Douluo: The Celestial Book

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 surveyed his surroundings as he advanced toward Nuoding City. At that very moment, he summoned his diary—his martial soul—with his mind and began to write. Over the past two months, this had become a daily ritual and a way to pass the time.

[Today, Grandpa Jack is taking me to Nuoding Academy as a working-study student. However, since Tang San also awakened a martial spirit with soul power, Old Jack believes his talent shouldn't be wasted. He even asked Su Yuntao for a certificate from Spirit Hall, intending for Tang San to use it to secure a working-study position.]

[After all, there is only one spot for a working-study student in the village, and Grandpa Jack allocated it to me. Being close to him, I considered this entirely natural.]

The heroines reading the diary shared this perspective. Raised by Grandpa Jack, Tenshin's bond with him was undoubtedly stronger than Tang San's. Naturally, they assumed the coveted spot would be his. After all, arranging a test for Tang San was already a generous gesture; to them, he was just another working-study candidate, while most academies were inclined to favor Spirit Hall's influence.

Yet, as they read further, the contents of Tenshin's diary defied their expectations.

[To be honest, I never expected Grandpa Jack to ask Su Yuntao for a certificate for Tang San. I understand that this certificate does not guarantee him a working-study position. Considering that Tang San has the soul of a thirty-year-old, he surely understands this as well.]

[Although the likelihood of the academy refusing to acknowledge Spirit Hall's influence is nearly zero, the village's working-study quota provides an absolute guarantee of admission.]

[Furthermore, it remains unclear whether Tang San truly feels gratitude toward Grandpa Jack or secretly harbors resentment.]

The heroines exchanged shocked glances as they absorbed the revelation: a thirty-year-old soul? Could it be that Tang San was like Tenshin? Tang Yuehua, in particular, felt a deep unease at this unexpected detail.

Meanwhile, Tenshin wrestled with his thoughts regarding Tang San's behavior. One might expect the boy to demonstrate gratitude and a clear awareness of the opportunities offered to him. Instead, Tang San's reaction was marked by a disconcerting chill—as though he assumed that such support was his birthright.

[Even if Tang San had shown gratitude toward Grandpa Jack, he would likely harbor a grudge regardless. Since he did not display any gratitude at all, he must be resentful—especially considering that, although his innate soul power far surpasses mine, I still received the village's allotted share.]

[Consider Tang San's childhood. Tang Hao did not provide the expected affection and frequently succumbed to excessive drinking. Tang San had to shoulder the responsibilities of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. His life was harsh. Only Grandpa Jack treated him with genuine care—even reprimanding Tang Hao when necessary.]

[Not only did Tang San lack affection, but he also coldly retorted to Grandpa Jack, "What right do you have to speak of my father? Even so, he is still my father!"]

[When I witnessed that scene in my previous life, I laughed—not out of amusement, but because of the bitter irony: Old Jack had helped him, and yet he remained ungrateful!]

The heroines were struck by the distorted bond between Tang San and his father, Tang Hao. What shocked them even more was Tang San's staunch filial piety coupled with the emotional distance he maintained from Grandpa Jack, as if he outright rejected any form of help. How could a person behave so paradoxically?

Tang Yuehua silently wondered how Tang Hao could have raised his nephew in such a manner—perhaps the pain of losing his wife had warped his approach. In her mind, Tang San's ingratitude was easily dismissed compared to the astonishing revelation of that thirty-year-old soul.

[Later, despite everything, Grandpa Jack still awarded Tang San the only working-study student spot. Yet, Tang San never returned to Holy Spirit Village, except for a solitary visit during the vacation of his first year at the academy—an appearance made solely to see his father.]

[After discovering that Tang Hao had departed, Tang San never returned again. Yet, just two months ago, when presented with the certificate from Grandpa Jack, he offered only a soft "thank you" before accepting it. He likely felt that this was exactly what he deserved.]

As these diary entries unfolded, the heroines' impressions of Tang San grew increasingly negative. The diary, meant to be private and seen only by Tenshin, contained many of his subjective thoughts and raw emotions. Yet, most of what he wrote was indisputable—they were his truths.

