Jiangrong Village, Wuhun Hall Branch
"Wuhun Xiaomai, no soul power!"
Another child stepped down from the platform, head bowed. In the back of the line, Leo quietly clenched his fists. He didn't say anything—he hadn't said much since arriving in this world.
Six years ago, he woke up alone, in a strange village, in a world that ran on spirit power and fate. He had no parents, no cheat system, no chosen-one title.
Just another boy trying not to be forgotten.
In the Douluo Continent, power meant everything. If you had spirit power, you could live above others. You could survive.
And today would decide whether Leo would ever stand a chance.
Su Yuntao called him forward. "Stand in the middle. I'll awaken your martial soul."
Leo stepped into the formation. The stones lit up, releasing a golden light that surrounded him. Su Yuntao raised an eyebrow—this light was stronger than before.
Then, with a faint crackle in the air, a strange creature appeared. Long, slick, and shining with wet blue scales—it hovered beside Leo, sparking lightly. A thin electrical charge hummed across the air as if the world itself had inhaled.
"An electric eel?" Su Yuntao murmured, puzzled. "And it left the body… that's rare for a beast spirit. A mutation, maybe."
Leo just looked at it. It hovered near him—silent, watching.
Alone. Just like him.
"…It's called Volt," Leo said quietly.
Su Yuntao handed him the crystal ball. "Put your hand on this. Let's test your spirit power."
Leo hesitated, then placed his hand on the ball.
Immediately, a rush of energy was drawn into it.
The ball glowed bright blue, brighter than any child so far.
Su Yuntao's eyes widened. "Innate level 7 soul power!"
Leo froze.
Level 7?
A moment passed before it sank in. His fingers trembled slightly. That… was rare. It wasn't legendary, but it was powerful—more than enough to guarantee his place in the world of spirit masters.
But instead of joy, Leo just felt a hollow kind of quiet.
It didn't change the fact that he was still alone. Still uncertain.
Su Yuntao smiled widely. "This is excellent! A level 7… you're gifted. Are you willing to join the Spirit Hall? With that kind of talent, they'll train you personally."
Leo looked at Volt. The spirit crackled faintly beside him.
He thought of Tang San, the boy from the next village. He thought of all the paths this world could take—and how easily one wrong step could end him.
"I… need time," Leo said softly. "I have a relative in Hanhai City. I want to talk to him first."
Su Yuntao nodded, though a bit disappointed. "Understandable. But if you choose to join us, come to Hanhai City's Spirit Hall. We'll be waiting."
He turned away, writing down:
Name: Leo
Martial Spirit: Mutated Electric Eel – "Volt"
Innate Soul Power: Level 7
Then he packed up and left the village.
As the dust settled, Leo stood quietly in the square, his certificate clutched in hand.
Volt hovered near his shoulder, brushing him gently with static warmth.
Leo looked up at the darkening sky and said with a whisper, "I'm not special. But… we'll make it, right?"
Volt gave a soft hum of electricity, like a silent nod.
The sun set behind them. Two small figures, one human and one spirit, cast long, flickering shadows toward the road that led to Hanhai City.