All rights reserved to the respective authors.
"Dialogue": Represented in double quotes for conversations between characters.
'Thoughts': Represented in single quotation marks, indicating the characters' internal reflections.
[Diary]: Represented in square brackets, used for messages intended for the heroines or entries written by Tenshin.
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Tenshin stopped writing and stood up, his deep blue eyes, flecked with silver, reflecting a sharp glint of determination. He stretched out his hand, palm facing forward, and commanded silently in his mind:
'First Soul Skill: Hellfire Summoning!'
His single yellow soul ring glowed faintly as the martial soul's power surged through his body.
A moment later, purple flames erupted before him, forming a small sea of flickering hellfire. The flames writhed as if alive, radiating an oppressive heat. Tenshin's expression grew focused, his mind syncing with the flames. Slowly, the fire began to condense, gathering into a sphere hovering a few centimeters above his outstretched palm.
With a subtle flick of his fingers, the sphere obeyed his will, floating in the air. A faint crackling sound accompanied its movements as it traced the path of his hand.
"Shh~~"
With a final gesture, the sphere shot forward, crashing into a nearby tree. The impact triggered an explosion of purple flames, engulfing the trunk in searing fire. Charred bark cracked and splintered beneath the intense heat, while the hellfire clung to the wood, burning without any sign of extinguishing.
Tenshin observed the destruction in silence, the flickering purple light casting shadows across his face.
"The consumption of this skill is quite high," he muttered to himself, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice. Then, he shook his head and a small smile appeared. "But it will be very useful in the right situations, especially for breaking control or modifying the terrain to my advantage."
Without lingering further, he turned around and leapt onto the nearby tree branches, moving swiftly through the canopy to avoid unnecessary encounters with soul beasts. The sooner he left the Hunting Soul Forest, the better—blood and the lingering energy of the Hellfire Tiger's corpse would inevitably draw predators before long.
It took him two days to leave the forest, during which Tenshin tested his new soul ability and its effects, as well as his enhanced strength, against soul beasts. He avoided killing them, focusing instead on learning to control and adapt to his newfound power. After all, he was trying to keep a low profile. Once he left the forest, he arranged for a carriage to take him back to Nuoding City.
On the way back, he divided his time between cultivating and refining his cultivation technique, using the routes visible through the Inner Vision he had awakened during the absorption of his first soul ring. These two activities, along with eating, studying the "ghosts" from the books he had previously scanned (now stored in the Celestial Library), and writing in his diary, formed Tenshin's daily routine during the two-day journey.
After stepping off the carriage in Nuoding City, Tenshin knew exactly where he needed to go. With purpose in his stride, he made his way toward the Spirit Hall's branch for his Soul Master certification. This was a crucial step, not just for his personal growth but also for the practical benefits it would bring. Without the certification, he couldn't claim the Soul Master subsidy — one gold soul coin each month.
Inside the Spirit Hall, Tenshin found Matthew Nuo again. As soon as he entered and saw Tenshin, Matthew Nuo's eyes lit up. "Tenshin? Have you already hunted the soul beast?"
He had a very good impression of the child in front of him, who had been born a commoner and had faced a difficult life, yet still maintained a humble and polite demeanor. Matthew had often worried about him in the past weeks.
Tenshin could sense Matthew Nuo's concern and couldn't help but feel happy in his heart. He stepped forward and nodded with a smile. "Well, oddly enough, defeating the soul beast was easy. I suspect it was wounded or poisoned from a previous battle with another soul beast, so I got lucky."
"Okay, okay, luck can be considered power," Matthew Nuo said with a smile. He stood up, picked up the crystal ball from the table, and walked over to Tenshin. "Come on, Tenshin, let's test your soul power."
"Yes," Tenshin replied, placing his hand on the crystal ball and slowly injecting soul power into it. A faint yellow light flashed, clearly visible.
"Oh my god! He actually has level 13 soul power!" Matthew Nuo's eyes widened in disbelief. He quickly asked, "Tenshin, can you tell me what kind of soul beast you hunted?"
