Douluo: I am the True Master

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The basement was spacious, with no sense of oppression. However, the three siblings exchanged glances, unsure why Ye Wen had summoned them. 

Ye Wen arrived late, looking at the three who were already standing in the basement. 

As the eldest disciple and second disciple, Huo Rui and Huo Quan enjoyed the highest level of trust from Ye Wen in the entire academy. Although Dao Ba had joined later, his pure-hearted nature had also earned Ye Wen's approval. Nevertheless, Ye Wen's expression remained serious as he said: 

"I've called you here today not for anything else, but for something that concerns the future of your cultivation. 

Follow me." 

Ye Wen then walked deeper into the secret chamber, pressing a hidden panel on the wall. A deeper passageway appeared before their eyes. 

What greeted them was a basement of no more than a hundred square meters. Ah Yin had been waiting there for some time. 

The hidden door closed behind them. 

This place was directly beneath the roots of three ten-thousand-year-old Blue Silver Kings, their dense tendrils visible above. 

Huo Rui, as the eldest disciple, had the most authority to speak. She asked: 

"Master, why have you brought us here? What is this about?" 

"Don't rush. I'll explain everything one by one," Ye Wen said calmly. 

After everyone had settled onto their meditation cushions, Ye Wen looked seriously at Huo Rui and her brother and began: 

"Among all my disciples, you two were the first to become my students, and I've studied your martial souls more deeply than anyone else's. Based on years of research, innate martial souls possess a unique characteristic that other martial souls lack." 

Huo Rui realized the importance of what Ye Wen was saying and listened attentively. As for Huo Quan, after a month of relentless training, he still looked half-dead. 

"That characteristic is that innate martial souls are far more likely to undergo a second awakening compared to any other type of martial soul." 

"Master, what is a second awakening?" Huo Quan asked curiously. 

"A second awakening refers to the evolution of a martial soul after its initial awakening. This phenomenon is collectively referred to as a second awakening." 

Huo Rui, who had trained under Ye Wen the longest, was familiar with many of his theories. She asked: 

"Master, according to your Theory of Essence, any soul master can potentially trigger a second awakening after obtaining a directional soul ring. Why do you say that Body martial souls are more prone to second awakenings?" 

Seeing his eldest disciple so astutely identify the issue, Ye Wen was pleased. 

"That's why I said 'collectively referred to' rather than 'the same.' There are many types of second awakenings. 

The second awakening of a Body martial soul differs significantly from that of ordinary martial souls. After a second awakening, a corresponding aura will appear behind the individual, categorized into three levels: Black Iron, Bronze, and Silver. 

According to records, a Black Iron-level awakening increases strength by 30%, a Bronze-level awakening by 60%, and a Silver-level awakening doubles one's strength. 

As for whether there are higher levels, due to the scarcity of records on innate martial souls, I haven't discovered any further information. 

However, through various records, I've uncovered traces of methods for triggering a second awakening. That's why I've called you here today—to initiate the second awakening of your martial souls and truly unlock their potential." 

The siblings exchanged glances, astonished by their master's groundbreaking discovery. If this knowledge were released to the continent, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation. 

But their hearts warmed at the thought. Aside from their mother's care, only Ye Wen, their young master-teacher, had devoted himself so wholeheartedly to planning their futures. 

"Then we'll trouble you, Master, to help us undergo our second awakening," Huo Rui said earnestly. 

Ye Wen looked at the siblings with equal seriousness. 

"Prepare yourselves mentally. The rarity of second awakenings isn't just due to the method—it's also because of the risks involved." 

"Master, we have no regrets," the siblings replied firmly. 

Weakness invites bullying. Thus, those who become soul masters and possess talent must be ambitious, climbing step by step to the highest and strongest position. This was Ye Wen's teaching—to not be overly kind. 

"What about me, Master? My martial soul isn't innate—why did you call me here?" Dao Ba asked, confused. 

"You have a different arrangement. You two go with Ah Yin to the next chamber. I've already given Ah Yin the method for second awakening. I assure you, there will be no risk to your lives," Ye Wen said seriously. 

The siblings had thought the second awakening would begin immediately, but they hadn't expected there to be another chamber. 

They couldn't help but think inwardly: Just how cautious was their master? These chambers were nested within one another like Russian dolls. 

Soon, the siblings were led to a deeper chamber. It was an underground pool, the water clean and crystal-clear. 

"Who goes first?" Ah Yin asked. 

As the elder sister and eldest disciple, Huo Rui stepped forward decisively. "I'll go," she said, and was promptly pushed into the pool by Ah Yin. 

The swift and decisive action left Huo Quan staring in shock. 

"Your master said that for an innate martial soul to undergo a second awakening, it must be activated through a strong will while teetering between life and death," Ah Yin explained. 

"B-b-but my sister didn't even hear the explanation before she was pushed in!" Huo Quan exclaimed in alarm. 

Ah Yin remained calm. 

"This way is more effective. Under the influence of negative emotions, such trials of life and death will better stimulate the second awakening of her innate martial soul." 

Huo Quan thought about it and realized she was right—but then he realized the problem: Why had she told him this? 

If he knew about the life-and-death crisis beforehand, undergoing the second awakening would be even harder than it was for Huo Rui. Knowing the correct answer yet harboring doubts in his heart would make the process even more difficult. 

With this realization, Huo Quan felt uneasy. 

Meanwhile, back in the root-filled chamber, Dao Ba listened to Ye Wen's explanation. 

"Ah Ba, your martial soul's innate mutation failed, but fortunately, it wasn't a complete failure. It retained its intense fighting instinct and sharpness, making it stronger than most high-level weapon martial souls. But this strength has its limits. 

To overcome this, you must undergo a second awakening to bring your martial soul to its complete state." 

Dao Ba scratched his head. He knew his martial soul's condition well, but second awakenings weren't so simple. Otherwise, after Ye Wen published Theory of Essence, ordinary soul masters would have already advanced their martial souls to the next level. 

"I want to, Master, but I haven't obtained my fourth soul ring yet. How can I evolve my martial soul further? Also, please call me Dao Ba—I'm not using 'Ah Ba' anymore." 

Ye Wen realized Dao Ba had misunderstood, thinking it was still based on the principles in Theory of Essence. 

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