Fasinuo Jiangshui Village

Douluo Continent, southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire, Fasinuo Province.

In the southern suburbs of Notting City, endless mountains and sprawling fertile fields sheltered countless inconspicuous little villages.

Holy Soul Village, Twin Emperors Village—these were villages that had produced Spirit Emperors and Spirit Sages, and had been renamed accordingly, but there was also no shortage of villages that had never produced a Spirit Master, bearing plain names like Stone Village and Willow Village.

Among them, in the most remote part of Fasinuo Province close to the mountain forests, there was an even more secluded and hidden small village named Jiangshui Village.

This place was close to Star Dou Great Forest, with trees remaining green all year round. As for Jiangshui, ninety percent of the villagers shared the surname Jiang, and at the same time, a clear stream flowed not far from the village entrance. The village chief had clapped his forehead on the spot back then, and the name Jiangshui Village had been officially registered.

Built against the mountain, Jiangshui Village had barely a dozen households, who made a living through generations of farming, fishing, and gathering from the mountains.

Due to its remote location, compared to famous large villages like Holy Soul Village, this place was even more isolated and backward with few visitors. The newborns each year were pitifully few, and even the deacon responsible for the annual spirit awakening ceremony often postponed his visit here.

The setting sun crushed warm gold, scattering it over the winding yellow mud paths of Jiangshui Village.

A small figure carrying a heavy bamboo basket walked slowly back to the village from the dense forest in the back mountain. The little boy had a clean and fair face, black hair, and a pair of large, very expressive eyes. Carrying a small half-basket of verdant medicinal herbs, although he walked slowly, he never stopped.

Under the old locust tree at the village entrance, the village chief with white hair and beard, dressed in coarse hemp clothing, was leaning on a cane to enjoy the cool breeze. Seeing the returning figure of the youth, he revealed a kind smile.

"Xiao Baiyu, out gathering medicine in the mountains again?" The village chief spoke slowly, rising to take a couple of steps. He glanced over—the bamboo basket was filled with verdant medicinal herbs, honeysuckle and lophatherum, picked completely and sorted into categories, showing at a glance that this was not some casual child's play.

Unable to resist, he praised: "You child, running into the mountains day after day. For such a tender age, your skill in identifying and gathering herbs is even more impressive than that of the elderly villagers who have spent half their lives gathering medicine. It's easy to see you've completely mastered all your grandpa's herbal knowledge."

The youth smiled sheepishly: "It's all thanks to Grandpa's teaching; I'm just getting some practice."

Looking at this little fellow, the affection in the village chief's eyes was simply impossible to hide. This little fellow and his grandfather had come to the village five years ago. The old man walked with a slight limp, had limited mobility, and had brought along an infant child to make a living by treating illnesses for the people in the village.

The village was remote and tranquil with a sparse population. As one of the few children, this sensible little fellow had always been deeply cherished by the village elders and fellow townspeople.

Xiao Baiyu had a gentle and soft-tempered disposition, was diligent and sensible, and frequently ventured into the mountains to gather herbs to distribute among neighbors, helping the elderly manage minor aches and pains. Everyone in the village favored this clean-featured youth from the bottom of their hearts.

Jiang Baiyu raised a hand to wipe the thin sweat from his brow, revealing a clean smile. His voice was soft, clear, and gentle: "Grandpa Village Chief, the growth of the medicinal herbs in the back mountain was exceptionally good today. I gathered some commonly used herbs just right for sharing with the grandpas and grandmas in the village. Summer heat is stifling, and these can clear heat and reduce fire."

"What a kind-hearted and good child." The village chief nodded with a smile, gazing toward the distant, rolling edge of Star Dou Great Forest, his tone carrying a bit of emotion: "Our Jiangshui Village has relied on the protection of the great mountains to live in peace for many years. It's just that the depths of these mountain forests are unpredictable and dangerous, with legends of soul beasts appearing. In the future, when you go into the mountains, you must never go far; just gather herbs on the outskirts, and always mind your safety."

Jiang Baiyu obediently acknowledged: "I remember, Grandpa Village Chief. I never dare to venture deep into the dense forest, and only gather medicine in the fringe areas."

The village chief looked at the pure-natured, intelligent, and capable youth before him, feeling a growing fondness in his heart. "Zheng Shu is back and brought back some soul beast meat. Would you like to call your grandfather to come over and have dinner together?"

Zheng Shu was the village chief's son, in his forties and already close to the strength of a Soul King, serving as a resident elder at the Spirit Hall in Notting City. He was also one of the rare geniuses in the village.

"No need, thank you Grandpa Village Chief. I still have things to do when I get back." Jiang Baiyu politely declined.

Watching the little fellow's receding figure, the village chief waved his hand and walked away.

At the far western end of the village, a humble bamboo and mud courtyard was the most unique place in the entire Qingwu Village.

The courtyard had no fertile fields for cultivation; it was entirely converted into neat medicine gardens, and the fragrance of medicine lingered all day long.

An old man leaning on a cane stood in the medicine garden, gazing slightly into the distance. Seeing that small figure, he let out a breath of relief.

"Grandpa, I'm back!" As soon as the child entered the courtyard, he set down the bamboo basket and ran over to the old man.

