Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou Empire, Northwind City, Qinghe Village.
Spring had arrived. Nature was awakening from its slumber, and with it came the annual Martial Soul Awakening Day.
"Hoe. Innate Soul Power: Level 0. Unfortunately, you cannot become a Soul Master."
"Torn cloth. Innate Soul Power: Level 0…"
"Blue Silver Grass. Innate Soul Power: Level 0…"
As one child after another returned in disappointment, a young boy in the crowd grew increasingly nervous. His eyes were bright, framed by striking sword-like brows that gave him a heroic look.
He wasn't originally from this world—he had been reincarnated into it. Abandoned by his new parents shortly after birth, he was fortunate enough to be found and taken in by the village elder.
The elder's surname was Gu, so in this life, the boy also bore the surname Gu. His name: Gu Han. An ordinary name.
"Next."
Soon, it was Gu Han's turn for his Martial Soul Awakening.
At the call of the Spirit Hall official overseeing the ceremony, Gu Han obediently stepped into the center of the six Awakening Stones.
"Close your eyes. Focus on the changes in your soul power. Then, extend your right hand."
The Spirit Hall official, Lu Rentao, had one white and one yellow soul ring encircling him. As he channeled his soul power, Gu Han felt something stirring within him.
Unlike Tang San's blinding golden light from the original tale, Gu Han's awakening was rather ordinary. As he opened his hand, a dark-blue longsword materialized.
At the same moment, a mysterious book appeared in his mind—a nameless cultivation technique. All he had to do was close his eyes and quiet his thoughts, and the contents of the book would unfold before him.
What was even stranger was that although Gu Han had never formally studied meridians or breathing techniques, he somehow understood the contents of the book completely—and could even follow its guidance with ease.
He gave it a quick try, and sure enough, soul power began to circulate smoothly through the meridians in his body, just as the book described, finally settling in his lower dantian.
"It's a sword. A decent weapon-type Martial Soul. Let's test whether you possess soul power."
Upon seeing the longsword in Gu Han's hand, Lu Rentao's eyes lit up. Maybe this year, he'd actually awaken a Soul Master. That would certainly help his performance record.
Every time a Soul Master was discovered, the official overseeing the awakening would receive bonuses and recognition.
With that thought in mind, Lu Rentao took out a crystal ball.
"Here, child. Place your hand on this and channel your soul power into it."
"Okay."
Gu Han nodded and placed his hand on the crystal ball. It glowed faintly with a bluish light, covering nearly half the sphere.
"Innate Soul Power: Level 5!!"
Lu Rentao's eyes widened in astonishment. A natural-born genius! This was undoubtedly the potential of a future Soul King—perhaps even a Soul Emperor with enough effort.
If he could bring this boy into Spirit Hall, Lu Rentao's own future might rise alongside him.
Kneeling slightly, Lu Rentao extended a sincere hand toward the child. "Congratulations, child. You have the talent to become an exceptional Soul Master. Our Spirit Hall offers the best resources and mentors on the entire continent. Would you be willing to join us?"
"I'd like to ask Grandpa Village Chief first."
Gu Han didn't answer directly. But truthfully, he had no issue with joining Spirit Hall. From what he had gathered over the years, the current Pope was Qian Xunji, who had only recently ascended to the position.
In other words, it was still early in the timeline. The major events of the original story hadn't happened yet. Joining Spirit Hall now wouldn't be a big deal.
Besides, for someone like him—a civilian with no background—Spirit Hall could offer substantial support. And they had helped him awaken his Martial Soul, after all. Even if he didn't join, he wouldn't consider them an enemy.
Asking the village chief was more about giving the old man some say in the decision—and letting him feel included.
"Very well. Old Gu is just outside. I'll take you to him."
Lu Rentao nodded. Gu Han was the last child to awaken his Martial Soul, so now was the perfect time to settle things and ask the elder's opinion.
"Alright, children. The Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony is complete. Everyone, come with me."
Lu Rentao waved his hand and led the children out of the village's Spirit Hall. As they emerged, the old village chief rushed forward, eyes full of hope.
"Master Soul Master, did any child awaken soul power this year?"
"Of course. This child here. He awakened an ice-attribute iron sword and has an innate soul power of Level 5."
Lu Rentao's tone was noticeably more cheerful. His gaze fell on Gu Han, as though glimpsing his own brighter future through the boy.
"Xiao Han, I knew it—you really were destined to become a Soul Master!"
The old village chief trembled with excitement. Back then, he had only offered casual encouragement, never truly expecting the abandoned child he took in to awaken a Martial Soul.
Now, hearing the Soul Master's confirmation with his own ears, he couldn't help but shift his perspective—and feel genuine pride.
