let us welcome the Soulforger Douluo, Lord Mo Bai!"
All eyes, as if pulled by invisible threads, snapped toward the passage at the side of the platform.
A figure slowly stepped out.
He still looked young, appearing in his twenties, with a slender build. He wore simple black combat attire covered by a matching long robe, devoid of any flamboyant decorations. His face was handsome, but the most striking feature was his eyes—calm, deep, seemingly capable of absorbing all light and piercing through the human heart. He did not intentionally release any soul power pressure; he simply walked calmly to the center of the platform and stood half a step ahead of the three committee members.
However, the moment he stood still, the plaza—which had still held some faint noise—fell into total silence.
An invisible field permeated the air. It wasn't a violent crushing of power, but a deeper "presence" that seemed to originate from the soul level. It was as if you were standing in the sunlight and suddenly felt the depth and weight of the earth beneath your feet, becoming aware of your own insignificance. The students, especially those with higher cultivation like Soul Ancestors and Soul Elders, felt it most clearly. Their internal soul power actually produced a faint, almost instinctive stagnation at this moment, as if encountering the natural awe of a higher-level life form.
Mo Bai's gaze swept indifferently over the crowd. His vision seemed to have no focus, yet it also seemed to pass over every single person. When his gaze swept past Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dugu Yan, they all unconsciously straightened their backs, their eyes flashing with deeper submission.
"I am Mo Bai," he began. His voice was not loud, yet it entered everyone's ears clearly, steady without a single ripple. "I am honored by the academy's regard. The name 'Soulforger' is not a self-boast, but the direction of the 'Dao' I explore. In the path of the soul master, soul power is the foundation, soul rings are the bones, and the martial soul is the spirit. Yet most soul masters stop at obtaining power, rather than... carving and forging their own 'soul'."
He paused to give them time to digest.
"Today's first open class will begin with the most basic element: the 'Soul Ring'."
Having said that, he didn't even offer further explanation. He turned his gaze toward Meng Shenji and nodded almost imperceptibly.