"It's a Fire Tiger, with about a hundred years of cultivation. The one I hunted was a mutated species; it was taller, and its flames had a few purple spots," Tenshin replied. He decided to be truthful about the species and mutation of his soul beast but left out the exact age.
"The mutated Fire Tiger! No wonder!" Matthew Nuo was shocked and then smiled happily. "Tenshin, you were really lucky this time. According to Spirit Hall records, the Fire Tiger is a soul beast known for its strength and speed. They're of extremely high quality, and there aren't many of them in that soul hunting forest, especially ones with a hundred years of cultivation. For you to encounter a mutated one is impressive."
"Hehe," Tenshin smiled. "However, Grandpa Matthew Nuo, after absorbing the soul ring, it seems my martial soul gained some combat power, but it consumes a lot of soul energy to use."
"Is that so? What a miracle!" Matthew Nuo was stunned but happy for Tenshin. A civilian soul master, once without any combat application, now had this new power.
He smiled and said, "Alright, Tenshin, your evaluation is complete. Congratulations! Starting today, you are a proud Soul Master of the Tiandou Empire."
"Wait a moment, I'll make a custom badge for you." After saying that, Matthew Nuo turned to the desk and took out a round badge and an unfamiliar machine from a drawer. After tinkering with it for a while, he pressed the badge into the machine, then took it out and walked toward Tenshin.
"Here, Tenshin. This is your exclusive badge. From now on, you can use it to receive your monthly subsidy from the Spirit Hall. The subsidy for a Soul Master is one gold soul coin per month, and for a Great Soul Master, it's ten."
"Also, Tenshin, regarding your martial arts situation: After graduating from Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy, why not join our Spirit Hall?"
"Thank you, Grandpa Matthew Nuo," Tenshin said politely as he took the badge. "However, I'm afraid I can't join Spirit Hall for now. I want to explore the world, see all it has to offer, and learn from it."
Matthew Nuo smiled and nodded. 'Tenshin is only six years old; it's better for him to explore the world while he's young, energetic, and curious.'
"Exploring the world isn't a bad idea," Matthew Nuo said, still smiling. "I would prefer that you join Spirit Hall and grow stronger first, but if you can enjoy your youth and seize opportunities along the way, that's also very good."
"Hehe," Tenshin smiled, then bowed slightly. He turned around, gently closing the door behind him. "Grandpa Matthew Nuo, I'll go back to the academy first. Goodbye."
"Well, go ahead," Matthew Nuo said, nodding. He called out loudly, "And don't forget to pick up your subsidy at the counter!"
Upon returning to Nuoding Academy, Tenshin went straight to the director's office to report that he had become a Spirit Master of level 13. The teachers and students only knew that he had already obtained his first soul ring—but they didn't know it was a 600-year-old soul ring from a mutated soul beast, nor what soul skill that ring granted to Tenshin.
Tenshin didn't bother to flaunt his achievement and continued his routine as usual, maintaining a low profile.
Teaching Office
"Level 13... Fire Tiger..."
Hearing Director Su mention the news of Tenshin's return, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but show a trace of anger in his eyes. 'I told him to choose a venom-type soul ring... How could a student obtain a ring with the best possible age on his own? It must have been pure luck—nothing more.'
'Fire Tiger... a high-grade soul beast... but how much improvement can that really bring to a book martial soul?' He scoffed inwardly, disdain clouding his thoughts.
'Civilians will always be civilians—ignorant, stubborn... Refusing my advice, the Grandmaster! What does he expect? To defy fate with a martial soul that has no combat application?' Shaking his head, Yu Xiaogang gathered the materials on his desk, slung them over his back, and strode out of the teaching office.
Almost eleven months had passed since the first copies of the diary appeared among the heroines of the Douluo Dalu world. In that time, the weight of its revelations and the steady flow of monthly soul power rewards had reshaped not only their cultivation but also their very perspectives.
