Xue Tianxing

Within the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire on the Douluo Continent, the royal city of the Bar拉克 Kingdom—Bar拉克 City—was abuzz with activity.

As the core of a subordinate kingdom, the city exuded a vibrant energy. Carriages rumbled over the bluestone streets, their wheels mixing with the vendors' incessant cries.

"Fresh Soul Power bread!" "Newly tanned hides, very durable!" The overlapping waves of sound carried the earthy aroma of daily life, even the wind seemed to whisper with a sense of lively bustle.

Yet, the royal palace on the north side of the royal city seemed to be isolated from the clamor by an invisible barrier.

In stark contrast to the bustling streets outside, every inch of the flagstones here exuded solemnity, standing out clearly beneath the vermilion palace walls—apart from this orderly movement, no other sound could be heard.

Servants and maids walked with their heads bowed and in small steps, their skirts sweeping the ground so quietly they made no sound, as if even their breathing was hushed, lest they disturb the solemnity and grandeur.

In an elegant room deep within the palace, six-year-old Xue Tianxing sat on a pear wood chair by the window, his elbows resting on the windowsill, gazing blankly at the clear sky outside.

Xue Tianxing was still young, his face retaining a child's tender features, but the contours of his eyebrows and eyes already hinted at a handsome foundation. Especially his eyes, their sapphire pupils shone like gems imbued with light. When he looked up at the sky, one could even see the reflection of the drifting clouds.

This child was the third son, and the most beloved youngest son, of Xue Zhe, the King of the Bar拉克 Kingdom.

His elder brother, Xue Tianqi, was already an adult. Due to his ordinary Martial Soul talent, he had gotten married under Xue Zhe's arrangement. His elder sister, Xue Tianning, was sixteen and still studying at Bar拉克 Academy.

His entire family doted on him, showering him with almost all their affection.

Xue Tianxing watched the white clouds drifting in the sky and let out a soft sigh, then murmured:

"It's been six years already... I never expected to have been on the Douluo Continent for six years."

Hidden within these words was a secret known only to him—he was a transmigration.

In his past life, he was just an ordinary person scrolling through novels on his phone. Somehow, he opened his eyes to find himself in a completely different world.

When he first arrived, he didn't feel any discomfort. He even recalled the transmigration novels he used to read and secretly harbored some anticipation. He thought he had a good rebirth, becoming a prince of the kingdom. Even if he wasn't the eldest son, he could live a stable life from then on.

But as he grew older, he heard people in the palace talk about "Martial Souls" and "Soul Rings," and saw the light of Soul Power activated by the guards during their practice. Xue Tianxing suddenly realized with a shock—he had transmigrated into the world of Douluo 1!

At that moment, Xue Tianxing could no longer remain calm.

As a fan of Douluo, he knew the future trajectory of this world all too well. He also knew that the Bar拉克 Kingdom, caught between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Martial Soul Hall, could not possibly remain untouched by the war that would sweep across the continent in the future.

Not to mention, he was also aware that despite the Martial Soul Hall's apparent power, it would ultimately be defeated by the protagonist group.

At first, he had considered: Why not seek refuge with the Martial Soul Hall first?

If I could eliminate the protagonist by taking advantage of the situation, perhaps I could avoid disaster.

But the thought was immediately extinguished as soon as it arose—he was a prince of the Bar拉克 Kingdom. If the kingdom dared to seek refuge with the Martial Soul Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire would be the first to condemn them, and they would likely meet a swifter end.

What about seeking refuge with the protagonist group?

Xue Tianxing tugged at the corner of his mouth, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips.

What a joke. That would be gambling with my life.

Besides, even if he did join them, what benefits would he gain?

When the war ended, the continent would simply have one less Martial Soul Hall. They would still be a small kingdom dependent on Heaven Dou, which was hardly a worthwhile trade.

After much thought, Xue Tianxing understood that there was no other way for now. He could only make plans after his Martial Soul awakened.

