Douluo Continent, Star Luo Empire, Haiyuan City.
The gentle sunlight sprinkled on the lawn of the City Lord Manor, casting a thin golden veil over the lush green grass.
A girl who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old was elegantly kneeling on the lawn. Her waterfall-like black hair cascaded softly over her shoulders, shimmering with a captivating luster under the sunlight. A simple yet exquisite light purple long dress perfectly outlined her graceful figure. At this moment, her slender and beautiful legs were perfectly encased in sheer black silk, exuding an indescribable allure.
Lying on these striking, beautiful legs was a six-year-old boy with white hair and red eyes—Ethan Thorne. He was happily enjoying the exclusive knee pillow treatment, looking content and satisfied. The black-haired girl's fair and delicate fingers were gently and rhythmically pressing on Ethan Thorne's forehead and temples, her technique skilled and natural. From her fluid movements, it was evident that she had spent a significant amount of time and effort practicing to master this massage technique, and all this effort was solely for the person in front of her.
Ethan comfortably turned over, a pleasant fragrance reaching his nose. He knew the girl didn't have a habit of using perfume; this was her natural scent, which had an intoxicating feeling. Resting his head on her soft thighs, Ethan couldn't help but lament in his heart how quickly girls grow up. He remembered the first time he met the girl; she was a little girl who had just lost her loved ones, startled and crying her eyes out. Six years had passed in a blink of an eye, and the little girl had completely changed, both in appearance and personality.
Feeling the boy's intimate movement, a blush instantly rose on the girl's cheeks, like peach blossoms blooming in spring. She subconsciously closed her legs, yet there was no trace of repulsion in her eyes. Looking at Ethan, her gaze was full of doting, as if he was the most precious treasure in the world.
"Xiao Ming, today is the day you awaken your Martial Soul. If you are late, Teacher Jing Liu will punish you again," the black-haired girl gently smoothed Ethan's snow-white hair while suddenly remembering something extremely important and quickly reminded him softly. The black-haired girl's voice was soft and melodious, like the chirping of an oriole in the forest, carrying a hint of concern.
Hearing this, Ethan's body suddenly stiffened as if struck by Medusa's petrifying gaze. The tragic scenes of being punished by Jing Liu in the past instantly flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but shiver subconsciously. Jing Liu was indeed a rare and excellent teacher. Her teaching was rigorous and serious, and she taught her students everything she knew. But sometimes, she was almost overly strict, especially with Ethan. Ethan had been required to start practicing swordplay by Jing Liu since he was three years old.
During those days, the young him complained constantly about the boring and arduous training, even resorting to throwing tantrums and rolling on the ground to try and move this ice-cold female swordswoman, but Jing Liu remained unmoved. Even the girl, Jing Liu's proud disciple meticulously trained by her, dared not easily plead for Ethan when facing Jing Liu's strictness. All she could do was use the massage techniques she had specifically learned to help him relieve his physical fatigue after his strenuous training. This was also the reason why she had painstakingly practiced her massage skills.
"Big Sister Lexuan, why didn't you tell me earlier! It's over, it's over! Now that I've stood up the teacher, I won't have a good day for the next month!" Ethan shouted as he scrambled up from Zhang Lexuan's legs in a panic. Before he finished speaking, he shot up like a spring, rushing towards the Awakening Hall of the City Lord Manor like a gust of wind.
Today was a day of extraordinary significance for Ethan. At the age of six, he was about to experience the crucial moment of his Martial Soul Awakening. Jing Liu had already meticulously prepared the highest standard Awakening ceremony for him, but he had momentarily forgotten about this important matter because he was engrossed in Zhang Lexuan's irresistibly superb massage skills. If Zhang Lexuan hadn't reminded him in time, he probably would have foolishly stood up Jing Liu.
Watching Ethan's hurried departure, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly. Then, as if remembering something, her expression became a little gloomy, and she murmured softly, "It's already been six years!"
Remembering what happened six years ago, a trace of sadness flashed in Zhang Lexuan's eyes. She originally had a happy and complete family, but due to a Sea Soul Beast invasion, the pillar of her family, her father, died on the battlefield fighting the Sea Soul Beasts. Also, because of the death of the only Soul Saint expert, the family's enemies took advantage of the situation and massacred the entire Zhang family. She only escaped because she was playing hide-and-seek with her mother and hid.
Originally, she wanted to escape secretly, then find a way to become stronger and come back for revenge, but unexpectedly, the group of people who had just massacred the Zhang family were all killed one by one by a beautiful sword immortal holding an ice sword. And at that time, the sword immortal was holding a baby who had just been born not long ago. Remembering that baby, Zhang Lexuan showed a gentle smile. Because that baby was none other than the boy Ethan Thorne from just now, the biological son of her father's life-and-death brother, and also her fiancé. So she had just deliberately scared Ethan. Who told this little guy to be so mischievous and dishonest at such a young age?
But then again, how could she really bear to let Ethan be punished for being late? In her heart, Ethan was an infinitely precious existence; how could she bear to let him suffer?
Ethan sprinted furiously, the wind whistling past his ears. Along the way, the guards and maids of the City Lord Manor bowed to him, respectfully addressing him as City Lord.
Why would Ethan, a young boy of only six years old, be the Lord of the City? This was due to a change that occurred six years ago. Six years ago, Ethan had just transmigrated. His father in this life died fighting against the Sea Soul Beast invasion, and his mother, before she could fully experience the joy of being a new mother, received the tragic news of her husband's death. This sudden and immense blow was too much for her already weak body and mind to bear. In extreme grief and weakness, she only had time to glance at her newborn son before passing away with endless regret. This series of changes completely stunned Ethan, who had just reincarnated on the Douluo Continent. He had only been in this world for a short time, and before he could properly familiarize himself with everything around him, he consecutively lost his parents in this life, making him wonder if he was a lone star of misfortune?