Chapter 2: The First Collection
The dawn air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and freshly turned earth. Holy Soul Village stirred slowly, its thatched roofs peeking through the morning mist like islands in a sea of haze. I crouched behind a gnarled oak, my breath shallow, eyes fixed on Tang San's slight figure by the forge. His routine was clockwork—meditation at dawn, then a series of precise movements, each one laced with the grace of his Tang Sect training. I'd seen it before, but today was different. Today, I had the Attribute Collection System, its glowing panel still vivid in my mind from yesterday's revelation.
The system's chime from the day before echoed in my thoughts: *Mysterious Heaven Technique acquired*. I hadn't dared explore it yet, too overwhelmed by the flood of knowledge that had settled in my mind like a half-remembered dream. It was there, waiting, but I needed time to unravel it. More importantly, I needed to test this system. Could it really collect attributes, techniques, even soul power, just by being near someone like Tang San? If so, today was my chance to find out.
I shifted closer, keeping low to avoid detection. Tang San was practicing now, his hands flowing through a series of strikes—Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, I recognized from my old world's knowledge of *Douluo Dalu*. His movements were a blur, feet gliding over the grass as if he weighed nothing. My heart thudded. If the system could pick up something as tangible as the Mysterious Heaven Technique, what else could it snatch from Tang San's orbit?
*Ding! Detected attribute: Agility +0.1. Do you want to pick up? Yes/No.*
The system's voice cut through my thoughts, and the glowing panel flickered before my eyes. My jaw tightened with excitement. Agility—straight from Tang San's movements. I whispered, "Yes," and a faint warmth pulsed through my legs, subtle but real, like a spark settling into my muscles. The panel updated instantly:
*Status Window:*
- *Name*: Fang Shen
- *Age*: 5 years, 11 months, 21 days
- *Race*: Human
- *Strength*: 0.4
- *Speed*: 0.4 (Average male speed: 1)
- *Endurance*: 0.5
- *Mental Power*: 1.6
- *Soul Power*: 0.5
- *Martial Soul*: Unawakened (Blue Silver Grass)
- *Soul Ring*: None
Speed had ticked up from 0.3 to 0.4. Small, but undeniable. I flexed my legs, feeling a faint lightness I hadn't noticed before. The system was real, and it was working. My mind raced with possibilities. If I stayed close to Tang San, could I siphon more? His techniques, his soul power, maybe even fragments of his Clear Sky Hammer lineage? The thought sent a shiver down my spine—not of fear, but of hunger.
Tang San paused, wiping sweat from his brow, and I ducked lower, my heart pounding. I couldn't get caught, not yet. I needed to be smart, to build trust. Rushing in now would only raise suspicion. He was sharp, far sharper than any six-year-old should be, and I wasn't ready to explain a glowing system panel or my sudden interest in his training.
Instead, I waited until he began walking back toward the forge, his small figure disappearing into the mist. I crept out from my hiding spot, brushing dirt from my patched trousers, and headed toward the village square. Old Jack, the village chief, would be there soon, organizing the kids for morning chores. That was my chance to get closer to Tang San naturally, without tipping my hand.
The square was already bustling when I arrived. Kids my age hauled buckets or carried baskets of vegetables, their chatter filling the air. Tang San stood near the edge, tying a bundle of kindling, his expression calm but distant. I took a breath, steadying myself, and approached.
"Hey, Tang San," I called, keeping my voice light. "Need a hand with that?"
He glanced up, his dark eyes assessing me for a moment before he nodded. "Sure. Grab the other end."
I jogged over, gripping the bundle's rough twine. As we worked, I kept my movements deliberate, watching for any chance to trigger the system. Nothing came—no chime, no panel. I frowned inwardly. Maybe it needed more than just proximity. Maybe I had to be near him when he was actively using his skills or techniques.
We finished tying the bundle, and Tang San gave me a small nod. "Thanks, Fang Shen."
"No problem," I said, forcing a grin. "You're always out here early, huh? Training or something?"
His eyes flickered, just for a moment, like he was weighing my words. "Just exercises. Keeps me focused."
I nodded, not pushing further. "Fair enough. Maybe I'll join you sometime. Could use some focus myself."
He didn't reply, just hefted the kindling onto his shoulder and started toward the forge. I let him go, my mind already spinning. That brief interaction hadn't triggered the system, but it was a start. A seed planted. If I could make these moments regular—helping with chores, sharing small talk—I'd have more chances to be near him when he trained or used his Tang Sect arts.
As I turned back to the square, the system chimed again, startling me.
*Ding! Detected attribute: Soul Power +0.1. Do you want to pick up? Yes/No.*
I froze. Soul Power? But Tang San hadn't done anything—no meditation, no techniques. I scanned the square, my eyes darting over the other kids. Then it hit me. The spirit awakening ceremony was a month away, but soul power wasn't exclusive to Tang San. Every kid here had a spark of it, even if unawakened. The system must have picked up a trace from someone nearby, maybe even from the collective energy of the village kids.
"Yes," I whispered, and the warmth returned, this time settling in my chest, like a faint pulse of energy. The panel updated:
*Soul Power*: 0.6
I grinned, unable to help myself. The system wasn't just tied to Tang San—it could collect from anyone, anything, as long as I was close enough. The village, small as it was, was a goldmine of tiny attributes waiting to be harvested. And Tang San? He was the jackpot.
That night, in the dim light of the orphanage hut, I sat cross-legged on my straw mat, focusing on the Mysterious Heaven Technique. The knowledge was there, complex and layered, but I could feel it starting to take root. My breathing slowed, mimicking what I'd seen Tang San do, and a faint warmth spread through my body. It wasn't much, but it was a start. The system had given me a spark, and I'd fan it into a flame.
Tomorrow, I'd stick closer to Tang San, maybe offer to train with him. I'd watch, learn, and collect. The spirit awakening ceremony was coming, and with it, my chance to step into this world's true power. Blue Silver Grass or not, I wasn't just an orphan anymore. I was Fang Shen, host of the Attribute Collection System, and I was going to carve my name into the Douluo Continent alongside its greatest legend.