Chapter Six: The System

After gathering some more food, Ling Xiao headed outside the Martial Soul Hall.

“Greetings, Holy Son!”

The guards at the gate of the Martial Soul Hall quickly saluted upon seeing Ling Xiao’s arrival.

“Holy Son! Are you going out?” the captain of the guard approached Ling Xiao and asked.

“Yeah,” Ling Xiao nodded. “Going out for a bit of fun. Staying inside the Martial Soul Hall all the time gets a bit boring.”

“Holy Son, do you require escorts to accompany you?”

“No need. What danger could I possibly face in Martial Soul City?” Ling Xiao shrugged.

Although the guard captain agreed there was little danger in Martial Soul City, he was still wary of the unexpected. Just as he was about to say something, a figure clad in golden armor appeared in his peripheral vision, causing his pupils to narrow. The figure shook his head at the captain.

The captain understood immediately. Indeed, how could the Holy Son face any danger in Martial Soul City? There was always an elder secretly protecting him.

“Wishing the Holy Son a smooth journey. Have fun in Martial Soul City!” the captain said, withholding further words.

“Thank you,” Ling Xiao nodded and walked out of the hall, the golden-armored figure quietly following behind.

Ling Xiao walked for quite some time before stopping in a garden, sitting on a bench, basking in the sunlight and feeling the gentle cool breeze.

Everything felt so serene and beautiful.

Suddenly, Ling Xiao glanced up at the sky—blue sky, white clouds, nothing unusual.

But the next moment, a golden light dot suddenly appeared in his vision, rushing toward him.

“What is that?” Ling Xiao watched the light curiously.

Hidden nearby, Elder Ju Dou also looked up toward the sky following Ling Xiao’s gaze, but saw nothing, which puzzled him.

The next moment, Ju Dou’s expression froze.

Ling Xiao stared at the light dot and felt something strange—he seemed to have lost the ability to hear. Everything around him had become eerily silent.

He withdrew his gaze from the sky and was shocked to find the entire world seemed frozen—leaves suspended in midair, water no longer flowing, the wind vanished.

“What’s going on?” Ling Xiao jumped off the bench and tried to grasp a falling leaf but found he couldn’t move it, as if it was welded in place.

At that moment, the light dot floated beside Ling Xiao, hovering before him.

He reached out to grab it, but before touching it, the dot suddenly entered his head and disappeared.

Panicked, Ling Xiao touched his head, not knowing what had just happened.

Suddenly, a voice echoed inside his mind.

“Heavens Rising System Bound.
Host:
Name: Ling Xiao
Age: Three years old
Martial Soul: Unawakened
Realm: Mortal
Divine Rank: None.”

“Heavens Rising System? What is that?” Ling Xiao listened in confusion.

Inside his mind, a figure made of white light appeared.

“So this is my host? Just a child,” the figure said with a plaintive tone, then quickly shook its head.

“Oh well, this is my first host since my birth. Even if a child, I must diligently fulfill my duties. Completing performance evaluations means achieving immortality, allowing me to become an official member of the System Clan. Perhaps one day, I could become a great being like the Father God, transcending the original universe to roam the cosmic seas,” the figure said longingly.

Just as the figure intended to observe its host further, an overwhelming will descended, obliterating it instantly before it could react.

But the next instant, it reappeared—not within Ling Xiao’s mind, but in a boundless space.

“Where is this place?” the figure’s voice trembled in terror. To be instantly destroyed and then revived by a presence equal to its Father God—it never expected such an existence in an ordinary star of a small universe.

“Greetings, elder. I beg your mercy if I have offended you,” the figure immediately knelt, refraining from threatening with its Father God—a foolish move.

While kneeling, two shadowy figures stood before it, though it could not see them.

“System Clan, quite rare. Lucky to have found a host,” said a figure in black, voice ethereal.

“What shall we do? Expel it or let it remain inside the host?” asked a figure clad in blood-red.

“Perhaps the host just wants some fun. Let’s tweak it slightly,” the black-clad figure suggested.

“Agreed,” the blood-clad figure nodded.

The kneeling figure began to change; the white light dissipated, revealing a woman in a flowing white robe—her beauty breathtaking, her figure graceful, her long white hair naturally cascading.

