Chapter 1: The Ostracized Little "Monster"
Upon hearing the notification tone, Li Tianyi opened his tender eyes in surprise and confusion. From his cradle, he saw a woman embracing him, her lips beaming with happiness, and a man beside him, already dancing with excitement.
He couldn't help but grin, a sweet smile. A golden finger? Not bad.
The important thing was, it seemed he wasn't an orphan anymore in this life .
A cold wind blew through the dark, dense jungle, and a heavy rain pattered down from the sky.
A five or six-year-old child, wrapped in tattered animal skins, his face etched with a cold, silent expression. Despite his delicate features, he had a gray, furry tail that awkwardly protruded from his hip.
Ignoring the raindrops splattering on his face, he dragged a giant brown-haired wild boar with one hand, pulling a long, twisting stream of mud along the mountain path, heading for the cave on the cliff ahead.
The meat was grilled over the campfire, dripping with oil and crackling.
Seeing it was almost cooked, Li Tianyi's stern face curled slightly, and he eagerly picked up the barbecue and began to bite into it without caring about his appearance.
After two bites, he suddenly fell silent, his expression darkening. He looked at his gray tail and couldn't help but sigh.
Oh, I thought I would have a happy family in this life, but I didn't expect to be abandoned like a monster at the age of three.
Is he resentful? Is he resentful of his own golden finger? Or is he resentful of his parents who cruelly abandoned him?
Three years have passed, and Li Tianyi doesn't want to dwell on these bitter memories.
In those years, without the mature mind to judge danger and the support of his Saiyan bloodline, a natural warrior, his tiny body would have been preyed upon by the spirit beasts long ago.
"Little mute!"
Hearing the sudden crisp shout from outside the cave, Li Tianyi's cold face couldn't help but soften a little.
Wearing a straw raincoat, a girl who looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old walked in with a happy look on her face.
"Wow, little mute, another master has sent you meat!"
Li Tianyi picked up the roasted beast meat and handed it to her. He thought to himself, where did the masters come from? They are all trying to fool you.
The girl pushed her hand and said, "You, keep it for yourself. I'm here to inform you that this year's village martial arts awakening ceremony will start tomorrow."
Li Tianyi still stretched out the barbecue and looked at her without saying a word.
The girl couldn't resist, stretched out her hand, tore off a piece of shredded meat and stuffed it into her mouth, sighing, "Little mute, it's a waste if you don't go to the foot of the mountain to open a shop with the barbecue skills you learned from the master!"
Li Tianyi shook his head expressionlessly and pointed outside the cave.
"No! I have to go! I can't let my parents know I came to see you." The girl hurriedly stood up and left, turning her head and sticking out her tongue before leaving. "I've known you for so long, and I've never seen you speak or smile."
Li Tianyi watched the girl's hurried retreat, habitually stroking the tip of his nose and began to think.
Tomorrow, could we go to the Holy Soul Village to awaken our spirits? Tang San would probably go too, but unfortunately, he and he were destined to follow different paths.
As a time traveler, he knew this world intimately, and he had already planned his plan in advance.
First, join the Spirit Hall, then find a way to save the unfortunate female pope, who, like himself, was betrayed and isolated by the world.
This was a strong wish he had while reading novels in his previous life, and naturally, it was his determined goal in this one.
As for how confident he was in conquering Bibi Dong, Li Tianyi wasn't sure.
In terms of strength, he wouldn't be worried even if he awakened a useless spirit tomorrow. After all, the Saiyan bloodline was truly abnormal. Not only did it grow stronger with each battle, but it could also transform in various ways.
But emotionally, as a latecomer, he was truly in a difficult position. Bibi Dong deserved such sympathy precisely because of her pure and unwavering love.
Li Tianyi couldn't help but recall the life of Empress Bibi Dong.
She was supposed to be the continent's greatest genius, possessing twin spirits, but she faced her master's cruelty, her lover's fickleness, her daughter's murderous intent, and finally, her untimely death in the Conferred Gods Battle.
Poor woman, in her final moments, she abandoned even her last shred of pride and dignity for the safety of her daughter and disciple.
Li Tianyi clenched his fists, a gleam of determination on his stern face. "Since I've entered this world, I will never let this tragedy happen again."
Qian Daoliu, Golden Crocodile Douluo, Tang San it's best for us to keep to ourselves.
I won't bother you, and you better not mess with me either." A fierce voice echoed through the cave, and a few strands of mysterious gold flashed through Li Tianyi's jet-black hair.
The next day, as Li Tianyi descended the mountain and reached the entrance of Holy Soul Village, he was stopped.
The middle-aged man, holding his pickaxe, looked at Li Tianyi with disgust, saying, "What are you doing here, you long-tailed monster? Get lost!"
Li Tianyi looked at the middle-aged man coldly. Behind him, many villagers were also watching him warily.
"Uncle Zeng! He's here to participate in the martial spirit awakening ceremony."
A crisp voice came from behind the middle-aged man. It was the girl from yesterday, coming to Li Tianyi's rescue.
The middle-aged man looked at Li Tianyi with disdain, his voice sharp, "Him? A monster abandoned by his parents, is he worthy of awakening in the village's Spirit Hall?"
The girl stamped her foot and angrily said, "He's not a monster, he's just a six-year-old child!"
The middle-aged man pointed behind the girl.
"Hey, your dad's here. Ask him if this guy is a monster!"
The girl turned and saw the angry man approaching. She timidly said, "Dad, why are you here?" "I've told you so many times not to have any contact with him! Go home and stay in seclusion for a week today."
