Earthly Dragon Gate

Upon entering the Clothing Store, Nan Shui Shui looked at the children and smiled. "Go pick out an outfit each. Liu Xing and Firefly, pick a few more sets. If there's nothing you like, you can have them custom-made."

"Thank you, Godmother."

"Thank you, Gate Master."

"Really? Mom, you're the best."

What child did not like new clothes? Even Nan Qiuqiu looked pleasantly surprised. She had far too many clothes already and had assumed this had nothing to do with her, but she had unexpectedly received a surprise as well.

Liu Xing casually picked out several outfits, then rejected the Pink Children's Clothing Nan Qiuqiu recommended with a look of disdain. He also chose several outfits for Firefly and likewise refused the pink clothes for her. Pink did not suit Firefly's temperament, leaving both Nan Qiuqiu and Nan Shui Shui looking regretful.

Because of their Rouge Dragon Spirits, both mother and daughter had a particular fondness for pink and desperately wanted to recommend it to others. Unfortunately, whether it was Liu Xing, Firefly, or the Earthly Dragon Gate disciples, all of them looked utterly disgusted by the idea.

What kind of manly man, what kind of super macho man, would ever wear pink?

Having gained new companions who were even younger than herself, Nan Qiuqiu was delighted. She skipped along the entire way and deliberately showed off the Rouge Dragon Spirit she had awakened that day to her two new friends.

Looking at Nan Qiuqiu's right hand covered in Pink Dragon Scales, both Liu Xing and Firefly were filled with curiosity. What Martial Souls would they awaken?

Though they were outsiders, with the Goddess of Life's help, the two who had inherited Life Divinity could now be considered half natives. Awakening Martial Souls should not be a problem. Otherwise, the Goddess of Life would not have sent them to Douluo Star. If she had, that would have been far too much of a scam. The dignified Goddess of Life did not seem like someone so unreliable.

Unfortunately, on Douluo Continent, everyone had to wait until they were six to awaken a Martial Soul. Liu Xing and Firefly were still two years away from turning six. They eagerly wondered what kind of Martial Souls they would awaken. Given Firefly's bloodline and identity, even if she did not receive a god-bestowed Martial Soul, Innate Level 20 Soul Power or Innate Full Soul Power should not be a problem, right?

As long as Firefly awakened, then because of the Life Sharing Ritual, Liu Xing would gain the same Martial Soul and Innate Soul Power. It could be said that he had taken living off a woman to its absolute peak.

Of course, Liu Xing would never admit that this was living off a woman, even if beaten to death. He, Liu Xing, would rely on his own hard work to cultivate and, in turn, help Firefly soar.

On Douluo Continent, Innate Full Soul Power was the pinnacle. As long as nothing went wrong along the way, one could generally become a Titled Douluo. Nan Qiuqiu's Innate Level 9 Soul Power already placed her among the ranks of geniuses. With the Earthly Dragon Gate's cultivation, her future ascension to Titled Douluo was beyond doubt.

Among the younger generation in Dragon City, only the Heavenly Dragon Gate's Young Master, Yu Tianlong, who had awakened the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit and possessed Innate Full Soul Power, could suppress Nan Qiuqiu.

According to Nan Qiuqiu, the Heavenly Dragon Gate was the Earthly Dragon Gate's mortal enemy. Sooner or later, she would suppress Yu Tianlong and make the Earthly Dragon Gate stand above the Heavenly Dragon Gate.

Liu Xing was speechless. Heavenly Dragon Gate and Earthly Dragon Gate—one could tell from the names alone that they were connected. One was in the heavens and the other on the earth. No wonder the Earthly Dragon Gate was always being suppressed. With a name like that, it would be stranger if they were not.

As for the mortal enemies Nan Qiuqiu spoke of, Liu Xing did not see it that way. What kind of mortal enemies were this harmonious? Only the younger disciples had occasional friction, while the elders had never clashed. Their conflicts had never escalated, either, always being snuffed out in the bud. No one would believe there was nothing suspicious going on between the upper echelons of both sides.

