Chapter 7: The Second Martial Soul
Swish swish—
In a small forest bordering Di Hun Village, a black figure in a hooded cloak darted swiftly through the woods. The crisscrossing branches seemed to naturally give way, leaving the figure unimpeded.
Suddenly, the figure came to a stop, half-squatting on a thick tree trunk. With a slight push from his feet—swish—a piercing sound split the air, and the figure vanished. Only drifting leaves floated in the air where he once stood.
The next moment, the figure reappeared midair, body upside down, rapidly spinning a full 360 degrees.
Whoosh whoosh— Seven or eight black kunai shot out from his hands in an instant.
A series of thump thump sounds followed as the kunai hit their targets.
At the same time, the figure flipped backward and landed lightly on the ground.
Looking back, each of the kunai was nailed precisely into tree trunks, pinned down with layers of leaves.
"Heh, it's already been two months since my martial soul awakened. I've pretty much gotten used to this strength."
Removing his hood, the figure revealed long blue-silver hair and a delicate, fair face. Incredibly charming.
Who else could it be but Zu Zong?
Ever since he had stolen Uchiha Itachi's taijutsu and chakra (soul power) control techniques two months ago, Zu Zong had been training in taijutsu and practicing chakra control techniques like water-walking and tree-climbing every day.
Di Hun Village had a blacksmith, and the kunai were custom-made by Old Tom at Zu Zong's request.
At night, Zu Zong used the "scumbag edition" Soul Power Meditation Technique to cultivate his soul power and would release his Blue Silver Emperor martial soul to sense the aura of blue silver grass nearby.
He had to admit, the results were excellent.
As the only emperor among blue silver plants, the Blue Silver Emperor lived up to its name.
Within the entire range of Di Hun Village, as long as there was blue silver grass, Zu Zong could clearly perceive every corner.
If it weren't for the fear of Tang Hao's presence, Zu Zong would even be able to sense the entire Sheng Hun Village.
Exhaling a deep breath, Zu Zong's lips curved into a slight smile.
He could clearly feel himself growing stronger at a pace visible to the naked eye over the past month.
"System, show me my personal panel."
[Beep. Host personal panel has been opened.]
[Beep. System has detected the emergence of a domain prototype from the host's martial soul. Domain information has been added to the personal panel.]
Host: Zu Zong
Gender: Male
Age: 6 years and 2 months (25 years)
Martial Soul: Blue Silver Emperor (awakened)
Innate Soul Power: Level 10
Soul Power Level: Level 10 (actual power has exceeded level 10 but cannot break through due to lack of a soul ring)
Base Strength: 100 (Average adult male: 10)
System Inventory: Sharingan ×1 (pair), Gold Soul Coins ×50, Kunai ×9, Clothes ×1
Overall Evaluation: Congratulations, host has left the ranks of trash.
Remaining Steal Attempts: 0
Hatred Points: 10,500
Steal Worlds: Douluo Continent, Naruto (unable to transfer due to target's death)
Domain: Blue Silver Domain (Prototype)
Zu Zong nodded in satisfaction and said mentally, "Not bad at all.
Just in terms of base strength, I remember when I first stole Itachi-sama's taijutsu, I was only around 40-something.
Can't believe I've hit 100 just by practicing for two months."
[Beep. Sharingan (pair) detected in system inventory. Would host like to fuse it as a second martial soul?]
"Fuse the Sharingan, huh? Will it make me go blind or something?"
To be honest, Zu Zong was conflicted.
When he stole Itachi-sama's Sharingan, the man was already close to blind.
In the original story, it had to be transplanted into Sasuke, and only after merging their ocular powers did it become a source of permanent vision.
That was why Zu Zong hadn't dared to fuse it all this time
[Beep. Host need not worry. The Sharingan transplanted by the system is at the three-tomoe stage with no side effects. There is no risk of blindness. It can even awaken again into the Mangekyō Sharingan.]
"Damn, you should've said that earlier! Damn system, hurry up and fuse it!"
[Beep. Fusing Sharingan... Warning: once a martial soul is fused, it cannot be undone.]
[Beep. Fusion complete. Congratulations, host has awakened a second martial soul: Sharingan.]
Zu Zong slowly opened his eyes.
They were now blood red, with three tomoe rotating counterclockwise in each pupil.
