The sea breeze carried the scent of salt and damp earth. Waves lapped gently against the rocky shore, where a small fishing village nestled between cliffs and foam. It was the kind of place the world forgot—a peaceful corner untouched by spirit beasts or war.
But peace had never been meant for him.
Karim stood barefoot on a wooden pier, staring at the endless ocean. He was only four years old, and yet his black eyes held a weight far too ancient. Somewhere behind those eyes lived a soul reborn.
> "Douluo Dalu… So this is real."
The memories came in fragments, like dreams fading after waking. A crowded street on Earth. A blinding light. Then, pain. And now, this tiny body—fragile, soft, but filled with potential.
He looked down at his hands. Small, trembling fingers. No strength, no martial soul. Not yet.
But he knew the rules of this world.
> "Spirit Awakening happens at six. Till then... I wait. I learn. I survive."
---
⚓ Life in the Sea Village
The village was simple. Most people were fishermen or spirit masters of low rank—none above Rank 20. Karim's adopted parents were kind but poor. His new name had been given to him by the village elder, who found him alone on the shore one stormy night.
"Karim," the old man had said, stroking his beard. "It means 'precious gift' in the tongue of my ancestors. The sea gave you to us. Maybe the gods did, too."
Karim didn't argue. He had no memory of how he arrived. But he knew this much: this world ran on strength. Those without a martial soul were nothing. Those with one but no power were just food for beasts—or pawns of the Spirit Pagoda.
So he trained.
Not with spirit energy, of course. Not yet. But he trained his body, his senses. He watched the fishermen throw nets and learned how to run over wet wood without slipping. He climbed the cliffs each morning, timing himself. He swam in freezing tides until his lips turned blue.
> "If I can't become strong now, I can become ready."
---
🌕 Night Whispers
At night, Karim would sit by the window and whisper to the stars.
"Spirit Hall is long gone… but the Spirit Pagoda is worse in some ways. Tang Sect still exists... and Huo Yuhao will rise soon."
He remembered everything—names, events, power systems, and most of all: the paths to godhood.
> "Huo Yuhao became the God of Emotions. Tang San became the Asura God. But there are more paths… hidden ones."
He had no martial soul yet. But if he could plan now… if he could reach Shrek Academy… if he could awaken a strong martial soul—then he could follow the threads of fate, twist them around himself, and ascend.
> "This time, I won't be weak. I won't be forgotten."
---
🌀 A Strange Dream
On the night of his fifth birthday, Karim had a dream.
He was floating above the sea, surrounded by an endless fog. A voice echoed—neither male nor female, but deeper than thunder.
> "The world watches the chosen. But sometimes… the forgotten watch back."
Something moved in the depths below—a shadow, ancient and hungry.
Then, a single word carved itself into his mind: "Claim."
Karim awoke with a gasp, his small body drenched in sweat. Outside, the sea was roaring—waves crashing like drums of war. And deep inside his chest… something pulsed.
Not spirit power. Not yet. But destiny.