The moonlight spilled gently through the window, casting a pale glow across the quiet room.
After sharing dinner with his parents, Yun Xian returned to his room, exhaustion weighing down his steps. The day had been long—too long. Between the awakening of his Martial Soul and that strange dream that still lingered in his mind, his body felt drained.
He lay on his bed, staring at the faint light dancing on the ceiling.
"Today was really tiring… first that dream during awakening, and now this strange hunger," he murmured to himself, voice fading into the stillness.
A soft sigh escaped his lips.
"Ah… I'm so sleepy."
The world around him blurred. The quiet hum of the night wrapped around his fading thoughts, and soon, Yun Xian drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Meanwhile, in Another Room
The soft glow of a spirit lamp flickered in the dimly lit study. Shadows danced gently along the walls, painting the faces of Yun Ming and Ya Li, who sat close beside each other in silence.
A faint crease of worry lingered on Ya Li's delicate features.
"Yun Ming," she spoke softly, breaking the stillness, "what should we do now? For six years we've managed to hide Yun Xian from the world… but we can't keep him hidden forever. If he's to grow stronger, he must eventually step outside."
Yun Ming remained silent for a moment, his gaze distant. Then, slowly, he reached out and held Ya Li's hand, his touch firm yet gentle.
"I know," he said quietly. "But you also know how many are after my life. If word spreads that I have a son, they'll stop at nothing to harm him." His voice hardened, eyes narrowing. "And the worst of them… are the Evil Soul Masters. Those scums would do anything—anything—to achieve their goals."
The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken fear and love. The faint light from the lamp trembled, reflecting the turmoil in their hearts.
Ya Li's voice broke the silence again, soft yet laced with resolve.
"But we can't hide him forever, Yun Ming. We have to do something."
Yun Ming's gaze lingered on the flickering lamp for a moment before he finally spoke, his tone low and deliberate.
"There is a way… but we'll need her help."
A faint hesitation flickered in his eyes as he looked toward Ya Li.
At the mention of that person, Ya Li's expression stiffened. A long moment passed before she finally nodded.
"If that's the only way to keep our son safe, then I have no objections," she said firmly, though her voice trembled ever so slightly.
Yun Ming exhaled and thought aloud,
"Tomorrow, I'll contact her and request that she prepare a new identity for Yun Xian — under the name Xian Yun, a distant relative of Elder Ye. That way, his existence will remain hidden, and his Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul won't arouse suspicion."
But the moment he said her name again, Ya Li's lips pursed, and her brows furrowed. Without warning, she reached over and gave Yun Ming's waist a sharp twist.
"Ow—!" Yun Ming winced, quickly glancing at her. Her cheeks were puffed in mock anger, and under the soft glow of the spirit lamp, she looked irresistibly adorable.
Suppressing a smile, he leaned closer and whispered by her ear,
"Don't worry. I'm all yours… no one else."
Ya Li's expression softened, her annoyance melting into a quiet smile. The light between them flickered gently, reflecting both their fears and their unshakable bond.
Unaware of the quiet conversation in the next room, Yun Xian slept soundly, his breathing calm and steady.
But then, without warning, a faint golden light began to shimmer from his body. The glow grew stronger, pulsing like a heartbeat. His temperature spiked, sweat forming on his forehead as his body twitched uncontrollably. His face twisted in pain—yet he did not wake.
And then came the dream.
In the endless darkness of his mind, a crimson light tore through the void. From within it emerged a massive red sword, radiating a terrifying aura—filled with killing intent and boundless malice. Before he could even react, the sword plunged into his chest, its cold edge burning with fury and hate.
He gasped—
—and his eyes snapped open.
The dream shattered like glass, leaving behind only fragments that quickly faded into the depths of his memory.
Sitting up, Yun Xian exhaled deeply and turned toward the window. The first rays of dawn painted the sky in gold and crimson.
"What… a terrifying dream," he muttered, the chill of that vision still clinging faintly to his heart.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Yun Xian let out a long sigh.
