Chapter 14: Ceremony
Douluo Continent, southwestern Heaven Dou Empire, Fasinuo province.
Barely at daybreak, in the distant east, the sky was a pale grey dawn color. On a small hundred meter tall hilltop adjacent to Holy Spirit village was a thin and small silhouette.
This was only a five or six-year old child. Evidently, every day he endured the heat of the sun. His skin was a healthy wheat colour, his black short hair appeared very neat, and his clothes, though simple, were clean.
Speaking of a child at this age, to climb this hundred meter tall hill couldn't be an easy task, but strangely, when he arrived at the summit his face wasn't the least bit red, nor was he panting. His expression appeared content and pleased.
The boy sat down on the hilltop, his two eyes unwaveringly looking to the east where the dawn sky was gradually brightening. Slowly starting to inhale through his nose, gently exhaling through his mouth; continuous inhalations and faint exhalations that, in the end, became a splendid cycle.
During this process, his eyes suddenly opened wide. A faint trace of purple qi seemed to flash in the light of the growing bright grey dawn in the distant horizon. Without astonishing vision and concentration, it would be impossible to notice it.
At the sight of the purple qi, the boy's spirit was so completely focused he no longer even exhaled, only a light and slow inhalation. At the same time the two eyes firmly stared in concentration at the flickering purple light.
The purple qi didn't last long; by the time the eastern light gradually rose to become daylight, the purple qi had completely vanished already.
Only then did the boy, with a long exhalation of internal turbid qi, slowly close his eyes. White qi poured out through his mouth like a bolt of unrolling silk before it slowly dispersed.
After sitting quietly for a long time, the boy once more opened his eyes. In the center of his eyes there was surprisingly, perhaps because of that impure purple qi, a glimmer of light purple. Although this purple didn't remain long before quietly disappearing, that very existence was nevertheless distinct.
With a dejected sigh, the boy showed a grudging expression unsuitable for his age.
This boy was 'Tang San', the main character of Douluo dalu book one, meaning he was the protagonist of the current time-line. He had this expression on his face because for the past three months, he was stuck in a bottleneck unable to breakthrough.
After some time, he decided to go back. His thin and small body leapt up and he ran down the mountain.The mountain's crevices and uneven ground could not be said to have any effect on him as he effortlessly dodged and rapidly advanced between openings. Even compared to adults he would still be much faster.
While going back he saw a boy of his age lying on a boulder with no care for the outside world. Seeing him Tang San had a smile on his face. This boy was 'JoyBoy', his first and only friend ever since he came into this world.
JoyBoy was given his name because of his attitude. He was a jolly, kindhearted orphan boy. Always greeting everyone with a smile, he was liked by almost everyone in the village.
Almost, because the village children didn't have a very good opinion of either Tang San or JoyBoy. To favor the rich and disdain the poor is an ability not only among nobles, among common people the circumstances are instead even more distinct.
Because of this, he never had any childhood playmate other than Tang San. When asked about this, he would just smile and politely say "One friend is better than no friend. Isn't it great to be alive!". Tang San preferred to speak with the simple minded JoyBoy over other mean children from the village. After seeing his friend relaxing on the boulder, he went to speak with him.
In the early morning when the sky is slightly bright, outside the Holy Spirit village, JoyBoy was lying contently on a boulder, seemingly relaxed and content.
" Grandpa Jack told me that the martial soul awakening ceremony will happen tomorrow. I wonder what my martial soul will be ?"
JoyBoy still remembered the conversation he had with the village elder Jack the day before yesterday about the awakening ceremony.
"We all have our own spirit, which is finally awakened around the age of six with the awakening ceremony. Having a spirit, we can enhance our ability in a certain field. Even an ordinary spirit can still help. If by any chance you gain a remarkable spirit, we can speak about conducting cultivation, even to the extent that you could possibly become a Spirit Master. The awakening ceremony is held only once every year, I cannot let you miss it. It's a lord attendant from Nuoding City's Spirit Sub-Hall who personally comes to help our village's children awaken. However that lord attendant is considered a Spirit Grandmaster ranked Spirit Master."
When saying the words "Spirit Grandmaster", there was an obvious admiration in Old Jack's eyes.
JoyBoy didn't ask any further questions about the topic because he didn't want to think about complicated things. From school, he had basic knowledge about how things were.
While thinking about this, he noticed Tang San coming towards him. Seeing him, he got up from his relaxing position and spoke
" Hello brother San, how are you doing ?"
"I am good, brother JoyBoy, thank you for asking. How are you doing ?"
"I am enjoying my life as always. By the way, has grandpa jack spoken to you about the awakening ceremony tomorrow ?"
"Yes, he came to my house day before yesterday to inform me about the ceremony. He also explained about spirit masters." Tang San spoke excitedly.
"Well, you sure look excited" JoyBoy spoke with a smile.
"Of course I am excited. I wonder what my martial soul will be ? Okay, I have to go home to cook for father. I will see you tomorrow. Bye" Saying this, he went on his way.
