Douluo: Becoming a God by Relying on my Enemies

What truly shocked Tang Hao was not the fluctuation of soul power but the sudden change in his martial soul. After sensing something amiss, Tang Hao instinctively inspected his body.

"Pfft—"

The moment his spiritual energy entered his body, he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he didn't detect anything overtly wrong but felt an inexplicable unease that deepened the furrow in his brow.

Unleashing a wave of spiritual energy, Tang Hao scanned the surrounding area for any potential threats. Finding nothing suspicious, he allowed himself a moment of relief. Still wary, he walked over to Tang San, who was stabilizing his condition, picked him up, and swiftly carried him home.

Tang Hao's body had long been plagued by hidden injuries—remnants of his battle with Qian Xunji years ago. Now, with this sudden incident, even Tang Hao was beginning to question everything.

"What's going on? Who is targeting me and Xiao San?"

Meanwhile, Yun Feng, who had caused the disruption, had initially planned to continue cultivating. Though his earlier efforts with the Rakshasa's Triple Transformation and Ghost Fiend Blood Tribulation Technique had been successful, he felt uneasy about leaving things half-done.

However, just as he was about to resume his cultivation, an intense sense of dread swept over him, forcing him to stop. The ominous sensation vanished as soon as Yun Feng ceased his efforts.

"Could there be a limit to how often or how long I can use this?" Yun Feng wondered. Examining the Heaven-Suppressing Monument in his sea of consciousness, he noticed its previously solid form had grown faint, almost ethereal. It felt as if it could disappear at any moment.

Recognizing the risk, Yun Feng decided against pushing further. Instead, he began packing his belongings. Once ready, he went door-to-door, bidding farewell to the villagers and explaining his desire to venture out into the world.

Though the villagers were reluctant and worried about his safety, Yun Feng's determined gaze eventually won them over. They even pooled together some money and supplies for him, further deepening Yun Feng's conflicted feelings.

Standing at the edge of the village with his packed belongings, Yun Feng looked back at Holy Spirit Village one last time. "I've said all I can. Whether they listen or not is up to them now."

After adjusting his mood, Yun Feng set his sights on Nuoding City. He needed to confirm his suspicions by attempting a second martial soul awakening. Now that he had soul power, there was no reason to believe he would fail again.

The journey to Nuoding City was long, but thanks to the kindness of some travelers, Yun Feng managed to hitch a ride on a cart. When they arrived, he offered them some money in gratitude, which they politely refused. Yun Feng simply nodded in acknowledgment and stepped toward the city gates.

Nuoding City wasn't particularly large, but its location near the border of the Heaven Dou Empire gave it an imposing atmosphere. The towering city walls exuded a sense of strength and security.

After passing a routine inspection by the gate guards, Yun Feng entered the city without issue. He was greeted by a bustling scene: streets lined with orderly buildings, vendors selling goods, patrolling soul masters, and ordinary citizens going about their daily lives.

Following a quick inquiry, Yun Feng located the Spirit Hall and headed there directly. It didn't take long for him to spot the iconic building. Standing before its grand entrance, Yun Feng couldn't help but marvel at its architectural magnificence.

The guards stationed at the gate, though not soul masters, were clearly well-trained soldiers. Upon learning that Yun Feng was there to awaken his martial soul, they welcomed him warmly and even assigned a soldier to guide him to the awakening hall.

Inside, the Spirit Hall was awe-inspiring. The main chamber's domed ceiling, over twenty meters high, was adorned with intricate murals depicting countless martial souls. Each glowing depiction represented a martial soul awakened within the Nuoding City branch over the years.

Noticing Yun Feng's captivated expression, the soldier accompanying him chuckled. "Impressive, isn't it? Each of these martial souls belongs to someone who successfully became a soul master after their awakening here. It's a mark of pride."

Yun Feng nodded, then asked a question that had been on his mind. "Does it cost anything to awaken a martial soul?"

The soldier gave Yun Feng a look of pity, clearly misunderstanding his circumstances. "Of course not, kid. Martial soul awakening is free—it's common knowledge across the continent."

Yun Feng realized how naive his question must have sounded. No wonder the soldier looked at him like that—he probably assumed Yun Feng was an orphan unaware of the Spirit Hall's policies.

"Spirit Hall is truly amazing," Yun Feng remarked.

"It sure is," the soldier replied proudly as he led Yun Feng up a staircase to the second floor, where the awakening rooms were located. Rows of doors lined the corridor, each leading to offices and facilities within the Spirit Hall.

Stopping at one of the doors, the soldier knocked and called out, "Master Matthew Nuo, a child is here to awaken their martial soul!"

A faint, aged voice filled with curiosity responded, "Strange... Didn't the nearby villages already complete their awakening ceremonies this year? Very well, come in."

The soldier turned to Yun Feng with a smile. "Go on in. Master Matthew Nuo will assist you. I need to return to my post."

"Thank you," Yun Feng said sincerely before pushing open the door.

Inside was a bright and spacious office. Behind a large desk sat an elderly man, his chest adorned with the emblem of three swords—a sign that he was a Grand Soul Master.

"Greetings, Master Matthew Nuo. My name is Yun Feng," Yun Feng said, bowing slightly.

Matthew Nuo set aside his work and studied Yun Feng for a moment before speaking kindly. "Child, why have you come to the Spirit Hall alone? Didn't someone from your village help you awaken your martial soul?"

Yun Feng hesitated briefly before responding with determination. "Someone did help, but I failed. I refuse to accept that result, so I've come here to try again."

The sincerity in Yun Feng's words caught Matthew Nuo off guard. Initially inclined to refuse, the old master now found himself reconsidering.

"Perhaps this child deserv

es a second chance. Even if it's futile, what's the harm in trying?"