"Is it really that easy to become a Soul Master?"
The voice came from above, calm and unimpressed. All heads turned toward the rooftops just in time to see a figure sprinting across the eaves like a shadow.
The children gasped as the figure leapt into the air, flipped mid-flight, and landed gracefully in front of the Spirit Hall's gate, like a leaf falling on stone.
"Show-off."
That was Kai Rivers' only thought as he watched Su Yuntao make his flashy entrance.
Su Yuntao straightened, arms crossed, a smug grin on his face."It's not easy becoming a Soul Master. Only the lucky few have the talent for it."
Kai stepped forward calmly. "Then how about a bet?"
"A bet?" Su Yuntao blinked, caught off guard.
Kai nodded and pulled out a small cloth pouch. The jingle of coins inside was unmistakable.
"Where did you get that much money?" asked Old Jack, surprised.
Kai shrugged. "Everyone in the village helped out. A few copper coins here and there—New Year's money, some gifts from the city. I've been saving up for years."
What he didn't say was that, ever since reincarnating into this world, he'd used knowledge from his past life to transform the village's agriculture. Yields had tripled, livestock were healthier, and the economy boomed. Grateful villagers had repaid him with gifts and coins.
Su Yuntao eyed the pouch, clearly tempted—but also hesitant. He was an adult. Betting against a child, even if he won, would be shameful.
"If you think I'm too young, how about betting with Grandpa Jack instead?" Kai suggested smoothly, seeing right through him.
Jack frowned. "Are you sure about this, Kai? That's a lot of money. You could use it one day to… start a family."
Kai smiled. "It's worth it. If I have even a little soul power, then I can become a Soul Master, no matter what my spirit is. Right, Master Su?"
Su Yuntao nodded reluctantly.
Jack still looked worried. "There hasn't been a single Soul Master from this village in years..."
"Trust me," Kai said firmly. "Let's do it."
After a pause, Jack sighed and nodded. "Alright then. Master Su, would you consider this bet?"
Su Yuntao snorted. "Fine. I'm curious to see what you're so confident about. What are the terms?"
Kai pointed to the group. "There are nine of us. If even two of us have soul power and qualify to become Soul Masters, you lose. If fewer than two qualify, I lose. If I lose, you get all these coins. If I win, you owe me the same amount."
Su Yuntao glanced at the children. In rural villages, it was rare to find even one child with soul power, let alone two.
"Deal," he said, grinning. "You want to throw your money away? Be my guest."
He formed a hand seal. A burst of soul power shot from his hands and hit the large wooden doors of the Spirit Hall. With a creak, they opened slowly.
"Come in," Su Yuntao said, glancing sideways at Kai.
The nine children followed him into the hall.
Ding-dong!
"Huh?"
As soon as Kai stepped over the threshold, a clear bell-like chime echoed in his mind.
System detected: Host is about to awaken martial spirit.Expose Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer to gain Luck Points and activate the system.
"A system?! I finally get a cheat?! Let's go!!"
Kai froze, heart racing. For six years, he'd been waiting for a sign that his transmigration came with a "golden finger." Now, it had finally appeared. Turns out the old trope was right—cheats might arrive late, but they never miss their cue.
But…
Expose Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer?
Kai's gaze drifted toward Tang San, standing just ahead of him.
Don't tell me… This is an anti-Tang San system?
During his time in Holy Soul Village, Kai had never really liked Tang San, but they'd gotten along. Now, the system wanted him to betray that?
"Hey, Kai, what's wrong?" Jack asked, noticing him standing still.
Kai turned around quickly.
"Don't be nervous," Jack added gently. "Life doesn't begin or end with being a Soul Master. It's just one path among many."
Kai nodded, masking the storm brewing in his mind. Then he stepped forward and joined the line.
"My name is Su Yuntao. I'm a level-26 Soul Master and your guide today. I'll awaken your martial spirits one by one. Whatever happens, don't panic. You—yes, you—step forward first."
Six black stones floated in a circle around the first child. Su Yuntao raised his hands, and two soul rings lit up beneath him—one white, one yellow.
Behind him, a translucent red-eyed wolf appeared, snarling with energy.
The kids screamed and backed away.
"I said don't panic!" Su Yuntao barked. "This is my martial spirit—Lone Wolf. If you're lucky enough to awaken spirit power, you'll have abilities like this one day."
Kai just rolled his eyes.Show-off.You'll be crying soon enough.
"Scythe—weapon-type martial spirit. Not bad. Now let's test for soul power."
Su Yuntao pulled out a blue crystal orb from his storage tool and held it out.
"Place your hand on the crystal," he instructed.
The child did—and the orb lit up faintly.
"Level 2 soul power. Congratulations, kid. You qualify as a Soul Master. Step aside. Next!"
Su Yuntao cast a surprised glance at Kai. A child from a backwater village, with real soul power?
Impossible.
"Pitchfork… useless martial spirit… Wait—Level 5 soul power?!"
The crystal ball flared to life, glowing brightly. Su Yuntao's jaw dropped.
A fifth-level soul power user… in this village?
His gaze slid toward Kai, realization dawning.
He'd lost the bet.
And Kai Rivers… he simply won.