He pulled out a kunai and looked at his reflection on the polished surface—handsome little face, long blue-silver hair, and now, a pair of crimson eyes. The combination added an irresistible, devilish charm to his already attractive appearance.
Zu Zong slapped his thigh and couldn't help but shout, "Damn, I'm a national disaster waiting to happen!"
[Beep. Detection complete. Host now possesses two martial souls: Blue Silver Emperor and Sharingan. Due to physical limitations, host cannot fuse a third martial soul.]
"Only two martial souls? No big deal."
After all, power is temporary, but being handsome lasts a lifetime.
Besides, even with just the regular three-tomoe Sharingan, he could already control normal people. Once it evolved into the Mangekyō Sharingan, the power would be terrifying. What's more, those mysterious eye techniques? Practically impossible to guard against!
Kotoamatsukami — crazy strong. Permanently alters someone's will. Hurts? Feels good? Be good, call me daddy.
Kamui — busted space-time technique. Offensive and defensive in one. Ahem! I'll let you run 39 meters first, and I promise I won't cut you.
Tsukuyomi — also insane. A god-tier interrogation tool. Makes you scream daddy in seconds!
Amaterasu — sounds, looks, and probably is strong... Claimed to be "the strongest physical attack," but honestly? Never seemed to burn anyone to death. No comment!
And let's not forget the ultimate trump card — Susanoo. If he could evolve it to its complete form... Hmph! Even a six-winged angel wouldn't be worth trading for it.
[Beep. Condition to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan: absorb a 100,000-year soul ring!]
At the moment, Zu Zong was so caught up in fantasizing he didn't even pay attention.
He casually replied in his mind, "Whatever, it's just a 100,000-year soul ring!"
Ding! The kunai in his hand fell to the ground.
Wait—something's off!
"System, let me ask—can 100,000-year soul rings be stolen?"
[Beep. Yes, host can steal them.]
Zu Zong sighed in relief.
"Great, that's good!"
As long as it's possible. Otherwise, the Sharingan would basically become a glorified version of the Purple Demon Eye for the next ten years. That'd be a complete waste of a martial soul. And for ten years, who knows if he could even beat a 100,000-year soul beast? How would he flex, flirt, or take out Tang San?
[Beep. Soul rings are tied to a soul beast's life and cannot be stolen directly. Only rings from sacrificial offerings, newly formed god-bestowed soul rings, unabsorbed soul rings, or those already absorbed by soul masters (extremely rare and requires the soul master to be in a severely weakened state) are viable targets.]
"What the hell?! Damn system, you scammed me!"
For the rest of the day, Zu Zong focused on getting used to the Sharingan's abilities.
And surprisingly, some of the minor illusions it came with were quite useful. Against regular people, they worked flawlessly. Even same-level opponents could be thrown off, dazed for a moment.
By the time Zu Zong finished training and returned to Di Hun Village, it was already dusk.
He made his way to Old Tom's house, where dinner had just been prepared.
Old Tom cheerfully brought out a plate of steaming food, feeling proud from the bottom of his heart.
"Heh heh, brat, ever since you awakened your martial soul, you've really turned over a new leaf. Training so diligently every day. But remember—don't overwork yourself!"
Zu Zong rolled his eyes. "If I actually slacked off, you'd probably hit me with your damn cane again."
This old man... such a sly fox.
So Zu Zong gave a perfunctory response: "Yeah, yeah, stop worrying, I'll take care of myself."
He glanced around the room.
The interior had been completely renovated, all the furniture replaced with new items. This was all purchased after Zu Zong "borrowed"—no, stole—two bags of gold soul coins from Flender.
To avoid making Old Tom suspicious, Zu Zong wore a borrowed set of high-end black combat gear (from the 300-pound shopkeeper's store), snuck into Nuoding City, and pretended to be a wealthy heir.
He even stunned a small renovation shop owner by offering 20 more gold soul coins (not his money, so who cares), and convinced him to put on an act.
The story was simple: "Zu Zong has decided to join Spirit Hall in the future, and this renovation was part of a subsidy Spirit Hall provided to the kind-hearted village elder, Old Tom."
What can you say? Zu Zong was a filial child.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, dinner was served.
An old man and a young boy sat together, enjoying a warm and peaceful meal.
"Grandpa Tom, what's for dinner today?"
"Nuoding Academy will open soon, so tonight Grandpa made your favorite — soft-shelled turtle soup!"
(End of Chapter)