Six Years...
"No... six years... I don't even know the meaning of time anymore."
The boy's voice was soft, but with a bitterness that was odd for a boy of six.
"Damn... from the world of technology, even the logs of screen time were surpassing 12 hours, and it doesn't occur to you how painful it is... until someone rips your phone, or the internet, your entire world, away from you."
He was sitting on a crude cliff, on top of a lonely mountain two hundred meters at most.
The wind ruffled his black hair, his sharp handsome face showed defiance and longing at the same time. His white fair skin glimmered under the morning sun. He had a strong brow line, and his eyes were far too mature for a boy, looking much as if he was some divine presence trapped inside the body of a child.
Then suddenly he roared.
A raw sound echoed across the hills and valleys, shaking off its fury, as if the heavens were just waking from their slumber to share the pain.
A little while later, the sun hung higher and the warmth on his skin stole a yawn from him. Calmly he got to his feet and brushed the dirt from his clothes. Carefully he walked back down the mountain trail.
---
"Notting City."
Qīng Feng's house was in the heart of Notting City and arrived at a small house on a narrow street.
He could smell food, even before he opened the door.
"Huh... You came back!" a friendly voice called.
Standing there in the doorway, was Lin Rou, a warm woman in her early thirties, with gentle eyes that seemed tired, but not in a bad way, and an honest smile.
"Xiao Feng, hurry and wash up," she said.
"Mother made something really good today."
Qīng Feng looked at her, his eyes softened for a moment. He silently nodded and walked into the house.
After washing up, Qing Feng was back at the table. It smelled of freshly cooked food.
He spent a moment chewing in silence, then looked up and asked nonchalantly, "Mother when will Father be back?"
Lin Rou paused and, having grabbed a dumpling, put it into his bowl.
"Huh... oh... today? He really should be just about home, I think he should be done by now—"
She stopped abruptly, her face turned towards the door in a daze.
At that moment, the front gate creaked open.
"Speak of the devil and he shall appear," she said in an odd amused tone as she took a sip of her soup.
Qin Feng who was in chewing and swallow mode, practically choked on whatever he was eating.
"Cough! Cough!—" he coughed as he picked up a cup of water with wide eyes.
Walking through the doorway was a young man in his early thirties, pretty worn from travel but wearing travel robes that had the faintest indication of the Spirit Hall itself, as the words Spirit Hall were almost stitched away.
Just below the inscription Spirit Hall, was a small white personal emblem of his own.
"Haha… Rou'er, sorry!" the man said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
"There was just a small little thing being asked of me by another Spirit Hall deacon... it just took longer than I thought to finish it up." stepping into the home with a toothy grin on Qing Yun's face.
Lin Rou rolled her eyes, but the smile that peeked through betrayed her true emotions.
"Come, sit here." Lin Rou waved for Qing Yun to sit next to her quickly.
"Umm..." Qing Yun grunted quietly, acknowledging her request, and sat next to her. Then shifted his attention to the young boy next to them, becoming serious.
He spoke in a deep steady voice:
"Xiao Feng, today is the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony. You ready?"
Qin Feng, eating food with little concern, completely halted mid-bite. He did not look up, but taking a measured breath, he awkwardly pulled his chopsticks mostly from his mouth and gave a serious nod.
"Mn."
But deep down, Qin Feng's mind was anything but calm.
So, it begins...
He wasn't just a normal child. He was someone that had lived on Earth. He had reincarnated soul in this world. Not just any world, the world of Douluo Continent. He had seen the series, read every novel, combed through countless Douluo fanfictions.
And knew one thing:
The Martial Soul Awakening ceremony was the first step to everything... fame, power, survival... or death.
But Qin Feng was not afraid.
Rather than blind arrogance, his confidence came from cold calculation. Both of his parents were rare talents in this world, his father, Qing Yun and mother, Lin Rou with highly ranked martial souls and innate soul power of Level 7. Both were still in their thirties and were close to crossing over as a Soul Emperor.
He had a substantial advantage when it came to bloodlines.
As long as I do not end up like a trash martial soul akin to 'blue silver grass' or worse, martial soul of like a cousin love struck a character like a past life novel I've read, then I should be fine.
No, I would be more than fine. No one would be able to stop my ascendance.
Qing Feng looked up and said resolutely, with a young voice but inside he had the weight of an old soul:
"Father, I am ready to awaken my Martial Soul."
Qing Yun's smile had pride flash through his eyes momentarily. Lin Rou quietly watched while a smile grew across her face, but she softened and placed her hand on Qin Feng's shoulder.
"Don't worry son," Lin Rou said softly while rubbing her hand across Qing Feng's head, calmly and imparting warmth and love with her voice.
"Even if you never unlock your Martial Soul...your Dad and I will support you."
It was not just a sweet nothing; it was a promise. A promise made without hesitation, without reservations.
"Umm..." Qing Yun said, a solemn nod passing between her words. "Your path is yours, Xiao Feng. Regardless of what it may be...you will never walk it alone."
Qing Feng was silent for a bit of time.
He had not been prepared for this.
No pressure? No expectations of me as a farmer, son, nothing? No disappointed scowls of a parent if I happened to be a little weak?
Somewhere inside the boy-the soul of a man from Earth- something swelled in his chest.
At least I did not end up with a so-called "father" like Tang Hao- the walking beam of tragedy incapable of even remembering he has a son until the kid turns out to be heaven defying. No offense to the Hammer Clan, I want values over talent any day of the week.
He blinked quickly, wiping at a nonexistent tear, then said with a faint smile.
"I guess I really did win the lottery with my parents in this life!"
After saying those words, Qing Feng without another word turned back to his bowl of food and began eating with unexpected ferocity, as if he were a warrior preparing for battle.
Haha....!
Lin Rou watched him fondly and added another piece of meat to his bowl.
"Eat more, Xiao Feng. You'll need strength for later."
................
End of the chapter!
................
(Cough..... author is vegetarian....)
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