Douluo:Peerless Tang Sect: Douluo of Peaceful Heaven

At the edge of Zhangyang Village, in a small clearing, a group of children played joyfully. Beneath a large tree nearby, several elderly villagers sat cross-legged on the ground, their conversations quiet and heavy with the weariness of age.

As Zhu Ziyang and his companions appeared at the village entrance, their presence immediately drew attention. The old men and women stood up at once, wary gazes fixed upon the newcomers. Their clothes, posture, and aura radiated nobility and refinement—clear signs that these were not ordinary folk. And in this remote mountain village, such distinguished visitors could only mean trouble.

Fear and uncertainty crept into the villagers' eyes. The children quickly hid behind their elders, tiny faces filled with both awe and apprehension.

"Esteemed sirs and madams, may I ask what brings you to our humble village?"

A frail old man stepped forward, voice trembling with both respect and caution. His sparse white hair and nearly toothless mouth told of a hard life.

"I'm here to fulfill a promise," Zhu Ziyang replied gently, smiling. He scanned the group of elders, his gaze landing on a particular old woman. His eyes lit up, and he stepped toward her. "Granny Yang, do you remember me?"

This was the same old woman who had sheltered Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan a year ago. He still remembered her well, but Granny Yang's expression was uncertain. Her old eyes narrowed, as if struggling to recall. Surely, she thought, no soul master would truly return for the sake of a few forgotten words to commoners.

But before she could respond—

"Grandma, it's them! The big brother and big sister from last year!"

A little girl hiding behind her called out excitedly.

"You… you really came back?"

Granny Yang's lips trembled. Her cloudy eyes widened in disbelief, then brimmed with tears. Her frail body shook with emotion as memory finally clicked into place.

"Yes, Granny, we're back."

Jiang Nannan stepped forward, her warm smile soft as moonlight. It left both the elders and the children momentarily stunned.

Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er exchanged a glance and let out quiet sighs. Then Xian Lin'er stepped forward.

"Elders, we've come to help the children of your village awaken their martial souls. Are these all the children in the village?"

"What?! Martial soul awakening?"

"Were you sent by the city lord?"

"Are you really here to awaken the children's martial souls?"

The words exploded like a spark in dry tinder. The elders all began murmuring excitedly—some disbelieving, others desperate to believe. The children stared wide-eyed, unsure what to make of it all.

"It's true! It's really true!"

Granny Yang raised her voice above the crowd. "Don't you remember what I told you last year? These are the two soul masters I mentioned! They promised to return—and they have!"

After speaking, she pulled her granddaughter forward and knelt before the group of soul masters. Her voice trembled with emotion:

"Thank you, honored soul masters! Long live the soul masters!"

The other elders, inspired by her example, followed suit—kneeling one by one and expressing heartfelt gratitude.

The scene left Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan a bit overwhelmed. They had never expected such reverence. But Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er, both far older than any elder present, accepted the gestures calmly. They had seen much of the world, and their hearts no longer trembled at such displays.

"Please rise," Cai Mei'er said gently, raising her sleeve.

A gentle force lifted all the elders and children to their feet.

"You don't need to thank us," she continued. "Now, please gather all the village's children here."

"Yes, of course!"

The elders were stunned by her power and grace, looking at her with reverence as though she were divine. They obeyed immediately and split off to summon the rest of the children. A few remained to watch over those already present.

Currently, there were nine children in the clearing, ranging from five to eight years old.

"Nannan, do you remember me?"

Jiang Nannan crouched down and gently pinched the cheek of the little girl who had spoken earlier.

"Mm-hmm! You're also named Nannan, right?"

The girl's dirty face broke into a bright smile. Despite the grime, her joy was radiant.

Jiang Nannan beamed. "That's right!"

Watching the exchange, Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er both sighed.

"Ziyang," Xian Lin'er said softly, "does your heart ever feel injustice?"

"A little," he answered truthfully.

"No need to hide it. Mei'er and I once felt the same way," Xian Lin'er said with a smile. "The world has come to a point where change is no longer optional. We believe in you."

"Indeed, Ziyang," Cai Mei'er added. "To give every child—noble or common—the right to awaken their martial soul… That is our dream, as soul masters who came from humble origins."

"Senior Sisters, you don't need to say more. I understand," Zhu Ziyang replied calmly.

Seeing his composed expression, the two women said no more.

"Alright then," said Xian Lin'er. "Let's begin the awakening."

"Mm." Zhu Ziyang nodded and retrieved a special set of Martial Soul Awakening Stones from his Stellar Flame Ring—purchased at great cost from Shrek City's Treasures Pavilion.

Ordinary nobles received these for free. Zhu Ziyang had paid one million gold soul coins, and that was after a 90% discount. The true price exceeded ten million—and that was assuming one even had the qualifications to purchase.

The reality was, the supply of these stones was ruthlessly monopolized. On the original Douluo Continent, the raw crystal mines used to create them were entirely controlled by royal families and great nobles. Even Shrek Academy, before acquiring its own mine, could only receive five sets per year from the three empires.

In the age of Spirit Hall, these stones were as common as cabbage. Now, they were more precious than soul bones. What a bitter irony.

About fifteen minutes after preparations were complete, the elders returned with more children. In total, the village had thirty-one children. Seventeen of them were of age and suitable for awakening. The remaining fourteen were under six, and without external help or secret arts, would have to wait until they matured.

The younger children were led aside. Their families were visibly anxious, some even pleading with the soul masters to let their children participate. Moved by the grief and hope on their faces, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan softened their hearts and promised:

They would return next year.

This assurance finally calmed the worried families.

With everything ready, the awakening began. The seventeen eligible children were split into two groups. Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan each handled one. After a month of helping with awakenings in the past, they were both well-practiced.

The little girl—nicknamed "Nannan"—stood before Jiang Nannan, beaming.

"My real name is Yang Zhenzhen!" she said proudly.

"Alright, Zhenzhen. Now, listen carefully," Jiang Nannan said with a gentle smile. "Close your eyes, imagine you're going to sleep, and stretch out your hand."

The little girl obeyed instantly.

Jiang Nannan smiled again, and injected a pulse of soul power into the awakening stone.

A glowing light enveloped Yang Zhenzhen's body. Within moments, ethereal traces of a martial soul appeared—wings.

A pair of bluish-purple butterfly wings emerged behind her. Faint arcs of electricity flickered across their surface.

A beast-type martial soul—and by the looks of it, one with lightning attributes.

"Is that… a Thunderlight Moth?"

Xian Lin'er, observing nearby, spoke the name aloud in surprise.

She hadn't expected that a child from such a remote village would possess genuine potential as a soul master. While the Thunderlight Moth was an ordinary martial soul, its likelihood of innate soul power was high.