Blue Tyrant Academy
In her private garden at the Academy, Liu Erlong clenched her fists, frustration simmering beneath her focused gaze as she reread the diary's entries. The once somber and emotionless expression she wore when first delving into its pages had long since shifted into one of unyielding determination. Each revelation within its passages had become fuel for her ever-burning desire to surpass her limits.
Over the past months, she had trained with almost reckless intensity, relentlessly refining her control over soul power. The exercises Tenshin had recorded were absurdly intricate, yet undeniably effective. Every two weeks, she felt the now-familiar surge in soul power—a silent confirmation of the diary's mysterious influence. But it wasn't these incremental improvements that truly caught her attention.
Her greatest surprise came in the form of an unexpected reward—a Fragment of Contextualized Understanding containing the following technique:
[Super Force Technique: A method that harnesses chakra to enhance physical strength, enabling devastating punches, ground-shattering blows, and exceptional lifting power. This technique relies on precise chakra control to concentrate energy into specific body parts, primarily the fists, resulting in amplified destructive force through the instantaneous, perfectly timed release of accumulated energy.]
Liu Erlong's breath hitched the first time she read it. A technique designed purely for overwhelming force? It was as if it had been made for her. Yet, despite the overwhelming potential of the technique, frustration clawed at her. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't activate it—not even once.
Her soul power control, despite all her efforts, was still too crude, too unrefined. She could mold fire, shape flames with sheer will—but this was different. The diary hadn't told her why, but she could feel it in her bones—something was missing, something fundamental.
Unbeknownst to her, the diary had withheld a crucial detail: chakra, as described in the technique, was not just energy—it was a fusion of physical and mental forces, an ultra-condensed power unlike the gaseous state of a Soul Master's soul power. For someone like her, whose soul power had yet to reach the liquid state achieved at the Titled Douluo rank or through the creation of a Soul Core, this barrier was not just difficult—it was almost insurmountable.
Almost.
Liu Erlong let out a slow breath, closing the diary with a decisive snap. Her crimson eyes burned with renewed determination.
If soul power alone wasn't enough—then she would refine it, force it, bend it to her will. She had never relied on talent alone, nor had she ever bowed to the limits of what was deemed possible. If this technique demanded an absurd level of control, then she would master it—whether it took months or years.
Spirit City
In the gilded chambers of the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong sat upon the Pope's throne, her fingers lightly tapping against the armrest. Her expression was unreadable, yet the cold gleam in her violet eyes concealed an undercurrent of emotion—one that even she struggled to suppress.
The diary's words had cut deeper than she cared to admit. Some had resurfaced long-buried wounds, while others had stoked the embers of a resolve she refused to let die. Honor lost. Wrongs unavenged. A future yet to be seized. She exhaled slowly, her breath measured and deliberate, falling into a controlled rhythm—one she had refined through meticulous training.
Her mind drifted, slipping into a state of forced stillness. Scenes from her past flickered across her thoughts—each one sharp, unforgiving, and inescapable. Yet, this was not mere recollection. It was the result of a technique she had obtained from a Fragment of Useful Tools or Methods:
[Heart-Purging Occlumency: A method that cleanses and neutralizes emotions influenced by external energies while allowing the practitioner to revisit and organize memories. The technique involves several stages: Preparation, where the practitioner finds a quiet, comfortable space to focus their energy; Initiation, where deep breathing and visualization of a serene environment help settle the mind; Engagement with Mental Energy, where the practitioner visualizes a purifying light that absorbs and neutralizes negative emotions tied to memories; and Closure, where the practitioner returns to the present with emotional clarity. This method also improves mental power, enhances emotional purification, and strengthens protection against external emotional influences.]
Even with the detailed guidance, progress had been excruciatingly slow. She had trained daily, pushing herself beyond the limits of what most would endure, yet she had only managed to sift through memories up to the age of six and a half. The sheer weight of her past made each session a battle against herself.
Her lips curled into a bitter smile. At this rate, she estimated it would take another five years to fully process the remaining decades of her life—plus whatever the future had yet to inflict upon her. A practical calculation, yet one that left a heavy knot in her chest.
Five years.
