The New Beginning

Life was born from chaos, then destroyed by nothingness. The cycle repeated endlessly. Humanity would never understand how to cherish it, always lingering at the edge of a cliff before finally falling into the abyss.

Here stood one such mad human—or perhaps he could no longer be called human. For the plan in his heart, he could abandon all humanity without hesitation. Yet at the same time, he was also a sorrowful man.

For the woman he loved, he had made an enemy of the entire world, all for the sake of reviving his beloved—Karen.

"Although I'm sorry, I think it's time for you to get some proper rest, Crimson Kite Immortal."

Bang!

The sharp gunshot echoed through the empty bridge. Blue skies and white clouds—what should have been a beautiful scene—were stained with colors that did not belong. The clamor gradually faded from her ears until she could no longer hear a single sound.

Yet faint whispers from some unknown place burrowed deep into her mind.

"Crimson Kite Immortal, I wasn't lying..."

Her consciousness sank into darkness. Unable to think, unable to move, it was as though everything had drifted away from her. Her heavy eyelids felt glued shut, and her parched throat was unbearably rough. She wanted to say something, yet did not know what to say.

A life that had endured for thousands of years had finally reached its end. Regret, remorse, and unwillingness filled the young girl's heart. There were still so many things left unfinished.

"I'm sorry, Cang Xuan. I can no longer fulfill my promise to you..."

Her quiet murmur was swallowed by the darkness. A flicker of fire became the only light here. The glowing feather seemed to be telling her something, and memories sealed away for a thousand years returned at this moment. But everything was too late.

On the Douluo Continent, there were no Honkai Beasts, nor humans controlled by the Honkai—Herrschers. The power system here was especially bizarre. Of course, that was only true for this outsider; to the natives, it was as ordinary as everyday life.

She had come to this world five years ago, yet Fu Hua still had not adapted to life here. Not daily life, but the brutal way of life in this place.

The streets were filled with hawkers crying their wares, nobles in fine clothes, and commoners dressed in coarse linen. Some wore radiant smiles, while others lived on with numb expressions. From every person, one could sense an aura of varying depth and strength.

On the streets, you might lose your life for bumping into someone. Or perhaps a young noble might take a fancy to your appearance and abduct you as a concubine. This city seemed to be an embodiment of human nature.

Of course, perhaps it was not the only city like this.

In a world where strength was revered, strength alone was the most basic right to speak. Fu Hua feared no power or authority; at worst, she could just settle it with one punch.

Sitting in the only library in Suotuo City, Fu Hua's sky-blue eyes were fixed intently on the book in her hands.

The writing of the Douluo Continent was unlike any language Fu Hua knew, and it had caused her no small amount of trouble in the beginning.

When she had first opened her eyes, she had been in a lush forest. Beastly roars rose and fell all around her, accompanied by suppressed, fear-filled howls. Fu Hua had not known what they were until she entered Suotuo City, the closest city to the forest, and slowly learned that they were creatures known as Soul Beasts.

Though calling it the closest was somewhat misleading—there were still several hundred kilometers between them.

Fu Hua was currently in the Balak Kingdom, south of the Heaven Dou Empire, while Suotuo City was the granary city of the Balak Kingdom. It was heavily guarded, and anyone entering or leaving the city gates had to undergo inspection.

The Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire were the continent's two great ruling empires. The Balak Kingdom bordered the Star Luo Empire, so it could be considered a frontier region.

"Little Fu Hua! Reading again?"

The curator of Suo Tuo Library was a kind old man. He was already eighty this year, his hair entirely white, and the lines carved into his face by time had only grown deeper. Even on a continent where Soul Master cultivation was widespread, one would still grow old, fall ill, and die without achieving anything.

Curator Sol was one of the unfortunate countless masses.

"Yes, Grandpa Sol. I'll have to trouble you again."

Fu Hua put down her book, stood up, and respectfully greeted him.

At one meter sixty-five, she was of average height for a young girl, but on this continent where Soul Masters were so common, she seemed somewhat short.

Her ash-gray hair was tied behind her waist with a ribbon, while a small lock of hair at her chest, too short to reach farther, was also bound and left resting there. Her delicate yet heroic face, pure and clear eyes, red-framed glasses perched on her nose, and tightly pressed lips all made a striking impression.

Her waist was straight, and even while standing, she made not a single unnecessary movement, giving others an impression of rigor and seriousness.

And Fu Hua truly was that sort of person. Curator Sol, who had known her for five years, naturally understood this.