Li Tianyi stood silently by, his eyes gleaming coldly.
The girl seemed to think of something and said, "Dad, please let him in. Not only is he young and safe, but even if there is danger, aren't the masters from the Spirit Hall here today?"
The man sighed as he watched his daughter plead, then saw Li Tianyi, who looked just like an ordinary child, except for his tail.
He looked at Li Tianyi and said coldly, "Come in, but don't get your hopes up. You know, even in so many villages, it's hard to find a single soul awakening."
Li Tianyi looked at the girl gratefully, making a gesture that said, "If my soul awakens, I'll definitely repay you."
"Heh, even good people struggle to awaken, let alone a monster like you who scared your parents away."
"Yes, you're just a toad dreaming of reaching the sky. I'll give up after the test. Then get out of our village."
Li Tianyi ignored the scornful and mocking voices around him and stared at the girl seriously.
The girl nodded encouragingly, but a look of doubt crossed her face. Is it really possible? After all, the village hadn't produced a soul master in years.
Led by the girl, Li Tianyi arrived at the Spirit Hall in the center of the village. It was more like a wooden house than a hall.
However, Li Tianyi knew that Spirit Halls were spread across the continent, and this was merely a low-level branch. The female pope he was obsessed with lived in the highest-level Pope's Palace.
Entering the house alone, Li Tianyi was the first to spot a young man with sharp eyebrows and sparkling eyes, dressed in a white suit and a black cape, the word "Soul" engraved on the chest.
Old Jack frowned slightly at Li Tianyi's entrance, but remained silent. He looked respectfully at the three-sword emblem carved on the young man's left chest.
The sword represented a Battle Spirit Master, and the number of swords signified that the young man before him was a Great Spirit Master of the third rank.
"Respected Battle Spirit Master, thank you for your trouble this time," the old village chief saluted respectfully.
A hint of pride shone across the young man's brow, and he leaned forward slightly in return. "I don't have much time. Let's begin now."
Li Tianyi, standing nearby, had no interest in listening to the two old and young people's scripted remarks. He surveyed the eight children standing in the room and quickly locked onto a boy with a remarkably mature look in his eyes.
Sparkling eyes, hands as smooth as jade—these features couldn't be any different from Tang San! "
I hope you'll be more sensible and never mess with me again, or I'll teach you what it means to end up with nothing."
Tang San, perceptive and perceptive, naturally noticed and was deeply puzzled. He couldn't understand why the boy, who had just entered the house, was staring at him, watching his tail. Recalling the village rumors, he couldn't help but glance at him with sympathy.
"Papa!"
The young man clapped his hands and smiled at the nine children, including Li Tianyi. "My name is Su Yuntao, a Level 26 Great Spirit Master. Now I will begin the awakening process for each of you."
Li Tianyi curled his lips unconsciously. "Didn't you say you were in a hurry? Why are you still dawdling?
"Su Yuntao arranged six black stones into a hexagram formation, motioned the first child to stand inside, and then summoned his Lone Wolf Martial Spirit.
The werewolf appeared, frightening the child to tears. A golden light enveloped the child, and a useless Martial Spirit appeared in the child's right hand.
Even Li Tianyi, with his icy temperament, couldn't help but roll his eyes at this familiar, clichéd plot point.
Finally, when Tang San arrived, Li Tianyi began to take him seriously. As an outsider, he hadn't intended to interfere with the protagonist's life.
However, he suspected that given this guy's behavior, he might one day provoke him. It seemed a fierce battle was inevitable.
As for whether to kill him now and put an end to the trouble ahead of time, Li Tianyi had no such thoughts yet.
First, his own cheat was already more powerful than his, and it would be shameless to strangle him in the cradle after such a situation.
Second, he hadn't provoked him yet; he was just a child. He didn't have the guts to kill a little brat.
Third, his father, who was playing the pig and eating the tiger, was hiding here. He would have to be very lucky to beat his son.
Within the golden halo of the magic circle, a strong blue light illuminated, and Su Yuntao's face was filled with excitement and anticipation.
However, when he saw that it was Blue Silver Grass, he was disappointed, his face darkened, and he waved his hand, not allowing Tang San to continue testing his innate spirit power, and asked him to step aside.
When it was his turn, Li Tianyi's stern face couldn't help but show anticipation. In another world, he had once imagined what kind of martial spirit he could awaken in this world. Now, this dream was about to come true.
"Do you still need to take the test? Don't waste the adults' time," Old Jack said sinisterly. Seeing the village children fail one after another, he felt really bad.
Noticing the gray tail behind Li Tianyi, Su Yuntao asked in confusion, "Who is he?"
Old Jack said disdainfully, "Sir, if you're in a hurry, you can leave now. This neglected little monster will never awaken his spirit. It's not worth your time!"
"Oh?" Su Yuntao didn't respond. As a spirit master, he wasn't as clueless as these commoners. Li Tianyi's appearance actually piqued his interest.
He carefully examined Li Tianyi's tiny body, wrapped in tattered animal skin, and vaguely sensed that some formidable beast lay hidden within him, something extraordinary.
"Little fellow, what are you standing there for? Come and get tested!"
Li Tianyi slowly walked into the hexagram formation. As the golden light of the test began to illuminate, he clenched his fists, his heartbeat quickening, and a hint of trepidation darkened his stern face.
Will a miracle happen? Su Yuntao, watching Li Tianyi in the golden light, began to pray in his heart.
He had already traveled through seven villages and tested nearly a hundred children. He was truly exhausted. It wasn't physical fatigue, but the mounting disappointment weighing on him.
(End of this chapter)