The last thing I remembered was the screech of brakes, the sound of metal crunching, and an overwhelming, searing pain. The accident had been fatal—I was certain of that.
But death didn't bring the nothingness I expected.
Instead, I found myself floating in a void, surrounded by endless darkness. I had no body, no sense of self—only consciousness. I couldn't tell how long I remained there, as time seemed to have lost all meaning.
Then, from the void, a voice spoke. "You have died."
The voice was calm and deep, reverberating through the emptiness like thunder. For a moment, I tried to respond, but I had no mouth to speak with, no body to express anything. My thoughts echoed in the void. Am I... dead?
"Indeed. But your fate need not end here."
I felt a strange pull, like the world was bending toward me. What do you mean?
"You have been chosen for another life," the voice explained. "A chance to be reborn, not on Earth, but in a world you know—Douluo Dalu."
Suddenly, images of a familiar world flashed before me. A world of Spirit Masters, powerful soul rings, and the path of cultivation. A place where the strong ruled and the weak were crushed. Douluo Dalu—a world I knew well from the novels and animations I had devoured in my past life.
"You will be reborn into a powerful family," the voice continued, "with a Sign-in System to aid you on your journey. This System will allow you to grow stronger by signing in at various locations. Use it wisely. But remember, while the System may grant you power, it is up to you to claim your destiny."
My heart raced. The thought of being reborn in a world like that was thrilling and terrifying. Before I could ask any more questions, the void began to collapse, pulling me down into a swirling mass of light and energy.
"Live well," the voice said, its tone fading as I was engulfed by the light. "Your journey begins now."
I woke up to warmth and the soft sound of murmuring voices. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light around me. I was swaddled in soft blankets, held close to someone's chest.
"Look at him, Tian," a gentle voice whispered above me. "Our son... He will be strong."
The voice belonged to a woman, her tone filled with love. I felt her arms tighten around me slightly, holding me protectively.
A deeper, more commanding voice responded. "Of course, Yue. He is a member of the Shen clan. Strength runs in his blood."
The man's voice was firm, but there was an undercurrent of pride. Slowly, I tilted my head up to see their faces. My mother, Shen Yue, was beautiful, with long, flowing black hair and bright blue eyes that sparkled with warmth. Her expression was soft, full of affection as she gazed down at me. My father, Shen Tian, stood tall beside her, a commanding presence. He was broad-shouldered, with sharp features and dark hair tied back in a simple knot.
"He will carry our legacy forward," my father said, his hand resting gently on my head. "Born into the Shen family, he will grow strong."
I blinked slowly, trying to process everything. This... was real. I had truly been reborn. A strange feeling of both excitement and nervousness welled up inside me. I had a new life, a new family, and a future in a world where strength meant everything.
The years passed quickly. Growing up in the Shen family was not easy. We were a large clan, over 200 members strong, and power was highly valued. My father, Shen Tian, was the head of the family, a renowned Spirit Saint. My mother, Shen Yue, was a high-level Spirit King, respected for her grace and talent. But the true pillar of our family was my grandfather, Shen Wu, a rank 96 Titled Douluo, one of the few Super Douluo in the world.
Though I hadn't yet awakened my spirit, the expectations placed upon me were immense. I was constantly reminded that I was a direct descendant of the Shen bloodline—one known for its strength and spirit power. Training began at a young age, even before my spirit was awakened. Daily exercises and martial arts drills were meant to toughen my body and mind, preparing me for the day my spirit would manifest.
Despite the intense training, life in the Shen family wasn't without its warmth. My mother was always there to support me, her kindness a constant source of comfort. My father, though stern, was proud of my progress, his firm hand guiding me along the path of strength. And my grandfather, while distant, would occasionally offer advice, his presence always carrying weight within the family.
One day, after a particularly exhausting session of training, I sat beside the lotus pond in the courtyard, catching my breath. At five years old, I was already stronger than most children my age, thanks to the rigorous exercises that had been drilled into me. But something told me this was only the beginning.
As I stared at the water, lost in thought, a voice echoed in my mind.
[Sign-in System Activated.]
I froze, the words reverberating in my head. The System... It's real!
"Sign-in?" I muttered under my breath, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby.
[Sign-in location: Shen Family Courtyard. First of three sign-ins available at this location.]
Excitement surged through me. This was it. The System that the voice in the void had promised me—the tool that would help me rise in this world. I took a deep breath and focused. "Sign in."
[Sign-in successful. Reward: 100-Year Yellow Spirit Ring for your spirit.]
I blinked, stunned. A 100-year spirit ring? But I hadn't even awakened my spirit yet. How was I supposed to use this?
As if responding to my confusion, the System's voice echoed again.
[The Spirit Ring will remain dormant until your Spirit Awakening Ceremony.]
I let out a slow breath, my excitement still bubbling beneath the surface. This was only the beginning. When the time came for me to awaken my spirit, I would already be ahead of the others. I could feel it—the path to greatness was opening before me.
But for now, I would keep this power hidden. In the world of Douluo Dalu, revealing too much too soon could be dangerous. I would wait until the Spirit Awakening Ceremony when I turned six, and then... I would begin my rise.
With the knowledge of the System in my mind, I stood up from the courtyard, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. This world was full of dangers, but I wasn't the same as before. I had the power to change my fate.
And I would become stronger than anyone could imagine.