Qingxi Village, Xiao Ze

Heaven Dou Empire.

Qingxi Village.

The sky had only just begun to brighten, and Qingxi Village was still shrouded in a gauzy layer of morning mist.

Dew glistened on the bark of the Old Kui Tree at the village entrance.

Xiao Ze carried a hoe twice his height over his shoulder and headed down the cobblestone road toward the fields.

Small houses stood in a scattered yet orderly arrangement on either side.

Wisps of smoke drifted from the chimneys, blending into the morning fog.

The air was filled with the scent of firewood and rice porridge.

"Little Xiao Ze, planting crops again?"

"Aunt Wang, your dog got away."

"Hey... you stinking dog, get back here!"

Aunt Wang chased after the little dog, while several children who had risen early chased one another nearby in play.

Xiao Ze looked at the village brimming with everyday life, his smile deepening.

When he had transmigrated to Douluo Continent six years ago, Xiao Ze had thought he would starve to death.

But Qingxi Village was far wealthier than neighboring Holy Soul Village.

The village was well situated, with a small stream running through it, making the nearby farmland highly productive.

Qingxi Village had over a hundred residents, and nearly all of them made their living by farming.

Xiao Ze's parents had passed away not long ago, leaving him to farm on his own.

The other villagers had originally wanted to help Xiao Ze with the fields.

His parents had helped many people while they were alive, but Xiao Ze had been a farmer in his previous life. Naturally, he did not need anyone else's help.

With ten thousand acres of fertile land, how could he not be a farmer?

At first, the others had been worried. After all, Xiao Ze was only six years old and not even as tall as his hoe.

But after seeing him skillfully wield the hoe, they were finally reassured.

Xiao Ze did not know what kind of Martial Soul he would awaken.

His parents' Martial Souls had been a hoe and a sickle.

Perhaps he would awaken one of those two Martial Souls.

For the sake of his future, Xiao Ze had begun training his body when he was only two or three years old.

By now, his body was far stronger than that of an ordinary child.

At the end of the village, a small stream babbled past. Its water was clear enough to reveal several little fish.

The washing stones by the stream had been polished smooth and bright.

When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, the mist slowly began to disperse.

Xiao Ze arrived at the fields and began the day's work.

"Xiao Ze, today's the day you awaken your Martial Soul. You're still farming?" an uncle asked as he walked over.

"Uncle Li, I might not even have Soul Power. Without Soul Power, I still have to keep living."

Xiao Ze shook his head.

On Douluo Continent, the odds of possessing Soul Power were far too low.

Not to mention that neither of his parents had Soul Power. Perhaps he would only be able to farm for the rest of his life.

As for the conflicts across the continent, they had nothing to do with him.

Still, it was fortunate that this was the era of Spirit Hall. Otherwise, he would not even have the money to awaken his Martial Soul.

After all, Tang San next door had yet to awaken his Martial Soul.

"You're so capable. You'll definitely awaken a Martial Soul, so don't worry."

Uncle Li offered Xiao Ze some comfort.

But he knew perfectly well that awakening Soul Power was practically impossible.

Since Qingxi Village began keeping records, fewer than ten people had awakened Soul Power.

And the strongest among them had only been a Soul Elder.

They were nowhere close to neighboring Holy Soul Village.

After a whole morning of work,

Xiao Ze's clothes were now soaked with sweat, and his face had been reddened by the blazing sun.

Noon was when the sunlight was strongest.

Xiao Ze would not work during this period. It was not good for his body.

"Xiao Ze, hurry to Spirit Hall. Lord Soul Master has arrived."

"Got it, Village Chief."

Xiao Ze's flushed little face was filled with excitement.

As a transmigrator, he naturally looked forward to awakening his Martial Soul.

Xiao Ze hurried home to put away his things, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and headed to the Spirit Hall in the village.

Spirit Hall was the most luxurious place in Qingxi Village, though naturally, it had been built by Spirit Hall itself.

The Village Chief had brought six children here. Including Xiao Ze, there were seven in total, the children of Qingxi Village who would awaken their Martial Souls.

A blond young man stood before Spirit Hall, a trace of pride between his brows.

As Su Yuntao looked at the seven children below, his expression softened considerably.

"Children, line up. We'll begin awakening your Martial Souls shortly."

The seven lined up, with Xiao Ze taking the last position.

Those with Soul Power generally appeared last.

"My name is Su Yuntao, a rank-twenty-six Soul Grandmaster. I'll awaken your Martial Souls next, so don't be afraid."

Hearing this, a hint of delight appeared on Xiao Ze's face.

It was actually Blind Douluo.

Although receiving Su Yuntao's blessing of a useless Martial Soul did not mean he would become strong in the future, at least it offered some comfort.

Su Yuntao took six black stones and a blue Crystal Ball from his bag.

"Don't be afraid in a moment." After saying that, Su Yuntao gave a low shout. "Martial Soul Possession!"

A blue light radiated from Su Yuntao's body. His hair instantly turned gray and rapidly lengthened, while fur emerged across his skin.

His body grew even more muscular, making him look rather frightening.

Su Yuntao's eyes turned an eerie green, and his fingernails became sharp claws that gleamed with a cold edge.

One white and one yellow Soul Ring flashed around Su Yuntao's body.

"Ah!!"

All six children in front were frightened and tried to flee, but Su Yuntao stopped them.

Although Xiao Ze had also been startled at first, he suppressed the tremor in his heart and watched the Martial Soul Possession.

It had to be said that although Douluo Continent was trash, its Martial Souls really did resemble a game.

Soul skills were abilities, and Soul Bones were equipment.

It was still a decent system.

"This child... just like that Blue Silver Grass child, he isn't afraid at all."

Su Yuntao gave Xiao Ze a long look.

Xiao Ze gave him a slight smile. Su Yuntao froze for a moment, then coughed lightly and had the first child stand among the six stones.

The next moment, faint Soul Power flowed into the black stones.

At once, a layer of golden light appeared and enveloped the child.

Tiny golden motes entered the child's body one by one.

The next moment, a hoe appeared in the child's right hand.

"Martial Soul: Hoe."

"Let's test your Soul Power."

Su Yuntao already knew the result. A hoe basically could not possess Soul Power, but considering that Blue Silver Grass had once produced Innate Full Soul Power, Su Yuntao decided to test it anyway.

Just in case.

The child placed his hand on the blue Crystal Ball, but not the slightest light appeared.

"No Soul Power. Child, live well."

"Mm." The child was not too distressed. His parents were alive, his family did not lack money or food, and his life was already quite good.

Then came the tests, one child after another.

"Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. No Soul Power."

"Martial Soul: Sickle. No Soul Power."

"Martial Soul: Hammer. No Soul Power."

Su Yuntao was not disappointed. This was the norm.

For Common People, possessing Soul Power still depended far too much on luck.

"Child, it's your turn."

Su Yuntao looked at Xiao Ze, feeling a bit expectant.

"Alright."

Xiao Ze slowly walked to the center of the black stones.

Golden light enveloped him—

"Huh... it turned black?"