The orphanage courtyard felt smaller that morning.
Servants from the Crown Prince's residence waited respectfully outside the gates. Imperial guards stood at a distance, disciplined and silent, their armor reflecting the pale winter sun.
Luo Tian stood before Aunt Bing.
For the first time since transmigrating, something unfamiliar pressed against his chest.
Reluctance.
Aunt Bing adjusted his collar, though it did not need adjusting.
"You've grown up very quickly, Tian'er," she said softly.
He tried to smile. "I'm only six."She laughed faintly, though her eyes were moist. "No. You were never truly six."
He didn't answer that.
Because she was right.
She adjusted his collar one last time.
"No matter how high you climb, remember kindness. Talent is rare, but character is rarer."
"I won't forget," he replied seriously.
"Remember to eat properly. Don't train until you collapse. And…" she hesitated, "…don't forget this place."
He shook his head firmly.
"I won't."
And he meant it.
It wasn't a polite answer.
It was a promise.
Not out of obligation—
But gratitude.
Without this place, he would have been nothing more than an abandoned infant in the snow.
Aunt Bing stepped back and bowed toward the approaching Crown Prince.
Xue Qinghe stood with effortless elegance, hands Aunt Bing stepped back and bowed toward the approaching Crown Prince.
Xue Qinghe stood with effortless elegance, hands folded within his sleeves.
"Rest assured," Xue Qinghe said gently, "the Empire will not mistreat its talent."
His tone was calm. Measured. Reassuring without excess.
Luo Tian bowed deeply to the matron.
To the orphanage.
To the past.
Then he turned and walked toward the carriage.
He did not look back.
Because this was not a departure of regret.
This path—
Was his choice.
It was the beginning of ascent.
The Throne Room
The imperial palace of Heaven Dou City was vast and solemn.
Marble pillars rose like silent sentinels. Gold-threaded banners swayed slightly in the draft of the grand hall.
Luo Tian waited outside the throne room as protocol demanded.
Inside, voices echoed faintly.
Upon the throne sat the Emperor of Heaven Dou, gaze calm yet piercing despite the years etched upon his face.
"I heard," the Emperor said, looking at his son, "that you have recruited a child with Titled Douluo potential."
Xue Qinghe bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Father. Spatial attribute. Innate full soul power. His comprehension is also exceptional."
The Emperor nodded slowly.
"A rare seed indeed."
His gaze shifted briefly toward the hall entrance where Luo Tian stood waiting.
"Cultivate him well. The Empire requires pillars for the future."
There was no praise in his tone.
Only expectation.
After a brief pause, he added casually,
"As for the child — grant him a hereditary noble title. No fief. A residence near Qinghe's estate will suffice."
Recognition.
But controlled.
Elevation.
Without independent power.
Balanced.
Xue Qinghe bowed once more.
"As you command."
Outside, Luo Tian lowered his eyes slightly.
A noble title without land meant status without autonomy.
He understood the message.
He was valued—
But also positioned.
He accepted it calmly.
On this continent, every step upward came with invisible threads attached.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan
Within the elegant hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, steam curled gently above porcelain teacups.
Ning Fengzhi poured tea with composed grace.
Beside him sat two towering presences.
Chen Xin.
Gu Rong.
Chen Xin exhaled softly.
"He would have been a perfect guardian for Rongrong… alas."
There was no resentment.
Only faint regret.
Gu Rong folded his arms.
"Pure spatial attribute is extremely rare. Even I pursued the dragon and defensive path. His mastery of space alone may surpass mine in time."
Ning Fengzhi smiled lightly.
"Uncles, the boy chose Qinghe. And with Qinghe's relationship to our clan, that is acceptable."
He set the teacup down.
"A forced melon is not sweet. We will show goodwill. The future is long."
Both Titled Douluos nodded.
Some investments matured better when left untouched.
Talent lost was not always opportunity lost.
Sometimes patience yielded better returns.
Spirit Hall
Far away, beneath towering gothic arches—
Spirit Hall stood in solemn silence.
