Douluo Continent, Sun Moon Empire.
Eastern part, Yanshan Village.
The afternoon sun lazily spilled onto the hillside, and a gentle breeze swept through the green grass, bringing with it the fragrance of earth and wildflowers.
A boy of about five or six, dressed in coarse linen, lay on the hillside sunbathing with his hands behind his head.
His eyes were slightly closed, a nameless wild grass in his mouth, muttering to himself.
"Ten thousand years ago, Spirit Hall would send people to various places every year to hold Spirit awakening ceremonies for free for children around six years old, but now we can't enjoy such a policy. It's truly a step backward in history."
"But to only be able to awaken one's Spirit around the age of six, I wonder what that's based on. What if one awakens it earlier?"
"I should be almost six years old, right?"
"Pah!"
Kong Xuan spat out the wild grass in his mouth and slowly opened his eyes.
His eyes were large and bright, but the innocent and clear gaze they should have held was now somewhat complex and confused.
Kong Xuan was not from this World; he had transmigrated here.
In this World, he had no parents, only a younger sister to depend on.
He was picked up from the mountains by the Yanshan Village chief and grew up eating communal meals, so he didn't even know his exact age.
A five or six-year-old body housing a twenty-something-year-old mind made him appear prematurely mature.
News was scarce in the village. After much probing, he only knew that it should be ten thousand years after Tang San became a God, but the exact time point was unknown.
However, the World War had not yet begun, so he figured Huo Yuhao hadn't risen yet. He just didn't know if Huo Yuhao had been born yet.
"Kong Xuan, I'm here!"
Just as Kong Xuan was lost in thought, a familiar voice came from afar.
He sat up and saw a boy running up the hillside.
The other party should be the same age as Kong Xuan, but he was a head taller.
Compared to Kong Xuan's slightly thin physique, he was more robust.
Moreover, the other party's clothing and attire were not made of ordinary materials, indicating that this boy came from an extraordinary background.
"Fuliu, why did you run out again? Aren't you afraid of being grounded again?"
The boy stood with his hands on his hips, looking fearless: "Ground me then, I'm not afraid!"
Kong Xuan smiled and shook his head, knowing that was just his personality.
This boy's name was Qiangu Fuliu. Just by hearing the name, one would know he wasn't simple.
Qiangu Fuliu lived in Tiangu Village, nestled in a mountain hollow, and was considered a neighbor to Yanshan Village.
Kong Xuan had known him for over a year and had already confirmed that Tiangu Village was the reclusive home of the Qiangu clan.
Ten thousand years later, Qiangu Dongfeng, the Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda during the Legend of the Dragon King, came from the Qiangu clan.
Although he didn't know the current strength of the Qiangu clan, with the inheritance of the Coiling Dragon Rod, a top-tier Tool Spirit, he figured they shouldn't be weak.
Qiangu Fuliu plopped down on the grass beside Kong Xuan and said, "I'm going to awaken my Spirit in two days. Do you want to come with me?"
Kong Xuan shook his head: "Your village doesn't welcome outsiders, so I won't go."
It wasn't that Kong Xuan didn't want to take advantage, but he knew it wouldn't work.
The Qiangu clan was currently living in seclusion, and it was impossible for outsiders to enter Tiangu Village.
Qiangu Fuliu knew this would be the answer. He then pulled out a small pouch from his embrace and tossed it into Kong Xuan's arms.
Hearing the sound of metal clinking, Kong Xuan knew what was inside without even looking.
He opened his mouth, wanting to refuse, but couldn't speak.
In this World, there was no Spirit Hall. People in the village who wanted to awaken their Spirit could only go to larger cities, and it cost money.
How could an orphan like Kong Xuan have any money? So what he held in his arms at this moment was not just money; it was an opportunity to change his fate!
Seeing Kong Xuan's silence and hesitation, Qiangu Fuliu put an arm around his shoulder: "I hope you can also awaken a powerful Spirit and become a Spirit Master."
