The rooster crowed, signaling the arrival of a new day. Jiang Chen slowly withdrew his energy and ended his training.
The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Tang San quickly leaving the village entrance.
It had been three years. Except for bad weather, Tang San never missed a day—steadily climbing the small mountain to train, day after day.
"What a little monster," Jiang Chen muttered, though deep down, he admired Tang San's perseverance.
Thinking back on his own harsh treatment over these years, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. It was all because of that cursed cultivation method.
When he recovered the memories of his past life, he was just over one year old. At that time, a cultivation technique automatically surfaced in his mind: the Heaven Corpse Transformation.
Just hearing the name was enough to send chills down his spine. Though he knew he had transmigrated, he didn't dare to practice it recklessly.
A living person practicing a cultivation method meant for corpses? Was this some kind of joke?
It took him a year to learn the language of this world. Eventually, he realized he was in Douluo Continent.
In his past life, he had been a fan of novels and had read Douluo Continent before—a fantastical world where one could rise to godhood.
Who could resist such an enticing prospect?
Jiang Chen was no exception. Yet, the thought of cultivating that eerie technique made him hesitant.
It wasn't until he was three years old, observing Tang San's relentless daily training, that he finally came to a realization.
If Tang San—the destined child of Douluo Continent—was working so hard, what did he have?
Aside from a strange cultivation method, nothing special. As a 21st-century Earth student who had read countless novels, he deeply understood the importance of starting strong.
Having read Douluo Continent, he knew that starting cultivation young might allow one to awaken innate full soul power by six years old—a clear advantage at the starting line.
So he made up his mind and began training the Heaven Corpse Transformation. Indeed, it was a formidable technique, granting him immense power—but it also made him neither fully human nor ghost, turning him into a pariah in everyone's eyes.
The corpse poison and corpse energy inside him were still uncontrollable. Whenever even a trace leaked out, it caused panic throughout Shenghun Village.
Moreover, once he started cultivating this technique, he could never stop. Otherwise, he would turn into an emotionless, bloodsucking zombie.
After secretly drinking the blood of a few domestic birds one day, he dared never stop his training again.
Only by continuously practicing the Heaven Corpse Transformation could he live somewhat like a normal person.
There was a time he felt utterly defeated, but he still forced himself to continue. Other transmigrators received amazing systems, while he had become a zombie. Even his future happiness was uncertain.
Over time, he gradually came to terms with it, finding cultivation somewhat comforting. Besides, if he could become a god, happiness didn't seem quite as important anymore.
Recently, his training had hit a bottleneck. No matter how he tried, his internal power would not increase. Jiang Chen understood—like Tang San, he likely needed to obtain his first soul ring before continuing.
What occupied his thoughts most now was the awakening ceremony tomorrow. What kind of Martial Soul would he awaken?
He already had a powerful cultivation method. If he could also have an impressive Martial Soul, then he would truly win at the starting line. Even if he couldn't surpass the destined child Tang San, the gap wouldn't be large.
Everything depended on tomorrow.
...
Time passed quietly in Jiang Chen's anticipation. Before he knew it, it was dawn again. As always, Tang San climbed the mountain to train like a broken record. Jiang Chen leapt down from the rooftop, filled with excitement.
Today would be a day full of hope.
After a quick breakfast, Jiang Chen headed toward the Martial Soul Hall at the village center. He didn't wait for Old Jack's notice, knowing he had gone to fetch Tang San.
The Martial Soul Hall was really just a slightly larger wooden house. Over the past years, Jiang Chen had observed the awakening ceremonies from a distance, filled with envy.
Now, finally, it was his turn. This day might well be recorded in the annals of Douluo Continent.
Nine children in Shenghun Village were awakening this year. When Jiang Chen arrived, seven kids were already inside.
Outside the door, the adults crowded so tightly that there was barely room to move. Compared to the children inside, these grown-ups were far more excited.
These children were the future of Shenghun Village. If even one awakened a Martial Soul capable of cultivation, the village would gain fame.
Jiang Chen stood behind the adults, feeling somewhat helpless.
"Please make way," he called out softly.
The woman in front of him, who looked to be in her thirties, turned around in confusion. The moment she saw Jiang Chen standing right behind her, she let out the loudest, most piercing scream of her life. Her body suddenly sprang sideways, astonishingly leaping a full three meters away.
Jiang Chen was utterly speechless. Was such a reaction really necessary? He had only wanted to get inside.
The woman's scream was agonizing, as if she had been subjected to some inhuman cruelty. It immediately drew the attention of many nearby villagers, who all turned around sharply.
When they saw the small figure standing behind her, everyone reacted just like the woman—screaming and jumping back. In an instant, the entire area in front of the Martial Soul Hall was completely cleared.
"Jiang Chen, what are you doing here?" a middle-aged man asked with a frown after confirming a safe distance.
Jiang Chen smiled innocently. "Uncle, I'm six years old this year. I'm here to take part in the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony."
The crowd looked suddenly enlightened, but still, someone said, "No, you can't go in. Others are awakening inside. If you go in, won't you cause trouble? What if you ruin the whole ceremony for our village?"
"Yes, yes, absolutely not! My son's inside, and I can't let you mess up his awakening."
"What if he uses some kind of sorcery again? Maybe because of him, none of the kids can awaken their Martial Souls."
"The fortune teller said my son has the potential to become a titled Douluo. Even if I have to risk my life, I won't let this brat ruin it."
"..."
Voices of opposition rose one after another. A few braver villagers even mustered the courage to block the entrance. Judging by their resolute expressions, they seemed ready to fight to the death rather than let Jiang Chen in.
They absolutely would not allow Jiang Chen to harm their sons or daughters.
Everything happening outside was quietly observed by Su Yuntao. He was already growing somewhat impatient.
He had just visited two other villages and hadn't seen a single child awaken a Martial Soul fit for cultivation. His mood was not good to begin with.
Besides, his task today was heavy. After finishing with Shenghun Village, there were still five more villages waiting.
Seeing that the children hadn't all arrived yet—and now one was even blocked outside—he instantly grew furious.
"Let the boy in!" he commanded in a deep voice.