Douluo: Shadow Sovereign

(Third person P.O.V)

Su Yunyato's gaze remained steady as he turned to the last boy in the line. His voice, calm yet commanding, echoed through the silent hall.

"You, step forward."

The boy hesitated for a brief moment before stepping into the awakening circle. His name was Mo Ling, an orphan without background or expectations. Yet, as he moved into the designated spot, something in the air shifted—an unsettling stillness settling over the room.

Su Yunyato raised a hand, his spirit power flowing outward as he began the awakening process.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—the world darkened.

The torches flickered violently, their flames shrinking as though strangled by an invisible force. The temperature dropped, a creeping chill spreading through the hall.

The other children instinctively stepped back, their eyes wide with fear. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the floor, writhing and twisting like living entities. The darkness near Mo Ling deepened, thick and heavy, pulsing with an eerie presence.

A whispering hush swept through the hall as the boy's own shadow began to shift.

It stretched. It wriggled. It moved as though it had a will of its own.

Su Yunyato observed the phenomenon with his usual calm, unfazed by the ominous display. A rare martial spirit had appeared.

"Martial spirit—Shadow." His voice cut through the uneasy silence. "Now, place your hand on the crystal ball."

Mo Ling swallowed and obeyed, pressing his palm against the cold surface.

Immediately, a strange sensation flooded his body. It felt as if something was being drawn out of him, an invisible force siphoning a fragment of his soul. The energy inside the crystal stirred, swirling with tendrils of darkness.

The ball lit up—but only halfway.

The glow flickered for a moment before stabilizing, settling into a dim yet steady radiance.

Su Yunyato studied the result before nodding slightly. His voice remained indifferent, but there was an underlying weight to his words.

"Innate Spirit Level—Five."

The murmurs among the onlookers grew louder, their eyes darting between Mo Ling and the still-writhing shadows around him.

"You have the potential to become a Spirit King."

(Mo ling P.O.V)

Mo Ling stood in line, his hands clenched into fists. The other children had gone before him, some cheering in joy, others lowering their heads in disappointment. He could feel their emotions—relief, excitement, even despair. But as the line grew shorter, his own heart remained steady.

Then—his turn came.

"You, step forward."

Su Yunyato's voice was calm, indifferent. He wasn't expecting much. No one was.

Mo Ling exhaled and stepped into the circle, his body rigid but his face unreadable. The moment he entered the designated spot, Su Yunyato raised a hand, placing it lightly on his head.

A strange warmth spread through Mo Ling's body, like something was calling out to him.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—the world darkened.

A shiver ran down Mo Ling's spine. The torches flickered violently, their flames shrinking, struggling to stay alight. The room grew colder, the very air pressing down on his skin. A strange weight settled in his chest.

Then, he noticed it.

His shadow was moving.

It wasn't just shifting under the torchlight—it was stretching, writhing like a living thing. It slithered unnaturally across the floor, as though something deep and ancient had awakened within it. The other children gasped, their footsteps shuffling backward. He could hear their whispers.

"What is that…?"

"His shadow… it's alive!"

Despite their reactions, Mo Ling found himself drawn to the sight. A strange familiarity settled over him, as if this power had always been there, waiting for this moment to emerge.

Then, Su Yunyato spoke.

"Martial spirit—Shadow."

His voice held no emotion, but Mo Ling could feel the weight of those words. A rare martial spirit? Or a dangerous one? He wasn't sure.

"Now, place your hand on the crystal ball."

Mo Ling stepped forward and pressed his palm against the cold surface.

Immediately, something was pulled from him.

He gasped softly. It wasn't painful, but it was… strange. A force inside him, previously dormant, was now being drawn into the crystal. The swirling energy inside reacted, shifting, growing darker, before finally—

It lit up.

The light climbed halfway before stopping.

A strange silence followed.

Su Yunyato studied the result before nodding slightly. His next words sent a ripple through the crowd.

"Innate Spirit Level—Five."

"You have the potential to become a Spirit King."

Mo Ling's heart pounded. Spirit King…? That was a title for those who reached Rank 50. It wasn't the highest level of talent, but it meant he had a real chance to grow stronger.

He glanced at his shadow, which had now returned to normal. But he knew the truth. It wasn't gone. It was waiting.

(Third person P.O.V)

After completing the Awakening Ceremony, Su Yunyato stepped out of the house, his expression calm as ever. The dim morning sun cast a soft glow over the village, its warmth barely cutting through the lingering chill from the awakening of that shadow martial soul.

At the entrance, Mo Dong, the village head, eagerly approached him. His face was lined with age, but his eyes shone with anticipation.

"Master, has anyone awakened a martial spirit?" Mo Dong asked, his voice carrying a mix of hope and nervousness.

Su Yunyato gave a small nod. "A child has awakened a Shadow Martial Spirit. His innate spirit power is Level Five. He has the potential to become a Spirit King and may even rise to the rank of a Branch Hall Master in Spirit Hall."

Mo Dong's eyes widened in excitement. He let out a joyous laugh, clapping his hands together.

"Very good! Very good! Our village might truly prosper now! Hah! Maybe one day, we can even change our name to Spirit King Village!" He chuckled before suddenly lowering his voice, as if realizing his own foolishness. "Ah—Forgive me, Master. I got carried away. But still, I can't wait to tell Old Jack from the next village! Let's see if he can still brag about his village name after this!"

Su Yunyato remained indifferent to the old man's excitement. He simply said, "For now, focus on his education. I will provide you with a certificate. With it, the boy can enroll in Nuoding Academy in Nuoding City."

Mo Dong's expression turned serious. "Master, have you invited him to join Spirit Hall?"

Su Yunyato shook his head slightly. "No need." His voice was steady, confident. "In the end, he will naturally join Spirit Hall. For us commoner martial soul masters, Spirit Hall provides the best resources, opportunities, and treatment. Where else would he go?"