Kong Xuan clutched the bag in his arms, turned to look at Qiangu Fuliu, and said solemnly: "I will!"
Qiangu Fuliu stood up, patted the dirt off his backside, and smiled: "After I awaken my Spirit, I'll start cultivating, and it won't be easy to come out again."
"Don't let me leave you too far behind then!"
With a bright smile on his face, Qiangu Fuliu turned and left, raising his hand above his head and waving.
Watching Qiangu Fuliu's retreating figure, Kong Xuan knew that he had made this trip specifically to give him money.
Ten thousand years later, the Qiangu clan would be major villains, but ten thousand years ago, at least Young Master Qiangu Fuliu of the Qiangu clan, was his friend!
...Tucking the money pouch into his embrace, Kong Xuan walked down the hillside and, following the direction of the breeze, returned to Yanshan Village.
Yanshan Village was just a small hamlet in the mountains, with only about thirty households.
In the center of the village, next to the village chief's house, there was a small thatched hut, which was Kong Xuan's home.
Outside the hut was a wooden fence. As soon as he stepped through the gate of the small courtyard, a small figure rushed out of the house.
She ran a few steps to Kong Xuan, crashed into his arms, and then a soft, sweet voice came out: "Brother, you're back!"
Kong Xuan stroked her head, an involuntary gentle smile appearing on his face: "Mm!"
He had originally considered himself not a person who liked children, but after coming to this World and having a sensible, adorable younger sister, he realized that he didn't dislike children; he just disliked mischievous ones.
The one in Kong Xuan's arms at this moment was his twin sister in this World, Kong Ling.
Their appearances were almost identical, though Kong Xuan was a little taller than Kong Ling.
"Let's go inside, Ling'er."
"Mm!"
Kong Ling heard this, released her arms from around her brother's waist, and was led by Kong Xuan's hand into the house.
The house was not large, and the interior furnishings were extremely simple, but for the two orphans, having a place to shelter from wind and rain was already very fortunate.
Not long after they returned, an old shout drifted into the house.
"Xiao Xuan, Ling'er, come eat."
This familiar voice came every day; it was Grandpa Village Chief next door calling them for a meal.
The two quickly left the house. At the fence next to the courtyard, there was a small gate that led directly to the village chief's house.
The door to Grandpa Village Chief Zhou Yan's house was wide open, and from outside, they could smell a fragrant aroma wafting out. Kong Ling couldn't help but swallow, looking like a little glutton.
Kong Xuan led his sister into the house. The layout of Village Chief Zhou Yan's home was much richer, full of the breath of life.
"Today I made noodles. I specially cooked two poached eggs for you two. Come and eat quickly."
Zhou Yan smiled and waved at the two, a benevolent glow emanating from his wrinkled face.
Kong Xuan and Kong Ling stepped forward, calling out "Grandpa Village Chief," and then sat down at the simple square wooden table.
The noodles were just ordinary hand-pulled noodles, and only specks of oil could be seen in the soup.
But even such simple noodles were a rare delicacy for the siblings.
Kong Xuan ate a bit faster. After putting down his chopsticks, he looked at Zhou Yan, who was sitting beside him.
"Grandpa Village Chief, I want to take Ling'er to the city to awaken her Spirit."
Kong Ling paused her soup-drinking, her small face hidden behind the bowl, blinking her big eyes at her brother and Grandpa Village Chief, looking very sneaky.
Zhou Yan's smile stiffened at his words, then his expression became serious, and he said earnestly: "Xiao Xuan, don't listen to some people in the village talking about how good Soul Engineers are. That's for the nobles. For commoners like us, becoming a Soul Engineer mostly means danger!"
Zhou Yan, in his seventies, was a lonely man because his son had successfully awakened his Spirit and became a Soul Engineer.
However, he eventually died in a small war, leaving no remains.
Kong Xuan's gaze was firm as he looked directly at Zhou Yan: "Grandpa Village Chief, I know the dangers, but I still want to try."