Douluo Star: Awakening Day
Douluo Star.
A world divided between two great empires—Tiandou and Star Luo—with vast seas cradling forgotten islands in their depths. Few knew of those hidden places. Fewer still cared.
At the southernmost edge of the Tiandou Empire, nestled within Fasnuo Province, lay Huangjia Village—a place so ordinary it might as well have been invisible.
On a grassy hill overlooking that unremarkable village, a young boy sat alone.
His gaze drifted toward the endless blue sky, bright eyes reflecting clouds that moved too slowly for his restless thoughts. There was something unsettling about those eyes—a depth that didn't belong to a six-year-old, a weariness that spoke of burdens no child should carry.
His face? Ordinary.
His build? Mediocre at best.
A long sigh escaped his lips.
"Six years..." Huang Wei muttered, his voice barely audible against the rustling grass. "Six whole years in this world, and still... where the hell is my golden finger?"
He was a transmigrator. A soul from another world, dropped into this one without warning, without parents, without anything resembling a safety net. Old Man Huang Long—the village chief—had found him as an infant and raised him ever since. The only family he'd ever known in this life.
Huang Wei had spent those six years reading everything he could get his hands on, absorbing knowledge about this continent like a sponge. He'd learned about martial souls—the supernatural power everyone possessed, dormant until the age of six. Every child would awaken one. The real question was whether they'd have soul power to go with it.
The quality of one's martial soul and innate soul power level... those two factors essentially determined your entire future.
Right. The Douluo Continent. His lips twisted into a wry smile. The so-called sewer of fantasy novels.
But honestly? For someone who'd never encountered anything supernatural in his previous life, even a sewer filled with magic was infinitely better than another decade of 996 work culture.
"Maybe I really am just an abandoned protagonist," he said to the wind, a bitter edge creeping into his tone. "No system, no cheat ability, nothing..."
If that was true—if he really was just another nobody—then fine. He'd already made peace with it. Go into business with Grandpa, make some honest money, marry someone nice, move to a quiet city far from canon events, and live out his days in comfortable obscurity.
Comfort. Now that was a luxury.
He'd had enough of stress and overtime in his past life. This time around, whether his martial soul was trash-tier or godlike, he just wanted to breathe.
The sky gradually darkened, painting the horizon in shades of amber and violet.
Huang Wei stood, brushing grass from his pants, and headed home.
The door creaked open to reveal a familiar sight—his grandfather's weathered back, hunched slightly as he worked at the stove.
"Grandpa," Huang Wei called softly.
Huang Long turned, and his entire face lit up with that gentle smile that never failed to warm something in Huang Wei's chest. In his hands was a steaming plate of pickled fish, which he set carefully on the low table.
Their home wasn't luxurious, but it was comfortable. Better than most in the village, actually—the benefits of running a decent business. Still, Huang Long was the frugal type, never one to waste.
"Ah, there you are!" The old man's eyes crinkled with delight. "Come, come! I made your favorite—pickled fish! Eat your fill, then wash up and get to bed early, alright?"
Huang Wei moved to help set the table, though his brow furrowed slightly. "Why does today feel special? You don't usually..."
"Heh!" Huang Long chuckled, that knowing smile spreading wider. "You're six years old now, boy. Six! Tomorrow morning, a soul master from Spirit Hall is coming to Huangjia Village—he'll awaken martial souls for all the qualified children. Free of charge, no less!"
The words struck Huang Wei like lightning.
Right. The awakening ceremony.
How could he have forgotten? His pulse quickened despite himself. Anticipation—raw and undeniable—flickered to life in his chest. What would his martial soul be? Would he have soul power?
Please, just... let there be something. Anything.
He didn't need to be overpowered. He didn't need to be special. He just needed enough to carve out a comfortable existence.
"...I understand," Huang Wei said quietly, then added, "Grandpa, who's this soul master?"
Huang Long settled into his chair, already serving generous portions of fish. "His name is Su Yuntao. Good man, relatively speaking. He handles awakening ceremonies for dozens of villages in this area, so he's always busy—won't have much time to linger. You'll need to be polite and cooperative, understand?"
"Soul masters... well, us common folk can't afford to offend them. But Su Yuntao isn't too bad. A bit cold, maybe—keeps his distance—but he's fair. Does his job properly."
The old man's expression softened, turning nostalgic. "You know, before Spirit Hall established these free awakening ceremonies, it was nearly impossible for commoners like us to awaken our martial souls. A luxury we couldn't even dream of. Huangjia Village went generations without producing a single soul master."
He paused, picking at his food. "But after Spirit Hall arrived... everything changed. We got our first soul master—awakened right here, joined Spirit Hall, and he's brought so many benefits to our village ever since. We owe them a great debt."
