Jun Yi, still in Xue Qinghe's arms, could not believe his eyes. He even wanted to bite his tongue to check whether he was dreaming, only to discover that he had just two tiny front teeth and could not bite his tongue at all.
"Ding-"
Just then, Jun Yi suddenly heard a mechanical voice beside his ear.
"System loading complete. Does the host choose to accept the system's assistance and freely explore the Douluo Continent?"
"Is this real? I transmigrated?" Disbelief covered Jun Yi's face. Hadn't he been sleeping in his dorm? How had he ended up transmigrating?
"Please choose whether to accept."
The system's prompt sounded again. Although Jun Yi still had not figured out exactly what was happening, he chose to accept.
Jun Yi's tender little face was full of confusion, making Xue Qinghe, who held him, rather curious about what this child was thinking.
Xue Qinghe asked with interest, "Child, why are you smiling? Are you hungry? Would you like big brother to buy you a pastry?"
Jun Yi had opened his mouth wide in surprise earlier, revealing his teeth, but only a few had grown in. Xue Qinghe judged that Jun Yi should be a little over six months old.
Meanwhile, Jun Yi was immersed in his mental world, looking at his status panel.
Name: Jun Yi Age: 10 months Soul Power Level: Level 10: Level 10 (not awakened) Martial Soul: Awaiting selection.
"Having a system really is great. I have innate full soul power. But, system, what does 'Martial Soul: Awaiting selection' mean?" Jun Yi asked the system.
"This system has prepared three Martial Souls from other worlds for the host to choose from."
"That good? System, what are those three Martial Souls?"
Three options appeared on Jun Yi's personal interface:
Martial Soul: Zanpakutō, a weapon from Bleach and its derivative works, the sword carried by Soul Reapers. Its form and abilities are fashioned after the Soul Reaper's own soul. Soul Reapers gain power by learning the name of the Zanpakutō bestowed upon them and communicating with it through their hearts. Martial Soul: Ninjutsu, a concept from Naruto and its derivative works, including release techniques using basic nature transformations and, apart from genjutsu, release techniques using yin-yang nature transformations. Martial Soul: Devil Fruit, a fruit from One Piece and its derivative works. Eating one grants certain superpowers. Devil Fruits are divided into three main categories: Logia, Paramecia, and Zoan. Although Devil Fruits can grant their eaters powerful abilities, their side effect is a vulnerability to seawater containing the Seastone factor. The extent to which a Devil Fruit's abilities can be utilized depends on the user's own strength.
Looking at these three Martial Soul options, Jun Yi could not help grumbling, "Why are these all options from the Big Three mainstream manga? I want a Chinese Martial Soul. System, have you got any?"
"The system is designed around the things the host knows best, not what the host wishes for. Please do not be picky."
"Then what exactly are these three Martial Souls?"
"The system cannot provide an answer either. The host must explore them himself. After you awaken your Martial Soul, you may consult this system with any further questions."
"I have a question right now," Jun Yi said.
"Please speak, host."
"Are Devil Fruits vulnerable to the Douluo Continent's seawater?"
"The Douluo Continent's seawater contains no Seastone factor, so they are not vulnerable to it," the system explained.
"Uh... good, then. I choose Devil Fruit!"
Jun Yi then began thinking on the system interface. Among the Big Three mainstream manga-Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece-his favorite was One Piece. Besides, any Devil Fruit with a proper name would not be too bad.
On top of that, there was no Seastone in the Douluo World, which essentially meant he would have nothing to fear. There was no reason not to choose it.
"Understood. System loading..."
"Loading complete. The Devil Fruit will appear when the host awakens his Martial Soul at age six."
The system's voice vanished, and Jun Yi emerged from his mental world. Xue Qinghe carried him into the imperial palace, going all the way to the main hall's entrance.
Holding Jun Yi, Xue Qinghe gently addressed the guard outside the door. "Please inform Father that Qinghe requests an audience."
"Your Highness Qinghe, His Majesty has already instructed us that your entrance into the hall requires no announcement. You may go straight in."
The guard bowed to Xue Qinghe as he explained.
"Thank you."
Xue Qinghe entered the hall and, holding Jun Yi, knelt on one knee in greeting to the man on the throne.
On the throne sat an old man with a very long white beard and white eyebrows. His eyes were filled with appreciation as he looked at Xue Qinghe. He wore golden robes, his face was imposing, and his entire being exuded tremendous pressure.
Is this Xue Ye? He looks pretty imposing, nothing like someone on the verge of death. Could the current Xue Qinghe not be Qian Renxue yet?
Jun Yi murmured inwardly in Xue Qinghe's arms.
"Father, the largest gathering place for human traffickers in Heaven Dou City has been eradicated by the Royal Guard Army. All the traffickers will be severely punished, without leniency or tolerance," Xue Qinghe reported to Xue Ye.
Emperor Xue Ye burst into hearty laughter at this. "Qinghe, your performance lately has truly made me see you in a new light. How did I never notice before that you possessed such talent? Could I have misjudged you?"
"You humble me, Father. Your gaze burns like a torch, and your vision is vast. I cannot compare to you at all."
Xue Qinghe spoke modestly with his head slightly lowered, neither arrogant nor impatient, bearing himself with considerable presence.
Emperor Xue Ye's gaze shifted to Jun Yi in Xue Qinghe's arms. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Jun Yi closely. "This child is...?"
"Father, this is the youngest of the trafficked children, only about a year old. The traffickers said he was an abandoned baby they found in the wilderness, so I brought him into the palace."
Xue Qinghe explained to Xue Ye.
"I wish to adopt him, so that every time I see him, he can serve as a constant reminder to me. Please grant your permission, Father."
Xue Qinghe looked at Emperor Xue Ye and asked softly, his tone carrying a trace of deference, seemingly seeking Emperor Xue Ye's consent.
"Hmm? Is there something special about this child?"
"No. I simply feel that this child was trafficked into Heaven Dou City. Had I eradicated the traffickers sooner, his fate would not have been so tragic. Adopting him is also my way of atoning."
Xue Qinghe continued, "Besides, this child is as lovely as jade and snow, very endearing. That is why I have the audacity to ask you to let him stay, Father."
"I never imagined you were so kindhearted, Qinghe. You have rendered a great service by eradicating the traffickers this time. Since you wish for him to stay, let him stay."
"Thank you, Father."
Hearing Emperor Xue Ye's words, Xue Qinghe bowed to him again.
Emperor Xue Ye waved a hand, signaling Xue Qinghe to rise. After the two exchanged pleasantries, Xue Qinghe took his leave and returned to his own sleeping quarters.
Xue Qinghe dismissed all the guards and servants, placed Jun Yi on the bed, and quietly stroked his cheeks.
Two men in black robes appeared behind Xue Qinghe and bowed to him. "Young miss."
"Uncles, there is no need for such courtesy. Eradicating the traffickers this time was largely thanks to the location you two provided. Having earned such great merit before Xue Ye, he ought to value me now."
Xue Qinghe's tone turned somewhat icy, without a trace of his earlier gentleness.
"But, young miss, are you truly going to adopt this child? He is merely an abandoned baby. There is no need for you to expend your time and effort on him," one black-robed man said.
"Since I have already established a persona of loving the people as my own children, I must keep it up. Besides, I am only adopting him in name. As for what path he takes in the future, that will be his own decision," Xue Qinghe said, quietly looking into Jun Yi's eyes.
"But if you keep this child by your side, what if he discovers your identity..." the other black-robed man said.
"Then simply let him die young from some 'accident.'"
(End of chapter)