Soul Land 0: A Progress For A Better World (Patreon)

Chapter 11: The First Awakening

Douluo Calendar Year 2594, November 8th.

In the northeastern region of the Douluo Continent, within the Shuimu Principality, winter had already draped the land in a blanket of silver and white.

After days of heavy snowfall, 99% of the population remained cozily indoors, relishing a rare period of peace and leisure in the year.

However, on this particular morning, the Ling and Zhang families—three generations in total—had risen early and gathered at Zhang Dahe's house, quietly awaiting something.

Time ticked by, second by second. Outside, the wind howled, the skies remained overcast, and the snow continued to fall.

During the wait, Grandpa Ling Changqing and Grandpa Zhang Qiang each held a tobacco pipe, occasionally taking a puff. Meanwhile, Grandma Yan Hong and Grandma Lu Yun sat with their heads bowed, stitching soles for shoes with needle and thread.

In the kitchen, Zhang Xiaoyu and Ling He were busy preparing lunch.

Inside the bedroom, Ling Shan and Zhang Xin were still soundly asleep under warm quilts.

At the bedside, Ling Yi sat on a small stool, with his elbows resting on the edge of the bed. He pressed his thumbs against his temples and performed circular eye massages with his index fingers, moving around his eye sockets. Starting from his brows to the tips of his eyebrows, and from the inner corners of his eyes to the outer corners, he carefully followed the steps of the eye exercise routine.

At the foot of the bed, Zhang Lei mimicked Ling Yi’s actions, sitting on a small stool and performing the same routine.

Just as the two were nearing the end of their eye exercise routine, Ling Yi’s movements momentarily paused but quickly resumed. Without Zhang Lei noticing anything amiss, the two completed the first round of their eye acupoint massage for the day.

A few moments later, the gate to the Zhang family courtyard was pushed open from the outside, and a cloaked figure dusted with snow entered.

In the white expanse of the snowy world, Ling Xiaoshan’s tanned face stood out. The rough skin that usually felt sturdy now seemed less resilient, numb from the cold. The chill from his browbone even seemed to seep into his head.

Ignoring the discomfort, Ling Xiaoshan didn’t bother entering the house. Standing in the courtyard, he called out loudly, “Lei Zi! Come with me quickly! The Spirit Master is about to enter the village!”

Hearing this, the four elders inside the house couldn’t sit still any longer. Tobacco pipes, needles, and half-finished shoe soles were hastily set aside on the wooden table as they stood up, their gazes turning to the door of the inner room.

Before Zhang Qiang could speak, the curtain to the inner room was pulled aside, and Zhang Lei rushed out.

Right behind him, Ling Yi followed at a steady pace.

At this moment, apart from the sleeping Ling Shan and Zhang Xin, everyone in the house—from the eldest, Ling Changqing and Zhang Qiang, to the youngest, Ling Yi and Zhang Lei—wore expressions of barely concealed excitement.

Without wasting time, Ling Yi and Zhang Lei bundled themselves up like balls and pushed open the door. Braving the wind and snow, they followed Ling Xiaoshan out of the courtyard.

Behind them, pairs of expectant eyes watched as the trio’s figures disappeared beyond the courtyard gate.

As though sensing the weight of these hopeful gazes, Ling Xiaoshan suddenly felt that the bitter cold of the snowstorm wasn’t as biting as before.

Glancing down at the two little ones beside him, he was particularly struck by the mix of excitement and nervousness on Zhang Lei’s face. Ling Xiaoshan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, "Wasn’t I just like this over a decade ago?"

“Too bad…”

The two barely audible words slipped from Ling Xiaoshan’s mouth and were instantly swallowed by the icy wind, disappearing without a trace.

<+>

Shanhai Village wasn’t large, so it didn’t take long for the trio to arrive at the village center. There, a relatively ornate and solemn stone building stood prominently.

By this time, six or seven figures of various sizes were already standing outside the building, braving the cold wind and heavy snow. Though their bodies trembled uncontrollably, their eyes shone with unmistakable hope.

