บท 1: Chapter 1: Emperor Soul Village
Douluo Continent, Southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire, Fasno Province
Emperor Soul Village, a small hamlet on the outskirts of the remote Notting City. The village is modest, with only a dozen or so households. Under each eave, animal pelts hang, differing only in color, type, and quantity.
The village primarily survives on hunting. The misty, white morning is not ideal for hunting, so many doors remain tightly shut.
"Mu Chen, up early for training again?"
On the village path, a young boy in simple linen clothes ran out from the misty village lanes. A middle-aged man standing with hands behind his back greeted the boy with a smile.
"Yes, good morning, Village Chief!"
The boy's full name was Mu Chen, and he was six years old. At this age, all children begin morning exercises to prepare for the upcoming Martial Soul Awakening.
Among all the villagers, Mu Chen was the most diligent. His perseverance surpassed even that of adults. On sunny days, he would run in the mountains; on foggy days, he would jog in the village; and on rainy days, he would exercise at home with a set of peculiar movements he called shadowboxing, push-ups, and sit-ups.
"Why are you up so early today, Village Chief?" Mu Chen asked curiously.
"A master will visit our village tomorrow to help the children awaken their martial souls. Our village is remote and hard to reach. I'm going out to buy some nice food to host them tomorrow," replied the village chief.
"I'm off for my run, Village Chief," Mu Chen said.
"Good child, keep up the hard work. I have high hopes for you," the village chief said with a warm smile. As he watched Mu Chen run past, a look of pity appeared in his eyes.
"Ah, this child, why is his life so hard!"
Unlike Tang San, Mu Chen had an even more tragic story. Shortly after he was born, his father was killed by an evil soul master while hunting in the mountains.
To support Mu Chen, his mother had no choice but to take up his father's bow and arrows one winter. Tragically, she was eaten by a century-old soul beast that had strayed from the Star Dou Forest.
Fortunately, Mu Chen was no ordinary boy. He was a transmigrator. Despite losing both parents in childhood, he did not wallow in sorrow. With the help of the villagers, Mu Chen survived resiliently.
By the time Mu Chen was three or four, he began using knowledge from his previous life to help the villagers of Emperor Soul Village stop relying solely on hunting. The grain and vegetables they produced were comparable to those of Holy Soul Village in Fasno Province.
Thunk!
As Mu Chen reached the village entrance, ready to turn back and continue his run, a crisp sound came from the other side of the mist.
The morning was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Although the sound was distant and faint, Mu Chen's keen hearing picked it up.
Rustle...
Following the faint landing sound, the distinct rustling of leaves could be heard.
"Something's up!"
Mu Chen frowned, staring in the direction of the noise. But the thick mist made it impossible to see what was happening.
Should he go check it out?
Mu Chen hesitated. Looking back at the village, he steeled himself. He pulled out a small dagger from his calf, shook his head slightly, and returned home to retrieve his father's bow and arrows before heading to the small grove outside the village.
Entering the grove, Mu Chen was on high alert, arrow nocked and bow drawn, ever watchful of his surroundings.
The small grove outside Emperor Soul Village was frequented by foxes, rabbits, wild goats, and owls. Using the trees as cover, Mu Chen stealthily made his way deeper into the woods.
"There it is!"
Mu Chen was delighted, thinking he might finally catch some meat today, as he spotted a pair of pink bunny ears.
With the arrow nocked and the bow drawn.
Despite his young age, Mu Chen could draw a bow as tall as himself into a full moon shape, a testament to his training.
Mu Chen didn't have Tang San's cheat abilities. This world was one of survival of the fittest. To live, and live well and comfortably, he had to become stronger and stronger!
Becoming a soul master, earning a noble title, and becoming someone of status was Mu Chen's first wish and his first goal in life.
"Should it be braised rabbit tonight, or perhaps rabbit stew?"
A smile played on Mu Chen's lips as he imagined the delicious rabbit meat.
Just as Mu Chen was about to release his arrow, a girl's sobbing could be heard.
"Huh, someone's there?"
Mu Chen was taken aback, his action paused. Then, a small girl emerged from behind a large tree.
The girl had pink bunny ears and a long black scorpion braid reaching her hips. Her face was dirty, her clothes scant. No, they were not clothes, but large leaves barely covering her modesty.
"A wild child?"
This was Mu Chen's first impression of the girl.
The heavy taxes and constant wars of the Heaven Dou Empire forced some citizens to flee into the forests, turning them into wild people over time. Nearby villages occasionally faced attacks from these wild people.
"Who are you? And why are you here?" Mu Chen asked.
The little girl with the bunny ears looked terrified, staring at Mu Chen with his hunter's bow in hand, with an innate fear of the weapon.
Almost reflexively, or perhaps by instinct, the girl turned to flee. But her injured leg caused her to limp, and she was quickly intercepted by Mu Chen holding his bow.
"Stop, I'm talking to you!" Mu Chen called out.
"Don't! Don't kill me!" the girl cried out in terror, tears welling up in her eyes.
"You can talk?"
Mu Chen was surprised to hear her speak and asked, "Which village are you from? This is the hunting area of Emperor Soul Village. Do you know you've crossed the border?"
In Fasno Province, each village had its own territory. Most of the surrounding villages lived by hunting and only hunted within their own territory. However, there were always one or two hunters who crossed the borders.
"I... I... I..."
The girl was too frightened to answer coherently, looking at Mu Chen with panic.
"Hurry up and leave. If the adults see you in the mountains, you won't be able to leave even if you want to." Mu Chen put away his bow and slung it over his shoulder, deciding not to make things difficult for the girl, and turned to leave the forest.
"Why aren't you leaving?"
Mu Chen looked back at the girl who was following him.
"I... I don't have a home," the girl whispered, not daring to look Mu Chen in the eye.
"Where's your dad?"
"Dead."
"Your mom?"
"Also dead."
"Uh…"
Mu Chen was surprised, looking again at the dirty girl in front of him. Their fates were strikingly similar. Feeling a pang of sympathy, he said, "Alright then, if you don't mind, you can stay at my place for now."
"Okay."
The girl didn't hesitate. Her instincts told her this older boy was a good person since he didn't harm her.
"Did you sprain your ankle?" Mu Chen asked, pointing at her foot.
"Yes!" the girl nodded.
"Sit down!" Mu Chen commanded.
The girl complied and sat on the ground. However, she was oblivious to the fact that as Mu Chen crouched down, the leaves couldn't fully cover her body.
Mu Chen averted his eyes with difficulty, taking a deep breath. Outwardly a six-year-old, he was inwardly very mature.
Grasping the girl's foot, Mu Chen felt the soft, smooth texture, causing him to shiver briefly before he forcefully adjusted it.
"Ah!"
The girl cried out in pain, nearly in tears, her soul power ready to unleash her waist bow technique. Being so close, she was confident she could use her first soul skill—Waist Bow!
"Try walking now," Mu Chen instructed.
The girl hesitantly walked a few steps, exclaiming in surprise, "It's better?!"
Mu Chen smugly said, "Of course. I've learned a thing or two from the village hunters! But what's your name? Why do you walk like you're dancing?"
Mu Chen frowned at the girl's movements, reminiscent of a ballet dancer, tiptoeing with her pink bunny ears.
"I…"
The girl thought for a moment before cleverly replying, "I'm Xiao Wu!"
Oops, accidentally picked up Xiao Wu from the start. Hehe (#^.^#)
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