The old man was dressed in grey hemp clothing, with a lean figure, peaceful brows, and eyes. He looked entirely like an ordinary mountain village elder who had spent his life gathering medicine.

Seeing the child, the old man gave a light cough: "Xiao Baiyu, what are the medicinal properties of this eucommia? When treating bone and tendon latent injuries left over from a Soul Master's cultivation, what kind of supplementary medicine is it suitable to act as?" He casually pointed toward a tall plant growing inside the courtyard.

The youth answered without hesitation: "Its nature is slightly warm, and it can strengthen tendons and mend bones. When dealing with bone cracks and meridian strain left behind from a Soul Master's cultivation combat, paired with drynaria as the primary blood-activating medicine, it acts as a supplementary medicine to repair damaged periosteum and stabilize the trauma left from a Soul Master tempering their physical body."

In the old man's eyes lay unmasked satisfaction as he asked a few more questions. Jiang Baiyu answered each one fluently, intensifying the old man's look of satisfaction even further.

Six-year-old Jiang Baiyu was squatting in front of the medicine garden at this moment. His small body was upright and proper, completely devoid of the mischievous restlessness of children his age. His brows were serene, and his gaze was excessively calm.

The old man could not help but recall six years ago. Back then, he had already been a renowned Soul Douluo-level Soul Master, but many years prior, while gathering medicine in Star Dou Great Forest, he had accidentally stumbled upon Ah Yin's true form of the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor. Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had discovered him on the spot, and to protect their secret, the two had struck out in anger.

He had failed to dodge in time, taking the full force of a Clear Sky Hammer strike. The bones in both legs had snapped, and that overbearing hammer force had accumulated within his body.

Although he had narrowly escaped with his life, the murderous intent carried within the hammer could not be eradicated, causing every circulation of his soul power to bring a tearing sensation. He could at most display the strength of a Soul King, and his cultivation had no hope of advancing any further. Feeling disheartened and ready to commit suicide, he had unexpectedly encountered this little fellow near Star Dou Great Forest. Out of pity and a desire to prevent his legacy from breaking, he had taken the little fellow in and come to live in this isolated little village.

To his astonishment, this little fellow had possessed a calm disposition and immense patience since childhood. At three years old, he had read through the entire Herbal Classic; at four, he had thoroughly understood a hundred herbs; at five, he had grasped herb compatibility; and at six, he had begun researching medicinal formulas on his own, making remarkable progress.

His intellect, temperament, and composure far outstripped all children of his same age.

"Xiao Yu, let me ask you, is studying medicine bitter?"

Jiang Baiyu raised his eyes, his clear gaze calm and untroubled, lacking even a shred of childish playfulness:

"It's not bitter. Herbal properties are dry, but once you understand them, your heart feels at ease."

The old man was slightly startled, then broke into a chuckle:

"You are only six years old. At this age, other children can't even write their own names properly. Look at you—identifying herbs, boiling medicine, matching formulas—you're more proficient at all of it than I was in my youth."

Jiang Baiyu walked over and pulled the old man down to sit, his small body sitting upright and proper, his tone calm and unhurried:

"Grandpa teaches me every day, and I study every day. After studying for six years, I naturally know how."

He did not explain that he was a transmigrator, nor did he expose the slightest secret different from ordinary people.

As a medical doctor who had transmigrated from Blue Star, he knew very well that his soul had long since matured, only trapped inside a child's vessel.

So-called precocity, genius, and a photographic memory were merely habits engraved into his soul. Medicinal herbs would not deceive a person, and they served as a comfort in this otherworldly realm.

Medicine Elder looked at his mature demeanor and could not resist teasing him:

"Such a tender age, yet you speak with the gravity of an old man. Baiyu, don't you want to go out and play?"

"It's alright. Learning the medicine classics here is pretty good too, and learning more pharmacology might just let me cure your legs after all."

Hearing this, the old man heighed a heavy sigh. "Sigh, kid, you've been precocious since you were small, so I won't keep things from you either. Actually, this old man possesses cultivation at the Soul Douluo level, and even that Title Douluo realm was not entirely beyond reach to contend for. Yet, even so, I ended up disabled, and these legs of mine—even I am unable to cure them.

Now, do you still feel confident that you can cure my legs and take revenge?" the old man asked directly.

"I can." Jiang Baiyu's gaze was firm.

"Hahaha, good lad. Then I ask you, if you awaken an ordinary martial soul, are you really going to try and take revenge directly using this Medicine Dao knowledge?

When that time comes, this old man will just have to swallow my pride and ask some old friends to take care of you." The old man laughed heartily, then patted Jiang Baiyu's head.

Jiang Baiyu said nothing.

At that moment, a voice came from outside. "Old master, Xiao Baiyu, are you in?" As the words fell, a stalwart figure walked into the small courtyard carrying a bowl piled high with meat. It was none other than Jiang Zheng.

"Uncle Zheng."

"I've come this time to bring you some meat. It's Soul Beast meat, just right to build up your strength." Jiang Zheng rubbed Jiang Baiyu's head. "Since you're already six years old, I'll help you awaken your martial soul tomorrow."

Their village had a sparse population with only six or seven children, but none of them were of age yet, so he could just help Jiang Baiyu awaken his martial soul.