Douluo Continent, Fasnuo Province, Notting City.
"This child's martial spirit... could it be a beast-type?"
Inside Notting City's Spirit Hall, a young man clad in the deacon's uniform studied the boy before him, uncertainty flickering across his face.
"Su Yuntao, is this the last one for today's awakening ceremony?" An elderly voice interrupted his thoughts as an old man entered, surveying the awakening room where only a single child remained.
"Master Matthias." Su Yuntao straightened immediately, offering a respectful salute before continuing, "This child possesses a martial spirit I've never encountered before. Should we document it in the records?"
"Oh? A previously unknown martial spirit?" Interest sparked in Matthias's eyes. "Absolutely document it. Any new discovery warrants proper recording." With that, he retreated to the office across the hall.
Su Yuntao nodded, then turned his attention back to the young boy once Matthias had departed. His expression softened. "Child, what's your name?"
"My name is Cheng Xiao, Master Su Yuntao."
"Cheng Xiao..." Su Yuntao smiled warmly. "Your parents must be quite learned spirit masters to give you such a name."
Cheng Xiao simply nodded, offering no response.
After all, as a transmigrator from Blue Star, being orphaned seemed almost mandatory. When he'd arrived in Douluo Continent, the village chief of Cheng Family Village—neighbor to Holy Soul Village—had raised him as his own.
"So then, Cheng Xiao, what exactly is your martial spirit? You mentioned it's beast-type?" Su Yuntao's curiosity was palpable.
Cheng Xiao rubbed his nose and glanced over his shoulder at the towering figure behind him—the Shadow King, draped in a dark purple cloak and armor, purple light emanating from the gaps in its helmet. He hesitated before answering. "Master Su Yuntao, my martial spirit is called Shadow Soldier. It is indeed beast-type."
"A beast spirit, just as I thought!" Su Yuntao's eyes lit up with confirmation. He retrieved a blue crystal orb from nearby, his smile broadening. "Cheng Xiao, let's test your spirit power."
"Yes, sir." Cheng Xiao stepped forward, extending his right hand toward the crystal.
The instant his palm made contact, dark purple radiance erupted throughout the entire Spirit Hall.
"Heavens above!" Su Yuntao gasped. "Innate full spirit power! This child possesses innate full spirit power!"
Staring at the small figure before him, Su Yuntao's mind raced with possibilities. If he could recruit Cheng Xiao into Spirit Hall, wouldn't a promotion and raise be all but guaranteed?
"Ahem... Cheng Xiao," Su Yuntao ventured carefully, "would you be willing to join Spirit Hall?"
"Uh..." Cheng Xiao scratched his head sheepishly. "Master Su Yuntao, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
"What?" The deacon blinked in surprise. "You... don't wish to join Spirit Hall?"
"Master Su Yuntao, I want to walk the path of a free spirit master, so..." Cheng Xiao paused, choosing his words carefully.
"A free... spirit master." Hearing such words from a child's lips brought a bittersweet expression to Su Yuntao's face. Once upon a time, he too had harbored such dreams. But reality was cruel—he'd never achieved that freedom.
In Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme.
"I see... very well." Su Yuntao exhaled slowly, studying Cheng Xiao's youthful features. A smile tugged at his lips despite himself. "I believe in you. With your innate full spirit power, you have the potential to shake this world. Since you've chosen the path of a free spirit master, I won't force you to join Spirit Hall. This is your decision to make."
"Thank you, Master Su Yuntao." Genuine gratitude shone in Cheng Xiao's eyes.
"Don't mention it." Su Yuntao waved dismissively, then brightened. "Since you're declining Spirit Hall membership, I'll prepare your Spirit Certificate. With that document, any junior academy will be eager to accept you."
Cheng Xiao nodded, and after completing the necessary paperwork with Su Yuntao, the two emerged from the awakening room together.
The moment the door swung open, the village chief rushed forward, anxiety etched across his weathered face.
"Master Deacon, well? Can our little Xiao become a spirit master?"
Before the old man could continue his nervous rambling, Su Yuntao broke into a wide grin. "Village Chief Cheng, your grandson has successfully awakened as a spirit master—and what's more, he possesses innate full spirit power!"
"I-innate full spirit power?!" Village Chief Cheng's gaze snapped to Cheng Xiao standing beside the deacon. Shock blossomed across his aged features, quickly transforming into unbridled joy. "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! My grandson has innate full spirit power!"
"Grandpa, not so loud!" Cheng Xiao hurried to his grandfather's side, tugging at his sleeve.
"Cheng Xiao, though you haven't joined Spirit Hall, if you ever find yourself in trouble, my door is always open." Su Yuntao's tone was sincere.
"Xiao Xiao, quickly thank the master deacon!" Village Chief Cheng immediately nudged his grandson's shoulder.
"No need for that." Su Yuntao raised a hand, smiling. "I still need to visit Holy Soul Village today, so I won't keep you any longer."
With a final warm glance at Cheng Xiao, Su Yuntao strode away.
The moment they returned to the village, Chief Cheng couldn't contain himself—he announced to everyone that his grandson possessed innate full spirit power. His joy was infectious, his grin seemingly permanent.
Cheng Xiao could only shake his head helplessly. But what could he do? His grandfather's pride was endearing, and he had no heart to dampen the old man's happiness.
However, one pressing matter demanded his attention: now that he'd awakened the Shadow Monarch's martial spirit, could he raise the dead as shadow soldiers like in his memories?
The next morning.
Cheng Xiao wasted no time purchasing a live chicken from a neighbor. Soul beasts were beyond his current means, but common poultry? That was manageable.
After preparing the chicken, Cheng Xiao drew a deep breath and summoned his martial spirit. His voice dropped to a commanding tone: "Arise."
[......]
Silence.
"Well... that was a failure." Disappointment colored his sigh.
Just then, a voice resonated within his mind—clear yet low, plain yet majestic.
"I am Ashborn, the Shadow Monarch. New inheritor of my power... are you prepared to accept what I offer?"
"Ashborn!" Cheng Xiao's pupils constricted. He knew the Shadow Monarch well—after all, it was because he'd stayed up all night binge-reading Solo Leveling that he'd been too exhausted the next morning. He'd missed both the stairs and the elevator... and somehow ended up here.
"It seems my power's arrival in this world is intimately connected to you, my successor," Ashborn observed.
"It... appears so." Cheng Xiao scratched his head, embarrassment creeping in.
"How intriguing. This world's power structure is quite fascinating. And above this realm... there exists an even greater force."
"Those are gods—divine beings who transcend this world," Cheng Xiao explained.
"Gods? I haven't heard that title in quite some time." A hint of nostalgia colored Ashborn's tone. "Accept my power, and you shall become the third Shadow Monarch!"
As the words faded, Cheng Xiao felt something grip his heart—it began pounding violently, as though an immense weight pressed against his chest, stealing his breath.
The sudden agony overwhelmed him. His legs gave out, and he collapsed, curling into himself like a shrimp.
"You are different from Sung Jinwoo. He possessed a system crafted by the Architect. Due to the differing energies of your world, I cannot grant you the gradual progression he experienced."
"However, the power I've placed within you will strengthen as your level increases. When you grow powerful enough, your shadow army will expand accordingly."
"One person, an entire army—a true monarch. When we meet again... I hope you will have become a genuine Shadow Monarch!"