Zhang Lexuan

Douluo Continent, Star Luo Empire, Haiyuan City.

Sunlight fell softly over the lawn of the City Lord's Mansion, draping the lush green grass in a veil of golden gauze.

A girl who looked fourteen or fifteen years old knelt gracefully upon the lawn.

Her waterfall-like black hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders, glimmering with a captivating sheen beneath the sunlight.

A simple yet exquisite light-purple dress perfectly outlined her graceful figure.

At that moment, her long, beautiful legs were perfectly wrapped in thin black stockings, exuding an indescribable allure.

Resting atop those eye-catching legs was a six-year-old boy with white hair and red eyes—Lu Jingming.

He was blissfully enjoying his exclusive Lap Pillow, his face full of comfort and satisfaction.

The black-haired girl's slender, jade-white fingers gently and rhythmically pressed Lu Jingming's forehead and temples, her technique practiced and natural.

From the fluidity of her movements, it was obvious that she had spent considerable time and effort practicing this massage technique. All that hard work had been for the person before her alone.

Lu Jingming comfortably shifted over, and a pleasant fragrance drifted to his nose. He knew the girl had no habit of wearing perfume; this was her natural scent, carrying an intoxicating quality.

With his head resting on her soft thighs, Lu Jingming could not help but sigh inwardly at how quickly girls grew up.

When he had first met her, she had been a little girl who had just lost her family, panicked and crying her heart out. In the blink of an eye, six years had passed, and the little girl had changed completely, both in appearance and personality.

Feeling the boy's intimate movement, two lovely blushes instantly bloomed across the girl's cheeks like peach blossoms in spring.

She instinctively pressed her legs together, yet there was not the slightest hint of rejection in her eyes. The way she looked at Lu Jingming was filled with indulgence, as though he were the most precious treasure in the world.

"Little Jingming, today is the day you awaken your martial soul. If you're late, Teacher Jing Liu will punish you again." As the black-haired girl gently smoothed his snow-white hair, she seemed to suddenly recall something extremely important and hurriedly reminded him in a soft voice.

The black-haired girl's voice was soft and melodious, like an oriole singing in the woods, tinged with concern.

Hearing this, Lu Jingming froze as if he had been struck by Medusa's Petrification Eye.

Images of the miserable punishments Jing Liu had inflicted on him in the past instantly flashed through his mind, and he shuddered reflexively.

Jing Liu truly was a rare and excellent teacher, rigorous and serious in her instruction, sparing no effort in teaching her students.

Yet at times, she was so strict that she was nearly harsh, especially toward Lu Jingming. From the age of three, Jing Liu had required him to begin sword training.

During those days, the young Lu Jingming had endlessly complained about the tedious and grueling training. He had even thrown tantrums and rolled about on the ground, trying to move the cold and frosty swordswoman, but Jing Liu had never wavered.

Even the girl, Jing Liu's prized disciple whom she had personally trained, did not dare casually plead with Jing Liu on Lu Jingming's behalf when faced with her strictness.

All she could do was use the massage techniques she had deliberately learned to help relieve Lu Jingming's physical fatigue after his arduous training. That was precisely why she had worked so hard at massage.

"Big Sister Lexuan, why didn't you tell me sooner?! I'm done for, I'm done for! I stood Teacher up—there goes any chance of a good life for the next month!"

Lu Jingming cried out as he scrambled off Zhang Lexuan's legs in a panic.

Before his words had even faded, he launched himself forward like an arrow, rushing toward the Awakening Hall of the City Lord's Mansion like a gust of wind.

Today was an exceptionally significant day for Lu Jingming. Having turned six, he was about to undergo the crucial martial soul awakening that would shape his life.

Jing Liu had long prepared the highest-grade awakening ceremony for him, yet he had become so engrossed in Zhang Lexuan's irresistible massage skills that he had completely forgotten such an important matter.

Had Zhang Lexuan not reminded him in time, he might truly have stood Jing Liu up in utter confusion.

Watching Lu Jingming's hurriedly departing figure, Zhang Lexuan covered her mouth and chuckled.

Then, as if recalling something, her expression dimmed slightly. "It's already been six years," she murmured softly.

Thinking of what had happened six years ago, a trace of sorrow flashed through Zhang Lexuan's eyes. She had once had a happy and complete family, but during an invasion by Sea Soul Beasts, the pillar of The Family—her father—had died in battle against them.

And because The Family's only Soul Sage had died, their enemies took advantage of the opening and slaughtered the entire Zhang Family. She had escaped disaster only because she had been playing hide-and-seek with her mother and happened to be hiding.

She had originally intended to secretly escape, find a way to grow stronger, and return for revenge. Yet unexpectedly, those who had just slaughtered the Zhang Family were all cut down one by one by a peerlessly beautiful sword immortal wielding the Ice Sword.

At that time, the sword immortal had also been holding a newborn baby in her arms. Whenever Zhang Lexuan thought of that baby, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

Because that baby had been none other than Lu Jingming, the boy from earlier. He was the biological son of her father's sworn brother, and also her fiancé.

That was why she had only deliberately frightened Lu Jingming just now. Who could blame the little fellow for being so mischievous and unruly at such a young age?

But then again, how could she truly bear to let Lu Jingming be punished for being late?

In her heart, Lu Jingming was an incomparably precious existence. How could she possibly bear to let him suffer?

Lu Jingming ran wildly in a panic, the wind whistling past his ears.

Along the way, the guards and maids of the City Lord's Mansion bowed to him, respectfully addressing him as City Lord.

Why was Lu Jingming, a mere six-year-old boy, the lord of an entire city? It was because of an upheaval that had occurred six years ago.

Six years ago, Lu Jingming had just transmigrated here. His father in this life had died defending against an invasion of Sea Soul Beasts, while his mother had not even had time to properly experience the joy of becoming a mother before learning the dreadful news of her husband's death.

The sudden, devastating blow overwhelmed her already frail body and spirit.

In her extreme grief and weakness, she had only managed to glance once at her newborn son before passing away with endless regrets.

This series of changes left Lu Jingming, who had only just been reborn on Douluo Continent, completely dumbfounded.

He had only just arrived in this world and had not even had the chance to familiarize himself with his surroundings before losing both parents of this life in succession. He could not help but wonder, Could I be a Heavenly Fiend Lone Star?