Despite her beauty, her eyes were empty, like a puppet.

“Why alter the appearance?” the blood-clad figure asked coldly.

“Nothing much, just to make it more pleasing for the host,” came the reply.

“Now, the host can enjoy playing...” The black-clad voice faded away.

The woman reappeared in Ling Xiao’s mind, her once vacant eyes now lively.

She looked around, then her eyes brightened.

“I am the Heavens Rising System. This is my host. I will help my host grow stronger,” she whispered.

...

As Ling Xiao pondered the nature of the Heavens Rising System, a voice spoke again.

“Host, greetings. I am the Heavens Rising System, here to help you grow stronger.”

“Help me grow stronger? Really?” Ling Xiao’s eyes lit up; he longed for strength.

“Yes, host. Complete tasks to awaken your Martial Soul, gain Divine Rank, and continuously grow stronger,” the System explained.

“That’s great! Can we start now? I want to awaken my Martial Soul quickly!” Ling Xiao said excitedly.

“Of course, host,” the System replied.

“Task issued: Visit the Elder Hall, the Offering Hall, and the Pope’s Hall to clock in. Simply think the clock-in silently to succeed.”

“That’s it?” Ling Xiao was stunned. Just a few walks?

“Host, this is just the beginning. Simple tasks are a bonus,” the System said.

“I see.” Ling Xiao nodded, looking around to find the world had returned to normal.

“Better hurry back to the Martial Soul Hall to complete the clock-ins, then I can awaken my Martial Soul!” Ling Xiao thought, running toward the hall.

Hidden, Elder Ju Dou noticed nothing amiss and followed Ling Xiao back.

Ling Xiao did not pause upon returning to the Martial Soul Hall; he went straight to the Elder Hall’s entrance, silently clocking in.

Then the Offering Hall, followed by the Pope’s Hall.

After clocking in at all three, the System’s voice sounded in Ling Xiao’s mind.

“Congratulations, host. Task complete. Rewards: Twin Martial Souls—Demon Eye Blood Sword, Flame of Origin, and Innate Level 90 Soul Power.”

Ling Xiao was incredulous. He was a Twin Martial Soul wielder? He knew how rare that was—over many years on Douluo Continent, Twin Martial Souls were almost unheard of.

What shocked him more was his innate soul power at level ninety. Such a level might be unique across the entire continent. Even those with innate soul power at level ten were exceedingly rare.

Only the Grand Offering Elder, Qian Daoliu, possessed level twenty innate soul power, and his Martial Soul was the Six-Winged Angel, the continent’s sole Divine-grade Martial Soul.

“System, can I awaken my Martial Soul now?” Ling Xiao asked, regaining composure.

“Yes, host, you may awaken your Martial Soul at any time.”

“Wonderful!” Ling Xiao entered the Pope’s Hall immediately.

Inside, Bibi Dong was handling Martial Soul Hall affairs. Seeing Ling Xiao rush in, she smiled gently.

“Xiao’er, what’s got you so happy?” Bibi Dong asked softly, opening her arms to let Ling Xiao sit on her lap.

“Teacher, I can awaken my Martial Soul now!” Ling Xiao said.

Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned but then smiled. “I know you want to awaken your Martial Soul and become stronger, but Xiao’er, you’re only three years old. You have to wait until you’re six.”

“Teacher, I’m telling the truth. I really can awaken my Martial Soul!” Ling Xiao said earnestly.

Bibi Dong chuckled, thinking it was just child’s play, but looking at Ling Xiao’s expression, a wild thought crossed her mind.

Could it really be possible for him to awaken his Martial Soul now?

She fell silent. If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t entertain such notions.

But Ling Xiao!

He was extraordinary!

He came from beyond the heavens! And he was the reason she reached level ninety-nine three years ago.

“Xiao’er, are you really able to awaken your Martial Soul?” Bibi Dong asked.

“Really!” Ling Xiao nodded.

“Good. I believe you. I’ll have someone prepare immediately,” Bibi Dong said, glancing toward a corner.

A shadowy figure nodded and gradually vanished.

Soon, Ghost Douluo returned to the Pope’s Hall, accompanied by Elder Ju Dou, Hu Liena, and Qian Daoliu.

