Morning arrived not just with sunlight—
But with power.
Before the frost had melted from the rooftops of Heaven Dou City, the narrow street outside the orphanage was filled with carriages bearing crests of authority.
Imperial banners.
Noble insignias.
Spirit Hall robes.
The pressure in the air was almost tangible.
Luo Tian stood quietly behind the gates.
With so many factions present, none would dare use force.
That gave him safety.
But it also meant one thing—
He had to choose.
And that choice would decide the trajectory of his life.
"So it begins", he murmurred softly.
A broad-shouldered elder stepped forward first, steady as a mountain.
"Little fellow," he said with a deep, amused tone, "you've caused quite a ruckus."
"I am Bai Baoshan. Rank 85, Defense System Spirit Master. I represent the Empire."
Heaven Dou Royal Academy
His aura was restrained yet heavy — like a fortress wall.
"The Academy will provide you the highest-grade resources. One of the Education Committee members will accept you as a personal disciple. You will receive treatment equal to imperial nobility."
The offer was generous.
Status.
Protection.
Resources.
Before Luo Tian could respond—
A sharp laugh cut across the courtyard.
Spirit Hall
"Old Bai, you move quickly."
White-robed figures stepped forward, authority radiating from their formation.
Spirit Hall
The leading bishop spoke calmly.
"Boy, your talent will only reach its true height within Spirit Hall."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"We will provide any resource you require — soul bones, cultivation resources, rare spirit beasts. Most importantly…"
He paused.
"A Titled Douluo will personally guide you. Spatial attribute spirit beasts are extremely rare. Only Spirit Hall has the reach to secure the most suitable rings for you."
The promise was heavy.
A Titled Douluo teacher.
That was no small favor.
The nobles stepped forward next.
The Nobility
A Duke smiled broadly.
"If the young master joins my household, I will confer noble status immediately."
He raised a small jade box.
"As a token of sincerity — a thousand-year spirit bone."
Gasps followed.
A thousand-year spirit bone was a treasure most Spirit Masters would never touch.
Marriage alliances were hinted at.
Wealth was promised.
The atmosphere grew louder.
More suffocating.
Luo Tian kept his expression calm, but inside, he was analyzing rapidly.
Talent attracted protection.
Protection attracted control.
He needed stability — not shackles.
Then—
Two final carriages arrived.
And the crowd instinctively parted.
From the first carriage stepped a refined, scholarly man in white robes.
Beside him stood a tall man in dark robes whose presence subtly distorted the air itself.
Luo Tian's pupils contracted.
That pressure…
Controlled.
Deep.
Spatial fluctuations faintly resonated in response.
There was no doubt.
Gu Rong.
Bone Douluo.
A Titled Douluo with space-related abilities.
"Patriarch Ning Fengzhi," someone whispered.
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently.
Ning Fengzhi's gaze was warm and analytical — like a merchant evaluating a priceless treasure.
"Little friend," he said warmly, "if you are willing, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would welcome you."
Then Gu Rong's gaze fixed on him directly.
His voice was calm, but carried immense weight.
"If you choose us, I will personally accept you as my disciple."
Spatial attribute.
A natural guardian.
The implication was clear.
Silence.
A space-attribute Titled Douluo offering direct mentorship to a spatial martial soul prodigy.
It was the most logically aligned offer so far.
Even Bishop Salas' expression darkened slightly.
Luo Tian felt the fractured cube within his spirit sea rotate faintly in response to Gu Rong's presence.
The compatibility was undeniable.
But—
Another carriage door opened.
And everything shifted.
The Crown Prince
A gentle breeze seemed to accompany him.
Elegant.
Refined.
Composed beyond his years.
Xue Qinghe.
The Crown Prince of Heaven Dou.
The moment Luo Tian saw him—
His decision crystallized.
He knew.
Among all these choices…
This was the only correct answer.
Because he understood something most here did not.
Behind that flawless exterior was someone deeply entangled with Spirit Hall itself.
Choosing the Crown Prince meant:
Spirit Hall could not openly retaliate against his refusal.
Bibi Dong would be cautious.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, already closely tied to the Crown Prince, would remain amicable.
Other nobles would not dare provoke imperial protection.
Hidden Titled Douluo-level guards would stand in the shadows.Although it would lead implications in the future but
It was not merely a choice of teacher.
It was a choice of political umbrella.
A stable environment.
protection.
Room to grow.
Xue Qinghe stepped forward gracefully.
"So you are the young hero who has stirred the capital."
His tone was gentle, devoid of pressure.
"Talent is precious. But what matters more is the environment in which it grows. If you are willing, I invite you to cultivate within the Imperial Academy under my supervision."
No coercion.
No overwhelming promises.
Just steady confidence.
Luo Tian's heart beat firmly in his chest.
This world was real.
This opportunity was real.
And unlike his previous life, where he drifted aimlessly—
Now he stood at the center of something vast.
His luck had opened the door.
But luck alone would never be enough.
He lifted his head.
There was no hesitation in his eyes now.
No fear that this would vanish.
Only resolve.
He stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"This one is willing to follow Your Highness."
A ripple passed through the courtyard.
Bishop Salas' eyes narrowed.
Ning Fengzhi's smile remained unchanged, calculating yet approving.
Gu Rong looked at him for a long moment — then gave a faint nod, as if acknowledging the strategic wisdom of the choice.
Bai Baoshan seemed satisfied.
Xue Qinghe personally helped him to his feet.
"From this day forward," the Crown Prince said softly, "you are under imperial protection."
The words were simple.
But they echoed like a declaration across the invisible chessboard of the continent.
Within Luo Tian's spirit sea, the fractured cube rotated steadily.
Frost lightning coiled like restrained thunder.
The future ahead would be bright—
But not easy.
And he welcomed it.
With determination blazing quietly in his heart,
Luo Tian stepped onto the path that would one day shake the continent.