Chapter 1. Awakening of the Nephrite Shame
In the secluded courtyard of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, solemn silence reigned. Tall walls of white jade reflected the morning sun, and the faint scent of incense lingered in the air, as it always did during awakening ceremonies. Today, only the children closest to the main lineage had gathered — those fortunate enough to be born into families near the patriarch and elders.
Ye Chen stood at the very end of the line. At six years old, he was thin and slightly tanned, his coarse robes faded from countless washings yet kept meticulously clean and neat. His palms were damp with nervous sweat as he stared at the nephrite-green hat hovering before him. The hat was ordinary in shape, almost antique, its green hue reminiscent of the finest jade, shimmering with an otherworldly luster under the sunlight.
"Is this really my martial soul…?" Ye Chen murmured to himself, his heart filled with doubt and indescribable embarrassment. The martial souls awakened in the other children were swords, clubs, birds, beasts, or at the very least strange plants. Yet he… had received a green hat?
He knew exactly what it meant.
In his previous life on modern Earth, a "green hat" (绿帽子, lǜ mào zi) was a cruel, ancient insult: the mark of a cuckold — a man whose wife betrays him. An object of ridicule, a symbol of lost honor and stolen dignity.
And now his martial soul embodied precisely that.
The awakening circle glowed once more. Six beams of light struck him. At first — nothing. Then a burst of emerald radiance erupted from his palms, spiraled upward, and condensed into the form of the hat. It rotated slowly above his head, emitting faint green waves of energy.
The courtyard fell silent.
Then someone giggled. Another child followed. Then a third.
"A hat?" whispered an older boy. "His martial soul… is a hat?"
Elder Ning Yue, the awakening master, frowned and stepped closer, examining the floating object with care.
"Tool-type martial soul… Nephrite Hat," he declared slowly. "A rather rare form. Innate soul power… tenth level."
A collective gasp echoed through the yard. Even the elders watching from the balcony leaned forward.
Tenth level innate soul power! The same as the greatest prodigies of the continent — equal to legends recorded in ancient scrolls.
But… a hat.
Ye Chen stood motionless, staring up at the spinning green headwear, a chill spreading through his chest.
He was no native of this world. He had been reborn here — a classic transmigration after an unfortunate encounter with a truck in his old life. He had read countless web novels, including the very story of Douluo Continent. He knew the system: martial souls, soul rings, spirit beasts, cultivation ranks. He had hoped for a powerful weapon, perhaps a blade or a plant spirit like his adoptive father's.
Instead, fate had given him this.
The hat descended gently and settled on his head. It felt weightless, yet a strange warmth emanated from it — soothing and, at the same time… strangely arousing.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong rushed toward him, ignoring the stares of the others.
"Ye Chen! Tenth level!" she exclaimed, beaming. "You're a genius just like me! No — even better! Tenth level!"
She threw her arms around him, pressing her small body against his. The hat on his head trembled slightly — as though pleased.
"No… not this…" Ye Chen groaned inwardly.
Elder Ning Yue cleared his throat.
"Children, the ceremony is concluded. Ning Rongrong, Ye Chen — follow me. The patriarch wishes to see the bearers of full innate soul power personally."
They walked through the clan corridors. Ning Rongrong chattered nonstop:
"Can you imagine? We're both prodigies now! Father will be thrilled! And your hat… it's so beautiful! Nephrite! Like something from the legends!"
Ye Chen remained silent. Inside him, something dark began to stir. Humiliation. Shame. And yet — an inexplicable excitement. As though his new soul whispered: This is not a curse. This is a gift. Use it.
They entered the main hall. Ning Fengzhi — tall, dignified, with a gentle smile — awaited them. Beside him stood the clan's two pillars: Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
"Rongrong," the patriarch said softly, stroking his daughter's head. "Ninth level. As expected of my daughter."
His gaze shifted to Ye Chen.
"And you… Ye Chen. Tenth level. And the soul… Nephrite Hat."
The patriarch thoughtfully stroked his chin.
"An interesting tool-type soul. Ancient records mention hat artifacts capable of concealing aura, enhancing illusions, protecting the mind. Yours may possess hidden potential. We will examine it further."
Ye Chen bowed.
"Thank you, Patriarch."
But inside, a storm raged.
They don't understand. No one here knows what a green hat signifies. To them, it is merely an unusual green headpiece. But I know. And if this soul truly embodies that meaning…
He stole a glance at Ning Rongrong. She stood beside him, still holding his hand, smiling with complete sincerity. His breath caught.
If my power grows from… humiliation. From watching the woman I love belong to another…
The thought was horrifying. And unbearably alluring.
When the ceremony ended, Ning Rongrong dragged him to their favorite garden — the very one where they had played as children.
"Ye Chen, let's test our souls together!" she suggested. "Show me what your hat can do!"
He nodded. Summoned the Nephrite Hat. It settled on his head once more.
In that instant, a wave of energy coursed through his body.
A cold, mocking, yet seductive voice whispered directly into his mind:
"Welcome, bearer of the Green Hat. Your power is born from betrayal. From jealousy. From the lust of those who covet what is yours. The greater the humiliation — the greater your strength. Collect the 'green lenses.' Absorb their passion. And ascend to the pinnacle of Douluo… cuckold."
Ye Chen clenched his fists.
Ning Rongrong noticed nothing. She simply stood opposite him, her Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda glowing softly, waiting eagerly.
In the depths of his eyes, a faint green spark ignited.
This was only the beginning.