THIS STORY TAKES PLACE 23 YEARS BEFORE THE MAIN TALE BEGINS – A LEGEND THAT WILL BE TOLD FOR 10,000 YEARS IN THE LAND OF DOULUO!
[Brief flashback: Baby Arthur cries in the cold on a dark porch, lightning flashing in the distance...]
"CRACK!"
The sound of that infant's wail still echoed clearly in Uncle Jack's memory, though six years had passed. Now, beneath the shady tree in Saint Village, five-year-old Arthur slowly opened his eyes.
"Hah... another peaceful day after training," he murmured, wiping sweat from his brow. "This reminds me of when I first tried doing push-ups."
[Quick memory: Four-year-old Arthur falls face-first into the dirt, then rises with burning determination...]
"I was right! This body is too special to waste!" He smiled, observing the emerging strength in his arms. "Speaking of which, is Uncle Jack done working in the garden?"
The difference between present-day Uncle Jack and future Old Jack was striking. This version was in his mid-30s - upright posture, jet-black hair, always energetic. A far cry from the future gray-haired, slightly hunched yet wise-eyed Old Jack.
Arthur's gaze drifted toward the garden, remembering how Uncle Jack had once forbidden him from helping. Now, with permission granted, their harvests overflowed - tangible proof of Arthur's hard work.
"I've trained and learned this body's limits..." His fists clenched tightly as he recalled the "White Aura Hunt" meditation technique he'd begun mastering. That mysterious energy always intrigued him.
Tomorrow would be decisive. At six years old, Arthur would undergo the wuhun awakening ritual that would determine his future.
"Art, are you ready to awaken your wuhun spirit tomorrow?" Uncle Jack asked, his face a mix of worry and hope.
"Absolutely, Uncle!" Arthur answered with unshakable confidence. "I'm not a little kid anymore!"
The setting sun cast long shadows from the great tree - silent witness to Arthur's journey from abandoned infant to the dawn of a legend. In the distance, smoke curled from Uncle Jack's chimney, signaling the end of another long day.
The crowing of roosters echoed as dawn broke on the horizon, heralding a new day—a day that would determine the fate of our protagonist, Art!
" Art, wake up! Today's the day we gather at the Saint Village's Wuhun Hall!"
"Relax, Uncle! It's still early..."
"You brat! How many times must I tell you? Don't overexert yourself, especially on an important day like this!"
Indeed, Art didn't just train his body—he also honed his mind through meditation, using his "White Aura Hunt" technique. This was the so-called "cheat" people knew him for as a transmigrator. But little did they know… he still had another hidden cheat, one even he wasn't fully aware of yet!
"Enough lazing around! Go wash up! Breakfast is on the table. I'll go warn the other kids to be on time!"
"Yeah, yeah… I'll shower in five minutes!"
One hours later…
"Wow, the usually quiet Wuhun Hall is packed today!"
"You brat! Finally decided to show up? I thought you'd overslept again!"
"Hahaha! Of course not!" (In his mind: "Uncle's instincts are way too sharp…")
After waiting for about 30 minutes, a figure suddenly darted across the rooftops at blinding speed! It was an envoy from the Wuhun Palace—the one tasked with awakening their "Wuhun Spirits"!
"Greetings! We thank the Wuhun Master from the Spirit Hall for honoring our humble village with your presence!"
"No need for formalities. It is our duty to awaken Wuhun Spirits under the decree of the Wuhun Pope."
After the exchange of pleasantries, the children were ushered into the hall. *Hmm… this guy looks oddly familiar… Art, thought. He resembles that Spirit Awakener from Tang San's story—Su Yantao! Could they be related?* But the mystery remained, as the master never gave his name—only revealing his Ironclaw Wolf Spirit and two yellow soul rings!
"Alright, let us begin the Wuhun Spirit Awakening!"
(Art's inner thoughts: "Just as I thought… Even someone with just two soul rings is this intimidating!" )
There were about twelve children in the hall, with Art at the very end since he arrived last. Normally, awakening took five minutes per child, but an anomaly appeared—one kid took ten whole minutes!
One hour later…now it's Arthur turn
(The master's thoughts: "What's going on with this kid? He's taking twice as long! Could he possess a Soul Power?" )
After ten minutes, the awakening formation dimmed… but no visible Wuhun Spirit emerged from the child's body!
"Boy, have you awakened your Wuhun Spirit? If so, can you show it to me?"
"Can't you see the white aura swirling around my hand?"
"Hmm… I think I understand now. This might be a mutated Wuhun Spirit… but in your case, I can't tell if it's a good or bad mutation."
"Can I test my spirit's power?"
"Of course, child. But even if your Wuhun is mutated, that doesn't guarantee it has Soul Power."
"Still… will you give me a chance?" Art said, his voice filled with "determination".
TO BE CONTINUED…