Ever since my Martial Soul awakened… strange things keep happening.
He shook his head, forcing the thought away. No, that's impossible.
Deciding not to dwell on it, he walked into the bathroom to freshen up. Today was an important day—he was finally going to receive his first Spirit Soul.
After washing up, he headed downstairs. The warm aroma of tea lingered in the air. In the living room, his parents sat together on the sofa, sunlight streaming gently across their faces.
As Yun Xian descended the stairs, both Yun Ming and Ya Li turned toward him.
"Are you ready, Xiao Xian?" Yun Ming asked, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"Yes, Dad!" Yun Xian replied, his voice brimming with excitement.
But before he could say more, Yun Ming's expression turned slightly serious.
"Before we leave… there's something I need to tell you," he said, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
Yun Xian blinked, his excitement faltering. "What is it, Dad?" he asked, frowning slightly.
Then, in that quiet morning light, Yun Ming explained everything—the decision he and Ya Li had made the previous night, and the heavy reasons behind it.
Yun Xian listened quietly until his father finished speaking. For a long moment, he said nothing—just stared at them, as if weighing every word.
Then, with a faint blink, he tilted his head slightly.
"That's it? Nothing else?" he asked, his tone filled more with curiosity than protest.
Yun Ming and Ya Li exchanged a brief glance, surprised by his calmness.
To Yun Xian, however, it all made sense. In my previous world, powerful figures often hid their children to protect them from danger, he thought. So, something like this… isn't strange at all.
He nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I understand," he said at last, his voice steady but gentle.
Yun Ming's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Alright then. Since you understand everything… let's go and get your Spirit Soul."
He reached out and gently took Yun Xian's hand. But the moment their palms met, Yun Ming's eyes flickered in surprise. This strength… it's slightly greater than yesterday.
For a brief second, he studied his son in silence, curiosity stirring within him. Yet, he chose not to speak.
Instead, he tightened his grip slightly, the warmth of a father's pride softening his gaze.
"Let's go," he said quietly.
A radiant light enveloped them both—pure and brilliant. The air shimmered, and in the next instant, their figures vanished, leaving only the faint ripple of energy in the room.
...
...
The Spirit Pagoda stood as a monument to the new era — a symbol of how far humanity had come. It represented a revolution in the cultivation system of the Douluo Continent, a living testament that with enough determination and the right guidance, anyone could change the course of history.
Its founder, the legendary Spirit Ice Douluo, Huo Yuhao, had reshaped the world's destiny. What began as a single dream had now spread across the continent; branch pagodas rose in every great city, their towers piercing the skyline like beacons of progress.
Yet, none could compare to the heart of it all — the headquarters in Shrek City. Towering high above the land, its upper floors vanished into the sea of clouds. From a distance, it seemed to touch the heavens themselves, its shining spires proclaiming the vast power and unimaginable wealth the Spirit Pagoda possessed.
A ripple of light shimmered through the air, and in the next instant, Yun Ming and Yun Xian appeared inside a quiet chamber.
The room was simple—just a workbench cluttered with spirit tools, a few chairs, and the faint hum of spirit energy in the air. A woman sat near the workbench, her focus absorbed in a delicate task.
The moment the light of teleportation faded, she paused and turned her head toward them.
Yun Xian's eyes widened.
The woman before him was breathtaking—her beauty no less than his mother's, yet entirely different in its essence. If Ya Li embodied the warmth and gentleness of a nurturing light, then this woman radiated an otherworldly grace, cold and distant like a moonlit glacier.
Her face looked as though it had been carved from flawless jade, and her crimson hair cascaded over her shoulders like flowing silk, adding a striking contrast to her pale, serene complexion.
Her gaze fell on them—calm, piercing, and filled with quiet authority. Then, her lips curved slightly.
"Welcome, Yun Ming… and this little boy," she said softly, her voice smooth but carrying an undertone that made Yun Xian's heart skip a beat.