Huang Long's gaze fixed on Huang Wei, suddenly serious. "So listen, grandson. If you awaken a martial soul tomorrow and you have soul power—even just a little—ask about joining Spirit Hall. If they'll take you, that's the best outcome. You'll never have to worry about food, shelter, or your future."
"And if they won't..." He waved a hand dismissively. "We'll figure something out. We've got some savings. Live frugally, and it'll last you a lifetime. Either way, you'll be fine."
Huang Wei had only asked one simple question, but his grandfather had launched into a full speech—rambling between bites, his love for Spirit Hall evident in every word.
That wealth they enjoyed? It was largely thanks to that soul master from their village who'd made it into Spirit Hall.
Huang Wei ate in silence, absorbing every word, committing it all to memory.
Finally, he nodded. "I understand, Grandpa. If I awaken soul power, Spirit Hall will be my first choice."
"Good, good!" Huang Long's weathered face practically glowed with pride. "That's my boy. Now eat up!"
Huang Wei's impression of Spirit Hall was... complicated.
In the original story, they were antagonists. But from a practical standpoint? They were genuinely the only major power in the Douluo Continent that gave a damn about commoners. At least at this point in the timeline.
Better than nothing, he thought pragmatically.
That night, he lay in bed with anticipation and nervous excitement churning in his gut, making sleep elusive.
Eventually, exhaustion won.
The Next Morning
Huang Wei woke before dawn.
He washed quickly, scarfed down the vegetable and egg noodles Huang Long had prepared, and together they set off toward the village square.
Six other children were already gathered there—kids Huang Wei recognized from around the village. Including himself, seven in total.
All six years old. All here for the same reason.
Huang Long gave them a brief lecture about proper behavior and respect, which everyone nodded along to solemnly. Then the old man led their small group toward the village's only Martial Soul Awakening Pavilion.
A figure was already waiting there.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, wearing a light blue robe that marked him as Spirit Hall personnel. His expression was cold—almost stern—as he surveyed the village with the detached air of someone who'd done this a thousand times before.
Huang Wei's breath caught.
That face. Those clothes.
He looked exactly like Su Yuntao from the Douluo Dalu anime he'd watched in his previous life.
"Grandpa," Huang Wei whispered, tugging at Huang Long's sleeve. "Is that Master Su Yuntao?"
Huang Long nodded without breaking stride. "That's him. Remember—be polite."
"Got it."
They approached, and Huang Long's demeanor shifted immediately—shoulders slightly bowed, smile warm but respectful.
"Master Su!" He clasped his hands and gave a small bow. "These seven children have all reached the age requirement this year. Thank you for taking the time to help them awaken. We're truly grateful."
As he spoke, Huang Long smoothly produced a golden soul coin from his robe—the gesture practiced, natural—and pressed it into Su Yuntao's palm. "We don't have much to offer, but please accept this small token for your trouble. Consider it tea money."
Su Yuntao's cold mask cracked instantly.
He coughed lightly, and his stern expression melted into something that almost resembled embarrassment—certainly much friendlier than before.
"Village Chief Huang, you're too kind! This is simply my duty, after all."
His hand, however, was remarkably quick in pocketing the coin into his storage soul tool—a small one he'd apparently found during a nighttime excursion. Limited capacity, but serviceable.
Lucky find indeed.
That single gold soul coin was equivalent to several days' salary. Of course he was pleased.
"I'll take good care of these children during the awakening," Su Yuntao continued, his tone noticeably warmer. "However, you understand that martial soul awakening is... well, it's beyond human control. What they awaken and whether they possess soul power depends entirely on their own natural fortune and foundation."
Huang Wei observed the exchange silently, hiding his knowing smirk.
Money talks, no matter what world you're in.
The other six kids probably didn't notice anything unusual, but Huang Wei—with the mind of an adult and experience from another world—saw it all clearly.
Corruption? Bribery? No... just practical social lubrication. Everyone wins.
"Seven little ones," Huang Long said, turning to address them, "follow Master Su inside for your awakening. I'll be waiting right here for your good news."
Everyone nodded obediently.
"Come along, then." Su Yuntao's smile was gentle now—almost kind—as he gestured toward the Awakening Pavilion's entrance.
He formed a hand seal, channeling soul power into the glowing mark embedded in the door. Light flared briefly, and the heavy doors swung open with a low groan.
Huang Wei's heart hammered in his chest as he crossed the threshold.
This is it. The moment that decides everything.
Huangjia Village didn't have many children—this group of seven was the only batch born in the past six years. The Awakening Pavilion, unused for so long, smelled faintly of dust and old wood.
But none of that mattered.
Huang Wei stepped inside, and the door closed behind them with a resonant thud.
His new life was about to begin.