The Little Boy with a Gourd at His Waist, Selling Candy

Southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Holy Soul Village!

A small village composed of over three hundred households, nestled in the wilderness.

It got its name from a Soul Sage who emerged from here, though their origins are unverified.

Located south of Notting City, in Fasnoll Province.

Purple energy surged from the horizon as villagers, in twos and threes, headed towards the fields outside the village.

They worked with the sunrise and rested with the sunset.

The only child on the path along the way stood out.

He was a child of five or six.

Wearing coarse linen clothes, with neat black short hair, and lively, bright black eyes, he had a very innocent smile.

At this moment, a square wooden box hung around his neck, filled with colorful candies.

Two gourds were tucked into his waist, and if you got close, you could smell a hint of alcohol and the fresh scent of grass.

As Old Jack approached, someone greeted him.

"Xiao Qiu, what's up? Did you knock down another beehive?"

Ye Qiu turned back and smiled.

"Auntie~ how are you so smart?"

"Enough! Don't play cute here. Those two bumps on your head are about to grow horns."

"Haha."

A scattering of laughter erupted around them.

"Xiao Qiu, come here quickly!"

"Get Auntie Zhang a couple of those honey pomelo candies. Old Jack at home really likes this stuff!"

"You got it, Auntie Zhang!"

Ye Qiu didn't mind the villagers' teasing and happily ran towards the somewhat stout Auntie Zhang.

He took out two candies and placed them in Auntie Zhang's basket.

"Here you go. Remember to come to my place for a meal when you have time. We're not short on food for one more mouth!"

Auntie Zhang smiled, took out two copper coins, and placed them in Ye Qiu's palm.

"Alright, Auntie Zhang, you take care!"

Ye Qiu waved goodbye to the departing Auntie Zhang with a beaming smile.

Since he could support himself.

He rarely went to other villagers' homes to freeload meals.

Greeting the villagers by the fields, he slowly walked towards the village.

Suddenly.

Ye Qiu's eyes lit up.

He waved towards the small hill on the side of the village.

And shouted, "Yo! Xiao San, up early again to train your body!"

On the small hill, a thin figure could be seen.

He looked about the same age as Ye Qiu.

The constant baking of the sun and furnace made him appear even darker. His clothes were simple and clean, and his black short hair was neat.

Though young, his agility was something even adults couldn't match.

He leaped down from the small hill.

Light as a swallow, he continuously sprang and jumped, and in a blink, he was about to land on flat ground.

However, at the last moment, he was disturbed by Ye Qiu's voice.

His footing faltered, and he nearly fell.

Tang San immediately frowned, looking around vigilantly.

After confirming no one had noticed his unusual movement.

He looked at Ye Qiu with annoyance.

"Ye Qiu, you're clearly younger than me, don't call me like Old Jack!"

As he spoke.

Tang San stopped showing off his movement skills. He landed solidly on his feet and ran towards the blacksmith shop at home.

He generally didn't bother with the brats in the village. He often isolated himself and played alone.

"Little San, don't run too fast or you'll fall! Uncle Hao won't feel sorry for you!"

Ye Qiu didn't get angry. He smiled and bid Tang San farewell, not forgetting to send his regards to his elders.

"Remember to say hello to Uncle Hao for me, and don't forget to pay the tab for the wine!"

"..."

Tang San frowned.

He ignored Ye Qiu's shouts and continued running home.

"Tch, did the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record not teach him manners?"

Ye Qiu pouted.

Often, when he went to collect debts, he wouldn't get a good reception from Tang San and his father.

Sometimes Ye Qiu wanted to call them little punks.

But his strength wouldn't allow it; he'd easily end up with a few more Silent Sleeve Arrows in his forehead.

"Xiao Qiu."

Just as he watched Tang San leave.

Old Jack's voice reached his ears.

Ye Qiu's youthful face broke into a smile as he looked at the tall and thin Old Jack in the distance.

