Before the sun had fully risen, the world was still cloaked in pale mist and half-light. Xiao Tianyang had already finished washing and quietly stepped out of his small home.
There wasn't a specific destination in mind—he was simply wandering. Part of it was to familiarize himself with Holy Soul Village, but the bigger reason was clear: find where Tang San trained each day.
"Contact is easy," Xiao Tianyang muttered to himself as he walked. "But building a real friendship… that'll take work."
Still, his heart was calm.
After all, he and Tang San shared the same secret—they were both reincarnators from another world. Even if he never exposed that fact, the similarity gave Xiao Tianyang confidence that they'd get along naturally.
More importantly, treating Tang San like an ordinary child was foolish. That boy would one day become a god.
Approaching him with ulterior motives or pretending to be overly friendly would only create distance. The key was to stay pure, natural, and unforced.
Holy Soul Village wasn't large—barely a hundred families. After walking the main paths and looping through the side alleys, Xiao Tianyang confirmed it: Tang San's training ground wasn't within the village.
He eventually climbed a hill at the edge of the forest, where the cool wind swept through the trees, and the first light of dawn crept over the horizon.
And then—soft footsteps echoed behind him.
Xiao Tianyang didn't turn around. He already knew who it was.
Sure enough, a familiar voice called out.
"You're… the kid from yesterday?"
Xiao Tianyang turned slowly. His face was blank, but his eyes held a faint trace of wariness.
Standing not far away, Tang San paused, studying him.
"I remember you. My father brought you back yesterday."
He walked over and sat beside Xiao Tianyang without hesitation. "If it hurts too much… you can cry. It's okay."
Xiao Tianyang was momentarily stunned.
He hadn't even initiated anything yet, and Tang San—Tang San, the cold and guarded protagonist—had already started the conversation?
'This doesn't follow the script at all…'
But he quickly understood.
He wasn't a stranger in the village—he'd grown up here. His existence wasn't suspicious in the slightest.
And Tang San? At this point, the boy had few secrets to guard. He didn't even know his true lineage yet. The only thing hidden was his identity as a transmigrator, and that wasn't something others could uncover by guessing.
In fact, Xiao Tianyang's silence and restraint had triggered Tang San's sympathy.
Compared to his own situation—at least he still had a father—Xiao Tianyang had nothing. That kind of loneliness… was something Tang San understood all too well.
Realizing this, Xiao Tianyang relaxed slightly and began to chat with him.
It was awkward at first—just short sentences, small talk—but it matched his current image perfectly. Shy. Reserved. Recovering.
Surprisingly, the two began to hit it off.
They were both cautious by nature. Both outsiders in spirit. Both with knowledge far beyond their peers.
Gradually, the conversation flowed.
Tang San smiled more than once.
In this village, he'd never had a real friend—someone who didn't treat him like a child or mock his odd personality. Most kids his age were either too loud or too naive.
But Xiao Tianyang felt different. Someone he could truly talk to.
And then—
Ding!
Side Mission Completed: [Contact Tang San]
Reward: +10 Lottery Points!
As the sun peeked over the mountain ridge, golden rays washing over the two boys, Xiao Tianyang received the system prompt and sighed inwardly with relief.
'Looks like it worked. Tang San recognizes me as a friend now.'
Then, beside him, Tang San stood up and stretched.
"I'm going to start my training. What about you?"
"I'll stay here. Just watching," Xiao Tianyang replied calmly, turning his eyes toward the horizon.
Of course, he knew what Tang San was up to—cultivating the Purple Demon Eye, a technique passed down from his mysterious teacher of a previous life.
And Xiao Tianyang had no intention of interfering.
He wasn't the type to pry into secrets. Especially those belonging to someone like Tang San.
Hearing this, Tang San nodded and sat cross-legged. In no time, he entered a deep meditative state.
But would Xiao Tianyang really just sit and wait?
Of course not.
As the sun rose higher, the heat of its rays seemed to activate something within him.
The Nine Yang Divine Art and the Red Lotus Karmic Fire in his body began to stir—responding to the sunlight like a flame feeding on fuel.
Before he could resist, Xiao Tianyang was drawn into his own cultivation.
Soul power surged through his meridians, spreading warmth and strength. His body felt like a divine furnace—burning away impurities and refining his very essence. Beads of sweat rolled down his skin, carrying away toxins. His mind became light, serene.
In his dantian, the Red Lotus Karmic Fire glowed faintly.
It didn't rage, but it burned steadily—purifying not just his body, but his karma.
Sins from his past life, lingering negativity from this one—bit by bit, it was all scorched clean.
It wasn't painful. But it wasn't comfortable, either.
Time passed.
A gentle push on his shoulder brought him back to awareness.
"Tianyang, are you okay?"
Xiao Tianyang blinked and saw Tang San looking at him with concern.
He sat up straight and shook his head. "I'm fine."
Tang San studied him for a moment longer. Something felt… different. His presence had changed, somehow.
More refined. More natural.
But he didn't press.
Meanwhile, Xiao Tianyang wasn't paying attention to Tang San's scrutiny. He had just opened the system panel, and what he saw left him momentarily speechless.
Host: Xiao Tianyang
Physique: Pseudo·Pure Body
(Unaffected by karmic consequences of killing. Natural harmony with all things.)
Level: 6 – Soul Warrior
Martial Spirit: Red Lotus Karmic Fire
(Burns karmic ties, cleanses sins.)
Soul Skills: None
Soul Bones: None
Draw Points: 10
There were two things that immediately stood out.
First—the usual "Identity" column had been replaced by Physique. That alone was a major shift.
Second—his level had decreased instead of increasing.
But the paradox?
His strength hadn't weakened at all. If anything, it felt stronger.
Xiao Tianyang frowned. "System, what's going on? Why did my level drop after training?"
The system responded instantly:
"Answer: The fusion between [Nine Yang Divine Art] and [Red Lotus Karmic Fire] has reached 230%, surpassing standard limits. This enhances physical attributes and soul power quality, resulting in a recalibration of level classification."
Xiao Tianyang's eyes lit up. "So I didn't get weaker… My foundation just improved?"
"Correct. Yesterday's strength was artificially boosted via elixirs. Only during sunrise can the Nine Yang Divine Art and Red Lotus Fire resonate fully, triggering true tempering effects."
Xiao Tianyang nodded slowly, understanding now.
'Elixirs gave me strength, but cultivation at dawn refines it.'
It was the difference between inflated power… and real growth.
And this was just the beginning.