Crossing Over as Tang Chen!

Deep in an endless mountain range, peaks towered into the sky.

Only a few sets of iron chains linked them.

A gray castle-like building stood atop the mountains. Three bold, powerful characters were carved into a boulder at its entrance.

—Clear Sky Sect!

In the central square deep within the sect, several elders and the sect master sat on a raised platform.

Below stood countless disciples, the eyes of the young ones shining with hope.

Every one of them had reached the age for Martial Soul Awakening.

Among them stood a boy who looked sturdier than the rest. He was Tang Chen, who had just crossed over into this world.

"Brother Tang Chen, what Martial Soul do you think I'll awaken?" one boy finally asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

"Tang Zhou, isn't that a silly question?" Another boy looked at him as though he were a fool. "Your father's Martial Soul is the Clear Sky Hammer, and your mother's is too. What else could you possibly awaken?"

"Exactly, little Zhou. Can two dragons give birth to a farting pig?" A sturdy boy walked over and teased him.

"I—I'm just nervous!" Tang Zhou's face turned red, and his voice rose despite himself.

"All right, enough teasing. It's almost time for the awakening." Tang Chen stepped in to spare Tang Zhou further embarrassment.

With Tang Chen having spoken, the others stifled their laughter and lined up for Martial Soul Awakening.

After the boys' joking died down, a young man leaped from the platform.

"Quiet." His voice was stern.

"I'm Tang Shan, a level seventy-seven Soul Saint. My Martial Soul is the Clear Sky Hammer."

He began with an introduction.

"I'll oversee your Martial Soul Awakening. Form a single line and come forward one at a time."

"Remember, whatever happens, don't be afraid," Tang Shan instructed.

He took out six black stones and arranged them into a special awakening array.

Before long, multicolored lights from the awakenings lit up the square.

"Tang He, Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. Innate Soul Power: level five."

"Tang Yu, Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. Innate Soul Power: level six."

"Tang Lin, Martial Soul... Iron Hammer. No Innate Soul Power."

As time passed, one Martial Soul after another was announced.

Most were Clear Sky Hammers, but their Innate Soul Power varied. Naturally, some rejoiced while others despaired.

"We're fortunate this year. So many have Innate Soul Power above level five," said Second Elder Tang Song.

"Indeed. We're not even finished, and we already have more than twenty promising youngsters above level five," Fourth Elder Tang Cen said cheerfully.

"Oh, right." Tang Song turned to the sect master. "Your son is among this year's children, isn't he?"

Just as the elders were talking excitedly, a dazzling light erupted in the center of the square.

"Tang Chen, Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. Innate Full Soul Power!" Tang Shan shouted, staring at the glowing crystal ball.

At his cry, everyone turned toward Tang Chen.

"Who? Who awakened Innate Full Soul Power?"

"I think it was Tang Chen."

"No way!"

"What? Do you have a problem with the young sect master awakening Innate Full Soul Power?"

"Who said that? I don't! That's not what I meant. Don't put words in my mouth!"

"Good, good, wonderful! Our Clear Sky Sect has produced an unparalleled prodigy!" Third Elder Tang Shuo praised Tang Chen.

"The young sect master has the makings of a god!" Tang Cen was so delighted he waved his arms about.

"Wonderful! That's my son!" Sect Master Tang Yue looked at Tang Chen and burst into laughter. "Hahahaha!"

Tang Shuo immediately knelt before him and shouted, "Congratulations, Sect Master! With a prodigy like the young sect master among us, heaven truly favors the Clear Sky Sect!"

All the elders and disciples knelt together and echoed, "Congratulations, Sect Master!"

And Tang Chen? He was still in a daze.

It wasn't because of his Martial Soul Awakening.

Ever since crossing over, he had known he was in the world of the Douluo Continent—and that he had arrived early.

He had become none other than the protagonist Tang San's great-grandfather, Tang Hao's grandfather: one of the two great peaks of the Soul Master World, the Clear Sky Sect's most legendary sect master, Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Chen!... as a child.

After learning he had crossed over, Tang Chen had asked about the Douluo Continent's current state. There was no such thing yet as the Upper Three Sects and Lower Four Sects.

Spirit Hall alone dominated the Douluo Continent.

The Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire fought ceaselessly, with Heaven Dou losing far more often than it won. At its worst, Star Luo had nearly wiped it out. If Spirit Hall had not deliberately maintained the balance of the Douluo Continent, Star Luo would have destroyed Heaven Dou long ago.

Aside from Spirit Hall, several other powers were relatively strong.

They included the Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Wind Sword Sect, White Tiger Sect, Star Crown Sect, and Ice Dolphin Sect.

The Clear Sky Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were the strongest, followed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Star Crown Sect. The rest ranked below them. (Special setting: the Nine Heart Begonia lineage was currently allied with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. It was only thanks to that lineage that the clan could stand alongside the Clear Sky Sect.)

After arriving in this world, Tang Chen had tried everything he could think of, from calling for a system to recalling cultivation methods from his previous life. Nothing had worked.

Eventually, he had given up. Fortunately, he had read about the Douluo Continent in his previous life and knew that Tang Chen would become invincible on land. Otherwise, he could never have felt so at ease.

But after the awakening, whether due to his crossing over or a butterfly effect, he had awakened a Second Martial Soul: the Body Martial Soul, Whole Body!

Oh, yes! I'm set! Tang Chen thought. The original Tang Chen earned the title of invincible on land with nothing but the Clear Sky Hammer. Add my Body Martial Soul, and won't I be invincible under heaven? Hahahaha!

Tang Yue came over and said, "My boy, rest today. Tomorrow, Dad will take you to get your First Soul Ring."

With that, Tang Yue scooped Tang Chen into his arms and carried him home.

Once home, Tang Yue shut the door and said, "Son, summon your Martial Soul. Let Dad have a look."

Tang Chen raised his right hand. Soul Power surged toward it like a tide, and a dark-gold Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his grasp.