He waved a hand for Fu Hua to sit, then lowered his aged body into his own chair. His cloudy yellow eyes watched the young girl, who remained impeccably composed even in her most relaxed state.

His gaze held both gratification and regret.

He was gratified that the girl possessed not only exceptional beauty, but such great strength as well.

He regretted that they were ultimately people from two different worlds.

As he recalled the past, the curator remembered the scene from five years ago.

As usual, he had opened for business. Only after the pedestrians on the street had begun to liven things up did Sol unlock the doors. Compared to other trades, the library's business was terribly sparse. It could be said that virtually no one came here to buy books.

Those who came were either genuinely there to read or looking for a quiet place to meet in secret, yet Sol continued to keep it open.

Books were traces that recorded the past, and vessels that chronicled the present. People could find much enjoyment within them and come to understand their own shortcomings. Unfortunately, few were still willing to read seriously.

Thus, in the vast Suotuo City, there was only this one library. Its collection was also the most comprehensive, ranging from children's primers to national histories and political records, to Soul Master autobiographies.

Perhaps its collection was even more complete than those of certain Soul Master Academies, though no one knew it.

Sol opened the door, expecting another ordinary day watching the bustling crowd pass by. Yet instead, a ragged little figure entered his sight.

Her face was covered in dust, her soft hair a tangled mess, and her clothes did not fit at all, as though she had draped an adult's clothing over herself. But the one thing Sol could not tear his eyes away from was those pure, flawless pupils.

They were like the most perfect gemstones bestowed by heaven; perhaps even the sky was not so pure. The tiny figure stood there just like that. Though passersby pointed at her and uttered unbearable remarks, the child's expression remained unchanged.

Then she suddenly said, "Can you take me in? As long as you let me read books, that's enough. I have nowhere else to go. It doesn't matter if I have no place to stay, and I don't mind cleaning either. I'll work to repay every loss I cause you."

Her voice was calm to an abnormal degree. Though it was clearly a child's immature voice, Sol heard an unquestionable force within it, as though this was only natural to her.

Letting a seven-year-old child go out and work was the most ridiculous thing Sol had ever heard.

Children of that age should have been attending a junior Soul Master Academy under their parents' care, living a difficult yet fairly comfortable childhood before advancing to intermediate and senior academies, then becoming retainers of some clan or nation.

Yet the child standing before Sol spoke words that did not suit her age. Nothing could have struck him as more absurd.

Without the slightest hesitation, and without any disgust at the dust covering her, he brought the scruffy girl into the shop. What he did not know was that he would one day feel immensely honored by this decision.

Just as the girl had said, she had done it. She had truly relied on her own abilities to repay all the money Sol had spent caring for her over the years, and had even begun taking care of Sol in return.

Fu Hua had also been managing the vast library all this time. Seeing her cultivate on one hand while tending to the library on the other, Sol could not help but feel guilty. He had held Fu Hua back!

The memories ended. Looking at Fu Hua again, that tiny figure from back then had grown into a lovely young girl. Though Sol always felt that Fu Hua looked perhaps a little too boyish, that might have been a good thing for her.

This world was not fair to women. Perhaps it would spare her a great deal of trouble in the future.

"Little Fu Hua! You're twelve this year, aren't you?"

"Yes, Grandpa Sol. Twelve years and three months."

"You never attended a junior Soul Master Academy, so you're already a step behind the others. But your talent is exceptional. Even so, you've cultivated to level thirty as a Soul Grandmaster. All that remains is to hunt a Soul Ring and advance."

When Fu Hua had arrived in this world, her body had somehow shrunk into that of a seven-year-old child. Though her strength remained, it was restricted in far too many ways. She had suffered greatly before finally reaching Suotuo City, and before she could enter, the soldiers had subjected her to extra questioning before letting her go.

Dressed like a filthy beggar, she drew pointing fingers from passersby. That life only ended when she met Librarian Sol. Afterward, she used this library, which held the equivalent of a hundred thousand books, to fill in the gaps in her meager knowledge.

Soul Masters, Soul Beasts, Soul Rings.

They were the only cultivation method on this continent. Yet Fu Hua might have been different from everyone else—her first and second Soul Rings had both formed on their own. Because of this, she had specifically asked Librarian Sol about the principles behind the formation of Soul Rings.

The only answer she received was that they were hunted from Soul Beasts.

