Holy Spirit Village, a small village south of Nuoding City in Fasnuo Province, slowly awakened beneath the gentle touch of dawn. Smoke curled from the chimney of the somewhat rundown blacksmith shop at the village entrance, intertwining with the morning mist and lending a touch of worldly warmth to the tranquil village.
In the small house behind the blacksmith shop, a young boy slowly woke up. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, yet his gaze held a maturity and confusion that did not belong to such a young body. He was a modern office drone who had transmigrated and now occupied Tang San's body.
"I really transmigrated to Douluo Continent... and even became Tang San..." the young boy muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. He looked around at the crude room and rough wooden bed. Everything felt so real.
Just then, a mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind. "Slacking Off to Get Stronger System successfully bound. Each time the host voluntarily reduces high-intensity training, refuses an unnecessary battle, or avoids a troublesome incident, Slacking Value will be accumulated. Slacking Value can be used to exchange for rewards such as Soul Power Increase, increased soul ring age, enhanced soul skill proficiency, and more. Conversely, should the host voluntarily engage in excessive competition, such as staying up late to cultivate or provoking powerful enemies, Slacking Value will be deducted and an overwork penalty will be triggered."
The young boy froze for a moment before his eyes lit up. "Isn't this system tailor-made for me? On Douluo Continent, I finally don't have to work so desperately hard anymore." A relaxed smile curled across his lips.
At that moment, Tang Hao's slightly hoarse voice came from outside. "Little San, get up and start smithing."
The old Tang San would have immediately gotten up and followed his father in tempering his body, preparing for his future path as a soul master. But the young boy merely turned over, pulled the blanket over his head, and silently recited, Refusing high-intensity training. Slacking Value +1.
Seeing no movement from inside, Tang Hao frowned slightly and called again, "Little San!"
Left with no choice, the young boy lazily replied, "Dad, I'm not feeling well today. I want to sleep a little longer." Then he silently added, Avoiding a troublesome incident. Slacking Value +1.
Although Tang Hao found his son somewhat unusual today, he said nothing more and headed to the blacksmith shop alone.
Once he saw his father leave, the young boy sat up in bed and opened the system panel. The Slacking Value section displayed "2," while the exchange list below was filled with all sorts of rewards. He calculated silently, I'll save them for now. Once I have enough, I'll exchange them directly for some powerful reward and do it all in one step.
Afterward, he slowly got dressed and walked out of the room. Sunlight fell over him, pleasantly warm. He simply moved a small stool into the yard and sat down to bask in the sun. "Now this is life. What kind of transmigrator starts cultivating themselves to death the moment they arrive?" he thought contentedly as he enjoyed his sunbath.
Just then, Old Jack from the village walked in. Seeing the young boy lounging around, he could not help but smile. "Little San, why aren't you smithing with your father today?"
The young boy smiled and answered, "Grandpa Jack, I just wanted to rest today." At the same time, a thought sounded in his mind. Refusing extra labor. Slacking Value +1.
Old Jack shook his head. "You child, don't be lazy. Once your martial soul awakens in a while, you'll have plenty to keep you busy."
The young boy's heart stirred, and he asked, "Grandpa Jack, what exactly is martial soul awakening?" Although he had read the Douluo Continent novels and watched the anime in his previous life, now that he was truly in this world, he still wanted to hear a clearer explanation from someone who lived here.
Old Jack patiently explained, "Martial soul awakening happens when every child reaches six years old. A deacon from Spirit Hall helps awaken their martial soul. Only after awakening a martial soul does one have the possibility of becoming a soul master. However, martial souls vary in quality. A martial soul like Blue Silver Grass is basically useless. It's a trash martial soul."
The young boy secretly thought, This body awakened Blue Silver Grass, but with the Slacking Off to Get Stronger System, perhaps even Blue Silver Grass can become the strongest martial soul. At the thought, he could not help laughing aloud.
Seeing the young boy's expression, Old Jack assumed he was happy about the upcoming martial soul awakening and laughed as well. "Little San, when the time comes, you must awaken a good martial soul and bring honor to our Holy Spirit Village."
The young boy casually replied, "Got it, Grandpa Jack." Yet inwardly, he thought, Whether I bring honor or not doesn't matter. As long as I can live comfortably, that's enough.
Old Jack gave him a few more reminders before leaving. The young boy continued sitting in the yard and basking in the sun, while his Slacking Value steadily increased without him even noticing.
By evening, Tang Hao had finished a day of smithing and returned home. Seeing the young boy still sitting in the yard, he could not help becoming somewhat angry. "Little San, what have you been doing all day? If you do nothing, how will you support yourself in the future?"
The young boy replied unhurriedly, "Dad, I was contemplating life. Besides, I don't think working yourself to the bone is the only way to make something of yourself." He silently calculated, Refusing Father's high-pressure demands. Slacking Value +1.
Tang Hao looked at his son and was momentarily speechless. He felt that his son seemed like a completely different person today, yet he could not say what was wrong. In the end, he merely sighed and said, "I hope you won't regret this in the future."
The young boy smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Dad. I have my own plans." He knew clearly that with the Slacking Off to Get Stronger System, his future would certainly be completely different from Tang San's in the original story. A legendary path of reaching the summit while lying flat was slowly unfolding beneath his feet.
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