Seeing Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong’s expression turned cold as she looked at Ghost Douluo.

Ghost Douluo looked ashamed.

But Bibi Dong didn’t truly blame him—the gap between them was simply too great.

“Qian Daoliu, why aren’t you at the Offering Hall? What are you doing here?”

“Just curious. Why does Elder Ghost bring the soul power testing crystal and the Martial Soul awakening array stone to the Pope’s Hall? Is it for that child to awaken his Martial Soul?” Qian Daoliu asked, his gaze fixed on Ling Xiao, full of doubt.

“That’s none of your business,” Bibi Dong’s voice was icy.

“I’m just curious about that kid’s Martial Soul awakening. Can’t I even take a look?” Qian Daoliu said sternly. Deep down, he didn’t believe Ling Xiao could awaken his Martial Soul at such a young age, but he also thought Bibi Dong wouldn’t do something so foolish, so he came to see for himself.

Bibi Dong was displeased but had no time to waste on Qian Daoliu—this concerned Ling Xiao’s future.

Elder Ju Dou smiled at Ling Xiao.

“Holy Son, please stand at the center of the awakening array. Extend your hand and feel carefully.”

Ling Xiao obeyed; one by one, light points entered his body.

The next moment, a blood-red sword with a strange design appeared in the palm of Ling Xiao’s right hand.

“He actually awakened it!” Qian Daoliu exclaimed, staring blankly at the sword. The others had similar reactions.

“Three years old, how can he awaken a Martial Soul!” Qian Daoliu murmured in shock.

“That’s not all. The Holy Son has another Martial Soul on his left hand!” Ghost Douluo, who had been silent, exclaimed, drawing everyone’s attention to Ling Xiao’s left hand.

Floating above his left palm was a black flame.

“He actually has Twin Martial Souls!” Qian Daoliu was once again stunned.

Twin Martial Souls! How rare!

“The Holy Son’s future achievements could rival the Pope himself!” Elder Ju Dou marveled, though he believed Ling Xiao would surpass him, knowing how miraculous this was.

Hu Liena was utterly shocked. Ling Xiao awakening his Martial Soul was already incredible, but Twin Martial Souls? His future was limitless!

Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu fixed their gazes on the two Martial Souls beside Ling Xiao—there was no doubt these were extraordinary.

Bibi Dong turned to Elder Ju Dou. “Now, test Xiao’er’s innate soul power.”

“Yes!” Ju Dou brought a blue crystal orb.

Ling Xiao placed his hand on it. As everyone held their breath, a cracking sound suddenly rang out. The crystal orb in Ju Dou’s hand shattered into pieces.

Ju Dou stared blankly at the fragments on the ground.

“What’s going on? Is this some low-quality product?” Qian Daoliu frowned. Such an accident was unacceptable in this setting.

“This isn’t my fault. I don’t know what happened. This is definitely the best quality,” Ju Dou said nervously.

“Fine, get another one,” Qian Daoliu waved his hand, not pressing the issue. Ju Dou fetched another crystal orb and retested.

When Ling Xiao’s hand rested on the new orb, it shattered again. This time, no one blamed the crystal.

They all turned to Ling Xiao. Bibi Dong took a deep breath and asked, “What level is this crystal supposed to test?”

Ju Dou swallowed hard. “Level thirty.”

Silence fell. The level thirty soul power crystal shattered? How high could Ling Xiao’s innate soul power be? Level forty?

The thought made their breaths quicken—this was unprecedented in the continent’s history.

Next, Bibi Dong instructed Ju Dou to fetch the crystal orb that tested Soul Douluo level soul power.

After a while, Ju Dou returned with a golden crystal orb.

Bibi Dong’s voice trembled slightly. “Xiao’er, try again.”

Ling Xiao nodded silently and placed his hand on the orb. The orb emitted a strong golden light but still shattered.

“Innate soul power level ninety! A born Soul Douluo!” Bibi Dong held her head, struggling to speak. Her head felt dizzy.

Everyone was shocked, even horrified, at the proclamation of a born Soul Douluo.

To think, how many Soul Douluo existed on the entire continent?

And Ling Xiao, a three-year-old child, had innate power beyond many lifetime achievements.