"Xiaoshan,"

Zhang Dahe stepped forward to meet the three, nodding slightly at Ling Xiaoshan. His gaze shifted to his son, Zhang Lei. Opening his mouth as if to speak, he ultimately said nothing. Instead, he raised his large, slightly stiff hand, chilled by the cold, and gently ruffled the rabbit-fur hat on Zhang Lei's head.

Feeling the familiar touch from his father, Zhang Lei’s previously anxious heart seemed to settle down, and suddenly, he didn’t feel so nervous anymore.

On the side, Ling Yi quietly watched all this without saying a word, simply waiting.

Indeed, if Ling Yi wanted, he could have used his spiritual power combined with verbal and gestural guidance to calm Zhang Lei's nerves. But in the end, he chose not to.

Sometimes, personally experiencing moments like this and navigating the emotional ups and downs is a necessary part of growing up.

A perpetual state of serenity—especially if artificially induced—would do more harm than good for a six-year-old like Zhang Lei.

<+>

The clouds overhead grew heavier, and the howling northern wind forced everyone to hunch over slightly, as if bowing to the power of nature.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long.

After a short while, a burly figure emerged amidst the swirling snow, making steady progress despite the ankle-deep snow. His pace wasn’t fast, but it was firm.

The moment they spotted the figure, everyone’s spirits lifted. The light in their eyes brightened noticeably.

As the figure approached, the thick snowfall no longer obscured their view, and they could clearly make out his features.

It was a tall and muscular man with a full beard that gave him a rugged appearance. The wind and snow seemed powerless to shake his imposing frame.

Clad in a white, form-fitting uniform stretched tight over his bulging muscles, he also wore a black woolen cape draped across his shoulders to shield him from the cold. At the center of his chest, the large "魂" character signified his status as a member of the Spirit Hall.

The badge on his left chest, marked with three swords, revealed his rank—a Spirit Grand Master, and a powerful assault-type spirit master at that.

Sweeping his tiger-like eyes over the group, he spoke in a voice as thunderous as it was commanding:

"Enough waiting! No time to waste—everyone, into the hall. Let’s begin!"

His voice easily overpowered the whistling wind, and the villagers of Shanhai Village had no objections. Quietly, they followed behind the man, who took the lead with long strides, and filed into the stone building—Shanhai Village Branch Spirit Hall.

Ling Yi’s eyes flickered slightly as he caught the man’s demeanor and expressions out of the corner of his eye. Holding Ling Xiaoshan’s hand, he stepped forward, one step at a time.

Once inside, the cold wind and snow were blocked out, and a collective sense of relief washed over the group. Their stiff bodies seemed to thaw instantly, bringing a comforting warmth.

“My name is Lu Yi,” the man introduced himself with an indifferent expression, his tone as cold and hard as the icy weather outside.

"Level 29 Spirit Grand Master."

“You four—line up,” he ordered, his gaze sweeping over the four children present, including Ling Yi and Zhang Lei.

As he spoke, Lu Yi pulled a blue crystal ball, about the size of a child’s head, from a pouch at his waist. He casually placed it on the single stone table in the room.

“Uh… S-Spirit Master…”

Just as Lu Yi reached into his pouch again, Ling Xiaoshan instinctively pulled Ling Yi closer to his chest. His expression cautious, he stammered nervously:

“My… my boy here, he’s only three and a half, not… not even six yet. He… he…”

Ling Xiaoshan was visibly flustered. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have brought Ling Yi inside. What if this offended the Spirit Master? Not only would he and his son be in danger, but the entire village of Shanhai might face serious trouble!

Initially, Ling Xiaoshan had intended to wait outside with Ling Yi, along with Zhang Dahe and the other villagers, while Zhang Lei and the three other eligible children entered the hall for their Martial Spirit Awakening Ceremony.

But unexpectedly—

The Spirit Master had brought them all inside!