It was inconceivable for Tenshin to suspect that someone was secretly reading his diary; his pen flowed freely, unguarded by any self-censorship. Among the readers, the one most affected was Tang Yuehua. Just three days ago, she had received a guaranteed reward that temporarily increased her soul power. Although it later dipped due to complications preventing her from reaching level 10, her power still remained above its previous state.

This tangible change convinced her of the diary's authenticity. It also ignited a spark of hope: if she continued to read and absorb the diary's insights—gaining soul power every fourteen days—she believed that level 10 and the title of Spirit Trainee would soon be within her grasp.

Then came the startling realization. Tang San was revealed to possess a soul that was thirty years old. Could it be that he and Tenshin were not as alike as they seemed? How could a six-year-old child embody such an ancient soul? This thought unsettled Tang Yuehua deeply. It was unfathomable that her nephew might harbor another's soul within him. Anxiety gripped her, yet she could do nothing but await further entries from Tenshin's diary to unravel the truth.

In comparison, Tang San's refusal of Grandpa Jack's love paled in significance when weighed against the mystery of the thirty-year-old soul. If Tang San did indeed possess an ancient soul, it would imply that he was not her nephew at all! How could a child, barely six years old, treat someone who had extended such earnest help with such coldness? Even from this brief glimpse, one could sense the complex layers of Tang San's personality.

After the shock subsided, the other heroines resumed their reading. In their minds, Tang San no longer mattered—they could return to their meal without further concern.

[Actually, even if Tang San does not secure the working-study position, it is of little consequence. After all, he possesses twin martial souls. Only two other instances of twin martial souls have been recorded in the history of the entire continent.]

[With Tang San's remarkable talent, Tang Hao—a Titled Douluo—would surely not let this matter rest.]

[Speaking of which, I recall a famous scene (or so I believe). Let me recount it; it remains amusing even now.]

Curiosity piqued, the heroines read on as Tenshin recounted the scene with measured amusement.

[At first, after his martial soul awakened, Tang San excitedly informed Tang Hao that he had unlocked his innate soul power. Tang Hao's face lit up briefly at the news, but upon learning that Tang San's martial soul was merely Blue Silver Grass, his demeanor cooled noticeably.]

[Then, when Tang San unveiled his second martial soul—the Clear Sky Hammer—Tang Hao's expression transformed entirely. He immediately embraced Tang San with fervor.]

[He then clutched Tang San's shoulders and exclaimed, "Xiao San, you mustn't reveal the spirit of this hammer for now. From now on, use the hammer in your left hand to guard the grass in your right hand!"]

After reading this passage, the heroines were left in a state of bewilderment. On one hand, the scene carried a humorous tone; on the other, they pondered the inner workings of Tang Hao's mind. His initial protective sentiment was unmistakable, yet his subsequent command hinted at something more complicated. Tang Yuehua even speculated whether the battle from six years ago or the toll of a life steeped in drink had warped his judgment.

At that moment, Tenshin detected an energy fluctuation. 'That must be Tang Hao,' he thought, his senses immediately alert to the man's nearby presence. He shifted his gaze in the direction of the movement. 'He's surely on his way to see Ah Yin.'

Nuoding City, though modest in size within Fasno Province, held a unique geographical position. Nestled near the border of two great empires, its location made it one of the human settlements closest to the legendary Star Dou Great Forest. To the south of Nuoding City lay the Holy Spirit Village, even nearer to this ancient forest.

'This is likely why Tang Hao brought Tang San to settle in the Holy Spirit Village,' Tenshin mused. 'Its location aligns with the direction of the Blue Silver Emperor, and the proximity is undeniable.' His eyes briefly reflected both resolve and uncertainty.

Walking side by side with his companions, Tenshin stole a glance at Tang San. The latter was still engaged in an earnest conversation with Grandpa Jack, peppering him with questions that revealed his insatiable curiosity about martial arts and soul cultivation.

