MTLNOVEL Chapter 33: Chapter 33
The content of the soul master test boils down to assessing soul power, martial soul capabilities, and physical condition. Tang Wu faces no hurdles, but Xiao San exhibits noticeable reluctance. Only Yin Xiaoya truly understands the underlying cause of Xiao San's hesitation.
In the original Douluo world storyline, Xiao Wu was perpetually wary of Titled Douluos, who possessed the ability to discern her true nature as a soul beast. Tang San's gift of the Yearning Heartbroken Red flower granted her a measure of protection, masking her presence from Titled Douluos, but even that safeguard ultimately failed due to unforeseen circumstances.
"Are there any Titled Douluos present?"
Before undergoing the physical examination, Xiao San repeats the question, addressing Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong, underscoring his deep-seated caution.
"Xiao San, why do you fret so much about the Titled Douluos? It's just a physical examination. What are you so afraid of?" Tang Wu interjects, a hint of exasperation in her tone.
Yu Xiaogang, having encountered numerous children with mutated or compromised martial souls, remains unfazed by Xiao San's apprehension. He patiently reassures the boy.
"While I cannot fathom your specific reasons for distrusting Titled Douluos, rest assured that neither Bibi Dong nor I hold that title. Moreover, within the walls of Shrek Academy, your secrets will remain inviolate. No one here will force you to reveal anything you wish to keep private, nor will outside forces be permitted to harm you."
Xiao San hesitates, casting a furtive glance at Yin Xiaoya before finally nodding in acquiescence. "I understand."
With his guard lowered, Xiao San reveals his martial soul to the group. Several blades of Blue Silver Grass shimmer with a faint silver light—the common grass found along any roadside. Yet, this seemingly ordinary martial soul radiates soul power comparable to Tang Wu's Clear Sky Hammer, an anomaly that shouldn't be possible.
Despite prior knowledge of Xiao San's Blue Silver Grass martial soul, Yu Xiaogang still frowns upon seeing it manifested. He delves into his vast reservoir of knowledge, pondering the unique properties of Blue Silver Grass while meticulously analyzing Xiao San's individual circumstances.
Bibi Dong, however, experiences a profound and immediate reaction. Her body convulses, and sparks momentarily flicker in her eyes before she regains composure. But now, Liu Erlong's consciousness had taken over. A look of shock and disbelief spreads across her face as she gazes intently at Xiao San.
"This is..."
Yin Xiaoya anticipated Liu Erlong's reaction. As a former Titled Douluo, she possessed an innate sensitivity to soul beast transformations. When Xiao San unleashed his soul power, Liu Erlong instantly recognized his true identity.
As Liu Erlong prepared to speak, Yin Xiaoya subtly signals her to remain silent.
Liu Erlong approaches him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did you already know?"
Yin Xiaoya nods. "A Titled Douluo would immediately recognize him. It was only a matter of time. Trust me, from this point forward, we must treat him with care and nurture his growth."
Liu Erlong responds, her voice laced with worry. "His existence will attract unwanted attention. I can vouch for Shrek's integrity, but other forces in this world, particularly the Martial Soul Hall and perhaps even the remnants of the Body Sect, would stop at nothing to capture him. They might even wage war against Shrek to obtain him."
She understands the immense value of a 100,000-year-old soul beast capable of transforming into a human. Even a large-scale conflict would not be out of the question.
As if to underscore this point, the Kamen Rider System presented Yin Xiaoya with a tantalizing notification the moment he recognized Xiao San. It revealed that Xiao San could unlock the power of Kamen Rider Gaim, one of the primary Riders. In fact, with the exception of the Kiwami Form, which required a divine spark, all of Gaim's other forms could be accessed through Xiao San.
Of course, Yin Xiaoya had no intention of exploiting Xiao San in that manner. Still, this revelation highlights the boy's extraordinary potential, and reinforces the need to protect him. The tragic events of the original Douluo world must not be repeated in this timeline.
"Listen," Yin Xiaoya says, his voice firm. "I have a plan to conceal his identity. But I need time to acquire certain items. Until then, he must remain under Shrek's protection. I pledge to safeguard him. As a Kamen Rider, I swear to defend him against any threat."
Liu Erlong, bound by her existence as an Eyecon, wouldn't defy Yin Xiaoya's wishes.
"Very well, I promise Shrek will offer its full cooperation. But... why do you care so much about him?"
Why do I care so much? It's because Xiao San, and Tang Wu, along with Ma Hongjun, might very well be the protagonists of this world.
Xiao San may even be a child of this world's plane. He would inevitably grow stronger even without special protection, but his path would be far more treacherous.
As for himself, if his initial journey had gone smoothly, he might have been the protagonist. As it stands, he is merely passing through, yet unable to sever his ties to this world. Now that he has committed to planting the seeds of Kamen Rider, he cannot afford to ignore the son of this plane.
Yin Xiaoya realizes he cannot reveal any of these truths. Instead, he adopts a mysterious tone. "I sense a profound causal connection emanating from him. If my intuition is correct, the fate of this world will revolve around him."
Liu Erlong seems satisfied with the vague explanation, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face as she gazed at Xiao San.
"Regardless, you should inform Flender of this situation, emphasizing the need for absolute secrecy. And what about Bibi Dong? Does she know?"
Liu Erlong nods. "Since I currently inhabit her body, we share a degree of sensory perception. She was slightly annoyed by my sudden intrusion, but she understands the gravity of the situation and has pledged her silence."
As she finishes speaking, her aura shifts, and Bibi Dong's consciousness reasserts itself.
