Pain came first.
A heavy, burning pressure wrapped around Ling Tian's consciousness, as if he were being forged inside a blazing furnace. Voices echoed distantly, mixed with the cry of a newborn. When he finally opened his eyes, everything around him looked enormous — the wooden roof, the flickering shadows, and especially the two adults holding him.
He had been reborn.
Memories of his previous life flashed through his mind:
the accident, the darkness, the sinking emptiness… and then, a new world.
A world he recognized immediately —
Douluo Continent, where strength ruled all, and every person awakened a Martial Spirit at age six.
Years passed.
Ling Tian grew up in the Holy Soul Village, a poor and quiet place just like in the original story. He helped with chores, trained his body, and waited patiently for the day of his Martial Spirit Awakening.
But unlike everyone else, he carried a secret.
The moment he opened his eyes in this world, he felt something deep within his soul — a presence sleeping, waiting.
And on the morning of his awakening, it finally spoke.
---
The village square was filled with children lining up for the ceremony. Ling Tian stood among them, outwardly calm, though anticipation pulsed beneath his skin.
As the old Village Spirit Master called his name, a metallic chime echoed inside Ling Tian's mind.
DING!
Celestial Alchemy System initializing…
Soul synchronization complete.
Welcome, Host.
Primary Objective: Awaken a high-potential Martial Spirit.
Reward: Low-tier auxiliary flame energy.
Ling Tian's breath caught.
A system.
An alchemy system.
Something straight out of Battle Through the Heavens — but shaped to fit the rules of Douluo Dalu.
"Ling Tian! Step forward," the old man called.
He stepped into the glowing spirit formation. The Spirit Master pressed a hand to his back.
— "Relax… the awakening begins!"
Golden light burst beneath Ling Tian's feet.
A wave of energy surged up his spine.
His mind blanked as heat erupted from his core.
Then—
WHOOSH!
A purple flame ignited in his palm.
The crowd gasped. The air trembled.
Behind Ling Tian, an ethereal Celestial Furnace manifested — golden, ancient-looking, covered in delicate blue runes that hummed with spiritual power.
Silence fell.
The Spirit Master staggered backward, eyes wide.
— "A… a mutated Martial Spirit?!"
Golden fiery light wrapped around Ling Tian as the furnace spirit floated behind him like a divine projection.
DING!
Mission complete.
Reward granted: Auxiliary Flame Seed acquired.
Note: Flame cannot be fully awakened until Host reaches Soul Power Level 10.
The purple flame in Ling Tian's hand shimmered, becoming gentler — controllable, yet alive.
He felt the warmth spread through his body like a second heartbeat.
— "Ling Tian…" the old man whispered.
— "Your talent… surpasses anything this village has ever seen."
Ling Tian lowered his hand slowly, the flame fading into a faint glow.
He smiled faintly.
"Good.
This is the beginning of my path."
In the world of Soul Land, where destiny was forged through spirit and flame, Ling Tian's journey had just begun.
---