Big Treasure and Little Treasure

Douluo Continent.

Spirit City, Nolan Street.

Inside an ordinary residence.

"Xiaobao, it was your big brother's fault. I failed to protect you."

"I let Father and Mother down."

"Wake up, please. If anything happens to you, what am I supposed to do?"

Hiss, my body hurts so much. Where am I? And why is some grown man bawling his eyes out like he's at a funeral?

Ye Xiaobao slowly opened his eyes and looked around. The room was rather shabby, filled with old wooden furniture.

He was lying in bed. Beside him sat a young man who looked about five foot seven, his face bruised and swollen as he wiped away tears.

Why does this body feel so strange? Why does it feel so awkward?

He abruptly threw back the blanket.

Holy crap! I'm so small!

Where am I?

Why have I turned into a child?

What exactly happened?

"Xiaobao, you're awake."

Seeing that his younger brother had awakened, Ye Dabao wiped his face. His tears and snot had mixed together, yet he still broke into a grin.

His dark face had been smeared into a messy patchwork.

"Are you thirsty? Big Brother will get you some water."

With that, he stood up and hurried away.

Big brother?

Did I... transmigrate?

Before long, Ye Dabao returned carefully carrying a cup of water.

"Here, Xiaobao, have some water."

He took the cup with his small hands and drank a sip. Memories belonging to this body gradually surfaced as well.

That was right. He had transmigrated, and his name was also Ye Xiaobao.

It was ordinary and somewhat lacking in refinement. Of course, it was not particularly impressive either.

Their family of four had originally lived in Spirit City.

But half a year ago, their Uncle told them that their parents had been caught up in a conflict between Soul Masters and had died an untimely death.

Fourteen-year-old Ye Dabao had not only dropped out of school, but had also relied on their meager savings and the blacksmithing skills Father had taught him to barely support the family.

Yesterday, Uncle had brought people to the Blacksmith Shop.

He said that the Blacksmith Shop had originally been meant for him, and that he would take it over for one Gold Soul Coin.

Naturally, Ye Dabao refused.

So the people Uncle had called over pinned him to the ground and beat him up.

When Ye Xiaobao tried to help, Uncle kicked him away, knocking him unconscious on the spot.

The memories came to an abrupt end there.

Right now, he desperately wanted to grow stronger and make those people pay the price!

I, Ye Xiaobao, may not repay every favor, but every grudge must be repaid!

After making that bold declaration in his heart, he began considering his current situation.

This is Spirit City, and there are Soul Masters? Then this must be the world of Douluo Continent. I just wonder what Tang San is doing now.

At that moment, seeing him staring blankly, Ye Dabao feared that he had damaged his brain and anxiously asked:

"Xiaobao, are you hungry? What do you want to eat? Big Brother will make it for you."

"Don't worry. Even without the Blacksmith Shop, Big Brother still has strength. I can find work, and I won't let you go hungry."

"Tomorrow, you're going to the church to awaken your martial soul. I wonder whether your injuries will affect you."

The more Dabao spoke, the more aggrieved he became. It was as though he could not stop, and he was nearly crying again.

Ye Xiaobao hurriedly patted him with his six-year-old hand.

"It's fine, Big Brother. Don't worry, it won't affect me."

"See? Aren't I perfectly fine?"

As he spoke, he clenched his fists, showing off his muscles.

My martial soul awakens tomorrow? In my memories, Father had a hammer martial soul, Mother had an embroidery needle, and Dabao inherited Father's hammer martial soul.

They're all the most ordinary, lowest-grade martial souls!

Following the logic of martial soul awakenings in Douluo, there's a high chance I'll have a hammer martial soul too.

Since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it. At least I'm in Spirit City.

Even if things go terribly wrong, with my familiarity with the plot's development, I should be able to join Spirit Hall and secure a decent position.

As for attaching myself to Tang San, I can forget about it. He wouldn't think much of someone with poor talent.

At the very least, Spirit Hall awakens martial souls for free.

And even if I can't join Spirit Hall, with my modern memories, I should still be able to live well in this world.

Just then, a berating voice came from outside the house:

"You little bastard, get out here! Two Gold Soul Coins at most. Hand over the deed!"

"I'm telling you, it's only because of your dead father that I haven't beaten you two to death already."

Hearing the voice, Ye Dabao's body visibly trembled.

Then, as though he had made up his mind, a small iron hammer appeared in his palm.

Seeing that his big brother did not even have a single soul ring, Ye Xiaobao feared he would act rashly. He grabbed the corner of his clothes with his small hand and said quietly:

"Big Brother, don't be impulsive. Just give him the deed."

"The Blacksmith Shop isn't as important as you."

Tears unconsciously flowed from Ye Dabao's eyes again. After all, he was only fifteen.

"Alright, then we'll give it to him. Don't worry, Xiaobao. Big Brother definitely won't let you suffer."

Suppressing his grievance, he turned to retrieve the deed.

Fearing that something might happen to his big brother, Ye Xiaobao endured the pain in his body and got out of bed. The two went outside together.

Looking at the burly middle-aged man before him, Ye Xiaobao said coldly:

"Big Brother, give him the deed."

Hearing Ye Xiaobao's words, Ye Dabao handed over the deed.

Their Uncle took the deed, his wide mouth stretching uncontrollably into a grin as he laughed.

"That's more like it. These are Uncle's good nephews. We're family, after all."

"I'm telling you, your cousin Da Qiang has already become a senior blacksmith certified by the Blacksmith Association."

"The Blacksmith Shop can only flourish in his hands."

"Then you two can benefit from his success."

At that moment, Ye Xiaobao stepped forward and held out his small hand.

"Where are the Gold Soul Coins?"

The burly man was taken aback. Since when had the formerly timid and weak Ye Xiaobao dared to speak like this?

He silently took out two Gold Soul Coins and tossed them into his little hand.

"Take them. What a pair of good-for-nothings."

"Oh, right, Dabao. Your cousin also said he wants you to be his apprentice."

"Don't miss such a good opportunity."

Ye Dabao was somewhat tempted. Scratching his head, he awkwardly asked:

"How much would I be paid each month?"

The burly man's face immediately fell, and he began berating him:

"Paid? Your cousin is a senior blacksmith. He's only letting you be his apprentice because you're relatives, and you still want money? No wonder you two are such good-for-nothings."

Hearing that, Ye Xiaobao immediately felt that this man truly had propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame—just not a shred of shame.

Although his big brother had not yet been certified by the Blacksmith Guild, he was at least at the level of an intermediate blacksmith.

An apprentice?

And an unpaid apprentice at that. What a bastard.

But the situation was stronger than the man. There would be plenty of chances to deal with them later; indulging in a verbal spat now would only bring trouble.

He took his big brother's hand and returned straight to the house.

"Hey, why are you leaving? You two little bastards have no manners at all, just like your dead father."

"When you two little brats can't afford food, don't come begging me."

"Hmph!"