He immediately trotted over.

"Grandpa Jack, are you buying candy or wine?"

"Haha. You little rascal."

Village Chief Old Jack stroked his meticulously combed beard, looking full of spirit.

He reached out and ruffled Ye Qiu's head.

"Forget the wine. Your wine is as weak as watered-down horse urine. Only Tang Hao's Ghost would like it. Just get Grandpa a few candies."

"Sure thing, here you go!"

Ye Qiu's smile was innocent and pure.

He reached out and five candies were already stuck between his fingers, which he handed to Old Jack.

After carefully collecting the money.

Ye Qiu looked up at Old Jack again.

He asked with a smile:

"Grandpa Jack, did you come specifically to find me? Is there something you need to tell me?"

"Yes, Grandpa came to notify you about the Martial Soul awakening ceremony in three days."

Old Jack smiled and put a lollipop in Ye Qiu's mouth, his eyes filled with strong expectation, even longing.

It had been many years since a Soul Master had appeared in the village.

"Three days later?"

Ye Qiu's expression changed slightly, and a hint of longing appeared in his eyes.

"That's right, it's at the Martial Soul Hall in the center of the village. Be sure to come then."

Old Jack nodded kindly.

"Alright, come over for a meal when you have time. Grandpa still needs to notify the other children."

"Goodbye, Grandpa Jack!"

Ye Qiu tiptoed and waved his little hand.

Once the road was less crowded, Ye Qiu, still with a lollipop in his mouth, ended his morning business. He hugged his box and walked home.

A lonely, dead silent, single-roomed wooden hut.

This was Ye Qiu's home.

No relatives, bare walls – this was his configuration upon arriving in this world.

He had been eating from various households since he was young.

"Hoo~"

Lying on the cold, hard wooden bed, Ye Qiu let out a long sigh.

Douluo Continent, Martial Soul awakening.

Ye Qiu, who was quite familiar with this world, naturally understood the importance of a Martial Soul.

"I wonder what kind of Martial Soul I'll awaken. Will it be the same as my parents', a frog?"

Ye Qiu muttered to himself, then quickly shook his head, his face full of disgust.

"Let's not."

Maybe I could awaken a powerful Martial Soul through bloodline reversion, possessing high Innate Soul Power?

"Sigh, I'm so tired of this ordinary and mediocre life."

A hint of melancholy appeared on Ye Qiu's face.

"If the Martial Soul doesn't work out, I'll try to live off a woman, haha."

As the words fell, Ye Qiu himself burst into laughter.

Wanting to give them a warm home, this was just a normal thought.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Under Old Jack's organization, many children of the appropriate age gathered in the Martial Soul Hall in the center of the village.

The so-called Martial Soul Hall in Holy Soul Village was just a larger Wooden Hut.

It could block the Wind and shelter from the rain, no problem.

So many children, this was a great business opportunity to sell candy.

Ye Qiu hung a box around his neck, shouting enthusiastically.

Tang San stood quietly in place.

Hearing Ye Qiu and Old Jack repeat themselves three times and then pause, he felt a sense of annoyance.

"Yo! Little San. How about I treat you to some candy?"

Ye Qiu approached Tang San with a smile, offering a green lollipop.

"No, thank you."

Tang San shook his head indifferently.

He was completely uninterested in such small favors between children.

"Alright then."

Ye Qiu rolled his eyes.

He didn't have any major ill feelings towards Tang San at the moment, but he was indeed annoying sometimes.

Not long after.

Having just completed a few small orders, Ye Qiu saw Old Jack smiling and greeting a certain young man.

"Slurp~ Slurp~"

Tang San stood in front of Ye Qiu.

Hearing Ye Qiu slurping candy behind him, he couldn't help but frown slightly.

The young man wore the Martial Soul Hall uniform, which looked decent. Arrogance and superiority were evident in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Old Jack.

He began today's main task: Martial Soul awakening!

Wishing everyone a pleasant life!