First Encounter with Douluo

When Liu Feng was four years old, on a fresh morning, sunlight pierced through thin clouds and gently spilled across every inch of Liu Family Village.

The village was filled with the faint scent of fresh grass mingled with the fragrance of earth, as though telling of the peace and tranquility of this land.

The distant mountains were faintly visible beneath the morning mist, their outlines hazy, like an ink wash painting slowly unfolding.

Liu Feng had been born into the village chief's family. His father and grandpa were both Spirit Masters, and compared to the other villagers, he lived far more comfortably.

His home stood at the eastern entrance of the village, a spacious courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard stood a lush jujube tree, its branches spreading like a canopy. Every autumn, heavy red dates hung from its branches like strings of crimson agate.

Seven or eight rooms stood around the courtyard. Aside from those for the family to live in, the rest were used to store medicinal materials.

At that moment, Liu Feng stood in his family's small courtyard, looking up intently at the tall jujube tree.

Though he was still very young, he had already vaguely sensed that this year, when he turned four, would be an extremely important turning point in his life.

That year, his father, Liu Qing, took over as the village chief of Liu Family Village. At the same time, he also assumed the responsibility of awakening the Martial Souls of the village's children.

Although Liu Family Village was not large, its villagers looked forward to Martial Soul Awakening with great anticipation, because it determined the direction of every child's future.

As village chief, Liu Qing's Martial Soul was merely the ordinary Blue Silver Grass, and his Innate Soul Power was only Level 1.

Yet through years of relentless arduous cultivation, he had reached the realm of a Level 29 Soul Grand Master.

In the vast world of powerful figures on Douluo Continent, such strength might not have stood out. But in an isolated little village like Liu Family Village, it was already enough to earn the villagers' respect.

Liu Qing understood very well how important a Martial Soul was to a person, so he had planned Liu Feng's future long ago.

"Xiao Feng, come here." His father Liu Qing's steady, powerful call came from inside the house.

Liu Feng hurried into the house on his little, childish legs.

His father wore a brand-new long green robe, tied at the waist with a silver belt. He stood with an upright posture, looking vigorous and spirited.

A faint smile rested on Liu Qing's face, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "Xiao Feng, today is your fourth birthday, and also the day I take over as village chief."

Liu Qing squatted down and gently patted Liu Feng's shoulder. "Starting today, I will not only manage the village's affairs, but also be responsible for awakening the Martial Souls of the village's children. You will walk the path of a Spirit Master in the future as well, so today I need to tell you about some important matters."

"Isn't Spirit Hall responsible for awakening Martial Souls?" Liu Feng asked doubtfully.

Liu Qing patiently explained, "Only if there are no Spirit Masters in a village will Spirit Hall be responsible for it.

But if there are, the village's own Spirit Masters conduct the awakening, then report it to Spirit Hall afterward."

"You must listen carefully." As he spoke, his father lovingly stroked Liu Feng's head.

Liu Feng blinked his bright eyes. He understood that this was an important stage every child in the village had to go through while growing up.

So he solemnly nodded and looked at his father with complete focus. "A Martial Soul is a special power that every person on Douluo Continent is born with."

Liu Qing spoke slowly, his voice low and solemn. "It determines our future cultivation direction and potential. Most villagers in Liu Family Village have Martial Souls like hoes, sickles, and Blue Silver Grass. Your grandpa and I both have Blue Silver Grass Martial Souls, which are widely recognized as Trash Martial Souls with weak attack power. Your grandpa only reached Level 19 Soul Power in his entire life, and even now, I have never been able to break through Level 30."

Liu Feng listened very seriously. He knew the name Blue Silver Grass; after all, the protagonist Tang San's Martial Soul was also Blue Silver Grass.

He looked up at his father, then glanced at his grandpa Liu Bai standing nearby. A strong premonition rose within him—his own Martial Soul would most likely be Blue Silver Grass too.

Liu Feng's grandpa, Liu Bai, had once been the previous village chief of Liu Family Village. His Martial Soul was also Blue Silver Grass, with Level 1 Innate Soul Power, and he had followed the path of a Support System Spirit Master.

When he was young, he had joined the army. Later, by planting, gathering, and selling medicinal materials, he had arduously cultivated to become a Level 19 Spirit Master.

Though Liu Bai was already past sixty, and the years had carved deep wrinkles into his face, he remained full of energy, with sharp and lively eyes.

