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Location: Douluo Continent, Southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire, Fasno Province.
Wangjia Village, a small, unremarkable settlement near Nuoding City, primarily survives by growing grain and vegetables for sale in the city, which is nearly its only source of income. Vast farmlands stretch across the village outskirts, and among the farmers laboring there is a young boy, skilled at wielding a hoe to clear weeds. He knows that diligent weeding and pest control are essential for a healthy crop.
This boy is Wang Li, a six-year-old child. His name reflects his birth circumstances: born with an unusually large body, his mother passed away from complications, but he survived, separated from his mother as soon as he was born. Hence, he was given the single name, "Li," meaning "separation."
A few years ago, wild boars from the mountains ravaged the crops, prompting the villagers to try and drive them away. Ordinary folk found it difficult to fend off the thick-skinned beasts, resulting in numerous injuries, with Wang Li's father among those who perished. Now, Wang Li truly lives alone.
Despite being only six, Wang Li has three years of field experience. His hard work, coupled with occasional help from the village chief and villagers, has kept him healthy and even more robust than his peers.
At six years old, Wang Li has the physique of a ten-year-old. His skin, tanned to a wheat color, reflects his vitality, with bold features, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. In the city, he might not stand out, but here in the countryside, his appearance and strong build ensure that one day he'll become a handsome young man known across the villages.
By midday, the sun was scorching, and the heat became unbearable for even adults, let alone young Wang Li.
Gathering his tools, Wang Li made his way back to his home on the west side of the village. However, he was surprised to see an elderly figure waiting outside his door.
Recognizing the elder, Wang Li smiled warmly and greeted him, "Village Chief Grandpa, what brings you here?"
The elderly man was none other than the village chief of Wangjia, named Wang Ping, who, true to his name, had a fair approach to handling matters. An orphan, Wang Li often received Wang Ping's care and attention.
Wang Ping looked at Wang Li with warmth and satisfaction. More than half of Wangjia's villagers bore the Wang surname, meaning there was a distant familial tie between the two, though that wasn't the most important thing.
The key was that Wang Li was a respectful, hardworking child. For a farmer, anyone diligent can always make a living. If nothing unexpected occurred, Wang Li would grow into a productive member of the village, avoiding the fate of idle loafers or slackers.
Wang Ping cherished this valuable labor force; this was a practical reality. Though Wang Li called him "Grandpa," he wasn't his real grandson.
Inviting Wang Li to put down his tools, Wang Ping began, "Xiao Li, you've had a hard life, having to work in the fields every day at such a young age. But tomorrow, you won't need to go to the fields. Tomorrow, a Soul Master from the Spirit Hall is coming to our village to awaken the martial spirits of children who've turned six. If you awaken a powerful spirit, you might even become a Soul Master, standing above others. You wouldn't have to toil in the fields anymore!"
As he spoke, Wang Ping's eyes filled with admiration. On Douluo Continent, all occupations fall beneath the rank of Soul Master, who stand alone at the pinnacle.
Hearing this, Wang Li smiled and replied, "I understand, Village Chief Grandpa. It's wonderful of the Spirit Hall to send Soul Masters even to small villages like ours, helping us awaken our martial spirits."
Wang Ping nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, indeed. So, Xiao Li, make sure to get to the Spirit Hall in the village center early. We mustn't keep the Soul Master waiting. You may not have parents now, but you're the one I trust the most. I believe you'll awaken a powerful spirit!"
Wang Li's eyes glimmered with a subtle hint of expectation.
"Thank you, Village Chief Grandpa. Perhaps I truly might awaken a powerful martial spirit."
Wang Ping chuckled and shook his head. As village chief, he had witnessed countless children's spirit awakenings, yet he'd never seen a powerful spirit emerge. Over time, his expectations had dimmed. Although he once hoped a strong Soul Master would rise from the village, he had since grown accustomed to disappointment.
Rising to his feet, Wang Ping offered a comforting remark.
"Well, if that happens, our village will finally have a powerful Soul Master. I'll be off now—still need to visit other families!"
Wang Li waved goodbye with a smile.
"Goodbye, Grandpa."
Watching Wang Ping's retreating figure, Wang Li couldn't help but think to himself,
"It's finally starting. Spirit Awakening... What kind of martial spirit will I have as I set off on the path of a Soul Master?"
His confidence came from his origins in another world, where Douluo Continent was merely the story in a book. Wang Li, fortunately, remembered much of this book's content.
He had "awakened" at age three, though memories from before then had grown vague, replaced by memories from his previous life. He suspected this was a protective mechanism, with his mind sealing away original memories until his body matured enough at three years old to handle them.
After all, there's a saying, "Memories start at the age of awareness." Generally, people retain little, if anything, from before the age of three, and even those fragments are often unclear. It's only after three that lasting memories truly form.
Once aware of his past, Wang Li quickly noticed the villagers' shift in attitude toward him. While other children were still crying and playing, he was already taking up farming tools and heading to the fields with his young, yet determined body.
It didn't matter how much work he completed; his attitude mattered. In hard times, people help those in urgent need but hesitate to support the lazy. By working diligently and avoiding becoming a burden, Wang Li earned respect. Neighbors, reminded of his efforts, were willing to lend him a hand. Otherwise, in a poor community, no one wanted an extra mouth to feed.
For three years, Wang Li had toiled in the fields. Now, a whole new world was about to open up to him.
Feeling upbeat, Wang Li pushed open his door and stepped inside his home.
Striding over to the kitchen, he lifted the lid of the pot on the stove, revealing cold rice porridge—a good half-pot's worth. He quickly scooped some into a bowl.
Pairing it with pickled vegetables, he ate heartily by the stove.
This was his primary meal. He longed for meat but lacked the means to have it.
The porridge provided sugar, the pickles salt, and with hard work, Wang Li had built up a strong, healthy physique that pleased him. While he wasn't sure if his robust body would correlate with his spirit awakening or spiritual power, he knew one thing: being strong was better than being frail.
(End of Chapter)