Childhood

"The problem isn't too serious. It's mainly a recurrence of old injuries. He should be mostly recovered after finishing this medicine, but you'll need to give him some supplements regularly..." Doctor Tang's voice seemed to possess healing magic, making everyone feel at ease.

"Doctor Tang, thank you so much!" Su Yuntao rose to his feet, his eyes full of gratitude, and waved farewell to Notting City's finest physician. The moment he turned around, he saw Gu Hengzhi slowly open his eyes.

"You brat, hurry up and drink this medicine. I spent more than fifty Gold Soul Coins on it—nearly half a year of my salary!" Su Yuntao strode to the bedside and held the bowl to Gu Hengzhi's lips, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

Gu Hengzhi looked at the bowl of medicine emitting a strange fragrance, and warmth rose in his heart.

The medicine slid down his throat, slightly bitter yet even more faintly sweet. Gu Hengzhi could feel its power spreading through his body, as though countless little sprites were repairing his wounded body.

"Notting City, Spirit Hall, Su Yuntao... hmm..." Gu Hengzhi rubbed his nose and thought to himself, I must have transmigrated to Douluo Continent. I should be from the same era as Tang San, but I still can't tell exactly what year this is. And that Title Douluo who wiped out my entire family—I still don't know who he is! Never mind that. Let's check out my cheat first! Hehehe!

His heartbeat quickened with anticipation. After all, this was his only hope in this unfamiliar world. Perhaps it could lend him a hand and help him survive in this world full of danger and challenges.

His consciousness sank into his sea of consciousness, where everything was chaos, as though endless mist shrouded the place. Only the ancient and mysterious book at its center, the God-Sealing Record, emitted a faint glow like a firefly in the darkness, drawing the eye.

Gu Hengzhi grew increasingly excited and cautiously reached out with his consciousness to touch the mysterious book. Yet it showed no reaction at all, like a sleeping beast that ignored his call. Unwilling to accept this, he continued trying to open it, hoping to discover some clue.

But its pages were blank, no different from ordinary white paper. No matter how Gu Hengzhi begged or called out, the book did not react in the slightest. His mood gradually shifted from anticipation to disappointment, then to despair.

"Ah—why isn't my cheat reacting at all?! Could it be that aside from bringing me to this world, it has no other function? Jade Emperor, Queen Mother, Hongjun Patriarch, please show mercy and let this cheat awaken! Ah—" Gu Hengzhi's heart was filled with pain and helplessness, as though the entire world stood against him.

Five years later...

North of Notting City—in a small bookstore, the shop owner carefully took a money pouch from behind the counter. The pouch bulged as though it were filled with heavy hopes. The metal coins inside clinked against one another, producing a crisp, pleasant sound like a beautiful symphony.

"Little Heng, this is your share of the profits from this month's published novel. Take it!" The bookstore owner beamed, his eyes filled with appreciation for Gu Hengzhi. "Also, could you write more? That line—'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; never mock a poor young man!'—was simply too domineering!"

Gu Hengzhi smiled faintly, but sighed inwardly. He understood that while his writing talent had indeed been recognized, he was already six years old and was about to face the crucial moment of awakening his martial soul.

"Uncle Li, it's not that I don't want to write. It's just that I'm already six, and I need to prepare for my martial soul awakening." Gu Hengzhi's voice carried a trace of helplessness.

"Mm, that's true." Uncle Li nodded and said with concern, "Then I wish you success in awakening soul power!"

"Thank you for your kind words!" Gu Hengzhi picked up the money pouch and weighed it twice in his hand, feeling its heft.

He silently walked out of the bookstore, his mind full of thoughts. Tomorrow was his martial soul awakening, yet the God-Sealing Record remained completely still. Without the help of his cheat, what was he supposed to do?

Gu Hengzhi walked while thinking, his steps somewhat heavy. He recalled the news from five years ago of Qian Xunji, the previous Pope of Spirit Hall, passing away, as well as Bibi Dong, the Holy Maiden who had succeeded him as Pope. He knew Tang God King had been born at that time, and he himself had cultivated for over a year longer than Tang San. He should be able to widen the gap, right...

Yet the unease deep within him lingered like a shadow. He could not help worrying. What if his martial soul was not powerful? How would he gain a foothold in this fiercely competitive world?

"Am I just going to give up like this?" Gu Hengzhi muttered. "No, I can't give up! I have to work hard. I have to become the strongest soul master!"

He clenched his fists tightly, determination gleaming in his eyes.

Carrying some pig head meat he had bought along the way, Gu Hengzhi was in high spirits and began humming softly, "Take a bite of pig head meat, good fortune comes six-six-six... eat... Huh, Brother Tao, you're back!"

The moment he stepped through the door, a rich aroma of food greeted him. Gu Hengzhi's eyes were instantly drawn to the several exquisite dishes laid out on the table. They were all flavors he usually loved, including a dish made from soul beast meat that gave off an enticing fragrance.

Su Yuntao brought over bowls and chopsticks with a smile. "Mm, get settled and eat. Tomorrow is the big day of your martial soul awakening. We should celebrate properly."

At the dinner table, Gu Hengzhi and Su Yuntao enjoyed the food while chatting casually. Gu Hengzhi said excitedly, "Brother Tao, guess how much I earned today? A whole twenty-three Gold Soul Coins! And there'll be more next month! Want me to share some with you?"

Su Yuntao smiled and shook his head. He picked up a piece of soul beast meat and placed it in Gu Hengzhi's bowl. "No need. You earned that money by writing novels, so keep it for yourself. There will be plenty of places to spend money in the future. But you have to let me read the manuscript you've stockpiled for this novel first..."

It had to be said that Su Yuntao's character on Douluo Continent was first-rate. Though he could be impatient at times, the kindness and integrity deep in his heart were beyond reproach. Unlike Tang God King, who would declare at the drop of a hat that someone had earned the right to die!

"Brother Tao, can you tell me about the martial soul awakening ceremony?"

"Every one of us has a martial soul of our own, and around the age of six, we undergo an awakening ceremony. Martial souls come in different types and are divided into tool martial souls and beast martial souls. Mine, Lone Wolf, is a beast martial soul." Su Yuntao turned and served Gu Hengzhi another bowl of rice. "After awakening their martial souls, people gain the corresponding traits of those martial souls. For example, someone with a hoe martial soul is better than ordinary people at harvesting wheat. And if you want to become a soul master, you need to awaken innate soul power. Your Brother Tao here has level-two innate soul power..."