"Grandpa, don't get too excited. The Soul Master still has something to say."
Gu Han quickly shifted the topic, a bit overwhelmed by the elder's enthusiastic gaze.
"Ahem, Old Gu. I just invited this child to join Spirit Hall, but he said he wanted your opinion first."
Lu Rentao cleared his throat and got back to business.
"Yes, yes, of course! How could I say no?"
The elder nodded rapidly. The village did have a few sponsored study spots, but if Gu Han joined Spirit Hall, he wouldn't need them. It would save on tuition, and once Gu Han reached Level 10, the Soul Masters of Spirit Hall would even help him hunt for a soul ring.
With a deal that good, why would he refuse?
Gu Han didn't object. He had no aversion to Spirit Hall. In fact, given his current identity, joining them would open many doors.
He had mainly asked for the elder's opinion to make him feel included—and happy.
"In that case, Spirit Hall will cover this child's tuition and daily expenses. Go home and pack—come report to Spirit Hall in Northwind City in a few days."
Everything proceeding smoothly, Lu Rentao remained calm on the surface, but inwardly he was thrilled.
He couldn't take Gu Han today, as there were still many villages left to visit for awakenings. He'd let the boy pack and come into town later—it wasn't far, and a single adult escort would suffice.
The elder nodded in agreement.
After seeing Lu Rentao off respectfully, the old village chief took Gu Han's hand and excitedly led him back home.
As he rummaged through cabinets and shelves, Gu Han tilted his head. "Grandpa, what are you looking for?"
The old man didn't answer. He knelt by the bed, lifted a loose brick, and pulled out a small wooden box.
"What's that, Grandpa?"
Gu Han was confused.
The elder opened the box and took out a cloth pouch. Inside was a pouch of gold soul coins and a white jade pendant, carved with the image of a delicate little sword—just like Gu Han's Martial Soul.
"Xiao Han… You know I found you when you were just a baby. These things were with you back then. I've kept them safe all these years. Now, it's time to return them to you."
The elder gently placed the items into Gu Han's hands.
Staring at the pouch of coins and the pendant, Gu Han placed the money back on the table, but tightly held the jade pendant—likely the only clue to his birth parents.
"Xiao Han, what are you…"
"Grandpa, please keep the money. Everyone in the village has treated me well. You could use it to improve things for them."
With that, Gu Han took a step back, summoned his Frostblade Sword, and twirled it a few times with a grin.
"Besides, I'm going to be a Soul Master. This little money won't mean much in the future."
"You rascal… You do realize that's in the future. For now, just take it—at least it'll make buying things at school easier."
The elder laughed and patted Gu Han on the head.
Gu Han's heart warmed. To avoid disappointing the old man, he finally took five coins as a token.
"Five coins is more than enough for me."
"Silly child…"
The elder sighed. This boy had always been too sensible for his age. He knew Gu Han's personality—since he was being this stubborn, there was no need to push further. But he quietly made up his mind to keep the rest for him, just in case.
"Grandpa, it's still early. I want to finish today's training."
"Go on, then."
The elder waved his hand.
There wasn't really much to pack. Since last year, Gu Han had started running every day. While the effect was modest, it had definitely made him sturdier than other kids and less prone to illness.
Leaving the house, he jogged to the creek at the edge of the village and sat on his usual boulder to study the mysterious manual in his mind.
He didn't know where the book came from, but one thing was certain—it was not native to the Douluo Continent.
Its contents spoke of meridians, of spiritual energy flowing through heaven and earth—concepts that didn't belong here.
Maybe… this was his "cheat" in this world.
Following the book's guidance, Gu Han began circulating the technique again.
Gradually, he felt a wondrous energy from the world flowing into his limbs, coursing through his meridians, and gathering at his lower dantian.
It felt incredibly pleasant.
He lost all sense of time—until he heard the old village chief's voice calling him back. Only then did he slowly withdraw from the meditative state. When he opened his eyes, the sun was already setting.
"Is it really this late?"
Gu Han shook his head. It had felt like only a short while, yet he had unknowingly meditated from noon till dusk.
"Xiao Han, don't just sit there! Come home for dinner!"
The elder's voice rang out again.
"I'm coming, Grandpa!"
Gu Han leapt off the boulder and followed him home.
He wasn't sure what his current soul power level was, but he could clearly feel that it had grown—and that its purity had also improved significantly.
"So this technique doesn't just accelerate cultivation—it also refines soul power."
A confident smile tugged at his lips.
With this nameless technique… so what if his innate soul power was low?
He could still reach the rank of Titled Douluo—maybe even become a god.
As that thought settled in, a grand ambition rose in Gu Han's heart.