It was a quiet night in Star Soul Village. Shi Batian stared wide-eyed at the strange spectacle unfolding in the sky, his heart pounding with awe and disbelief.
This was the first time he had ever witnessed one of his "children" being born with his own eyes. He couldn't help but exclaim, his voice filled with both wonder and anticipation.
"Daddy… Daddy, I'm out!" Second Gourd's voice rang out cheerfully, crisp and clear like a mountain spring.
The other gourds burst into excited cries.
"Second Bro's out!!!"
"Woohoo! Second Bro, you rock!!"
"Waaah… I wanna come out too… it's so stuffy in here!"
"Don't worry… it'll be our turn soon!!"
Shi Batian stood frozen, eyes locked on the unfolding scene. The once lifeless gourd shell cracked open, and from within emerged a tiny baby, his skin fair and pink, bearing a striking resemblance to Big Gourd.
But what truly shocked him… were the baby's eyes. Two pupils in each eye, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.
"Second Gourd… your eyes…" Shi Batian murmured, stunned.
"Huh? What about my eyes, Daddy?" Second Gourd blinked his oversized eyes, utterly clueless.
"You… you have double pupils… Do you know what that means?" Shi Batian crouched down, carefully inspecting him. A chill ran down his spine as ancient legends surfaced in his memory—Double Eye Pupils, an extremely rare and powerful phenomenon. Those who bore them were said to possess unmatched potential.
Hiss—!
Shi Batian sucked in a cold breath. Just like Big Gourd, Second Gourd wasn't ordinary either.
"Daddy… hug!"
But Second Gourd didn't care about any of that. All he wanted was a hug from his father.
"Of course!"
With a warm grin, Shi Batian scooped him up into his arms. "So cute…" he whispered, his voice full of love.
"Daddy… what does cute mean?" Second Gourd asked, tilting his head.
"It means… good-looking!" Shi Batian laughed.
"Am I good-looking then?" he asked innocently.
"The best," Shi Batian replied without hesitation.
Looking at Second Gourd, Shi Batian couldn't help but think of Big Gourd again. He had been this adorable once too… but now, his fate was uncertain. And Qian Renxue… she was still missing.
It was all because of Spirit Hall.
A dark glint flickered in Shi Batian's eyes. One day, when his power was enough, he would break into Spirit Hall himself, rescue his wife and children, and stand proudly before Qian Daoliu—to prove he truly deserved Xue'er.
That day wasn't far.
In just over a month, he had broken through to Rank 51 Soul King—a feat so insane, most people would call it a joke.
"Daddy… I'm hungry."
Second Gourd's soft voice tugged him back to reality. Looking down, Shi Batian saw him pouting, poking his little fingers together with an adorably wronged expression.
"Alright, Daddy will find you something to eat."
With a fond chuckle, Shi Batian carefully dipped his finger into the gourd shell, collecting some of its essence. He had already learned from Big Gourd's birth that this substance was incredibly nourishing to the gourd brothers.
"Here… try this."
Second Gourd accepted it without fuss, swallowing obediently.
The next moment, his body began to grow at a visible rate—just like Big Gourd before him.
Hiss—
Shi Batian inhaled sharply. "It really works… The gourd essence accelerates growth! Big Gourd reached age six in six days and awakened his martial soul. But if Second Gourd's eating this early…"
Could he awaken even faster?
"Eat more, Second Gourd!"
Fueled by excitement, Shi Batian began feeding him more quickly.
As expected, Second Gourd's aura steadily strengthened. His tiny frame grew rapidly, and in just four days, he appeared to be around six years old—wearing a little grass skirt and an orange gourd on his head. Absolutely adorable.
Six years old—just the right age for martial soul awakening on the Douluo Continent.
Shi Batian decided to personally oversee the ceremony. He prepared the necessary materials and guided Second Gourd into the array.
"Second Gourd, feel the energy inside you. Gently draw it out—that's how you awaken your martial soul."
"Okay, Daddy! I won't let you down! I'll awaken a powerful martial soul and save Mom and Big Bro!"
Clenching his tiny fists, Second Gourd declared his intent loudly.
Shi Batian smiled, eyes narrowed in amusement. Strong or not, it doesn't matter to me. I just want my children to grow up happy.
Inside the array, Second Gourd began following Shi Batian's instructions, circulating his inner energy. As he did, a strange sensation flooded his head.
Specifically… his eyes.
They began to burn.
He instinctively closed them tight.
Then—BOOM!
He snapped them open.
Clang—!
Two pupils in each eye, glowing faintly golden. While their structure hadn't changed much… their color had. The golden hue shimmered ominously, filled with an ancient power.
"Daddy… what's my martial soul? I don't see anything… Just feels like my eyes are warm, and I can see things more clearly."
Second Gourd was clearly confused.
Shi Batian, however, stood frozen. Slowly, he stepped forward and peered into his son's eyes.
"If I'm right… your eyes are your martial soul. It's called Dual Pupil."
Hiss—!
Shi Batian's breath caught again.
Big Gourd's martial soul is the Supreme Bone… and now Second Gourd has the Dual Pupil?! Is this fate?
"Dual Pupil… hehe, I like that name!" Second Gourd grinned.
Shi Batian couldn't help but smile too. All worries vanished as he ruffled the boy's hair.
"If your martial soul is Dual Pupil, then your name will be… Shi Yi!"
"Okay!"
Second Gourd agreed without hesitation—it suited him perfectly.
"Now let's test your soul power…"
Shi Batian added seriously. After all, for a soul master, innate power was just as important as the martial soul itself.
_
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