After entering the Earthly Dragon Gate, Liu Xing finally got to see a genuine Spirit Beast—the Magma Earth Dragons raised by the Earthly Dragon Gate. They truly were as huge as Nan Qiuqiu had described, and they could even breathe fire. Although they were nowhere near as extraordinary as the strange creatures Liu Xing had seen in the universe, being able to get close to them and even touch them with his own hands with Nan Shui Shui's help made him exclaim that acknowledging this Elder Sister had not been in vain.

Time slowly passed, and Liu Xing and Firefly smoothly integrated into life at the Earthly Dragon Gate. With Nan Qiuqiu, the Little Demon King, watching over them, none of the Earthly Dragon Gate's children dared bully Liu Xing or Firefly. And with Nan Shui Shui as their godmother, the gate's elders spoiled the two little ones endlessly. Especially compared with Nan Qiuqiu, the little demon king, the usually quiet, obedient, and sensible pair were especially well-liked.

Firefly also used her fists to beat several children into submission when they refused to accept her as their Second Sister Head. A four-year-old little girl who had not even awakened her Martial Soul sent several six- and seven-year-olds—children who had awakened Martial Souls and possessed Soul Power—away bruised and battered with just a few punches and kicks. The Earthly Dragon Gate elders were utterly astonished and unanimously declared that Firefly had the makings of a Titled Douluo.

Firefly did not need much effort to completely win over all the Earthly Dragon Gate children. Nan Qiuqiu even wanted to take Firefly to challenge Yu Tianlong, but Nan Shui Shui stopped her. She could tell that Firefly possessed Innate Divine Strength. Before even awakening her Martial Soul, she could easily defeat children with Soul Power. Though they were just little brats without Soul Rings, the gap between having Soul Power and lacking it was enormous. Someone who had awakened Soul Power could fight ten versions of their unawakened self.

Nan Shui Shui did not want Firefly to attract too much attention. The Heavenly Dragon Gate might not have any particular thoughts, but other people would. Dragon City had more than just the Heavenly Dragon Gate and Earthly Dragon Gate. There were also nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire, other small and medium-sized sects, and Soul Hunting Squads who came to the Far North to earn resources. With all sorts of people mixed together, it would be troublesome if someone set their sights on the little girl.

Liu Xing, meanwhile, kept a much lower profile. Unlike Firefly, who was tempted by Little Cake and followed Nan Qiuqiu everywhere, he did not enjoy running around. Instead, he preferred staying alone in a quiet corner and reading. The Earthly Dragon Gate's collection of books could not be called extensive, but it did include some books covering common knowledge about the continent.

At first, because he could not read, he had no choice but to ask his godmother, Nan Shui Shui, to arrange a teacher to teach him literacy. Yet whether due to his exceptional talent or because this body had been created using Firefly as its template, he was able to recognize most characters and read by himself after merely one month.

Firefly, meanwhile, only came to learn literacy occasionally because she spent her time hanging around with Nan Qiuqiu, so her progress was somewhat slower. Still, she learned it in just two months. If Nan Qiuqiu had not taken up so much of her time, she might have learned all the characters even faster than Liu Xing.

Firefly was very happy during this period, and Liu Xing did not disturb her. Firefly was good at fighting but not thinking, a complete brute. It was not just Liu Xing who saw this; Nan Shui Shui saw it as well.

When facing Earthly Dragon Gate disciples who refused to accept her, Firefly did not care that they were several years older or that they had awakened Martial Souls and possessed Soul Power. She simply rushed in with two bam bam punches. When Nan Qiuqiu wanted to take her to challenge Yu Tianlong, Firefly agreed without hesitation. Had Nan Shui Shui not stopped the two little girls, Dragon City's number one genius, Yu Tianlong, would likely have been beaten black and blue.