Now, Fu Hua had reached level thirty, yet she had been unable to break through for a long time, nor had another Soul Ring formed. It troubled her greatly. Though her combat skills had always remained intact, Fu Hua had adopted the local cultivation method with the mindset of doing as the locals did.

The results were remarkable. Combined with her own efforts, she had reached level thirty at only twelve years old. Once she hunted another Soul Ring, she would become a true Soul Elder.

"We commoners can't accomplish that alone. So I think it's time for you to study at a Soul Master Academy. The knowledge taught there is also more complete and detailed."

Fu Hua's sword-like brows furrowed slightly. "Grandpa Sol, it's fine. I can manage on my own."

Besides Soul Power, she still had Honkai Energy within her body. If it came down to it, she would have no choice but to reveal her true strength.

Sol shook his head.

"You're still young, yet you've already achieved so much. Your future is limitless. Don't let an old man like me delay your cultivation."

"No, Grandpa Sol. I think staying here is quite nice too."

"Don't worry, Little Fu Hua! Before you came five years ago, I managed this library alone. The library doesn't get much business, and I enjoy the peace and quiet. But you're different, Little Fu Hua. You shouldn't be trapped in a tiny city like this."

From noon until dusk, Sol kept persuading Fu Hua to attend a Soul Master Academy. Only as night approached did Fu Hua finally agree after much persuasion, and Sol was finally at ease.

As he watched Fu Hua's departing figure, Sol's aged body seemed to grow even more frail, as though he had suddenly aged ten years.

"Child, your life should have been like a phoenix's, yet you were trapped for five years because of me. Now it is time for you to spread your wings and soar."

He moved toward his bedroom.

Meanwhile, after leaving the library, Fu Hua lowered her head in thought. Since she had promised Grandpa Sol, she would naturally keep her word. Shrek Academy's admissions would close in two days. While there was still time, she needed to settle everything.

Shrek Academy was also the one Grandpa Sol had specifically recommended. It was not far from Suotuo City, so she could try there first. If it did not work out, she would go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy!

Her gaze firm, she headed toward the Great Soul Arena, the busiest and most bustling place in Suotuo City at night.

Over the years, Fu Hua had not only worked at inns and restaurants. She also occasionally visited the Great Soul Arena. It was like the Roman Colosseum from her previous life, with spectators packed all around, a luxurious and sturdy battle stage in the center, and an enthusiastic host delivering passionate commentary that instantly set the entire venue roaring.

This was not Fu Hua's first time here. She easily found the registration desk. She had already changed into a fitted combat outfit: a white inner shirt, a short black jacket, black fitted trousers, and fingerless gloves on both hands.

This was the outfit she specifically wore when competing here. She even wore a silver half-mask over her face. She was too young, and it was hard to say whether someone with ill intentions might take advantage of that. If Grandpa Sol were harmed because of it, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

"Lord Crimson Kite, you've arrived."

The man at the registration desk seemed to have anticipated Fu Hua's arrival. He greeted her with a fawning smile.

Crimson Kite was the identity Fu Hua had used to conceal herself during matches. After all, finding someone in a small city like Suotuo City was not difficult.

She nodded lightly without speaking.

The man was already used to it. Taking the Silver Soul badge from Fu Hua's hand, he arranged her match on his own. After returning the badge to her, he took out a crystal ball.

"Lord Crimson Kite, the usual procedure."

Fu Hua nodded and placed her hand on the crystal ball. This was a Soul Tool specifically used to test Soul Power, generally for those below level thirty. Once someone reached level thirty, it would...

Bang!

That was right—it shattered. Even though Fu Hua had been prepared for it, her heart still ached. This Soul Tool was rather expensive, after all.

While Fu Hua felt pained over the cost, the man stood frozen. He stared blankly at the shattered crystal ball in his hand, then looked at Fu Hua, whose expression he could not make out. His heart trembled.

Lord Crimson Kite had only appeared half a year ago. All told, she had participated in fewer than thirty Soul Arena matches.

The exact number was twenty-three matches, with a total of 3,695 points. Her record was twenty-three battles, twenty-three victories, and zero defeats.

A perfect winning streak. From level twenty-one to level twenty-nine, no matter what opponent she faced, she always won decisively. Her record was like that of a war god, and judging by her build, she was certainly not very old.

And now, at this very moment, she had suddenly broken through level thirty. In half a year... no, perhaps even less time, she had risen from level twenty to level thirty. Even this registration clerk had never seen anyone advance so quickly.

Standing there dumbfounded was already a mild reaction.