Could she afford to wait that long?
Her grip on the armrest tightened. No.
Waiting was a luxury she did not have. Power, revenge, and the future she envisioned—these would not wait for her to untangle the chains of the past.
Her eyes snapped open, the cold gleam returning in full force. If she could not erase her scars, then she would carve strength from them. The past would not define her, nor would it be her shackle.
Spirit Hall – Training Grounds
Within one of Spirit Hall's secluded training grounds, a graceful figure moved with fluid precision, her every step measured, her every motion deliberate. Hu Liena's golden eyes gleamed with focus as she honed her soul skill, the faint flicker of illusions weaving around her like whispers of unseen phantoms.
It had been eleven months since the diary's copy had fallen into her possession—eleven months that had subtly reshaped both her strength and her perception. The steady influx of the diary's power boosts had accelerated her cultivation, yet Hu Liena knew better than to rely on such external advantages alone. Charm without mastery was fleeting. Strength without control was wasted potential.
Among the many rewards she had obtained, one stood out—a Fragment of Contextualized Understanding, which had revealed to her a technique unlike any she had encountered before:
[Enchanting Mirage: A technique that harnesses the user's innate charm to create subtle, fleeting illusions on the battlefield. This method channels mental focus and energy to distort an opponent's perception, temporarily blurring the lines between reality and illusion. By concentrating this charm into precise sensory deceptions—such as phantom images or false sounds—the user can confuse and disorient enemies, opening opportunities for retreat or counterattacks. This technique serves as the foundation for more advanced illusion and charm skills.]
At first glance, it had seemed like a perfect match for her. After all, her martial soul already revolved around charm and illusion. But mastery of this technique demanded more than just raw talent—it required an intimate understanding of deception itself. The fragment had made that brutally clear:
To control illusion, one must first recognize it. To manipulate perception, one must first understand what exposes deception.
Months of relentless training had brought her only to the first stage—small, fleeting illusions, ones that flickered for but a moment before dissolving into nothing. It was frustrating. Maddening, even. Yet she refused to let impatience cloud her mind. This was a technique that required not just soul power, but a shift in perspective.
Hu Liena exhaled, steadying herself. The answer was in the details, in the nuances of movement, in the way the mind filled in gaps it did not understand. She had always known how to influence others, how to bend their desires to her will—this was merely another extension of that skill.
A slow smile curved her lips. She would master this, in time. Not simply because it was powerful, but because control over perception meant control over everything.
Moon Pavilion
The evening light bathed Tang Yuehua's study in a soft, golden glow, casting elongated shadows across her meticulously arranged desk. Stacks of books and papers surrounded her, each filled with carefully transcribed notes—her elegant handwriting weaving between old records and new insights. To anyone else, this might seem like the study of a scholar or historian. But to her, it was something far more personal.
She held an aged manuscript in one hand, her fingers resting lightly against the brittle edges as she compared it to a fresh sheet of parchment before her. Over the past few months, the diary had not only awakened a fierce determination within her but had also given her something she never expected—a possible answer to the question that had lingered in her heart for years.
One of its rewards, a Historical or Cultural Knowledge Fragment, had revealed a carefully preserved record:
[Inability to Reach Level 10: A study created by an ancient civilization, documenting cases of individuals unable to achieve Soul Master Level 10 due to rare or unique circumstances tied to their Martial Souls.]
The moment she had received it, Tang Yuehua had begun transcribing, unwilling to let a single detail fade from her mind. It was no longer just about understanding history—it was about understanding herself.
The records spoke of several possible reasons why one might be barred from reaching Level 10:
Negative Mutation of the Martial Soul: A harmful, destabilizing mutation that prevented the proper accumulation of soul power.
Conflicted Adaptability: Some Martial Souls are burdened with inherently contradictory elements that demand an excessive amount of energy to balance, while simultaneously lacking the overall strength and resilience necessary to adapt to the rigorous challenges of cultivation. This dual shortfall—internal conflict and insufficient quality—creates an unstable foundation that hinders the soul's growth and ability to meet ever-increasing demands.
