[Ding!]
"The Tyrannical Protagonist System of the Myriad Realms has successfully activated. System 'Xiaoyi' at your service!"
[Ding!]
"As a first-time activation bonus, the host has received one lottery ticket."
A voice like a professional voice actress echoed inside Kai Rivers' mind.
"A system that torments protagonists?"Kai repeated the name silently, raising a brow.
[Ding!]
"The full name is 'Tyrannical Protagonist System'—a system designed to overpower protagonists by exploiting, defeating, and ultimately robbing them of their fate."
"So… I'm supposed to go against the protagonist?"Kai asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Correct, Host. The more thoroughly you suppress or humiliate a protagonist, the more rewards you'll earn. Of course, there are missions as well, and completing them also grants rich bonuses."
"Missions, huh? What kind of missions?"
As soon as he spoke, a sleek holographic interface appeared in front of him—visible only to him. On it were three mission options:
Mission 1
Objective: Join the Spirit Hall and become a student at the Spirit Hall Soul Master Academy.
Reward:Hidden Arrow (stealth-type soul tool)
Mission 2
Objective: Enroll in Notting City's Junior Soul Master Academy.
Reward:420-Year Spirit Ring
Mission 3
Objective: Roam the world independently. Do not join any academy.
Reward:Soul King Experience Card (72 hrs)
[Ding!]
"Host may choose only one active mission. Completion unlocks the next. Rejecting a mission incurs no penalty, but doing so increases the cooldown time before new missions appear. Cooldowns grow longer with each rejection."
Kai mulled over his options.
"The rewards are all solid… But I haven't met Xiao Wu yet. Hu Liena can wait, but Xiao Wu's plotline starts early—I'd better get there before she meets the original protagonist. Alright, Xiaoyi, I choose Mission 2."
[Ding!]
"Mission confirmed. Proceed to Notting City's Junior Soul Master Academy. Reward: 420-Year Spirit Ring."
"System, can I activate that lottery ticket now? Also—no beginner's gift pack?"
[Ding!]
"Negative. Only the lottery ticket is provided as a first-time activation bonus."
Meanwhile, in the real world, Su Yuntao had just noticed something strange.
"Kid, show me your left hand."
It was directed at Tang San.
"Y-Yes, sir…"
Tang San hesitated. Most kids had only one martial soul—but he had two. Unsure whether that was a blessing or a curse, he'd decided to keep one hidden. But with Kai outing him just moments ago, he had no choice.
Tang San raised his left hand.
A dark, heavy hammer appeared—eerie, ancient, and unmistakable.
"The Clear Sky Hammer?!"Su Yuntao blurted out in shock. "You—You've awakened twin martial souls?!"
He was visibly rattled. Among all soul masters, only one was famously known to have twin martial souls—Pope Bibi Dong herself.
Tang San stared, confused by Su Yuntao's sudden shift in tone.
Why does he seem so hostile now?
Su Yuntao masked his tension. As a member of the Spirit Hall, he was well aware of the grudge between the Hall and the Clear Sky Sect. Though he didn't know the full story, he knew this much: the Spirit Hall once waged war on the Clear Sky Sect and forced them into hiding.
And now, right here in this forgotten village, a child bearing the Clear Sky Hammer had appeared.
Could he be a descendant of the Clear Sky Sect?
This needed to be reported—immediately. A discovery like this could earn him huge merits within the Hall.
"…The Clear Sky Hammer is the most powerful assault-type martial soul known. It's a natural enemy to all other power-type spirits. With your full innate soul power, you'll definitely become a soul master. You'll learn more at the academy."
His words were casual, but his thoughts were racing. This backwater assignment had turned into something massive.
"Alright—last one!" Su Yuntao called, his voice cracking slightly.
Kai stepped into the spirit awakening array, surrounded by six glowing stones. As golden energy surged into his body, he felt something within him break open.
Raising his palm, nine dazzling beams of multicolored light burst forth. In his hand appeared… an axe.
But this was no ordinary tool.
Its body was black as night, etched with mysterious markings that defied logic. Twin-edged and brutal, one blade was narrow and precise, the other wide and crushing. On the grip were nine deep holes, arranged like apertures—silent, ominous.
"Axe… with nine holes?" Su Yuntao frowned. "Looks like a broken axe. Martial Soul: Broken Axe. Well, let's check your soul power. Even broken weapons can kill, after all."
He sounded unimpressed.
Kai didn't bother to respond. He calmly reached out and touched the crystal ball.
[Buzz!]
The ball burst into brilliant light.
"Innate full soul power!"
Su Yuntao was stunned once again. Another genius.
Kai simply nodded. Naturally. He'd worked harder than anyone here—why wouldn't he have full soul power?
"Kid, with your talent, you could join the Spirit Master Academy and receive elite training. Are you interested?"
Kai didn't hesitate.
"No thanks."
"…Alright. If you change your mind, come to Spirit Hall in Suotuo City. Ask for me."
Su Yuntao glanced around. The rest of the children didn't matter. Even if they had soul power, their martial spirits were trash.
As for Tang San… he said nothing more. Inviting a Clear Sky Hammer wielder into the Spirit Hall without clearance was above his pay grade.
"Alright kids, we're done here. Let's move out."
As everyone began to leave, Kai spoke to his system.
"Xiaoyi… is my martial soul really just a 'Broken Axe' like he said?"
[Ding!]
"If Su Yuntao calls that a Broken Axe, he may as well change his name to Blind Yuntao. Host, your martial soul is no ordinary axe—it is the legendary'Nine-Aperture Chaos Axe'."
Kai's steps halted.
"Chaos Axe? That name sounds familiar…"
"It should. It has another title: the 'Axe that Opens the Heavens.'"
"…Wait. You mean the God-Splitting Axe?!"
He stood still, eyes wide.
So his martial soul… wasn't just heaven-defying.
It was divine.