Suppressing the confusion in his heart, Old Jack shook his head and explained to Xiao Yan, "Not necessarily."
Xiao Yan frowned. Isn't "Grand Soul Master" supposed to be a soul master rank?
Seeing the doubt on Xiao Yan's face, Old Jack chuckled and began to explain: "Soul Masters are the most noble profession on our entire continent. They can be powerful warriors or soul masters with peculiar support abilities.
So, not every soul master has strong combat power. But regardless of their type, soul masters are ranked using the same titles."
"So that's how it is." Xiao Yan nodded thoughtfully.
I didn't expect soul masters to be this complicated. I wonder what kind of soul master that old dog Tang Hao is…
Seeing how curious Xiao Yan was about soul masters, Old Jack happily continued his lecture.
"Soul masters possess soul power. Based on its strength, they're divided into ten ranks. Each rank is further divided into ten levels.
The very first level is called Soul Scholar. Once one's soul power reaches level eleven, they ascend to the next title: Soul Master.
And Grand Soul Master is the third rank in the entire sequence. Reaching the level of Grand Soul Master means you're already quite a powerful soul master."
"Grand Soul Master is already considered powerful?" Xiao Yan's interest in tomorrow's martial soul awakening grew stronger.
Ever since transmigrating, he had been stuck in this small village. While he had been practicing strong martial arts, he hadn't had any real fights.
The old dog Tang Hao next to him was very likely his enemy, perhaps even his father's killer or something.
If I can compare myself to a Grand Soul Master and gauge my strength, I can start planning how to eliminate that old mutt Tang Hao—vent my years of resentment and maybe even avenge my cheap father while I'm at it.
Old Jack nodded. "Soul masters are divided into ten titles: Soul Scholar, Soul Master, Grand Soul Master, Soul Expert, Soul Sect, Soul King, Soul Emperor, Soul Sage, Soul Douluo, and Titled Douluo. The name of our continent, Douluo, comes from this very system.
According to legend, those who reach level 90 and above can give themselves a personal title. They are virtually invincible!"
Xiao Yan sighed inwardly. Titled Douluo can be called invincible?
Don't tell me they really can move mountains and seas? The waters of Douluo Continent are deeper than I thought…
Old Jack's eyes glimmered with pride as he added: "Xiao San, our Holy Soul Village once produced a Soul Sage, the eighth title rank, a hundred years ago. Even in all of Notting City or the entire Fasno Province, that's an extremely rare feat."
"Old Jack, that's just a legend," Tang Hao interjected with a rare comment.
"What do you mean, just a legend? Legends come from truth! Tang Hao, you've been in the village for six years—you should understand what that Soul Sage means to us. If I hear you disrespecting that esteemed master again, I'll kick you out of the village! If not for Xiao San's sake, you think I'd bother coming to your dump of a place?"
Triggered, Old Jack lost all mood to continue.
After getting scolded, Tang Hao became quiet, resuming his blacksmithing with a few metallic clangs.
"Xiao San, make sure you never turn into a drunkard like your old man. I'm heading out. I'll come pick you up in three days for your martial soul awakening."
With that, Old Jack stormed off in a rage.
Xiao Yan sighed with some regret. I was hoping to learn more about martial souls and soul masters…
Guess I'll just have to wait three days to experience it for myself.
After brooding for a bit, Xiao Yan walked over to the forge, picked up the small forging hammer Tang Hao had prepared for him, and continued pounding away at a fist-sized chunk of iron essence.
This iron still had some impurities. After a little more hammering, it'd be ready for forging into hidden weapons.
The sound of clang clang clang rang out, catching Tang Hao's attention.
The once impurity-ridden iron block had now shrunk to one-fifth its original size. Its surface gleamed with a black sheen—completely different from before, like heaven and earth apart.
Watching Xiao Yan's powerful, skilled strikes, Tang Hao's hazy eyes flashed with sharp light.
"This Xiao San's strength is quite something. I haven't even taught him the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique, yet he's already refined that scrap iron until it gleams black.
Such talent… even better than I had back in the day."
"With this kind of potential, he could really become a fine blacksmith someday."
Tang Hao put down his work and walked over to Xiao Yan. "What are you planning to forge with this piece of iron?"
"Tang Hao, the old dog, suddenly grew a conscience?" Xiao Yan was a bit surprised. This guy usually didn't talk to him at all.
Putting down the hammer and wiping the sweat from his forehead, Xiao Yan replied, "I want to forge some fine needles."
"Fine needles?" Tang Hao was expecting blades or swords, not something so inconspicuous. "Actually… even better."
Tang Hao said, "With your current forging skill, to shape this piece into fine needles will take at least half a year."
"Half a year?" Xiao Yan was a little stunned.
Even if Tang Hao is a piece of work, he does have a point.
As the saying goes, every profession has its expertise.
He might have mastered the essence of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons, but the original "Tang San" only did precision assembly—not the initial forging.
Using brute strength, he might be able to reduce the time, but even so, it would still take several days.
But since Tang Hao had actually bothered to speak, there was probably more to it.
Xiao Yan asked, "Then what should I do?"
Tang Hao replied coolly, "Tell me—when you swing the forging hammer, which part of your body exerts force first?"
"Power comes from the ground up. Naturally, it starts with the feet."
Tang Hao looked at Xiao Yan with some surprise. He didn't expect such insight from a child. Most people would've answered the waist or arms.
Tang Hao paused for a moment before asking again: "Then tell me—how many hearts does a person have?"
Xiao Yan froze, thinking, He's sick. Definitely sick. This old dog Tang Hao's brain is fried from the booze.
Obviously, people only have one heart. Maybe it's not exactly on the left, but still—just one!
"Answer me!" Tang Hao stared coldly at Xiao Yan, suddenly radiating a powerful pressure.
Xiao Yan's heart suddenly sped up. That aura—he's no ordinary guy!
Good thing I didn't make a move earlier…
(End of Chapter)