Upon the papal throne sat—
Bibi Dong.
A report rested between her fingers.
"Spatial attribute. Full innate soul power…"
Her lips curved slightly.
"So you have found yourself a good seed."
The hall felt colder.
She waved her hand.
"Leave."
When her subordinates withdrew, her gaze drifted toward the distant horizon.
"He chose the Empire."
A faint whisper escaped her.
"Very well."
For now—
She would watch.
The New Residence
The residence granted to Luo Tian was modest by noble standards—
But to him, it was extravagant.
Polished floors reflected warm light. The courtyard was wide enough for proper training. Servants stood respectfully at attention. A dignified butler introduced himself with impeccable manners.
Luo Tian walked slowly through the halls, hands clasped behind his back.
A grin crept onto his face.
"Heh… corrupt money life."
He glanced at the carved pillars.
"Me likey."
"Corrupt?" an amused voice sounded behind him.
He stiffened and turned immediately.
"Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe raised an eyebrow.
"No need for such formality. Call me Big Brother Qinghe."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Hm?"
Luo Tian coughed lightly.
"…Big Brother Qinghe."
A satisfied smile appeared.
"That's better."
They walked together into the courtyard.
"Settle down today," Xue Qinghe said. "Tomorrow we will discuss your first spirit ring. Do you have a preferred direction?"
Luo Tian shook his head respectfully.
"Big Brother Qinghe, please arrange it."
He did not intend to rely on half-remembered fragments from his previous life about spirit beasts .
Experts existed for a reason.
Xue Qinghe nodded approvingly.
"Good."
He gestured toward a tall man waiting nearby.
"This is Xiao Xuan. Level 73 Soul Douluo. Martial soul — Blazing Tiger. He will be responsible for your safety."
Xiao Xuan bowed slightly.
Luo Tian felt the steady heat radiating from him.
Strong. Controlled. Reliable.
"If you have questions," Xue Qinghe continued, "ask him. Within one month, you will enroll in Heaven Dou Primary Academy at the start of the new term. Is that acceptable, little brother?"
"Of course, Big Brother."
"Excellent."
Then Xue Qinghe extended his hand.
A simple silver bracelet lay across his palm.
"This will be helpful to you."
The moment it touched Luo Tian's wrist—
His consciousness instinctively brushed against it.
And he froze.
Without guidance.
Without instruction.
Space folded inward.
A vast internal dimension unfolded within his perception.
Roughly one hundred square meters.
Stable.
Clear.
Accessible.
A spatial storage soul tool.
His breath caught.
He did not need to be taught how to use it.
His spatial affinity synchronized naturally.
He looked up.
Xue Qinghe watched him with faint amusement.
"Looks like you can use it."
Luo Tian straightened and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Big Brother Qinghe."
This time—
There was no calculation in his gratitude.
Only sincerity.
As the Crown Prince departed, Luo Tian remained standing in the courtyard.
The void cube within his spirit sea rotated slowly.
Frost lightning pulsed beneath it.
His mind began moving.
Immortal herbs.
Opportunities from the original story.
Strategic advantages.
'If Spirit Hall changed Popes roughly six years ago—
Then timeline-wise…
I should be around the same age as Tang San hmm, no need to interfere unnecessarily.
As long as Tang San walked his wooden bridge—I would walk my cooler space bridge.'
He smirked slightly at his own joke.
Then his thoughts turned sharper.
Dual martial souls would strain his body.
Frost lightning was violent.
Spatial manipulation was taxing.
A powerful healing-type soul skill…
Perhaps even that legendary hundred-thousand-year opportunity…
He would need it.
"I'm committing double standards," he muttered lightly.
"But better a dead fellow Daoist than dead me."
He looked toward the sky.
The future was bright.
But it would not be handed to him.
Luck had brought him here.
Strategy would keep him alive.
Power would secure everything else.
He clenched his fist slightly.
"One step at a time."
And beneath the calm winter sky of Heaven Dou—
A new variable had quietly begun its rise.
He exhaled slowly.