Song Qing leaned back against the plush velvet cushions of the carriage, a soft sigh escaping his lips. Outside, the scenery was a blur of greens and browns, but his mind was elsewhere, a chaotic mix of fragmented memories and present realities.
He was six years old, the same age as that fated protagonist, Tang San. 'It's strange,' he mused, 'to know so much and yet so little.'
Flashes of a short life on Earth, a world of glowing screens and endless information, would sometimes surface. He remembered a novel, "Douluo Dalu," a story that now felt eerily real.
But the memories were fractured, like shards of a broken mirror.
This was all because it was the soul in this body that had managed to swallow this soul that came from this so-called Earth.
Thus, the dominant personality remained that of the original soul residing in this body with his originally personality.
This naturally implied that Song Qing remained a little kid at six years old who had just experienced a barrage of information from a fragmented soul that contained information about his world.
He had to use his own mind to make up inferences and try to use this information as best as he could.
It's just that he grasped at plot points, character names, future events, but they remained stubbornly out of reach, just beyond the edge of his understanding.
A month ago, his life had irrevocably changed. The Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony at the Spirit Hall orphanage had been… spectacular.
The Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor, a spirit of immense power and terrifying majesty, had manifested within his small hands, accompanied by an unbelievable Innate Full Soul Power of Level 20.
The entire Spirit Hall had erupted in a frenzy.
Then, she had appeared. Bibi Dong. The Pope of the Spirit Hall. Her beauty was breathtaking, an ethereal allure that even his little mind couldn't fully capture.
'She's really stunning,' he thought, a genuine appreciation blossoming despite the complex situation. Her gaze had been intense, as if she could see straight through him, yet there was a spark of… fascination?
The next few days were a whirlwind of meetings and assessments, culminating in the unbelievable news: he, Song Qing, an orphan in one of the orphanages managed by the Spirit Hall, was now a personal disciple of the Pope herself.
Now, riding alongside her in this luxurious carriage, the weight of his new reality settled upon him. Being Bibi Dong's disciple meant his path was intertwined with the Spirit Hall, a path that would inevitably lead to a collision with Tang San and his future allies. He felt no inherent loyalty to either side for now, just a profound sense of unease.
'Fighting against a protagonist? That sounds like a recipe for disaster,' he thought with a wry internal smile.
But Song Qing wasn't one to simply let fate dictate his future. The past month had been spent absorbing his new reality, observing the inner workings of the Spirit Hall, and piecing together the fragments of his past life's knowledge.
He knew enough to understand the dangers that lay ahead, and he was determined to navigate them, to carve out his own survival.
His thoughts then drifted to his other, hidden spirit – the Primordial Life Tree Spirit. It was a secret he guarded fiercely, a trump card he held close to his chest.
Even now, without actively focusing, he could feel the subtle pulse of life around him. The gentle sway of unseen plants, the faint vibrations in the earth, the almost imperceptible energy signatures of nearby creatures.
'Emperor of all Plant Spirits,' he recalled vaguely. 'That's… incredibly useful.' He kept this knowledge locked away, especially from his esteemed teacher.
His interactions with Hu Liena, Bibi Dong's other disciple, had been minimal. She seemed to be around twelve or so and she is already a skilled Spirit Master.
He felt a detached curiosity towards her, his knowledge of her future role colouring his perception.
Hu Liena, however, seemed quite intrigued by this quiet, exceptionally talented junior who didn't seem overwhelmed by his own potential.
"Are you comfortable, Song Qing?" Bibi Dong's voice, smooth as velvet yet carrying an undeniable authority, broke through his thoughts.
Song Qing straightened up, offering a respectful nod. "Yes, Teacher. Thank you for asking."
'She really is beautiful,' he thought again, a silent sigh escaping him. Her rose-pink hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing a face of captivating beauty and sharp intelligence. Her pink eyes held a depth that seemed to see beyond the surface.
Bibi Dong gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "You have been remarkably calm since your awakening. Most children would be overwhelmed and excited by such power and attention."
"I… I am still processing it all, Teacher," Song Qing replied carefully. 'Best to play it humble and observant.'
"Indeed," Bibi Dong mused, her gaze distant for a moment. "Your innate soul power is… unprecedented, save for Qian Renxue. It is a testament to the power of your spirit."