Would he be lucky like other transmigrators and awaken a powerful Martial Soul to forge a path for himself, or would his talent be mediocre, forcing him to find an opportunity to cling to a powerful figure for a stable life?

It all depended on this one chance.

He had just celebrated his sixth birthday yesterday, and today was the day of his Martial Soul awakening.

In this world, bloodline and Martial Soul could almost determine one's life and death.

The quality of one's Martial Soul and the strength of their Innate Soul Power directly determined their future path—the higher the Innate Soul Power, the more promising their future achievements; if the Innate Soul Power was weak, unless they encountered an immense stroke of luck, their life would likely remain as it was.

The ancestral Martial Soul of their family was the Ice Phoenix. It was said to have mutated from the Swan, the symbol of the main lineage. Although it wasn't top-tier, it was considered excellent among ordinary Martial Souls. The elders also said that the Ice Phoenix bloodline carried a trace of Phoenix energy, but no one could confirm its truth.

However, even with a decent Martial Soul, the Xue family's cultivation talent was mostly considered above average.

His father, Xue Zhe, was nearly sixty years old and had Level 82 Soul Power. It would be difficult for him to reach the Titled Douluo realm in this lifetime. His elder brother, Xue Tianqi, had Level 5 Innate Soul Power and had only barely reached Soul Ancestor. His second elder sister, Xue Tianning, was slightly better, with Level 6 Innate Soul Power, and had just touched the threshold of Soul Elder.

In fact, his father's Level 82 Spirit Douluo strength was already considered formidable on the continent—after all, Titled Douluo were few and far between, and Spirit Douluo were respected wherever they went.

But in Xue Tianxing's eyes, thinking about the future turmoil of this world, his heart couldn't help but feel heavy.

Xue Tianxing could only silently pray that his Innate Soul Power would be higher, and even better if his Martial Soul could undergo a beneficial mutation.

After all, he was a transmigrator; he couldn't be worse than his predecessors, could he?

As he was lost in thought, a "knock, knock, knock" sounded at the door, and a servant's respectful voice came from outside:

"Your Highness, the time has come. His Majesty has sent me to invite you."

Xue Tianxing snapped back to attention, reached out to adjust his brocade robe, smoothed out the wrinkles at the hem, and then got up and walked out of the courtyard.

The corridor leading to the Awakening Hall was unusually deserted. Usually, it was filled with nobles, generals, and ministers, but today, there wasn't even a shadow of anyone—Xue Zhe had not invited any outsiders for his Martial Soul awakening ceremony; only family members were present.

Paintings of ancestors hung on the corridor walls, and Ice Phoenix statues stood every few steps, exquisitely carved with clear feather patterns.

Not just here, but Ice Phoenix imprints were visible everywhere in the palace:

It was the symbol of their Bar拉克 Kingdom, just as the Swan was the emblem of the Heaven Dou Empire. Even the kingdom's flag was embroidered with an Ice Phoenix with outstretched wings.

Passing through several corridors, heavy hall doors opened one after another before him, and soon, the magnificent royal palace hall stood before his eyes.

Guards in blue armor stood outside the hall. Seeing him arrive, they raised their hands and pushed open the heavy doors. The "creak" sounded particularly distinct in the silence.

The hall was very spacious, with only two women and two men, a total of four people, waiting inside.

Xue Tianxing strode in, and the hall doors slowly closed behind him, shutting out the light and shadows of the outside world.

Upon the throne sat a middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties, smiling as he gazed at Xue Tianxing, a gentle warmth in his eyes.

This was his father, Xue Zhe, the current King of the Bar拉克 Kingdom.

Xue Tianxing walked to the center of the grand hall and stopped, bowing to the throne.

"Father."

He then turned to the dignified and elegant woman beside him, who was his mother, Yu Ningxin.

Xue Tianxing had never known what his mother's Martial Soul was—because she never mentioned it or displayed it—but he knew she was a Level 75 Soul Sage, far more powerful than many court officials.

"Mother."