Douluo Continent, Star Luo Empire, Haiyuan City.
The gentle sunlight cascaded onto the city lord's manor lawn, casting a thin, golden veil over the emerald green grass.
A girl, appearing to be fourteen or fifteen years old, knelt gracefully upon the lawn.
Her waterfall-like black hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders, shimmering with an enchanting luster under the sun's rays.
A simple yet exquisite light purple dress perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.
At this moment, her slender, beautiful legs were flawlessly encased in sheer black stockings, exuding an indescribable allure.
Resting on these striking legs was a six-year-old boy with white hair and red eyes—Lu Jingming.
He was blissfully enjoying the exclusive comfort of a lap pillow, his face beaming with contentment and satisfaction.
The black-haired girl's fair, jade-like fingers were gently and rhythmically pressing on Lu Jingming's forehead and temples, her technique practiced and natural.
From her flowing movements, it was evident that she must have spent considerable time and effort diligently mastering this massage technique, and all this effort was solely for the person before her.
Lu Jingming comfortably shifted, a pleasant scent wafting to his nose. He knew the girl didn't have a habit of using perfume; this was her natural fragrance, one that had a captivating effect.
Resting on those soft thighs, Lu Jingming couldn't help but sigh, acknowledging how quickly girls grew up.
He remembered the first time he met the girl; she was a terrified little girl who had just lost her family, crying her eyes out. Six years had flown by, and the little girl had completely transformed, both in appearance and personality.
Feeling the boy's intimate movement, two delicate blushes instantly rose on the girl's cheeks, like peach blossoms blooming in spring.
She subconsciously closed her legs, yet there was no hint of rejection in her eyes. Her gaze towards Lu Jingming was filled with doting affection, as if he were the most precious treasure in the world.
"Xiaoming, today is the day you awaken your martial soul! If we're late, Teacher Jingliu will punish you again," the black-haired girl gently stroked Lu Jingming's snow-white hair as she suddenly remembered something extremely important, quickly reminding him in a soft voice.
The black-haired girl's voice was gentle and melodious, like a yellow oriole singing in the forest, carrying a hint of concern.
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingming stiffened abruptly, as if struck by Medusa's petrifying gaze.
Memories of Teacher Jingliu's past punishments flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but shiver involuntarily.
Jingliu was indeed a rare and excellent teacher, strict and meticulous in her instruction, sharing everything she knew with her students.
However, at times, she was relentlessly demanding, especially towards Lu Jingming. Since the age of three, Jingliu had required Lu Jingming to practice swordsmanship.
In those days, the young boy faced arduous and monotonous training, constantly complaining and even throwing tantrums, trying to sway the cold and aloof female swordswoman. Yet, Jingliu remained unmoved.
Even the girl, Jingliu's prized disciple whom she had personally trained, dared not easily plead for Lu Jingming when faced with Jingliu's strictness.
All she could do was use the massage techniques she had specially learned to help him alleviate his physical fatigue after his strenuous training. This was precisely why she had diligently practiced her massage skills.
"Sister Lexuan, why didn't you tell me earlier! Oh no, oh no, now that I've stood up the teacher, I won't have a good day for the next month!"
Lu Jingming cried out, scrambling frantically from Zhang Lexuan's lap.
Before he finished speaking, he sprang up and shot off like a gust of wind, rushing towards the Awakening Hall in the city lord's manor.
Today was an extraordinarily significant day for Lu Jingming. Having turned six, he was about to experience the crucial moment of his martial soul awakening.
Jingliu had already meticulously prepared the highest-level awakening ceremony for him, but he had been so engrossed in Zhang Lexuan's irresistibly skilled massage that he had temporarily forgotten such an important matter.
If not for Zhang Lexuan's timely reminder, he might have truly, unwittingly, stood up Jingliu.
Watching Lu Jingming's hurried departure, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
Then, as if remembering something, her expression grew somewhat wistful, and she softly murmured, "It's already been six years!"
Remembering what happened six years ago, a trace of sorrow flashed in Zhang Lexuan's eyes. She originally had a happy and complete family, but due to a sea soul beast invasion, the pillar of her family, her father, died on the battlefield fighting the sea soul beasts.
Because of the death of the only Soul Saint expert, the family's enemies took advantage of the weakness and slaughtered the entire Zhang family. She narrowly escaped death by playing hide-and-seek with her mother and hiding.
Originally, she wanted to secretly escape, then find a way to become stronger and return for revenge. However, she didn't expect that the group who had just slaughtered the Zhang family would be individually slain by a peerless sword immortal wielding a sword of ice.
At that time, the sword immortal was holding a newborn baby in her arms. Remembering that baby, Zhang Lexuan showed a gentle smile. Because that baby was none other than the young boy, Lu Jingming, who had just left. He was also the biological son of her father's sworn brother, and moreover, her fiancé.
So, she had only deliberately frightened Lu Jingming just now. Who told this little fellow to be so mischievous and disobedient at such a young age?
But then again, how could she truly bear to let Lu Jingming be punished for being late?
In her heart, Lu Jingming was an incredibly precious existence; how could she ever bear to let him suffer?
Lu Jingming ran frantically, the wind whistling past his ears.
Along the way, the city lord's guards and maids bowed to him, respectfully addressing him as "City Lord."
Why was Lu Jingming, a mere six-year-old boy, the city lord? This was due to a change that occurred six years ago.
Six years ago, Lu Jingming had just transmigrated. His father in this life had died defending against a sea soul beast invasion, and his mother, who hadn't yet had time to fully experience the joy of motherhood, received the devastating news of her husband's death.
This sudden and immense blow was too much for her already weak body and mind to bear.
In extreme grief and weakness, she only managed to glance at her newborn son before passing away with endless regret.
This series of events completely stunned Lu Jingming, who had just reincarnated onto the Douluo Continent.
He had only just arrived in this world, and before he could properly familiarize himself with everything, he had consecutively lost both his parents in this life, making him wonder if he was destined to be an orphaned star.