'And my other spirit, which you know nothing about,' Song Qing thought silently. He nodded, offering a neutral expression.
"Today," Bibi Dong continued, her gaze returning to him, sharp and focused, "we will venture into the Sunset Forest. It is time for you to acquire your first soul rings."
Song Qing's heart skipped a beat, a thrill of anticipation mixed with a hint of nervousness. "I am ready, Teacher."
"Your Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit is exceptionally powerful," Bibi Dong stated, her tone thoughtful. "With your innate talent, you should be able to absorb a soul ring far exceeding the typical limits for your first ring. I anticipate we will find a spirit beast of at least a thousand years, perhaps even more."
Song Qing's eyes widened slightly, feigning surprise. 'A thousand years for the first ring? That's… intense. But with my hidden spirit, maybe it's manageable.'
"And for your second ring," Bibi Dong continued, her gaze unwavering, "we will aim for something in the one-to-two-thousand-year range. I will personally ensure your safety during the absorption process."
"Thank you, Teacher," Song Qing said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. He understood the significance of the Pope herself taking the time to assist him. It spoke volumes about her expectations for him.
Bibi Dong nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "I have been quite pleased with your progress so far, Song Qing. You are an intelligent and observant child. You ask insightful questions and possess a maturity beyond your years."
'She's sharp,' Song Qing thought. 'I need to be careful not to reveal too much.' He offered a polite smile. "I am simply grateful for your guidance, Teacher."
The carriage rumbled on, the silence between them comfortable yet charged with anticipation.
Song Qing continued to ponder his situation, the fragmented memories of the novel swirling in his mind.
He knew the general trajectory of the story, the rise of Tang San, the eventual conflict with the Spirit Hall.
He had no particular allegiance to either side from his past life, but being under Bibi Dong's tutelage now, a sense of… obligation?
No, perhaps a strategic alliance was more accurate.
He recognized Bibi Dong's ambition and power, and he knew that siding with her, at least for now, offered him the best chance of survival.
'Tang San,' he thought, the name echoing in his mind. 'The protagonist. Blessed by the heavens. How do I even begin to navigate that?' He knew he couldn't directly confront him at this stage. He needed to grow stronger, to master his spirits, especially the hidden one.
The carriage finally began to slow, the sounds of the forest growing louder. "We have arrived at the edge of the Sunset Forest," Bibi Dong announced, her voice crisp and businesslike. "Prepare yourself, Song Qing. Your journey as a Spirit Master begins today."
The carriage door was opened by a Spirit Hall guard, and Song Qing stepped out, blinking slightly in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the dense canopy. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. Bibi Dong emerged gracefully after him, her majestic presence commanding attention even in the wilderness.
"The Sunset Forest is vast and filled with spirit beasts of varying strengths," Bibi Dong said, her gaze sweeping across the trees. "For your first soul ring, we need a beast that aligns with the attributes of your Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit. Something… dark, powerful, and preferably with draconic tendencies."
'Draconic tendencies in a thousand-year-old beast?' Song Qing thought, a hint of apprehension creeping in. He knew the dangers of the Sunset Forest, even for seasoned Spirit Masters. But with Bibi Dong, a Titled Douluo, by his side, he knew he was safe.
"Follow me," Bibi Dong instructed, her figure gliding effortlessly through the undergrowth. Song Qing hurried to keep pace, his senses on high alert. The forest was alive with unseen creatures, their rustling movements and distant calls creating an eerie symphony.
After a short while, Bibi Dong stopped, her eyes fixed on something in the distance. "There," she murmured, her voice low. "A Shadowclaw Direwolf. Its aura suggests it is close to a thousand years old. Its dark affinity should be suitable for your first soul ring."
Song Qing peered through the trees. He could make out a large, wolf-like creature with shadowy fur and glowing red eyes. It was indeed exuding a powerful, menacing aura.
"I will weaken it for you," Bibi Dong said, her hand already radiating a faint purple glow. "Your task is to deliver the final blow so that its spirit will recognize you as its slayer and offer you its soul ring."
With a swift, almost casual movement, Bibi Dong unleashed a tendril of dark energy, striking the Shadowclaw Direwolf. The beast let out a pained howl, its powerful body staggering. It turned its attention towards them, its red eyes burning with fury.
"Now, Song Qing," Bibi Dong commanded, her voice firm. "Focus your spirit power. Unleash your Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor and strike!"