Innate Domain: A rare case where the Martial Soul carried a domain so powerful that the excess soul power required for advancement was simply overwhelming.
Her gaze lingered on the last passage, her fingers tightening slightly over the parchment.
This… this was her case.
Her Wishful Ring, an exquisite and noble Martial Soul, possessed an Innate Domain—Noble Circle. A power that could eliminate all killing intent, bestowing a serene, noble aura upon those within its range. A gift… but also a curse.
The text detailed that such abilities came at an immense cost. The soul power required for advancement was comparable to that of a Supreme Element Martial Soul reaching Level 50. For most, this would be an insurmountable barrier—and perhaps, had she not known, it would have been for her as well.
But now she understood.
She exhaled softly, her fingers relaxing as she placed the parchment aside. She had spent years believing she was simply weak. That her failure to cultivate was a mark of inferiority, a proof of her insignificance in a world dominated by strength. But this… this was not weakness. This was a truth buried by time, a limitation imposed not by her inadequacy, but by the nature of her soul itself.
And if that were the case—if this obstacle had a cause—then perhaps… it also had a solution.
Her gaze drifted to the stacks of books around her, resolve flickering in her eyes like a quiet flame. The answer would not come easily. But she had already spent a lifetime enduring whispers of irrelevance. She could endure a little longer.
With renewed determination, Tang Yuehua picked up her quill and continued writing.
Heaven Dou Palace
Inside an opulent chamber deep within the Heaven Dou Palace, Qian Renxue sat before a jade mirror, her reflection a study in controlled transformation. Her once rigid posture had softened ever so slightly—a quiet concession to the inner changes wrought by the diary's revelations—yet her presence remained as regal and calculating as ever.
At first, she had scoffed at the diary's audacious claims, dismissing them as mere fancy. But as the months passed and the incremental boosts in soul power steadily fortified her, late-night contemplations had led her to embrace a new perspective—one that balanced her ambition with a deeper understanding of her own dual nature. Disguised as the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, she had little time for traditional cultivation. The diary's 14-day power boosts had been nothing short of a lifeline, a hidden reservoir of strength that allowed her to navigate the treacherous corridors of court politics.
Yet, the true coup had come with a Fragment of Useful Tools or Methods—a revelation that now shaped her every interaction:
[Celestial Insight: A mental refinement technique that sharpens perception, enabling the user to detect subtle cues such as micro-expressions, voice fluctuations, and unconscious body movements. Once mastered, this method allows the user to anticipate an opponent's intentions just moments before they act, significantly enhancing reaction speed and strategic adaptability.]
As an infiltrator within the Heaven Dou Empire, this technique had become invaluable. Its refined lens allowed her to slice through layers of courtly deception with an almost eerie accuracy. Ministers who once concealed their ambitions behind carefully measured words and guarded expressions now unwittingly betrayed themselves under her unyielding scrutiny. Even Xue Qinghe's most trusted retainers—spies in all but name—revealed their true loyalties through a fleeting twitch or a misplaced glance.
And yet, despite her growing mastery, a quiet frustration simmered within her. The diary hinted at a deeper dimension—a realm of true foresight, where perception transcended the immediate and touched upon destiny itself. Qian Renxue's mind, ever analytical and restless, wrestled with the limitations of her current understanding. How much further could Celestial Insight evolve? Was it possible to glimpse not just the intentions of men, but the very threads of fate?
In that reflective moment before the jade mirror, her eyes betrayed a rare vulnerability—an acknowledgment of the dual burdens of her royal lineage and the lonely path of subterfuge. The sharp brilliance in her gaze, tempered by an undercurrent of yearning, revealed that her quest for power was as much about reconciling the disparate pieces of her identity as it was about outmaneuvering her foes.
For now, though, she would continue to sharpen her senses and bide her time. The promise of true foresight—of controlling not just the present but the fates of those around her—was a prize worth every calculated risk. And in the silent interplay of light and shadow across her regal face, Qian Renxue silently vowed: one day, nothing would remain hidden from her watchful gaze.
