Time slowly passed as Aunt Hua patiently explained the basics of flute playing.
She taught Shi Hao how to hold the flute properly, how to blow across the embouchure hole, and how to experiment with different air speeds to control pitch.
Shi Hao turned out to be a fast learner. He easily understood everything Aunt Hua taught him. In just a few hours, he had completed the basic course.
"Mm, that's it for today. Aunt will give you this flute so you can practice when you're free," Aunt Hua said.
Sitting on her lap, resting his head on her soft peaks, Shi Hao replied,
"Mm~ Thank you, Aunt! I will definitely practice well." He nodded like a chicken pecking at grains.
"Mm, Aunt has to cook now. You can play around the house," Aunt Hua said, placing Shi Hao on the bed before heading to the kitchen.
Shi Hao watched her curvy hips sway as she walked away and thought to himself,
"Aunt Hua really doesn't guard against me at all… Wearing such revealing clothes, not even wearing inner dresses…"
Well, it was a feast for his eyes. He didn't have the habit of turning his head when Aunt Hua bent down. He had a stiff neck—he couldn't afford to hurt it.
So, although he had never seen her fully naked, he had definitely seen… a lot.
"Everything was forced. I'm just a child. It's she who's corrupting me by bending and swaying… It's really not my fault. I am innocent," Shi Hao brainwashed himself.
Whatever happened, it was this world that was corrupting his pure heart.
His martial soul was the best proof. He, who always thought about righteousness even in his dreams, now had to wish for another person to die...
His martial soul was really putting him in a tough spot. Otherwise, would he—a kind-hearted young boy—wish for someone who had never wronged him to just drop dead?
It was the circumstances forcing him!
"Yup, that's right... I'm not a pervert, the world is just too corrupt!"
Seeing that Aunt Hua had disappeared from view, Shi Hao turned his attention to the flute in his hand.
It was made of ordinary bamboo, so the sound it produced wasn't very loud.
In this world, speaker or mic-type soul tools were rare. Only in major city spirit arenas were they frequently used.
After all, the production method of soul tools had long been lost.
If he wanted to produce a louder sound—one that could be heard at least five hundred feet away—he would need a flute made from a Soul Beast bamboo or Soul Beast bones.
"But that would be expensive…"
"Anyway, that's for the future. For now, a normal bamboo flute is enough. I must ask Father to buy me one so I can practice at home."
Noticing that the sun was already high in the sky, Shi Hao knew it was time for lunch.
So, he went to Aunt Hua's kitchen, hugged her waist from behind as a surprise, said goodbye, and left for home.
His height only allowed him to hug her at that level… It wasn't his fault.
---
Nightfall
During the evening, Shi Hao tried to recall many of the songs he had heard in his past life.
Although he couldn't remember the lyrics, he could vividly recall their tunes.
One song, in particular, stood out—Tum Hi Ho, a Hindi song.
Even though he didn't know a single word of Hindi, that song was just perfect. It could touch the heart directly—no need to understand the lyrics.
"Hmm, if by chance Bibi Dong hears this song, she'll think of Yu Xiaogang all the time… Not that she doesn't already, hehe. Love-struck fool," Shi Hao chuckled to himself.
"My first musical performance shall be this… I will debut with this!"
He looked up at the sky, imagining his future successes. He could see his plans bearing fruit, even without closing his eyes.
And honestly, his idea wasn't bad.
On the Douluo Continent—a land that thrived on love and heartbreak—breakup songs and love ballads would surely be a hit.
---
Shi Hao spent the rest of his evening alone, testing different flute sounds and memorizing them.
Before sunset, his parents returned home from work.
As usual, they talked, had dinner, his parents practiced soul power while he watched absentmindedly, and finally, the three of them went to sleep.
Shi Hao slept in the middle, with Shi Chen and Hu Rong on either side. Snuggling into his mother's embrace, Shi Hao slept peacefully through the cold night.
---
The Next Day
The three of them packed their travel essentials, ate breakfast, hired a carriage, and set off toward Fasinuo Province.
Sitting inside the carriage, Shi Hao was filled with anticipation.
He was going to see the Douluo Dalu protagonist—Tang Buddha—and his father, Hao Ritian. He was also going to visit the future-divine Spirit Village…
Pushing aside the carriage curtains, Shi Hao curiously observed the passing scenery. Street vendors, soul masters carrying weapons, carts moving to and fro, medieval-style high buildings, and tall, vibrant trees filled his vision.
The Balak Kingdom, in particular, had a high safety factor. After all, it was considered the protector of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Here, two powerful garrisons from the empire were stationed, and patrol guards were everywhere.
The Spirit Hall branch in Balak was a third-level branch, meaning there were also powerful Spirit Hall soul masters present.
Based on Shi Hao's knowledge of the plot, Balak Kingdom would remain a safe haven for at least the next 15 years.
Of course, there would be minor threats—like Bu Le and his gang prowling around at night—but that was the extent of the danger.
Unless someone deliberately provoked a soul master, they had nothing to worry about.
---
"Hao'er, look over there~ That is the Holy Spirit Village," Hu Rong said, tapping Shi Hao's back lightly while pointing outside.
After three days of travel, they had finally reached the place Shi Hao wanted to see.
"Ah, we're finally here~" Shi Hao's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Soon, the carriage arrived and stopped a short distance from the village.
After paying the driver and disembarking, the family of three gazed at the so-called Holy Spirit Village, the birthplace of a Soul Saint.
It was a small settlement with around 300 households. The spot where they stood was a vast expanse of farmland outside the village.
Many villagers were still hard at work under the scorching midday sun. Some glanced curiously in their direction, while others remained focused on their labor.
To an outsider, this village seemed completely ordinary—no different from any of the other villages they had passed.
But to Shi Hao, it wasn't about how special the place looked. It was about satisfaction.
"I've transmigrated into the Douluo Dalu world. If I can't even visit the novice village at least once, what's the point?" Shi Hao thought.
"To me, this ordinary village is a historical landmark…"
With that thought, Shi Hao and his parents walked forward, taking slow, lively steps into the village.
---
Meanwhile…
Inside a small house with a "Hammer" sign hanging above it, a sloppy, unkempt middle-aged man stirred from his slumber.
Silently, he released his spiritual power, scanning the three newcomers.
Sensing their soul power, he retracted his senses and muttered,
"Another bunch of kids coming for sightseeing, heh…"
Taking a sip of the wine bottle beside his bed, he closed his eyes again and went back to sleep.
A faint, nostalgic expression lingered on his face, as if he were dreaming of someone.
Meanwhile, in the run-down hall outside, a little boy—barely four years old—stood on a stool, carefully cooking porridge…