Taking a deep breath, Song Qing focused his mind, visualizing the terrifying form of his spirit. With a surge of energy, the Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor materialized behind him, a shadowy, scaled dragon wreathed in dark energy. It let out a silent roar, its crimson eyes fixated on the injured Direwolf.
Following Bibi Dong's instructions, Song Qing channeled his soul power into his spirit, pointing a trembling hand towards the weakened beast.
A condensed ball of abyssal energy formed in his palm.
With a determined cry, he hurled it towards the Direwolf.
The dark energy struck the beast, and it collapsed with a final whimper. A purple soul ring, tinged with a faint purple hue, rose from its body and floated towards Song Qing.
"Absorb it," Bibi Dong instructed, her gaze intense. "Focus your will and guide the spirit ring into your spirit."
Song Qing nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He reached out with his mind, guiding the spirit ring towards the Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor. The ring began to spin around the dragon spirit before suddenly merging into its form, bathing Song Qing in a wave of warmth and power. He closed his eyes, focusing on the influx of energy, feeling his soul power surge.
The absorption process was surprisingly smooth, the ancient energy of the spirit beast flowing into him without resistance. 'Maybe my other spirit is helping in some way?' he wondered fleetingly.
After a few moments, the light subsided, and Song Qing opened his eyes, feeling a newfound strength coursing through him.
"Well done," Bibi Dong said, a hint of approval in her voice. "That spirit ring was indeed close to fifteen hundred years old. You have absorbed it with remarkable ease."
Song Qing bowed his head. "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher."
"Now," Bibi Dong said, turning deeper into the forest, "let us find a suitable spirit beast for your second soul ring."
They continued their search, Bibi Dong leading the way with an almost uncanny sense of direction. After another hour of traversing the dense forest, she stopped abruptly.
"There," she whispered, pointing towards a clearing. "A Venomous Shadow Panther. Its aura is quite potent, likely around two thousand years old. Its speed and dark affinity make it another excellent choice for your second ring."
In the clearing, a sleek, black panther with glowing purple stripes stalked through the undergrowth. Its eyes, like chips of amethyst, scanned its surroundings with predatory intelligence.
Just as before, Bibi Dong moved with lightning speed, unleashing a precise attack that struck the panther, crippling its leg. The beast roared in pain and fury, its attention immediately drawn to the two intruders.
"Your turn, Song Qing," Bibi Dong said, her voice calm despite the dangerous creature before them. "Remember what you felt during the absorption of your first ring. Focus and strike."
Song Qing nodded, his initial nervousness replaced by a growing confidence. He summoned his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit once more, the shadowy dragon materializing behind him.
He focused his soul power, and a larger, more potent ball of abyssal energy formed in his hand. With a determined shout, he launched it at the injured panther.
The dark energy slammed into the panther, and it let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing. Another purple soul ring, this one glowing with a more pronounced purple hue, rose from its body and floated towards Song Qing.
He repeated the process, guiding the second spirit ring into his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit. The influx of energy was even stronger this time, and he could feel his soul power rapidly increasing.
The absorption took a little longer, but he remained focused, guided by the memory of the first time and the unwavering presence of his teacher.
When the process was complete, Song Qing opened his eyes, feeling an incredible surge of power. He could sense the two new abilities his spirit had gained, the Abyssal Claw and Shadow Dragon Wings.
"Excellent," Bibi Dong said, observing him with a keen gaze. "That spirit ring was just over two thousand years old. You have absorbed two spirit rings of exceptional quality in a single day. Remarkable."
Song Qing could feel the change within him. He focused his inner senses, and a smile touched his lips. "My soul power… it has reached Level 26, Teacher."
Bibi Dong's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her usually composed features. "Level 26? In such a short time… truly extraordinary. Your talent surpasses even my initial expectations."
"Thank you, Teacher," Song Qing said, his voice filled with genuine excitement. He had taken his first steps on the path of a Spirit Master, and the journey had just begun.
"This has been a successful venture," Bibi Dong said, turning to lead the way back towards their carriage. "You have proven your potential, Song Qing. Now, the real training begins."
As they walked through the forest, Bibi Dong spoke of the rigorous training regimen that awaited him, the mastery of his spirit abilities, and the importance of discipline and focus. Song Qing listened intently, absorbing her every word, his mind already racing with plans and possibilities.