He walked over to Liu Feng, lovingly stroked his grandson's head, and encouraged him with a smile. "Xiao Feng, Blue Silver Grass may not be a powerful Martial Soul, but as long as you are willing to work hard, with your father and me here, you will surely go farther than us on the path of a Spirit Master."

"Though my strength is limited, I learned some basic fist techniques, spear technique, and archery skills in the army when I was young, along with the military's unique training methods. Now, I will teach you all of these experiences without holding anything back. I hope that through unrelenting effort, you can change the fate of the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul."

Liu Feng nodded vigorously. He understood that his grandpa and father were both cheering him on.

He clenched his little fists and silently swore from the bottom of his heart that no matter what his Martial Soul was, he would work hard to become stronger.

"Father, how does a Martial Soul awaken?" Unable to suppress his curiosity, Liu Feng asked.

Liu Qing smiled faintly and patiently explained, "Martial Soul Awakening must wait until you are six. A Spirit Master will conduct a special ceremony, and then the Soul Power inside the body will naturally awaken. But before that, you can strengthen your physique through exercise and lay a solid foundation for future cultivation."

Liu Feng's eyes immediately lit up. "Then if I start exercising now, can I become stronger?"

Liu Qing nodded. "Although there is no solid evidence that exercise directly helps with Martial Soul Awakening, this is the only method we have right now. Doing something is better than doing nothing."

Liu Feng looked around the courtyard. Blue Silver Grass growing from the corners of the walls and cracks between stones swayed gently in the breeze.

An indescribably complicated emotion rose in his heart. He slowly squatted down, stretched out his small hand, and gently stroked the grass, as though he could sense the faint power contained inside it.

"Father, Grandpa, if my Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, will I definitely have Soul Power?" Liu Feng suddenly asked.

Liu Qing and Liu Bai exchanged glances and fell silent for a moment. Then Liu Qing walked to his son and said softly, "Xiao Feng, Blue Silver Grass is the inherited Martial Soul of our Liu family. There is a very high chance that your Martial Soul will also be Blue Silver Grass."

"Though Blue Silver Grass is not suited for attack, its life force is tenacious. In the future, you can follow the path of a Support System Spirit Master like your grandpa and me. As long as you are willing to put in the hard work, you will surely become an outstanding Spirit Master." Liu Qing did not directly answer his son's question about Soul Power.

Liu Feng nodded, but he did not feel too disappointed.

He had already accepted this reality and had even begun considering how to make full use of Blue Silver Grass's traits to improve his strength.

"Father, Grandpa, I want to train more before I turn six and prepare for Martial Soul Awakening." Liu Feng said with a determined gaze.

Liu Qing and Liu Bai exchanged glances again, and a trace of relief flashed through both their eyes.

Liu Bai smiled. "Good. Since you have such determination, we will certainly help you with all our strength. But training must be gradual. You must not be too impatient."

From that day onward, Liu Feng's training plan officially began.

Based on his age and physical traits, Liu Qing and Liu Bai tailor-made a physical training regimen for him, including running, jumping, and strength training, while also arranging lessons in reading and literacy.

One night, Liu Feng lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

In the end, he got up and walked to the window. Looking up at the stars glittering in the night sky, his heart was filled with boundless hopes for the future.

"Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul... no matter what, I will work hard." Liu Feng murmured softly, as though making a solemn promise to himself.

But the thought, What if I don't have Innate Soul Power?, still surfaced in his mind from time to time.

On the second day early morning, as the first ray of sunlight fell into the courtyard, Liu Feng began training as usual.

He knew clearly that the day of Martial Soul Awakening was drawing closer and closer. He had to race against time and build a firm foundation for the future.

Liu Qing and Liu Bai stood to one side, watching Liu Feng train earnestly, their hearts filled with pride.

They knew Liu Feng had already prepared himself to face the challenges of the future. All they could do was silently support him from behind and help him travel farther and farther down the path of a Spirit Master.

"Xiao Feng, keep it up!" Liu Qing said softly, his eyes full of expectation.

Liu Feng nodded firmly and threw himself back into training.

No matter what awaited him ahead, he would press forward bravely and never retreat.

Because he was Liu Feng, a transmigrator from another world who refused to be ordinary in his bones.

I was an ordinary person before transmigrating, and I'm still an ordinary person after transmigrating. Then what the hell did I transmigrate for?