Zhu Family Estate
In the quiet solitude of her sparsely lit room at the Zhu Family estate, Zhu Zhuqing sat alone, meticulously adjusting the tight bindings on her wrists. The gentle flicker of candlelight revealed the faint scars—silent testaments to months of relentless training—carefully hidden beneath her composed exterior. The diary had not only confirmed her deepest fears about her family's treachery but had also ignited a determined spark within her—a resolve to reclaim her fate on her own terms.
On the day she awakened her Martial Soul, the Hell Spirit Cat, everything changed. Immediately bound by a marriage contract to Dai Mubai, the second prince of the Star Luo Empire, she had witnessed the painful transformation of her sister—from once gentle and kind to cold and distant, a change dictated by imperial tradition. With her sister now engaged to Dai Weisi, the first prince, the two had become bitter rivals for both the throne and the future empress's favor. Since that fateful day, Zhu Zhuqing had grown increasingly vigilant, her every thought marked by the need to monitor her surroundings. The constant threat of assassination—from her own sister, Zhu Zhuyun, and from those desperate to curry favor—had forced her into a life of calculated caution.
When the diary arrived, it became her silent mentor in the solitary journey of cultivation, its rewards nudging her forward with each passing cycle. Among these, the most crucial was a Fragment of Historical or Cultural Knowledge:
[Shadow's Embrace: An ancient and lost technique that allows the user to merge with shadows, becoming invisible and enabling silent movement.]
For Zhu Zhuqing, whose Martial Soul was built on speed and subtlety, this technique was a natural extension of her innate talents. It promised a way to dissolve into darkness, to vanish from prying eyes—a silent defiance against the oppressive legacy that held her captive. In the early days, her practice was confined to brief, ephemeral moments of blending into shadows, each successful evasion reinforcing her resolve. Yet, as the fragment revealed, true mastery required years of melding her soul power with the surrounding darkness—an elusive goal that had thus far remained just out of reach.
Despite her diligent training, the basic skills of stealth continued to evade her full command, keeping her ensnared in the relentless grip of her family's fate. Still, each setback only deepened her resolve. In the quiet moments of self-reflection, Zhu Zhuqing vowed that one day, she would perfect the art of disappearing into the shadows—and in that mastery, reclaim the freedom and dignity that had long been denied her.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan
In the heart of the sect's training ground, two figures were a familiar sight: Ning Rongrong, a determined young girl with a streak of rebellious confidence, and Chen Xin, her ever-patient adoptive grandfather known as Sword Grandpa. Over the past few months, their unusual pairing had become the talk of the training ground—a subtle testament to her evolving ambition.
One crisp morning, with a daring glimmer in her eyes, Ning Rongrong boldly approached Chen Xin and declared that she wanted to learn the art of the dagger. Despite the initial protests from Chen Xin, Gu Rong, and Ning Fengzhi—who dismissed her request as nothing more than a fleeting whim—she stood her ground. Her insistence wasn't just youthful caprice; it was fueled by the stirring promise found within the diary's pages.
Over time, as she trained under Chen Xin's reluctant yet supportive guidance, improvements in her technique began to emerge. The catalyst for her transformation had been a Fragment of Creation and Innovation from the diary:
[Dagger Techniques: Images and scenes of various dagger techniques from diverse worlds and universes.]
For a long while, Ning Rongrong had doubted the diary's entries, especially since her soul power had shown no signs of growth—her Martial Soul still lay dormant. But when the fragment unlocked a vivid cascade of images in her mind, even her ingrained skepticism gave way to awe. Determined to carve out her own identity beyond the privileges she'd always known, she sought out Chen Xin's expertise—believing that his mastery with the sword could illuminate a path for her to master the dagger.
Her rigorous training, driven by both defiance and the desire to prove her worth, eventually bore fruit. When she finally awakened the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—a support-type Martial Soul—she embraced the dagger as more than just a weapon. It would become a declaration of independence, a tool of self-defense and offense that would allow her to challenge the constraints of her past.