After seeing his friend leave, JoyBoy went back to relaxing.
The next day by the time he reached the spirit hall in the middle of the village, he was already late.
He saw that seven children stood in order before a youngster he gussed was the spirit grandmaster, grandpa jack mentioned in the conversation. Tang San stood at the leftmost side. He was a little thinner and smaller than other children his age. He quickly went there and stood on the left side of Tang San.
"Why are you late little JoyBoy ?" Grandpa Jack asked.
"I am sorry, grandpa jack." JoyBoy replied politely with a bow.
Seeing his polite reply, The village elder Jack and the youngster ignored him and continued speaking with each other. Then, the youngster smiled and said:
"I am called Su Yuntao, a twenty sixth ranked Spirit Grandmaster, and will be your guide. Now, I will have you undergo spirit awakening one by one. Remember, regardless of what happens, do not be afraid."
While speaking, Su Yuntao unfolded a bundle on a desk to one side, taking out two things from inside: six round pitch-black stones and one sparkling blue crystal ball.
Su Yuntao placed the six black stones on the ground in the form of a hexagon, then motioned the first child on the right to stand inside.
"Don't be afraid, close your eyes and feel carefully."
While speaking, Su Yuntao's eyes suddenly lit up, and before the children's appalled eyes, he shouted in a deep voice,
"Lone Wolf Body Enhancement."
A wisp of thin blue-green light rose from between his eyebrows, following straight up, entering into the hair knot.
Su Yuntao's hair was originally black, but just after that blue-green light poured in, it had turned grey in a flash. Furthermore it quickly grew longer, and similarly colored fur appeared on both his uncovered hands. At the same time, his body also seemed to expand a great deal compared to before, his whole body swelling with muscle.
The Spirit Hall attire had very good elasticity; it actually didn't rip when filling to the point of bursting because of his body growing large. Su Yuntao's eyes had already changed to a faint green color. Sharp claws stretched out from the ten fingers on both hands, glimmering coolly with a dazzling gleam. Two concentric halos of light shone brightly up from underfoot, constantly moving from underfoot to the crown of his head. Among them one was white, the other one was yellow.
After seeing his sudden transformation into a wolf, JoyBoy was shocked to say the least. He then noticed that grandpa jack had no reaction to the transformation.
"Maybe it's not a big deal for spirit masters ?"
The boy who was told to stand among the black stones, with eyes staring at Su Yuntao's body transforming, suddenly shouted,
"Aaaaah~~~~~~", about to run away from fear.
The fresh green radiance in Su Yuntao's eyes was truly frightening. Catching hold of that child, he said:
"Don't move. I said not to be afraid. This is my spirit, Lone Wolf. If one of you is capable of becoming a spirit master in the future, they will also be able to employ similar abilities."
"Ah, so it is really not a big deal for them. Still, I don't want to transform into an animal. I like staying as myself." JoyBoy thought.
As Su Yuntao clapped both hands together, at lightning speed, six faint green lights poured into the black stones on the ground. At once, a layer of golden misty light released from the stones and rose.
For some reason, as the previously noisily crying child was enveloped in the faint golden light, he immediately became quiet, just somewhat dully standing there.
Every speck of the golden light came fluttering up from the black stones, further entering the body of the boy.
The boy's body began to lightly tremble, not knowing whether to shout or remain quiet.
"Extend your right hand."
Su Yuntao's two moss green eyes stared fixedly at the boy, majestically commanding.
The boy extended his right hand with a start, then paused. All the light specks surged out, instantly a sickle appeared in his hand.
It would appear, that sickle wasn't any trick of the light, and rather it truly existed.
Su Yuntao creased his brow,
"It's a Tool Spirit. Can a sickle be regarded as a weapon? It ought to with effort."
The golden light gradually disappeared. The boy, somewhat amazed, looked at the not particularly small sickle in his hand, rather at a loss.
Su Yuntao said:
"Your spirit is Sickle, a Tool Spirit. Come, let me test if you have spirit power. If you possess spirit power, even a tool spirit can undergo Battle Spirit Cultivation. After all, a sickle certainly has potential for attack."
"Great-, great teacher, what should I do?"
The boy timidly asked.
Su Yuntao coolly said:
"Intentionally recall your spirit. For now try to remember the time you employed it and use that thought to call it out."
The boy tried a long time, just to recall the sickle. Su Yuntao's hands held the blue crystal ball in front of him, motioning him to place his right hand on it.
The boy's immature little hand and Su Yuntao's wolf claws above and below the crystal ball respectively, there was a clear contrast.
A moment later, Su Yuntao somewhat dejectedly said:
"No spirit power. You can't become a Spirit Master. For now, step aside.
Similar scenes continued to play out, and one after another five children had their spirits awakened. Their spirits were all a few pickaxes, sickles and such farm tools. In succession no Beast Spirit appeared, and as for spirit power, all were judged by Su Yuntao to be 'nil'.
