Awakening Hall
A massive hall stood atop Martial Soul City, its golden walls exuding an ancient and solemn aura. Two enormous angel statues guarded the entrance, their sacred visages overlooking the entire city below.
Two rows of guards stood rigidly before the doors.
Each was clad in full armor, sword at the waist, standing over three meters tall—silent, disciplined, and deadly.
This was the Awakening Hall of Martial Soul City, where the children of the Spirit Hall underwent the awakening of their martial souls.
Qian Daoliu arrived with Qian Ye at his side. The moment the guards saw them, their eyes widened in shock before they swiftly dropped to one knee.
"Greetings, Grand Elder!"
Their voices rang in unison.
Qian Daoliu waved his hand dismissively, signaling them to rise.
Facing the grand golden doors, he smiled faintly. "Ye'er, this is the Awakening Hall. All who belong to the Spirit Hall awaken their martial souls here."
Qian Ye nodded slightly, his gaze calm.
Qian Daoliu looked at his son lovingly. "Don't worry, no matter what martial soul you awaken, you'll always be my good child."
Having lost his own son, he cherished this one all the more. Even if Qian Ye's martial soul proved weak, the Grand Elder would protect him all his life.
"I understand, Father," Qian Ye said quietly.
But I don't need protection. What I need is strength—the kind that makes even gods bow their heads.
Qian Daoliu led him inside. The attendants in the hall, upon seeing the Grand Elder, immediately dropped to their knees.
"Greetings, Grand Elder!"
One by one, they bowed low.
Parents and children who had come for their awakenings also knelt instantly. Few had ever seen the Grand Elder in person, but all knew his name—the man who stood above even the Pope.
Who would dare to show disrespect?
"Everyone, please rise," Qian Daoliu said calmly.
They obeyed, but their eyes remained fixed on him and the black-haired boy at his side.
Next came the awakening ceremony.
Qian Ye stepped into the hexagonal magic circle without hesitation.
All eyes turned toward him.
Six years ago, the entire Spirit Hall had heard of the child Qian Daoliu adopted as his son. Many had long awaited this day—curious to see what kind of martial soul the Grand Elder's chosen heir would reveal.
"I wonder what kind of martial soul the Grand Elder's son will awaken?"
"Since the Grand Elder chose him, his talent must be extraordinary."
"Who knows? We'll see soon enough."
Their whispers echoed through the vast chamber.
The one conducting the awakening was the Hall's overseer—a Soul Douluo-level expert.
He smiled kindly at Qian Ye, then pressed his palm gently against the boy's back, channeling streams of soul power into him.
Six bright threads of energy flowed into Qian Ye's body—yet nothing happened.
The Soul Douluo frowned slightly, then increased his output. Still, no reaction.
A murmur rippled through the hall.
"What's going on?"
"Why isn't there any response?"
"This can't be right…"
Even Qian Daoliu's expression tightened. Something was wrong.
"I'll do it," Qian Daoliu said suddenly.
He stepped forward, raising one hand. Golden soul power surged from his palm and poured into Qian Ye's body like liquid sunlight.
In that instant, everything changed.
A deafening roar filled the hall as a blinding light erupted from Qian Ye.
The air trembled. A violent wave of energy swept outward, forcing the surrounding soul masters to shield themselves.
"So strong!"
"This… this pressure—!"
A dazzling golden glow enveloped Qian Ye—but mingled with it were tendrils of black and white energy spiraling out from his body.
The energies clashed, twisted, and merged, forming a swirling black-and-white vortex above him.
The temperature in the hall dropped sharply. Frost crept along the stone floor.
"What… is that?"
"Is this his martial soul?"
"Why does it feel so… wrong?"
Wrong? Qian Ye thought as he felt the energy writhing within him. No… this feels perfect. Like a part of me that was waiting to wake up.
Suddenly, pain tore through his back—a searing, rending agony.
He gritted his teeth, his breath ragged.
Then, with a wet, tearing sound, two black wings burst from his back.
Gasps filled the hall.
"My God! He… he grew wings!"
"What kind of martial soul is this?"
"Could it be an Angel Martial Soul? But why are his wings black?"
The two wings unfurled, each feather shimmering with a faint, cold light. But the transformation didn't stop there—a second pair extended, then a third.
Six black wings.
The sight left everyone frozen. Even Qian Daoliu's eyes widened.
"This…" he whispered. "This power…"
The pressure rolling off Qian Ye was suffocating. Dark energy swirled around him like a living storm.
Children throughout the hall collapsed to their knees, trembling, while seasoned soul masters struggled to remain standing.
"Th-that's… a black angel!" someone cried.
A deathly silence followed.
Qian Ye hovered in the air, his six wings outstretched, black feathers gleaming faintly in the golden light. His expression was unreadable.
An angel of sin… a contradiction to everything they worship.
How fitting.
He looked down at the awestruck faces below—the fear, the confusion, the reverence.
This is power. Not given, but taken. Not divine, but mine.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Let them bow now. One day, they won't even realize they're kneeling before a monster.
At that moment, Qian Daoliu's voice trembled with awe. "A Black Angel… unprecedented. Ye'er, your martial soul is… extraordinary."
Qian Ye's wings folded behind him, and he landed softly on the ground.
He lowered his head respectfully. "Thank you, Father."
But deep in his eyes, something cold flickered—a faint shadow of delight.
So this is my awakening. A being born of sin… how poetic.
And as the hall filled with whispers and fear, Qian Ye's heart was utterly still.
For the first time since the massacre, he felt peace—not because he was saved, but because he finally understood what he was meant to become.
An angel with black wings. A savior to some. A curse to all.