"I am aware of the situation. You have my word that I will not divulge this secret."
Observing her serious demeanor, Yin Xiaoya couldn't shake off a strange sense of unease. In the original Douluo world, Bibi Dong was the most formidable adversary, but now she has become an ally. The world is unpredictable.
Casting a glance at Yu Xiaogang, who remains deep in thought, Yin Xiaoya adds, "It would be best if the Master remains unaware of this development."
"This..." Bibi Dong hesitates. As Yu Xiaogang's lover, she abhors keeping secrets from him. However, the gravity of the situation dictates discretion. "Very well, I understand."
"Don't worry, he will figure it out eventually."
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang, his mind racing, peers at Xiao San and asks, "Is Blue Silver Grass truly your only martial soul?"
"What do you mean?" Xiao San responds warily.
"The inherent quality of Blue Silver Grass is inherently low. It's nearly impossible for it to possess such a robust foundation of soul power. Also, it is unusual to have the ability to channel soul power at will. I have good reason to believe you harbor another martial soul, a potent one at that. Twin martial souls are extraordinarily rare, but Shrek currently houses two individuals with that distinction, including Bibi Dong. Shrek has the necessary experience, so I urge you to be forthright."
Despite Yu Xiaogang's entreaty, Xiao San firmly shakes his head. "No, I am not a twin martial soul. My martial soul is simply Blue Silver Grass."
"Blue Silver Grass..." Yu Xiaogang strokes his chin, his gaze intent. "In that case, your martial soul must be more than just ordinary Blue Silver Grass. I recall tales of a Blue Silver Grass soul beast..."
Xiao San flinches, his face contorting with alarm. Even Yin Xiaoya had not expected Yu Xiaogang to arrive at this conclusion.
"There exists a Blue Silver Grass soul beast of considerable power known as the Blue Silver Emperor. I suspect your Blue Silver Grass is merely the embryonic form of that entity. Inevitable evolution occurs as you cultivate. This form of evolution differs from random mutations, and is preordained, so do not fret, just let nature run its course."
With each word, Yu Xiaogang commits his deductions to Xiao San's file.
"Hu~~"
Xiao San visibly relaxes, relieved that Yu Xiaogang hadn't discerned his true identity.
Yin Xiaoya's admiration for Yu Xiaogang deepens.
"Your man truly deserves the title of Grandmaster. He is truly remarkable."
Bibi Dong beams with pride. "Of course! Did you think I would be interested in someone ordinary?"
Yin Xiaoya imagined Liu Erlong mirroring Bibi Dong's pride within her body. Two happinesses combining into one... What is this?
"Alright, the test concludes. Both of you are exceptional. Shrek will tailor your training to maximize your potential. I will arrange for someone to guide you around the academy and familiarize you with your living quarters. Rest well and mentally prepare yourselves. Shrek's curriculum is rigorous."
Yu Xiaogang gathers his belongings, preparing to depart. He intends to devise specialized training plans for the two new students. However, Tang Wu tentatively raises her hand.
"Master, there is something I have yet to reveal."
"Oh? What is it?"
Tang Wu's soul power intensifies, radiating a unique energy signature. Her body becomes enveloped in a faint pink aura, and her eyes glow with a matching hue. From behind her, a fluffy tail emerges, and a pair of large, velvety rabbit ears perk up from her head.
Yu Xiaogang stares at the scene, utterly dumbfounded.
"You... you are a twin martial soul!? And one of them is a beast soul?"
Even Bibi Dong, a possessor of twin martial souls, approaches, her expression a mixture of disbelief and awe.
"Oh my goodness, is this the first instance of a dual martial soul with both beast and weapon aspects?"
Twin martial souls are exceptionally rare, let alone combinations of beast and weapon. Typically, one encounters twin beast souls, such as Bibi Dong, or dual weapon souls, as exemplified by Tang San in the original Douluo world. Yin Xiaoya recalls Su Xuan, another twin martial soul user, but her second martial soul is a weapon.
The Tang Wu before him becomes the first owner of a weapon and beast twin martial soul.
"Why did you conceal this?"
Faced with Yu Xiaogang's question, Tang Wu responds hesitantly, "My father forbade me from revealing my twin martial soul until I arrived at Shrek. Initially, I questioned his decision, but now I understand that he was aware of your experience in nurturing twin martial souls."
At this moment, Yin Xiaoya steps forward. "Did your father ever mention your mother?"
Tang Wu shakes her head. "I have asked him countless times, but he refuses to discuss her, nor does he allow me to return to Clear Sky Sect to inquire about her."
Ah, I see. Yin Xiaoya glanced at Xiao San. It appears that the two youths have traded their respective fates. If he isn't mistaken, her mother revealed herself to be a 100,000-year-old soul beast and was hunted.
With Tang Wu's status as a twin martial soul confirmed, Yu Xiaogang realizes his initial training regime is inadequate. Eager to fully grasp the unique properties of her other martial soul, he excused her and tasked Bibi Dong with summoning Su Xuan for assistance in assessing the dynamics of twin martial souls. Even Flender had been alerted.
"They appear preoccupied for the moment. Shall we take a stroll?" Yin Xiaoya asks.
Xiao San readily accepts Yin Xiaoya's offer. Flender's presence as a Titled Douluo also made him uncomfortable. He would be more than happy to seize the opportunity to connect with Yin Xiaoya.
"Regarding my earlier request..."
"You wish to become a Kamen Rider?"
"Yes."
Yin Xiaoya peers at him intently. "Before I give you my answer, can you tell me why you wish to become a Kamen Rider instead of a soul master?"
***
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