'I've seen Tang San practicing the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Method, and I've read about the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track,' Tenshin reflected quietly. 'I've developed my own theories about the Dragon Griffon Control Technique, the Mystic Jade Palm, and various basic Hidden Weapons skills. Yet, internal techniques like the Mysterious Heaven Skill and the Purple Demon Eye remain elusive to me.'

He added to his internal monologue with a wry note, 'And as for the art of using poison, that isn't of any concern to me.'

'Must I wait for Tang San to document his methods in his own time?' Tenshin sighed inwardly, a blend of resignation and mild amusement coloring his thoughts—a possibility he doubted would ever come to pass.

His reflections turned to his own recent progress. 'Fortunately, the training I've undergone over the pasts months has yielded results. My soul power has increased by one level, reaching level 8. Of course, the initial ten levels for soul masters are known to be relatively easy to cultivate and don't heavily depend on one's physical strength,' he noted thoughtfully. Yet, another thought tugged at him: 'However, my body seems to be maturing at an alarmingly rapid pace.'

Tenshin then compared himself to Tang San. Although he was born in February and Tang San in January—only days apart—the two had started on similar footings. In the early days, they were nearly identical in height. But after a month of rigorous soul power cultivation and intense physical training, Tenshin now towered over Tang San, his frame noticeably taller and more robust. This observation left him with a mix of pride and contemplative wonder.

[When I absorb the spirit rings, I suspect I will grow even more. According to Grandpa Jack, spirit masters generally experience faster growth than ordinary humans. For me, this is understandable. While ordinary people rely on food to gain nutrients, soul masters directly absorb the vast energies of the spirit rings—like taking a potent hormonal boost that compresses the growth cycle.]

[No wonder Zhu Zhuqing exhibits such flamboyance at a young age.]

As the heroines read the final entry, a mix of amusement and dismay crossed their faces. This was the first time they had encountered such a direct and somewhat shameless remark in Tenshin's diary, and it left them momentarily stunned. "Did he really just think that?" one of them whispered to herself, half-giggling and half-shaking her head in disbelief. The audacity of his words caught them off guard, but it was clear that his bluntness was both surprising and intriguing.

Zhu Zhuqing, seated quietly by herself, stopped what she was doing as she read the entry. Her heart skipped a beat—she had never expected Tenshin to make such a remark. 'Flamboyance?' she thought, her brow furrowing slightly. She could feel a warmth rising in her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with a cool, composed expression. Yet, despite her best efforts, a faint blush lingered, a subtle sign of her inner turmoil as she processed his words.

Her thoughts were a swirl of emotions—embarrassment, confusion, and even curiosity about what he truly meant. She exhaled slowly, as if to compose herself, and returned to her tasks, though her mind was far from settled.

Elsewhere, the other heroines, though alone in their respective spaces, shared a similar reaction—an initial burst of surprise followed by a more reflective moment. Tenshin's diary was clearly a window into his unguarded thoughts, and this entry had caught them all off guard in its candidness. They wondered if it was a rare moment of vulnerability or just another facet of his personality they hadn't yet seen.

"Tenshin, are you tired from all this walking? Would you like to rest and perhaps have something to eat?" Grandpa Jack asked, noting the slight reddening of Tenshin's cheeks.

"Grandpa, I'm perfectly fine," Tenshin quickly replied, his tone a mix of surprise and a touch of embarrassment.

Grandpa Jack nodded and continued walking. Carriage fares were steep, after all, so the trio proceeded on foot.

Although the Holy Spirit Village wasn't far from Nuoding City, the journey still felt long. After a considerable trek, they finally arrived. Despite the village's modest size, its proximity to the empire's border gave it a certain resilience, visible in its strong city walls. The trio joined the steady stream of citizens queued for the city defense inspection. When Grandpa Jack presented two proofs of Spirit Hall, the soldiers' attitudes shifted. They treated him with newfound respect. A quick, subtle glance at Tenshin and Tang San, who were trailing behind, and the guards allowed them passage without further scrutiny.