Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 134 Martial Soul Awakening, Netherworld Spirit Cat!
On this day, a suffocating solemnity and grim atmosphere permeated the entire Zhu residence, as if an invisible boulder was pressing down on everyone's heart.

Deep within the mansion, the "Star Soul Hall," a venue specifically for holding important ceremonies, was completely emptied, leaving only the enormous pentagram awakening array in the center, paved with obsidian, inlaid with complex soul-guiding runes, and shimmering with faint starlight.

The hall was dimly lit, with only the glow of the magic array and a few ever-burning soul-guiding lamps on the walls providing light.

The towering dome, adorned with a massive mural depicting the Star Luo Empire's royal star crown emblem and the Zhu family's Netherworld Cat totem, appeared both majestic and oppressive under the dim light.

The hall was already packed with people on both sides.

Dressed in magnificent robes, their auras were either calm or sharp; they were all influential nobles and high-ranking officials of the Star Luo Empire.

All eyes were focused on the central magic circle, and the atmosphere was so heavy you could hear a pin drop.

Lin Xia, as the only "outsider" invited by Zhu Zhuqing, was placed in an inconspicuous spot near a corner.

He crossed his arms, and unusually, Young Kiras did not stand on his shoulder, but instead lay quietly at his feet, its scarlet eyes warily scanning the crowd around them who were radiating powerful soul energy fluctuations, and a very low, wary gurgling sound coming from its throat that only Lin Xia could hear.

Lin Xia's gaze calmly swept across the entire room.

He saw the Star Luo Emperor sitting in the main seat of the high-backed chair, his face majestic, his eyes deep and unfathomable, his fingers unconsciously stroking the gemstones inlaid on the armrest.

Beside the emperor was the elegant and graceful Zhu Yu.

Today she changed into a more solemn dark purple palace dress, her bare feet wrapped in gorgeous cloud-patterned shoes. Her expression was calm, but deep in her all-seeing star-like eyes, there was a hint of scrutiny and solemnity that was hard to detect. Her gaze would occasionally sweep over Lin Xia, with a complex meaning.

On the other side of the emperor were two young princes with very different temperaments.

The slightly older one was the eldest prince, Davis, whose blond hair was neatly combed. His handsome face wore a perfectly measured smile, and his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, as if he had everything under control. He was playing with a jade thumb ring inlaid with a deep blue gemstone on his thumb with great interest.

Standing slightly behind Davis was Dai Mubai.

The moment Lin Xia saw Dai Mubai, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The Third Prince of Xingluo, who should have been full of vigor in the original work, was in a state that could only be described as "utterly terrible".

He also had brilliant blond hair, but it was messily plastered to his forehead, his face was sickly pale, and his lips were even a little bluish.

What was most chilling were his heterochromatic eyes—one a clear blue like the sky, the other a deep purple like a demon's eye—now filled with undisguised fear, panic, and bottomless despair.

His eyes were fixed on the center of the arena where the awakening was about to take place. His body was as tense as a bowstring stretched to its limit. His fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of his clothes tightly, and his knuckles turned white from the excessive force. It was as if he himself was walking towards the guillotine, not Zhu Zhuqing.

He exuded a strong, almost tangible aura of cowardice, a stark contrast to the composed and confident Davis beside him.

Lin Xia sighed silently in her heart, a chill spreading through her.

'So that's how it is…' he thought to himself. 'Fear of competition, fear of pressure, fear of the death consequences of failure… this deep-seated cowardice and escapism had long been ingrained under such immense pressure of fate. No wonder in the original story he chose to abandon everything and flee to Tian Dou, leaving all the burdens and despair to Zhu Zhuqing alone. Ah, how pathetic and hateful.'

Just then, a soft footstep broke the deathly silence in the hall.

Zhu Zhan, the father of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, and the current head of the Zhu family, walked solemnly to the front of the magic array, wearing a long black robe embroidered with gold patterns, a symbol of his status as the family head. His eyes were incredibly complex, containing the deep worry of a father, the heavy responsibility of the family leader, and an indescribable sorrow.

He followed Zhu Zhuyun half a step behind him.

The eldest daughter of the Zhu family was also dressed in finery, with a beautiful face, but at this moment there was no joy on her face. Her lips were tightly pursed, and her eyes were filled with an overwhelming sadness and helplessness. Her gaze followed the small figure in front of her.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhu Zhuqing slowly walked step by step into the center of the huge pentagram magic array.

Today she wore a brand new, well-tailored little black dress that accentuated her slender figure.

Her long, jet-black hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders, making her small face appear even paler.

She lowered her head, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly like butterfly wings, casting a small shadow under her eyelids, making it impossible to see the emotions in her eyes.

Her small body appeared exceptionally thin and fragile under the pressure of the empty magic circle and countless gazes around her, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

Lin Xia could clearly see that her hands, hanging at her sides, were tightly gripping the hem of her skirt, her knuckles white from the force, revealing that her inner peace was far from what appeared to be.

Zhu Zhan took a deep breath, as if he wanted to inhale all the heavy air in the hall into his lungs, and then suddenly raised his hand, instantly injecting his powerful soul energy into the magic array beneath his feet!
Om-!
The soul-guiding runes on the obsidian ground suddenly lit up!
The deep blue light flowed like a living thing, quickly outlining a complete pentagram pattern.

Immediately afterwards, countless tiny, star-like points of light rose from the magic array, like awakened fireflies, carrying pure and powerful soul energy fluctuations, gently and irresistibly enveloping Zhu Zhuqing, who stood at the center.

The light grew brighter, making Zhu Zhuqing's small figure appear somewhat hazy.

Everyone in the hall held their breath, countless gazes like tangible probes trying to penetrate the light barrier and witness the outcome.

Dai Mubai's breathing became even more rapid, his body trembled slightly uncontrollably, and the fear in his heterochromatic pupils almost overflowed. He subconsciously took half a step back, as if the light was a man-eating beast.

Time seemed to stretch out, and every second felt like an eternity.

Finally, at the very moment when the light reached its zenith—

A cold, swift black energy, carrying faint spatial fluctuations and a soul aura, suddenly erupted from Zhu Zhuqing's body!

Phew——!
A faint, almost imperceptible shriek, as if from the depths of the underworld, resounded deep within the souls of everyone in the hall!

As the light faded, Zhu Zhuqing's figure became clear again.

Behind her, a solid, ethereal figure floated.

It was a spirit cat, its entire body as black as ink, except for its eyes which shimmered with a ghostly green light!
Its body is sleek and agile, with long limbs and claws that are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden. It is shrouded in a thin layer of black mist, as if it could blend into the shadows at any time.

A sharp aura belonging to the agility-based beast spirit, accompanied by a soul-piercing chill, instantly spread out!
Ghostly Cat!

(End of this chapter)