When the sixth child's turn came, this was also the last one ahead of Tang San.
After sustained use of spirit power, Su Yuntao seemed to already be rather exhausted, but he still intended to help all eight children complete the awakening process.
Golden flecks of light gathered, and this once, finally it was no longer a farm tool, and something different appeared. A small stem of light blue grass appeared in this girl's palm, softly fluttering to and fro.
JoyBoy vaguely felt that he had himself seen this blue little grass before. Very quickly, the thought came to him; this grass was known as blue silver grass. It showed up everywhere in the village. It was widespread and its vitality was tenacious. It didn't really have any other function. Only because the girl was covered in a layer of pale golden light, he did not recognize it at first.
Even though it wasn't a farm tool, the disappointment in Su Yuntao's eyes was even more evident,
"It's a useless spirit. It doesn't have potential for attack, doesn't have defensive power, and doesn't have assisting ability. Blue silver grass is also considered as the standard of useless spirits."
While speaking, he held out the blue crystal ball to the girl in accordance with procedure, and just like he predicted, like before no spirit power appeared.
After that, it was Tang San's turn, Su Yuntao didn't have to speak, he already stepped ahead to stand in the centre of the six pitch black stones.
In pace with Su Yuntao's six streams of spirit power pouring into them, the pale golden light once more shone up brightly.
Su Yuntao's eyes abruptly shone, because within that golden light, there appeared so many golden flecks that it was even more than what all the previous children possessed together. He faintly sensed, as if a correspondingly powerful spirit would appear. Excitement showed in his manner.
But very quickly Su Yuntao lost heart.
Tang San lifted his right hand and saw something blue. This type of blue had already appeared twice at the village's Spirit Hall that day.
Blue silver grass, exactly identical to the previous girl's blue silver grass. The standard for useless spirits. JoyBoy noticed a small hammer appear for a moment on his left hand before quickly disappearing.
Su Yuntao had no choice but to say:
"Again a useless spirit, it seems. Ok, next."
After hearing Su Yuntao, Tang San spoke.
"Uncle, you still have not let me undergo spirit power test, right."
Su Yuntao said without looking back:
"No need to test. Blue silver grass, for this useless spirit I still have never seen one instance where spirit power appeared."
"Let me give it a try, uncle."
Tang San persistently said.
Su Yuntao was dumbfounded all of a sudden, turning around, to Tang San's calm and rather steadfast gaze. In his heart musing, this child was seemingly out of the ordinary.
"Very well."
Trying once could not waste much time. While speaking, he handed over the blue crystal ball to Tang San.
As before, Su Yuntao instructed to withdraw blue silver grass from within the body.
With his palm just about to touch the blue crystal ball, Tang San's body fiercely trembled all of a sudden. He was shocked to discover, that seemingly very beautiful blue crystal ball unexpectedly possessed tremendous attraction, his inner strength surging out as if finding an outlet. He wanted to struggle free, but no matter how he tried he was unable to escape out that strong attraction.
Su Yuntao was similarly amazed. Suddenly, the blue crystal ball in his hand began to shine, dazzling blue light starting from a point spread in a flash. A cool blue flare showed, unspeakably moving.
"Heavens, it actually is innate full spirit power."
Blue green light released again from Su Yuntao's body, and the crystal ball shot out from Tang San's palm.
Hearing this Tang San asked "Innate full spirit power ?"
"Please wait for some time. I will explain after this. Next "
After saying this, he turned towards JoyBoy and beckoned him to come forward.
JoyBoy POV
"When he called me, I stepped ahead to stand in the centre of the six pitch black stones. After he repeated what he did when testing others my first feeling was warmth.
I felt as if my whole body was wrapped up inside a nice and warm world, feelimg unspeakably comfortable. No wonder those children before could smooth their emotions when wrapped up in the light.
I felt a warm energy flowing through my body making it stronger by the moment before flowing towards the palm of my right hand. I subconsciously lifted my right hand and saw something shining appear."
Seeing the golden light appearing even brighter than Tang San's, Su Yuntao was excited. When he saw the martial soul, he was surprised. It looked like a golden Gauntlet, with what appeared to be a red colored gem fitted on its backside. The gem appeared illusionary.
"The moment I saw my martial spirit, I felt like a fog that had covered my heart and soul cleared up. I felt that until this moment, I had been asleep my whole life. Memories and experiences suddenly started appearing in my mind surprising me.
I was sure that I had never done anything like what I was observing in them. My head felt extremely painful for a moment. Just when I was about to scream, the pain vanished and a calm feeling appeared in my heart. Everything suddenly felt clear inside my mind. I finally understood the significance of what this meant.
I had reincarnated in the Douluo dalu world. Even if I don't remember everything from my previous life, I have sufficient knowledge to support me in living comfortably.
I focused on my martial spirit, the Infinity Gauntlet except it only has power gem attached to it. The gem looked blurry. I also got information about it. So that's what R.O.B meant!"
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