Douluo:Peerless Tang Sect: Douluo of Peaceful Heaven

"Is this my martial soul? It's so pretty!"

Little Yang Zhenzhen beamed with joy as she stared at the translucent wings behind her. Clapping excitedly, her eyes sparkled with wonder.

Not far away, Granny Yang was already crying tears of joy, her weathered face streaked with emotion.

"Well done, Zhenzhen. Now let big sister test your innate soul power."

Jiang Nannan smiled tenderly. For her, helping a child awaken their martial soul and open a new path in life was one of the most fulfilling experiences.

"Okay!"

Zhenzhen nodded eagerly and followed Jiang Nannan's instructions.

"Innate soul power: Level five!"

Jiang Nannan exclaimed joyfully moments later.

"Congratulations, Zhenzhen—you're officially a soul master now!"

"Yay! I'm a soul master!"

The little girl jumped in delight and rushed to her grandmother.

"Grandma, Grandma, I did it—I'm a soul master!"

Granny Yang threw her arms around her, sobbing with joy. The elders around them smiled warmly, offering heartfelt congratulations.

"Level five innate soul power. With regular cultivation, she could reach Soul King or even Soul Emperor level one day," Xian Lin'er commented approvingly.

"She's amazing," Jiang Nannan agreed. Then she turned to the next child, her tone gentle:

"Alright, who's next?"

"Hello, big sister soul master! My name is Zhang Chao," said a little boy, stepping forward.

On the other side, Zhu Ziyang had just finished awakening the martial souls of three children. Unfortunately, none of them had innate soul power. Now, it was the fourth child's turn—a boy already eight years old, with a vacant stare and a somewhat slow demeanor.

"H-hello, soul master s-sir. My name is Han Li," the boy stammered, bowing respectfully.

"Come, stand here," Zhu Ziyang said kindly, pointing to the awakening array before him.

Han Li shuffled inside, moving stiffly. Every word from Zhu Ziyang required a moment's processing before he acted. Yet despite his awkward demeanor, Han Li turned out to be the first child Zhu Ziyang had tested who possessed innate soul power.

His martial soul? A powerful weapon-type spirit called the Coiling Dragon Staff, and his innate soul power was an astonishing Level Eight—on par with Jiang Nannan.

But in terms of talent, he even surpassed her.

While the Soft Bone Rabbit was a decent martial soul, the Coiling Dragon Staff was a top-tier weapon soul, well known throughout both the Douluo and Sun-Moon Continents. It had a long lineage of exceptional users—including, most famously, a High Priest of the Spirit Hall thousands of years ago.

"A Coiling Dragon Staff?"

Cai Mei'er's eyes lit up. "That's quite the gift. With proper training, he could reach Title Douluo."

Her heart stirred with the idea of taking a disciple.

The Coiling Dragon Staff shared the same ancestral spirit origin as her Purifying Dragon Soul Spear—both belonged to the Purifying Dragon Soul lineage, known for its power to counteract evil spirits. Her spear contained the complete dragon soul, while the staff held only a fragment. But with careful guidance and effort, Han Li could one day rebuild the missing essence—and his weapon might rival even her own.

She had met another child with the Coiling Dragon Staff years ago, but that boy's talent had been mediocre. It had taken him until his thirties just to reach Soul King. Compared to him, Han Li's potential was dazzling.

Cai Mei'er made up her mind. Once they returned to the academy, she would personally retrieve the boy and raise him properly.

Han Li's appearance gave Zhu Ziyang a wave of satisfaction. As long as even one soul master was awakened today, the trip had been worth it.

Over the next hour, he and Jiang Nannan awakened all seventeen children.

The results shocked even Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er.

Out of seventeen children, eleven had innate soul power.

The highest was Han Li, with Level 8 and the Coiling Dragon Staff. Next was a little girl with Level 6 and a cat-type beast soul. Then came Yang Zhenzhen and two other children with Level 5. The remaining seven all had soul power below Level 5.

After the awakening ceremony ended, the group stayed another hour to teach the eleven children how to meditate and begin their training.

They had opened a door to a new life. What path these children followed next—that was up to them.

Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan had already done all they could. They were not family, nor mentors. They had given them the gift of awakening—that alone was kindness beyond duty.

Leaving Zhangyang Village, Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er picked up speed, traveling straight toward Anyang City without pause.

"Mei'er, I'm guessing you've decided to take that boy as a disciple?"

Xian Lin'er asked casually on the way.

"I have," Cai Mei'er replied. "That Han Li has promise. And his martial soul suits me perfectly. I'll bring him to the academy and observe him for a few years."

"Sounds reasonable," Xian Lin'er nodded. "By the way—wasn't there a teacher at the academy named Wang Yan? Didn't he also have the Coiling Dragon Staff?"

Cai Mei'er grimaced. "That one? His talent was average, and he wasted what little he had. He's over thirty now and still a Soul King. If not for my past guidance, Little Du would've expelled him already."

"No wonder," Xian Lin'er muttered with realization.

Night fell over the outskirts of Anyang City.

Two beams of light streaked across the sky like shooting stars and descended gently near a quiet village. The lights faded to reveal two middle-aged women and a pair of teenagers—Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, Zhu Ziyang, and Jiang Nannan.

They had departed Zhangyang Village at high speed and arrived at Beihe Village, on the edge of Anyang, by late afternoon. As Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan looked around, their hearts swelled with emotion. After a year away, the familiar sights of their hometowns stirred deep feelings.

"Little Junior Brother, Little Junior Sister—this is Anyang City, yes?"

Xian Lin'er asked, her tone warm.

"Yes," the two teens replied together. "Senior Sister, come visit our home."

"No need. We won't stay long."

Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er exchanged glances and made a decision.

"We have to return to the academy and oversee this year's inner court entrance exams. We won't impose on your families."

"I understand," Zhu Ziyang said, though he clearly felt regret. "Then… safe journey."

"We'll see you both in a month," the two women said, already rising into the sky.

"Wait—Senior Sisters!"

Zhu Ziyang called after them. "Please take care of Xingcai for me this month."

"Of course!"

Their voices echoed from above as they vanished into the clouds.

Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan looked at each other and laughed helplessly.

"We're finally home," Jiang Nannan said softly.

"Come on—let's go."

Zhu Ziyang took her hand, and together they walked into Beihe Village.

The village hadn't changed much. As night fell, warm lights flickered in every home. The light coming from the Zhu family courtyard, situated at the village entrance, was the brightest of all.

After escorting Jiang Nannan back to her home, Zhu Ziyang made his way to his own house.

As he approached, he was overcome with nervousness, excitement, and anticipation. He couldn't wait to see the faces of his parents—Zhu Changhe and Liang Ying—when he stepped through the door.

He smiled, imagining their reactions.

But Zhu Ziyang had no idea that what awaited him was something far beyond his expectations.

Something that would leave him so shaken, it would cast a shadow over his heart for years to come.