"The Son of Destiny's fate is only loosely connected to her," the Three-Eyed Golden Lion said with a yawn."Whether she can bring him back is still uncertain. But…"
Its eyes sparkled faintly."I've been observing the luck of the Douluo Continent lately. There are many emerging supernovas—some hidden, some already commanding influence. But none of them have as stable a foundation as the one she encountered."
"Stable?" Di Tian frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The others have immense luck, but it's like smoke—brilliant on the surface, easily scattered by the wind.But the Son of Destiny the Soft-Boned Rabbit is connected to… his luck is different."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes narrowed thoughtfully."It also appears as smoke, but he's producing luck from within—condensed, weighty, like stone."
"If the smoke-like luck represents a gift from the continent—distributed to those deemed worthy—then this one has created his own.Even if he loses the continent's favor, his own fortune won't disappear.The only way to strip him of it would be to kill him, or…"
It paused. Golden light shimmered faintly around its third eye as it connected with the power of fate.
Moments later, it opened its eyes—visibly tired.
"Well?" Di Tian asked, brows tightening.
"There's one more way," the Three-Eyed Golden Lion muttered."If he loses his memory… or becomes an idiot, he'll lose the power to manifest his own fate."
"Lose his memory?" Di Tian's eyes gleamed coldly. He began to understand."Then that luck is… wisdom."
"Yes," Bi Ji agreed softly."Wisdom, knowledge. Courage, strength. Humans are truly a race favored by the heavens. Why… why do the gods favor them?"
None of the savage beasts could answer.
Silence fell among them.
They simply stared toward the distance, awaiting the day the Soft-Boned Rabbit brought the Son of Destiny to the Star Dou Great Forest.Only then would the beasts decide: to kill him, or… something else.
Far away, the aura surrounding Xiao Wu began to surge.
Her second soul ring was finally taking form. It shimmered with a strange, deep violet hue.
Meanwhile, in Emperor Soul Village.
After leaving Zonghun Village and passing through Wanghun Village, Tang San and Su Yuntao arrived at Emperor Soul Village—named for having produced a Soul Emperor in the past.
As usual, Su Yuntao performed the martial soul awakening ceremony.
But this time, with Tang San by his side, he had no need to worry about exhausting his soul power.
In fact, other than keeping an eye on his fifteen loyal dogs, Su Yuntao was having a much easier time than usual.
Among the children they awakened that day, one girl stood out.
She possessed innate level-three soul power, and her martial soul was a bow.
An orphan, her father had once been a hunter.When she was just three years old, he had gone to Nuoding City to sell prey, but a dispute with a minor noble left him with a broken leg.He died from blood loss shortly after.
Since then, the girl had lived on charity in the village.
Though she survived, other children avoided her, and over time, her personality became withdrawn and cautious.
"What's your name?" Su Yuntao asked gently."I'll fill out your certificate. You can enroll in Nuoding Academy as a work-study student—and one day become a soul master."
"…Guang Ling."The girl answered softly, still shy—but her gaze kept drifting to Tang San.He looked even prettier than the boys in her village. She couldn't help staring.
"Alright, Guang Ling," Su Yuntao smiled as he filled out the form."If you become a soul master, you can join the Spirit Hall. Travel the continent, see other villages, explore new places."
Despite its power and influence, the Spirit Hall wasn't a charity.They didn't accept just anyone.
Innate soul power below level four was considered poor potential.Most such individuals were not actively recruited. Instead, Spirit Hall preferred to wait until they reached level ten and became true soul masters before extending formal invitations.
Because even low-potential soul masters, once trained and equipped with armor and weapons, could outperform ordinary soldiers.
But training required resources—something even the Spirit Hall had to fight to extract from the two empires.They couldn't afford to subsidize every awakened child on the continent.
So Su Yuntao gave Guang Ling the standard guidance: train hard, reach level ten, and then seek out the Spirit Hall.
"Can I… really become a soul master?" Guang Ling asked hesitantly.
"Of course you can." Su Yuntao smiled."With innate level-three soul power, you're ahead of most children.I've visited dozens of villages. Most kids only have level one or two—some even just half a level. You've already surpassed them."
Tang San suddenly asked:"Are you interested in coming with me?"
Su Yuntao blinked in surprise."Xiao San, do you like her?"
"…Can you not say weird things?" Tang San gave him a glare."I asked the villagers. Her father's martial soul was a wooden bow—no soul power.But hers is an iron bow, with innate level-three soul power. That's a mutation. If she gets the right soul ring, her martial soul will evolve even further."
He was also interested in testing his theory—about martial soul affinity—and Guang Ling was a promising candidate.
Su Yuntao nodded in understanding."Guang Ling, would you like to follow this older brother? He's already a Great Soul Master, and a master of martial soul theory. He can guide you better than anyone else here."
"…Okay."Guang Ling gave a small nod.
She was alone. No parents. No clear future.But this gentle big brother in front of her—he had a direction. Maybe she could find hers by following him.
"My name is Tang San."He held out his hand."Are you willing to study martial soul theory with me? I can guide you, but the path is yours to walk."
Guang Ling placed her small hand in his and nodded with determination.
"I'm willing."
Su Yuntao chuckled to himself.Kids these days really grow up fast. But when Xiao Wu returns… heh, Tang San's going to have a hard time.